Mr. Sunshine Smiles

Well, hi there!

A very happy Monday (or whatever day of the week it might be when you decide to read this)!

We are just one week away from the last day of the third month of 2025 and also my 300th blog post!

That definitely deserves a resounding…

SAY WHHHHHATTTTTT?!?!

Anyhoo, a HUGE thank you to each and every one of you for continuing to come with me on this journey–one that I started August 28, 2018.

That is something else that deserves a resounding…

SAY WHHHHHATTTTTT?!?!

To tell you the truth, I had no idea when I started, but I fact checked and went back to my Instagram and first post to confirm.

This has been an almost 7 year journey!

Wow.

Thank you so much for continuing to read, sharing your inspiration, and working together to keep a little love and kindness alive in our world.

And next week, post 300 comes at you!

What will I be writing?!

Well, I guess you will just have to come back and see!

Get ready!

I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems like as I get older, I become more emotional about everything.

I feel like there are moments I have watching movies, TV shows, reading books, or experiencing moments in real-life that get me misty eyed/or full on waterworks.

Just me?

I would like to point out that I did just type into Google:

“Do you cry more often as you get older?”

To which, Google/AI was so kind to confirm with the following:

While there isn’t conclusive research definitively stating that people cry more as they age, some individuals, including men, may report becoming more emotional and sensitive, potentially crying more often, as they age.

Got it, Google.

On brand.

This checks out.

A few things that have made me emotional over the last couple of weeks.

1. Watching Anastasia for the first time. Not sure how I never saw this before, but goodness gracious me…what a good movie! I can’t wait to see this on the stage at the Fulton in a month! The story, the music…everything. Glorious.
2. Sticking with the Disney movie theme…watching Elemental also made me a misty eyed mess. I don’t want to spoil it if you haven’t watched it, so just do yourself a favor and stream it. Honestly, it made me feel every single emotion and was so well done and relevant to every day life.
3. At work, our Team is currently doing a book club and reading Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. In the opening chapters of the book, Will recounts a story when he was young and growing up and his mom fell down the stairs. And because his dad was working late and he didn’t have the strength to help her up, Will grabbed a few blankets and laid with her to fall asleep. Talk about gut punch. That hit me right in the heart.
4. This past Saturday, during a shift at the pharmacy, I witnessed a woman in her 80’s get emotional because a medication she desperately needed had not been called in for her to pick-up. She had just spent time in the ER due to some health conditions and you could tell she was exhausted. She needed the medication and the doctor’s office was closed. Her voice had fear in it and I thought she was going to start crying. In the moment, there was little we could do, but it just really got to me because she was panicked, tired, and at a loss for something she really needed. It just made me think how many people in our world have to be their own advocate for things and how the medical system in our Country is less than desirable. I’m happy to report that she was able to get the medicine after calling an emergency hotline and I was thrilled to be the one to hand her the medicine at the register. She looked relieved, but witnessing the stress and panic she experienced with the whole ordeal is something that will stick with me for quite some time.
5. Having the realization that getting a text message from my mom asking if I will be coming for Sunday lunch and also for my suggestions on what to eat is truly special. I was with my friend Abby in OCMD the other week and while traveling home, I mentioned receiving this text from my mom and what it said and Abby emphasized how special of a text it was. I never thought about it too deeply before, but Abby was right. Receiving a message about Sunday dinner and what to eat is incredibly special. When you think about it, it means so much more on a deeper level. That text is about love, connection, and special times that are shared on a weekly basis with both my parents and family. Not everyone has parents that will ask them what they want to eat and do will do their best to make that wish come true. I realize now receiving that text is just about as great as the hugs that come from my mom after those dinners take place.

In all of these emotional moments I’ve had over the last couple of weeks, I think the critical part I’ve come to realize is that there are voids that many people around us have to embrace and navigate daily.

Not everyone might have the home, family, and love that Anastasia yearned for as she took the journey to find out about her past.

Not everyone might have the connection and love Ember and Wade share in Elemental.

Not everyone has the opportunity to share in experiences of love and connection with family over a meal around the table.

Not everyone might have the support system to help them navigate tragedy, emergencies, or the medical confusion of life.

The voids that people experience these days are very real.

I hope that if you are experiencing or feeling a void in life, that you find a way to cope with it–something to fill it with. Keep searching and find what is best for you.

