The Sweet Spot

You Can Never Go Wrong When You ...

Follow your heart
Share a smile
Find ways to improve yourself
Listen without judgement
Go the extra mile
Stand for something
Create beauty
Protect the innocent
Keep your word
Hold your tongue
Admit when you're wrong
Pay it forward
Think about others
Embrace the day
Mind your manners
Give without expectation
Rejoice in others success
Confront a fear
Say you're sorry
Play by the rules
and sometimes
Bend the rules for good

I call it the 'sweet spot'

When you know in your

Heart
Mind
Soul
Spirit

That good was created by your

Thoughts
Beliefs
Words
Actions
Mindfulness

'Tis the season
To be more than just jolly
'Tis the season
To be all that you can be

Wishing you and yours                                                                          

Blessings
Joy
Happiness
Peace
Contentment
Love

Never forgetting
Good will toward all men
Happens when you feel
The Sweet Spot in your Heart

Happiness in 3 Easy Steps - Third of Three Happiness Articles

Happiness is a warm puppy, states Charlie Brown of Schultz's Peanuts. According to The Beatles, it's a warm gun. This is taking creative or poetic license. We know that none of these things is happiness. So then - really - what is happiness?

Some feel that happiness is as difficult to achieve as it is to see a particle of dust. What's up with these people that seem happy all of the time, regardless of what's going on in the world, their job, finances or love-life? Is there some sort of correlation between craziness and happiness? Are they normal? There's turmoil everywhere! Why Are They Happy?

There are hundreds of thousands of people who guarantee that they can lead you to happiness  through their books, CDs, life coaching seminars, healing workshops, etc.

True, some of these tools are instrumental in putting one on the right path, yet, many stray a short time after. How does one find happiness and have it become a constant in their life?

The Secret to Happiness (yes, I truly believe this is the secret to happiness)

Here's the thing ... the secret to happiness is not necessarily found sitting atop the highest mountain with the most venerable guru, nor is it discovered while meditating and chanting words. All of these things may be a part of the journey and discovery process, but they are not what happiness is about.

Genuine, deep-rooted happiness comes about in a very different manner - usually during the most mundane of routines. And there are three things that many overlook when trying to find and hold onto happiness.

1. Identifying Happiness. (I see it!) Have you ever driven past a street as you're looking for it? When looking carefully chances are you won't pass it. You are being careful and going slowly enough to see when it's coming up. If you're moving along at a good pace, it's easy to miss. The same thing goes for happiness. If you are being mindful of your life and expectations, you will discover that happiness is constantly within your reach, numerous times a day - you're just going too fast to identify it. By slowing down and keeping your eyes and mind wide open, you will see it in its many guises. It's there, in both the large and miniscule moments of your day.
2. Attaining Happiness. (I'm experiencing it!) Once you have identified happiness and recognize the impact it has on your mind, body, soul and spirit; you have only to continue watching out for it and embracing the metamorphosis that you experience each time it happens. As a point of reference, think about one of your favorite foods and how it tastes when you are leisurely eating it, as opposed to eating the very same thing when you're rushed and on the run. See? It tastes differently based on your state of mind. When eaten leisurely it satisfies more than hunger, it's pleasurable; when eaten quickly it just fills a void, relieving pangs of hunger.
3. Retaining Happiness. (I'm holding onto it!) We all know that quick and easy fixes are momentary. Holding onto a valuable relationship or maintaining a healthy bank account are indicative of recognizing their importance and how they factor into your life. Divorce and financial ruin do not make for easy times. Retaining happiness is exactly the same thing. Going back to point 1, it takes identifying how it feels to be with it and without it. You can grab every opportunity for happiness, or miss the never-ending parade of opportunities in front of you.

