Everything is on Sale!!
And the world is full of slogans tempting us to buy things we often do not need: “Betcha can’t eat just one!” “The best a man can get” “Save money, live better” Each slogan tempts our inner demons to want to purchase these items or shop at these stores in order to have what everyone else has and be the best we can be. Each one insinuates that the world with these products is so much better than without, that we often fall prey to the sales pitch and spend our money. But each time we waste our money on empty promises we might have a momentary bit of satisfaction but soon the hollowness returns as the material purchase has once again failed to live up to our expectations. So, if all these empty promises truly won’t make us happy, then why do we spend money at all? Wouldn’t there be a more productive use of our resources in our quest for happiness in life? Linking income to happy people A recent study reviewed by the Wall Street Journal looked at a question that has boggled society for centuries. And that question is if you make enough money, can you buy happiness? Researchers looked at the overall satisfaction people of different income levels had with their lives and saw a correlation between income and general satisfaction or overall happiness of the people they interviewed. This correlation was seen in numerous cultures and nations leading them to look further at this finding and determine what was behind this information. It was safe to say that people who were struggling to get by from day to day and having a difficult time paying their monthly expenses were generally less happy with their situation. But what was truly interesting were those people at the upper end of the pay scale and how their overall feeling of happiness increased as their incomes went up. The surprising thing this study identified, however, was that happiness did not come from buying material possessions but instead on choosing to make charitable donations or pay for memorable life experiences like traveling. It did not include acquiring material possessions. Material goods vs. experiences Researchers further analyzed these findings to show that people still felt material purchases were a better value overall as the goods would be there in the long run. However, the study showed that the experiences provided better lasting value when people choose to spend their money that way instead. So, just why do people value experiences more than material goods when they are gauging their overall happiness in life? When a person makes a purchase they experience a series of events from the anticipation of making the purchase, traveling to the store, purchasing the item and then the excitement of possessing the new purchase. But, the short thrill this process provides is over quickly and the new item is tossed aside. A life experience allows a person to join a larger group of people who have had a similar experience and gain a sense of identity from sharing their own stories. Life experiences change a perspective on life allowing us to address other psychological needs that we have and gain a sense of belonging and with belonging comes happiness. They say that money can’t buy love but there just might be some truth to the idea it can buy happiness in the form of experiences. These experiences create the opportunity for us to develop relationships and comradery with others who have had the same experience. So, if you are trying to spend your way to a happier life, there just might be a better avenue for your resources. Check Out The Materialistic World, A new path to happiness.
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The great Theodore Roosevelt once said that “comparison is the thief of joy.” These almost prophetic words send a warning to everyone alive to avoid the inclination we all have to compare ourselves to others. But how can we avoid this tendency when we were raised our entire lives being compared to our peers? Children are first introduced to comparisons when they are graded in school and then ranked according to their numeric standing. Athletes are ranked by their talents and then pitted against each other to see who will come out ahead. And the comparisons continue when we enter the work place with employees trying to outdo each other to earn higher pay. It’s only natural that when our lives have been filled with comparisons these same issues will spill over into social media, after all, now we can compare ourselves real time against our online friends. Before you lose all hope, however, and resign yourself to the unhappiness that comparisons bring to your life, consider these tips to regain your happiness and stop comparing yourself to your peers. The foolishness of comparisons Consider this situation, a man just wins a local election and gives his acceptance speech. During the speech, his opponent jumps on the stage and announces that this is the first election he’s ever lost yet his opponent has regularly been beaten. This situation sounds ridiculous but it highlights just how foolish comparisons can be and how you appear to others if you fall into their trap. Be confident in your own successes Everyone has something they are good at and no matter if you are good at video games, writing or a skilled doctor you have your own set of talents you can offer to the world. Your successes are not dependent on the recognition of others to be legitimate and this is what you must remember. Acknowledge and value your own successes