Keys to Happiness and Success

Albert Schweitzer once wrote, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Here are seven steps you can take today to achieve more happiness and success in your life: 1. Believe In Yourself. Identify your natural talents and abilities. Do what you enjoy and what you do best. Truly successful and happy people find joy in their working lives. Invest your time in what you do best. Focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. 2. Develop a Vision. First, define your path and start working your plan. Write down a vision for yourself and your life. Be specific. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want your life to look like in 5 years, 10 years? 3. Develop Good Habits. Happy and successful people choose good habits. If you’re watching too much TV, chronically late, or eating poorly, make a commitment to change your bad habits into habits consistent with your goals. 4. Show Gratitude. The happiest people are also the most grateful people. Count your blessings frequently and you’ll quickly start seeing a change in yourself and the world around you. 5. Take A Chance. Seize opportunities! Success and happiness does not come to those who sit and wait for it to be brought to them. 6. Give to Others. Studies reveal that the happiest people are also the most generous. Do, say, or give something nice to another and see how your own life improves. 7. Take Responsibility. You hold the key to your future. Take responsibility for your actions. Choose the work you like to do, and do it well. Ultimately, you are the master of your fate. You choose your own future by the decisions you make and the actions you take.

Pets Add Years to Our Lives

We know how much love and affection pets can bring to our lives, but there’s more. Scientific studies have found that having a pet can significantly improve your health. 1. Heart Benefits. The American Journal of Cardiology reports pet owners are more likely to survive a heart attack than those who don’t own a pet. Another study found people who owned a dog were more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack. 2. Lower Blood Pressure. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that pets help lower blood pressure. An American study found men who owned a cat had a lower resting heart rate and lower blood pressure than men who didn’t own a cat. And after a stressful event, their blood pressure returned to normal more quickly. 3. Mood Elevator. People, particularly seniors, who own pets are less likely to be depressed and lonely. Pets can provide companionship, humor, and add playfulness to our daily lives. 4. Kids and Health. Research presented at the Conference on Human Animal Interaction found that children who have pets have fewer sick days. They reported that children who had pets had higher self-esteem and functioned better emotionally. Research studies also found that children with pets coped better with divorce. 5. An Exercise Buddy. Dogs need regular exercise, which also gets their owners walking. This can improve their overall health. As an added benefit people improve their social network as they socialize their pets.

Cozy Home

We spend so much time in our homes that it’s important to create a space that relaxes you and allows you to rejuvenate for whatever is next on your to-do list. • Choose fluffy fabrics. Bump up the squish factor significantly with a faux fur throw pillow, blanket, or throw rug. • Opt for warm lighting. Candlelight isn’t the only kind of “warmth” we mean here. Look for light bulbs that give off a warm-toned light. • Layer in lap blankets. Drape a super-soft lap blanket over the arm of your favorite chair to snuggle in with a good book. • Add more textiles. Hard surfaces make sounds echo, which may make a room seem more cavernous than it is. Lay down a big area rug or hang textile art to dampen sounds. You may want to consider upgrading your loungewear, too, to include fuzzy slippers or a fluffy new bathrobe.

Immune Boost

Here are a few habits you might want to get into to boost your immune system.  Move! There are many reasons why daily physical activity is good for you, and you can add immune boosting to the list. Movement helps reduce stress, and stress taxes your immune system. Try to get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise weekly (walking, hiking, bike riding).  Be mindful of what goes into your body. It’s no surprise that you’ll help your immune system by quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, but the same is true for adding more plant-based foods into your diet. Even some herbs and spices contribute to immune health, including cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and thyme.  Get a little sun. Yes, you can take vitamin D supplements, but sun exposure is still considered the best way to get vitamin D into your system—and some evidence indicates it may help your immune system. A good rule is 10-30 minutes, a few days a week (just don’t get burned).  Plan a Vacation Many Americans have unused vacation time, and more companies are going with a use it or lose it policy instead of offering to cash out accrued hours. Planning a vacation is half the fun and you will absolutely boost your mood and boost your immune system.  Relax. This doesn’t mean you have to learn to meditate, but it does mean that it’s important to your immune system that you don’t let stress take over. Set aside some time every day to do something that relaxes you.  Laugh. When we laugh, our stress levels decrease, and that’s good news for the immune system. Hang out with a funny friend!

How to Say No

Saying “no” often means you get to say “yes” to your own needs. Here are ways to say no that won’t alienate others. Saying no works best when you combine simple gratitude for being asked, with a short and clear reason of decline. One of the keys is not over explaining why you are saying no. Just be polite and be yourself and you can say no to anything! When your boss gives you a new assignment: “That project sounds interesting. I already have a lot on my plate, what should I put on the back burner to accommodate this?” When you’re asked to give to a charity: “I’ve already donated my planned amount this month (or year), but tell me more about this charity for my next charitable round of giving.” When you’re asked to lend your truck for a move: “I’m sorry, I don’t loan out my vehicle, but let’s talk about the date – maybe I can do the driving myself.” When you’re asked to tip at point of sale: “Thank you so much and hope you have a wonderful day.” We are being presented with tip options that are not custom. Just check no tip, no shame at all.

