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HappyGram!

Brain Power, and March 17th, and a Small Home, and our Big Home, and more!

For anyone who is a bit sluggish, physically or mentally, performing simple eye/hand coordination exercises can help us become more mentally nimble.

While we concentrate on our hand movements, we are developing our brain power at the same time. Who couldn't use a bit more of that?

Jim Kwik does an excellent job describing the exercises in his 4 minute video. He ends with juggling. How many times in your life have you tried to juggle? Maybe now's the time to learn!

Were you ever pinched as a child for not wearing something green on St. Patrick's Day? What about as an adult?

Here are some interesting facts about St. Patrick and his day, including the pinching thing.

• There really was a Patrick who was born in Roman Britain in the 4th century. Enslaved at the age of 16, he was taken to Ireland only to escape 6 years later. Patrick became a priest and returned to Ireland spreading Christianity and founding schools and churches.
• The day he died, March 17th, has been commemorated since as early as the 5th century.
• New York City's first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held way back in 1762!
• St. Patrick has never been canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
• Wearing green was thought to keep a person invisible to leprechauns who would pinch anyone they could see.

Completing our tour of St. Patrick's Day facts, we end with the most important: The Irish Coffee, originating at the Buena Vista in San Francisco in 1952. Here's the story, and here's the recipe. Arrive very early at the Buena Vista on St. Patrick's Day. I hear it's packed!

I find these comparisons fascinating! I hope you do as well.

In this 5 minute video, Solar System Size In Perspective, we are shown just how tiny we are!

A couple of big rocks are shown at the beginning. Here are links with more about them.

• Tunguska Event Meteor - This meteor hit northern Russia in 1908 with devastating results. Luckily it landed in a sparsely populated area.

• Chicxulub Asteroid - This asteroid hit Earth 66 million years ago causing a huge crater in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

Here are five very short videos.

These babies or young children point and react, and some describe relatives who have passed.

Short videos, yes, but long on being profound.

Baby in stroller.

Toddler gives a kiss.

5 year old and his uncle.

Little girl points to picture.

Young boy and uncle on a motorcycle.

Could you live in a space this small? Well, maybe not until you downsized a bit, huh?

Yet as small as this house is, many people are opting for a compact and organized space vs. the cost of a house payment or rent.

Some tiny houses come on wheels to allow for easy relocation, while some structures are set up at a permanent location.

There are many online resources and video channels dedicated to smaller living. It is a growing trend!

As you watch the 5 minute tour of the house pictured, imagine yourself living a simple, clutter-free life with possibly more money in the bank.

Made me smile!

One minute.

March 20th is the first day of Spring here in the Northern Hemisphere. YAY!! Did you know it's also the International Day of Happiness?

Yes, with winter behind us on March 20th, it's also a whole day celebrated worldwide just for Happiness! The UN General Assembly established the International Day of Happiness in June 2012. This special day deserves all the attention it can get.

This year's theme is "Caring and Sharing" reminding us that lasting happiness comes from caring for each other, feeling connected, and being part of something bigger. It's easy to join the millions of people celebrating this day around the world by Practicing Gratitude, Sharing Positive feedback, Encouraging breaks and relaxation, and, most of all, Sharing what makes you happy with others.

To set the mood: Don't Worry; Be Happy! Relax in the sublime vibes of Bobby McFarrin, in this video with Bill Irwin and Robin Williams.

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