The Best Halloween Ever

I stayed inside today and, bored out of my mind, hit up facebook and msn. So when my mum asked me if I wanted to go with her to pick up my brother I surprised her by accepting. By then I was feeling a little nauseous from staring at the glowing screen.

It was very late afternoon and the sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon. I was about to climb into the car when I stopped. Really stopped and took a good look around.
I can't describe it properly, but the street was divided into two. One side was steeped in shadow, and the other?
It wasn't yellow, or pink. It was bathed a brilliant gold. The leaves of trees were moving slightly in the wind, and they glinted like golden bracelets. The driveway looked as I had always imagined the city of Atlantis, the streets paved with gold.

It was like living in a dream world, and it was beautiful.

I couldn't stop staring after that. I kept finding new things to look at - how my neighbour's plain roses looked blood-red under this new golden light, how alive everything was. How had I never seen it before?

And I realised I had never seen it because I'd never appreciated it. Because I was inside most of time, on the computer or doing work. And okay, watching sunsets is right up there on the lame list next to long strolls on the beach, but somehow I'd been so caught up in things that didn't matter I'd missed something right in front of me.

We live in a world that tells us we need money, beauty and amazing career to be happy. But watching that gold melt into the shadows, all those things seemed completely irrelevant.
Now I'm afraid. Because I wonder how many other moments like that have I missed? Simply because I never bothered to actually open my eyes and look. How many more will I miss?

So starting from tomorrow I'm going to stop letting things money, beauty and facebook rule my life. They won't last - but I'll never forget that sunset.

On the way home I saw a rainbow, so I guess that was a sign I got my treat! Happy Halloween everybody, and remember if a horrible rotting monster shows up at the door....
... give him your best, brightest smile and run for your life!

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Happiness Equals Bracket Hopebook

Are you guys ready? This might get intense so I want you guys to have a glass of water nearby and something to grip onto. Alright, now you're ready.

For our October Project, we bring you... the Happiness Equals Bracket Hopebook. =)

Credit to Bryan, one of our very very awesome readers, for painting this for us. Thank you, Bryan! :)

Excited? I sure am. =)

Today, Bella and I are launching our very own Hopebook - a traveling journal that brings hope to the people who hold it. How, you may ask? Well, it does a little dance. Makes a little love. Gets down tonight. (Props to whoever gets this reference!)

Haha, I'm just kidding. But the journal does indeed travel, being passed on from person to person, friend to friend, stranger to stranger. This project is as much our's as it is your's!

So, what do you do if this little journal dances its way into your hands? Well, all you've gotta do is just jot down something that gave you hope. Could be a quote, something that happened to you that week, a person, a song, anything! The world is your oyster.

Then, you pass it on. Have a friend who looks like they could use a smile? Or maybe a friend who has a smile they could share with more people? Maybe even just leaving it on a table for the next lucky passer-by to see? Your oyster, the world is. Haha.

But before you do, don't forget to sign the "Visitor's Page" at the back!

So, look out for the Happiness Equals Bracket Hopebook - you won't be able to miss it. And if you've got it, drop us a comment to update us on where it's danced its way to!

Whew, that was intense, I know. You've probably already guzzled all your water and squeezed the death out of the nearest object. You've done well, give yourself a pat on the back. =)

Never forget, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

How to Save a Life

Tying in with the Hope theme this week, I hope you guys enjoy this story! After all, you can never have too much hope. =)

Giving Blood

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liz."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks.

Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"

Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood.

The first time I read this story, my heart skipped a beat at the end. I'm not sure if you guys know how this feels but it makes your heart feel impossibly light. Like its floating. If this is what Hope feels like, then I sure wouldn't mind some more. =)

Hope today's story gave you guys some hope about the goodness that the world is capable of, what you and I are capable of. :) BUT the hope doesn't just stop there! (What did we say about there never being too much hope? =P).

So keep checking back for updates on our October Project Launch, which shall be very very soon, I promise. ;)

As always, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

Hope is Like an Orange

Hello, SlinkyLindy and Bellafella here! Just on a break from our tiring mission of saving the world, a smile at a time :D
Okay, just kidding. I think Lindy would kill me if I actually called her slinky Lindy HAHA. You didn't hear it from me.

Anyway, this post is just a selection of quotes and things that always seem to give me a little ball of hope, even when its raining and I have a disgusting cold, and that special boy glared at me on the bus, and I have almost given up on ever attaining true wisdom at school.

I'd thought I'd share this around, because hope is like vitamin C - when it's not there, you'll get horribly sick. But you will never, EVER have too much of it :)

BELLA'S LIST SHE HOPES YOU'LL READ

"All of us are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" - Oscar Wilde

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and good things never die."

