3 Good Things - Write them down and Get Happy

In today's Sunday Trib Magazine I read an article by Nara Schoenberg titled Happiness, Meet Science. In it is a simple, scientifically proven way to get happier. Every night before bed, write down three things that happened during the day that made you feel good or grateful. Within weeks, you'll be measurably happier.

"The research here is pretty clear," says University of Michgan psychology professor Christopher Peterson. "People who do ("Three Good Things") on a regular basis get happier."

Okay, it seems easy enough. Here are three things that make me happy today (and it's only noon!)

1.  My usually intense hubby's goofy animal imitations. His moose is my favorite, but today he was a very silly bunny.
2. The sunshine and soaring temps. It's like summer today! 
3. A breakfast of chocolate cake, clementines and coffee in bed while reading the newspaper. Ahhh.

Gee, that took about 2 minutes - this is one habit I can keep up. And I'm feeling more cheerful already.

Got three things that made you feel good today? Go write 'em down. Or better yet, share them here and we'll get started together.

Melanie Oudin inspires tennis players of all ages, shapes, & sizes

There was only one woman featured in the Chicago Tribune's Sports section yesterday, and it was tennis player Melanie Oudin, just 17. Tonight the unseeded 5'6" teen will face off against the ninth seed, Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark, in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. At 5'10, Wozniacki will be one the shorter opponents Oudin has faced in the tournament.

"Melanie Oudin isn't just the biggest thing to hit U.S. tennis since the Williams sisters began winning big a decade ago. She could be the fresh face that helps reinvigorate the sport in this country." -Tim Dahlberg, Chicago Tribune

With her positive attitude, competitive spirit and friendly demeanor, Melanie Oudin makes for a much needed role model for girls in sports. But she's an inspiration to older women too. Yesterday was the first day of the indoor season at my tennis club, the North Shore Racquet Club, and Oudin was the name on everyone's lips.

"Oudin gives me hope, because she plays like me," said Denise, an attractive, fit woman with two kids in college. "She's not very tall, she doesn't have any big weapons, but she just hangs in there and wins." My sentiments exactly, Denise (who by the way, is at least 3 inches taller than I am.)

Today, women's tennis is dominated by Russian women who are close to 6 feet tall. Oudin's opponent in the 4th round, Maria Sharapova, is 6'2" for crying out loud. I may not meet many Russian amazons in my 4.0 matches, but I certainly come across women who are stronger, faster and younger - and at 5'3", I'm usually the shortest one on the court.

What Oudin's surprising success at the US Open demonstrates is the most important trait for success is believing in yourself. And we're never too old for that.