HappyUP!!! Day 762

HappyUP!!! - three birdies
Why it happened - great shots and putts
Why it makes me happy - that ties the most I have had in a round at my course. There will come a day when it will be more. You know one birdie is always a HappyUP!!!...triple it.

HappyUP!!! - iron play
Why it happened - I got into a groove
Why it makes me happy - I hit about as many pure irons today as I have in a long time. Golf is so funny...and frustrating. When you hit it good, it is so easy...when it goes bad, it is a struggle.

HappyUP!!! - coming back
Why it happened - I made a great sand save
Why it makes me happy - I had a terrible start to my round today. Yet, one little sand shot turned the trick on hole 5 and I played well from then on.

HappyUP!!! - communicating with friends
Why it happened - I have multiple channels
Why it makes me happy - my friends just crack me up....they really do.

JollyJottings

Three birdies
Sand shot 5
Irons....8 on 6....6 on 7...7 on 9...wedge on 10...6 on 13...8 on 15...7 on 16...8 on 17...7 on 18
Ice cream sandwich
Flop shot on 12
Overcoming a bad start
Texting friends

HappyUP!!! Day 761

HappyUP!!!- dinner at Paul Martins
Why it happened - the new McCormick & Schmicks was full
Why it makes me happy - M&S just opened so I was going to try it out....newsflash....the recession hasn't hit there! Just as well as Paul Martins is a local favorite that I haven't eaten at in awhile and it was delicious...and much more quiet. Yet, it was pretty crowded too. Good dining isn't a thing of the past just yet

HappyUP!!! - birdie and a skin
Why it happened - I hit a pure iron and a great putt
Why it makes me happy - we had 8 guys playing skins today and I got one of the 5 skins which returned my entry fee and a little bit more.

HappyUP!!! - checking out my friends new space
Why it happened - my friend just closed escrow
Why it makes me happy - my friend is thrilled with the new digs....and I got to see it before the furniture arrived. The pad is out at Morgan Creek, my golf course, so there are going to be some parties going on!...and very convenient for me.

JollyJottings

Birdie....and a skin
5 straight pure irons
A new swing key
Paul Martins
Stopping by to check out a friends new digs

HappyUP!!! Day 760

HappyUP!!! - a quick 18
Why it happened - I decided I could run it around
Why it makes me happy - I was the first guy on the course once I played through one person. There is nothing like being on the course with no one in front of me. I hit a lot of quality shots and had the usual (of late) average round. Considering I started by bogeying 4 out of the first 5 holes, it was a good score to get to.

HappyUP!!! - a second 18
Why it happened - a couple of friends were going out when I was finishing my 18
Why it makes me happy - one of the guys is a great player....and the other is a buddy that likes to take my money. They are a lot of fun to play with so we had a good time.

HappyUP!!! - 6 iron into the wind
Why it happened - I stayed down and through it
Why it makes me happy - it was a pure shot.... at the right time right after I pressed some bets.

HappyUP!!! - birdie on 18
Why it happened - I rolled in a 15 footer
Why it makes me happy - it was a birdie....on 18 which I don't often birdie....and it came with a lot of bets on the line.....a lot. I pocketed some good cash...HappyUP!!!


JollyJottings

A quick 18
Catching a second 18
Birdie on 4
Birdie on 18
6 iron on 16

HappyUP!!! Day 759

HappyUP!!! - coffee
Why it happened - it happens every Wednesday
Why it makes me happy - we had good conversation...and a new venue. The place where we have met, La Bou, for the last umpteen years for this standing meeting has closed...a victim of the Invisible Hand.

<---how is that for a HappyUP!!! picture? When was the last time you were that giddy. I also like the child laborer in the background getting ready to plow a field. HappyUP!!! - our assistant pro joined us
Why it happened - he needed a game.
Why it makes me happy - I'm glad to be good enough to play on the periphery of his league. I got to see a lot of good shots. Plus, when you play with people better than yourself, you have to step up.

HappyUP!!! - a birdie...on hole two
Why it happened - I hit a dynamite hybrid and putt
Why it makes me happy - you know the drill...a birdie is a HappyUP!!!. Two is one of the hardest holes on our course. Most importantly, it won me a skin in the big skins game that we had with another group.

HappyUP!!! - fun communications
Why it happened - I have friends I play with
Why it makes me happy - it's good to connect through our current technologies. Texting...e-mailing...facebooking.....none of it is a substitute for face-to-face or phone but it's nice to be in touch.

JollyJottings

Coffee
Golfing with the assistant pro
A birdie...A skin
Another solid round
Communication with friends

HappyUP!!! Day 758

HappyUP!!! - a solid round
Why it happened - I've found a mental key
Why it makes me happy - I joined some guys on the third hole today. I didn't get time to hit any balls or practice any putts. I still hit 11 greens from the back tees on a long, wet course. I think I can play much better when I start to practice a bit more...it appears that I have moved my game back to the level I hit back in October. I seem to be upping my level of play.

