There is something comforting and uplifting about humming. If I happen to hear a fellow
shopper humming, someone at the gas station, or wherever I happen to be, it brings a smile to my
face.
It is such a simple thing -- to hum. Yet it brings happiness. I began to ponder over some other
ridiculously simple things we can practice that will increase our joy quotient.
Here are a few I came up with:
1. Just Say No. Are you a people pleaser? The other day I smiled when I came across a
funny online sign that said, "I'm a recovering people pleaser. Is that okay?" My desire to
help and please has often caused me to say "yes" to too many projects, too many
activities, or too many situations I didn't really want to find myself in. I'm working on
that.
None of us can please everyone. It's God I'm aiming to please. If it works out for all the
others as well, awesome. If I have to say "no" to stuff more often, I'm feeling pretty good
about it.
2. One Thing at a Time. In this fast-paced world of multi-tasking, we can make ourselves
nuts with the to-do lists and the five-things-at-once mentality. Focusing on just one thing
can literally make the blood pressure go down.
I'm not making this up. Women are famous for eating while they do laundry while they
clean the counters, while they talk on the phone. I say, let's resign from this stuff. There
is peace to be had by focusing on just one thing, getting it done, and then focusing on the
next thing. I have a sneaking suspicion we may be more in tune with the Holy Ghost if
we aren't so maxed out.
3. Use Aromatherapy. We don't have to spend big bucks buying the latest and greatest
stuff on the market. If you've ever put some water in a pot, adding cinnamon sticks,
clove, and a few pieces of cut-up oranges, you know this smell wafts through and feels
comforting. There are lots of ways to bring lovely scents to our home. With them may
come some calm and a bit more happiness!
4. Take a Break from the News. Seriously, the headlines are pretty much a recipe for
feeling down or angry or frustrated, at the least. I'm not advocating sticking our heads in
the sand and pretending that all is well. I'm saying, just take a break now and then.
Forget about the craziness. Look into some good news, including the true Good News
that Jesus of Nazareth brought. The words of scripture we read bring balance and
goodness to our life.
5. Take a Mini-Vacation. Go to a quiet place and enjoy yourself. No music. No talking.
No distractions. That's a place where the insides may calm down. Then find a few quiet
places for enjoyment and reflection -- a garden, a museum, a library, or any lovely
location where the crazy pace of our world is shut out for a bit. Ahhh…. Before we know
it, we can breathe again!
I'm no expert, but I'm a believer. I believe that there is peace to be found in a pretty much non-peaceful world. I believe there are inherently good folks on this earth. I believe that you and I
can -- in easy ways -- continue to build a better life by instituting the simplest of practices to
enhance inner calm and peace. Surely it is a practice that our Father in Heaven applauds.
It's well worth the effort, because it brings more quiet goodness.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor is a wife, mom, grandmother, teacher, author, and songwriter. Her
undergraduate study at BYU was musical theater. She has a Masters degree in interpersonal
communications.
A Billboard award-winning songwriter with hundreds of songs to her credit, she uses music as a
teaching tool. But her favorite way to use music has been to sing to her children. You should
hear the family's rousing versions of "Happy Birthday"!
In addition to three solo albums in the LDS market, she co-wrote "Women at the Well" with
Kenneth Cope and "My Beloved Christ: with Randy Kartchner. She is co-writer of the theme
song for Utah's Make-A-Wish foundation, the song for the Special Olympics program, and
EFY's theme song.
She writes for several online magazines and columns, and has authored several books. Her
website, www.goodnessmatters.com, is her way of continuing to grow goodness in the world,
pointing people gently toward Christ and eternal principles of truth.
She has spoken for the Church's various Youth and Family programs for 25 years. She and her
husband Dean have eight children and four grandchildren. She adores being a wife, mom and
grandmother. She loves flowers, brownies, cooking Italian and Southern foods, the ocean, and
laughing every chance she gets.
Vickey was baptized a member of the Church as a teenager in Virginia. She serves as gospel
doctrine teacher in her ward, and Dean serves on their stake high council.
