Archives for August 2011

5 Tips for a Happy Mind-Set

August 30, 2011 by 1 Comment

I have been a Personal Development enthusiast for over 15 years now and within that time I have learned a lot of valuable lessons. I would like to share with you 5 Tips that have kept my mind in great shape over the years. I hope you find them as useful as I have and I sincerely hope you see the value in each of the 5 messages as I am confident they can be life changing.

Ability to Trust Your Potential

We are all unique in our own way, we each view and experience the world through our own lens. Ultimately what this means is that nobody can use your abilities the way you can. This is why it is so important to believe in yourself completely. We can read all the books, gain all the knowledge, mirror others achievements and look to others for guidance, but in the end, there is no other person on this planet who knows how to use your abilities quite like you can. We can no doubt learn from others but it is only when we are truly being ourselves that we become powerful. Trust in your abilities and trust that you are the only person alive who can use those abilities to their fullest potential.

Successful Thoughts

Education is paramount to success (whatever success means to you) but education is not preparation for life itself…life itself is education, and every single day you are being tested by the thoughts you choose to entertain or repeat. The educated mind is the one that can entertain a thought without accepting it. The only thoughts that play a leading role in your life are the ones you choose to accept as true. Negative thoughts, doubtful thoughts and any thoughts that limit your growth have no place in your mind, so it’s your job as the governor of your mind to banish these useless thoughts from the community you rule inside your head. Your thoughts only have the power you give to them.

Happiness

Happiness is an incidental happening when you are in harmony with life itself. It is something you become aware of whilst pursuing other things instead of pursuing happiness itself. Happiness will not stand still long enough for you to reach its destination. It will always be an elusive pursuit if you are looking to acquire its presence, it will always be the goal or project you cannot complete, it will always be hidden from you in plain sight, and it will always be lying on the grass on the other side of the fence if you believe the grass you lay on is not as bright, vivid, brilliant or intense. Happiness is the thing you can never enjoy or appreciate if you think you have found it, because happiness is not anything you can find, it is a thing that finds you. May your happiness find you well, and may your happiness find you living in peace and harmony, dancing in the rain and sailing within the stormy seas of life itself.

What’s important to you?

Okay…you’re lying on your death-bed, you have a couple of minutes left to live. How many of the things in your life that made you worry, made you stressed, made you angry, made your life unpleasant…really bloody matter? I would imagine that very little of most of the stuff we place significance on in our lives in this present moment will matter too much at all. There are only a few things in your life that are truly important, Stop fussing over non trivial matters and start focusing on what’s really important to you.

An Optimists view

How often do we react in a negative way to life’s obstacles even though they are an integral part of life. It’s not as if we expect everything to go smoothly for us all the time. Besides, a life without problems would not be as fruitful. We can appreciate the good times only through contrast with the bad. Take a step back and see that whenever a bad situation arises there is always an equally good seed hidden within. You can always learn something valuable from life’s problems if you detach yourself from the negative and focus on the lesson you can take away. Realize that life is exactly what it is meant to be. There’s no good or bad, there’s just lessons to be learned. Obstacles encountered on your journey through life are opportunities for you to grow.

Well, there we have it, 5 lessons that can transform your perception and help create a mindset capable of achieving what you know you undoubtedly deserve. Remember, thoughts that do not help you grow as an individual are thoughts that have no place in your mind, and you have the power to either entertain these thoughts or dismiss them immediately…it’s your choice…choose wisely.

Authors Bio: Declan O Flaherty has been writing to help inspire change in others for many years now and has recently branched out to writing reviews for baby products such as The First Years Wave Stroller and The First Years jet Stroller.

Filed Under: Happiness

Put On a Happy Face: Partner Dance for a Happier You

August 24, 2011 by 6 Comments

Once upon a time, partner dance was the way couples found each other.  Whole courtships occurred in plain view on the dance floor.  In European countries, happy matches were made when a hand was placed atop a wrist and the couple walked out onto the floor and began to move together, often with little actual physical contact.  Some countries in Africa used, and to some extent still use, dance to attract the attention of a potential husband or wife, the quality of the movement and the ability to move together signifying the potential for a lasting relationship.