HappyUP!!! - birdie on 9
Why it happened - I hit a couple of solid shots...and a great putt
Why it makes me happy - the last hole of any 9 usually has some extra pressure and dough riding on it. The 9th on my course has been tough on me as of late. A birdie is always a HappyUP!!! but one on 9 is a bigger one.

HappyUP!!! - Toastmasters
Why it happened - it was an on week
Why it makes me happy - we heard the first speech from a newer member today...I love icebreakers. I also learned about an "ice that burns" that comes from the ocean...another possible source of greener energy. On top of it, it was great to hang out with the members.

JollyJottings

Toastmasters
Joining the guys for golf
A solid round
A birdie on 9
Nice weather
A great dinner

HappyUP!!! Day 757

HappyUP!!! - thunderstorm
Why it happened - it's weather
Why it makes me happy - today was the first time this season that I can remember it really pouring....I mean where visibility is impacted....pull the car over to the side of the road...kind of rain. It made me smile in wonder.

HappyUP!!! - a couple of book reviews
Why it happened - I'm trying to do some clean up
Why it makes me happy - it's a long story....too long for here. I am just glad to get a few of these done today.

HappyUP!!! - pennies
Why it happened - I found some penny wraps
Why it makes me happy - I decided that, while watching tube, I would start working on my penny jar. It's kind of like ladies who knit. You can watch TV...talk on the phone...etc...and make money at the same time. I think I made about 12 bucks while sitting around for an hour.

HappyUP!!! Day 756

HappyUP!!! - brekko with the Boz
Why it happened - it rained
Why it makes me happy - hey, no golf so I had some time to fill. Who better to fill it with than one of my golfing partners

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from golf pro
Why it happened - we won a tournament
Why it makes me happy - he was witness to the playoff and he sent a brief nicety....nothing much....just a few good words. Take note...it rarely takes much to give someone a HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - banter with friends
Why it happened - I was home and had technology access
Why it makes me happy - it seems like the local world slowed with the storm yesterday. Some of the communication was serious...some silly....OK....mostly silly. That is just how I like it.

JollyJottings

Banter with friends
Brekko
Golf Store
Weight
Oscars

HappyUP!!! Day 755

SUPERHappyUP!!! - we qualified
Why it happened - I put together a pretty solid round
Why it makes me happy - my golf partner and I are low handicap golfers...we don't get many strokes given to us. Normally, the low handicappers don't do well in a "net" tournament when strokes are given. We ended up in a 4 way tie for first place amongst 24 two man teams and managed to prevail. Two 2-man teams are then sent to the next round in lovely Monterey, CA, where we play Poppy Hills and the Bayonet Course at Ford Ord!.....and the greens fees are covered! HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - a playoff
Why it happened - there was a tie
Why it makes me happy - it was a sudden death affair where one miscue could knock you out. I hadn't experienced the feeling of these kinds of nerves in a long time. I used my routine to quiet the nerves and played very well in the playoff.

HappyUP!!! - running into my old friend V
Why it happened - V was out at the golf club
Why it makes me happy - I used to work with V. V left to work somewhere else and we lost track of each other. V is a cool person to hang out with and we will out at the club.

HappyUP!!! - two birdies
Why it happened - I played some solid holes
Why it makes me happy - both birdies involved hitting tricky pitches up to the hole...and I nailed them.

HappyUP!!! - 9 iron into 9
Why it happened - I hit a great drive
Why it makes me happy - the ninth hole has been tough on me. Today, I hit the best drive I could. The pin was in an awful location but I striped the 9 iron right there. Unfortunately, the ball spun off to the side and down the slope of the green (I told you it was a tough pin position) but the drive and 9 iron were about the two best shots that were humanely possible on that hole today.


JollyJottings

We qualified
Playoff nerves
Two birdies
Running into V
Conversing with Y
Conversing with TT

HappyUP!!! Day 754

HappyUP!!! - call from TT
Why it happened - we exchanged some Facebook messages
Why it makes me happy - TT is an old friend that is a classic example of the beauty of Facebook. I would have lost track of T but not now. We had a fun conversation and will end up breaking some bread.

HappyUP!!! - 4 birdies
Why it happened - I got it close 4 times
Why it makes me happy - birdies are where it's at on the golf course. This was my partner and my warmup for our tournament tomorrow. We're ready.

HappyUP!!! - brekko with the boys
Why it happened - they called me yesterday
Why it makes me happy - these are two of my favorite guys....breakfast was great....the conversation was interesting.

JollyJottings

Call from TT
E-mail from Y
Brekko with the guys
Figuring out "Stand By Me"
Playing For Change
Chatting with D
4 birdies....all short putts
A couple of incredible sand shots
A tremendous putt on 9
Hitting 15...a par 5...in two shots
Chicken

No Pain....No Gain

....is not any kind of philosophy - it's a marketing campaign.