internally and avoid the need to seek the recognition of others. Value your successes and use them to pursue additional success within your life. Seek a higher goals Society has fostered a mentality of competition with people of all ages. This sense of competition inundates every part of our lives and drives us to focus on beating our neighbor instead of helping them to be successful. If you find yourself in this predicament where your life is consumed with winning at all costs it is time to reassess your definition of a successful life and strive towards a higher goal like generosity towards others and helping the needy. Combine our efforts as a team Competition can be an all-consuming pastime when you allow it to take over your life. But if people would stop competing then imagine what the world could accomplish. When people combine their talents and work together towards a goal, the sum of all our efforts will be greater than what any one person could accomplish on their own. Nobody in the world is perfect Social media has given us the tools to connect with people worldwide. Sometimes these tools are beneficial and aid with fundraising and announcing special events but there is always the tendency for humans to compare themselves when a tidbit of information is shared. Allow the friend to share their moment in the spotlight and resist the urge to post your own similar accomplishment so that your friend may experience the moment similar to you. It is unfortunate that we’ve been indoctrinated since birth to compare and contrast ourselves with our peers. But, if we get beyond the struggle to compare, you will see great returns in happiness for yourself and those around you. If you want to Escape The Comparing mentality, make sure to grab a copy of 'The Comparing Game". :) We have all heard the saying that money makes the world go round, but how true is this? Many of us are conditioned to believe we cannot have happy lives unless we have money. Even for those who seem to have money, emphasis is placed on having more money to fully enjoy life and be happy. This is very wrong as people with limited money, or no money at all, can be happier than the richest people. Happiness is essentially a thing of the mind and some factors can help you achieve this much needed state of happiness, even with very limited money. 5 Ways to be Happy without Money We have expertly curated proven ways to stay happy even if you have limited money. These tips are described below:
The myth that one cannot be happy without money needs to be quelled. All of the tips listed above do not need money to be practiced. Essentially, you will discover that money can only do so much, as it cannot guarantee happiness. Living a meaningful life is what gives happiness, and the tips explained here can help you achieve that. If you want to know more on how you should spend your money wisely. Check out my new book "Money and Happiness". There seems to be an ongoing feud between dog and cat owners, each professing that dogs make better pets than cats or cats are far superior to dogs as pets. I really don’t want to jump into the fray, having owned both sometime in my life, but I would like to talk about why cats make absolutely awesome pets. Now, let’s get this straight, I’m not saying dogs don’t. But if you’re thinking of adopting a pet, there are plenty of reasons to seriously consider allowing a cat or two into your life. They’re the perfect pet for apartment dwellers. Many landlords welcome cats. Because of their “compact” size they don’t require a great deal of room, like the larger breeds of dogs do. And they’re comfortable in apartments. Most cats don’t mind indoor living and many thrive on it. This is especially true if the feline is raised from a kitten as being solely an indoor pet. Low maintenance pets It’s true. Cats are low-maintenance, for several reasons. Their natural use of litter boxes, not only classify them as low-maintenance, but also is just another reason why they’re as an indoor companion. Unlike dogs, you don’t need to take them outdoors “to do their business.” And yes, the use of a litter box does come naturally to these animals. Once they use the box, their instinct tells them to cover it up – and cat litter is the best vehicle for this. Most cat owners discover, much to their delight, that there’s no learning curve in this area. As long as you show your cat where the litter box is, then he’ll start going there to use it. The only obligation on your part is to keep it clean for him. And with the “clumping” litter, that part is easier than ever. The fact that cats don’t need to go out to do their business, leaves you, as the pet owner, free to spend longer periods away from home. You don’t need to drop everything you’re doing (sometimes including sleeping) to take them out for a walk. In fact, if you have self-watering and self-feeding bowls you could actually spend a night or two away from home, knowing that your cats are well-cared for even if you’re not there. The only caveat here is to expect them to take umbrage at your absence when you return. They’ll initially greet you when you return home acting as if they’re happy to see you, but they’ll give you a sign to let you know they weren’t pleased with your absence. Watch closely when they walk away from you. If their tails are held high in the air, they’re teed off at you. Don’t worry. Their irritation doesn’t last long. Before you know it, they’re back to loving you. Cats do love their owners Contrary