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Happiness Definition

October 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Alinka Rutkowska -

According to my dictionary happiness is “the feeling of being happy”, ok that was helpful, so what does “happy” mean? Happy, according to the same source, means “feeling, showing or causing pleasure or satisfaction”. Ok, let’s see what Wikipedia tells us about happiness, according to this site, happiness is a “state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure or joy”.

In my view, the keyword here is “state of mind”. People often try to find happiness in possessions, places or other people only to be miserable because true happiness can only be found within themselves. The people, places and things that you attract into your life that make you happy only serve to enhance the love that you already have for yourself.

The Law of Attraction tells us that we attract whatever we focus on most and whatever we already are. So if you want to attract more happiness, you need to feel happy, but how can you do it if your happiness depends on outside conditions? We can choose to take our life under control. If we do that and learn to find the happiness that already is within ourselves, we then magnify this feeling thanks to the Law of Attraction.

Of course it’s easy to be happy when everything is well, the true challenge and victory is when we are able to be connected to our inner selves even in times of adversity. We must know that everything is on its way to being wonderful, because it is from this knowing that everything ends well.

To become a master at thinking positive things into existence and creating a happy life you might need some help. Well I’m glad to present “Read Me – I Am Magical” available at http://www.master-of-thought.com and Amazon. This revolutionary book will inform you, inspire and empower and the keyword is empower – check the subliminal messages in the book!

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A Life Worth Living – Expect Less Be Happy

August 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Tushar Agarwal -

I have heard and read numerous quotes throughout my life (till date) on what life is and how to live your life? How to make it happy and how to make sure you spend every moment of it? And blah, blah, blah; enough has been told. But what has influenced me most is the following line-

“EXPECT LESS and BE HAPPY”

I do not who said it nor did I make any effort to search it over internet. But these five words have influenced me so much that I cannot help but just admire the one who said it. And how true it is.

God gave us life as a human, not everybody is as lucky as we are. We all could have born as a dog, cat and any other living being you can think of other than human. But we are wasting it. Yes, we are ruining this gift of God big time. And he won’t be happy about this.

We always expect- from family, friends, loved ones, God and our self. I do not say it is wrong to expect something from your near ones; after all, they are the one with who you expect to be up to your level of demands. But what’s wrong is that stressing your self when those expectations are not fulfilled.

Ask a question- why are you stressing your self when others do not live up to your expectations? They never say they would do this and do that, it was all you assumed.

You assumed that they will do it. You assumed that they will do anything to make you happy. You assumed that you are special for them. You are assumed that they care for you.

Your assumptions are not too wrong but it is not their fault if they don’t do what you expected. They never promised you. Expecting too much is always difficult. You are being unfair.

I believe in expecting less. In that way, I keep myself always cheerful. Low expectations from everybody, even from those who are very close to you and about whom you are sure they won’t disappoint you, is a good rule to remain happy. Consider below-

You expect 9/10 for a performance, your manager thought you deserve 5 but still he gives 8. I bet you won’t be happy about that because higher expectations often bring sadness than cheerfulness. In the same scenario, you deserved 5 and you know that but still you say to yourself- let me keep on lower side so I expect he will give me 4. But manager still gives you 7. In first case, you got 8 but were not happy and in second case, you got 7 but still more than happy. It is important to be practical and realistic. Thinking without limits is very injurious to mind and heart.

That was it. I urge every one of you reading this to go deeper in the meaning of the line and start practicing it religiously. My experiences have been pleasant with it and since I have started expecting less, I am more than happy. Do not waste this God’s gift, this life in sulking and complaining. It is given to you to spend in the most beautiful way and spend it that way.

Tushar Agarwal is a blogger from India and runs his blog at http://BloggersPassion.com.

He is a banker and loves sports like cricket and football.

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The Four Legs of Meaning and Happiness – How To Balance Your Life

May 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Dr. Robert Henry Schwenk -

The four legs I am speaking about are meaning and purpose, positive emotions, relationships and accomplishment.

Yes, you can balance a table on three legs, sort of a tripod affair. Our kitchen table is on one giant pillar, but that pillar has four feet. The usual table has four legs. Why? Because it is the most stable while offering the most support. If you have a rectangular table-top, a leg at each corner will stabilize the design.