And I hope that if you know or witness someone who you think might be experiencing a void, that you show compassion, grace, and kindness to them. Help them navigate it, give them a smile, take a deep breath with them, and share a word of encouragement.

The void of love and compassion that many in our world are facing with experiences day in and day out is a very easy one that we can try to combat with that simple gesture of kindness.

See you next week for post 300!

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Hey there, folks!

Happy Monday!

And welcome to post number 298!

That means we are only TWO posts away from number 300!

Say what?!?!

And before I forget, I would LOVE to hear your ideas for what post number 300 should entail!

And honestly, I don’t have many words to write this week for you, so I apologize in advance.

The Warwick community lost a beautiful soul the other week due to mental illness.

A plane crash in our own backyard of Lititz by the Lancaster Airport has left me shaken and incredibly nervous to get on a plane in August to travel to Chicago.

The overall state of the world makes me really sad and anxious.

Which leads me to ask the question…

How is YOUR story?

Is your story full of anxiety and sadness?

Is your story trying to find their way in the world and navigating the constant change and darkness?

Is your story one that needs to a little extra nurturing and love from close friends in your life?

But whatever your story might be, I hope that the following holds true:

1). I hope that you choose kindness in whatever situation comes your way.

2). I hope that you have trust and support in people around you that can help in times of trouble. The power of a listening ear, loving heart, warm hug, or uncontrollable laughter from those we appreciate is not to go unnoticed.

No one in this world should ever feel alone.

We all need each other.

We all need to choose kindness.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Happy Monday!

Happy March!

And March madness has already begun and is in full swing…and I’m not talking sports.

I usually don’t get very political in my blog posts, but I’ve lost words and I’m losing hope.

This week, I need you to do the following.

1. Tell someone in your life that you love them.
2. Do something kind and unexpected for someone else, preferably a stranger.
3. Think about the person who is currently leading this Country and how he and some of his Team treat other humans. They are not kind. And when people see how the person in the highest seat of power acts, it seems that it just makes it ok for others to act like that, which it is not.

Need I remind you that hate crimes were at their highest levels in this Country when this individual in The White House currently was in power previously?

I’m part of a marginalized community in this Country and I have an extreme fear for the future and the rights for what I believe in and work hard for will be sweeped out from under me (and a lot of my friends) in an instant.

I hope those of you who are reading these words and following me will lead with kindness.

Because the current powers that be are making me lose words and hope.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, folks.

Here we are.

Another Monday.

And another month of 2025 almost gone.

I’m not sure if it is just me, but 2025 has felt really hellish.

I’m not sure hellish is even a word, but for today’s purpose and post, I’m making it one.

Sorry not sorry.

Anyway, I’m keeping it short and sweet.

Because the world is exhausting.

The world is making me anxious.

The world is broken.

The world is making me sad.

The world is making me upset.

So, this week’s post is simply just the places and moments where I found joy.

1. Rage workouts at the gym. Honestly, there is nothing better than getting out some rage with the weights.
2. A dinner that included hot dog and potato salad with my parents.
3. Pizza with the Monday evening crew at the pharmacy.
4. A beautiful (as per the usual) video call with my fitness trainer, Ryan.
5. Quiet nights of reading on the couch with my blanket.
6. Making a Dr. Pepper margarita (a viral trend from what was probably months ago during the Summer).
7. Taking a cookie decorating class with my 2214 girls at Laura The Cookie Lady in Ephrata.
8. Enjoying some tequila and time with friends at the Inn at Leola.
9. Deleting Snapchat. (Sorry if you have sent me snaps…I found myself engaging in unhealthy behaviors with this app and decided it needed to be taken away from my life).
10. Russell Dickerson’s new song “Happen to Me.”

So, cheers to the week ahead hopefully not being so hellish.

And cheers to you finding some simple moments of joy to bring recharge and rejuvenation to your life.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Hi folks!

Another Monday is here.

And so is post number 295.

And you know what?!

That means not only is March right around the corner, but so is St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Summer, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

I mean the fact that we are almost at the end of February already is insanity.

Like, actual insanity.

You heard it here first.

Or your money back guaranteed.

Also, I was eating peach rings while writing this, but certainly not 295 of them.

Anyhoo, I digress.

So unlike me, right?!

Like, off brand as we would say.

Anyhoo, onward and upward.

