No matter how much of a Grinch we can contain with us, everyone has a little holiday spirit to spare. Here are some words of wisdom to inspire a happy holiday:

A Christmas Carol is such a fool-proof story you can’t louse it up.
Leonard Maltin

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
Benjamin Franklin

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.
Garrison Keillor

And of course there’s so much music in and around our family. I had a piano during Christmas because it’s obviously useful through the season. There are so many people, songwriters, who are around.
Ashley Judd

At Christmas our house is like a Donnie and Marie Christmas Special.
Kevin Richardson

At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.
Thomas Tusser

At Christmas, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ makes me cry in exactly the same places every time, even though I know it’s coming.
Nicholas Lea

Besides the two Christmas things, we’ve got a about a dozen new tracks we’re working on.
Chris Frantz

Bloody Christmas, here again, let us raise a loving cup, peace on earth, goodwill to men, and make them do the washing up.
Wendy Cope

Christmas carols always brought tears to my eyes. I also cry at weddings. I should have cried at a couple of my own.
Ethel Merman

Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love.
Lucinda Franks

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
Washington Irving

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/christmas.html#ixzz1gUtA9vE5

We often think our happy is based on our immediate environment as well as our mental state. But did you ever think that the country you live in has a direct impact? Or that countries can be rated according to their happiness?

Here’s the number 1 happiest country:

The Happiest Countries in the World

1. Denmark

> Life Satisfaction Score: 10
> Debt As a Pct. of GDP: 39.5% (14th lowest)
> Employment Score: 8.4 (5th best)
> Self-Reported Health: 7.37 (15th best)
> Employees Working Long Hours: 9.72 (3rd best)
> Disposable Income: 4.0 (18th best)
> Educational Attainment: 7.39 (18th best)
> Life Expectancy: 5.71 (25th best)

Danish residents have consistently rated themselves as the happiest in the world for years in several different studies. This is in some ways surprising, considering the Scandinavian country received only average scores for several metrics that other highly satisfied countries consistently perform well in. For example, Denmark’s 26% income tax as a percent of GDP (the highest in the OECD) has resulted in an average disposable income of $27,080 compared to the OECD average of $36,800. This places Denmark among the bottom half of developed countries for disposable income. The country also ranks in the bottom third life expectancy and just average in self-reported health. However, Danes have one of the strongest senses of friendship and community, with 97% reporting they had someone other than a family member that they could rely on. Danish culture and government policy is one of the most leisure-friendly. Denmark’s citizens spend more than 16 hours each week on leisure time, the second-highest rate in the OECD. The government also subsidizes a full year of maternity leave.

Read more: The Happiest Countries In The World - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2011/06/01/the-happiest-countries-in-the-world/#ixzz1gQwZ4b5k

Celebrities often seem out-of-touch with the world around them, draped in excess and entitlement. But many are making sound contributions to their communities, such as Jon Bon Jovi, who opened up a “pay what you can” restaurant in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Soul Kitchen is a new restaurant opened in Red Bank, New Jersey, by Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea. The establishment offers a “pay what you can afford” payment model, and serves wholesome, gourmet food made with fresh ingredients grown in the restaurant’s garden, and other local produce.

On the website, they explain that Soul Kitchen is “A community restaurant with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meal. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meal.”

But as NJ.com reports, this is no soup kitchen serving up desperation and gruel. “The décor is upscale. Patrons don’t wait in line — they are waited on.”

Read more.

Is there enough trash to build a viable house? This woman uses resourcefulness and ingenuity to prove it can be done.

House Made Entirely out of Trash

Watching a funny movie last night, I once again realized the importance of comedy. What is it about laughter that’s akin to a good, therapeutic cry? Your body and mind relax and you once again realize that joy is possible. Comedy is the conductor.

Well, I think that there’s a value to comedy in and of itself.
Al Franken

There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.
Erma Bombeck

Comedy just pokes at problems, rarely confronts them squarely. Drama is like a plate of meat and potatoes, comedy is rather the dessert, a bit like meringue.
Woody Allen

All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl.
Charlie Chaplin

Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.
Charlie Chaplin

We participate in a tragedy; at a comedy we only look.
Aldous Huxley

God writes a lot of comedy… the trouble is, he’s stuck with so many bad actors who don’t know how to play funny.
Garrison Keillor

I think that for the most part, when I started doing comedy, it had become very commercialized.
Larry David

It’s that I wasn’t suited to do the kind of comedy that these people were coming to hear - mainstream comedy.
Larry David

Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die.
Mel Brooks

Rhetoric does not get you anywhere, because Hitler and Mussolini are just as good at rhetoric. But if you can bring these people down with comedy, they stand no chance.
Mel Brooks

Comedy is acting out optimism.
Robin Williams

“You take things so personally.”