Just so with your life. While three legs will keep you up and stable, four legs are even better at stabilization and support, harder to tip over. And you can start at any of the four to keep your life stable. All you need do is begin and then move through all four points on a regular and consistent basis. Let’s begin. Leg One is Meaning and Purpose.

What is the meaning of your life? I submit to you that the meaning of your life is to be happy. All the sages of all the ages have not found a better definition of meaning for you. But happiness is not simply a joyful countenance or a laughing smile.

It means that deep within you, you have a well of strength and resolve to live a positive life. That attitude is sustained by your connection to the Prime Presence. (Some folks will name this God. Whatever designation works for you is fine. Just not the usual God of thunder and wrath.)

This foundational leg means that you know you are loved beyond conditions. When you are loved in such a manner, you realize that you are happy because nothing that happens or does not happen can ever cut you off from that passion. The Universe has a passion for you.

From happiness, then, comes meaning and from meaning comes purpose. Your purpose and meaning integrate with life. It is your purpose to be happy. That is the reason you are here. In happiness you experience. Every act and word and thought applied in a positive way is what you experience. This simply means that in everything you advance the constructive mode.

From this we move on to the second leg which is living with affirmative emotions. This does not mean that you are never sad or mournful. Someone dies who was close to you and grief will be the appropriate emotion. But do not forget the positive things about his or her life and personality.

In all things you accentuate the optimistic. Sadness has its part in your life. But you also always try to bring to bear upon your feelings and experiences that which is the most reconstructive. Bring to bear that which builds as oppose to that which destroys.

Therefore, we move on to the third leg: human relationships. When you try to bring into everyone’s life that which builds, you develop relationships that affirm the existence of the other in the relationship and affirm you yourself. Face it, relationships that are negative destroy, sometimes devastate. You do not want that, of course.

So when you attempt to make relationships about building others up, you will find others helping you to build up your own life. Any activity that would cut down another person, especially in a relationship, is to be avoided. Vigorously, scrupulously averted.

Do you see, then, that your relationships will be creative and formative? Anything less is not as meaningful as it could be.

So then we come to the fourth leg: accomplishment. So far, I believe you can see, you are developing a life of meaning. It is circular reasoning. You start in one place, go around to other places and come back, naturally to the beginning again.

Using all that you own from happiness, positive emotions, and constructive relationships, you can know you have a life of accomplishment.

In that life of accomplishment, you work to make the best you are able for everyone and everything. This is true altruism, in my book.

It may sound as if I have placed a great burden on you. You are to accomplish so much. Remember that you are loved by the Source of Being unconditionally. So no matter what you do, it is accepted without question. Whatever amount you put together, you have won. In that freedom, then, you can see whatever else you may accomplish.

I do not give you tasks you must complete. What you do with your life is up to you. No one else. I give you, instead, the freedom to grow as you see you way clear to doing so. I do not burden your life. I give you liberty to make the best of your life as you will.

So, the four legs to the table of a balanced life are these:

1. Meaning and purpose through happiness.

2. Developing and keeping positive emotions.

3. Constructive relationships.

4. Accomplishment in the way that fits you.

This has been Dr. Bob 4 U, and I invite you to change your life for the better by claiming your Free Instant Access to a Force-Source-Resource. Just Click Here. Remember, one bit of information can give you a lifetime of satisfaction.

My log: http://themeaningoflifewithdrbob.com/drbobslifephrases

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Keys to Happiness: No. 1 Self-Appreciation

April 26, 2011 By 1 Comment

By Michael Hadfield -

Appreciation, or rather the expression of appreciation, is essential for emotional health and well-being. Appreciation is a skill that we can all learn. But it has to start at home. It has to start with appreciation for you.

Appreciation of self may not come easily. I don’t know about you but I grew up with the sense that to ‘blow my own trumpet’ was a bad thing – something I shouldn’t do because I wouldn’t be liked if I did. Being liked was important to me – so I didn’t blow my own trumpet – ever. I also rarely felt good about myself. In my seeking to understand me I discovered that a powerful connection exists here..

