So, here are 25 quotes to encourage the weirdness in us—and to remind us that everyone needs a black sheep in their life: Enjoy! 1. “Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who could love the person you hide.” ~ C.S. Lewis 2. “There is no beauty without some strangeness.” ~ Edgar Allen Poe 3. “What makes you weird or different, that’s your strength.” ~ Meryl Streep 4. “You’ll turn out ordinary if you’re not careful.” ~ Ann Brashares 5. “She dances to the songs in her head, speaks with the rhythm of her heart, and loves from the depths of her soul.” ~ Dean Jackson 6. “Maybe it’s just in America, but it seems that if you’re passionate about something, it freaks people out. You’re considered bizarre or eccentric. To me, it just means you know who you are.” ~ Tim Burton 7. “Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the romance of the unusual.” ~ Ernest Hemingway 8. “Be daring. Be different. Be impractical. Be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers. The creatures of the commonplace. The slaves of the ordinary.” ~ Cecil Beaton 9. “No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.” ~ Aristotle 10. “Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.” ~ Morticia Addams 11. “I hope to arrive to my death late, in love, and a little drunk.” ~ Atticus 12. “To be successful, your focus has to be so intense that others think you’re crazy.” ~ Kim Orlesky 13. “If you don’t fit in, then you’re probably doing the right thing.” ~ Unknown 14. “Just keep moving forward, and don’t give a sh*t what anybody thinks.” ~ Johnny Depp 15. “Stop trying to explain yourself. People only understand things from their level of perception—within the parameters of their agreement with reality.” ~ Steve Maraboli 16. “It is ever so beautiful to be strange. To do things differently than others. To see things in a rare light. To me, that is such a gold to carry.” ~ Christopher Poindexter 17. “But darling, we weren’t given this wild soul just to merely exist. Our mission is to shake up this world, turn it upside down, and show our fellow humans the difference between breathing and being fully alive.” ~ Unknown 18. “There are parts of me that will always remain untameable, messy, and reckless; but I refuse to apologize for it anymore.” ~ Kaitlin Fester 19. “Be brave. Be wild. And stay forever hungry for art, love, knowledge, and adventure.” ~ Erin Van Vuren 20. “I’m with the dirty mouth girls. The ones with bare feet, brilliant minds, messy hair, wild hearts, and feisty spirits. The ones who aren’t afraid to speak up and who live for doing what they’ve been told is impossible.” ~ Brooke Hampton 21. “She accepts your compliments on her face, her hair, and her body graciously—and she is, indeed, beautiful. But she is only moved when you notice the beauty of her spirit.” ~ Allaisia Hanan 22. “If you end up with a boring miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on television telling you how to do your sh*t, then you deserve it.” ~ Frank Zappa 23. “I will not be another flower, picked for my beauty and left to die. I will be wild, difficult to find, and impossible to forget.” ~ Erin Van Vuren 24. “Normality is a paved road: it’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow.” ~ Vincent van Gogh 25. “She was one of the rare ones, so effortlessly herself, and the world loved her for it.” ~ Atticus

