In the pursuit of Happiness

We all want to feel happy; at least most of the time. Seems like more of us are not though. I think I know what at least a big part of the problem may lie.

YOU

I hear a lot of people doing the ‘if only…’ or ‘as soon as…” routines though when it comes to why they think they are not happy right here, right now.  I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Saying things like “I’ll be happy as soon as I get that promotion” or “If only I were taller I’d be so much happier“.  First bit of truth today…this doesn’t work!

I can admit it; I’ve said things like this before.  I’d bet my morning coffee that you’ve said a version of these as well.  Well I have only one thing to say to that.

CUT IT OUT

There.  How’s that for straight talk? 

The thing is when you use these phrases you are taking away your own power and choosing not to be happy today.

You have many things to be happy about right now, right here today if you only shift your mindset to one of gratitude instead of one of want.  Think that promotion will bring you the happiness you crave?  Try again.  Oh sure you get the fleeting pleasure but then you have to deal with learning the new ropes, added workload, more responsibility.  Now what are you going to go ahead and wait for in order to be happy?

You can’t wait on happiness because tomorrow everything can change. We must be careful that in our pursuit of happiness that we don’t forget to notice when we’ve found it.

All it really takes is welcoming it in.

 

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Visual Values!

Have you heard of wordle?  An odd idea but one that is really fun. I was working on a project to do with Core Values and got myself all distracted with this fun activity.  As a person who really enjoys the visuals I created a wordle with a whole bunch of commonly used values.  Check it out below.   What a great idea for a screen saver or activity with kids.  So many things this could be useful for!

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Smiles: Free and yet Priceless

Smiles, the free and yet priceless commodity that never runs out, almost always pays terrific returns.

A smile can have huge impact. I was reminded of this when reading through the notes a few of the children who were visiting from Korea left for me.

Now, it was written with some ‘creative’ grammar and such but basically the comment went something like “I am glad you were my teacher because you smiled at me a lot and that made missing my family better”.

I remember very well the scared looks the students had. They tried hard to show bravado when friends were around but I read their journals. When they were alone they hurt, they were scared and they were lonely. Many cried at night but didn’t really want anyone to know.

We could barely communicate through words some of the time. They learned a great deal of English during our time together. I learned the power of a smile.

A smile can heal; it can make someone’s really bad day better; it can boost courage. It costs nothing. I had no idea the impact my smiling was making on this young child.

I wonder how many times we’ve randomly smiled at someone and changed a moment, a day or who knows? Maybe even a life.

I know there have been very difficult times in my life that would have welcomed a smile; many times that I did and it made such a difference. Interestingly enough smiling also has benefits for the person doing the smiling too. It boosts your own mood and your self-confidence. Go on..try to stay grumpy with a smile (yes, even a fake one) on your face. Your brain just can’t do it!

Can you think of a time when a simple smile changed something for you?

I challenge you today to give away some of your smiles. Give them to perfect strangers, give them to your children; but give as many away as you can. Wonder at the resulting impact that you may never know. Those ripples may move mountains someday or simply move a heart.

Can you do that?

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Fabulous Finds Friday

Here we are, another Friday!  Gotta love a Friday. Not only is it the weekend but this Friday is a Fabulous Finds Friday!

1. MySaving  MySavings is an online community dedicated to bringing together consumers to share money saving tips and offers. They provide a comprehensive directory of brand name free samples, printable grocery coupons, online coupons, free stuff and freebies, and other discounts and deals so that consumers can save money on products they already buy and sample and discuss which products are right for them and their family.

2. Page Discovery    Have a Facebook Page?  How are you going to market it? Want to grow visits, “likes” and let more people know about your product, service or business? That’s where Page Discovery comes in!  We have developed the idea off of the concept that while almost EVERYONE has a facebook page, not everyone will get found, especially on a local level. Finally!! There is a source to visit when you are looking for that certain something or someone, but can’t find the page amongst the clutter.

List your Facebook page today for FREE. Best yet, you get more exposure by just submitting your page in the time it takes to microwave popcorn! Sound easy? We thought so! So next time you want to get found, let people know, I’m on PageDiscovery.com, your source to “Get Discovered!” and “Discover New Pages!”

3. Movie Maker Xtranormal  So many people wanted to know how I made my own movie to showcase my new ebook.  Not only was it super fun but it was actually really easy!  Check out Xtranormal.  You can sign up for a free trial on the main page.  I can tell you I discovered that you can get extra credits to your account if you refer friends so let me know if you want an invite!  You can check out my video on youtube right here.

4. Louise Hay – Daily Affirmations   I only recently was introduced to Louise Hay but already find myself in love with her outlook and way of living.  Her website if just FULL of inspiration but I espeicially enjoy the daily affirmations.  Its nice to find a place that lifts you up!

5. Plastic Business Cards Okay, this was just too cool! Want to stand out? Make a real impression? I think this might do it.  I’m not sure I’d want these to give out to just everybody at every single meet up but for that special client this would be amazing to hand over don’t you think? They also have membership cards (among many other things) that would be amazing to send to those clients who work with you in that way.  Really nice add on for your VIP clients.

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A little story about sharing that may change your life

It takes only 37 Seconds To Read: But It May Change Your View For A Lifetime

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room’s only window

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .’

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