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Friday, July 11, 2008

Zip-a-dee Doo-Dah



This is my kind of song! Sometimes singing a song can take you right out of being in a bad mood! I love "Zip-a-dee Doo-Dah" and my other favorite is "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma!



So if you find yourself having a day- then just sing! Whether you are belting tunes to the radio or your favorite CD in your car, or singing while you work- no matter how corny the song may seem- JUST SING IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT! - Because as we know - YOU are the one that makes your morning beautiful:)

What is something you like to do to get your mood back to where it needs to be?

Monday, May 19, 2008

Getting it done!


When you set goals are you happy when you accomplish them or are you upset when you don't? Do you determine your mood for the day if something doesn't get done that you wanted or needed to get done? I was doing some light reading today when I came across to very good posts regarding goals and happiness and I thought I would share them with you. The first one I enjoyed is called:
Goals are Bananas: The Fallacy of Goals. In that article he mentions another article on how achieving your goals does not ensure happiness.

So, my challenge to you is enjoy the journey- don't just concentrate on getting there! You learn the most while driving, and not arriving. And you need to ENJOY life to be happy- not breeze through it achieving this and that and never stopping to smell the roses.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

The older the wiser and happier??

I have always been fascinated with the elderly. It seemed as though most old people I came across were blissfully happy, and I didn't understand why? Yes, you had your occasional "Mr. Wilson" but for the most part, it seemed they were all happy. Yesterday as I was reading different news articles on the internet, I came across this one and it made me smile:)

After I read that- I then looked through my RSS feed, and one of the local blogs that I subscribe to had posted a similar post. Leon Hale is a writer for the Houston Chronicle and he wrote a post titled "Old Age is not at all like I thought it would be" This also made me smile!

Happiness is being content with who we are, where we are, what we are, with the people around us. We can still hope and dream and keep going for what we want out of life- but it is being content while we go for these things and not hating life if it doesn't end up exactly the way we want it to. Give life your best and love it, and it will give back.

I think we can learn a lot from older people, and I think the most important thing we can learn, is that- yes we will become happier as we get older because we learn to not take things as seriously as we experience more life..... but we can do that NOW! Why wait??

Here's to being content with where you are at now, and living in the moment.

Happy day...TODAY!

Friday, April 18, 2008

The wisdom in a cookie.........


Chet and I took the kids out for dinner to Pei Wei the other night. When it comes to the fortune cookies it is a free for all, and so my kids grabbed about 57 before I could stop them. Usually I find the little fortunes some what comical and not very original... like- "You will have a good day today!" or "You will eat dinner tonight" So, while my kids didn't get very good fortunes - I DID! Not really a fortune, more like words of wisdom:)

"Doing what you like is freedom.
Liking what you do is happiness."

At first I was like, huh? I don't get it while scratching my head. (Yes, I have my moments) :) I read it again- and it hit me!! How true is this little bit of wisdom! So, today- I'm going to like what I do as a mom, I'm going to like doing the dishes, and like doing the laundry and like doing everything else that seems to become mundane after a while! I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom- so yes- that is freedom:) - Now I need to remind myself that I can like the routine things and that is happiness!

This reminds me of the book "The Present" by Spencer Johnson. Very good and quick read, if you are ever looking!

What is your freedom and your happiness?

Thursday, April 17, 2008

What a littler imagery can do

Some where over the rainbow.... and it really is a WONDERFUL WORLD!:)
I imagine myself running in a field of wild flowers in a cute flowing sundress, and laughing with my family! What do you imagine??

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Laugh a little today

I know I have already posted on laughter, but laughing is one of my most favorite things to do, and so I dedicate another post to laughter but with a different meaning.

A while back I was reading "Laughter - A Scientific Investigation" by Robert R. Provine.

I was looking through my notes from the book this morning and came across something he said that makes sense.... and goes a lot deeper then we may think. He said,

"The idea that laughter is a calisthenic for body and soul has become so pervasive that we tend to overlook the fact that laughter evolved because of its effect on others, not to improve our mood or health."

Does anybody else see what I see in this comment?

I will try and put it in my own words.

"The idea that laughter and service mainly evolved because laughing or doing good for others makes that person feel good, or cheers them up, or makes them feel special.... REALLY, helps us out, and is good for our body and soul. So, what was intended to only help the other person in the equation, ended up doing more for you then you think. " :)

So, laugh or serve- or better yet- do both at the same time! I guarantee you, you WILL come out happier then when you went in!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

With Love.....