It's All in Your Mind

For some, the excitement of tearing open a beautifully wrapped gift is enough in itself. Regardless of what is hidden inside, the fact that someone was thoughtful and giving is enough for them, and fills them with a complete sense of satisfaction. For others, the joy is in the gift. What's inside. They do not identify that the giver of this gift values them and took time thinking about what they would like, how to wrap it and then present it to them. Do the math - that was four opportunities to be happy instead of one (the gift inside). And the gift could have easily resulted in disappointment rather than in satisfaction.

Happiness is a state of mind that results from forming a habit. Identifying, attaining and retaining the abundance of daily opportunities can become a way of life and your own personal "happiness habit." When you start to appreciate and find happiness in the details of everyday events, it's like wiping your smudged eyeglasses and putting them back on for a second look. Spectacular.

Powerful Books - Great Messages!

2013 READING SUGGESTIONS

Over the years I have posted suggested reading lists for those seeking inspiration, motivation and spiritual guidance. One of the interesting things about life is,

            What attracts one may repel another

Not every author or book is relatable for every reader. This is why we have millions of authors and books – to fill the needs of every individual.

And the Envelope, Please

This season’s list is pretty awesome, by virtue of the writer and their content.

1.     The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Dan Millman, This embellished autobiographical account of a young man’s meeting with his mentor, and the challenges that he accomplishes both emotionally and physically, inspire and entertain. While it is partially fiction, it doesn’t sugar coat his journey or detract from its purpose.

2.     Three Magic Words. Uell S. Andersen.  This New Age read was written in 1954! Going on sixty years old, this significant book is relevant and stays true to its metaphysically scientific roots, with no side trips to religious realms. Though the cover has changed several times, the easy-to-read informational content remains a constant, giving one much to ponder.

3.     Prayer, The Art of Believing. Neville Goddard. Another easy to read book on cause and effect, Mr. Goddard writes simply and eloquently.  Taking quotes from the Bible, he lends truth to his explanations. “He calleth things that are not seen as though they were and things that were not seen become seen.”  This book assists the reader in passing through the dream state of prayer to arrive at the door of practicality.

Esoteric Does Not Mean Extra Difficult

These book suggestions are nowhere near “high brow” nor do they talk down. They are reader-friendly and open up the mind to three great writers who have selflessly opened up and shared their thoughts and experiences with you.

Once upon a time ... Second of Three Happiness Articles

... in a land not so far away, there lived a group of people: old, young, tall, short, black, white, men, women, happy, sad.

They could not change the fact that they were old or young, tall or short, black or white; or men or women.

What they could change was whether they were happy or sad.

The happy people did not want to be sad, but the sad people did want to be happy.

The sad people couldn't understand why they were sad, so they decided to ask the happy people why they were happy.

This is what they found out ...

Happiness is not about what you have or want to have, nor is it a destination that you can point out on a map. It is not about what money can buy.

Happiness will never be about your job, hairstyle, clothes, restaurants, marital status or if you have blue eyes instead of brown. No. Happiness is not about any of these things.

Happiness is about choice. The choice to be reactive or proactive, mean or kind, angry or calm, hating or loving.

The sad people said they understood about making choices, but still could not figure out how to be happy. What if you do want to be happy but continue to be sad: How can you make the sadness go away?

The happy people tried, once again, to help the sad people become happy. They shared some loving pieces of advice:

1. Smile. Smile a lot. Share your smile. Smile at strangers. The sunniness of your smile reaches out to others but also makes your insides feel good, too.
2. Keep busy. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop" accurately describes what happens when you allow yourself to think too much about nothing.
3. Hang out with like-minded people. You cannot expect to be happy if you hang around negative Neds and Noras.
4. Appreciate. If you're not happy with what you have, you can't expect to be happy with more.
5. Live in the present. Too much time dwelling on the past or being anxious about the future robs you of the joys of Now.
6. Think happy thoughts. Not sure of what to think about? Go through each letter of the alphabet and find select words that are positive, joyful and serene. Examples: able, abundance, angel, etc.
7. Commune with God. However you name the spirit or energy that lifts you, commune with it. It will never let you down.