HappyUP!!! Day 753

HappyUP!!! - driving around
Why it happened - I decided to do some exploring
Why it makes me happy - there are parts of my own town that I don't know. It had grown so much that I wasn't aware of where all the shops and restaurants are. It was good to get some bearings and make a few discoveries.

HappyUP!!! - the group I am mentoring
Why it happened - it's Thursday
Why it makes me happy - they got in two icebreaker speeches today....awesome. They are really getting the hang of Toastmasters

HappyUP!!! - a text
Why it happened - my buddy wanted to play golf
Why it makes me happy - it was a gorgeous day but I would have just hit balls and practiced. It was great getting out there and making some great shots

HappyUP!!! - solid/great shots
Why it happened - I am "feeling it" more
Why it makes me happy - while I don't feel that I am playing to potential, there are many more good/great shots in every round. The gap between my bad shots and good shots is narrowing as well. Hybrid on 2, 6 iron on 3, drive on 4, 3 wood/9iron on 5, 5 iron on 6, 4 iron on 7, 7 iron on 8, 6 iron/putt on 9, 5 iron on 10, 3 wood/hybrid on 12, 5 iron on 13, 9 iron on 15, 8 iron on 16, driver/8 iron on 18......that is a LOT of solid golfing.

HappyUP!!! - brekko invite
Why it happened - two buddies called me
Why it makes me happy - brekko with friends is one of the BEST HappyUP!!!s and THAT is what I will be doing in the morning. Something to look forward to

HappyUP!!! - e-mail from a friend
Why it happened - my friend wants to get together for drinks or dinner
Why it makes me happy - this is a friend from WAAAAAAY back that I haven't seen in years. This will be some seriously stimulating conversation for sure.

HappyUP!!! Day 752

HappyUP!!! - Vino
Why it happened - I went grocery shopping
Why it makes me happy - c'mon...you see the blog here. You know that I put a smiley face on my golf balls. How could I be anything but happy when I saw this?
<----------- HappyUP!!! - over the top mood
Why it happened - I worked on it....and had found an old CD
Why it makes me happy - there are times when I am out Nutstering around when I feel absolutely unstoppable....I radiate...and I know it. I'm not sure why it happens and I would like it to happen more. This is a level beyond HappyUP!!!....I got there today and it may have had something to do with an old meditation CD I had found. It wasn't so much the message of the meditation as it was that I did an intervention in my thinking. I'll play with this.

HappyUP!!! - toastmaster training
Why it happened - I am a club officer so it is required
Why it makes me happy - the training was held at a State Farm operations office here in town....a company/place where I have gone and spoke to their employees before. They told me that they still had speakers come in and wanted me to come back.
HappyUP!!! - getting out for golf
Why it happened - it was a sunny day
Why it makes me happy - I had gone 3 days without playing...just being out there was a HappyUP!!! Throw on top that I played OK....got a skin in the big game....led off with a birdie....made some pretty incredible shots......HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - my Minnesota buddy
Why it happened - he called me
Why it makes me happy - we e-mail and facebook all the time....and those suffice. Yet, short of hanging around face to face, you can't beat some voice to voice.
HappyUP!!! - 3 wood into 17
Why it happened - the course was wet and 17 was into the wind
Why it makes me happy - you really don't like to have to hit a 3 wood into a par 4....but sometimes you do. I hit the ball today and because of the sun and clouds, I never saw it. Neither did my partner. I thought I hit it OK. We walked up to the green and, low and behold, there my ball was about 15 feet from the hole.....not bad from 22o yards!

JollyJottings

Finding an old meditation CD
Running some errands in a window of time
Over the top mood
Toastmasters training
Getting out for golf
Birdie on the first hole
Solid round of golf
3 wood on 17
Up and down on 9....11....14
Talking with my buddy PS

HappyUP!!! Day 751

HappyUP!!! - golf commitment
Why it happened - I made a decision
Why it makes me happy - I haven't teed it up in a scratch golf tournament in 20+ years. In April, I'll be trying to qualify for the State Amateur....something I qualified for 26 years ago. WHEN I qualify, I guess I can officially say that I am as good as I was. How often does someone maintain that degree of athleticism later in life? It's going to be great.

HappyUP!!! - golf invitation
Why it happened - I have friends
Why it makes me happy - though I had to turn it down, it is great to be invited. Plus, the invitation came with the person telling me that he is enjoying reading The Four Agreements.

HappyUP!!! - bantering over a stock loss
Why it happened - I spotted a trend
Why it makes me happy - the trend broke....and I got hammered on a trade. BUT, I did have some fun trading e-mails with a guy commiserating over it. It was fake commiseration. You can't let the stock market beat you up these days....if you rolls your dice, you takes your chances.

