A guest post by Stefanie Flaxman of Revision Fairy

It’s healthy to possess a bit of envy for individuals you admire.

These people do what you want to do—they’ve got what you want.

But if envy doesn’t motivate you to take practical action, it’s a dangerous quality.

Your world becomes a place of what other people have or what other people do in contrast to what you don’t have and what you don’t do.

Practical action involves many tiny steps that often seem inconsequential, but it’s these individual steps that produce a substantial final product.

When you focus on the process, you understand what another person did to get that something that you want. You recognize common ground, and your goal becomes more attainable.

Consider Teenager Tom’s envy of a classmate who works at an ice cream shop. Tom works part-time at his parents’ travel agency, but he’s not interested in travel; he constantly fantasizes about spending his afternoons grazing on mini-spoon samples of frozen goodness.

What choice does Tom have? He can continue glamorizing his classmate’s life, or he can take a step.

The first step is to ask his parents if he could get a new job at the ice cream shop instead of his current gig. Let’s assume the conversation goes well and after a short time, he attains a job at the ice cream shop.

Hooray! (For now.)

Here’s what often happens when we reach a goal. After a few weeks at the ice cream shop, nothing in the world is more boring to Tom than ice cream. He knows every flavor, every topping, every scooping method, etc. He’s the Bubba Gump of ice cream.

His mind starts wandering over to the next best thing.

The ice cream shop has lost its intrigue, and Tom’s envy of his classmate has subsequently faded. The experience served a purpose, but it’s time for Tom to move on.

“Every mind must know the whole lesson for itself—must go over the whole ground. What it does not see, what it does not live, it will not know.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you get something that you think you want, sometimes you do wholeheartedly love it. Sometimes it temporarily satisfies a desire, but ultimately it’s not for you at all.

Your original envy may seem a little silly in retrospect. Remember that silliness amongst passive wishing and wanting for something more than what you already have.

Experience the mystery to learn more about it and get your next clue.

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want your children to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

~ Albert Einstein

Assume a limitless attitude regardless of what anyone else says.

You have to cheer yourself on if you want to create a new part of your reality.

Taking action to achieve your goals isn’t necessarily exhausting yourself and discounting the joy already present in your life. Make the right sacrifices.

If you discover that the process isn’t enjoyable, instead of envying the person who committed to that work to achieve that goal, find the work—a true passion—that suits you.

Set your eye on the prize. Adjust the path to that prize accordingly.

There aren’t some people who can do everything that they want to do and some people who can’t. The only difference is that some people do.

What’s the first step you have to take?

Stefanie Flaxman is the founder of Revision Fairy. Follow @RevisionFairy to keep up with Stefanie’s philosophy for writing and editing your life.

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

By Mary Jaksch

Instead of focusing on mental and emotional problems, Positive Psychology investigates wellness, happiness, and other emotions that help us enjoy life and reach our full potential.

Here is a fascinating talk by Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. In the following video he discusses what it takes to be happy.

(If you’re reading this by email click here to watch the video)

What do you think – is Prof. Siegel right? Please share in the comments

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

Happiness

By Mary Jaksch

Do you want to feel happier?

Sometimes life can feel like an uphill battle. You struggle and struggle – and it just doesn’t seem to get any easier.

Sounds familiar?

Many people wonder how to feel happier. Even a little more happiness can make all the difference.

You re-discover joy and let go of worry: it’s like shedding a burden.

Why happiness is important

Well, it feels good –  for one thing.

Happiness makes us feel that life is a wonderful adventure.

And – most importantly – happiness is infectious: the world smiles back at us.

Conversely, when we are unhappy – we spread gloom.

How to boost happiness

The psychologist  Nathaniel Branden, who is considered to be the father of the self-esteem movement, came up with a simple way to boost happiness: the process of question-completion.

Here is how it works:

You use an incomplete sentence, and then quickly jot down six ways to complete it. Branden originally used this method to boost self-esteem, but it works to boost happiness as well.

