Happy Places in Social Media

Let’s be frank, shall we? There are lots of pros AND cons to social media.

Personally, I thank my lucky stars I didn’t grow up with it. I can’t imagine being a kid now and dealing with it at such a young age.

Facebook started when I was a sophomore in college, and back then you had to have a .edu email address to sign up. And smartphones weren’t a thing yet.

Fast forward 15 years later…  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and I’m sure many other social media platforms that I don’t even know about dominate literally hours of some people’s days.

I’d say I have a love/hate relationship with all of it, honestly.  There are definite downsides, BUT there are some perks, too.

One such ‘plus’ is that there are a few places on social media you can go that can pretty much guarantee you some happy and probably some laughter as well. Here are a few of my favorite spots for positive, fun, and uplifting stories.  Check out these accounts:

• Ellen DeGeneres – Facebook and YouTube
• The Players Tribune
  • I’ve pulled some posts from here before, but it’s a website founded by baseball great Derek Jeter where athletes can share their stories.
• Upworthy
• Lifestyle blogger/YouTube star Mallory Ervin – Instagram and YouTube
  • I just love her perspective on life.  She is SUCH a joyful person!  Wonder if she needs a new best friend – HA 🙂
• Zoo websites – who doesn’t love cute animals??  (Like Fiona the baby hippo!)
  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Facebook and Instagram
  • San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Facebook and Instagram
  • Indianapolis Zoo – Facebook and Instagram
  • Zoo Atlanta – Facebook and Instagram
  • (and probably many others!)

Chime in below if YOU have any places you go for a dose of happy!

Cheers,

SMR

Rise Up

Hello again, blogosphere 🙂

What a few months it’s been!  I hope you all enjoyed the end of the summer and are starting to feel the wonderful fall weather.

When I saw this video a couple days ago, I knew it was the perfect re-entry into Tiaraland.  Andra Day’s song “Rise Up” has long been one of my favorites for some very personal reasons.  But to hear a middle-school choir singing this song at a time where many communities, individuals, and heck even entire nations are hurting was crazy powerful.  Whether it’s natural disasters, political distress, personal challenges, or family hardships, I think one of the kiddo’s fathers put it best in this article from the Washington Post:

“This song, it resonates so much because of the times we’re in right now,” he said. “There’s a lot of pain going on. … When you have a group of kids, innocent kids singing ‘Rise Up,’ the message is mind blowing, how such a simple phrase can impact so many people. … The kids are trying to show us there’s another way than what we’re experiencing.”   

Check out the video below to hear these powerful voices.  And consider having a tissue or two ready.  Because, all the freaking feels.

And oh by the way, this was only their second rehearsal of the school year.  Let that sink in for just a minute….

Have a lovely day, friends!

Cheers,

SMR

All On Me

For a number of reasons – some I’m aware of and some I’m sure are buried in my subconscious – I’ve found myself evaluating most of the relationships I have with people in my life over the last nine months or so.

I’m SO lucky to have some of the very best guys and gals around me.  I heard this newly-released song over the weekend when I was in the car for several hours, and despite its romantic undertone, it made me reflect on the people who I can hear saying, “put it all on me”.  Admittedly, I don’t do well with this – sharing my own issues, needs, troubles with others.  But I know that when I DO get to that point, they’ll be there 🙂

Thank you, Devin Dawson, for a sweet new tune – “All On Me”.  Lyrics and music video below!

(Verse 1)
Yeah I know that the woes and the weight of the world can get inside our minds and be too much sometimes I know
But baby don’t let the no’s and the ups and the downs from the rollercoaster ride beat you up inside…baby don’t
But if you ever feel that way, don’t you ever hesitate, ’cause

(Chorus)
You got my number, you can call on me
If you’re in trouble, put the fall on me
When you’re mad, you can take it out on me
When it don’t add up, you can count on me
When you’re low, come get high on me
Make it slow, take your time on me
Settle in, let it out, come and lay on me
When it gets heavy, put the weight on me
Baby, put it all on me
Put it all on me

(Verse 2)
Wanna take you out on the town on my dime anytime, tell me when you’re free
We can do anything and everything you want, yeah
Oh I wanna hear all your fears and your troubles
Strip it down, really get to know one another
When it’s nobody but you and me, just us
Girl you know I’m here for you
You can lean on me anytime you need to

(Chorus)
You got my number, you can call on me
If you’re in trouble, put the fall on me
When you’re mad, you can take it out on me
When it don’t add up, you can count on me
When you’re low, come get high on me
Make it slow, take your time on me
Settle in, let it out, come and lay on me
When it gets heavy, put the weight on me
Baby, put it all on me
Girl, put it all on me

(Bridge)
C’mon, relax your mind on me
When you need a shoulder, you can cry on me
Baby you can bet your life on me
Put it all on me

(Chorus)
You got my number, you can call on me
If you’re in trouble, put the fall on me
When you’re mad, you can take it out on me
When it don’t add up, you can count on me
When you’re low, come get high on me
Make it slow, take your time on me
Settle in, let it out, come and lay on me
When it gets heavy, put the weight on me
Baby, put it all on me
Yeah, baby put it all on me, yeah

 

Cheers!