JollyJottings

Rain
Golf invitation
Golf commitment
This weekend's tournament
Bantering over a stock loss
Morning freed up

40 Tips for a Better Life

With all the "stuff" that is hitting us - in these challenging times, the below is just the prescription that you need

Cut the below - and paste it into a Word document. Make 5 copies. Ask yourself each night for the next 5 days how you did.

If you want things to change - you have to have an intervention. An intervention is anything that steps in and INTERVENES to change your behavior.

Yes....it requires effort - hey, that is a good thing. YOU can do the below....others won't.

40 Tips for a Better Life - 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime .
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the negative blues away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no ide a what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Always remember that God can heal everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________. (Sounds like a HappyUP!!! list would qualify)
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about. I just did.

HappyUP!!! Day 750

HappyUP!!! - brekko with the Boz
Why it happened - Rain
Why it makes me happy - my favorite breakfast at my favorite place with one of my buds who was having a day off....delicious all the way around

HappyUP!!! - rain
Why it happened - c'mon
Why it makes me happy - we are getting soaked here....and it is beautiful to watch. It's a nice amount without downpours. No flooding locally that I know of.

HappyUP!!! NCIS
Why it happened - it's raining...and they are running a marathon
Why it makes me happy - NCIS is a great show...I catch it now and again. With the rain keeping me inside, I didn't feel too bad about catching three episodes.



HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! Day 749

HappyUP!!! - rain
Why it happened - c'mon..who knows
Why it makes me happy - we are playing serious catch up. I am thinking the Sierra's may have gotten a little snow too.

HappyUP!!! - two lazy cats
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - it was windy...and rainy....and I woke up....and heard the tumult outside....and both of my cats were still out on my bed. This is NOT the usual program. Babies do cool things...I get the dog owners and the puppy love....but a couple of purring cats is a tough thing to beat for calm.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast on a Sunday
Why it happened - it was time for my morning feeding
Why it makes me happy - hot coffee...short stack...sausage...sitting by the window looking out at the weather.....niiiiiiccccce.

HappyUP!!! - book review
Why it happened - I decided to go through the box
Why it makes me happy - I make notes while reading books on the idea that I get back and do some summarizing. I knocked out a couple of them today.

JollyJottings

Two lazy cats
Breakfast
Book review
Chatting with a friend
Playing some guitar
Rain

Andrew Carnegie: The Mission Statement

From his journal:

"Thirty three and an income of $50,000 per annum. By this time 2 years from now I can arrange all my business as to make no effort to increase fortune but spend the surplus each year for benevolent purposes. Settle in Oxford and get a thorough education, making the acquaintance of literary men -this will take three year's active work -pay especial attention to speaking in public. Settle then in London and purchase a controlling interest in some newspaper or live review and give the general management of it attention, taking a part in public matters especially those connected with education and improvement of the poorer classes. Man must have an idol - the amassing of wealth is one of the worst species of idolatry. No idol more debasing than the worship of money. Whatever I engage in I must push inordinately, therefore I should be careful to choose that life which will be the most elevating in its character. To continue much longer overwhelmed by business cares and with most of my thoughts wholly upon the way to make more money in the shortest time, must degrade me beyond hope of permanent recovery. I will resign businesses at thirty five, but during the ensuing two years, I wish to spend the afternoons in securing instruction, and in reading systematically."

Carnegie didn't get it done - in two years. It actually took three decades for his vision of a life of service to happen.

The amazing thing to me - is the amount of clarity Carnegie had at the age of 33.

The above is from the book, Halftime, by Bob Buford.

HappyUP!!! Day 748

HappyUP!!! - 75
Why it happened - that's how many it took to get around the course today
Why it makes me happy - I didn't hit it that good but this was the best score of the year. A good short game always comes in handy.

HappyUP!!! - sand play
Why it happened - I asked the pros for a tip last week
Why it makes me happy - they told me some things in the pro shop. I went out to the practice bunker the next two days and worked on it. My technique had definitely been flawed. Today, I was in two traps....and got it up and down both times. I got some training...I worked on it...and it paid off today...HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - chatting with my Minnesota friend
Why it happened - we were both on Facebook
Why it makes me happy - this guy is a brother from a different mother....no question about it. We did some fun IM-ing.

JollyJottings

Good weather
Sandy on 2
Chip in on 5
Up and down on 7,8, and 9
Sandy on 13
Birdie on 15
Up and down on 17
6 iron out of the bunker on 18

HappyUP!!! Day 747

HappyUP!!! - golf
Why it happened - got a break in the weather
Why it makes me happy - we had written it off...then the weather cleared...kind of. We got in 18 holes in dry weather. As we were wrapping it up on 18, it started to sprinkle

HappyUP!!! - golfing with the Boz
Why it happened - he had today off
Why it makes me happy - Boz cracks me up. I hadn't golfed with him in a month....and he played good!