Complete this sentence:

To bring 5% more happiness to my life …

How to do the sentence-completion exercise:

• Write what comes into your mind; don’t edit your thoughts.
• Don’t worry if you contradict yourself.
• Write down at least six completions each time you use the technique.
• Try completing this sentence each morning for seven days.

What’s next?

What’s next is up to you.

Try it. You may find that it helps you find new pathways to happiness. Are you willing to give it a try?

Let us know in the comments what you think about this strategy.

Image courtesy of LugoLounge

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

A guest post by Jared of How to Be Happy

If you search the world for happiness, you may find it in the end, for the world is round and will lead you back to your door.– Robert Brault

Just as the apple seed has everything it needs to sprout, grow, and produce fruit, each of us intrinsically has what we need to be happy, loved, and fulfilled. Most would agree logically that’s true. Then why do we often over-complicate happiness?

Maybe the reason is it takes a little bit of uncomfortable work. It means dealing with emotions. And as humans, we mostly try to avoid uncomfortable situations.

We avoid looking deep inside ourselves for the answers because either we don’t know how, or we’re afraid of what we might find. So we choose the path of least resistance; external sources and things that bring immediate enjoyment.

It’s okay that we behave this way, it’s natural. And it will make us happy for a while. But long-lasting happiness, one that’s built on a foundational knowing that everything is fundamentally okay, has many levels. And life of enjoyment is only one part.

In one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies in history, known as the Grant Study, Harvard researchers examined and followed two hundred sixty-eight men over a period of seventy-two years.

The article “What Makes Us Happy?” published in the June 2009 edition of The Atlantic Magazine, revealed some amazing insights about happiness. Of all the data collected and examined, the article ascertains the key to happiness is love.

The job isn’t conforming; it isn’t keeping up with the Joneses. It is playing, and working, and loving. Loving is probably the most important. Happiness is love, full stop.– George Vaillant, director, the Grant Study

According to that study, love really is all we need.

In a support group I once heard someone say, “I settled for sex when what I really wanted was love.”

I could certainly relate to that, at least the concept of physical acceptance as opposed to love. For most of my life I was seeking acceptance, not love. Even when I thought I was—in love, being loved, acting lovingly—it was still just a means to an end. A tool I used to get more than my fair share of everything. I wasn’t intentionally mean or deceitful, just a romantic narcissist.

I was missing a crucial piece to the puzzle. Love for self.

According to the Beatles, “…nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time, it’s easy. All you need is love.” Maybe it really is that easy and not complicated at all.

Happiness was quite elusive for me over the years. Grasping moments of it here and there, later discovering it was always attached to something else; and always external.

Once I developed love and emotional connectedness with self, I was better able to identify what I needed both emotionally and spiritually. As a result, I no longer had the need to chase happiness. It simply found me, everyday, waiting just outside my front door.

Over the years I’ve discovered a few tips that have contributed greatly to my happiness.

Tip #1: love yourself

It’s a common theory that we cannot truly love others without loving ourselves. But I’m not sure I agree with that. From my perception, I certainly loved a lot before really knowing how to love myself. I would give anyone the shirt off my back, but don’t you dare try to give me yours.

Love for others in this manner is based on different motives. That we’re going to get something in return, maybe not something tangible like a shirt, but certainly acceptance.

Learn to love yourself and you’ll need less external forms of acceptance to be happy.

Tip #2: lower expectations

As the saying goes, “expectations are resentments in training.” Want to be happier? Expect less out of yourself and others.

Sounds pretty depressing I know, but this relates to unreasonable demands.

Like the dreadful relationship expectation of “getting back to the way things were.” You’re limiting yourself and your life to past experiences. Why limit yourself and those around you to something you’ve already experienced?

I admit I can still be guilty of this. Especially when traveling.

On a recent trip to Belize, I overly planned and wanted the trip to be perfect. I put a lot of pressure on myself since on our first date I asked my wife, “If there’s any place in the world you could go, where would it be?” Her response was, “Belize, because I’ve always wanted to learn to SCUBA dive and hear its great there.”