How thankful and grateful I am that you all continue to come back week after week to read these words.

I hope that you continue to feel a level of hope, love, kindness, and inspiration.

Especially in the times we are living.

This past Friday, we celebrated what some call “singles awareness day” where posts of significant others were all over the internet.

Did I puke little chocolate hearts?

Maybe a little.

Okay, I’m being dramatic.

I mean, honestly I wouldn’t be opposed to Ryan Reynolds, Jonathan Bailey, Zac Efron, or some other hunky celebrity to swoop in and be my signicant other for the day.

Anyhoo, I digress.

AGAIN.

Among this day of love, I want to re-iterate the most important type of love that we all need to remember.

And that is “self love.”

It is more important now than ever as we continue to live in a society (rather an unrecognizable world) where we can get easily burned out, experience compassion fatigue, and feel the need to shut down.

Oh.

In case you didn’t know…

YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL.

YOU. ARE. WORTHY.

YOU. ARE. LOVED.

And if you are struggling personally with these above mantras, I would encourage you to take just a few minutes out of your upcoming days this week to practice the following self love practices:

1. Close your eyes and take deep breaths of inhaling and exhaling for 10 minutes.
2. Take 5 minutes of gratitude journaling.
3. DND your phone at a set time every night where it can just be you without disturbance, ringing, or buzzing.
4. Take a hot shower.
5. Splurge on your favorite dessert. (Yes, have the second piece of cake, extra scoop of ice cream, or handful of gummies).
6. Cuddle with a blanket/pet/Squishmallow.
7. Watch your favorite Disney movie.
8. Enjoy your favorite adult cocktail beverage (or mocktail).
9. Spend time with family/people you love and that bring out the best in you and match your vibe.
10. Spend that extra few dollars on a guilty pleasure.
11. Laugh. Literally laugh.
12. Put your favorite song on full blast and dance around the house.
13. Scream into a pillow.
14. Share kindness with a stranger.
15. Give yourself grace because no one is perfect and self-love is not a one size fits all equation.

Oh, in case you forgot already…

YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL.

YOU. ARE. WORTHY.

YOU. ARE. LOVED.

Please make sure that you are taking care of yourselves and sprinkling some extra self care and love into your life.

The above list are just suggestions, but things that I try to practice consistently with myself and my life. Self-love is not a one size fits all equation and will look different for everybody.

But do yourself a favor,

Love yourself first.

Listen to your body.

Listen to your needs.

You. Deserve. It.

And you are beautiful, worthy, and loved.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Hi folks!

Here we are.

The start of another week in this second month of 2025.

And Mother Nature has decided to grace us with some Winter wrath.

And yes.

I decided to title my blog the name of one of my favorite games from The Price is Right.

PLINKO.

Literally, whenever they play that game, I can barely contain my excitement while I watch the TV.

Sometimes, I even jump off the couch and scream.

That is in fact a true story.

And speaking of The Price is Right, I very much have come to appreciate Drew Carey’s sign off at the end of each show about taking care of your mental health.

I’ve become a HUGE proponent of more self-love, keeping our cups full and batteries recharged, and making sure mental health is a top priority.

And to be honest, with the events of 2025 thus far, it is even more crucial (at least for me personally) to keep self-love, finding joy, and mental health at the forefront of my life.

Where and how do I do this?

Here is just a quick list for you.

1. I found joy in the fact that the lady at Sheetz called me a crazy kid and gave me my coffee for free.
2. I found self-love in peaceful nights at the apartment with my blanket and episodes of Schitt’s Creek. I officially finished the series this week and I BAWLED like a baby during the finale.
3. I found joy in putting my feet on the coffee table and munching on some gummy peach hearts.
4. I found mental health moments with doing 25 push-ups and 25 mason twists to pump the blood in my body and reset any negative energy I’m feeling every single day of February.
5. I found joy in the performance of the INSANELY talented young women performers at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center’s production of Six: Teen Edition. Literally, it is not to be missed.
6. I found self-love in the quiet moments of the morning when my alarm goes off and I take an extra 10 minutes to lay in silence under the covers and take some deep breaths.
7. I found mental health moments in the daily reading of Hoda Kotb’s I Really Needed This Today.
8. I found joy in video calls co-working sessions with my Team and the discussions, thoughts, and support we share with each other.
9. I found joy, self-love, and mental health moments in the muting/blocking/unfollowing of people on social media to safeguard my mental health and keep information I find to be toxic or unhealthy for me out of my life.