HappyUP!!! - golf shots
Why it happened - I keep working on it
Why it makes me happy - good up and downs on the first three holes, a nice wedge on 4, a good 4 iron on 7, a nice drive/wedge on 8, a GREAT cut 6 iron on 10, a SUPER par featuring a stellar pitch shot on 14, a nutted 4 iron on 16........it's why I play.

HappyUP!!! - rain
Why it happened - it's a God thing
Why it makes me happy - waking up to it is always a nice sound.....and we desperately need the rain.



JollyJottings

Waking up to rain
Going to breakfast
A break in the weather...and golf
Facebooking with some friends
Writing about Obamanation

HappyUP!!! Day 746

HappyUP!!! - part 1 of annual physical
Why it happened - it was scheduled
Why it makes me happy - all systems AOK.....wheeeeeee!

HappyUP!!! - mentoring
Why it happened - it's a Thursday thing
Why it makes me happy - I keep making new friends as I pass along what I know

HappyUP!!! - facebook
Why it happened - I added a couple of friends
Why it makes me happy - there is something neat about reconnecting with people that, without Facebook, you would never hear from again.

HappyUP!!! Day 745

HappyUP!!! - an unexpected round of golf
Why it happened - the rains let up
Why it makes me happy - it was tough.....lots of wind but that makes it a little more challenging. I hit some really bad shots in the conditions...expected. I didn't expect to hit the pin on 4 for a near eagle!

HappyUP!!! - hitting the stick
Why it happened - I hit a great shot
Why it makes me happy - it almost went in. It bounced back a few feet for a tap in birdie. This was a wedge after a great drive in the wind. HappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - smoked mid irons
Why it happened - I was very loose
Why it makes me happy - I hit a perfect 4 iron and a perfect 5 iron. You can play some rounds without hitting any perfect mid/long irons. I got two today.

HappyUP!!! - coffee conversations
Why it happened - it's on my weekly calender
Why it makes me happy - it was good chatting with my friend but also with a group of guys that regularly has coffee where we do.

HappyUP!!! - phone call from N
Why it happened - N called me
Why it makes me happy - it's good catching up with this person. It had been a couple of weeks.

HappyUP!!! - Facebook friends
Why it happened - it's what Facebook is about
Why it makes me happy - Facebook is perfect for staying in touch with acquaintances that should be friends. I found about 3 of them today.

JollyJottings

Coffee
Talking with some guys
An unexpected round of golf
Being joined by a good player
Near eagle
Hybrid on 6...8 iron on 8....7 iron on 9
5 iron on 11
3 wood on 12
Hybrid on 13
4 iron on 14
15th hole
Phone call from a friend

HappyUP!!! Day 744

HappyUP!!! - new member
Why it happened - it was a Toastmaster Tuesday
Why it makes me happy - we keep growing the membership....it's what it is all about

HappyUP!!! - my speech
Why it happened - it was my turn
Why it makes me happy - I gave a pretty good rendition of "Be Impeccable With Your Word" in a 5 -6 minute span. No question.....I am a work in progress as much as anyone. Today's speech was good for the audience....and for me.

HappyUP!!! - golf with my golf partner
Why it happened - he wanted to play today instead of tomorrow
Why it makes me happy - I would probably have been playing alone today....I may have filled in with another game....but I like playing with my golf buddy.

HappyUP!!! - invitation to the State Amateur qualifying
Why it happened - the NCGA took notice
Why it makes me happy - I qualified for the State Am once. To qualify, you have to meet eligibility which I now do.

JollyJottings

Toastmasters...new member
Speech
Golf with buddy
Hole 1
5 iron on 5....chip on 7....putt on 12....hybrid on 13.....8 iron pitch on 15...drive on 18
New Facebook friends

HappyUP!!! Day 743

HappyUP!!! - lunch with JJ
Why it happened - we set it up
Why it makes me happy - I used to work with JJ. I got all caught up on the family and how work is going....and had a great pot roast sandwich

HappyUP!!! - the ATM
Why it happened - Wells Fargo has good ones
Why it makes me happy - do you know how amazing it is with what you can do with one of these machines. You can even get images of checks you deposit...right there. Yes, this technology has been around for more than a year but it makes me happy every time I go to the money machine.

HappyUP!!! - chipping
Why it happened - I showed some discipline
Why it makes me happy - some people whittle on a piece of wood...or knit...or one of a million things. I could chip golf balls all day long. There is so much creativity involved....and it is going to make me a better golfer. The short game is everything.

HappyUP!!! - wrote my speech
Why it happened - I am speaking tomorrow
Why it makes me happy - I used the first of the Four Agreements here as the topic....so I could spend all my time on honing the speech for quality and not thinking so much about structure. The structure was already written out.

