NIAGARA, Wis. — I think it is safe to say that everyone wants to be happy. I also believe that the definition of being happy varies with each individual. Happiness is tied to personal goals, and we know that those goals are different for everyone. Some need financial success and all of the outward signs of that accomplishment. These include such things as a big house in the right neighborhood, a degree from a prestigious university, a job with an impressive title, and membership at a country club.

For others, the need for these material accomplishments is not as important as relationships. Happiness comes from a solid marriage, children who grew up to become good human beings, and friends who stand by them in both good and bad times. For many people, the journey to achieve and enjoy happiness is ongoing. But while deep contentment and satisfaction may take a while to develop and recognize, happiness also arises in its more spontaneous version: joy. Joy is all around us. Joy feels good, connects us to life’s everyday richness, and strengthens our capacity to experience enduring contentment.

Joy is a momentary spark and guidepost found in simple and surprising places. Many kinds of small exchanges and little things can lift our spirits and make us feel joyful. A surge of bright joy might fill our hearts when we hear a favorite song, experience the glow of a perfect sunset, taste delicious food, or laugh with a loved one. Noticing and experiencing joy in our daily lives adds the spice to our day-to-day existence. These individual moments of joy are actually at the core of the long-term happiness we seek.

Over time, acknowledging and savoring the joy we find in the little things can help us build a happy, grateful, and full life. The following quotes from renowned teachers, athletes, poets, and others celebrate the simple sources of joy.

“Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps.” — Sharon Draper

“The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions — the little, soon-forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of pleasurable and genial feeling.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“Something as simple and ordinary as drinking a cup of tea can bring us great joy and help us feel our connection to the Earth … Drinking a cup of tea is a pleasure we can give ourselves every day.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things … I play with the leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” — Leo Buscaglia

“In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” — Khalil Gibran

“The things that I see as I walk along the streets — a little flower that blooms in May, a lovely sunset at the end of a day, someone helping a stranger along the way — that’s heaven to me.” — Sam Cooke

“Each moment and whatever happens thrills me with joy.” — Walt Whitman

“There’s something about putting on a new pair of shoes or a new shirt that gives you a new joy.” — DeAndre Hopkins

“They were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song.” — J.R.R. Tolkien

“There is not one little blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make men rejoice.” — John Calvin

“The sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal, or two friends talking over a pint of beer, or a man alone reading a book that interests him.” — C.S. Lewis

“With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow — I have still joy in the midst of these things.” — Confucius

“When you get the perfect parking space, hear your favorite song on the radio, approach a light that turns green, or find an empty seat on the bus or train, say thank you. These are all good things that you are receiving from life.” — Rhonda Byrne

“And joy is everywhere; it is in the earth’s green covering of grass; in the blue serenity of the sky.” — Rabindranath Tagore

“I am convinced that we, as adults, must constantly cling to, affirm, and celebrate with our children those things we love; sunsets, laughter, the taste of a good meal, the warmth of a hickory fire shared by real friends, the joy of discovery and accomplishment, the constant surprises of life.” — Eliot Wigginton

“I don’t have to take a trip around the world or be on a yacht in the Mediterranean to have happiness. I can find it in the little things, like looking out into my backyard and seeing deer in the fields.” — Queen Latifah

It is important to create an environment into which joy and happiness can permeate. The biggest roadblock to joy and happiness is stress. Stress will override joy and block the pathway to happiness every time it enters your life. It is critical to develop a trigger, or signal, to your brain that will let it know the work day is done or communicate that all of the effort you’ve been expending in trying to solve a particular problem is over for a while. It is necessary to consciously shift gears and actively think of something else.

When I was still working, I would spend the last couple of hours each Friday cleaning off the top of my desk. I created folders for each unfinished project and lined them up down the left side of my desk top. Then I made a priority list of which folders I would tackle first on Monday morning. Once that final organizational task was complete, I could leave the office with a clear mind to enjoy my weekend.