"When the world says 'Give up', Hope whispers "Try it one more time." - Anon

"Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have is not permanent" -Jean Kerr

- Watch The Shawshank Redemption. There's a reason why it's top of the 'Best Movies EVER' list!

- Go on http://www.givesmehope.com. I should think the title was obvious :)

And the last thing that gives me hope is you! All you guys who actually read the crazy things Lindy and I blog about, honestly it is the most heartwarming thing ever. When we started this blog we hoped people would read it, but we never expected all this support, and it just keeps us going :) So thank you!


Lindy is going to reveal ALL about our October project later tonight... prepare to be shocktobered!

Remember that hope is like Vitamin C, or hope is like an orange ... without it you get sick, but you can never have too much.

And of course, Happiness Equals Bracket =)

Pink Ribbon Day!

On Friday, Bella and I volunteered for Pink Ribbon Day selling at Parramatta Station. If you saw us in our flamboyantly pink gear, spouting the most ridiculous lines to persuade people to buy merchandise... please don't judge us. It's all for a good cause, reputation and coolness be gone! =P

Now, all your preconceptions about volunteering? Throw them out the window. Throw out the "it's so boring", the "I'm too hardcore to volunteer" and, my favourite, the "it'll look good on my resume."

Volunteering isn't about any of those things. It's something so pure and simple - it's almost like medicine for the soul. And, as a bonus, it's fun. =)

After being completely right-out rejected the first few times and having to pick up the broken pieces of our pride (I'm kidding, it wasn't that bad haha), we really started to enjoy ourselves. In fact, Bella and me were having the time of our lives kidding around with everyone we approached.

Just a few of the smilelights included:

- the guy who bought one of the $10 pins. Then, after Bella and me told him it was a good choice and that it attracted the ladies, his friend bought one as well haha. Just a note to all the ladies out there, if you see two young studs with Pink Ribbon Day pins feel free to say hello to them. ;)

- the many people who donated without wanting anything in return.

- the guy who, when we said a pink pin would go perfectly with his black shirt, said "It'll match my undies as well!" and lifted up the bottom of his shirt to reveal the bright pink band of his boxers. I cracked up so hard hahahah.

- this one man who stopped me and seemed a little unstable. He asked me what I was doing whilst clumsily stumbling about a bit . I told him all about Pink Ribbon Day and what we were doing, a little hesitantly. However, after he bought a badge, he stopped us before we went and told us that what we were doing was really really really really really really really really really extremely good and that he was going to tell everyone to buy something. Yes, with that many 'really''s. It turned out to be the oddest, most unique experience of that day.

- joking around with the seemingly scary security guards and, after rebuffing their many excuses, managing to convince them to buy some merchandise haha. Persistence pays off. =P

- just the fact that it was generally the guys (the tougher looking, the better) that seemed to be buying the most merchandise. It was actually really touching and so awesome to see so many people defying stereotypes - hardened tattooed men sweetly buying pins for their girlfriends or seemingly uncaring teenagers supporting the cause.

But don't just take my word for it. Try for yourself. Volunteer.

Just grab a couple of your friends (that way, its not as scary!) and volunteer your little hearts out. None of that "it's boring" or "it'll look good on my resume" business! In fact, if Bella and me hear anything about another event, we'll tell you guys about it. =)

Don't hold back either, comment with events and chances to help as well!

In the meantime, Pink Ribbon Day is coming up on Monday! Buy a pretty pin (there's a $3 ribbon one, a pretty $5 one and this really bling $10 one), a pen (for $6) or a super-cute bear (for $10)! Haha, as you can see, Bella and I are seasoned experts. ;P

Oh, and the cup I fill with my faith in humanity? Overflowing. =)

Until next time, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

We've Got the Blues

It's that time when summer is hiding around the corner, and everyday it gets little bit more sunnier and humid. Sometimes it's nice to just sit in the sun and soak up that lovely warmth - oh and I feel obliged to tell you not to forget the sunscreen kids, not risking any lawsuits right now :D

But how strange that only a month ago the weather was chilly and cold, the wind unfriendly and biting.

Things change quickly, don't they?

And the weather may be nice, but October is also another month:
Beyond Blue Anxiety and Depression Month!

The aim of Happiness Equals Bracket is for people to feel happier in a sad world. But sometimes to achieve that aim, we have to understand the enemy >:[ And depression is definitely a serious enemy.
It's easy to forget about mental illnesses because we all learnt about it in PE and it's not exactly as dramatic a disease as cancer.