SMR

Scrubs Wisdom (and bonus fun)

Anyone else a fan of the TV series “Scrubs”?

I didn’t watch it a ton when it was first airing, but thanks to re-runs and Netflix, I’ve seen just about every episode.  Sadly, I read that it’s being removed from Netflix this month.  Booooo.

I’ve been watching a couple episodes here and there, enjoying it while I can.  And two scenes struck me as particularly important (and relevant to me personally).  One was in Season 1 and is about taking chances, and the other is in Season 8 and addresses happiness.  Fitting, isn’t it?  A memorable lesson from the first and last seasons.  (I don’t count Season 9.  It’s dumb.)

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about taking chances, and how it’s really just about overcoming your fears.  Because the truth is, every time you take a big risk in your life, no matter how it ends up, you’re always glad you took it. – Season 1, Episode 12, “My Blind Date”

Man, isn’t this the truth.  Every chance you take, regardless of how it turns out, teaches you something – even when we don’t like admitting it.  Taking chances, whether they’re big or small, can be very scary.  At the end of the day, I guess sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and jump.  You may fly, you may fall, but either way it will be a hell of a ride 🙂

Who the hell cares what anyone else thinks?  Just look into your heart and do whatever the hell makes you happy. – Season 8, Episode 4, “My Happy Place”

PREACH, Kelso.  Preach.

I’ll miss catching Scrubs episodes on Netflix, but there’s always iTunes, right?  As a fun bonus, here are a couple of scenes that always make me chuckle.  Enjoy!

(Turk auditions for an air band.  Can Donald Faison move or WHAT?!?  Kind of a precursor to Lip Sync Battle, eh?)

(Dance montage during a slow night in the hospital of the cast getting their groove on during random episodes.  LOVE!

Cheers!

SMR

Happy People

I heard Little Big Town’s song “Happy People” for the first time yesterday, and while I admittedly don’t completely dig the music, I super big puffy heart LOVE LOVE LOVE the lyrics and the message they speak ❤ ❤ ❤

Check them out below and then listen to the song via YouTube.

Little Big Town, “Happy People”

Happy people don’t cheat
Happy people don’t lie
They don’t judge or hold a grudge
They don’t criticize
Happy people don’t hate
Happy people don’t steal
Cause all the hurt sure ain’t worth
All the guilt they’d feel

If you wanna know the secret
Can’t buy it, gotta make it
You ain’t ever gonna be it
By takin’ someone else’s away
Never take it for granted
You don’t have to understand it
Here’s to whatever puts a smile on your face
Whatever makes you happy people

Happy people don’t fail
Happy people just learn
Don’t think they’re above the push and shove
They just wait their turn
They always got a hand
Or a dollar to spare
Know the golden rule what you’re goin’ through
Even if they’ve never been there

If you want to know the secret
Can’t buy it, gotta make it
You ain’t ever gonna be it
By takin’ someone else’s away
Never take it for granted
You don’t have to understand it
Here’s to whatever puts a smile on your face
Whatever makes you happy people

These days it ain’t always easy to find
They’re the ones who you want standing by your side
No time for greed, if they need some, give ’em a slice
And we’ll all be happy people

Well life is short
And love is rare
And we all deserve to be happy while we’re here

To quote the song, here’s to whatever makes you happy, people 🙂  Find it, do it, and be happy.

Cheers!

SMR

Carpool Karaoke Faves

I simply adore the Carpool Karaoke segments on The Late Late Show with James Corden, both because I love music in general and because I have my own karaoke sessions while driving.

Seriously, I’m one of THOSE people you see completely rocking out in their car as they’re cruising down the highway.  And proud of it 🙂

Here are some of my favorites.  Enjoy!

Bruno Mars – Doesn’t he just seem like someone who would be fun to kick back and have a few drinks with?

 

Former First Lady Michelle Obama – She’s someone who I would love to hang with, too.  So cool, so classy, has a great heart, and seems super funny!