After becoming certified divers and traveling all over the Caribbean, we were finally going to Belize. I picked a nice condo rental right on the beach which received great reviews. The only negative comments were concerning a ground floor rental, as there was less privacy and security.

Upon arrival I realized we were on the ground floor, 30 feet from the ocean with a steady stream of locals walking by. I literally spent the first 45 minutes feeling disappointed and stressed about our upcoming week in this beautiful place. I had this vision and expectation of a second floor room (which I did request if available) overlooking the ocean.

My wife is amazing. In the most loving way she suggested I just relax and that my unmet expectations were robbing me of this wonderful moment. She was right. I took a few minutes to sit and meditate and get back into the experience of where we were and our wonderful life together in that moment.

That room ended up providing the most amazing experience. Being on the ground level, right on the beach enabled us to interact more openly with locals. We made new friends and were invited to local events and amazing opportunities. Many of which would not have been possible had we been secluded away on the second or third floor.

Lowering expectations opens you up to the possibility of something greater.

Tip #3: be of service

I believe there’s no greater calling in life than to be of service to others. Imagine the world if everyone overcame their biggest obstacles and committed to helping others going through something similar.

However, you must be careful of giving for the wrong reasons. If you’re expecting something in return, besides feeling good about yourself, see #2.

You can be of service anytime, any day, anywhere, regardless of your career or place in life.

Tip #4: find gratitude

Anger, fear, unhappiness, any negative feeling has little room in a heart full of gratitude. One way I practice this is with a gratitude list.

Write down 10 things that you’re grateful for. It can be anything; food, shelter, hair, a sense of humor. Just get it on paper. It works, it really does.

Tip #5: be understanding rather than understood

One of the benefits of emotional connectedness and self-love is the ability to relate better to others. We’re better equipped to tap into our own emotions in order to understand what someone might be going through.

The next time someone cuts you off in traffic or takes the last cup of coffee at work, remind yourself that you have no idea what they may be going through. Maybe they’re on their way to the hospital due to a family accident or late for a crucial meeting. Everything isn’t about you.

Life happens around us, not to us.

Tip #6: swan dive out of your comfort zone

The most significant turning point in my life was the awareness that I needed to change. Not just where I lived or what I did for a living, but the way I viewed the world and my place in it. That point was reached out of desperation, so I was willing to try anything.

The result was the willingness to get completely outside my comfort zone. I sought help from books, life coaches, spiritual advisors, therapist, and any resource I thought would help. Many of them suggesting things I would not have tried had I not been desperate.

Like when I started a new job, my life coach suggested that I spend each morning going around the office and introducing myself to three new people. I said, “That’s not like me, I’m shy don’t you know?” He’s response, “Jared, everything is not about you.”

Doing things, taking action outside of your comfort zone puts you in direct contact with the universe. Actions facilitate movement through space and time and affect the universe around us. Actions enable feedback from our environment and nurtures learning through experiences with others.

Get out and do something uncomfortable.

Tip #7: you get more bees with honey

This is one of my wife’s favorite sayings. And it’s so true.

Think about the last time someone changed your mind or the way you think by expressing themselves verbally. I mean something that you really knew, deep in your heart, was a certain way; like a core belief or deep-rooted perspective about life.

Chances are that’s never happened. At least you didn’t suddenly change the way you thought because they said something in a brilliant way or nagged you about it.

Think about that next time you’re trying to argue your point with someone. Think back about number 5 above and be understanding.

Tip #8: learn to sit quietly alone

This was perhaps the toughest of all for me to learn. For the majority of my life, my head was filled with fear, guilt, or regret. Sitting quietly was excruciating and just not possible. But through self-discovery and hard work, I’ve dealt with those issues and learned to accept the consequences of being myself.

