This in in lue of CountryBumpkin's post on 50 Things to Open a Spirit (sorry if I messed that up).

As a child I was visiting a friend at her grandmothers house, and I learned of something new which has inspired me since.

Based on the golden rule I presume, she would give all her grandkids (of which she had many) and any other stragglers (like myself at the time) the opportunity to _earn_ three gold stars.

She collected those little stickers that you see on your kid's homework assignments when they've done well in class or that people use in scrapbooking.

But she only collected the gold ones.

The idea was that each time you did a good deed you earned a gold star. And each child had their own small poster that they had created of whatever they chose (like a collage or drawings of their own) and could attach a gold star to that poster board.

They'd come running home & say "nanna, nanna, guess what I did today? I helped an old man pick up something he dropped & he said thank you"

This taught the kids at a young age to enjoy helping others & to go outta their way to do so.

I thought this was an excellent idea...

but I kinda adapted it to fit me - perhaps selfishly.

I dont buy the gold stars, but in my mind *blink* one will go off if I've done what I adapted this for me.

For me, to earn my golden star...
THREE times minimum a day I have to notice something that makes me smile.

A funny shaped cloud, a scent of a flower, the cute little annoying things the dog does, a hug from the child, bf bringing home dinner so I wouldnt have to cook.

I try to get as many of these things a day & my reward...

smiling & enjoying the little SIMPLE things in life!

Just thought I'd share...