to what many dog owners believe, cats love their owners as unconditionally as any dog does. It’s just that cats, in the words of many owners are too dignified to jump all over you the moment you walk through the door. They prefer to wait till you get settled, sit down and then curl up next to you on the sofa or on your lap and purr away, glad in their own way that you’ve returned. In fact, cats don’t even need to be on your lap in order to accept your love. When you own a cat, you’ll find – depending on his personality – that’s he’s content simply to sit in the same room as you. Some jump onto the back of the sofa or chair you’re sitting on, others may sit on the arm of the furniture. Cats can be awesome low-maintenance pets once you learn how to interpret their behavior. And yes, just like other pets, cats can help improve your overall state wellbeing. The list seems to grow longer with each passing day – another deadly shooting, another senseless tragedy. The June shooting in Orlando, Florida that left 49 individuals dead at a popular area nightclub in just among the latest in a far too long string of catastrophes. It’s added to a list that includes the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting and the mind-boggling killing of innocent children in Newtown, Connecticut. And that is only those tragedies that occurred in the United States. Worldwide bombings and fatal shootings feel like they occur on a daily basis. At times, we’re left shaking our heads and asking “why?” While we’ll never have the answer to that question, we can dig a bit deeper into our hearts in an attempt to learn some life lessons from these unnecessary, unfortunate events. Below are only seven of potentially life-changing lessons we can learn from these all-too-common occurrences. Gratitude is the key At the very least, when you hear or think about one of these increasing incidents of violence, it’s time to take a step back and count your blessings. Be grateful for what you do have in your life. Far too often, we spend much of our time, complaining about what’s missing in our lives or what we wish we had. “If I had the latest, greatest cell phone, I’d be so happy.” “I wish I had a summer home in the mountains.” “If only I had a better job.” We don’t spend enough time being grateful for what you do have to start with friends and family who love you. Beyond that, do you have a home to go to every day, enough food on the table for all to eat, even if on some days it’s “only” hamburgers and hot dogs? To reinforce this lesson, you may want to start a gratitude journal give thanks for all the blessings in your life – even the smallest. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they add up. Take nothing for granted How many of us go through our days on “autopilot.” We start out on Monday morning hitting the ground running, ready to go through one more week of what’s become our regular routine. We blindly go through the motions, assuming that what we have today will be there at the at the end of the week, including the people we love most. Remember the adage yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised to us. Today, this moment is all we have. Stop for a moment and think how your life would be changed if someone in your life was inexplicably, senselessly taken from you. How would you react? It’s time to realize that tomorrow is not promised and we need to do everything we day to recognize what we do have. Put your problems in perspective Another lesson we can learn from these heart-wrenching events is that every day is a gift and we should treat it as such. These tragedies are the perfect time for each of us to assess our own lives and place the problems we face every day in perspective. What are the largest problems you’re facing today? A traffic light that’s too long? A pizza that wasn’t delivered on time? A missed deadline at work? In the end, your life is still intact. You go home to find your family still there waiting to love you. Our problems pale in comparison to what we see when we view these ever- increasing human tragedies on television and the internet. Stop procrastinating How many times have you said, “I’d love to start my own business someday?” Perhaps your “someday” wish is to write a book. These catastrophes are vivid illustrations that each of those individuals killed in those events all had unfulfilled dreams. Dreams and ambitions and potential that died with them. What are your unfulfilled dreams? What if your “someday” never comes? No one can predict the future. But we can control today. There is satisfaction in being of service to others Have you ever wondered how you would react if a mass shooting occurred near you? Would you run in the opposite direction or try to help some of the victims? Not all of us will be faced with such a momentous decision. But we are faced with smaller decisions of whether to help others on a daily basis. Do you ever walk out of your comfort zone to help others? Sometimes it only takes the smallest of actions to make a big imprint on someone. There are many organizations you can partner with to help others. Or you can decide on your own to “pay it forward” to others. You may never know how you may affect someone’s life one simple random act of kindness – even it’s nothing more than a kind word. And the best part of being of service to others? You’ll feel your heart grow with each action you take. Your personal lesson In every tragedy, there’s a very personal lesson we can learn