A Life You Love

Poem: Then Laugh by Bertha Adams

Build for yourself a strong box,
Fashion each part with care;
When its strong as your hand can make it,
Put all your troubles there;
Hide there all thought of your failures,
And each bitter cup that you quaff;
Lock all your heartaches within it, Then sit on the lid and laugh.

Tell no one else its contents,
Never its secrets share;
When you’ve dropped in your care and worry,
Keep them forever there;
Hide them from sight so completely
That the world will never dream half;
Fasten the strong box securely -
Then sit on the lid and laugh.

Bertha Adams

photo: Thinkstock/GoodShoot/Woman Standing on Cliff

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Put on a Happy Face

photo: Thinkstock/ChildClown

Can smiling really make us feel better? According to several studies, yes. Smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin – and these make us feel good. Smiling tricks our body into changing into a better a mood and it relieves stress. When we smile, our body is sending us the message “All is well with life” and that’s a great feeling. So put on a happy face!

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Does this Describe You?

photo: Thinkstock/istockphotos/funky bricks

We created this wall with words that we would hope people would use to describe us. At the very least, we aspire to live up to these personal qualities. What are we missing? Are there words you would add to the wall that you aspire to live up to? Please visit us on our facebook page to add to the conversation. Thanks for visiting with us.

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Chase Your Dreams

photo: Thinkstock/Hemera/Enjoy the Nature

Always Keep a Dream in Your Heart

If you have a dream, then – by all means -

do what it takes to make it come true.

If you have a goal, make it something

you strive to accomplish.

If you have a hope, then hope for it

with all your heart.

- Collin McCarty

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Chocolate: For the Mind, Body, and Soul

photo: Thinkstock/Hemera/Chocolate Heart

Chocolate is one of the greatest inventions of all time and it is often our go to treat when we’re searching for something to feed our soul. Fortunately, consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can actually benefit the body too. Research indicates that it can possibly decrease risk of stroke, lower blood pressure, and may have anti-cancer benefits. There may be a benefit to our mind also. Studies have shown that older adults performed better on cognitive tests after eating small portions of chocolate. This is all good news since the average American is estimated to consume approximately 11.7 pounds of chocolate a year!

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Happiness Is

photo: Thinkstock/istockphoto/funny calendula flowers

“The way to happiness: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.”
H. C. Mattern

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The Need for Solitude

photo: Thinkstock/Hemera Collection

Some people need more solitude than others and there’s nothing wrong with that. Solitude gives us the chance to deeply reflect on what is meaningful to us. It allows us to recharge and experience gratitude toward all that is positive in our lives. Society tends to look negatively at introverts – those who require more alone time than the average person. Why should this be? We should embrace their creative and reflective personality types and respect their need for more privacy. Many famous people are introverts, although you would never know it from their pubic personas – Julia Roberts, David Letterman, Meryl Streep, Matt Lauer, and many more. There is a new book being released this week “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain. It speaks to the positive attributes of introverts trying to be understood in an extroverted world. It should be a great read.

We would love to hear your comments on our Facebook page.

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Music for the Soul

photo: Thinkstock/Hemera/Woman listening to music outside

Music can change the world because it can change people. – Bono

Music has this incredible impact on most people. Who among us has never had their spirits lifted simply by listening to the music that inspires them? It appeals to our senses – we laugh, we cry, we dream and reminisce. It inspires us to act. We hear other people’s stories and can relate to it in our own lives. It helps us to connect with others by being a big part of our social lives. Musicians like Bono use it to inspire positive action in the world. All cultures use it in some way to communicate and spread joy. It’s hard to imagine a world without music. Use the power of music to brighten your day, everyday.

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A Stillness Within

photo: Thinkstock/istockphoto/calm blue sunset

In our busy and hectic lives, it often feels like there isn’t a moment of peace or quiet. Finding stillness within yourself is considered by many to be the true path to happiness and contentment. Take some time today to get back to a place of calm. Restore the soul and reap the physical, as well as the emotional, benefits.

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For the Love of Sleep

photo: Thinkstock/istockphoto/Sleeping Tiger

Is there anything better than a great night sleep? Not only does it rest our body, it restores our mind and soul. We feel ready to take on a new day. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is a huge problem in our society. It is estimated 70 million people suffer from a sleep disorder. Dr. Oz (we love him!) believes that lack of sleep is the single most overlooked health transgression in America. It can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, increase chance of cancers, and shorten life expectancy. There is also a direct correlation between sleep deprivation and obesity.

What does Dr. Oz recommend we do? Lower the temperature in our bedrooms, make sure all electronics are put away (nowhere near your bed), use orange light bulbs (they mimic the sun going down), and use herbal remedies if additional efforts are needed. He recommends a low dose (one milligram) of melatonin taken after dinner.

May you sleep like a newborn baby!

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