I saw the coolest little foursquare toy, kind of a portable mini-court, yesterday at the park. I wish I'd stopped and talked to the guys playing with it, but I thought I could find it pretty easily... but not so.
So there's a little trampoline, I guess that's about two feet square, with a circular wall around it divided into four sections. They had a ball smaller than a kickball but bigger than a tennis ball, and if they hit it on the trampoline and it went between one person's section of the bordering wall, then it was like it had hit their square.
Does anybody know what this? I must have one. Immediately.
posted by dubadubowbow
on Jun 16, 2013 -
4 answers
I'm trying to train myself to find more joy in creative pursuits, and I think a key would be in becoming more about the process and less about "success." Any advice on how to rewire my brain to this end?
posted by malhouse
on Jun 4, 2013 -
12 answers
I need help constructing mental snowshoes that will prevent me from falling into deep drifts of work BS and frustration at a job I can't leave.
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posted by lastwomanstanding
on May 21, 2013 -
14 answers
Help me find books that are as happy, joyful and well-written as Silas Marner!
Last time I visited my grandmother I gave her my copy of Silas Marner. She loved the book so much she read it three times in a row within two days… She told me it brought her "an unexpected deep and quiet sense of joy"… Because she's pretty sad and depressed right now I'd love to find other books that might lighten her long and lonely days! Can you help me? :)
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posted by mugitusqueboom
on Apr 22, 2013 -
29 answers
I want to be a healthy, fit person, and I want my partner to want that, too. What's the selling point? How can I convince my SO to make this change with me and notice how our generally very sedentary life is sucking the life out of our relationship? Help!
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 16, 2013 -
31 answers
How to work with employees who don't like what you're doing, but won't work towards making things better? Specifically vocally negative long-term employees who think they know it all, but refuse to share their wisdom beyond flat-out complaints because it's "not their job"?
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posted by tzb
on Apr 4, 2013 -
38 answers
I've become an unhappy Grumpy person. I would love some suggestions on positive music and notebooks, calendars which have inspiration positive quotes ? I just need some motivation in times of stress. Some blogs on positive thinking would also be useful.
Thanks to all!
posted by happiness01
on Mar 17, 2013 -
18 answers
Our year-and-a-half old cat hates being touched. He's incredibly aggressive towards anyone except me and my wife (and sometimes towards us too). We've yet to find a toy that holds his attention. What would make him happy?
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posted by and so but then, we
on Jan 26, 2013 -
42 answers
2013 will be our year! ...But how?
Have you had a storybook year or season at work or school or in a club? Something that felt like a Lifetime movie, making it to regionals for the first time for choir, or smashing your sales goal for the quarter, or collecting a ton of stuff for your canned food drive?
I am trying to figure out what factors influence extraordinary success in a team setting.
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posted by estlin
on Dec 31, 2012 -
4 answers
I work in IT and am 32. I've recently left my job of 11 years for a 10K pay increase and to try to advance my career. I really didn't want to do it because I was comfortable and happy where I was in the old job. I'm an ISTJ (introvert) and my nature is to not make big changes in my life. I worry about not having a clear path in my life. Ive been at the new job for 2 months now and It's been up and down but i'm definitely not as happy as I was at the old job.
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posted by qxmbati
on Dec 2, 2012 -
20 answers
Books/advice on how to let go of perfection and be happy with where you are?
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posted by mcav
on Aug 20, 2012 -
14 answers
As a recent graduate, how can I engineer my life to maximize happiness, financial security, and independence (in that order)? What choices did you make that led to suboptimal outcomes in these areas, and what would you do differently given another chance?
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posted by ecmendenhall
on Jul 2, 2012 -
58 answers
Does anyone know the source of this parable? I am using it and want to quote a source if I can find one!
Once an enlightened master was asked by his disciples, “Master, it is so easy to reach God’s Love and, consequently, happiness. Why then are people so unhappy?”
To this the master answered, “Nobody wants it.”
But having seen that the disciples did not understand him, he sent them to inquire of people what they wanted.
When they came back, they said that they had encountered many people from various classes in life. And none of them had said that they wanted be happy and to reach God’s love. They all answered that they wanted to buy a new house, to attain a high position, to earn lots of money, to have many children, to become more spiritual and moral...
posted by joshfeingold
on Jun 7, 2012 -
2 answers
For practically everyone I know, myself included, their 20s contained the best times of their lives and many experiences that likely will not be repeated or enjoyed as thoroughly as they get older. What is the secret for me - or anyone else - to recapture the magic of youth as life goes on and responsibilities grow? More details, including snowflakes, inside.
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posted by st starseed
on Apr 2, 2012 -
54 answers
Help me understand why this is not getting any better. Someone has given me nothing but signs that he thinks I'm incompetent. Then came an outstanding positive review. Yet I'm still not any happier nor do I care anymore to improve the relationship.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 21, 2011 -
24 answers
Would I know if this is as good as it gets? I know I've got it pretty good, better than most I bet...but I feel a little, I don't know, perhaps unsettled. But maybe that isn't even the right way to describe it - physically it's more liked stressed with a side order of tired. How do you know when you're at the top of your game and when you are in the place that is best for you and your family?