JollyJottings

Chipping
Sunshine
Grocery store
Bank

IF....Wisdom by Rudyard Kipling

It just doesn't get - any better than this.

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

HappyUP!!! Day 742

HappyUP!!! - golf finish
Why it happened - I made a couple of putts
Why it makes me happy - many times, I have gotten to the 15th tee and thought, "I could pull this round together with a 2 under finish." I didn't think that today because this round was gone ......and, voila, the 2 under finish happened. I hit some quality shots but the putter came through.

HappyUP!!! - meeting my friend
Why it happened - we made a plan
Why it makes me happy - it was good to do some catching up over an afternoon refreshment. I also found out some things that I didn't know.

HappyUP!!! - rain
Why it happened - who knows....it hasn't been
Why it makes me happy - it held off and gave us a nice day but it is starting to come down now... and we need it here in Nor Cal. It makes me happy because I am pretty sure that I'll want a drink a bit later in the year.

HappyUP!!! - Grammy Awards
Why it happened - it's an annual thing
Why it makes me happy - listening to music used to be a big deal to me. I don't keep track of anything current now. With this show, I at least get to hear what is popular.

JollyJottings

Rain
Meeting my friend
Golf shots
Par...Birdie...Par...Birdie....finish

HappyUP!!! Day 741

HappyUP!!! - birdie on one
Why it happened - I played it perfectly
Why it makes me happy - we were on an up tee....so I smacked a three wood off the tee, hit it again off the fairway, and got within range of my 60 degree wedge....which I hit to about 2 1/2 fee. A good start is a superHappyUP!!!

HappyUP!!! - new golf partners
Why it happened - one of our regulars didn't show
Why it makes me happy - I got to meet a couple of guys that I had heard of at the club. I also got pared again with another good guy that I played with last fall. Fellowship.

HappyUP!!! - getting repaid
Why it happened - my friend is doing OK
Why it makes me happy - c'mon...you've lent out money. Admit it....it's a good feeling when it comes back.

JollyJottings

Golf partners
Birdie on the first hole
Lunch with my buddy
Cash repayment
Arranging to meet a friend
Two cats on the lap

HappyUP!!! Day 740

HappyUP!!! - Bob Sutton's Blog Picture
Why it happened - I was getting caught up on this author's blog
Why it makes me happy -it may not be a good example of being impeccable with one's word....but it is funny. I spent years in the mortgage world and I have a lot of realtor friends. I could just imagine what they would see if they saw this sign (if you are the neighbor, remember the Four Agreements.....Take Nothing Personally)

HappyUP!!! - birdie on 14
Why it happened - I hit two OK shots....and then an awesome putt
Why it makes me happy - I was kind of a load to my partner today. Knocking in the 25 footer on this tough hole helped the effort.

HappyUP!!! - stock market rally
Why it happened - who knows
Why it makes me happy - we actually netted out a good week in the financial markets. Can we start seeing some gains here?

HappyUP!!! - golfing with Wah and RC
Why it happened - Wah set it up
Why it makes me happy - I always play with R...today, we played with these two other good players.....we even won a couple of bets!

JollyJottings


Breakfast
Driving range
Getting golf in
Drive/Wedge on 4
Drive/3 wood 5
Flop/Putt on 13
Putt on 14
6 iron on 16
Pitch on 18
Stock market rally

HappyUP!!! Day 739

HappyUP!!! - visit with a friend
Why it happened - my friend needed a favor
Why it makes me happy - it's just nice to be free and able to do things for people

HappyUP!!! - Oracle Toastmasters
Why it happened - it's Thursday and I volunteered
Why it makes me happy - I am "second chair" on this mentoring job....which means that I don't do much....perfect for a guy like me! LOL It's actually nice to sit back, make some notes, and just sprinkle a few seasonings upon the group. These are some good people.

HappyUP!!! - chicken sandwich
Why it happened - I had leftovers
Why it makes me happy - I never have made a grilled chicken/pastrami/cheese sandwich....and I have never seen it on a menu. I must say...it was tasty!

JollyJottings

Chicken sandwich
Oracle
A little rain

HappyUP!!! Day 738

HappyUP!!! - favor from a buddy
Why it happened - I asked...he said yes
Why it makes me happy - this guy had the perfect tools and we did what we needed to do in a snap! Plus, it was just good to see him. I used to work with him and hadn't seen him in a long time.

HappyUP!!! - breakfast with E
Why it happened - we do this regularly
Why it makes me happy - we had food and good conversation about business and life

HappyUP!!! - beautiful day on the course
Why it happened - I play
Why it makes me happy - it was just beautiful to be outside. The golf wasn't much to brag about. I hit a few very good shots. You can't hit it well every day. I still could have rescued the round with a few putts. I think I am on the verge of playing lights out again.

HappyUP!!! - coffee with T
Why it happened - we have it on the calendar
Why it makes me happy - it was brief but we had a fun chat.

