Always Be Looking For Ways To Be Happy

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I'm about to board a plane, but I came across some great quotes about "happiness" and I wanted to share them quickly before I miss my flight.

Happiness is what everyone should be striving. When your happy, life is so much more enjoyable. People will want to be around you because your "happy" vibrations rub off on them. So not only do you improve your life, you are also improving the life of another.

Carry some of the quotes around you as a reminder to always be looking for ways to make yourself happy. Ok gotta go. They just started boarding. Have a great day everybody, and Always Feel Good!

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
Helen Keller

Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.
Aristotle

Happiness resides not in posessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.
Democritus

People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest.
George Matthew Allen

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
Albert Schweitzer

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.
Aldous Huxley

There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
David Burns, Intimate Connections

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Men spend their lives in anticipations,—in determining to be vastly happy at some period when they have time. But the present time has one advantage over every other—it is our own. Past opportunities are gone, future have not come. We may lay in a stock of pleasures, as we would lay in a stock of wine; but if we defer the tasting of them too long, we shall find that both are soured by age.
Charles Caleb Colton

Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The chances are that you have already come to believe that happiness is unattainable. But men have attained it. And they have attained it by realising that happiness does not spring from the procuring of physical or mental pleasure, but from the development of reason and the adjustment of conduct to principles.
from How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, by Arnold Bennett

Happiness is not a matter of events, it depends upon the tides of the mind.
Alice Meynell

Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress.
Epictetus

Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.
Benjamin Franklin

The Radical Power Of Gratitude Challenge

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. My friend Damon shared this with me the other day and I felt compelled to share it with you today. It is an exercise that we should be doing every day of our lives.

Gratitude fuels all of our wants and desires. We live in a Universe in which are reality is a direct response to what we are thinking and feeling. If we keep ourselves in a constant state of gratitude, the Universe will give us more to be grateful for.

I encourage each of you to make a conscious effort to just be thankful in everything you encounter today. The neat thing about gratitude is that you can't be grateful and negative at the same time. Disappointments and failures come from the negativity that we allow into our existence. If you remain thankful you will begin notice that a lot of the negativity that plagued your life will soon disappear. Sure you will be faced with challenges, but you will never let them get you down again.

Have a great day being grateful for EVERYTHING. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to connect with so many unique and wonderful individuals via this blog. I have made a lot of great friends because of this experience, and for that I am truly grateful. Many blessings, and Always Feel Good!


The Radical Power of Gratitude
By Margot Zaher and Jafree Ozwald

For the next 24 hours, we invite you to do something truly radical and out of the ordinary. We want you to explore what it is like to continuously dive into gratitude. Make this day 100% dedicated to thanking the Universe. Give thanks to the sun that shines, the clouds that give you moisture, a friend that you have, your eyes, hands, and your ability to read and learn. You have been blessed with air to breathe and food to keep you alive. Say to yourself or out loud, "I am so thankful for my life!" Let these words sink deeply into the cells of your body. Let them penetrate you to the core. It is truly mind boggling how good it feels just to let in a little bit of gratefulness.

This is a 24 hour experiment, but imagine what miracles you will experience if this was your daily routine.

~Gratitude is the seed miracles are made of~ QuoteGuy

Here's a short video I posted before, but I think this will help to give you a jump start.



http://www.youtube.com/user/ReDEFININGTHEDREAM

Making A Difference In The Life Of A Stranger

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. Here's a short story I received via email that reminds us to always be in a state of compassion. It is easy to get caught up in all that is going on in our own lives. Sometimes we for get that we are not the only person on the planet. But today I want to challenge you to do at least one selfless act per day.

It doesn't have to be anything huge or monumental. It's amazing how far a simple smile can go. Just saying hello and smiling at a stranger may be all it takes to change an individuals life forever.

Enjoy the following story. Remember that you can make a difference on someones life for the better or for the worse. Make sure that you strive for the former. The great thing about this existence is that you get more of what you give. So if you are showing kindness you will experience kindness.

Be sure to share this story with friends and families. This could be your one selfless act for the day. Many blessings, and thanks for listening.

I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked but
no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So I walked to the door and
knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear
something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before
me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on
it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one
had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to
the cab, and then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just
try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'



'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a
hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have
any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.'
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the
building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when
they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse
that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner
and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm
tired. Let's go now'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building,
like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a
portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was
already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me,
a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in
thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman
had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven
away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important
in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

A Mother's Love (Happy Mother's Day)

BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES OF ME AND MY MOM. SHE HASN'T CHANGED A BIT. I LOVE YOU MOM!!!

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! Today is a day to celebrate all the mothers out there. I just want to thank you for all the love and care that you show on a daily basis. A mothers love makes all things possible.

Enjoy the following three poems by Karl and Joanna Fuchs. They truly embody what my mother means to me. Make sure to tell your mom that you love her. And continue to do so every opportunity you get from now on. Never let the little precious moments slip by. These are the moments memories are made of. Many blessings, and thanks for listening. Always Feel Good.

Everything Mom

How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid.

How did you do it all, Mom,
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend.