There’s a correlation between the levels of happiness I experience and how at peace and centered I am internally. The better I’m able to mediate, be still, and enjoy time alone with self, the more fully I feel in all aspects of life.

You have to be with you 24/7, 365. It’s time you start learning to play nice.

Jared Akers is a writer and tester of the impossible. He writes, inspires, and enjoys sharing on How to Be Happy. He’s been developing a life of happiness with his wife for the better part of the last decade while sharing his journey. You can follow Jared on twitter @jaredakers

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

A guest post by Shilpan of Street Smart Finance

Have you had sleepless nights over mounting credit card debt? If so — you are not alone. You can do it!

Here’s the scoop — you can become debt free simply by changing your habits to lift you out of your financial hole.

Why is that  simple money lessons are hard to adopt for millions of people? After all, our world of Web is full of blogs teaching how to — live within your means, budget and save more.

The secret lies in the  fact that you have to become a better person first — one who understands that happiness comes from within — one who understands that by changing thoughts and habits, anything is possible including overcoming the worst of the financial difficulties. It’s that simple.

The first step towards achieving financial peace is to take personal responsibility for your actions by developing habits for healthy personal finances. What if you are in $50,000 credit card debt today? You can hardly pay your bills, and your life is going downhill. You can pull yourself out of debt simply with these four simple steps. It all starts with changing your thoughts. And your thoughts will change your attitude towards money.

1. Visualize & feel who you want to become

The very first step is to visualize vividly who you want to become financially. Visualization is to your subconscious mind what nutrition is to your body. Okay, so your goal is to pay off $50,000 in credit card debt. Imagine how happy you will be when you can scream in Dave Ramsey’s style, “I am debt free.”  Imagine how happy you will be when you can do those things that you love to do but fear because spending more will lead you towards financial ruin. Imagine how great you’ll feel when that credit card bill arrives without any outstanding amount.

Write these three or four most exciting feelings on a paper that you can read in the morning, at a lunch break and before going to bed.

2. Have a written plan

You have conditioned your subconscious with action propelling statements; now, it’s time to take action. But, you are not ready yet. It’s time to write down how you will pay off $50,000 in credit card bills. The trick is to visualize a problem in smaller scale. You don’t get intimidated by a foot of snow in your front yard as you know that you can remove that a square foot a time; so  is your task of paying off $50,000 in credit card debt.

• Target smaller, achievable goals

You have to set smaller, achievable goals that you are confident about. Without goals, you are living re-actively, letting your worries push you around. Set a goal to pay credit card with the smallest outstanding balance of $3,000 first. Now, you have written down your goal to pay off credit card with smallest balance first while you keep paying minimum for the rest of the cards. You are one step closer to having a plan that your subconscious can affirm and act upon.

• Set up a budget

A simple budget is a blue print for your home of financial peace. You have already committed to paying off $3,000 in six months. So, you need additional $500 monthly to achieve this goal. If you can’t earn more, look at your monthly recurring bills — your cable bill, your club dues. You’ll find money to cut your expenses by $500. If not, you will look for additional sources of income.

3. What will you sacrifice?

You have to sacrifice to move forward. This is true not only for your personal finances, but also for any facet of your life. By making conscious choices you are developing habits that are conducive to your financial success; and avoiding those that are against your goal to pay off $50,000 in credit card debt.  It’s time for you to first track your expenses and choose to bury any non-essential expenses forever. You can track your expenses with simple tools like Mint or develop your own simple plan to track your expenses. Once you start tracking your expenses —it will become easier for you to cut down on unnecessary expenses to save money. Or you may find that your passion to teach Math can bring money to pay towards your debt.

4. Commit

Commit yourself: set smaller, achievable short-term goals; have an action plan and, finally, take action. You’ve done an incredible job of training your subconscious mind. It’s time to make your subconscious mind work. And work really hard.