I'm so grateful for the response I have had to guest bloggers! I love reading what other people have to say about happiness, and learning from their wonderful words. Here is another amazing guest post from Jen

Love is what happiness is all about. Loving yourself, your family, your friends and doing things for them. Jen has brought housework back to a loving perspective that I fear I had forgotten. Thanks Jen!

It was a Wednesday several months ago when I first changed the way I deal with laundry. By about the hundredth (I may be exaggerating a little bit here) inside-out item I lost it completely. No longer would I turn things right side out while folding! I was done! The rest of the load got folded much faster. I put the baskets of nicely folded stacks in the hall for pick-up and went about the rest of my day. Several weeks passed. No one mentioned having an abundance of inside-out clothes in their clean piles. Nice. I cut my folding time by several minutes, allowing me to read an extra chapter of my current book, wipe down the kitchen countertops, take the dog out, reapply my lip gloss, call a tenant to ask where's the rent, and read blog posts by cjane.

My happy balloon was about to burst. Mar mentioned one day how his workout shirt was inside out and he wore it during his entire workout before he noticed. Dillon came home from school one day and I noticed his shirt was inside out. Had been all day I guess. Mar said to me, "My clothes are inside out quite a bit lately." To which I replied, "Really?" Then I brought up how much time I was saving with my new laundry method and how I would really appreciate it if certain people would make sure their clothes were right side out before they were put into the laundry for cleaning. Mar replied with a sad face, "I guess the laundry isn't done with love anymore." :-(

Well.

I guess not.

Maybe I needed to rethink my motives here. Do I enjoy doing laundry? Well, parts of it. I like separating things into color categories. I like adding all the soaps into their little drawers. I like choosing the cycle I need. I don't even mind cleaning out lint screens. I don't care so much for remembering to move loads around and where the enjoyment process breaks down completely is the folding part. Not a big fan. Don't even get me started on the socks! But, my job as mom comes with laundry responsibility. Responsibilities like these are sure easier to handle when you have the right attitude. I can see the possibilities here.

During the 2 minute yoga part of my Turbo Jam video the next morning I repeat my new mantra: I will fold the laundry with love.

Next laundry day, I encounter 6 items of inside out clothing, all of which I turn right side out and fold into nice piles. Into one of Mar's workout shirts I slip a note. "Folded with love on 3/5/08 heart Fif " (Fif is me)

The note starts a chain reaction I did not intend but which Mar and I now enjoy immensely. He found the note, wrote a note back on the other side, and hid it in with the bill drawer so next time I sat down to pay bills I found it. I wrote another note and re-hid it taped to the steering wheel of his truck. The note is still circulating; the other day I found it my vitamin cabinet (it's hidden right now tucked inside the bike shoes he uses when he spins at the gym). Folding laundry with love led to learning more about how we love each other. And also a fun game of hide and seek.

Here's to learning that housework is all about love. I hope my family knows this. I'm glad I do, too.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Peace

I believe happiness goes hand in hand with peace.

All fear comes from living in the past or the future, which are both in our minds- in reality, it is always now. As long as we stay with the Now, we have peace. Knowing this, we can choose peace at any moment. - Message from Tolle's book "The Power of Now"

I believe that actually living in the present moment is ALL we really have and when we focus on that and truly live, then we will be happy and have peace.

How many times have we worried ourselves to death that this might happen or that. Or regretting something that happened in the past, or wishing that things were the way they used to be- that YOU were the way you used to be- without wrinkles, or a smaller size, or more energetic. If we put ALL of that aside- then we have NOW and we need to enjoy it and enjoy our surroundings, because if you don't enjoy the now- soon the now will be the past, and you will wish you had.

Be filled with peace and happiness.... live in the NOW!:)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The magic of Color!

My cute friend Cjane is my amazing guest blogger for today- and she is full of happiness and sunshine! As cjane would say... ENJOY!



Everyone hated, hated the muddy color of gray I painted my master bedroom.

“We’d like to see your house.” Friends and family declared after we moved in to our cozy blue home at the end of the street.

And of course we loved to show off our new house—the remodeled bathroom, the bright green kitchen, the perfectly rectangular backyard—every little detail. But inevitably there would be that awkward moment when our guests entered into our tiny bedroom.

