Joy & Happiness
Articles mainly about joy, happiness, laughter, delight and a cheerful heart.
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I Will Be Happy If
There is a question I have been pondering during Holy Week. “I will be happy if ____________.” Early in my dad’s cancer journey, he would have placed his happiness dependent upon his cure.
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Good News
In my devotional, I was feeling sad when I opened an advent book by one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen.
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Life Experience
Each life experience has the potential to reward us three times. #1. The Preparation Experience. Potentially, this can be an exciting time. Anticipation, hoping, planning and preparing are good things.
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Trick or Treat
5 BILLION spent on Halloween each year; the second biggest money making celebration of the year. Who said capitalism is dead? 2000 years ago the Celts believed they could talk with the visiting dead.
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Cup of Joy
A cup of joy has the potential to give more vitality than a cup of joe. Do we really believe this? Ask 65% of adult Americans who delight in their daily cup of joe.
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Cheering On
Our daughter Ariana is on the National Tour of The Sound of Music . What joy for our family!
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Just the Right Time
In my walk as a Christian for many years, one of the biggest surprises to me is how consistent God is at surprising me when I feel the most need for Him.
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First Word Joy
I have a sign on my office door that I made that reads, “First Word Joy.” I consider how differently my day begins when I select to focus on delight in God, life, and people.
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Salvation Joy
There is nothing like watching someone experience salvation joy. Last week, a young coach stopped by our office. His face glowed, he smiled ear to ear, and there was an inner light.
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Blood and Happiness
The incredible human machine has an approximately 10-ounce heart that pumps blood through the entire body.
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Cup of Joy Overflowing, Part III
“Fred, why do so few people have joy?” Elegant question! To answer, I let my mind wander, do some speculation. In today’s world, we seem to base our lives on Feeling, Fact, and then Faith .
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Praying with Hope
I have been praying for many years for two gifts. They both were answered the same week. I laughed and cried with joy at their fulfillment. How immediately the dread lifted. What a gift!
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Rpg
I have been signing cards recently with the acronym RPG. It’s my true north right now. When I get confused, anxious, unsure how to spend my time or focus my thoughts, it is my way forward.
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The Outcome of Unity
At the NBC Camps Christmas party, we took red and white pipe cleaners and wound them together to make a candy cane.
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Joy Is a Precious Christmas Gift
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth – Proverbs 15:23 This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of…
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Practice Gratitude
“As medicine is to the body, gratitude is to the soul.” For the past six months, Words of Hope with Fred Crowell has been a source of joy and thanksgiving to me.
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Sharing Joy
The scripture passages I read this morning had a verse that has been reverberating in my mind. “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.
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The Healing Power of Praise
I read recently that gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. It counteracts against the four most toxic emotions: envy, bitterness, regret, and depression.
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The Antidote for Sullenness
I was talking to a woman about our family’s mealtime conversation and daily spotlighting. She looked skeptical. “What if you had a sullen child who didn’t want to respond?” she asked. I was surprised for a minute.
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How’s Your PMA?!
This summer we focused on the topic of enthusiasm. It was one of Dad’s favorite words.
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Overflowing Hope
I am so thankful my dad called these little devotionals Words of Hope . I bless him for this.
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The Secret to A Long and Happy Life
A close friend sent me a Ted Talk that is the most watched in Ted history. This talk references the longest study of adults done to date.
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Celebrating People
I found a note from my dad. Dad wrote amazing words of encouragement. He celebrated people and made me feel like I could run through a brick wall if I had to.
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Time for Good News
I am often surprised by sorrow. I didn’t realize how many different shades of sadness I could experience. Small moments trigger me, and I am often triggered, especially when people say something to me about my dad.
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Moments of Wonder
I sit watching about 20 robins congregating in the trees. They greet each other noisily and swoop continuously between my neighbor’s tree and mine. They have bright red breasts and look so happy together.
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I Will Bless
One of my favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 34. What a psalm of solace! Dad and I would pray each word, meditating on it.
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Focal Point
My best frame of mind comes from meditation on gratitude and the truth that I belong to God. Every time I draw my attention away from these focal points I wind up off balance.
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Greetings and Partings
My husband Shann and I often celebrate that we live in the Golden Age of research. We can communicate to anyone, regardless of philosophy or religion, what truly works and what does not.