If you don’t already feel good about yourself, and you seek happiness, then learning the art of self-appreciation is the key to unlocking the good feelings you’d like to feel inside of you. With that in mind I have some exercises for you to complete. I would like you to make a chart of your life. Write down a list of numbers that represent ages from 0 to your current age – one line for each. Then just allow your mind to drift over each of those ages briefly and note down anything significant to you in the way of a success, or an achievement – something you felt good about at the time, or you feel good about now. Things like starting school; passing some exams; getting a job; getting a job you wanted; kissing someone you liked; first-time sex; riding a roller coaster; taking a picture; first pay check; growing a plant from seed; eating something you’d grown; fulfilling a dream; healing. It really doesn’t matter what it is, it definitely doesn’t matter if the rest of world would see it as insignificant, what matters is that it was important to you and made you feel good, or excited, or happy.

Now when you’ve been over the list and filled in all the major events, look at the gaps and see if you can possibly find something to put on every single line. That’s a bit of a challenge I admit, and there is certainly no failure if you have big gaps, but you will find that as you move your mind towards thinking in terms of achievements and successes that more and more memories will come up.

Now, buy an expensive frame, and frame this ‘certificate’ of achievement and hang it on your bedroom wall. If you have a computer and like to play around, type in all the information and turn it into an impressive and attractive certificate and print it on some quality notepaper. As you look at it every morning and every evening and see just what a wonderfully successful person you are, you may find that any gaps will soon be filled as your mind switches its focus from failure to success. Pick one item each day, fetch back the memory, and fully appreciate the importance of that event in your life.

One other activity I’d like you to engage in is another simple exercise. At night, just before you drift off to sleep, I’d like you to wander through your day in your mind and find between 1 and 5 things that happened that day that you appreciate. It doesn’t matter how small these items of appreciation are. There is always something good in a day. If the sun came up this morning then that’s a good thing. If you put food in your mouth, and water in your belly – that’s a good thing. If you enjoyed the food and drink – that’s even better. If you saw a flower, or enjoyed its scent, then make note, if you were lost in its beauty for a moment – then that’s a miracle. If your car started, or your bus turned up; if you have a job, or lots of free time… if you took a breath and were still alive to enjoy breathing it out again… the list of ordinary, mundane, incredible things that happen to us each day, and that we take so totally for granted, is endless. Start to notice them and continue this exercise until you feel that appreciation and sense of wonder at the time you are experiencing the event.

Make this conscious effort to agree to spend a moment or two each day to express sincere appreciation and thanks for the miracles that exist around you and within you. Learn to appreciate the wonder of you, for none of these experiences could exist without you the Experiencer to enjoy and appreciate them. Your experiences are unique to you. When you experience joy the planet has more joy in it. By the simple act of appreciating those simple, yet wonderful, things that you experience, you will change your world for the better.

Michael J. Hadfield MBSCH is a registered clinical hypnotherapist. You can experience his unique style on a popular range of hypnosis CD’s and tapes at http://www.hypnosisiseasy.com Here you can also obtain treatment for a variety of problems and explore his approach to health, healing, and hypnosis.

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Do Happy People Live Longer?

April 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

By Dean Marino -

Happy people seem to get more out of life. They live life with gusto, but do they actually live longer? Being happy could be the single largest determinant when it comes to living a longer life. Smoking is said to reduce life expectancy by three years, but one study suggests that living an unhappy life could cut as much as 9 years off someone’s life.

The study was conducted in Milwaukee and examined the lives of the sisters of Notre Dame who joined in the 1930′s. Researchers examined the diaries of the nuns and were able to place them in “happy” or “gloomy” categories based upon the entries in their diaries.

Some of the nuns penned predominantly joyful thoughts while others were not as optimistic about the world they lived in. After moving into the convent, they all lived very similar lives. They ate the same food, performed similar work, and had about the same daily routine.

Two thirds of the “not so happy” nuns died before they reached age 85. By contrast, about 90% of the happy nuns were still alive at that age.

Records indicate that the happiest nuns lived an average of nine years longer.

Since all the nuns lived very similar lives, the researchers were able to determine that it was not what happened to the nuns that made them happy or sad. It was how they interpreted life.

This study and others are clear indicators that we should do all we can to have and maintain a positive outlook on life. It is clear that seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty can make a huge difference.