Yet how many of you know it's likely someone you know, maybe even know well, suffers from depression?
Depression is a very real illness, and like any other illness it can be cured, but often we don't pick up the signs until it's too late.

And unlike a cold, depression can kill. Suicide is now the 3rd leading cause of death in 15-24yr olds. Yep, that's us.
I really wish I didn't have to refer you guys to this website, it's not a very happy one. But I read this every week and wonder how many of these people could have been saved, because we can actually help.
www.sixbillionsecrets.com
The beyond blue website has a lot of good advice, but the most important thing is to listen, support and let them talk to someone professional. The scary thing is that depression is so easy to hide. What if you just don't know how they feel?

I don't pretend to be an expert at this, but I know that sometimes things really, really suck. And when they're bad I just want someone to care, even if they don't realise they're doing it. It's worth remembering though, that like the weather, life WILL go from cold and stormy to beautiful and balmy xD!
And no matter how black the night is, dawn always comes.

So here's the simple task for you guys! It's easy and obvious - smile!And that kid that everybody picks on at school and in class? Don't. Becuase you might do more harm than you think.

I'll leave you guys with a story I read recently.

A man climbed onto a major bridge and, intending to commit suicide, jumped and fell to his death. People expressed their shock and regretted that there was nothing they could do to save him - he had jumped so quickly!
Later that day, police were going through his papers when they spotted a note. It said:
I'm walking to the bridge. If one person smiles at me, I won't jump.

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Light at Night

YAY that horrible exam is over which means it's time for this blog to revive =) Lindy and I are sorry we haven't been updating much lately, but you know what they say about all play and no work... or is it all work and no play? Well either way, it's time for us to stop being dull and start creating a few more smiles.
Anyway, here's a little sneak peak into our backpack of secrets we have here at Happiness Equals Bracket, because Rocktober is here! Ssssh it's just for you guys...=)


Any thoughts or ideas? Are you in Shocktober? If you haven't been smiling lately, we think you need to go to the doctober haha :)

All jokes aside though, it's time for a little hope in the air.

Remember, Happiness Equals Bracket =)

Of Big Boulders and Buying Calendars

Just a short story today because I am (read: should get off the computer and start) studying for my exam next week haha. WAIT. I just realised the exam's this week. Turns out I should also get a calendar. =(

Bella and me are sorry that we haven't been posting as frequently recently but, rest assured, we check our blog every day to read and reply to your comments! So if you just feel like chatting or need some advice or anything, feel free to gives us a buzz. =D

Anyways, please enjoy, lovely, exquisite, captivating, delightful, stunning, splendid, terrrrrrrific readers! Buttering you guys up, me? Goodness no! =)

The Obstacles In Our Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

The peasant learned what many of us never understand - "Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition".

And indeed it does!

So if you guys see any huge big rocks in the middle of the path this week, take some time to heft it out of the way, yeah?

Haha no, you know I'm kidding (though if there does happen to be a big rock in the middle of the path, please do move it out of the way!).

Hope you guys got something from today's story! =)

Always remember, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

Interesting Blank Walls

Once again, I'm sorry this is 50 minutes late! My excuse is that I was reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and then got caught up practicing some spells. Yes, I know I'm underage but shhh. I won't tell if you won't. ;)

I edited the story posted two weeks ago (called "The Tip") to make it clearer for you guys as some people mentioned it was a little confusing. So, gold star to anyone who can spot the different!

Anywho, since it's holidays for us and you guys have a bit more time on your hands, I've decided to post a slightly longer story today. But.. it's definitely worth it. =)

Encouragement

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his room-mate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn't seem fair.

At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing.

Now there was only silence - deathly silence.

The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

"Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you," she replied.

I don't pretend to be all-knowing and wise but there really is more to life than our own happiness, more than doing things simply for our own personal pleasure.

This elusive path to happiness? Making other people happy.

Sometimes, its easy to get carried away with your own misfortunes. We all do it. But perhaps the solution is not to buy yourself some ice cream or seek self-gain but instead look past your own problems and help someone else out - whether it be through a smile or kind words or a good deed.

Then, they'll be happy and you'll be filled with this inexplicably warm feeling and both of you will be happy. Win-win, right? =)

So, I really encourage you guys to try make someone happy this week. Anyone. You never know, sometimes all it takes is a smile, a joke, a compliment. And if it doesn't work out, Bella and me are always here, ready to laugh or smile and we're definitely open to compliments. =P

Hope your holidays have been good so far and feel free to comment with your adventures of making people happy this week!

Always remember, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)