Mood-lifters

A few months ago I stopped watching the news because I found that any time I would turn it on, even if it was just for five minutes, everything was related to violence, death, destruction, or accidents on the highway! There was rarely a time when I said, "wow, I'm really glad I just spent my time listening/watching that." So anyway, I had this thought: what if the news only reported on the number of people who made it safely to work, which I am sure is much much greater than the number of people who were involved in car accidents. The number of people who weren't affected in a shooting rampage, which again, is a much greater number than the victims. The charitable acts of people, often overlooked, is again a much greater percentage of the population than the percentage doing "bad." Etc. etc. you see my point. Since I don't think the media is going to give in to that idea any time soon, it is inevitably up to each and every one of US to seek out inspirational and positive things, which it turns out, are not at all hard to find! I think because the media often focuses on violence and tragedy rather than hope or more uplifting topics, it is fairly easy to assume that "there is no good" being done in the world. But that statement couldn't be more wrong! I have a list of just a few things off the top of my head that I consider "mood lifters" if you're ever doubting the positivity of humanity, or just need another reason to smile and share it with someone else.

• Fashion: Who doesn't want to go shopping, think about shopping, think about fashion, etc.?! Here are a few websites related to shopping and fashion that I love.
  
• Toms Shoes: If you haven't heard of it, go check it out. As stated on their website, their purpose is: "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about." Awesome!
• Everyday to Runway: A close friend of mine recently moved to NYC, got an internship at Cosmo, and blogs about fashion! Talk about livin' the life. I love reading her blog to see what some of the latest trends are with celebrities, and to see the fashion world through her eyes since it is something she is really passionate about.
  

• Music: You cannot deny that music is an easy and enjoyable way to spruce up your life. There are too many great artists and musicians out there, it's hard to narrow it down but I've compiled a random playlist just for today. (Another note, check out Pandora.Com to listen to free internet radio based on what genre/artists you like.)
  

• Jason Mraz - Remedy
• Regina Spektor - Fidelity
  
• Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
• The Temptations - The Way You Do The Things You Do
  
• Weezer - Dreamin'

• Books: There are so many books on living life with a positive attitude, happiness, etc. that I feel like I don't have enough hours in the day to read them all! A few that I recently read: The Happiness Project (Gretchen Rubin), The Secret (Rhonda Byrne), Eat, Pray, Love (Elizabeth Gilbert) and Something to Smile About (Zig Ziglar.) And on my to-read list: The Blind Side (Michael Lewis) and many many others that I am not going to sit here and list out!

• Other blogs and websites: I have a few blogs that I refer to when I am looking for a "mood lifter" or a little added inspiration to my day.
  
• The Happiness Project: From the author of the book.
• La Vita é Bella: A close friend of mine started blogging about her positive thoughts and I find it really inspirational.

There are many others but I don't want to overwhelm this post with lists and lists (because I could probably go on for a long time!) Lastly I'll leave you with one of my favorite ways to find inspiration, a quote: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. " Martin Luther King Jr.