Happy Mind

There is a saying “You can’t always control what others may say or do to you but you can control how you react and respond to it.” For the most part, this is true, although some people are considered to be naturally more stress hardy than others. Fortunately, research suggests that those who have less stress hardy personality traits can actually learn stress hardy traits with time and practice. Mindfully practicing your reactions to certain types of situations will improve your ability to maintain a calmer and happier demeanor next time life throws you another curve ball.

photo: Thinkstock/Hemera collection/flowers

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Irish Blessing

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing

photo: Thinkstock/istock photos/exotic butterfly over black

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Universal Happy

We all have something in common; the desire to be happy. Happy means different things to different people, of course, but often we tend to focus on external events we think will make us happy. “If I won the lottery, I would be so happy!” Yes, if that happened, you may be deliriously happy, for awhile. Research has shown that this happy state would not last long-term though. What cultivates a steady state of happiness is the ability to mindfully appreciate all the little things in life, everyday. Admire the beautiful color of the sky, dwell in that first taste of chocolate cake, enjoy the sweet sound of children laughing – mindfully notice the small joys in life on a consistent basis and you’ll naturally develop a happier mindset.

photo: Thinkstock/Polka Dot Collection

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Let it Go

Leaving the Past..Living the Future

Dwelling in the past,
Is no longer where I want to be
I am leaving the past, behind
Only taking the magical memories
Of friends who step into my life
Keeping an imprint of them all close
To my heart
Moving forward to create
New memories,
To add to the scrap book
in my heart..
No I will not forget..
But no longer dwell
On what if’s and Why’s
My past is my past
And there it shall stay
Making room for a new chapter
In my life…
My past has been a good friend
And teacher..
But this student must move on
I must walk down life’s path
Heading towards… The future…
It’s time for me to be
Leaving the Past..Living the Future

Thanks to PoetryPoem.com for this beautiful poem. Poem written by April Cinqmars.

photo: Thinkstock/istockphotos/Bear

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Knowing Yourself

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” ~e.e. cummings, 1955

To know yourself and to love yourself is the greatest gift you can give yourself.

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Love is the Answer

“The most wonderful of all things in life is the discovery of another human being with whom one’s relationship has a growing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase. This inner progressiveness of love between two human beings is a most marvelous thing; it cannot be found by looking for it or by passionately wishing for it. It is a sort of divine accident, and the most wonderful of all things in life.” – Sir Hugh Walpole

Love is found is many kinds of relationships – our spouses, partners, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, friends, extended family, and pets. Nurture and appreciate each of these relationships. Love really is the answer.

photo: Thinkstock/Hemera Collection/Giant Panda

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True Friendships

photo: Thinkstock/Good Shoot/Three Girls Lying on Bed

The value of true friendships cannot be overstated. And having good loyal friends is beneficial to your health. Friends prevent loneliness and boost happiness. They increase your sense of belonging and improve your self-esteem. It is a great feeling to know you can rely on someone when you need to talk or just need someone to be there. You don’t even need to have a lot of friends – just a few close friends that you know you can count on in good times and bad. It is true – friends are the family that you get to choose.

Make sure your friends know how much they mean to you. Please share this with your true friends. It will surely make their day.

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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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