Dean Marino has gained a reputation over the years as the home based travel business expert for good reason. He is a respected trainer and mentor to successful home based business owners throughout the industry and widely regarded as an expert on the subject of travel.

As an avid traveler, Marino has flown over one million miles just with U S Airways and several hundred thousand miles with other airlines. He is a Hilton Diamond VIP member (over 27 stays per year), an Avis First member (the rental car company’s highest elite level status) and a travel agent.

He built much of his reputation in the home based travel business industry during his days as training coordinator for the largest and most successful group in the Coastal Vacations home based travel business program. Marino taught members over 170 marketing methods as chief trainer with the Coastal Sales Center Group from 2005 until 2008.

Author Links
Blog URL: http://MORVacationsNews.com
Business URL: http://www.MORVacationsAmerica.com

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Tips to Living a Life of Bliss, Peace and Contentment – Finding Inner Peace

April 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Susan Apollon -

How amazing you are! It is the choices you make that determine your bliss, joy, peace and even contribute to your being aware of how connected you are to your Higher Power, whoever and whatever that may be. This is real Power! And you were born with the intuitive wisdom to do whatever is necessary to find your bliss and inner peace.

Though you were born feeling and knowing this bliss, life being what it is, this knowing is something you tend to forget. It becomes part of your life’s journey to realize – or remember – that you are entitled to live in bliss – and that it is all an inside job! There is nothing outside of you that determines whether you are happy or peaceful. It must come from within.

What is bliss, after all? Personally, being in bliss is my awareness of overwhelming peace, joy and well being, as though I am connected to All That Is. It is not unlike what athletes call “being in the zone,” or making love, or successful meditation, or simply being still. Bliss can be the feeling you may experience when you are in the park on a beautiful fall day, on the beach listening to the soothing sounds of the waves, or listening to your favorite music while on a drive in your car or even seated in your special chair at home.

Remember the moment you held your newborn or your first puppy or kitten and how you felt? That is bliss! You were totally in the present moment, enjoying the experience you were having. Perhaps you can recall the first time you traveled somewhere that you had longed dreamed about? Or remember that moment you experienced winning a competition for which you had long been preparing? That, too, is bliss.

Of course, when things are going well, it is easier to feel bliss. But, when your outside world feels as though it is falling apart, such as dealing with the impact of the recent financial crises, the loss of a loved one or receiving upsetting news about someone or something about which you deeply care, you can and you must, eventually, find your sense of bliss, peace and well-being by connecting you with the core of your being.

You really do have the power to create your bliss via the choices you make and the image, person or thought on which you choose to focus. We have extensive research to validate that when you focus on your fears, worries, tragedies, anticipated problems and losses, you create an inner state of suffering. Yes, suffering. And, when you choose to focus on what feels good, you feel good!

Please, do not misunderstand. Life is what it is. There are going to be curve balls; there will be events and occurrences which result in pain and suffering. But, there needs to be balance. In time, you need to re-create a dominance of feelings of well-being and bliss. This comes by the choice you make about your mental images and thoughts. Choose carefully!

So, how do you arrive at such a blissful state? To find your own connection to your Higher Power or Source – or to be in your personal zone, you might try one or more of the suggestions that follow, noting which ones best work for you. If you think they are really simple, you are right; they are. They work because they enable you to shift energetically, which impacts your physiology, contributing to the release of the chemicals that enhance your entire body, mind and spirit.

Bliss and finding your inner peace comes when we are fully aware of our being connected to, valued and loved by another. Reach out to someone, perhaps a family member, old friend or neighbor with whom you have not spoken in some time. Call and make arrangements to get together, and then go and be with one another; feel the pleasure of the connection. Fill your heart with caring and love for this individual. Truly be present, whether on the phone or in person. Truly be in the moment, listening with your heart and speaking from your heart.

These connections are, if nothing less, amazingly precious, and can be highly spiritual. And, they are even more so when you make it your intent to merge at the soul level; that is, to recognize that both of you are more than physical beings. Rather, you are souls yearning to reconnect, with no regard for appearance, status or role. Such soul to soul connections are among the highest of vibrational experiences, often leaving you feeling as though you are on a natural high or in pure bliss.