Perhaps you’ve heard that before. Or said it to someone else. Taking something personally is a rather natural thing to do - afterall, we can only see life through our own eyes and we’re feeling beings. But often just a moment of reflection can take the sting out of rude comment or action.

1. Understand projection. Projection is a psychological concept whereby someone holds you accountable or blames you for something he or she feels badly about feeling or thinking. (Research projection more if you want a more thorough definition.) The next time someone says something off-putting, remember that he or she may be feeling that way about himself or herself. In short, it’s not all about you.

2. Make room for bad moods. We tend to think of others as standalone players in our life. As if they hadn’t had a full day of work behind them or a rude word spoken to them. People are allowed their moods just as you’d like to be allowed yours. If someone says or does something that hurts a bit, take a moment to realize that moods are passing storms and not the ultimate definition of a person.

3. Think about the sky. Hurt feelings feed on themselves. They can have a snowball effect, gathering momentum the more we mull over how we were wronged. For a quick moment, think of something else. Do something else. Address another matter. Gently guide your mind in another direction, even if for a moment. You’ll be surprised how much that does to diffuse hurt feelings.

A touching and inspirational story proving once again its never too late to learn. Anyone you know who can’t read? Don’t let any more time go by. There’s help, from amazing organizations like ProLiteracy.com. According to their stats:

ProLiteracy also estimates:

• 63 percent of prison inmates can’t read
• 774 million people worldwide are illiterate
• Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate are women

And now, a man who starting reading (then writing a book) rather late in life.

MYSTIC, Conn. (AP) - When retired Stonington lobsterman Jim Henry was 91 he decided it was time he taught himself how to read and write.

And now seven years later, at the age of 98, Henry is a published author.

Henry recently signed copies of his just-released book, “In a Fisherman’s Language,” at Academy Point, the senior housing project where he lives. A larger public signing is being planned for December, and the book will be soon be available at www.fishermanslanguage.com.

The book is a collection of short stories such as the time he was unable to save a fellow fisherman who fell overboard, his time as professional boxer and his arrival by boat from Portugal with his parents. Many of the stories involve his career on the ocean.

The cover of the book, which is published by Fowler Road Press of North Stonington, is a close-up black and white photo of Henry’s right hand as he writes on a piece of paper.

On Tuesday, the day before the signing, Henry was at the desk in his apartment.

He was beaming.

“I feel so good about doing this. I don’t know what to do or what to say,” he said. “I feel like I was just born.”

In recent days, Henry said people who have read the first copies of the book have told him they can’t believe they were now talking to the author.

“Here I am, nothing but a fisherman before and now everyone is looking up to me. It makes me feel so happy,” he said.

Source: News8.com

I just read an article about spirituality a few days ago. And it seemed so nebulous. It’s a tough topic to write about because it is so intangible and often hard to explain. Here are some historical experts on the matter:

When I use the word spirituality, I don’t necessarily mean religion; I mean whatever it is that helps you feel connected to something that is larger than yourself.

- Dean Ornish

The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.

- Henri J. M. Nouwen

The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.

- Leo Buscaglia

Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

- Bible

They understand but little who understand only what can be explained.

- Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

Some things have to be believed to be seen.

- Ralph Hodgson

Faith is like electricity. You can’t see it, but you can see the light.

- Anonymous

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.

- Helen Keller

Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around.

- Henry David Thoreau

If you can’t have faith in what is held up to you for faith, you must find things to believe in yourself, for life without faith in something is too narrow a space to live.

- George Edward Woodberry

I am one of those who would rather sink with faith than swim without it.

- Stanley Bladwin

If a blade of grass can grow in a concrete walk and a fig tree in the side of a mountain cliff, a human being empowered with an invincible faith can survive all odds the world can throw against his tortured soul.

- Robert H. Schuller

Faith is not knowledge of what the mystery of the universe is, but the conviction that there is a mystery, and that it is greater than us.

- Rabbi David Wolpe

Faith is our direct link to universal wisdom, reminding us that we know more than we have heard or read or studied that we have only to look, listen, and trust the love and wisdom of the Universal Spirit working through us all.