• Start a blog

Some of the most successful bloggers launched their blogs when their financial journey was anything but perfect — Zenhabits, GetRichSlowly and TheSimpleDollar to name a few. They have not only achieved financial freedom by sharing their own story, but also mastered the art of personal finance by committing to learn and to share their ideas with countless others on the Web. It’s your turn now.

• Tell your friends and family members

If you don’t have desire to start a blog, start sharing your financial goals with your friends and family members. They will help you stay the course until you pay off your debt.

Do you realize that, all along, you have become a better person by developing habits that are needed for healthy personal finance? You will be amazed how your financial picture will change by following these four simple steps.

Shilpan is an entrepreneur, business owner and blogger. He is passionate about personal development and common sense personal finance. He shares his ideas on Street Smart Finance. You can follow Shilpan on Twitter at @shilpan

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

Are you compassionate?

A guest post by Annika Martins of The Catalyst Sessions

Think of the last time you encountered someone who was suffering.

Maybe they were coping with physical pain, financial struggles or the emotional weight of a divorce or the death of a loved one.

Would you define your response to them as compassionate?

Now think of the last time someone inconvenienced you.

Maybe an aggressive driver forced you to swerve off the road during rush hour or one of your children accidentally broke an expensive lamp. Maybe it was as simple as the pizza delivery guy being an hour late.

How did you respond?

Compassion-blindness

Most of us live with mental blinders that prevent us from seeing the many opportunities for kindness we encounter every day. We respond to life’s challenges from a position of irritation and defensiveness instead of realizing that every moment offers us a chance to be gentle instead of sharp, thoughtful instead of insensitive.

The best way to remove these defensive blinders and make compassion an automatic response in every situation is to consciously practice incorporating it into our everyday lives.

Compassion becomes active when it is worked like a muscle. It is something we must practice, just like daily meditation, yoga or playing the piano.

By directing consistent attention and effort at it, we will naturally sink into a rhythm of words and behaviors that reflect this loving kindness in everything we do.

Daily acts of compassion

There are many activities we can engage in to proactively cultivate compassion in our daily lives. Here are 10 ideas you can try out for yourself:

tip #1: teach

You have a set of unique talents, skills and access to a wide range of resources. Who can you share your talents/resources with today? Where might you find a person who would benefit from what you have to give? Compassion does not hoard what it has but gives generously.

tip #2: be taught

There are talents/skills that don’t come to you naturally, but flow easily for others. Ask for their guidance and support. People feel empowered when we honour their abilities by asking for their contribution.

tip #3: offer sincere praise

Forced compliments and fake smiles are not easily disguised, so don’t bother trying. Instead, look for opportunities to genuinely applaud someone’s talents (tip #2 should make this fairly easy). Compassion does not claim the spotlight for itself, but rather shines it on others.

tip #4: be curious

Create opportunities to objectively explore the things and people you are judgemental of. Read a novel written by an author from a culture you have a low opinion of. Start a casual conversation with the colleague who follows a different religious/spiritual tradition. Allow yourself to recognize common values instead of relying on old stereotypes.

tip #5: switch shoes

Inhabiting someone else’s experience is one of the best ways to cultivate compassion. Offer to cover the responsibilities of a co-worker who is out sick/on vacation. Walk or take public transportation to work instead of driving. Changing our usual routine is an excellent way to shift our perspective and see others from a new vantage point.

tip #6: be a silent witness

Watch a parent walking hand in hand with their child. Let a dog lick your hand. Close your eyes and feel the wind/rain/snow on your face. Silently witness the many expressions of love happening all around you. Compassion and love are one in the same.

tip #7: create stillness

Meditation quiets the stream of mental chatter (which often includes a fair bit of judgement of ourselves and others) that diminishes our ability to fully connect with the present moment. True presence allows us to see beyond external layers of difference and identify the core oneness we share with everyone else on this planet. When you recognize the interconnectedness of everything, compassion flows naturally.