“Oh! Well! That is an interesting color.” Was the usual comment as eyes rotated around our dark walls and voices disappeared with confusion.

It was one thing to disappoint crowds of people who didn’t have to live with my color, but it was another thing when my husband confessed that he didn’t care for it either.

“It’s dark.” He kept saying.

“A bedroom is for sleeping. Dark colors relax the brain.” I would counter.

I can’t remember now the exact name of the color I chose. Something like, “Silver Lake at Midnight with an Almost Full Moon”. (I’d like to be a paint color namer someday, I’d take that job very seriously.) To me, it was the color of a summer rain cloud and who doesn’t love that hue all looming with the promise of rain?

Even in the sunshine—let in by our big window—I loved the dark tone to my bedroom walls. It reminded me of a thick mud mask before it has dried and become cracked. It also made the bedroom artwork pop with color and I thought that was very unselfish.

Unselfish Silver?

Three years have passed by since my mother-in-law (horrified) helped me paint those walls, and I have never once regretted my decision. If possible, I love the color more than when the paint was wet. It has become my color of serenity, peace and quiet. But now there is a new house in the near future, a new bedroom to plan, new walls to color.

“I am thinking about leaving our new bedroom walls white.” I remarked to my husband the other night as we sat in bed waiting for sleep.

“You will do no such thing.” He countered. “From now on, our bedroom will always be this color gray and that is that.”

Winning over someone to your point-of-view?

That is happiness.

What is the name of the color that makes you happy?

Saturday, March 8, 2008

You can always count on Gretchen


Gretchen is one of my dear friends who has also volunteered to be a guest blogger for me:) She sent me this story earlier this week. I was very touched by her writing and her thoughts! Thanks Gretchen:)


I just finished reading About a Boy which was the basis for one of my favorite movies. I found this passage which didn't make it into the movie. I can honestly say this is probably the reason I'm still around today.

"So why don't you ever put your head in the oven?"

"I don't know. There's always a new Nirvana album to look forward to, or something happening in NYPD Blue to make you want to watch the next episode. The point is you keep going. You want to. So all the things that make you want to are the point. I don't know if you even realize it, but on the quiet you don't think life's too bad. You love things. Telly. Music. Food. I love things and they're mostly different things from you. Poetry. Paintings. My work. Men. My friends. Ali. I want to see what Ali gets up to tomorrow. See, a few years ago, I was really, really down, and I did imagine about... you know, what you imagine Fiona's thinking about [suicide]. And I really felt guilty about it, because of Ali, and I know I shouldn't be that way but I was, and... anyway, it was always, you know, not today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today. And after a few weeks of that I knew I was never going to do it, and the reason I was never going to do it was because I didn't want to miss out. I don't mean that life was great and I didn't want not to participate. I just mean there were always one or two things that seemed unfinished, things I wanted to follow through. Like you want to see the next episode of NYPD Blue. If I'd just finished stuff for a book, I wanted to see it come out. If I was seeing a guy, I wanted one more date. If Ali had a parents' evening coming up, I wanted to talk to his form teacher. Little things like that, but there was always something, and those somethings would be enough."

Sometimes if you're having a really rough go of it, you need to cling to anything to get you through it. I love that thought. You don't need a grand event to look forward to. The little things are enough to make life worth living.

I love this book and movie. They never fail to inspire me. Treat yourself and get the soundtrack as well. They're all beautiful and uplifting.

http://www.bookclub9.com/userimages/user1367_1172134569.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/About-Boy-Widescreen-Toni-Collette/dp/B00005JL7Q/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1204632521&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/About-Boy-Hugh-Grant/dp/B000062Y44/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1204632521&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/About-A-Boy/dp/B000W94GYA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204632521&sr=8-9

Gretchen
--
http://www.integritynow.org

http://areageek.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Are you happy?


Yeah! We have another guest blogger:) I love seeing people have a
passion for happiness and wanting to share that passion and knowledge.
I got an e-mail from Anali a few days ago and she sent me a link to a
post she had previously done on happiness in her blog. I read it and
felt an instant high and wanted chocolate! Here is the link to her
super post:

Anali writes about pretty much anything and everything and you will
always be entertained and left with wanting more. For more Anali you
can check it out at: http://analisfirstamendment.blogspot.com

Thanks Anali for being a guest blogger for me, and I, along with all
my readers would love to hear more:)

Monday, March 3, 2008

The Wonderful and Wise Words from Erin Annie


What do you write when the happiest person you have ever met asks you to write something for their motivational/happy thoughts blog? I mean, how can you ever expect to compete with the happiness of Ms. Bertie?

