#InternetGrandpa

I’ve learned something very simple that’s really helped me a lot on the bleak, gray days, or the longer bleak, times. It’s a very simple thing but it’s been a big help to me in keeping my spirits up during those times. Sending you so much love., Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bradenbell...

You are uniquely wonderful. I know that’s true for YOU! Self-improvement, goals, and growth are all important because they help us be happier and reach our potential more fully. But your worth, your infinite value, your dignity, and your unique contributions are not dependent on meeting some external benchmark eventually. I love you! Love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you wou...

Here is why I can, with a straight face, tell you I love you and mean it seriously and sincerely even though I may not have met you personally. Also, why I think this is important and no small thing. so much love, Your # #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bradenbell.substack.com

Happy New Year, Dear Ones! I am not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. That said I do believe in self-improvement and have found something simple that works for me and I wanted to share it. Mostly, I’m sending you love and my best wishes for a happy, healthy, joyful, and prosperous New Year! Love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...

While I don’t actually celebrate Hanukkah, I love the meaning of the holiday. I love the way it reminds me of human freedom and dignity. I also love the idea of lights burning brightly and defiantly in the darkness. Makes me think of trying to bring and be a light in challenging times. Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate, and also, if I don’t see you before, I wish you the happiest of New Years!...

Happy Christmas Eve! Whether you do not celebrate Christmas at all, whether you celebrate it in a more secular way, or whether you celebrate the birthday of a baby king, I’m sending all of you love and wishes for light and happiness. So much love, Your #InternetGrandpa #fyp This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bra...

I’m having a wonderful little full circle moment, where a memory of being very down and discouraged in the past is connected now to my present in a way that makes me conscious of all my blessings. It also reminds me that things get better. With time and effort and with love, things will get better. Sending you all so much love, Your #InternetGrandpa #fyp This is a public episode. If you would like...

While it can be the most wonderful time of the year for many, this season can be particularly hard for those who are struggling with difficult burdens, tragedies, and even trauma;, people who may suffer from seasonal affective or other depressive disorder, or for those who feel lonely, sick, and left out. Burdens that are normally hard can start to feel crushing at this time of year. I just want y...

Several things I’ve experienced or seen lately remind me of a simple fact: we are generally either happy or unhappy, based on the quality of the people around us, and our relationship with them. The presence of good people in our lives is almost always the key green of happiness, The lack of them is almost always a very heavy blow. It is worth it, therefore, to give serious thought to how we treat...

Many years ago, I was in a place that wasn’t great. I had been mistreated and felt taken advantage of. Consequently, I held some grudges and had grown cynical and a little hard-edged. I wasn’t entirely without justification, but the fact remained that I wasn’t happy. I came across a quote shared by Mother Theresa that totally changed my outlook and really helped liberate me. This may be one of the...

A gray, murky morning reminds me of the impact even a small light can have in the dark. Trying to be a light for others is a happy way to live! And I want to be happy! So much love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bradenbell.substack.com

A random, simple, mistaken word choice this morning reminded me of a very hopeful, encouraging truth: I have found very often that what seems like a sad ending of something ends up being the beginning of something new and wonderful. It doesn’t usually feel like it at the time, but if you can learn to hold space for that possibility, it really can help. And of course I just want to tell you how won...

Hypocrisy is something we all dislike. But I think it’s a lot more complicated than we often frame it. Since none of us can ever fully live up to our values, assuming we’re trying to have high values, it’s important to understand what hypocrisy is, and especially, what it isn’t. Otherwise, we can paralyze ourselves, and we can also completely misjudge others. Neither of those will make us happy— a...

I was recently reminded that it is really good for our souls to apologize! Love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bradenbell.substack.com

A really special Christmas memory. Is about a lot more than Christmas. It reminds me about how acts of kindness create joy, magic, and hope for other people, and how durable and deep those gifts can be. And of course, they also make us happy! I do want you to be happy! So much love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acce...

My grandma was not an educated woman, but she was wise enough to know what made us really happy in life. Every year at Christmas, she forced me to do something I really disliked, but now I am so grateful to her and love her all the more because of it. Sending you love and joy, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

I had a really beautiful memorable experience the other day. It reminded me that our most difficult, grimmest times and hardest struggles will eventually pass—even if it seems it never will. But, also, today’s struggle might end up being the foundation of something beautiful. Life often seems to travel in circles, and these full circles are often very joyful. So try to be open to the possibility o...

Traveling over the Thanksgiving weekend reminded me how important kindness is in day-to-day encounters. It also reminded me that being kind and looking after others is more rewarding and fulfilling than simply pursuing our own comfort exclusively. This really is a game changer for being happy—And I do so want you to be happy. Love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like...

I have a memory of something that happened in high school, where my dad literally stood by a struggling, embarrassed old man and helped him find some dignity and feel some love. I was a punky 15-year-old then, but I still remember the impact of that moment. I’ll remember this lesson forever—and he wasn’t even trying to teach me anything. He was just being himself. I think of it every year around t...

I know this is a little long, but it’s a message of hope for when you seem to have more struggles than blessings. When have times when the challenges seem to outweigh the triumphs, I have really good news for you! Sending you so very much love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bradenbell....

Happy Thanksgiving! Internet Grandma and I are having our very first ever empty-nest Thanksgiving. We were a bit wistful about that, but then we decided to go out and make it an adventure and we’re having a great time! I am sending you so much love I hope it’s a wonderful day for you! So much love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscri...

Good morning, dear ones! Just sending you my warmest wishes and most earnest prayers for your happiness and well-being this Thanksgiving and beyond. As always, I’m sending you so much love! Love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bradenbell.substack.com

Something writers know about creating villains has been really helpful to me in finding grace when I deal with someone I find difficult. That grace hopefully makes ME less difficult, and makes me happier and more aligned with my values. So much love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brade...

Something happened yesterday that really reminded me how critical it is that we do for others what we’d want for ourselves. It’s one of the main foundations of basic morality, it’s critical to having a functioning society, but it’s also key for our own individual growth—and growth makes us happy, which is what I want for you! I’m sending you so much love, Your #InternetGrandpa This is a public epi...

Forgive me for being a bit rambling this morning, but I just want you to know that I see you and appreciate you. I see all that you do and all that you try to do. I see the times you get up when it’s hard and the times you keep going when you’re discouraged. I see all the contributions you make. I see your unlimited potential And I just think you’re great! Love, Your # #InternetGrandpa This is a p...