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posted by YukonQuirm
on Dec 13, 2011 -
14 answers
I feel like I just have moment-to-moment mindsets; that I have no underlying unitary will. Help?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 2, 2011 -
12 answers
I'm looking for fiction that is short(ish) and has happiness as a theme. By happiness, I mean any of the following: factors influencing happiness, someone gaining/losing happiness, pondering the meaning of happiness, money causing/preventing happiness, thinking something will make you happier and it does or doesn't, etc. Snowflake details inside.
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posted by guster4lovers
on Aug 19, 2011 -
18 answers
does it really get better? i'm a 40 year old single woman.
i have just gotten out of the arguably the worst relationship of my life (with some equivalent badness from my late teenage years, but isn't that the point of late teenage years). you can see my posts
here and
here.
I clearly have some issues to sort out and need to spend some time recovering from the chaos and i'm working on that in all the various ways (meditation, exercise, long walks, trying to eat right, time with loved ones, etc.)
so hive mind, what i really need right now is some hope. please tell me your tales of 40+ happiness- romantic and otherwise.
thanks!
posted by memi
on Jul 1, 2011 -
38 answers
From the article in
this post: "...there actually is some pretty good research on how to become happier and how to overcome personal difficulties that can be done relatively simply but which the self-help industry ignores."
Well, I'm game. What simple, scientifically validated ways exist to become happier and overcome difficulties?
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posted by jsturgill
on Jun 15, 2011 -
17 answers
Lately, I've been enjoying myself more. I go out to concerts, I eat in restaurants, I buy books from Amazon, I buy fruit juice and cake and cool ingredients to make delicious food. All this is a welcome turnaround from the days when I would spend hours indoors feeling miserable. But the result is that I'm burning through money like there's no tomorrow.
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posted by Acheman
on Apr 21, 2011 -
47 answers
I'm looking for typical "what is most important to people" survey results (preferably with percentages or graphs to use). You know, as in, family, career, hobbies, helping others...
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posted by ClarissaWAM
on Dec 25, 2010 -
4 answers
I've come to the conclusion that the root of unhappiness/strife, etc. is what goes on inside my own noodle. In addition to meditation (and, with apologies, excluding western religion) how to tame The Monkey Mind?
How to better control the quality of one's thoughts?
posted by gb77
on Dec 16, 2010 -
16 answers
Please give me some external validation that my supervisor's need for reassurance is really not ok, and advise on how to disguise my extreme discomfort.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 15, 2010 -
14 answers
I'm starting a new job and my previous job has a terrible, toxic work environment. I tried to avoid getting infected, but it has effected me and I need help re-programming myself to be a happy, healthy, positive, collaborative co-worker.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 18, 2010 -
9 answers
I spend Sundays "mentally preparing" for work on Monday instead of enjoying myself. How can I change this?
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posted by jacobjacobs
on Sep 26, 2010 -
19 answers
Was there ever a study that suggested that children become more successful / independent / happy / etc. when they're allowed to choose their own outfits from an early age?
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posted by rouftop
on Aug 30, 2010 -
3 answers
How can I become a responsible adult without getting my dreams lost in the process? Can they be one and the same?
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posted by vienaragis
on Aug 19, 2010 -
14 answers
Because of the death of my mother just before finals I have an extension on three essays from one class-- that I've put off the entire summer. Should I brace myself and write them, or do I tell the professor that I just want the last semester to disappear even if I receive an F grade?
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posted by SallySpades
on Aug 16, 2010 -
20 answers
I've recently come to realize that my job isn't fulfilling or challenging, and is making me depressed and helping ruin my personal relationships.
Should I stay at this job and be unhappy but well-compensated, or leave and make half as much but possibly be happy?
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posted by MonsieurBon
on Aug 2, 2010 -
28 answers
How can I help the greatest number of people on the planet, by the greatest amount, per dollar?
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posted by Tin Man
on Jul 29, 2010 -
36 answers
I have a pretty healthy self-image, but there are some things I'd like to improve. What methods have worked for you?
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posted by lucysparrow
on Jul 15, 2010 -
10 answers
What are some good ideas to preserve your health and happiness if your flat has windows, but they are covered with exterior metal roller doors?
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posted by Year of meteors
on Jul 14, 2010 -
9 answers
I'm a firm believer that being passionate about my career path and job is necessary for my personal happiness, and that's it's possible. I have definitely experienced having jobs I loved, or working on projects I am completely engaged and enthusiastic about, and this is when I am my best possible self.
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posted by rainydayfilms
on Jul 9, 2010 -
15 answers
Sometimes it feels like everyone on MeFi is depressed, including me. I'd like to hear from the happy ones.
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posted by scuza
on Jun 19, 2010 -
96 answers