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Repeat the Sounding Joy
We love Christmas music at the Ferch house. One of my new favorites is Aretha Franklin’s “Joy to the World.” I just heard it for the first time this year.
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Cities
I have been fortunate enough to visit many cities around the world such as Cape Town, Barcelona, and Prague. Each city has its own vibe and story. You can see it on the faces of the people.
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Eternal Joy
I recently visited Oklahoma to support my daughter Ari who was playing Margo in Bright Star the musical. While I was there, I sat in a chair my dad had sat in five years earlier.
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Speed Friendship
Our family has a fun mealtime activity called “Speed Friendship.” We ask a question and quickly find out more about whoever is at the table. Examples of questions we might ask are: · Favorite color to wear?
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Relational Joy
I read recently that researchers have discovered a connection between relational joy in your fifties and wellbeing and flourishing health in your eighties.
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Learned Contentment
Contentment has been a hard-fought lesson for me and also for Dad. He wrestled with finding contentment even in illness. I have been on a long journey as a student of contentment.
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The Best Medicine
Shann is genuinely a happy person. He is cheerful, lighthearted, and never moody or depressed. He sings daily and is genuinely a joy to be married to.
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Surprised by Joy
I had been dreading Father’s Day. I woke up on Father’s Day, assuming it would be a bone-crushing day of sorrow, but it wasn’t. I left deep gratitude for my Dad and felt very close to him.
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How’s Your PMA
One of the most famous lines at NBC Camps was a question Dad asked. He would ask the campers, “How’s your PMA?” They would jump up and respond, “Boy, am I enthusiastic.” PMA stands for positive mental attitude…
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True testimony
I celebrated Easter at my Mom and Dad’s church. It was my Mom’s first Easter without Dad.
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Father Kolbe
Dad and I loved to read stories of inspiring people. One day, I felt sorry for myself and justified my frustration and irritation with life.
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April Fools
When I was in high school, my Dad began to play April Fool’s jokes which were never quite funny to anyone but him.
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Celebration of Life
My Dad started talking about dying in the last few years. Honestly, it bugged me. I didn’t want to talk about his funeral; I didn’t want to have any of his possessions; I didn’t want to imagine my…
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Creative Learning
When I was young, Dad would make devotional times meaningful. He would grab plain white paper and put color crayons, markers, and highlighters on the table.
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Pure Joy
The book of James says, “Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter trials of various kinds.” Some translations say to consider trials, “pure” joy.
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Weather Man
Dad would say, “Imagine an elevator. Most of us have moods and emotions which take us up and down the elevator. But some people get off and live on certain floors.
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Delight
Dad traveled many days when I was young. He went all around the PNW recruiting for NBC Camps. His journey brought him to the Cheyenne Reservation, where he met my husband, Shann.
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Garment of Praise
Sorrow can feel like a heavy shroud. I sometimes feel suffocated by it if I allow my mind to think of no more time with Dad, no more calls, no more chats by the fire, or surprise trips.…
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Bedtime stories
Dad was a magnificent storyteller. He could mesmerize audiences at camp with stories of Challenger, our big black lab, or make everyone howl with laughter by a funny face or a silly expression. Dad loved stories.
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Fun Dad
Dad was a very fun dad. He enjoyed games. He loved playing with my brother and me. When I was little, Dad and I would always have a game of hide and seek.
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Great Joy
One aspect of Dad’s character I admired was his presence. He carried himself with dignity and power. His voice could fill a room or a gym. Dad met my husband Shann before I did.
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Sing for Joy to the Lord
Dad loved to sing, and for a long time, he was not good—so poor people thought he purposely mocked the song when he sang in church. Yet, Dad still sang— in church and in public.
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The Need to be Seen
My Dad noticed people that many do not—people mopping floors, or bussing tables, people who were often unseen or unrecognized. He treated everyone he met as a miracle with infinite value.
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Find Ways to Laugh
Laughing seems difficult for me right now. I almost didn’t write this though I felt my Dad intentionally gave me this word. Dad loved rocks with words inscribed on them.
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Be of Good Cheer
Here in Spokane we have had record-breaking heat in June. Now in July throughout the Pacific Northwest we need rain. Don’t you agree there always appears to be a good and bad side to everything, even weather!