tip #8: turn it inward

Although extending compassion to others should be a daily practice, showing that same kindness to ourselves is also vital. Are you holding onto past regrets? Have you ever done/said something that you are deeply ashamed of? Ask yourself, “Who would I be without this regret/shame?” Each day, practice forgiving yourself. Whether silently, out loud or maybe in front of a mirror, cultivate a space of calm acceptance of all things.

tip #9: seek out those in need

One of the quickest ways to cultivate a sense of loving kindness is to seek out opportunities to interact with those in need. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Spend time visiting patients in a hospital (many hospitals have programs that facilitate this). Work in a soup kitchen for an afternoon. Compassion reponds to suffering with gentleness, giving its time and energy generously.

tip #10: pause

They say hindsight is 20/20. It is often easy for us to admit that we used unkind words or behaved aggressively after we’ve reflected on our actions. Don’t wait until afterwards to pause and reflect. When you have to write a difficult email, challenge a colleague or complain to the restaurant manager about poor service, pause and consider the other person’s position. Could they just be having a really rough day? Is it possible for you to communicate your concerns with kindness instead of aggressiveness? Pause and let the compassionate answer come through.

A note on Pity vs Compassion

Some might say that regularly engaging with those who are suffering (as suggested in #9) will become an enormous emotional drain.

Yes, if your interactions arise from a feeling of pity for others, you may very likely feel pained by these encounters. In fact, all of these tips could have a negative impact on both you and the recipient if the primary driver of your behavior is a feeling of pity.

Pity creates distance. It positions one person as superior, as far above the other. Compassion recognizes the sameness between all people, animals and the Earth. Compassion connects whereas pity separates.

Cultivating compassion for yourself and everything you encounter will create a life of ease and harmony.

Sounds like a good life to me.

What is your experience of offering or receiving compassion? Please share in the comments.

Annika Martins is the creator of The Catalyst Sessions, a jumpstart series designed to boost women entrepreneurs from mediocre to magnificent.  You can also find Annika on Twitter at @annikamartins.

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

By Mary Jaksch

Are you about to set some heavy goals? Maybe you want to be more successful, lose weight, find the right partner, do more exercise …
I can see you cringing at the list. How about a very simple goal (if you can call it that) for your life…

Have more fun
If you’re considering how to change your life, having fun is an essential ingredient. Remember that ‘fun’ is not a static state of being. To have fun, we need to move, be creative, and enjoy the company of others. We need to sing, dance, run, play – or whatever else tickles our fancy.

Watch this joyful video below, Hoy Bailaré (Today I’m going to dance) by Argentine musician Leon Gieco. The video is all about how to have fun – whatever your circumstance.

(email readers, click here to watch it)

What are ways you would like to have more fun? Please share in the comments

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

Improve your relationship

Need a few tips (guaranteed based in personal experience) to help take your relationship to the next level? You’ve come to the right place. Please keep reading.

1. Do something unexpected for your partner

This is such time-tested, invaluable advice I thought I should put it at the top of my list. How big the gesture is, or how small it is, doesn’t seem to make all that much difference. It works wonders either way because it’s the thought that is crucial in this step. And of course, the follow-through.

For example. Yesterday afternoon — as I was getting ready to leave home to conduct important business at the gym and the coffee shop – my wife asks: “Will you be going anywhere near the library?”

I was on it like a hawk. Questions like this are a no-brainer. “Is there something I could do for you dear?” I ask. JoAnn says there is a book waiting for her at the library and would I be able to pick it up. “Only if you have time,” she says.

Are you kidding? I love this woman. I made stopping at the library my first order of business. I got a parking ticket in the process, mind you (managed to talk myself out of it) but I came home with the book in my hands. A tangible beam of love passed between us that nourished both of us.

2. Keep your mouth shut when necessary

Oh dear. This is so hard to do sometimes. I admit it, I’m still working on this one. But there are times when for one reason or another JoAnn and I run into a difficult situation and the simple truth is she needs some space. A bit of time to herself to sort things out before she is ready to engage on whatever it is that has come up between us.