For me, the answer is in not competing.

But in that lies my advice to the blog reading world. Find your own motivation.
I am possibly the least competitive person in the world. I love to hike, but never to be the first or the fastest. In fact, I'm sure my companions have more than once been annoyed at the slowness of my pace. I didn't stop to smell the roses. I just barely could keep up. But at the end of the hike, I had also completed the trip.
For me, the joy is in the fact that I'm playing a game. The comradererie of being with friends, and of trying something new and different. I'm not in it to be the best. I'm just in it for the experience.

My happiness comes from trying something new. No matter how ungraceful I am, how clumsily I did it, how long it took, or how utterly unartistic it was, I did it, and I had fun trying it.

As the girl who always got picked last for sports, and never gets asked to dance, I learned early that sometimes you just have to have fun anyway. You can't wait for someone else to make you happy, or to beat someone at their own thing. You have to be happy with you first. For me, I will always find happiness in how goofy I dance, or in the beauty of the peak of the mountain. I may have been the last one to the summit, but the view is the same for the first person and the last person.

So go ahead, LOSE! And enjoy doing it!

Erin Annie
http://erinannie.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 29, 2008

The Happiness Project


So, as I was searching for some cool and inspiring words to give to my faithful readers I came across this wonderful website.

http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/

One of her quotes that I TOTALLY agree with is:

"One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself."

Which reminds me of my next quote:

"We have no more right to put our discordant states of mind into the lives of those around us and rob them of their sunshine and brightness than we have to enter their houses and steal their silverware." - Julia Moss Seton, in the movie Holiday

So, remember to share your beautiful smile today! We ALL have one to give:)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Calling for guest bloggers!


Yes- that is right! I want to hear from YOU! I want you to be a guest blogger on my blog:) Now, this is all for free- and just to share knowledge. I feel that we can all learn a lot more, if there are a lot of people joining in a expressing their thoughts or stories. So- come one, come all to the happiness ball:) E-mail me at bertieranger4@gmail.com and let's get your post on here!! I don't care if this is the first time you have read my blog, if you are a blog lurker, or are an avid commenter... I still want to hear from YOU:)

Friday, February 22, 2008

Something we should ALWAYS remember

Thursday, February 21, 2008

What other choice??


Yesterday when I turned on the TV the movie "Just My Luck" was on. It is a pretty cute movie. I had seen it before... but the part that it was at, when I turned the tv on... was a part I needed to rehear! The girl in the middle is Maggie and Lindsey Lohan's characters name is Ashley. I'll set the scene and then dialogue.

Maggie is a song writer and singer. She was really excited because I band had just picked up one of her songs to play for their opening performance. However, news came that due to superstition on the managers part, they were not going to play the song after all, because you never play a song that the band did not write on opening night. When Ashley found out the news this is what happened:

Ashley: Are you going to be ok?
Maggie: Of course. What other choice do I have?
Ashley: Are you sure?
Maggie: Yeah! I mean if you only dwell on the bad, then you'll miss out on all the good!!

Seriously! How inspirational is that?? What I love most- is we all know that happiness is a choice, but what Maggie said- was that - she didn't have a choice... happiness was the only choice!! What other choice do I have (other than to accept it and be happy!) That should be each and every answer we all give when something goes wrong that we didn't expect, when we are disappointed, etc.....

So, I leave you today with What other choice??:)

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Happiness or obliviousness??




Growing up I was always known as the dumb blonde! Even though I made straight A's had a 4.0 GPA - I was known as a ditz, airhead, dumb blonde and any other names like that you can think of. It never bothered me- because I knew I was smart, but more importantly- I knew who I was and I knew that all those "names" were not true. I was happy with who I was as a person.

Now that I look back, I think that people assumed I was a dumb blonde because I was happy all of the time. It was rare you would not find me with a smile on my face, or an encouraging word, or laughing. I think people in this world automatically think that if someone is happy, then they are living in a fantasy world and they need to get real and get with the program.



Anytime- I think of someone who is happy- I'm reminded of Stuart on All My Children. His character is ALWAYS happy- and as you first start to get to know him- you think that he might now all be there... but he IS! He is by far my favorite character because he is full of joy.