Now in retirement, I make sure I give myself time each day to take a ride or to spend time at the Niagara boat landing. As the Menominee River flows by, I let all my concerns float along with it. Soon any tension follows the river, and I drive home relaxed and ready to continue my day. Peace of mind enters when you make room for it … and happiness resides where there is peace.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: “Price Is Right” on CBS, 10 a.m.; movie in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail/spa, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Church, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 11 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Baking, 10 a.m.; comedy, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; karaoke, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games in the dining room, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on the Game Show Network channel, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

No information was provided.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; National Graham Day, build your own graham cracker sandwich, 2 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; game shows, 10 a.m.; patio — refreshments and garden club, 2 p.m.; cards in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; “hook it” game, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; National Strawberry Sundae Day — sweet treat day, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; Hope Church, 9:30 a. m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Bob Larson, 1:30; National Freeze Pop Day — freezes in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Sugar Cookie Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Pick Blueberries Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; “Minute to Win It” — “Eggs and Hula Hoops,” 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Blueberry Muffin Day, 10 a.m.; Uno card game and freeze pops, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and snacks, 10 a.m.; individual communion, 10:15 a.m.; prize bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; movement in the courtyard, 2 p.m.; game night, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; catch a phrase, 10 p.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; outdoor social, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Scrabble match, 5:30 p.m.; music in the park, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; board games, 10 a.m.; fly swatter balloon, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: The breakfast club, 7 a.m.; Hedbanz, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m. – Pina Colada Day.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana — yard Yahtzee, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; patio social, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour/who, what, where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; food talk and Resident Council, 10:30 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; what’s in the bag? 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/fact of the day, 10:30 a.m.; gift shop/yarn club, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; chair exercise, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Onward Band, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visit, 3 p.m.; activity packets, daily chronicles

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week –

Tuesday: Chicken enchiladas, refried beans, fruit.

Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, bread.

Thursday: Chili dogs, pasta salad, potato chips.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Friday meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots, biscuit.

Wednesday: Liver or substitute, roasted garlic potatoes, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Chicken soup, deluxe ham and cheese sandwich, biscuit.

Crystal Falls Center

906-875-6709

The center serves meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Grilled brats, homemade American potato salad.

Tuesday: Tacos with rice and beans.

Wednesday: Chicken fettuccini Alfredo.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 244.

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Waffles with fruit topping, sausage, hashbrowns.

Tuesday: Chicken and broccoli stir-fry over fried rice, Oriental vegetables, Mandarin oranges.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or substitute, roasted potatoes, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Chicken and rice soup, dinner roll with butter, fresh fruit.

Friday: Pulled pork sandwich, potato wedges, cole slaw.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards – Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559

Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899.

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.

Menu for the week –

Monday: Egg salad sandwich and soup.

Tuesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, tater tots.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chef’s salad (mixed greens, ham, turkey, cheese, tomato, croutons, egg), breadstick, cottage cheese, fruit,

Tuesday: Glazed pork chop, baked potato, candied carrots, fruit, strawberry lemonade poke cake.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit, strawberry lemonade poke cake.

Thursday: Brat on a bun, sauerkraut, baked beans, broccoli slaw salad, red, white and blue cheesecake.

Friday: Beer-battered fish, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, fruit.

All meals are served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving on site Mondays through Fridays at 11:30 a.m. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesdays only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals on Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Swiss steak, brown rice, Oriental vegetables, Oriental salad, warm cinnamon ears

Tuesday: Chicken stroganoff, root vegetable blend, diced beets, fruit cup, whole wheat bread

Wednesday: Meatloaf with ketchup glaze, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, apple slices, whole wheat bread

Thursday: Grilled chicken salad, tomato basil soup, zee zee wheat crackers, pineapple-orange mix.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

These are home-delivered meals. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pork chop suey, rice.

Wednesday: Egg salad croissant, chips, pickle.

Thursday: Chicken Alfredo, vegetable, dinner roll.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Tuesday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger.

Transportation to the meal site is available.

Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, carrots, side salad with tomatoes, pears.

Wednesday: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, parsley potatoes, buttered beets, wheat bread.

Thursday: Swiss steak, mixed vegetables, butter beans, wheat bread, apple crisp.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. — those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal. Menu for the week —

Monday: Wet burrito, refried beans, Spanish rice.

Tuesday: Bacon-lettuce-tomato wrap, fries, cole slaw.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, cream corn.

Thursday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout meal is $6. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe, tater tots.

Wednesday: Taco bar.

Thursday: Chicken pot pies.