I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I'd call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all.

By Joanna Fuchs

Super Mom

Mom, you're a wonderful mother,
So gentle, yet so strong.
The many ways you show you care
Always make me feel I belong.

You're patient when I'm foolish;
You give guidance when I ask;
It seems you can do most anything;
You're the master of every task.

You're a dependable source of comfort;
You're my cushion when I fall.
You help in times of trouble;
You support me whenever I call.

I love you more than you know;
You have my total respect.
If I had my choice of mothers,
You'd be the one I'd select!

By Joanna Fuchs

What "Mother" Means

"Mother" is such a simple word,
But to me there’s meaning seldom heard.
For everything I am today,
My mother’s love showed me the way.

I’ll love my mother all my days,
For enriching my life in so many ways.
She set me straight and then set me free,
And that’s what the word "mother" means to me.

Thanks for being a wonderful mother, Mom!

By Karl Fuchs

Taking Time For Self

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I am just enjoying a relaxing weekend, and I just wanted to say a quick hello. Every now and then, not having to do anything feels really good. Today is me time. I feel that it is very important to separate ourselves from all the background noise that is happening around us.

Take some time each day to just sit and "be". Find a quiet place and just sit in silence and listen to the voice of the Universe. The voice that is in all of us. The voice that tells us that all things are possible.

There are so many distractions that we encounter on a daily basis. It can be easy to forget to take time for self. If you don't take care of self, you can be of no help to anyone else.

The following video is a collection of excellent quotes to meditate on. Memorize a few and start applying them to your life. Be sure to share them with friends and family to. You never know who may really need to hear a positive word today. Have a great day, and thanks for listening. Blessings!

Will Smith's Formula For His Success

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I came across this video and I wanted to share it with you today. It is a Will Smith interview on the Tavis Smiley show. Smith has become one of the most successful entertainers of our day. He is one of the few actors in the 20 million club(He's paid $20,000,000 per film nowadays). And all of this from his humble beginnings in Philadelphia.

Smith gives us insight into how he has become successful. He says that there is a precise formula that he uses to ensure that whatever he touches turns to gold.

The great thing about Smith's formula is that it is not a secret. It is not something that only he knows about or that only he can perform. This formula is available to everyone at any time. We all have the ability to create favorable situations for ourselves that put us on a path to success.

The key is to pick a target and shoot for it. Set a specific goal. Map out a specific plan to reach those goals. Set a specific date on which want that goal to be met and then most important...GET STARTED! Never let anything stand in your way. The Universe will begin to conspire in your favor and soon you will be wondering why you had not done this sooner.

Enjoy this short but powerful interview. This is the same formula that all successful people use achieve their goals. Now you have it to do whatever your imagination can dream up. I look forward to hearing many success stories. Have fun creating the life that you want. You deserve it. Many blessings, and thanks for listening.

40 Steps To A Better Life

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. Life is good and life should be good. It can be hard at times to recognize all the good that is around. We are constantly bombarded with all that is wrong our existence on this planet. It seems as though people and the media only focus on doom and destruction. All of these negative influences can affect your life if you allow it to.

It is time to take control of your life. You have the power to think and more importantly feel the way you want to. No one or no thing should be able to dictate your emotions.

The following are 40 things you can do to take back control of your life. These are simple exercises to remind yourself to just slow down and appreciate all the good that is around you.

Make it a point to carry out at least one exercise on a daily basis. Soon the exercises will become routine and when they become routine, your life will be anything but routine.

As you begin to focus on what is good in your life, goodness will continue to be in your experience. Let your focus be on what you truly want and that will become your reality.

The most important thing with these exercises is to have fun with them. Don't make it a chore. Life should be fun so if you have fun with this, the results will be fun as well.

The only one who can determine your happiness is you. Get started today and begin to see major changes in your life. Have a fun life. You deserve it. Many blessings and thanks for listening.


40 Steps to a Better Life - 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you
walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and record your late night shows and get
more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following
statement: My purpose is to __________ today.

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and
Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in
2008.

5. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They
provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

6. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under
the age of 6.

7. Dream more while you are awake.

8. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat
less food that is manufactured in plants.

9. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries,
wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds and walnuts.

10. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

11. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and
let new and flowing energy into your life.

12. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR
issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot
control.

13. Instead invest your energy in the positive present
moment.

14. Realize that life is a school and you are here to
learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that
appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you
learn will last a lifetime.

15. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and
dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

16. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES
away.

17. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

18. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

19. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else
does.

20. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.

21. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the
present.

22. Don't compare your life to others. You have no
idea what their journey is all about.

23. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In
five years, will this matter?

25. Forgive everyone for everything.

26. What other people think of you is none of your
business.

27. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

29. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends will. Stay in touch.

30. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful
or joyful.

31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you
need.

32. The best is yet to come.

33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

34. Do the right thing!

35. Call your friends often. (Or email them to death!!!)

36. Each night before you go to bed complete the following
statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I
accomplished _________.

37. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

38. Enjoy the ride.

39. Remember this is not Disney World and
you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one
ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.