“Silence is golden,” someone once said. And it is true. There are times when not saying anything is the most constructive, creative thing you can possibly do to nurture your connection with another human being.

3. Don’t hold on to a misunderstanding or grudge

At the back of the townhome complex where JoAnn and I live is a creek. It’s like a mountain stream the way it bubbles and gurgles down from the Denver foothills (or wherever it comes from).

It’s a poor analogy perhaps. But I have often thought that a happy relationship – or a happy life come to that – is very like a mountain stream in some ways. If you run into a rock – a difficult patch – don’t let it stop you. Find a way to keep your relationship flowing around whatever seems to be in the way.

4. Be quick to change your mind

This brings me to one of the biggest secrets of a successful relationship. Be quick to change. Be willing to change. Don’t hang on to old self-images or old ideas or habits or prejudices. It not only makes you look old before your time, it deprives you of one of the greatest blessings of a relationship — the opportunity it gives us to grow and be a more accurate and fuller expression of our own unique self and potential.

You can be strong but still be humble. When your partner knows in her (or his) heart that this is true of you, you will indeed have a solid foundation beneath your feet.

5. A relationship must work for both people

Last, but not least — a relationship must obviously work for both partners.

How many relationships and marriages have failed or descended into misery or abuse because one partner or the other stepped into a dominant role? On the other and, how many relationships have prospered – have continued to grow and mature and become increasingly beautiful and meaningful – because care was taken to maintain an “equal” status that enabled each participant to express their own unique gift and potential?

Read more from Christopher Foster at The Happy Seeker, where he blogs about abundance of body, mind and spirit. Also check out his unique online course on “The True Potential of Aging.”

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

By Mary Jaksch

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do you sometimes feel that we are all mysteriously connected?

Some people maintain that in our virtual age, friendships created through social media are shallow and meaningless – and that there is less meaningful connection between people than ever before.

I don’t agree.

The most surprising thing about my  journey  as a blogger has been that I’ve made some wonderful friends online.  Some of them I’ve met face-to-face as well. Yes, they’re real friends.

But beyond the realm of friendship, we are all interconnected. Our lives are inextricably intertwined.

Here is an inspiring  video  that illuminates our mysterious connection.

Composer Eric Whitacre led a virtual choir of singers from around the world. Listen to the uplifting sound of 2000 singers in the following video.

If you can’t see the video below, click here to watch it.

What do you think about this? Did the music touch you?

Click here to Download the FREE first chapter of Start Over: Create the Life YOU Want

By Mary Jaksch

Are you happy? And are you getting happier? If not, some people may say that you’re failing.  After all, happiness has become the primary goal in life according to the self-help movement. And a thriving business too. You can even buy an application for your iPhone that claims to make you feel happier.

However, making money from happiness seems to be on a slide. I notice that a slick business called Happier.com. that used to guarantee that you will feel happier in just seven days – if you part with a tidy sum – is now for sale. I wonder how happy the owners of this site are right now …

Is happiness a worthwhile goal in life?

Let’s take a look at key moments in life. Reflect for a moment on which experiences blew your mind. For me, the most wonderful, emotional, and exciting moment was giving birth to my son, Sebastian. Although it was one of the highlights of my life, I wouldn’t call it a ‘happy’ time. It was painful, terrifying (when Sebastian’s heart rate suddenly slowed just before he was born), joyful, overwhelming, exhilarating, sublime, and funny (when the new father walked out of the hospital wearing a blood-stained shirt and an inane, wrap-around-grin on his face). Yes, the word ‘happy’ doesn’t begin to describe this amazing experience.

Much more important than feeling ‘happy’ is when we feel alive – right down to our little toes. When we are filled with creative energy. When we love deeply. When we feel our pain. When we laugh. When we cry. When we feel a deep sense of joy. When we belong. When we feel alone. When we are in awe. When we are struck by beauty. When the simple things become precious.

All of that taken together is so much more than to be ‘happy’.

What do you think – is happiness a worthwhile goal?

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