I think if you know who you are and accept who you are as is- then you will be happy. If we find the good within ourselves and focus on the positive- then you will find the joy from within and see that you are ALL there and you can still know ALL that is going on in the world and that some of it is absolutely devastating... Just because you walk around with a smile on your face or love to laugh and are happy from within, does NOT make you an airhead or oblivious:)

So, for now- enjoy being you, and know that it takes time to grow as a person, and you will continue to grow as you go through different life experiences.. just look for the positive and the positive will come out!

Friday, February 15, 2008

2 quotes to confirm my theory:)


Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. - Dennis Waitley

The chase to find happiness outside ourselves never results in lasting joy. But a look within opens the door. - Greg Anderson

Thursday, February 14, 2008

I'm bringing happiness back

I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted- but no more dry spells:) If I can help it anyway. I don't have a post prepared- but I found this video on you tube when I searched for happiness, just to see what would come up. I have no idea who this guy is- but this is a great video- you can tell he is happy and that it comes from his heart. I like this guy already! Yes- it seems a little cheesy, and goofy at times- but he knows where happiness comes from:) Enjoy- and I'll be back with a post of my own tomorrow!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Inadequacy


If you feel unhappy with yourself at certain points in your life, my bet is that you are comparing yourselves to other people, and by doing this, we begin to feel inadequate. Inadequacy can lead you down a dark road if you keep doing what it is that causes you to feel that way. I believe self-esteem and happiness go hand in hand. When you like who you are and are ok with your best, then you will be happy. When you are constantly wishing you had more, and were more, and more like so and so- then you will feel like, whatever you have to give is not enough. Here are some quotes from Flawless! written by: Louis A. Tartaglia. This book was fantastic and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good, uplifting read. Here is what he has to say about inadequacy:

"Choose inadequacy and lose, or choose self-esteem and fight the fight of your life. You can't be knocked out if you absolutely refuse."

"Go do something with what you have and make things better."

"Something inside knows that you have to make do with what you have, and it is always enough. The regret for not doing all you are capable of will haunt you. "

"Self-esteem is highest in those of us who compare ourselves to others the least. "

These are all quotes by Louis A. Tartaglia.

So, realize that you are enough and that your best is always good enough. Don't compare as different people have different strengths. Someone is always less fortunate and there is always someone more fortunate- in any given area. Focus on what you do have, and not on what you don't and you will continue to see happiness "grow under your feet."

Friday, January 11, 2008

Laughing

Laughing always helps with happiness! When you can laugh at yourself and when you can laugh at life..... you will be happy:) Laughter does a soul some real good.... ENJOY!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

What talents do I have?


Growing up I did not think I had any talents. I would always ask my parents what my talents were and they would go on and on about my so called "talents". Then I would still think to myself- but I can't sing, I'm not a comedian- because I have terrible delivery, I can't run long distances, I'm not super smart, I can't act, etc...... Everyone has what my so called "talents" are. Everyone can make friends easily, everyone has a good work ethic, everyone can speak in front of a crowd, everyone can get up on a stage, everyone can do flips if they tried hard enough, everyone can be motivating, everyone has passion for what they love, everyone sees the glass half full, etc...... So- in a sense, because all this stuff came easily to me, I just figured it came naturally to everyone else too. Because of this I didn't think that what I could do were talents. I focused on what I couldn't do, and noticed them as talents in everyone else, and I would be in pure awe of those talents, and wished with every fiber in my being that I could do what they could. By doing this- and taking my focus off my natural talents- I started to be more and more unhappy with myself. I thought everyone else can do all these things, but me- and it is unfair! I want to sing like an angel, I want to be able to not study and still make an A+ on my test, etc..... Now, that I know certain things that I can do and possess do not come naturally to everyone, I'm able to view them as talents and try to share them with others. I'm able to continue to strengthen my talents by focusing on only those vs. trying really, really hard to carry a tune- but not getting anywhere, because I just don't have the "voice or ear" to do it. I'm proud of what I can do. Focusing on what I can do and not focusing on what I can't do, has helped me to be happy with myself and who I am and what I'm able to do. So, if you don't know where your talent lies, find that talent, and realize that it is unique to you and embrace it. Not everyone can do what you can do. Take that talent and share it, and be happy that you are you and that you are amazing in every aspect and smile:)

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Guaranteed to make you smile!

