Tag: happiness

Which film will win the Oscar for Best Picture?

Which film will win the Oscar for Best Picture?
For the first time in my life, I have seen each of the films nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award. In a typical year, I see one or two, if I’m lucky. Frankly, I don’t normally have much interest in the nominees, but this year the films grabbed me and I was compelled to see... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
February 26, 2017 at 7:18 pm • 

My top 10 favorite experiences of 2016

#1 The year began with the Totally Fabulous Jessica party thrown by Tim and <a href="http://www.norpieswalltowall.com">Michael</a>. Yes, it was simply a party to celebrate ME! Joining in on the fun were Christopher, Wendy and Geoff, and <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/organizing-with-erin">Erin</a>. Thank you all for spending an evening honoring me! Y'all have no idea how the memory of this evening carried me through some dark moments this year.
As 2016 quickly draws to a close, I need to stop and reflect upon the joy I felt this year. In fact, especially this year. By just about every measure, 2016 was a difficult year for many people. Generation X lost many of our pop culture idols; a presidential election went wonky at the last... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 31, 2016 at 3:13 pm • 

Ask Little Merry Sunshine: Are you always happy or are you too stupid to realize life sucks?

Ask Little Merry Sunshine: Are you always happy or are you too stupid to realize life sucks?
Dear Little Merry Sunshine, I am a regular reader and big fan of your blog. In fact, I’ve been reading since the early days when you were writing on Blogspot. As I’ve read and re-read your posts over the past 7 1/2 years, I’ve noticed one overarching theme: far more often than not, you are... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
March 11, 2015 at 9:26 am • 
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5 Best Apps for Your Guided Meditation and Mindfulness Practice

5 Best Apps for Your Guided Meditation and Mindfulness Practice
One of the best things I’ve ever done is to begin a meditation and mindfulness practice. I suppose I began it almost 10 years ago when I took a hypnosis class with Rev. Jean Kadkhodaian of The Lighthouse Emotional Wellness Center in Arlington Heights. I took to it like a fish takes to water and... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 17, 2014 at 1:43 pm • 

This I believe

This I believe
A little over seven years ago, I did a Crash Davis-like Things I Believe In blog post on the original Little Merry Sunshine blog. To this day, it ranks right up there with my all-time favorite posts. Oh, you’re not familiar with Crash Davis’s monologue from Bull Durham? I won’t judge you (much), but you... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 14, 2014 at 2:10 pm • 

Lumpectomy results: A benign papilloma

Lumpectomy results: A benign papilloma
NOTE: This is the conclusion to an unexpected five-part series about my first mammogram. To fully appreciate the context of what transpired, I encourage you to read the first three installments: My first mammogram saved my life, Respect my coping skills and I’ll respect yours, My lumpectomy was easy-peasy, and Post-lumpectomy recovery. By about 4:00... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 12, 2014 at 8:43 am • 
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Watervale Bingo: Mark Your Cards for Days 3 and 4

Watervale Bingo: Mark Your Cards for Days 3 and 4
You know what the great thing about vacation is? The lack of schedule. There was a moment yesterday when I was standing on the steps of the Inn and asked myself, “what day is it?” That’s truly the sign that I’ve checked out of life as I’m accustomed to it and am fully engulfed in... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
August 11, 2014 at 10:16 pm • 

A life of Triumph: How this wonderful car helped my family through our grief

The 1967 Triumph TR4A. I thought this was as close as I would every get to driving it.
My late Uncle Ray loved cars. Well, that’s not quite accurate. He loved Triumph cars. In my entire life, I don’t think there was ever a time he didn’t own at least one. The stories of Uncle Ray and his Triumphs were the stuff of legends. Restoring Triumph cars was one of the many ways... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
July 2, 2014 at 6:29 pm • 

A Life That's Good - Official Little Merry Sunshine Theme Song

In early March, I wrote a post titled “What’s Your Theme Song?” I’d been thinking about creating a theme song for Little Merry Sunshine and for me because ChicagoNow Community Manager, Jimmy Greenfield, posted the question on Facebook. In that post, I toyed around with the idea of A Bushel and a Peck because Nana... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
June 13, 2014 at 1:12 pm • 
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Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day Weekend
I love Memorial Day Weekend. It’s a three-day weekend and the first work holiday since New Year’s for many adults. It’s the unofficial kickoff to Summer, although in Chicago this year no one knows for sure. It marks about three weeks to my favorite holiday of the year – my birthday. And, of course, it’s... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
May 23, 2014 at 10:51 am • 
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    Jessica Gardner

    A native of Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and resident of the North Shore, Little Merry Sunshine comes by her name honestly. The story goes that as a child, she was always so happy that she even slept with a smile on her face. Her mom nicknamed her Little Merry Sunshine. It stuck, along with her insatiable desire to focus on the good in the world and to leave it a little better than she found it. She does this by sharing her passions and dreams, what inspires her, and maybe you too, and furthering the discussion about how we can listen to our better angels. You can reach her at LittleMerrySunshineCN[at]WowWay[dot]com.

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