for our own private life beyond the six listed here. What is it? That’s something only you can decide. It may be you’ve been so busy with work, you haven’t taken the time to let your spouse and know how much you love and appreciate them. Perhaps, these events are your wake-up to live in the moment. It may be time to stop looking back, regretting what you did in the past. You can’t change that. At the very least, each of us can view these heart-wrenching events as a springboard for each of us to grow, to become more human. Regardless of where you look lately, it appears more individuals than ever are meditating. This habit practiced widely in the East for thousands of years, has been associated solely, until recently, as a powerful tool in the search for spiritual enlightenment. For the vast majority of the population, especially to those in the Western World, was nothing more than a colossal waste of time. Until recently, that is. Science has been scrutinizing the claims of those who credit the quieting of their minds to transforming their lives in a surprising variety of ways. Much to the astonishment of the researchers, meditation can make a difference in your life. And the evidence isn’t just anecdotal. There’s a reason why human beings continue to practice it: because it actually changes your brain. And we know that now, thanks to fMRI – functional magnetic resonance imaging. Benefits If that weren’t surprise enough, research study after research study shows that the benefits are not only psychological but also physical. Here are only five of the reasons people won’t give up their meditation practice. High Blood Pressure It’s true. And the reason according to scientists is quite simple. Meditation relaxes not only your mind but your physical body as well. When this occurs your body’s nitric oxide content increases, which in turn opens your blood vessels. More blood flowing through your system means a lowering of your blood pressure. A controlled study, conducted several years ago confirm these statements. The project studied sixty individuals with high blood pressure who were asked to mediate as well. Two-thirds of those individuals – forty of them – were able to discontinue their blood pressure medication. Meditation Chases Away the Symptoms of Depression Just as Effectively as Prescription Drugs Meditating can help reduce the symptoms of depression as well as those of anxiety and even pain. One meta-study surveyed nearly fifty clinical trials which involved the participation of some 3,500 individuals suffering from mild depression. Those trials consistently demonstrated that those who meditated for eight weeks experienced a reduction of their depressive symptoms equivalent to those who took prescription anti-depressant drugs. As amazing as these studies are, more and more meditation has proven to boost a person’s productivity as well. Just a Few Days of Training Improves Concentration and Attention The beauty of this mindfulness practice is the speed with which it transforms your mind. After only a few weeks of meditation, individuals showed a distinct improvement in the focus and memory of individuals. This, however, should come as no surprise. After all, the cornerstone of many types of this practice is focusing your attention on one object or idea for a specific length of time. Meditation Boosts Your Productivity Think about it. It seems only natural that as meditation helps you relax and lessens your stress levels, you’ll be more effective in every aspect of your life: including your career. By the way, this stilling of the mind is sweeping the boardrooms across the country with leading executives taking up to ten days off from work to attend retreats. They aren’t worried about the pile of work they’ll face when they return. They know the time away only makes them more productive when they get back to work. And, yes, there’s a scientific reason for this as well. Meditation activates the right side of your brain, tasked with creating new ideas. Meditation Supports “Super Learning” Yes, this does sound as if comes straight from a science fiction movie. It is, however, pure science. That’s because while you meditate you’re improving the quantity of your alpha brainwaves which are essential for not only learning but also studying, memorizing and recalling chunks of information. Only the Tip of the Iceberg These five benefits of meditation, lower blood pressure, reduced symptoms of depression and improved concentration and focus, productivity as well as “super learning” represent only the tip of the iceberg of how a daily twenty-minute meditation session can improve your health and your career. (You don’t need to start with twenty minutes of this practice. You’ll still receive benefits if you start with as little as two or three minutes and work yourself up.) If you’ve been considering meditation but worried that it’s just a waste of time, Don't give up. Science at once the ultimate skeptic of this practice is now avidly recommending it for better health and a less stressful health style. At age 29, Eckhart Tolle had a spiritual transformation. His book, The Power of Now, is an explanation not only of how he found peace of mind in an age of increasing pressures, stress and personal turmoil. It's also a simple guide of how each of us can do the very same thing regardless of our religious affiliation or even if you have no religious leaning. This landmark book has been called by some “the most practical of all self-help books.”
