“My grandma always said that God made libraries so that people didn’t have any excuse to be stupid.”
― Joan Bauer, Rules of the Road
Social Wellness Month is historically celebrated during the month of July. It was created and sponsored by Words of Wellness and was put in place to assist people in their efforts to live a healthier life. Need a little sprucing up on your social skills? Let’s face it– unless you’ve been to an etiquette school or have been seriously schooled at home on proper etiquette everyone could use a few pointers now and then. This is especially true in prominent situations and can make or break a first impression. The concept of social wellness does not end with knowing the correct fork to use or how to set a proper table, though those are good things to know just in case. Social wellness includes public speaking, good manners, sending thank you notes, RSVPing on time and all of the things that show that you can effectively socialize in any and all situations.
Today we are reducing our price on the hardcover book by Bill Phillips called Transformation: The Mindset You Need. The Body You Want. The Life You Deserve. Amazon gives the following description:
“From worst to first in health and well-being.” That is the mantra of Body-for-LIFE® author Bill Phillips as he lays out this personalized, realistic plan to help people become healthier, happier, and more alive. Concerned by the unhealthy physical and emotional trends in U.S. populations, Bill firmly believes the well-being of the country can be completely transformed in 10 years—one person at a time. After reading this book, you’ll believe it too.
Bill uses personal examples and touching stories to exemplify that real people can, and have, overcome their worst to truly reinvent their lives. In his 18-week Transformation program, you’ll learn:
• How to achieve a sustainable healthy lifestyle
• How to transcend your unhealthy habits
• How to harness the power of a positive mindset
• How to heal emotions and find happiness
• How to live more deeply and compassionately
Transformation is a process of reshaping your whole person. If Body-for-LIFE was a manual for the physique, Transformation is the how-to guide for invigorating the body, mind and soul. When you make healthy changes in your life, you are able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. And ultimately, that is what Transformation is all about.
It is Barbershop Music Appreciation Day, a day to relax and enjoy the sweet voices of the Sweet Adelines, or a Barbershop Quartet. Edna Mae Anderson of Tulsa, Oklahoma invited some women to her home to sing on July 13, 1945. Their husbands were members of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA). The ladies wanted to participate in the singing fun and enjoyment. On that evening, the “Sweet Adelines” were born. The group later became Sweet Adelines International., which now boasts hundreds of groups and thousands for members. Barbershop Music Appreciation Day was created in 2005 by Sweet Adelines International. It was started to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of their organization. Barbershop Music is a classic form that originated in the 19th century when U.S. barbershops often also served as community centers. There are 4 singers in a barbershop quartet as each of them has a chord for each melody note — the lead, tenor, bass and baritone. Barbershop music often features songs with understandable lyrics and easily singable melodies.
Today is Gruntled Workers Day which brings up the question: what is gruntled? To find the answer, we ask the question a different way… How can someone be disgruntled without there being a gruntled? So apparently, gruntled is the opposite of disgruntled. So today we celebrate the people who are satisfied in their work and are truly having fun at their jobs. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many of them out there these days, but when you do run into them it definitely does make a difference.
The second saturday of July is Grange Day. The Grange is a family, community organization with its roots in agriculture. Founded in 1867, the Grange was formed as a national organization with a local focus. The members are given the opportunity to learn and grow to their full potential as citizens and leaders. Every year, Grange members give thousands of hours to volunteer in their communities and raise millions of dollars for important causes. Grangers attend public meetings, inform themselves of local, state and national issues, and speak for the rights of all Americans, especially those who work in agriculture, producing our food, fuel and fiber.
Today is National French Fries Day. French fries are the ultimate feel-good food, and there are dozens of different ways to enjoy them. Whether you prefer your fries Cajun-style and spicy, sweet, crinkle-cut, curly, waffle, or covered in chili and cheese, today is the day to celebrate this American classic. Although the exact origin of French fries is unknown, one theory suggests that they date back to 17th century Belgium. The inhabitants of this region often cooked small fried fish to accompany their meals. When weather conditions made it too dangerous to go fishing, they cut up potatoes in long, thin strips (to resemble the fish) and fried them. Today, French fries are a global phenomenon. Whether it’s “pommes frites” in France, “patatas fritas” in Spain, or “chips” in the UK, French fries are a worldwide favorite. Grab an order of fries today to celebrate National French Fries Day!
Today is a great day to be a geek, or know a geek because it is Embrace Your Geekness Day. A geek is an individual who is highly intelligent (brainy) and technically oriented. They are most often associated with the computer, and computer systems world. A geek is usually formal, studious and into his technical world, often to the exclusion of all else. A geek is closely related to a “Nerd“. A nerd however, may or may not possess technical expertise. Some people view the term “Geek” with a negative connotation. Are they jealous of your knowledge and skills, perhaps? We certainly think so.
Phrase Finderdefines a fool’s paradise as “a state of happiness based on false hope,” but everyone can use a little false hope every now and then! The phrase dates back centuries, when the first recorded example is found in the Paston Letters of 1462. Today is “Fool’s Paradise Day,” and maybe the most fun part can be thinking up what improbable set of circumstances you want to celebrate.
Today’s theme for Creative Maladjustment week is Legacy of Lunacy. Check out cmweek.org for ideas on how to celebrate.
On July 13, 1923, the Hollywood Sign was officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywoodland, Los Angeles, California. It originally reads “Hollywoodland” but the four last letters are dropped after renovation in 1949.
On this day in 1985, the Live Aid benefit concert took place in London, England, United Kingdom and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as other venues such as Sydney, Australia and Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union.
Vice President George Bush became the Acting President for the day on July 13, 1985, when President Ronald Reagan underwent surgery to remove polyps from his colon.
Some of the writers born July 13th include:
István Pauli (1760), John Clare (1793), Stewart Culin (1858), John Jacob Astor IV (1864), Kenneth Clark (1903), George Weller (1907), Loren Pope (1910), Dave Garroway (1913), Kaoru Ishikawa (1915), Marcia Brown (1918), Sam Greenlee (1930), Wole Soyinka (1934), Earl Lovelace (1935), Catherine Breillat (1948), Jane Hamilton (1957), Ian Hislop (1960), Dean Barnett (1967), Christian Taylor (1968), and Eva Jinek (1978).
Disclaimer:
Much of the information in this blog is taken directly from Wikipedia, Amazon, and other sources such as holidayinsights.com, which are directly linked to within the text. Images have been taken from various sources found via Facebook, Goodsearch.com and Google.
Village Book Shop and the blogger claim no credit for the information above.
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