Outdoor Living Ideas

Here are some ideas to create your own welcoming areas for outdoor living this spring and summer.  Add visual interest to an outdoor space with brightly painted planters or colorful throw pillows. They’re easy to update when your favorite color changes, and small enough to add more whenever you like.  Dual-purpose furniture is useful in a small outdoor space. For instance, bench seating that’s also storage and a table that has a planter underneath reduce the furniture footprint without sacrificing utility.  Walkways invite exploration into a larger yard and keep guests from accidentally stepping on seedlings. Curving walkways through trees or bushes can also create more intimate spaces for entertaining without overcrowding in one spot.  Your indoor fireplace is probably a focal point, so why not give your backyard a similar treatment? Digging a fire pit into your lawn is an inexpensive option. If you don’t want to give up that space in your yard permanently, there are also movable fire pit units you can buy, allowing you to store them when they’re not in use.  Creative outdoor lighting not only provides a warm glow, but it also means you can use your outdoor space into the night. Simple DIY solutions include strings of outdoor globe string lights around the porch, small white fairy lights wrapped around tree trunks, or candles in Mason jars twinkling on tables. For an even bigger “wow” factor, wire a chandelier over an outdoor dining table.  Combine outdoor lighting and pest control in one. Fill mason jars with fresh rosemary sprigs, slices of limes or lemons, and about 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Add water and a floating candle to the top. Mosquitos don’t like the smell, but you will.

Likeability

Being liked puts you on the fast track to success in everything you do. You are naturally likable by being genuine and sincere, but here are some simple tips that can give you a psychological advantage and result in people liking you even more: • Like yourself first. Be confident in your strengths. Your likability increases as you increase your ability to like yourself. Smiling and sharing your positivity will bring out the same in others. • Maintain eye contact during conversations but keep it in balance (about 60 percent of the time). Nod your head when you’re speaking and people will be inclined to agree with you. • Demonstrate that you like people. Remember their names and use them. (One trick to remembering names is to say the name to someone else.) If you ask a question, give the person time to respond. • Active listening. Do this by a) paying attention; b) using body language to show you’re interested; c) giving feedback, such as rephrasing what a person says to you to show that you understood them; d) asking questions, but not interrupting; and e) giving your opinion respectfully. If you disagree with someone, look for ways to find common ground. • Don’t overdo it. You don’t need everyone to like you to be successful. Aim to increase your likability factor to the people who matter to you (and your success) most.

Hopeful

With a healthy dose of hope, people can power through stress, feel empowered to chase their dreams, and find a beacon of light when the going gets tough in this new year. Research has shown that hopeful patients heal faster, and hopeful employees are more satisfied with their jobs. Conversely, people who aren’t hopeful often feel sluggish and have little motivation and energy. So how can you amp up the hope in your life? Read on! Seek mastery: Obtaining mastery provides a sense of empowerment and purpose, instilling a sense of hope. Expand your skill set by imagining what you want to achieve and make plans to reach those goals. Write down steps you need to follow to get the results you seek. Find role models: If you suffer from a sense of hopelessness, find people who have overcome similar situations to yours. Learn from their experiences. Surround yourself with others who can help you through particularly trying times. If you don’t know anyone personally, check projecthopeexchange.com for support. Evaluate options: Feeling trapped can stifle hope. During those times when you feel stuck, think about how you’ve handled similar situations in the past or how similar strategies from different situations can help you with this particular issue. Make a plan…even a few steps you can take right now can give you something concrete to focus on. Give hope to others: Perform small acts of kindness. By doing so, you offer hope to others, and this can help boost your mood and outlook on life … and increase your feelings of hope in the process. The positive effects of acts of kindness build on each other, so make this a part of your daily routine instead of following a one-and-done approach

Time to Serve Others - The Classic its better to give than receive

” Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” – Muhammad Ali. Serving others doesn’t just help the people we’re supporting, it often enriches our own lives in powerful ways. Just think of how much support you have received from people like your grandparents, parents, and close personal friendships and it is easy to see how you can repay that by making a commitment to be in service of other people in your life. Here are just a few of the benefits: 1. Happiness and fulfillment. Acts of service stimulate the release of feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine which boost mood and create a lasting sense of purpose in your life. 2. Stronger relationships. Helping others builds trust, empathy and connection, expanding your social circle and deepening existing bonds. 3. Improved health. Studies show that people who volunteer or regularly serve others have lower rates of depression and even some chronic illnesses. 4. Sense of meaning. Being part of something bigger than yourself provides a deeper reason to get up each day. We all have something special to share with others. There is always someone in more need than us. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” Luke 12:48 If you look around, you will see countless examples of people giving to others, paying it forward and making the world just a little better. A better world ultimately benefits everyone, including us. “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person that is nearest to you”. – Mother Teresa

Simple Relationship Tips

A happy, healthy relationship with your significant other doesn’t ride on fancy flowers, heart-shaped chocolates, and an annual celebration on your anniversary. In fact, sometimes it’s the small things that mean the most in a relationship with your loved one. Start small with these ideas. Set the smartphone down. Offer your undivided attention with time set aside for the two of you – no phones allowed! Perhaps this is over dinner in the evenings, in the bedroom, or on a once-a-week date night out (or in). Say thank you. Don’t take your partner for granted. Acknowledge and appreciate even the small things like cooking dinner or doing the dishes. Do something he/she likes to do. Embrace your partner’s differences. Next time you choose a movie together or look for a weekend activity, get out of your comfort zone and try something that’s not generally your style. And, the time after that, encourage your partner to do the same.