Now… More than Ever

Choose Happy; Find Contentment in Any Situation

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on many stressors to our lives, and in many cases, reduced the needed outlets people had to work out their stress (for example sports, work-out or swimming facilities, some doctor or counsellor visits, etc.) No matter what you are going through, don’t give up. This page offers inspiration, encouragement, and ideas along with the book, “Choose Happy; Find Contentment in Any Situation.”

During and surrounding the pandemic we are using our resources to try to help our fellow citizens and keep spirits up. We encourage everyone to look around and see if you can find a way to help. Is there a family who has been cooped up with their school-aged or younger children that you can offer some assistance to? Is there an older person or a person living alone you can go visit? Do you have a skill or talent you can offer to teach someone who just need to have a new outlook?

It’s important we help each other, support each other, and love each other– especially during trying times.

“ … Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (NIV)e

We Can’t Always Control What Happens, But We CAN Control Our Attitude

We have the power to face life with a positive attitude. Every day we can wake up dreading all there is to do or we can anticipate all the wonderful adventures that could be awaiting. Life is one big adventure just waiting to happen.

Even in the midst of tough times there are so many things for which to be grateful. There are little blessings happening all the time and it’s up to us to notice them. Often we are too busy getting drawn into other peoples’ drama. And there is so much controversy and choosing sides. Why not all be on the same side? The side of love. The side of peace. The side of happiness.

What Is Choose Happy STL?

In 2020 when everything was shut down, we wanted to find a way to spread joy so we started Choose Happy STL. It was a way for people to meet others, have communication and learn things during the pandemic. It started when we had to find out creative ways to have events for our charity, Rainbows for Kids so we created some event space– a craft room for the kids and a peaceful waiting area for the parents– and we serviced one family at a time (with masks on) to provide a fun outing for the children and a break for the parents.

There are many times the rooms were vacant so we decided to offer enrichment classes, arts and crafts, and presentations– just for fun– and in very small groups with masks on. When it got warm we moved outside to a screened in area and people would volunteer their time to lead classes, workshops, cooking classes and pretty much anything we could think of. So many friends were made and learning and growing never stopped despite the pandemic.

We began doing Zoom presentations and including people from all over. It was just a simple idea with the goal of keeping people’s spirits up and facing a tough situation in a positive manner. We encourage anyone to start a Choose Happy Dream and Wonder Room. It’s not really the physical place, it’s the feeling of reaching out to others and looking for the good in bad times. It’s about choosing to be happy. It was a coincidence (or was it) that one of our books came out right before the pandemic.

“Choose Happy Find Contentment in Any Situation” is the latest book by Sally Tippett Rains, Content Manager of STLSportsPage.com and wife of Rob Rains. It was published in 2019– just in time for the pandemic. If there is anyone out there who is having a tough time and could really benefit by an inspirational, motivational book– but does not have the money to buy it– please contact us and we will send you a copy free. STLSportsPage@gmail.com.

Do you know someone in need of inspiration?

We all go through tough times and while we should acknowledge the difficulties, we can learn ways to enjoy our lives during these tough times.

Rains has used her experiences plus stories from dozens of people who have been through a tough situation yet they are living a happy life, to weave this entertaining and motivating book full of ideas you can try.

It’s easy to read when you are going through tough times because if you don’t feel like reading the whole book you can pick it up for the motivational wisdom and inspirational photographs; then when you feel like reading you will be captivated by the frankness of the contributors.

No matter what we are going through when we wake up each morning, we have a choice on how to look at the day: Choose Happy.

This book provides hope and inspiration. It’s filled with stories of people who have overcome serious trials and they have emerged better– not bitter. At an event for mothers of children with pediatric cancer, sponsored by Rainbows for Kids we were able to give the mothers a copy. These amazing ladies inspire us and as they face trying times they choose happy– and you can too.

Our message is don’t give up. Quoting Coach Jim Valvano “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”

This book helps you find the best in yourself even when you are going through a tough time. It provides ways to calm yourself down, ways to open yourself up to the possibility that things could get better.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV)

About the Photographer: Allen Ahner is an award winning photographer, and this is his second book. To see more of his work CLICK HERE.

