What brings happiness?

Happiness...

A psychology professor, in college, told me that people are basically seeking happiness. So the question is what brings happiness? Here is a list based on some of the best research. Maybe you would like to add to the list:

1. Loving and being loved
2. Family
3. Friendship
4. Meaningful work or hobby
5. Cash flow
6. Freedom to travel and eat out when you wish
7. Reflection on a good life

The pursuit of money alone will not bring happiness. It does help us to do the things we want to do, but love, family, friends, laughter are what bring happiness. I think Zig Ziglar said it best, "I like what money can buy, I love what money cannot buy. Money can buy you a house, but it cannot buy you a home. Money can buy you a bed, but it cannot buy you a night's rest. Money can buy you a partner, but it cannot buy you love."

Quote of the Day
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. -- Martin Luther King Jr.

I am only one

Here is a great poem by Edward Everett Hale that inspires me...

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do
The something that I can do.

I applaud people who do things. I believe there are too many people sitting on the sideline complaining and putting down the work of others. These people often put down anything that anyone else does. In fact I believe there is a bias against action.

So if you are one of those people who is doing something. Keep working... Do all you can NOW! My hat is off to you. If you hear people putting you down and laughing at your mistakes, just know that you are not alone and you're doing something right if people are talking about you. Here is a phrase for you to use when someone is laughing at you...

"A mistake at least proves someone stop talking long enough to do something."
Conway

Quote of the Day
Opportunities are seldom labeled. We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -- Gandhi

Collecting Moments

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
- Cesar Pavese

One of the things you need to collect in your life are moments. It is the meaningful moments that make life worth living.... Can you remember

• The moment you first saw your mate?
• That great sunset you once saw?
• The first time you held your child?
• The first time you held your grandchild?
• The first spiritual connection you had?
• The connection you had with a stranger when...?
• The first time you made love to your love?
• Your first kiss?* When you learned to drive?
• When you bought your first home?
• When you went on that dream vacation?

The Moments of life make it worthwhile... create more moments... collect more moments.

Qote of the Day
Life is built of things we do; the only constructive material is positive action. Most people have never learned that one of the main aims in life is to enjoy it.
-Samuel Butler

What are you afraid of today?

How many things have you once feared and then once you studied and played with them, your fear went away, i.e. computers, DVD players, traveling to New York, shaking hands with the president?

What are you afraid of today where if you spent a little time with it, the fear would go away?

• Learning a new language.
• Working with an Hispanic workforce.
• Learning a new job.
• Changing jobs
• Living in a world with terrorism.
• Living with globalization

Life is changing... There are many things to fear as we get older.

• Study the fear.
• Face the fear.
• Play a little with the fear...

Often the fear will go away...
Here is an old quote I heard as a child...
"Fear knocked at the door... faith answered... and no one was there."

Quote of the Day
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." -- Marie Curie