Much of the idea of courtship dance has disappeared over the years, but we still have a fascination with the idea of forming a partnership with someone who can both move us physically and emotionally.  This is a large part of the popularity of romantic dance romances films like  “Strictly Ballroom”, the “Step Up” franchise, and “Shall We Dance”.  These films are not totally fiction, however.  People who engage in partner dance, are, for the most part, happier than people who do not.

Partner dance is any dance that is characterized by moving in time with someone else.  The most popular partner dances are Salsa and Swing, but there are host of other styles, including Argentine Tango, Zouk/Lambada, Caribbean Zouk, Bachata, Samba de Gafieira, Kizomba, Chacarera, Lindy Hop, and West Coast Swing, to name a few.  The world of ballroom dance, which encompasses waltz, foxtrot, quick step, jive, and various Latin styles in both American and International categories, is wholly separate from the world of social partner dance, and offers a partner dance outlet for those that are more competitive.

Social partner dance occurs at clubs, in churches, outdoors, and in classrooms all around the world, every day of the week.  The quiet man who works in accounting may be the king of Cuban Salsa in your town and the mousy librarian at your local branch may have two or three amateur Swing dance trophies at home.  Partner dance is for everyone and is danced by a wide range of people.  The only requirements to begin partner dancing are a willingness to learn, patience with both oneself and one’s various partners, and commitment to practice.

People partner dance for many different reasons.  Some enjoy the social aspect of meeting new people each night and traveling from dance venue to dance venue.  Some people like moving with another person and the physical conversation that can occur when a partner dance is going well.  Some people like the exercise aspect, and use partner dance to break up the monotony of sitting in front of a computer all day.  Whatever their reason for starting, people who engage in partner dance on a regular basis, are generally less stressed, more productive, and happier in their daily lives.

If you are new in town and are looking for a way to meet people, partner dance is a great option.  Do an online search for studios in your area.  Most partner dance studios allow you to try the classes before enrolling in a particular course, so experiment and see which type of dance grabs you.  For people who are a little shy, partner dance is great, because the conversation is done via dance instead of vocally.  If you are interested in using partner dance for exercise, try one of the more energetic styles like Salsa, Lindy Hop, or Samba de Gafieira.

No matter what style you ultimately decide upon, partner dance will improve your outlook on life, your sense of self, and your energy levels.  Though dancing with someone nowadays may not lead directly to marriage, it does aid in the formation of lasting friendships, and it is certain to help you maintain a happy, positive outlook.

Article written by S. Black, a passionate dancer and freelance writer. She frequently writes on the arts and about interior design on behalf of a major sectionals retailer.

Filed Under: Happiness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Live your life

August 22, 2011 by 2 Comments

This is sort of like a guest post, in that somebody else did all the writing. It’s a great sign about living your passion, and I thought I would share it with you.

This post was featured in the Effortless Abundance blog carnival.

Filed Under: Happiness Tagged With: , , ,

What will be your legacy?

August 17, 2011 by 6 Comments

What legacy do you want to leave behind? I know, the cat needs feeding (we have two kittens), the house is a mess (still? again? it gets hard to keep track) and there’s a show you want to watch. Daily life is so full that we don’t often step back to see if we are even heading in the direction we want to go in.

Take a moment today to think about how you want to be remembered. Then think about your day’s agenda. Have you scheduled time to do things that will help you achieve that legacy?

Nobody will remember you for having fed the cat. Nobody will remember you for your clean house. Nobody will remember you for what you watched.

They will remember you for the love you spread and the good deeds you did. What will you do to be remembered?

Filed Under: Happiness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Our Happiness Level

August 15, 2011 by 6 Comments

I was listening to Hay House Radio yesterday, and the host was talking about how our happiness levels could be measured by averaging the happiness levels of our top few friends. I found this so interesting and also very eye opening.

It’s so important to surround ourselves with positive, emotionally healthy, and happy people. Because emotions and feelings are contagious (here is my previous post about this), it’s especially important and crucial for our own well being that we are cognizant of who we choose to be close to.