As we start another week here in February, I hope that moments of self-love, mental health, and joy plinko their way into your life to help the soul feel rejuvenated.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Hi folks!

Happy first Monday of February!

Honestly, I don’t have many words to write for you this week.

Everything happening right now in the world, the Country, and around me seems to be vibing with the title of this week’s post.

DRAINING.

It has become draining to be kind.

It has become draining to have conversations about viewpoints on politics.

It has become draining seeing the highest person in the seated power leading our Nation sign orders left and right that fuel hatred, prejudice, and fear.

So, with that, I wish all of you a great week.

I encourage all of you to take a moment or two for yourself to breathe deep, recharge your battery, and keep kindness alive in your heart.

I’ll see you next week with hopefully some more words of inspiration.

But for now, my biggest advice is be kind.

Thank you.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

This week, to celebrate me getting tickets to Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour, here is a video of her 2015 Super Bowl halftime show. 10 years ago! Firework still gets me every time.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD1QrIe–_Y&pp=ygUYa2F0eSBwZXJyeSBoYWxmdGltZSBzaG93

Well, here we are.

Almost through the first month of 2025.

Which means that Easter is probably like tomorrow.

And if you think I watched Wicked for the 68458609th time instead of the football games, you would be correct.

Who will be playing in the Super Bowl on February 9th?

Because in terms of The Super Bowl, all that I really care about is grading the commercials based on creativity, laugh factor, and how well it will stay in my memory until Christmas.

Well, I guess I should get down to business.

Where to go from here?

Honestly, the million dollar question.

But first, a definition.

The ever important book called The Dictionary defines the word ‘noise’ as the following:

1. A sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance.

I don’t know about you, but right now, in the world, I’m feeling a lot of noise.

And it is noise that is definitely unpleasant and causing a disturbance.

At least for me.

And honestly, I don’t think I’m alone.

I usually do not like to get political, but I just have to say that the past week with the administration who took over on January 20th has been one which has filled me with anxiety, fear, anger, and sadness.

And if you are someone who is not filled with these emotions…well…I would encourage you to have a conversation with me to let me know how you are not feeling any of these feelings.

I’m especially fearful as a homosexual man.

Truly.

No joke.

And if you are someone who doesn’t understand why I’m fearful about that…well then…I’m disappointed in you.

And would encourage you once again to have a conversation with me.

Where to go from here?

Honestly, I have no idea.

But I do know this.

It is more important NOW more than ever to express kindness, empathy, and lead with love.

The people in the highest power of authority right now seem to lack these simple traits, so it is even more crucial now to embody these sentiments.

To be 100% honest, I get exhausted thinking about the state of the world.

And I try to look toward things that bring me joy or peace.

So below are a few videos that do just that.

It is crucial for each and every one of us to be able to identify the noise that drains us.

And it is even more important for us to combat that noise with a focus on positive energy and putting love out into the world.

When you do identify the noise in your life, make sure you are taking a few moments of deep breaths to recharge, rejuvenate, and to focus on you.

And don’t forget to lead with love, kindness, and empathy.

ALWAYS.

As I close out this week, I share with you one of the quotes from Hoda Kotb’s book, I Really Needed This Today that I picked up again from my bookshelf to read again.

“Never assume that loud is strong and quiet is weak.”

Find the noise.

Silence it.

And show the powers that be what loving without judgment means.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

A Few Videos That Have Helped Center Me To Bring Joy & Peace..

**And might I draw your attention to pay special close attention to the Meryl Streep video because that hits my heart DEEP.

Hi folks and happy Monday!

We are covered with a Winter Wonderland here in Lititz and my body is wrapped in a blanket on the couch as I gaze out through the window at the fluffy flakes falling from the sky.

There is just something about being in the coziness of your living space in solitude with this type of weather.

And yes, there is a mug of hot cocoa and some Kahlua keeping me warm as well.

Cozy vibes that makes me feel peaceful.

And cozy vibes make me think of Christmas.

And thinking of Christmas makes me smile.

And as I write these words, the episode of Schitt’s Creek playing is when Patrick sings a song to David on his guitar during the open mic night episode.

And it is making me smile.