You may connect by taking time to be and play with your pet, be it your bird, cat, dog or any other pet. While petting, holding, talking to, walking with or playing with your pet, notice your feelings and your pet’s response to you, as well. Just being aware of and feeling your pet’s love for you, causes bliss. If you are truly in the moment, you may be feeling a sense of peace and gratitude for having your pet with whom to share your life, or, you may be experiencing deep love and affection for him or her. Just the act of petting your dog or cat releases endorphins, chemicals that help you to feel better.

Consider finding a way to personally experience some aspect of nature, be it taking time for a bike ride, going for a walk or run outdoors, going fishing, or going to your favorite restaurant which has a view of a river or lake. For example, recently my husband and I had the most wonderful time in our local park. While there, we saw individuals, couples and families canoeing, picnicking, bike riding, flying kites, skateboarding, walking with their dogs, or simply sprawled out on the grass enjoying the magnificent view of the lake – you get the picture.

The day was magnificent and we felt we were in heaven, so totally recognizing the gift of being fully in the present, the Now and the Moment. I shall never forget those few hours. When I am struggling to feel less stressed, I just bring up images of our time there and I feel better. In fact, I snapped some photos and one is now my desktop photo, serving as a vibrational reminder of being in this personal zone.

Nature is considered to be God’s territory. It is where we feel an awareness of Truth and a sense of closeness to that field of energy which created All That Is. Perhaps we affectionately call nature “Mother Nature” because we intuitively experience a sense of being embraced by this nurturing, maternal force, as well as an awareness of a feminine parental power which is far greater and wiser than we are. Clearly, there is an intuitive knowing on our part that directs us toward aspects of nature so that we can, if we wish, feel as though we are merging with this powerful, creative energy that lovingly allows us to feel the joy we call bliss.

“To laugh often, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to leave the world a better place…to know one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bliss can also be created by choosing to expose yourself to healing vibrational experiences: translation, your favorite music. Research has shown that when we listen to music of our choice, we release more endorphins and experience greater clarity, less confusion and increased well-being. Beside being soothing to our cells, vibrationally, the music forces us to be in the moment, distracting us from focusing on what would cause us further suffering. The result: bliss!

Be sure to consider other types of vibrational sounds on which you can focus. Bliss can be the result of listening to comedy that causes you to laugh heartily. Norman Cousins was one of the first to write about the power of laughter to ease pain and expedite healing, leading to bliss.

Bliss can be evoked even through journaling which uses the powerful tools of imagery and visualization. Make it a practice to write ten to fifteen minutes or more daily and allow yourself to write about something you intend to create, be it your dream job, spouse, family, home or your world. Being fully in the Now as you write, use all your senses to imagine what you want in the future as actually occurring in the Moment. Feel the joy of this and the vibration of this will move through every cell of your being, filling you with pure bliss! And, what is lovely, is that this process enables you to manifest your dreams.

Bliss comes when you give yourself permission to do something you enjoy and about which you are passionate, but which you do not do often, if ever! Taking time to go to a concert, meeting a friend for coffee, driving to the mountains or to the beach to visit friends, shopping, taking a course, learning to play an instrument, taking a luxurious hot bath or getting a massage are some examples.

One of the most assured ways of experiencing bliss is knowing you are making a difference in the life of another. Choosing to be of service by volunteering your time, effort and energy results in the release of endorphins, making you feel gratified and valued. Consider learning a healing modality, such as Reiki, and using this not only on yourself, but on your pets, as well as family members. You may wish to receive certification in a healing modality and choose to use this as a way you can help others to heal.

Finally, bliss is often the described state of taking time daily or whenever possible to experience going deep within you, into the stillness of your soul. You can do this by learning to focus on your breath, praying, meditating, doing yoga, Qi Gong and/or Tai Chi, Engaging in any one of these activities enables you to connect with your intuitive wisdom, which, in turn, connects you with your Higher Power and the recognition that you are a being of Love, worthy of being loved.

Bliss is Love, be it the love you feel for your most significant other, that is, you, or the love you feel for another. May your life be filled with only bliss.