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The Word for All
Happiness is watching your granddaughter dance. Possibly one of the greatest joys of being a grandparent is watching grandchildren excel and love life with passion.
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Have or Have Nots
This is the ultimate difference between contentment and discontentment. Contentment is living in abundance. Discontentment is living in scarcity.
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Happiness a Gift
“Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” This is what Abe Lincoln felt. For some, happiness is a common occurrence.
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Good News – Great News
The Apostle James encourages us to consider trouble when it comes our way, to be an opportunity for great joy.
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Sharing Joy
The Dead Sea, bordered by Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, is the world’s lowest point below sea level. Animals cannot live in its water even as it is one of the deepest and saltiest lakes in the world.
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Wanting More
Very early this morning I asked myself this question: Is my life enough, or do I want more? My reality is while I am in my secret garden, it is a perfect place.
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So Excited to See You
Young children do it the best! They get so excited to see people they love. They run, jump in arms (confident to be caught!), gleefully screaming with joy.
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Laughter
Do you want to live longer? Then LAUGH! Laughter heals the body, decreases pain, protects the heart and blood flow, and lowers blood pressure. Do you want to express your amusement and joy? Then LAUGH!
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Wisdom in Laughter
Laughter heals the body Laughter reduces anger Laughter elevates hope Laughter is fun Laughter is caught, not taught Laughter is unique to each Laughter is contagious Laughter is social happiness Laughter lowers blood pressure Laughter is living life…
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Laughter – Good Medicine
“Laughter is a fascinating subject to study because each person has a unique way of laughing.” F Crowell In my years of empirical research I have come to the conclusion that one who easily laughs was raised in…
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Personal Letters & Delicious Omelets
Dear FRIDAY WITH FRED Friends, Today’s communication is to lift your spirit and inspire you to positive caring, life-giving, yet enjoyable actions. Personally, one of my delightful actions is reading and writing letters .
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A Written Letter
A WRITTEN LETTER can be an effective way to communicate. Francis Bacon said: “Reading makes us full, speaking makes us prepared, and writing makes us exact.” A letter is from one person to others to be read.
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Sacred Place – Secret Garden
The most beautiful and blessed place on earth. Slow the bus down is a favorite expression in the Crowell home when one of us gets too busy, anxious or troubled.
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Grateful for Gifts
Once in a while, I question why I find such joyful delight when I receive a grateful expression.
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Man’s Best Friend
When neighbors are out walking their dogs, my favorite question is: “Who is having the most fun — you or the dog?” Of course, the answer is always the same: “The dog.” As I have watched dogs, all…
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17 Minutes, 17 Seconds
These two 17’s are the best moments of my day! This is time dedicated to entering my personal secret garden. The psalmist called this a secret place.
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Small & Grand Surprises
My family, especially daughter Jennifer, delights when I am excited over surprises, no matter the size. A small surprise came yesterday, although it was tear-moving.
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Dancing with Death
Dear Words of Hope reader, please do not flee from this WOH because of the word “death.” To equate it with dancing will be mind and heart boggling.
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Labor Day Celebration
I discovered far too late in life what Labor Day Celebration should be. I thought it was valuing hard work.
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Words of Hope
Hi Robert – Bobby MAC, Good news and bad news The self-therapy letter to myself details the good news. Read on. Dear Freddy J, Good morning, best friend. Hope with God’s hope you are enjoying today.
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The Four F Words – Faith, Family, Friends, Fun
“If you have faith, family, friends sprinkled with a little fun you can beat anything.” – Loraine Derr, Juneau Alaska If anyone on earth understands the value of faith, family, and fun it is Lorraine Derr.
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Mookie Fights Cancer
Meet Mookie! He lives in Thailand. He is a favorite at NBC Camps; always smiling, inspirational, hard-working, and a pure delight to teammates and coaches. Why is Mookie our hero?
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Crowell’s War on Cancer
“Cancer cannot steal my joy, rob me of hope, or destroy my love for life and people.” The past decade has been some of the best years of my life.
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Happiness Is…
Happiness is: an emotion of joy a feeling of merriment absence of anxiety an attitude a decision encouragement a smile kindness purposeful practiced a learned behavior a choice commitment If happiness encompasses all these virtues, no wonder happiness…
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Dwell Together in Unity
The world’s pandemic has forced isolation upon us with a heartless vengeance. This isolation for the vast majority of Americans changed our lives in dramatic ways; some positive; some negative.