- Dan Millman

We receive tons of great feedback about Only Positive News. Its amazing how few sites provide what we do: positive news. Positive news comes in many forms: actual news stories, poems, quotes, life advice, images. Positive news also comes from you, the people who leave generous comments supporting our work.

Here’s one of our recent commenters:

Solah Nightstar

It became clear to Solah at an early age that her work is to inspire others. She lives a happy, fun and deeply fulfilling life by listening to what her heart is calling out for and then acting upon it. Those she encounters are often wondering how she seems to manifest such a majickal life. Her intention through this blog, is to share some of her guiding principles illustrated through her personal adventures.

Solah Nightstar B.Div is a Manifestation Mentor. She’s also a Certified Empowerment Coach and Passion Test Facilitator. She’s here to help you discover what your heart is most calling out for and then to support you in creating your ultimate reality.

Check out her website. Support the positive news we all possess!

The shopping onslaught has begun. But that doesn’t mean you have to be sucked in! There are some GREAT organizations out there, so when you buy a gift, you help the world. I love shopping at 10,000 Villages, for instance. Its a wonderful feeling to know you’re helping small craftspeople around the world. It gives shopping a whole other feel:

1. 10,000 Villages Online Store: One of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), 10,000 Villages offers gifts and accessories representing the diverse cultures of artisans from 38 countries. Your purchases help improve the lives of tens of thousands of artisans worldwide. [Shop 10,000 Villages]

2. Best Friends Animal Society Online Store: There’s no reason to shop at the big box pet stores for the animal lovers in your life this holiday season when you can purchase collars, treats, and toys directly from one of the best animal charities in the United States. [Shop Best Friends Animal Society]

3. CARE Packages: CARE has a very unique holiday gift program that allows you to compile care packages to send to women entrepreneurs and girls worldwide. As a group or as an individual, CARE Packages can help send girls in Afghanistan to school for a year, or help expectant mothers in Peru safely deliver. It’s fun and you’ll be bringing hope to girls and women around the world. [Send a CARE Package]

4. Concern Worldwide Gifts: When you buy Concern Gifts, you support Concern’s work in 25 countries worldwide – bringing food, clean water, good health, education and a higher standard of living within reach of more people. Although Concern is based in the U.K., their gift program also accepts U.S.-issued credit cards. [Shop Concern Gifts]

5. Feeding America Tribute Gifts: With poverty and food insecurity at record levels in the Untied States, it’s practically your patriotic duty to donate to Feeding America!  [Give a Feeding America Tribute Gift]

6. Jane Goodall Institute Online Store: You don’t have to be primate activist to shop at the JGI Online Store. Their store also offers jewelry, African art and music, and clothing. That said, there’s also some great gifts for the primate activists in your life.  [Shop the Jane Goodall Institute Online Store]

7. Kiva Cards: Starting a $25, Kiva Cards change lives. You can purchase Kiva Cards which then can be redeemed by your gift recipient to fund a loan of his or her choosing. A microfinance nonprofit working to uplift entrepreneurs out of poverty worldwide, this is great holiday gift for those subscribe to the belief of giving a hand-up, not a handout. [Buy Kiva Cards]

8. Save the Children Gifts of Joy: From ornaments  handmade in India to the sponsorship of a girl’s education in a developing nation to providing health snacks at school to children in the United States, Save the Children has put a together a great online catalog for giving this holiday season. [Give a Save the Children Gift of Joy]

9. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Online Store: If you have a family member or friend who supports saving the whales and dolphins from slaughter with direct action and activist intervention, then Sea Shepherd is a great choice for a holiday gift. The nonprofit behind Whale Wars, their online store also includes numerous items ideal for skaters, surfers, and other ocean-loving hipsters. [Shop Sea Shepherd]

10. Special Olympics Tribute Gifts: An excellent choice for the athletes in your life, Special Olympics Tribute Gifts enable those with intellectual disabilities to experience the power of sports to create champions. [Give a Special Olympics Tribute Gift]

11. Women for Women International’s Gifts That Give Back: Women for Women’s gifts enable you to empower women to rebuild their lives after the ravages of war. You can purchase everything from looms to farming supplies to books, rulers, and pencils which are then given in the name of your gift recipient to a woman in war-torn country.  [Give a Women for Women's Gift That Gives Back]

Source: NonProfits.org