My name is Susan Barbara Apollon and I am an Intuitive Psychologist in practice for more than 20 years and a researcher of Mind, Consciousness, Energy, Healing, Intuition, Prayer and Life After Life. I am an Author of Touched by the Extraordinary and Intuition is Easy and Fun, which is coauthored with Yanni Maniates.
My work is, essentially, about providing all of us with empowerment, hope and comfort. Be sure to visit our Love to Feel Good Blog where like-minded souls can come and share thoughts, feelings, inspirations & recommendations.

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The Power of Belief

March 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Sonika Tinker -

I had the most amazing experience. I realized that I am always the source of my experience. I am the one that makes myself happy or unhappy. I am the one who gets to say whether I am in bliss or emotional pain. How? I do that by getting to choose which beliefs I focus on and the stories I make up. My point of power, always, lies in what beliefs I choose and what intentions I set.

We generally live in a stimulus/response reality. Meaning, we live like we do not have a choice around what we feel or do. Someone yells at us and we react with anger or fear. Someone tells us they are unhappy with something we did, and we get hurt and withdraw. We generally think the “stimulus” caused our response, and in an effort to feel better, we usually try to get someone to quit doing the thing that is causing our distress.

Consider for a moment that between the stimulus and response, is a belief or story. In actuality, it is the belief that we are responding to, not the stimulus itself. If you yell, and I believe that your yelling is bad for me, then I am likely to respond with anger of fear. But if I believe your yelling is giving me a perfect chance to practice being centered, or that your full self-expression is a good thing, then I might feel peaceful or even excited by your yelling. My belief determines my experience, not the stimulus.

Changing beliefs is relatively easy and produces immediate relief. It is where we truly have total power to determine the quality of our life experience. By changing what we believe, we change what we see, and in so doing, the world changes. You can dramatically change your work environment, your relationship, your health and your state of mind just by examining and shifting beliefs.

If you would like help looking at and shifting your beliefs, contact me for a free article, “Ten Ways to Change a Negative Belief”. You deserve to give yourself a happy and fulfilling life.

Sonika Tinker, MSW is a relationship expert, transformational coach, national speaker, NLP Professional, Certified Enneagram Teacher and author of Seize your Opportunities: Living a Life Without Limits. She is the founder of LoveWorks, a relationship training company, and is passionately committed to empowering men and women to create powerful successful relationships and to live deeply inspired lives. Sonika has over 30 years experience coaching singles and couples, both gay and straight, on the issues of relationship, communication, intimacy, sexuality, dating, law of attraction and personal transformation. She has designed and led hundreds of trainings, spoken for groups of up to 500, and has touched the lives of thousands. She currently has a private practice in Auburn and San Francisco, CA. You can contact her at http://loveworksforyou.com and receive a free audio. Email her for your free article.

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The Introvert’s Guide to Happiness

February 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Barbara Zagata ~

Lets face it, to exhibit that much exuberance publicly would take a lot of energy and even if you tried, it wouldn’t be very authentic would it? I mean, sure, a few beers, or more likely a few shots of Tequila would help, but is that really the image you’re going for? Probably not. But they seem so happy, don’t they? Those extroverts….

After 30 years of feeling deep down inside really boring compared to all of my friends who naturally seemed to be just the opposite—super out-going life-of-the-party-Barbie-cheerleader type with all the best, funniest stories—I finally got old enough, strong enough, vulnerable enough to admit this to a close friend of mine.

She immediately countered with “Oh no! You’re not boring at all; On the contrary, your peacefulness is really great to be around!” But isn’t peaceful boring? Apparently not. After this big revelation I began noticing recognition in other situations where chaos reigned and my stealth-like peacefulness remained intact. Over time I began to accept my self for just being how I am. Not the life of the party with the story that pulls strangers in with all my dramatic flair, but the one who due to some mysterious quality that may have to do with simply being authentic, as in totally me, no apologies, just I am what I am and I kind of like it, is good enough as is.

I mean seriously, imagine a world in which we were all vying for attention like that?! What chaos!

Now comes the strangest part of all…and I’m not a Ph.D. psychologist so I can’t explain it, but over the years as I came to accept myself for who I am, boring, peaceful, whatever, I’ve become a lot more joyful. And in my joyfulness I’ve become a little more exuberant. Some would say a lot more exuberant.