What They Are Saying About Choose Happy

“Sally is the authentic ‘real deal’ in choosing happiness. She lives what she writes, and draws others who are either like her, or who want to be like her! This God-inspired book is a gift to be read, cherished and shared with others who need to ‘choose happy!’”

— Dr. Debra Peppers, Motivational Speaker, Radio/TV Talk Show Host, National Teachers Hall of Fame

“Sally Rains is a heart-centered, gifted writer who brings life to these inspiring stories.”

— Tessa Greenspan, Business owner, inspirational speaker

“Sally Tippett Rains is one of the kindest, nicest and most inspiring people I have ever met. She has a passion for life that is infectious and has brought joy to my life that I could never repay. In all of my years of service to our Nation’s Leaders, I have come across many who inspire; Sally ranks up there with the best of them and I’m honored to know her.”

— Richard LaMotte, SMSgt, USAF (Retired Air Force Flight Attendant)

“This book is fantastically written. Sally Rains, again, uses her creative, intelligent and inspirational writing style to bring rainbows to so many going through tragic storms in their life … a sincere gift!”

— Debbie Hammond, Mom of Tyler, Childhood transplant survivor

“Sally Rains has a gift of uplifting others through her God given talent of writing. Her books, including this one, always engage readers and challenge their knowledge on the subject at hand.”

— The Rev. Nicholas Inman

“Sally Rains has put a smile on my face through all the challenges and disappointments of raising a child with severe complications from his illness. In this book she is sharing her encouragement with others.”

— Ronnie Herman, Mom of Ethan, Leukemia survivor

BUYING THE BOOKS:

Individual orders- Book comes in two versions:

BLACK & WHITE VERSION: CLICK HERE. Partial Color Version: CLICK HERE

FULL OF STORIES BY PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE HAPPY

If these people don’t make you smile, you just aren’t trying…

They’ve all gone through challenging– in some cases, terrible– times, and they share their stories of how they overcame it and choose to live a positive, productive life.

Photo 1: Back row- Dawn Shaver, Sandy Elfrink, Angela Brunette, Stephen Von Rump, Dana Scott, Derik Scott (star of 2019 “The Titan Games” by the Rock); From, Teresa Tosi, Sally Rains, Darlene Kassen.

Photo 2: Mike Rains, Lori Rains, Joanie Protzel, Diane Heckenkamp, Barbara Tippett, Sally Rains, Rob Rains

More people in Choose Happy: Front row: Liz Oliver, Dreama Denver (wife of the late Bob Denver who played Gilligan), Richard LaMotte, Rob Rains; second row: Brian Garner and Samii Taylor; top row: Chuck Miller, Karolyn Grimes (actress who played Zuzu in “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Even more contributors: Front Row: Rev. Nicholas Inman, Ginger Alden (fiance to Elvis Presley); top row Christopher Radko (Christmas Ornament Designer), Jack Scaife, Ryan Powell

Additional contributors: Top Row: Karen Fox, Barb Baxter, Sally Hanson (who is “choosing happy” with her sunflower sunglasses) Bottom row: Jan Orlando, Lorraine “Rainey” Fahey

Published by Peppertree Publishing, Sarasota, Florida, Distributed by BookBaby.

BUYING THE BOOKS:

BLACK & WHITE VERSION: CLICK HERE

Partial Color Version: CLICK HERE

**If you are going through a tough time and you can’t afford this book, please email us with your situation and we will send you a free book. Either contact us through the CONTACT page or CLICK HERE

BUYING INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS:

InspoByLiz.com

Things will get better.

Sometimes seem so bleak we think they will never get better. The only way we can see past the tough times is to become more mindful. Things will get better, but meanwhile learn to appreciate what you have right now. There are a lot of great things in the world and if you just focus on what’s going wrong, you will miss a lot of wonderful experiences and memories.

If you are going through a difficult situation, you will have bumps along the way, but remember, this isn’t your last hurrah. You have a lot of life left in you—and a lot of things to accomplish, so keep going and while you are at it, keep trying to find things that give you peace.