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Delight – Delightful – Delighted, Part 2
Another good definition of delight is “inclination to great pleasure.” Here are some of the many places in the Bible that talk about delight .
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Delight – Delightful – Delighted, Part 1
The three D’s are the ingredients for a joyful, cheerful and fulfilling day! Oh, how we love the anticipation of a fantastic day! This feeling is because life is a gift.
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The Sun and the Moon
These exceptional photos of a sunrise on Scout Lake, OR, and a moon-glowing night there as well, are perfect reminders we can count on day turning to night and later night turning to day.
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Cry Some – Laugh More
The mature in emotional intelligence can shed tears and also laugh often. Both crying and laughter have a healing effect and seem to cure a “multitude of ills.” Laughter makes the heart glad!
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Happy Land Is Not a Destination
Walt Disney grew up an unhappy child. His father did not make life fun for the young Walter Disney. Walter developed a dream.
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Child Inspiration
Fall in love with children and you will be in love with life. Find joy in children and you will always be joyful. Play with children and you’ll always be playful.
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Delight in Delight
The law of attraction means what we attach ourselves to will multiply and expand. Therefore, what we purposely choose to delight in will grow into greater delight. Delight is not on automatic pilot in our lives.
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Practice Happiness
If happiness were a tool in a carpenter’s toolbox, it would likely be a pair of needle-nose pliers. Many t imes these specialized pliers are the only tool needed for the mechanical fix.
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Happiness a Treasured Gift
How many times have you heard: ‘Just do what makes you happy! Don’t worry, just be happy!” We feel if it makes us happy, it must be right.
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Did So Good
Long ago God had some words to Cain (son of Adam and Eve). God could see in Cain’s heart, seeing his half-hearted motivation and attitude when bringing an offering to God.
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Noel
NOEL is a word born in England and France over 500 years ago, meaning “see what God has done!” It is a joyful expression of the excitement of Christ being born on this earth .
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Authentic Genuine Love
Sitting in her wheelchair with a dog in her lap, a lady wheeled herself across one of Spokane’s busiest streets.
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Happiness Results
Happiness is all around us! If we look, we can see a few of these results in others and in ourselves. These people have: More success. More friends. More desire to help. More uncomplicated living.
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Expand Your Happiness
For years at NBC Basketball camps, the crucible question I asked was: “Where are you?” The correct response was: “ RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW !” Many say if we spend time living in the past, depression becomes more…
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Cup of Joy Overflowing, Part IV
As a basketball coach, how can you lose 75-72 to a top U.S. collegiate team in the last 15 seconds of a game and still be happy?
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Cup of Joy Overflowing, Part II
If you could ask one request and receive it from God, what would it be? A million bucks? World peace? Cure for cancer? What would it be?
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Cup of Joy
You are invited to join Words of Hope on a 5-day journey to joy overflowing from our cups. How good is that?
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I Love Reading WOH
Fred, I love reading your WOH. Thanks for thinking of me. The one of laughter hit a nerve in a good way.
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Attitude Is King
Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, and habits become your destiny. I remember so clearly an experience in the early years of marriage.
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Did So Good
Cain, what have you done? Why is your countenance so downcast? What did you do that makes your face so dark? The eyes are lights to the soul.
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The Wonder of Children
Let’s delight in children. Enjoy these photos and videos of kids at NBC camps. “Dad I never knew how much you loved me until I had a child.” – Thankful Father “All I have ever wanted to be…
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Precious Presents
31 days of precious presents in December Savor is a great word. To me, savor means to enjoy to the maximum. To savor each day in December as Christmas is pure delight for me.
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An Elegant Question – You Should Know the Answer
How do you want to live? Be careful now. This is not a trick question! Seriously. How do you really want to live your life?
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First Fish
Key statement: There is something both spectacular and fascinating to be the very first. The first is often the most difficult. The first is a memory maker.
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Hunting Happiness
Key Statement: Happiness is one step around the next corner and the next corner and the next corner and the …. Factual question, not an elegant question.
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Smiles
KEYNOTE: “Isn’t She Lovely” is a song that brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. The oncology clinic must require their employees to practice smiling.
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Wallace and the Whale
Wallace is a high school student in Unalakleet, Alaska. This is a celebration day for this wonderful village. Many families will have delicious food for many days to come.
