Today is for all the short kings, queens, icons, and more! Also - Ikea is a fun place to go.

The Weekly Poll Results! 🎈

Music for me is a big part of my year! Nearly 1/5 of my time is spent listening to music... With that being said, we all have a go-to genre. It appears that the most popular genre is POP! Hey, pop music is called pop for a reason because it is popular. Like people have collectively agreed that they liked this music so... SLAY pop!

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In The Headlines! 

• Another year is about to wrap! You had highs, lows, and everything in between and your body brought you through it all. Take time to reflect on some headlines in your year!

• It is the holiday season! Enjoy the holiday magic!

• A pause from the news is sometimes nice. Today is a "holiday break" from the usual headlines!

The news here might be small but, it was good news! If you want consistent good news updates, follow The Happy Broadcast on Insta! Want to be featured "In the Headlines" or have an article that you want to feature? Share your good news here to have it featured in the next newsletter!

Friendly Reminders and Affirmations

• It might be time to take out that humidifier!
   

•  Take a walk and look at all the pretty lights! Enjoy the holiday magic!

• Take some time to reflect on the year

Alex's Book, Show, and Music Corner

• Yes, Daddy by Jonathan Parks-Ramage: This book I couldn't put down. It was well written and when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I was surprised. I am glad I read this. I do want to note that there is a big sexual assault trigger in this book.

What's Alex Working On?

Conversations with My Thoughts

The New Year

60… 59… 58… the countdown begins. The year is quickly coming to an end and all the moments that made this year what it was flash before my eyes. All in that split second, the pain, the joy, the disappointment, the regrets, and the wins of the year fly through my body. Thank god this year is over. Thank god I can let this year become last year and a story of the past. 

34… 33… 32… I am on the precipice of what is next. The new year. But is it really new or just a continuation of what was? The stories of years past spill over into the following year. All of the feelings that ran through my body will still be present in the new year. So, what really happens when that arbitrary number signifying a year changes? Is there anything really new? It is just another day after all. I'm not naive. I know that this time next year I’ll look back and be like “thank god this year is over” as I do every year. Why do we even bother with the “new year?”

18… 17… 16… even though that is all true, there is still a feeling of relief and excitement with the new year, no matter how silly the concept is. It might be just another day but, there is something special about it. It feels new. As the calendar turns, it feels like a blank slate — a fresh start. There are new hopes, dreams, and goals set. For a month, a week, or even day - the feeling of newness is there and that is exciting. That is refreshing. The freshness will fade and life will happen. Before you know it, the pain, the joy, the disappointment, the regrets, and the wins will stitch their way into the story. 

10… 9… 8… In a year’s time, this year will become stale and I’ll be ready for that “new year.” I’m sure similar thoughts of “how arbitrary the new year is” will come about but, for now, let’s welcome the freshness. The happiness. The newness.

3… 2… 1… The new year.

This Week's Newsletter Poll!

How did we get to the end of the year already?! A lot happened this past year and now we start looking into the next. People start setting new goals, resolutions, and dreams. What theme does your 2024 resolution fall under? Excited to see what it is in the new year!!

One more thing: Want to see your poll question in the newsletter? Submit your ideas here!