... Once upon a time, not that long ago, happiness became a way of life; and on the hilltops and in the valleys, throughout the forests and the plains, there lived a group of people who at times became thoughtful as they tried to remember what it meant to be sad. Happily, the memory had faded.

May your blessings be many and may you happily share them with others.

Grab Your Happiness Where, When and How You Can! - First of Three Happiness Articles

Happiness is ...
Often experienced during the simplest moments in one's life.

Happiness may be ...
Completely opposite to what you had in mind or imagined.
Happiness can ...
Happen when you least expect it.  

 
Happiness allows you to ...
Refuel the soul and rekindle the spirit. Happiness is a result of ...
Internal contentment with what you have.

Grab your happiness where you can!
Enjoy your happiness — it's yours!
Take your happiness and thank God for it! 
Embrace your happiness and others will feel good! 
Never feel that you need to explain why you're happy, but if you do want to explain it, be honest about its roots and have gratitude that you are living it! 

H•A•P•P•I•N•E•S•S ....... A state of well-being, contentment, joy, fulfillment, internal satisfaction. 

Happiness is not a "one size fits all" kind of thing. It happens to be many different things to many different people. When you are presented with "Your Brand of Happiness," embrace it and enjoy it. 

It may be first discovered through ...

A new job
A promotion
A proposal
A realization
Giving when you really wanted to receive
A commendation
A "letting go"
A "getting it"
Being pregnant for the first time
Finding out that you're not pregnant
Discovering that age is only a number  
Fulfilling one of the items on your "bucket list"
Getting good news
Hugging someone after they received bad news
Embracing and accepting
Erasing and purging the unnecessary and unwanted
Understanding, for the first time, that happiness is internal and eternally yours if you take the time to accept the present and recognize that it is a gift    

Happiness — once you discover it and realize that it's lain dormant within your soul but is capable of appearing even during the most challenging of times, you will never lose it again. Honest.

A small disclaimer: Happiness may be discovered through a number of events and/or emotions, but make no mistake, it comes from within and can only be maintained when you discover your own true essence of being.

Happiness ... the cooling breeze of angels' wings as they gather around to enjoy your victories over life's many challenges. sigh ...

Happiness makes us:
Healthier (there's scientific research) Wealthier (a freer mind is more productive) & Wiser (when you have internal freedom, you have your wits about you!)      

I Think Therefore You Are

As you walk through my front door, the first thing you see is an acrylic abstract painting that I did about 15 years ago. It's not uncommon that interpretations are made when my guests see it for the first time. There are those who see the same thing and those who have wildly different perceptions. Some takes are at odds with what I knew, felt and attempted to express at the time. Today, cosmically, they make sense.

This painting was the first I ever had an inspiration to do and, to tell you the truth, I was a little intimidated of putting brush to canvas. I had never painted before. Yet, something told me at the time that this was exactly what I needed and was supposed to do.

Taking Back My Life

It started after we moved to Florida from Montreal. I felt alone and uneasy in my new surroundings. I was starting over in a strange place devoid of family, friends, familiarity and the culture I had known for my entire life. I became anxious at one point, and started suffering from panic attacks. On the verge of calling my doctor to get a prescription, something stopped me. 

To this day I still don't know how or why I came up with this, but I decided to go to the local art store and buy a canvas, brushes and acrylic paints. I chose the colors that attracted me and went home, already beginning to feel better. That night, after my son had been fed, read to and tucked in, I turned a kitchen chair upside down and placed it on the dining table - my first easel! Then I turned on the radio to a classical music station. Without preamble, save a quick drawing in a sketch book that I quickly transferred to the canvas, I began to paint.