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Happy Happy Crowell’s
Key Statement: People are about as happy as they personally choose to be. Happiness is an attitude.
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Church This Morning
This is where I am having church this morning. A cup of coffee. Beautiful Sea of Cortez. An opportunity to pray. This is what’s on my mind today: Pray, give thanks in all things.
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Two Worlds
“Boy, we live in two different worlds and we both are extremely happy.” -Long Time Friend As I read this email from a former classmate I began to reflect on the idea of people living in two different…
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Laughter Is Good Medicine
“People who laugh easily bring joy to others.” My life experience tells me people who laugh often, easily and for no apparent reason grew up in a home with laughter.
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Hello My Hero!
Four words, Needed this….my struggle! From early morning hours to nearly lunch time no words for Daily Words of Hope with Fred came to my mind. Susie encouraged me to wait and let it happen.
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Flooded with Joy
“And you will be planted like trees near living waters and whatever you do shall prosper.” Water is the fountain of life, without it, we can do nothing.
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A Child Is Born
“Dad I never knew how much you loved me until Kingston was born.” – Jay Crowell For unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder.
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Best Medicine
If you can laugh you can solve most of life’s ailments. One of my favorite early morning disciplines is to ask Abba Father one question. The question is quite simple.
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Disneyland and Livingland
Both lands were created to be the happiest places on earth. What happened? Walt Disney had a dream. He wanted children to be able to experience happiness. Disneyland is Mr.
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China Surprises
The priceless feeling coaching a 15 year old team to win the 16 year old Asian Championship. Waking up each morning in China. Traveling on a train at over 300 kilometers per hour.
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I Can Hardly Imagine
Anacortes basketball boy becomes basketball old man in China. Today is my first day in Beijing. My partner Mr. Lao Yang tells me we meet some “Big People” this morning.
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It Is Well with My Soul
“A life lesson in being an over-comer not under-comer” Saturday in Spokane is a lazy day for me. Lazy means I don’t have important tasks for NBC.
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No Matter What
Want some joy? If yes, read a children’s book to a young child. Few happy life experiences mean more to me than having our 5 year old Kingston and 3 year old Giavanna sit on my lap entranced…
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Don’t Forget That Feeling
Emotions are unreliable; change suddenly; are easily influenced by circumstances, and words; they work better when you lead them with strong and decisive leadership, with fact, and logic. Emotions can’t think, they can’t make decisions.
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Psalm 20 – a Crowell Favorite
“One of luckiest men I know is me.” This morning as I looked out at the Pacific Ocean from the 17th floor, I felt like the luckiest man on the planet.
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Ukulele-jumping Fleas
New discoveries in music and in life. This miniature guitar originated in Portugal. The Hawaiians fell in love with this nimble, fun instrument. They named it the ukulele , the jumping flee.
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The New War on Cancer
“We may finally be winning the battle to turn what was once a deadly diagnosis into a disease that can be controlled and cured.” – AARP Bulletin, March 2016 This AARP edition caught my attention!
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True Confession Time
“Fred Crowell is the happiest man I know.” – F. Crowell 74 years ago today I was born next to mother, Kathleen Mitchell Crowell at Providence Hospital in Seattle.
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You Just Got Crowelled
Scott Rueck, sensational women’s basketball coach at Oregon State coined “ Got Crowelled .” Scott was a master coach at an NBC Camp in Hawaii a few years ago.
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Delight in People & People Delight in You
St Paul records multitudes of brilliant life giving principles. One used often among motivational experts is in the Apostles encouragement to the Galatians.
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Faith Brings Joy Made Right
I marvel studying the world of dogs. Much more than cats, I understand dogs; they are predictable.
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Clean Is Better Than Good
Clean car, clean house, clean body clean mind, clean heart – makes me feel good! I confess I love CLEAN! Never ceases to amaze me how GOOD I feel after a “cleaning project”.
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Come and Share Your Master’s Happiness
The final week in September must be wedding weekend. The Crowell’s had three invitations. In reading the Gospels Jesus clearly spoke highly of weddings. Yesterday my former personal assistant married. All weddings are not equal.
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Marvelous Monday
Marvelous day? Why? Because it is a new day Because it is a new week Because it is the last day of the month Because it is an opportunity to really live Because we can exercise the gifts…
