Daily I walk by this small frame in our house. I used to read it often, but then as many things are, one forgets to look and really see what’s right in front of their face. Hidden happiness. It’s in the smallest of things each and everyone of us can do each and every day.

So what’s the “secret formula?” You’ll find hidden happiness just by doing this:

Smile

It costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash and the memory of it lasts forever.

None are so rich they can get along without it and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature’s best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away!

If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of yours.

For, nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none to give.

– Anonymous

I don’t know about you, but I find myself guilty on days when I just can’t muster the strength (it seems) to smile. Yet when it happens, that hidden happiness blooms not only for those who see it, but – perhaps most importantly – for your own health and well being

This holiday season may be one where you are considering practical and necessary gifts over frivolous, unnecessary items. More of a “back to earth” gift giving approach, then the fun and games that have ruled for years.

If this is the case, then say “Hello!” to medical uniforms from your good friends at BlueSkyScrubs!

Guys and gals in the health profession always have a need for discount medical uniforms (you did note the word “discount,” right?). You get to give the gift that keeps on giving, they receive professional must-have attire, and both are possible with the pricing policies at BlueSkyScrubs.

The great thing is that scrubs make great lounging wear even if you’re not a nurse or a health professional! And let’s face it, having something comfy to wear around the home (at least for me) means loose yet stylish. Fun, yet practical. Hey, even something you can go to the door wearing without being embarrassed

BlueSkyScrubs has a wide selection to choose from, including vet scrubs! After the year we had with our two cats leaving this plane of existence for the next, a nice gift to our vet just may be in order. (She was wonderful, didn’t promise anything she couldn’t deliver, and helped us through the process of losing our beloved friends.)

So while the kids may be hounding you for the latest and greatest in video gaming, consider the practical (because believe it or not, they even have scrubs for kids!). Take a look at their large selection of wholesale scrubs – be they the “new pajamas” or a much-needed (but perhaps overlooked) gift for not just a health care professional in your family or your circle of friends – but everyone on your list – this holiday season!

(The nice thing is… long after the holidays are over, BlueSkyScrubs will still be there as a highly recommended source for jackets, scrubs, caps, and so much more!)

Today, while visiting 113tidbits I found the following video which is enough to make any sensible person totally reconsider stopping by any food court in any mall to grab that quick meal.

Chances are you may be getting a lot more (not good) in your food than you think!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

So this Black Friday (and from this point forward) stop and think before you decide on that “fast food” at mall food courts!

(Sorry, it’s the holiday season I know, but I’m doing you a favor with this heads up. You want to enjoy (and live through) this holiday season, right?)

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Once again “the powers that be” (whatever or whoever you choose to attribute life to) reign. I’ve been thinking about my mother quite often of late. If you remember, or if you’re a first time visitor, she was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigh’s Disease). Although giving it a valiant fight, there is no stopping this devastating horror. She’s “gone home” but remains a source of constant power for me, day in and day out.

And then, this morning, the world once again provided. One of the situations that was such a long-standing problem for us was keeping my mother mobile. I was thinking how hard this must be for so many. When I came across the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association in my wanderings, it was no surprise (I believe in the “ask and you will receive” theory).

NMEDA is a non-profit association that does not sell anything, but it is a valuable resource for educating caregivers and disabled individuals who need assistance.

Just as no one situation, or disease, strikes every person the same way, NMEDA’s web site takes that into account, and provides individualized information on a wide variety of subjects including safe driving. Disabled individuals need special equipment, and you need to know that there are particular standards developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration one needs to adhere to.

As a past caregiver (well current one, too, since taking care of one’s family is an ongoing process), I can state without hesitation that taking care of another person who needs assistance with everything, including transportation and devices to make that person’s life as comfortable as possible – as mobile as possible – is utterly exhausting. Of course you love your loved one, and want only the best for them. It is providing the resources and proper equipment, and making your job as a caregiver easier in the process, that makes all the difference (for both of you!).

As a caregiver, using improper or difficult to use equipment can be medically hazardous not only to the person you are assisting, but to yourself. Injuries to caregivers themselves are common. You put all your strength and heart and soul into not inflicting more discomfort on the disabled individual that often times the caregiver physically injures themselves. Trust me, I know.

NMEDA is a resource I wish I had found sooner, and their Dealers And Quality Assurance Program (QAP), too. QAP has the distinction of being the “only recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry”. In other words, it is a program caregivers and the disabled can put their faith and trust into to ensure consistency across the board. Each Dealer uses the same system, the same documented approach, to ensure you or a loved one receives nothing but quality.

For as long as was humanly possible, my mother maintained (insisted on!) her right to mobility. Something many of us no doubt take for granted. The headaches and heartaches we went through, and the sheer volume of WRONG equipment choices was draining. NMEDA would have been, and can be now for you, the shortcut to the proper mobility resources and equipment we struggled so hard to find.

It is extremely easy to find a Dealer near you. Just go to their Locate a Dealer web page, type in your zip code or choose your State and/or Province, and voila!

I just typed in my own zip code, and sure enough there are two very close locations. Had we only known… Help is just a web site click away.

I do have just one request please. If you would do me the courtesy of visiting the Dealer page, locating NMEDA Dealers near you, and letting me know your results via Commenting, I’d appreciate it.

By demonstrating how easy it is to get help, and bringing that information back here, you’re adding goodness into a world that really needs it.