Did you know that, before last week, the oldest human fossils to have ever been discovered (in East Africa) were estimated to have been about 200,000 years old? That all changed last week when a team of European and Moroccan archaeologists uncovered the remains of five individuals who they believe to be the most ancient modern humans ever found.

The most fascinating part is that the remains are estimated to be 315,000 years old - dating modern humans back another 115,000 years. The skull, bones, and teeth of the five individuals were discovered in a remote area of Morocco, called Jebel Irhoud, in what was once a cave. 

While archaic forms of humans - our earlier, less developed species of Homo Sapiens - emerged more than a million years ago, the timing of exactly when our ancient ancestors developed into the modern humans of today, is still unknown. The fact that charcoal and relatively sophisticated stone tools were discovered near the bones has led the researchers to confidently conclude that these ancient remains are indeed the ancestors of modern humans. 

With other ancient remains having been previously discovered in South Africa and the Great Rift Valley spanning a few countries in East Africa, along with these newly-discovered bones in North Africa, scientists can now put together an even better idea of exactly what the origins of humanity looked like: "What is clear, now more than ever, is that humanity's ancestors, and eventually early forms of 'us,' were popping up all over Africa. They evolved in eastern Africa, southern Africa and now, apparently, northern Africa. And it's increasingly evident that these ancestors moved all over the continent, swapping tool technology as well as genes."

If you're as fascinated by this as I am and you're interested in reading more, go to: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/07/science/human-fossils-morocco.html

Morning!

I borrowed this quote from The Happiness Advantage.  Author, Shawn Anchor, has a lot of great advice and this short sentence resonates with me because it reminds me that happiness takes effort in life no matter where you are or what you are doing. It is amazing to know we have control over our emotional well being and whatever we do to create our own happiness actually creates a more positive reflection onto the world around us.

So SlideBelts fam, let’s be diligent about making ourselves happy today(: What are those small things that make you happy?  Do them so you get bursts of happiness and you can reflect it onto the world around you. Personally, I create happiness for myself when I’m walking outdoors during lunchtime or take a trip to the Nugget Market for an iced coffee and a treat! Since happiness is a work ethic, I try to be mindful about how I react to things around me and the habits I create in my daily life. It’s a work in progress for sure but it is more enjoyable when I’m working towards happiness.

Hope you all begin your weekend extra happy!

Happy Upsy Daisy Day! Seriously though - that's a real holiday for June 8th. Contrary to the phrase "oopsy daisy," Upsy Daisy Day is set aside to encourage people to face the day positively and to get up "gloriously, gratefully, and gleefully" each morning.

Though I really do question who comes up with all of these crazy holidays and how they become dubbed as national holidays (what is the process for this?!?!), this one is actually a really great reminder that each day is a gift! It's a reminder that we have so much to be grateful for, whether it be family, friends, health, an awesome job to come to every day, or plenty of candy in the candy jar (thanks Gabby). And it's a reminder that a smiles and a great attitude are contagious and possess the power to not only change the course of your day, but also someone else's day. 

So with that, good morning! May you all have a great Upsy Daisy Day and finish the week strong!