So I would have to venture to guess that somehow accepting yourself for your unique gifts allows access to your own way of being in the world. When you relax into that, a new energy is born. Over time that energy begins to ripple out into the world and when it bounces back to you as it is reflected off of all the others who appreciate you, just the way you are, you find yourself feeling incredibly happy!

Barbara Zagata is the author of “Don’t Stress~Manifest: 21 Truths to Set You Financially Free” and one of the top online Abundance and Prosperity authors. You can find all of her articles at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Zagata

“Don’t Stress~Manifest” is available at Amazon and Booklocker.com
Watch the first chapter on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTcxnImhgmQ

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Pursuing Happiness

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Tony Fahkry -

Defining Happiness

Are you happy with your life? You only need to look peer around your community to realise how unhappy and ungrateful many people can be. They are stuck in jobs they hate, relationships which they loathe and some may have too much or too little money to ever be content. That’s ok though since we’re all here to do the best we can, in the best way we know how.

I finished reading a modern day Buddhist novel, with a page devoted each day to a life lesson. The idea is to read the passage – which is one page in length and contemplate the message; being inspired to live it as well. Suffering occurs when we don’t get what we want or when we get what we want and don’t like what has shown up.

Believe it or not, having too much money can cause suffering, since it belies the need for more. It may bring other anxieties to the surface, such as having enough and being able to hold onto it. It begs the question which I asked at the beginning of the blog; Are you happy with your current life? What makes you happy? Why are you unhappy if so? What would it take for you to be happy NOW?

Many people conduct their life as though it has no special meaning and are comfortable chipping away until they reach their destination or achieve their purpose. Where do you sit along this continuum? Are you constantly complaining that life owes you something? Or do you feel you owe life something?

I find it interesting given all the billions of people on this planet, there is so many varying views of reality. Who is right? How can one person get up in the morning and see the beauty and magic in everything he/she encounters? It’s not enough to suggest they’re suffering Pollyanna syndrome either. You can’t be happy all the time – trust me, I’ve met those types of people and if I may say so, they’re incredibly annoying!

Ask the Right Questions

Happiness comes from what you have NOW. Read that again and again until it holds meaning in your life. You can’t be happy when you have ‘x’ or when you become ‘y’ since that is the root cause of all human suffering. I like the following passage from a well known author: “The time is now, the place is here. Stay in the present. You can do nothing to change the past, and the future will never come exactly as you plan or hope for.” The last part of the quote is the essential element for living in the NOW and being happy NOW. The future will never come EXACTLY as you plan or hope for.

Who would have ever thought I’d be talking about personal development and health ten years ago? I certainly didn’t. Am I happy and fulfilled? Absolutely. I am happy since asked the right questions along my journey; “What do you want me to do or become?” “What is my purpose?” “How may I serve and contribute to this world?” I’m not suggesting I hold the key to unlocking your happiness.

I may prompt you along your search for the right questions, hopefully revealing the answers along the way. You must find your truth. I can tell you this much; the only place it dwells, is within. It lies within all your so called tragedies of believing you’re too fat or too skinny, not good enough or whatever you’ve told yourself you are or are not. Your truth, as the song suggests, will set you free. Yet in order to be free from suffering, you must find it first.

So my message is simply the following. Don’t try and become happy. Your natural state is happiness. Don’t look for happiness in others, for you’ll be disappointed. Don’t accumulate things believing they will make you happy. That is false thinking which will dishearten you. Don’t search for meaning in your life. Give meaning to your life.

Begin by asking questions which bring your closer to your pot of gold. Keep asking them every day whether they’re expressed as thoughts or emotions – ask! Act on the answers life delivers you. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, keep asking the RIGHT question until you arrive at a place where you’re satisfied and happy – for this is your truth and the reason you were meant to be here on earth.

Tony Fahkry is an expert in integrating the mind-body connection with health & healing, personal development and self awareness to achieve greater human potential. I do this by drawing awareness to self, removing limitations and obstacles which restrict personal growth and development.

My program Awaken Your Authentic Self trains people how to reclaim their mental and physical well being. Based on three fundamental principles I have found essential for achieving radiant health to healing from disease and illness. Following these principles in their daily lives people see a powerful shift from fatigue, unhappiness, stress, depressed mood to feelings of vitality, a renewed sense of life purpose and the energy to make it happen. Visit my blog at http://tonyfahkry.tumblr.com for additional resources.