And I know that this isn’t always the easiest decision to make. Sometimes you’ll find that you’ve been friends with someone for years – you have a history that you would feel bad letting go of. And yet… every time you are with this friend you find that you start off in a happy mood (your mood), and you leave in a negative, sad mood (their mood). It’s crucial to your own happiness to carefully choose who you spend time with. If someone doesn’t help elevate your mood or make you feel great – it may be best to spend less time with them in the future.

And I’m not talking about a dear friend who has had a bad day and needs to vent (we’ve all been there). I’m talking about the person who continuously sees life through a darkened lens – who sees each experience through their negative filter. And while you may love them and want the best for them, you can also love yourself and want the best for your own well being and happiness.

rose colored glassesOn the positive side – think about your friends who radiate happiness. Think about how wonderful you feel after you spend time with them. Filling your life with people like this will actually help increase your own happiness!

And it doesn’t just have to be your friends – you can read positive books and blogs (like this one!), listen to inspirational podcasts, watch television shows that are happy and fun – anything you can think of to raise your own happiness level.

And in doing so, everyone who comes in contact with you will also have their own happiness levels raised.
It’s definitely worth thinking about. Your happiness is that important.

Jodi Chapman writes Soul Speak – a daily blog focusing on going within, being grateful, and living positively. She is the bestselling author of the Soulful Journals series – writing-prompt journals that help you go within and get to know yourself better. She is also the author of the upcoming book, Go For It: Get Out There and Start Living! She believes that our thoughts become our reality, and our actions lead us to our dreams. She is happily married to her best friend and co-writer, Dan Teck. They live in southern Oregon with their fuzzy kids. www.soulspeakbyjodi.com

Filed Under: Happiness

Don’t be a dung beetle

August 3, 2011 by 4 Comments

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

This quote by, well, pretty much everybody by now, sums up why we humans are social creatures.

We get food and water and shelter. These things are all necessary; every life form needs them, even dung beetles.

We give love.
We give attention.
We give our help.
We give a smile.
We give hope.
We give trust.
We give…

Well, we give a lot of things.  This is what separates us from much more primitive creatures. Yes, that is what makes a life. Don’t just be a dung beetle.

Filed Under: Happiness Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Why Not Smile?

August 2, 2011 by 4 Comments

How does happiness affect the life of an individual? Happiness is the greatest feeling that everyone wants to feel each day. Are you confused on the techniques on how to share happiness with everyone? Well then, this article might help you.

SMILE! A simple act, but sometimes hard to give. When people are feeling joy and happiness, SMILE is present. Laughter follows within. Imagine the world when people are happy everyday. Chaos, sadness, sorrows, anger and other negative feelings surely have no place. One technique which is surely effective is having a sense of humor. A very simple, inexpensive and easy way. Crack some jokes, share fun stories and have fun. Anywhere is a good venue for it.

Problems are always part of every life and there is no way to avoid them. No matter what lifestyle or life status is, problems are always there. Every man or woman, single or married, child or adult, rich or poor, nobody is exempted from it. The best means to overcome problems is through great happiness without a cost.

No matter how tired and heavy feeling each person has, a simple joke and fun can take it away. Sharing jokes in a group of friends could possibly reduce the feeling of sadness, worry and sorrows too. Tell them happy stories or even share a comedy story. Let them share their own happy stories too. Create a topic and let everyone have a panel of comedy discussion. Facial expressions are also very useful. Be a joker or clown of the day. Have a passion to it. Sneak even a little time from them and surely they will never regret spending their little time cracking jokes and sharing happy stories in life. In fact they would forget the time and would never want to stop it. Seeing their faces with a big smile and laughter is the best gift each can give and share. And surely they will never want to miss a day without it. They would even remember it when they go home and sleep. It will continuously flash back in front of their happy faces, ending their day with a smile.

Family, friends and everyone is invited. These people are very important for it is them should be shared and not just for oneself. These people might have different trials encountered in life and the smile is surely what they have been waiting for. Show to them that no matter how hard the life is, be confident and tell them your secret to it. Smile! Live life to the fullest and never let the day pass without a simple smile. And surely everything follows.

About Author: This article is written by Sarah Hoekstra, who also writes for top-cleaners.com, a site featuring various reviews and tips on free computer clean up.

Filed Under: Happiness Tagged With: , ,