 

Gwen Stefani, Julia Roberts, and George Clooney – ’nuff said 🙂

 

Stevie Wonder – So many good songs, how did they choose??

 

Cheers!

SMR

DWTS Faves, Vol 3

For me, the jury’s out on how this season of Dancing With The Stars will turn out. I’m definitely excited about a few specific contestants, but overall?  It’s not screaming WOW to me like casts of seasons past have been. We’ll just have to see. I don’t say this often, but I hope I’m wrong 😀

BUT, in the meantime, I thought I would pull together some more of my DWTS favorite dances.  Check out previous posts on DWTS faves, volume 1 and volume 2.

Happy Hump Day, folks!  Enjoy the music and the dances.

Calvin Johnson (MEGATRON!) and Lindsay Arnold – Tango…check out the a-freakin-mazing windmill type lift thing around the 0:40 mark!

Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke – Freestyle

Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani – Argentine Tango

Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough – Mamba

Cheers!

SMR

I Believe in You

Have you heard Michael Buble’s song “I Believe in You”?  It’s super sweet 🙂

The song debuted last October, but the music video just came out a few days ago.  It’s directed by Derek Hough, who stepped in to assist with production of the video while Michael Buble is caring for his child who is battling cancer.

According to an Entertainment Tonight article, Hough’s grandparents inspired the music video’s emotional love story, which features romantic dance sequences. “My grandfather passed away last year and the last couple of years they danced every  single morning together — my grandma and grandpa,” Hough shared. “They danced every single morning to the same song, and it was their ritual. Even the night before he passed, they were dancing together, and then he passed away that night. For me, that was like this beautiful story of everlasting love, and that’s kind of what I wanted to tell.”  I mean…I can’t even!

While there’s the obvious application of its meaning and lyrics to a romantic relationship, I do think that a lot of this song’s elements can also be appropriate for non-romantic scenarios, too – having to start fresh sometimes, believing in one another, being the light for and loving each other.

So whoever it is that you believe in – your significant other, a family member, or a friend – don’t forget to remind them of it every so often, by both words AND actions 🙂

Enjoy the music video and lyrics below!

“I Believe In You”

Time goes by
And I’ve been holding everything inside
But now I’ve got nothing left to hide
When I’m with you, oh, you

But I can see
How strong a man I’m gonna have to be
To do for you what comes so naturally
It’s in the way you move
And all I want
Is a chance to prove
Show all I can do

I believe in starting over
I can see that your heart is true
I believe in good things coming back to you
You’re the light that lifts me higher
So bright, you guide me through
I believe in you

And I don’t mind
If you want to hold onto me tight
You don’t have to sleep alone tonight
If you don’t want to
And all I want
Is to know you’re near
You’re all I need here

I believe in starting over
I can see that your heart is true
I believe in good things coming back to you
You’re the light that lifts me higher
So bright, you guide me through
I believe in you

I know that there are times
Where you feel worthless
Like all the love you get
You don’t deserve it
Sometimes I feel my faith is just a burden
On you, you, you

I believe in starting over
I can see that your heart is true
I believe in love
You give me reason to
You’re the light that lifts me higher
So high up in the sky
I, I think we’re gonna fly

I believe in starting over
I can see that your heart is true
I believe in love
You give me reason to
You’re the light that lifts me higher
So bright, you guide me through
I believe in you
I believe in you
I believe in you
You guide me through
I believe in you

Cheers!

SMR

Lip Sync Battle Faves

The show Lip Sync Battle cracks me up.

For those who haven’t seen it, it’s a show on Spike TV that pits celebrities against one another to see who is the better lip sync-er.  LL Cool J hosts while each celebrity performs two songs, and then the audience votes on who wins.  Pretty simple, right?

Not all of the folks who have been on the show and their performances are great, but some are downright awesome.  Here are a few of my favorites!

Anna Kendrick vs John Krasinski

 

Zoe Saldana vs Zachary Quinto  (and I have to say, BRAV-O Zachary Quinto for completely nailing the Missy Elliott character 100%)

 

Chris Paul vs Snoop Dogg (Chris Paul can MOVE 🙂 )

 

Channing Tatum vs Jenna Dewan-Tatum – probably NSFW 🙂

Catch the show on Thursday nights.

Cheers!

SMR

Maroon 5 Crashed Some Weddings?!?

How did I not know about this?!?

Apparently for Maroon 5’s video for their smash hit “Sugar” (released back in 2015, I think), they crashed a bunch of weddings where only the grooms and event coordinators knew about it.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expressions on everyone’s faces when they realize what is happening.

Can you even IMAGINE if you were at a wedding where this happened?

Cheers!

SMR