December 29, 2011

WE ALL NEED INSPIRATION

I have very few followers on this blog - it's been more of a personal journal for several years now and I spend most of my time over at Book Mentor. However, I thought you might be interested in this.
I go through spurts of a morning ritual that includes reading something inspirational and I am sure that I will recommit to this practice now that the New Year is upon us. Actually, I just started the reading part about 10 minutes ago.
A friend just released his new book, that I have gladly purchased, and I am making it part of my daily practice and you might want to consider it, too. Larry Anderson's personal story is one that shows what a dream can really accomplish and that dream includes making a difference in the world - his book does that. It offers the true stories of people who have made a magnificent contribution and offers the possibility that each of us might do the same. Larry has committed his own life to doing exactly that. Take a look here or on Kindle here and consider making his inspiring stories part of the magic that you can create in 2012.

Larry has donated the profits from his book to charity - just the sort of thing he does!!

December 27, 2011

PURPOSE vs. DEPRESSION

The natural antidote for depression and anxiety, and pretty much every other negative is, purpose.
No matter what our spiritual flavor, or lack of it, we all share one thing in common, the overwhelming need for a purpose. What's yours?

December 4, 2011

SANTA CLAUS

So, as some you know, I like to tackle the big questions here. The questions about life and its meaning. Where the planet and its inhabitants are going, that sort of thing. In our marriage, this division of labor has worked very well; Leanne takes care of the mundane day-to-day things like what bills to pay, where to vacation, furniture to buy, cars, decorating, etc. I, on the other hand, take on the big ones, as mentioned earlier.
Here's today's question that is weighing me down with indecision and curiosity:
Does Santa take his sleigh all the way to the Southern hemisphere and begin distributing toys and work his way back home or does he start in the north and run his route to completion in the south and then dead head back to the North Pole empty?
You see what I mean. There are questions that beg for answers but who is going to look for them, if not me? I am open to other considered opinions, or even if the jolly old guy himself has the time to give us the answer, I'll publish it.

November 27, 2011

LIVING LIFE

A couple of things caught my eye recently. The first is a post from Seth Godin in which he talked about the experience of visiting a medical facility and then compares that "pre-digital" excursion (one which most of have taken) to other areas of life like shopping, working and so on - it's worth the 45 seconds to read it and the hour to contemplate how we are involved - go here.
The second thing arrived in my inbox this morning and reminded me about social networking and some of the basics that deserve to be recalled from time to time. Take a look here.

June 9, 2011

THE 12 HOWS OF HAPPINESS


reprinted with thanks from PHILOSOPHERS NOTES

The 12 Hows of Happiness

     People often ask me what *one* book I’d recommend if they could only read one book. (Before I wrote this book ;) I had a hard time answering that question until I read Sonja Lyubomirsky’s brilliant The How of Happiness where she outlines the 12 scientifically proven ways we can boost our happiness.

      We touch on most of them in various ways throughout this little book. Here they are:

     1. Expressing Gratitude

     2. Cultivating Optimism

     3. Avoiding Overthinking and Social Comparison

     4. Practicing Acts of Kindness

     5. Nurturing Social Relationships

     6. Developing Strategies for Coping

     7. Learning to Forgive

     8. Increasing Flow Experiences

     9. Savoring Life’s Joys

     10. Committing to Your Goals

     11. Practicing Spirituality

     12. Taking Care of Your Body: Meditation+Physical Activity + Acting Like a Happy Person

     P.S. One of the coolest points Dr. L makes in the book is the fact that, as we decide what happiness practices to focus on, we want to avoid the “shoulds” and pick the ones that really inspire us! Why? Well, we’re much more likely to stick to the intrinsic goals that have deep personal meaning!

     P.P.S. So, as you get inspired by all the Ideas in this book, focus on the ones that REALLY light you up! Not the ones you think you *should* do. Cool? Cool.