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Contentment – The Essence of Happiness

December 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

By Brian Gosur -

Are you content with your life? Are you happy with the way things are? Now I know there are always improvements that can be made, and I am not talking about that, but what I am asking is, if nothing was to ever change in your life again, would you be content with your life?

We live in a world where no one is content or happy with anything in their life. They want the next and best car, phone, computer, or big screen TV. The marketing machines that move, are always compelling us and pushing us toward the next and better one. You can’t live without this one. You have to have it. What is everyone going to think of you?

Now I’m all in favor of the free enterprise system. It’s the best system on the planet. It keeps our economy strong, and the competition always makes for good solid products. But the one thing that can bring it all down is greed, and we sure have plenty of that to go around these days, not only in both the corporate and government sectors, but also each and every one of us. Yes we Americans are greedy and we show it for the entire world to see.

We are entering into one of the biggest greed showing seasons…Christmas. Now I know that Christmas is pretty much a worldwide event, and there are plenty of other countries that get into the shopping, spending, and buying of Christmas mode, but I’m concentrating my thoughts on us who live in the U.S.

Our lack of contentment is what drives our economy. Companies play on this and get us to try and out buy each other. Every year we have to have the new thing that just came out. We buy it with money that we don’t have. We finance it from credit cards that charge us exorbitant rates, and we end up paying ten times more for it than it really is worth.

If you’re discontent, then, you my friend are not happy, and if you aren’t happy, what makes you think that a new gadget, that’s going to put you in debt, will make you happy? It might deliver a false happiness that might last for a while, but when you see those bills coming in, it will vanish just as fast as it came, and will be replaced with anguish and despair.

I think this struggling economy will and should all help us to see that, things and gadgets don’t bring happiness and contentment, people do. Maybe it’s good that we can’t buy all that stuff. Lets learn to do things for each other instead of buying each other.

I remember my parents and my grand-parents used to tell me about the great depression, “everybody was in the same boat, they would say.”We were all poor and struggling and we had to depend on each other to survive.” Maybe we all could use a little bit of that kind of humility today, and a warm strong hand to hold out to others.

I look at my grand kids and I remember when I was young. We didn’t worry about our next meal. My dad provided a roof over our heads, food to eat, and a warm bed to sleep in at night. It wasn’t till I was married and had a family of my own that I realized all that he and my mom did and sacrificed for all of us. How ungrateful we were back then.

I see that ungratefulness in our world today. We live in the, “give me” society, where we have our hands out to take, and never out to lend a helping hand and give.

There is a program that is on TV, it’s called, “What would you do?” They run different scenes that they set up with actors and see what and how the public will respond. Kind of like Candid Camera did years ago.

One was a man who pretends to have passed out on the street. He lays there for twenty minutes before a homeless person comes to his aide. A homeless person, who has no real means to help, but gives what she has to help another human being who has a need.

When the scene was over, the actor who played the fallen man was visibly shaken as he embraced this homeless person for coming to his side to help. A simple act of kindness can be a very effective Christmas present this time of year. It’s the gift that touches deep into the heart of someone, and keeps on giving and giving. It might just change you also.

You can’t take anything with you when you leave this world. There are no U-Hauls behind any casket. But there is one thing that you will take when you exit this world…that’s your relationships with people.

If you believe that there is a life after here, than why not start investing into those people right now. Put your money where it will do the best good. Help someone out, if you can. Hold a door open, say good morning with a nice smile on your face, or call a person by their name. Show people that you do care. These things won’t cost you a penny and they are things that we all can do right now.

If taking and spending has never brought you happiness or contentment, try giving, and not just things….but give yourself. It’s the best time of the year to start learning how to do that, and I promise you, you will find happiness and you will find contentment. It will change you.

It’s what we celebrate at Christmas, when God gave Himself for you. “For God so loved you, that He gave His one and only Son. That who so ever would believe in Him, would not ever perish, but have life everlasting.” John 3:16

Merry Christmas everyone.

Brian Gosur is an entrepreneur and internet marketing coach. After thirty five successful years with Ford Motor Company, he decided to start his own business. To find out more about Brian Gosur take a look at his website; http://www.bgosur.com

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