I love this picture!! When I looked up service/volunteering this is what came up as one of my image searches. How wonderful that it is universally known that when we serve others we are happier and we tend to not focus on ourselves as much. It reminds me of the primary song "When we're helping, We're happy":) Yes we most certainly are. And the best part about this- is that we can do it anytime we choose. We don't have to "wait" for the perfect opportunity, or "wait" until everything on our plate is done and we have time. If we are always "waiting" we are choosing to pass up the privilege of helping someone else out, and in turn, helping ourselves learn more about who we are and what really matters and bringing smiles all around:) So anytime you have a frown on your face..... just remember this poster- and that service will bring a for sure smile to your face!

Monday, January 7, 2008

The Way!


One night I was folding laundry, and so I was looking for a show that was on, that I could watch while folding. On PBS, there was a Dr. Wayne Dyer(pictured above) special. I was super excited, because I had just recently finished reading his book "The Power of Intention", and loved it. I was disappointed to see that the "Dr. Wayne Dyer Special" was more advertising for his product then him actually speaking. However, it did give 15 min. clips here and there of him giving a seminar. I really have a respect for Dr. Dyer. As I was listening, I hear him say something that rang so amazingly true to me,

"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way."

I love that quote! It spells everything out perfectly for people who are looking how to be happy, or that perfect solution that all of sudden makes them happy. Which then brings me to our next quote:

"Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life."
- Burton Hills

I hope those quotes make you think a little harder and realize that you already have everything it takes to be happy, now you just have to be.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Make happiness a habit:)


The "article" below I got from www.musicandthespokenword.com. My thoughts are at the bottom. Enjoy!


Many believe that happiness just happens to us, like the weather. But some have learned that they create their own “inner climate.” A woman who had endured serious problems in her marriage, her financial security, and her health explained: “I felt like an absolute failure. I had to make a conscious decision to be happy.” Her experience supports the wisdom of the saying, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” We observe people who are discontented despite great good fortune, and others who, in the face of problems and hard times, still enjoy life each day.

If we choose to be happy, two habits can help. The first is regular recognition of the good things we experience. If we don’t see and acknowledge our blessings, it’s almost as if they didn’t exist. But we can train ourselves to observe more and more of the positive in our lives—from a sprig of beautiful wildflowers on our path to the helpful support of a neighbor or the comfort of a home that is warm and sheltering.

The second habit that promotes happiness is expressing gratitude for the good we recognize. Is a store clerk friendly and helpful? Saying a warm “thank you for your assistance” not only rewards the clerk but also calls our attention to our good fortune. Does a family member or a friend write or phone regularly? Expressing appreciation makes us aware of the happiness we gain from that kindness. Making it a habit to express gratitude, tell a third party of another’s kind deed, and offer thanks to God in our prayers goes a long way towards developing the “habit of happiness.”


I full heartily agree with this article! I could not have stated it better myself. My favorite part is the 2ND habit - SHOWING GRATITUDE for the small things in life really does improve your attitude 10-fold and helps you to really realize what you have and be happy from within:)

So, today I challenge to try and take on the 2 habits:

1. Looking for and recognizing the small things that put a smile on our face.
2. Show gratitude for and in ALL things:)

If you work on actively doing this- I PROMISE happiness will radiate through you for ALL the world to see!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

True HAPPINESS:)

How many of us keep hoping we will find that one thing, or get to that one place that will make us happy? To be cliche - if I had a nickel everytime someone said, "If only I had a million dollars, if only I could be more like....., if only (you fill in the blank), then I would be happy" I would be a BILLIONAIRE!! :) When I first started blogging, I set this one up, but have delayed posting because I kept thinking to myself, I can't really write about being happy within, if I don't do it 110% of the time... or if I feel sad or have "my days". But THEN, after the New Year I thought, why not! Isn't it better if I AM human and I understand exactly how people feel at times. I know for me, as I read inspirational material, whether it is a quote, a small story, etc.... then I feel more positive. So, the purpose of this blog is to help enlighten people (me included) and to help them learn to be happy from the inside out! I will daily update with some inspirational material and would LOVE to HEAR from YOU! Please e-mail me at bertieranger4@gmail.com with any material you may have or stories about you or someone else that you would like to share. :) The more people pulling together the better! So for now, I will leave you with a quote by James Openheim:

" The foolish person seeks happiness in the distance.
The wise grows it under their feet."