JollyJottings

7 Negative Emotions
Coffee with T
Breakfast with E
Beautiful Day
Golf
Shorts
Up n down on 8....hybrid on 17....2 putt on 11....wedge on 15

HappyUP!!! Day 737

HappyUP!!! - first one on the course
Why it happened - who knows...no one was at the course
Why it makes me happy - I teed it up with no one in front of me. I have been walking but decided to ride so I could play fast.....in two hours

HappyUP!!! - pitch in on 3
Why it happened - I've been practicing
Why it makes me happy - I hit 200 pitch shots on Monday. The shot I had today was a little tricky but it was hit perfectly and fell nicely into the cup. It's cool when you watch a chip roll and you KNOW it's going in.

HappyUP!!! - talking with N
Why it happened - he called me after I text him
Why it makes me happy - his company got in the news today....and not for a good reason. We had some laughs about it.

HappyUP!!! - visit with my nephew
Why it happened - he was dropping something off
Why it makes me happy - I don't see this guy enough so it was nice to chat a little bit.

JollyJottings

First one on the course
Chatting with the greenskeeper
Chipping in on 3
7 iron on 5....4 iron on 6...9 iron on 8....9 iron on 15.....7 iron on 16
Talking with N

Hey....Any Room at the Inn?

Awhile back - I made a list of things that would be likely results of the economic squeeze.

My number one item - people moving in together. Multi-family households in a single family house would become more of a norm.

While kids have always - had the revolving door with parents as the younger set try to get established in this world, this downturn would lead to something more. I even foresaw that you would see non-related families moving in together. Brothers and sisters was on the list. Aging parents was a given.

I found the article in USAToday-today to be very interesting. It talks about this very phenomenon.

The article described something I hadn't thought about - divorce rates are falling because couples can't sell the home they are in. Even if they could, the cost of setting up separate households would be prohibitive. Even though many of these couples are living a "War of the Roses" existence with boundaries/schedules set up, I see nothing wrong with a little "cooling off" period under one roof. Who knows? Maybe these people can work it out.

Many of the newer homes - that have been built are much larger than traditional homes. When I grew up, a 2000 sq foot house was considered quite large. To achieve that same status today, you would need to go to 3500-4000 sq ft. Where did this "need for more" come from? I don't think average family size increased. It only makes

The comment that really perked my interest was this one - "moving in with relatives can be demoralizing, humbling, dehumanizing -but a lot of people don't have a choice. You lose that sense of independence, privacy, and self-esteem. You lose somewhat of your identity."

I get what the guy is saying - but since when did living in more space than you need be a vital fuel to one's self-esteem? As said, I "get it" and I am not arguing that this doesn't happen.

The better question - WHY would anyone allow their stuff to define who they are?....even to ourselves?

HappyUP!!! Day 736

HappyUP!!! - Don't Make Assumptions
Why it happened - I'm doing a series
Why it makes me happy - I don't know why it took me the time to get to writing this one. I thought it would be a much longer piece than it was. I was happy with the output

HappyUP!!! - talking with MM
Why it happened - I did some detective work when an e-mail bounced back
Why it makes me happy - MM has had some issues come up but they are being dealt with in a constructive manner. M is in good spirits

HappyUP!!! - making contact with J
Why it happened - we are on Facebook
Why it makes me happy - I'll be stopping by to visit J.....and J is going to do me a favor and take care of a little niggling issue that I have been tolerating. J has the tools for the job.

HappyUP!!! - catching up with JJ
Why it happened - we had to cancel lunch
Why it makes me happy - love JJ...wish we could have done lunch...but our phone chat was terrific!

JollyJottings

Making contact with a buddy to do me a favor...have to thank Facebook for that
Talking with my friend, MM
Talking with JJ
E-mail from T
Gorgeous afternoon
Afternoon nap with Stogie on the lap
Don't Make Assumptions written
Good feedback

Open Happiness - is Coke the new Dalai Lama?

Many of you may have seen the Best Buy campaign - that said, "hey...you! Come in here. Buy an expensive electronics thing that you probably really don't need....you'll be happier!"

OK - it didn't really say that. That was my translation.

Still, I find it interesting - that so many marketing minds have now shifted over to flat out putting the word and concept of happiness in their promotions.

Happiness has always been - the basis of most consumer advertising....but it has been subliminal.

Now, Coke has a new drone - "Open Happiness"

Coke must have done some heavy market research - you don't go plunking down millions of dollars for 30-second spots without serious data to back up the decision.

One could even argue - that Coke is the best marketer in the world. They have to be in the top 10. So, Coke spends all this money to find out what people want....

...it's to be happier - and what says happiness like sucking on some carbonated, flavored water....or getting a new big screen.......or buying a Volkswagon?

I have another idea - and I'll save you some dough and some calories.