His secret? He learned that he was not his mind. He is, indeed, he decided, more than his mind. The mind, with its nearly 60,000 thoughts per day, would like us to be identified solely as this one part of us. The truth of the matter, he states, is that there’s something behind our minds. It is a being-ness behind his mind – and yours – that extends far beyond the chatter of the mind. Your mind would have you thinking about the past – filled with regret – or contemplating the future. The only way to acquire true peace of mind is to accept what your present moment. This is may be difficult to understand, considering that our civilization is built on the many achievements of the mind in action. But, Tolle contends that until you take control of your mind, your thoughts, your mind will control you. This is not a new revelation. Tolle has culled man religious traditions including Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and even Hinduism, all saying the same thing. What sets his work aside from other contemporary writers, though, is that he doesn’t try to force some “grand scheme” for you to follow. He doesn’t say that you can’t reach this peace of mind unless you take seven spiritual steps or you go back and deal with your past. No, the beauty of his theory is that you start from where you are right now, regardless of what that may look like. Nothing will change for you unless you accept where you are in your life right here, right now. Why? Because, according to Tolle, the more you resist your current status, the more painful it becomes for you to handle. Instead, you embrace where you are in life. Tolle’s ability to demonstrate how this works is nothing less than eloquent. He urges us to be more involved in the daily routines of our lives, the smallest of details that go into making your life the beautiful tapestry that it really is. How do you go about that? But not losing focus on your actions in the present moment, regardless of how tiny and inconsequential they may appear. Think about the last time you were reading a book and suddenly found your mind mulling over what had occurred earlier at work. The next thing you know, you’ve read several pages without knowing what you really read. Similarly, every time your mind asks you “What would happen if you won the lottery?” you begin to think of all the aspects of your life don’t live up to your expectations. These types of thoughts only make you more disaffected with your life. By focusing on what you don’t have only makes it more painful thinking about why you haven’t gone farther. Tolle makes the bold suggestion that this moment that we are all experiencing is “problem-free.” Problems, he explains, need to exist in time. When you live in the present moment there is no way problems can inch their way in. The more often you remember to live in the present, the less influence your problems have over you. He then goes one step further by urging you to withhold judgment on what you deem as a problem or “bad.” Instead, accept the situation’s right to exist. He says you must first forgive the situation. Yes, do this even if you hate the situation you’re experiencing now. As part of this process, even accept – without judgment – your hatred of where you are now. In order to live in the moment, Tolle instructs us to pay attention to the activities we go through daily. Actions even as small as washing your hands, doing laundry, even walking up or down steps, even playing with your children or grandchildren. If you refuse to feed your situation with fear, a miracle of sorts will occur, Tolle contends. A solution to your issue, your situation, your problem arises. This is a book that not only needs to be read once, but it needs to sit on your nightstand or end table so you can pick it up and consult it at any time. Read and re-read this book. You’ll find it an invaluable guide to a new, worry-free life. How can you turn a negative experience into a positive one?
By taking a positive outlook before and after the experience. You walk into an experience not knowing what the outcome will be. Expecting the best in any experience even if it turns out negative will keep you in a positive mindset :) Those who are happy and tend to be more energetic have conquered the challenges of a healthy lifestyle. It’s not so difficult, just establish three habits of healthy living and maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who live to watch the advances of society into the next century.
Everything you are or will be is the result of choices and decisions. You can always change some aspects of your life, make new decisions, and discipline yourself to follow through on those decisions. Being healthy and fit is the decision to maintain your mental capacity, your body’s ability to move, and your lifestyle attitude. Healthy Living Habits
Being overweight is a matter of choice. No one forces you to eat or use food as a comfort. Unfortunately and somewhat judgmental, someone who is grossly overweight is in that condition due to the inability to restrain themselves when they are eating. They generally eat for comfort or as an escape method. Of course, there are exceptions. The only way to achieve a proper weight is to eat less and exercise more every day. It takes months and years to become overweight, and it will take a great deal of time to get rid of the weight. Losing weight is not easy. You have developed automatic habits of eating that are almost impossible to break. Once you have gotten into your personal schedule of eating certain foods, you can’t just stop. It is possible, however, to change this eating habit.
Eliminating the three white poisons from your diet. These poisons are salt, sugar, and flour. Once you have changed your food intake to eliminate these three poisons, you will be amazed at how energetic you feel and how easy the weight starts to come off.
Move every joint in your body every day. Moving your body keeps your muscles and joints agile and flexible. Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, gives you an assurance that you can have a longer life, greater mobility, and better balance. Work on a treadmill, swim, jog, bike, or do any aerobic exercise to get your body moving. If all you do is walk for 30 minutes a day seven days a week, you would be a very fit person. Feel good about yourself and change the performance in your work and play by eating the right foods, getting the right amount of exercise, and changing your mindset about the amount of food you eat. How you start your day is vital in achieving the right state. As you behave according to your mind’s condition, before officially setting off to reality, why not stress it out during your first few moments?
Among the things you can do are the following: going for a walk, eating a satisfying meal for breakfast, noting down your priorities, sparing some meditation time, and taking a shower. Especially if you have a number of tasks scheduled, going out of your way to not be in a feisty state for the next few hours is the best approach. |