We’ve written about morning rituals to start your day a little sunnier, but there are plenty of small things you can do from dawn ’til dusk to keep your routine light and lovely. Here are 30 tips to try to brighten any day of the week. *** Wake Up Fresh. Resist the urge to touch your cell phone. Instead, stretch and wiggle around in bed. Smile up to the heavens and thank the universe for another beautiful day. Set an intention for your day before getting up slowly and starting your morning madness. Music Soothes the Soul. Music is magic. Explore and discover new bands and genres—and bring back your all-time favorite old school jams. While in your car, at work, and lounging around the house, steer clear of radio junk and put on a good playlist, take a deep breath, and reconnect. Pack Snacks. If you’re like me, snacks can be key to a happy and productive day. In the midst of my morning ritual I take time to pack a few small snacks – like dried fruit — for the day ahead. I carry a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated as well. I’ve discovered I end up saving lots of money and avoid that dreaded “hangry” feeling. Start a Ritual. Sit down and design a morning or evening ritual that you perform each day. It doesn’t have to be grand or elaborate, just a short series of life celebrations. Switch Up Your Look. Every now and then change your usual perfume or lotion, style your hair differently, or wear something in your closet that you’ve been holding off on. Spontaneity helps us stay emotionally fresh. Play Outside. Have you lost your connection to nature? Step outside and notice the smell of the weather, stare into the clouds, and lay in the grass. Share the shade of a tree with a friend and have a picnic, star gaze with a lover, or take an evening walk. Resuscitate your connection with Mother Earth. Give More. No matter what your routine is, always give more than you receive or expect to receive. Be kind and generous. Declutter. Cleanse, rearrange, get rid of, and simplify. This applies to the mind, body, spirit, and your environment. Tidy up your bedroom and work space. Take deep breaths often to reset the body and brain. Streamline your thought process: Think less, do more. Brighten Your Palette. We are what we eat—eat bright and live bright. Consume foods that are bright and natural in color. Luminous yellow bananas, bell peppers, and squash; juicy red watermelon, apples, and yummy peaches; earthy green kale, kiwi, and avocados … Are you hungry yet? Try adding luscious purple snacks like eggplant, beets, and prunes. Make a Bucket List. Life is short. When we stop to think about it, there are important things on “our list” that we want to accomplish before we die. Compose a long list of what you desire to do most in this lifetime. If you need some inspiration check out 10 things everyone should have on their Soul’s Bucket List. Cook Something Light. Take a little extra time to make a delicious meal for yourself. Treat yourself to light and healthy chow and feel good from the inside out. Learn to Meditate. Devote ten minutes per day to a meditation practice. There are lots of ways to meditate. Find which practice works for you. Don’t believe in the power of meditation? Check out the top 10 reasons to meditate. Snail Mail. Write and send a letter to someone you love. Want to keep it short and sweet? Send a postcard instead. Help bring snail mail back to life! Everyone appreciates a little reminder that you’ve been thinking of her. Stop, Drop and Yoga. It’s as easy as that… Stop. Drop. And do yoga. It’s exhilarating, and often the perfect break from daily routines that we’ve been craving. Laugh More. Learn to laugh at yourself. Life doesn’t have to be so serious. Tell stupid jokes and listen to comedy on your way to work. Smile at strangers, have tickle fights with kids, and remember what it’s like to giggle, snort, and drool because you’re laughing so hard. Turn Off Your Text and Email Notifications. Whoa! This one is fun, right? Let go of your need to be in control every moment of every day and just exist. Having less distractions means being able to focus more on the important things, like the people around you. Don’t miss out on real feelings while buried in electronics deciding which emoji best represents how you feel. Snuggle Your Pet. Add in a few minutes of cuddle time everyday. Give your pet some extra love and absorb their love in return. If you don’t have a pet, love on a friend’s pet or give more people hugs! Make Your Bed. A good friend asked me if I made my bed every morning. My response was, “No, why would I do that? Nobody sees it but me!” He told me that I should wake up every morning and make my bed, that it would make me feel better and help get my day started. I didn’t believe him until I tried it. There’s something subtle and comforting about leaving and coming home to a made-up bed. It’s a small but powerful adjustment. Sleep with the Windows Open. Just to switch things up. Dance. Dancing in public may make you nervous—but nerves are good. They mean you’re feeling. Get out of your comfort zone and dance! Dance in the office, on your way to your kitchen, while out on the town, and when you go to a concert. Play Hooky. If you’re always on time and never take sick days, play hooky once in a while. Go see a movie in the middle of the day or eat ice cream and watch your favorite Netflix series. We all need a little break now and then. Write Things Down. Instead of spending your day typing, texting, and adding to your digital calendar, pick up one of those things we used to call “pencils” and write. Jot down your to-do list, write a love note, or take notes by hand. Reinvent Yourself. Start peeling away layers from the inside out. Meditate deeply and discover your true passions in life. Then, go for them. Switch your path and reinvent yourself. We can always become better versions of ourselves. Change Your Commute. Carpool with friends, take the bus, ride a bike, or walk! Pick a Flower. Flowers are symbols of happiness. Go buy a bouquet or snip a flower in your garden. If you’re feeling extra happy, gift it to a friend and brighten her day. Rearrange Your Digs. Move your furniture around, switch up the placement of some knick-knacks, or reposition your office set up. Keep the feel and vibes of your surroundings fresh and spunky. Go Local. Instead of going to the usual super market or convenience store try out a local farmer’s market. Start a habit of purchasing fresh and local produce. Walk Barefoot. Lose the shoes and get earthy. It’s freedom time for the feet! Bake Cookies Just for Hell of It. Look up a new recipe, turn on some loud music, and bake to your hearts content! Eat a few and then share with your kids, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Everyone loves a freshly baked cookie. Give Hugs and High-Fives. Lots of them. Photo by Amy Hart Written by Zuzu Perkal for Sunsweet.

humor

A group of 40-year-old buddies discuss and discuss where they should meet for dinner.
Finally, it is agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant
because the waitresses there have low-cut blouses and are pretty.

10 years later, at 50 years of age, the group once again discuss and discuss
where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it is agreed that they should meet
at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there is very good
and the wine selection is good also.

10 years later, at 60 years of age, the group once again discuss and discuss
where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it is agreed that they should meet
at the Ocean View restaurant because they can eat there in peace and quiet
and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.

10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discuss and discuss
where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it is agreed that they should meet
at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant is wheelchair-accessible
and they even have an elevator.

10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discuss and discuss
where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it is agreed that they should meet
at the Ocean View restaurant because they have never been there before.

eating healthy, go bananas!

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas.� He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of bananas on the brain.� Read on: � Never, put your banana in the refrigerator !!! This is interesting.��After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.� Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.�It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression:�According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS:�Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anemia:�High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure:�This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the�US�Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power:�200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Constipation:�High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Hangovers:�One of the quickest�ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn:�Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morning Sickness:�Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito bites:�Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. Nerves:�Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight�and at work? Studies at the�Institute�of�Psychology�in Austria�found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. Ulcers:�The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature control:�Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In�Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):�Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. Smoking & Tobacco Use:�Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Stress:�Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack. Strokes:�According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40�percent. Warts:�Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape! So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!' PASS IT ON TO YOUR�FRIENDS PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one more�here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe ... polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit�!!!

Greetings. I want to start with gratitude, because it all begins with gratitude. Thanks to Jerry Ellefson and Ethan Campbell who inspired me to do this. Thanks to Paul and our beloved Henry who both have my back and have captured my heart. Thank you to Sri Swami Satchidananda who has opened my soul to light and love. Thank you to my volleyball team who remind me to laugh. and to dance. Thank you to the challenges which have molded the clay of who I am becoming.

Thanks to everyone who reads this.