And also making me get teary eyed.

And if you haven’t watched Schitt’s Creek, you must.

It is all the emotions wrapped into one and I often find myself laughing hysterically.

It is like a modern day Golden Girls for me.

And we all know how much I LOVE The Golden Girls.

Anyhoo, I digress.

I’m not going to lie, the Administration that will be taking over The White House for the next four years is not one that gives me warm fuzzies about the future.

I especially feel scared as a homosexual man because I do not believe there is any sense of love in the bones of those that are taking over seats of power for the LGTBQ+ community (or any importance in our protection and safety for that matter).

Also, side note…as I’m writing this, I keep getting distracted by watching ASMR videos on Instagram (mostly soap crunching) and also the sound of ice scrapers on the windshields of cars in the parking lot.

Yeah…I will also probably be working from home tomorrow because I’m going to feel too lazy to clean off my car.

Once again, I digress.

So sorry.

Where was I?

The next four years.

Well, let’s actually talk about this week’s blog post title.

What the world needs now…

What are your thoughts?

Back in 2018, Parade magazine interviewed the beautiful Betty White (who sadly left us in 2021 only a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday).

And in that interview, she mentioned the following:

“Accentuate the positive, not the negative. A lot of people will pick out something to complain about. It’s not hard to find great stuff if you look.”

What the world needs now is…

1. More people to speak with a language of love.
2. More people to show kindness to all.
3. More people to practice acts of self-love.
4. More people to speak up for change.
5. More people to have confidence in themselves.
6. More people to be ok with saying no.
7. More people to not live in fear.
8. More people to take time to recharge their battery.

What the world needs now is (as Betty White said)…

“More people to find great stuff if we look.”

It’s out there, so let’s go find it.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Hi there, folks!

Another Monday.

Another blog post.

This is number 290 by the way.

That means we are only 10 posts away from number 300!

Maybe I need to start thinking about something special to do for that milestone?

Thoughts?

Ideas?

My brain isn’t ready to think about that right now, so any and all ideas are welcome.

I’m also currently sitting on the couch getting smells of the chili that is cooking in the crockpot.

Mr. Sunshine’s 2025 culinary exploration continues.

And along with ideas for post number 300, please send me any and all of your favorite recipes to share!

Well then.

Shall we get down to business?

I say YES!

By the way, the chili smells so good.

I can’t wait to have it multiple times this week.

This past week started off very rough with the first snow of 2025 and an insanely busy week at work that was truly exhausting.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

Among the moments of exhaustion, I was able to find some joy and smiles in the following…

1. Eating ice cream cake with Ellie during Tuesday family dinner.
2. Playing “vanguish the red dot” with Souci (the beautiful grey dollfaced Persian kitty I’ve been checking in on the past week).
3. Rewatching Schitt’s Creek and realizing much much I enjoyed it the first go around of viewing (where I only got through season 4) back during the pandemic. I literally LOL multiple times.
4. Impromptu Thursday night dinner cooking salmon and having Devin over and him beating me at Sequence…again. One of these days I will win again.
5. Celebrating 10 years at Webstaurantstore and reading beautiful words from the coworkers and friends I work with everyday.
6. Enjoying a delicious dinner at The Belvedere Inn that I got to treat my parents to in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
7. An amazing in-person session with Ryan at Sunshine Studio that involved coffee, cards, and exhilarating conversation about an array of topics that was stimulating, energizing, and beautiful.
8. A belated Christmas dinner celebration with Abby, Jed, and Porky.
9. Having an opportunity to sub as organist at a church that I haven’t been to in over a decade.
10. Sunday cuddles on the couch with myself, my blanket, and my bathrobe.

This past Friday, Hoda Kotb signed off The Today Show for the last time.

And over the weekend, I looked at some clips from the show and I got teary eyed, especially watching the video clip of Jenna Bush Hager reading her goodbye letter to Hoda. I dare you not to cry while you watch.

Hoda is an individual I identify with so much in regards to her empathy, kindness, and trying to find joy in the simple.

It made me get out her I Really Needed This Today book from a few years ago that is filled with simple quotes and daily reminders to give us that extra boost of support when we need it most.

Starting to read it again reminded me that finding joy in the simple things is so important.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

I hope this week leaves you finding joy in the simple, laughing at the unimaginable, and smiling at the stranger.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!