Do your HappyUP!!!'s

Four Agreements - Don't Make Assumptions

Be Impeccable With Your Word
Don't Take Anything Personally
Don't Make Assumptions
Always Do Your Best


(Remember....to catch any of this series that you might have missed, just click the "labels" icon below on the website where it says "Four Agreements" )

Directly from the author - "With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life"

Whoa! That's a pretty heavy statement - and the first thing to understand is that you make assumptions about everything...and BELIEVE they are the truth.

Let's go to an extremely literal thing you do everyday - you come up to a red light but you are moving. It changes to green just as you are coming upon it. You make an assumption that all of the cross traffic clearly saw that they had a red light. You make an assumption that they will abide by the law. You happily speed through...

...but, what if your assumption is wrong - your life will change dramatically for the worse in an instant. When I hit that "just changed green light" situation, my head is on a swivel. I may or may not avoid someone that ran that red but I am ready to take an action that may save a life...mine or the other driver.

OK....a very literal example - let's build from there. Let's say you are in a relationship. The other person knows you well. You assume that your partner knows what you think and want and that you don't have to say it. They know you that well is what you assume. If they don't do what they should, you feel violated or hurt and either think or say, "they should have known."

The result - sadness and drama.

These assumptions go on all day long - with children, co-workers, bosses, etc.

I challenge you - write down "assumptions" somewhere where you will see it all day. Count or make a quick note of all the assumptions you make. Question your assumptions.

Yes, doing this exercise will take some effort - but you need to understand one other very important concept and one that this blog is based on....

Happiness and increasing it's level - is HARD WORK. It is why our constitution says, "....the PURSUIT of happiness." While the pursuit can and should be fun and meaningful, the word "pursuit" should connotate that effort is required.

How do you stop making assumptions? - you ask questions. If you don't understand why something happened, ask the courageous question to find out. When you fail to do this step, you get mad, mope, and behave poorly. You become a victim.

Find your voice - to ask for what you want. Everyone has the right to say "yes" or say "no" and all have the right to ask.

When communication is clear - all relationships change. This is what I want...this is what you want.

Here is a real insane kicker - you may not know what you want. "I don't know what I want but it sure isn't this," may even go through your mind. Yet, you assume someone else will figure out what you want. This is called a recipe for disaster.

Saying you will make no assumptions - sounds easy but we do the opposite based on habits and routines. Awareness and understanding is great but ACTION is what is required.

Action is asking questions - make it a goal to ask some questions today of people around you that you wouldn't have asked before. If you are at work as you read this, try it out and think of an assumption about a co-worker that you know and ask a question. Do the same when you get home.

Do It Now! - Make note of what you find out in your journal. You should walk away anywhere from amazed to enlightened with your findings.

Make this one change - and as Don Miguel Ruiz says, "you will completely transform your life."

HappyUP!!! Day 735

HappyUP!!! - three birdies
Why it happened - I hit some shots
Why it makes me happy - these were all great birdies...nothing cheap....no long putts....just awfully good golf shots

HappyUP!!! - "Shoulda" birdies
Why it happened - I hit some shots
Why it makes me happy - I had a 10 footer on one, a 10 footer on 4, a 10 footer on 5, an 8 footer on 6, and a 8 footer on 12....it would have been nice to make one of those putts but I have to focus on having the opportunities. On the day, I was 3 for 8 on birdie opportunities.

HappyUP!!! - weigh in
Why it happened - it's Sunday
Why it makes me happy - held it at the same as last week....which is four pounds lighter than the beginning of the year. This is without trying too hard. I'll make some modifications this week to try to keep things dipping down. The less I weigh, the better I feel.

HappyUP!!! - insurance
Why it happened - it's the first of the month
Why it makes me happy - my new coverage should save me some dough....always a HappyUP!!! There was also some confusion....I was uncovered for the last week or so. I got a new appreciation for people that live without health insurance every day. It's a bit scary.

HappyUP!!! - SuperBowl
Why it happened - it's an annual thing
Why it makes me happy - there is nothing better than a thrilling game....for all the stakes...with both teams laying it on the line and playing their hearts out.....only to have one of those hearts ripped out. No StuporBowl this year.

HappyUP!!! - Rory McElroy
Why it happened - he won the Dubai Desert Classic
Why it makes me happy - we have a 19 year old golf prodigy on the horizon. By winning this prestigious tourney, he steps up in the eyes of the world of golf. People are saying, "this guy is better at 19 than Tiger Woods was." McElroy does not have 3 US Amateur titles on his C.V. but he has a professional win when, at the same age, Tiger was still slapping it around at Stanford and didn't have a pro victory.



JollyJottings

Weather
First hole
Fourth Hole
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth
Birdie on 7
Birdie on 14
Birdie on 15
FBR Golf
Super Bowl
Crappy Eating
Weight