Paris surprised me and Alison at the library today with peppermint mochas from Starbucks! Yum!
After a long morning of studying, this definitely lifted my mood and made my whole day better. Thanks P for the treat. You are the best!
More than just a good friend who brings me some coffee though, Paris is a brilliant and talented artist. She inspires me to do great things and be a better person every single day.
Below you can check out a short film she made last year; The Individual Within the Flock is definitely one of my favorites. Paris uses slash-tilt photography animation to bring to life the aspirations of our fellow peers at the University of Michigan. This short film is wonderfully executed and really motivating! What are your life goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
Worried about finals? Convinced that because stressed spells “desserts” backwards, you can eat all the candy and chocolate you want, but now you just feel tired and lazy? Well here are a few tips and stories that really improved my mood today!
1. A message from my roommate, dispelling the negative air in my household and cheering all of us on to think positively and push ourselves to do well:
“I will not stand for this negativity in my household. People would kill to be in our places. Danielle, you just had an interview with L’Oréal. That is AMAZING. Laurel already has a job at Target. Paris is interviewing for her dream animation job in Soho. Anna will be traipsing around France with an amazing internship. You are incredible people and studying for finals is going to pay off when you are able to work hard in your dream jobs. So YAY positivity! Positive thinking yields positive results. Pure fact”.
2. My mom’s voicemail, telling me about a complete stranger that walked up to her today while on line at the Christmas Tree Shop and handed her a coupon for $10 off any purchase over $25. Apparently the store was mobbed with people, but this woman just so happened to pick my mom out of the crowd. My mom was so excited by this generous gesture, asking the woman why she had chose her out of everyone in line. The woman said she just felt this positive vibe emanating from my mom, telling her that she could really use the coupon. Interestingly enough, my mom was buying toys to donate to Toys for Tots. Isn’t that really great?! It’s pure proof that positive moods are socially contagious! My mom was doing something nice and feeling pretty good; this carried over to the other woman in the store, inspiring her to do something nice as well!
In a study conducted at Harvard University and the University of California, San Diego, researchers found that when a person becomes happy, a friend living close by has a 25 percent higher chance of becoming happy themselves. A spouse experiences an 8 percent increased chance and for next-door neighbors, it’s 34 percent. When one person becomes happy, the social network effect can spread up to 3 degrees – reaching friends of friends. So check it out. Who are you near? Are the people around you smiling?
3. The Free Hugs Campaign, an amazing, feel-good video, especially when you need a hug!
While yesterday’s challenge was to spread your smile, today’s video just might bring you to tears. Brock Mealer’s story is incredibly touching and inspirational. Having been at the Big House many times, I can’t imagine a more powerful moment than this. It really makes you think, impossible is nothing! Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. You can do anything you set your mind to.
danielle does 