"Happiness, emptiness, defeat, love, escape, sadness, fear, elation, acceptance, anger, hope and angst," are some of my friends' takes on the emotions behind the painting. Then there are the comments about the subject matter; "I see two snails." "Are those two ovaries?" "It looks like an owl." "Is that a waterfall?"  "Looks like fire and brimstone at the bottom."

Everyone thinks they understand this painting. They do.  And they don't. It is about happiness. It is about sadness. It reflects life and death. It conveys hope and defeat, elation and angst. Notice that the word or is of no consequence. Life is, after all, not one or the other. And what we see - at least what we think we see, is our frame of reference - nothing else and of no one else.

There are times when we're so sure of why we didn't get the promotion or why a friend has become distant. We look at strangers on the street, in the store, at the bank and they seem unhappy, or angry. We decide they are, so they must be. The problem here is ... we're not inside their pictures or their heads. We think, therefore they are. We limit them based on our own preconceived concepts and assumptions.

Consequently, we limit ourselves while changing the course of history.

This happens when we assume that we know their story; we shut down the possibility of getting to hear it, first hand, from the author, the originator. Without ever realizing it we change history using our own observations to alter the course of life. We are powerful beyond our own comprehension. 

Enjoy sharing your interpretations of modern art hanging in museums, or discussing the latest fashions paraded down a cat-walk, but tread lightly when it comes to matters of the mind, spirit and soul. I may be what you think I am, but chances are, I'm not.

Your Path of Destiny

The high road is not always the easiest of journeys. It takes great inner strength. Yet, most do not realize that it takes even more energy to travel the crowded low road.  Some move along at a brisk pace, out of breath, heart racing and uneasy, while others slowly and painfully as if carrying too much invisible weight, so it's not always noticeable to the untrained eye who is traveling which road.

There is a silent often indiscernible trade off, and few are aware of this and succumb to the ways of the low road, figuring that both are difficult in one way or another. The cave-in point for some is the idea of keeping a confidence when speaking will give them the inside edge and a lot of money. For others it's allowing a deal to take place at the expense of a friendship. And for others it's remaining silent, while co-workers have a grand time blaming and bad mouthing a fellow co-worker, because they want to be a part of the larger, more popular group. These low-road people are incapable of traversing the high road because they don't fully understand the results of their actions.

If you draft a comparative chart dividing the low and high roads,  and take into consideration the following points, it gives a clearer picture:


LOW ROAD                                                   HIGH ROAD                        

Mental Fatigue (carrying too much old baggage)    Productive Mind (dumped old baggage)
Cluttered Mind (old baggage overflow = no room)  Creativity (abounds with an uncluttered mind)
Mind Chatter (mentally & physically unhealthy)       Inner Calm (healthy, peaceful demeanor)
Friendless (alone due to gossiping & untruths)        Befriended (thinking the best attracts others)

Road Signs

Surprisingly, road signs are plentiful for both -  the less-traveled higher path and the over-trampled lower. The high-road exits and side streets abound with plaques leading to:  Integrity, Peace, Health, Full Life, Friendship, Success and Happiness. The lower roads are filled with another type of signage: Complacency, Old Baggage, Blame, Disease, Failure and Isolation.

Neither path is easy. Both give behavioral-based results. Considering that both take energy and are learned behaviors, how would you answer these questions?

Parent: Do you believe in teaching by example? Do you want happy, well-adjusted children?
New-Age Scholar: Do you believe in the law of attraction and apply it to your own way of life?
Executive/Entrepreneur: Do you believe that honesty in business dealings will affect your ROI?

Life in Review 

We have a pretty good idea of what went right or wrong with our lives based on present circumstances. Everyday results from present and past actions are the indicators. What remains oblivious to most is what our own roles have been in creating it. The mind is responsible - good, honest, pure thoughts, or otherwise, is what creates our lives.

Safe Journey

Road maps give routes and alternate routes, but only you can navigate your destiny - the unique path that you travel in your own personal life.

What's it to be - high road or low road?

Wishing you a safe journey ...