Happiness Starts Here

If you're not happy, you may have a long list of reasons why you believe happiness is so elusive.  I challenge you to make a list of all reasons why you're missing out on happiness.  I have a feeling your name isn't on the list, is it?  Unhappy people like to blame everyone else while happy people choose to be happy in all circumstances.

I admit there are certain people in my life who know how to push my buttons.  When this happens, I think to myself, here we go again.  It's really a game and I know in my heart that if I handle every situation and every person properly there is absolutely nothing that can happen that will take away my happiness.  I am the only person on my list.  Any other name or situation is really an excuse.  Your happiness starts here.  Have a great day.

Fight Fat with Fatty Fruit

It sounds counter-intuitive eating fat can help lose weight but I know first-hand how this works on my body.  Olive oil, extracted from the olive, is the fatty fruit of the olive tree.  I like it because it can be used for high heat cooking and it enhances taste.  Scientists are studying how olive oil plays a role in reducing inflammation, type II diabetes, cancer and other diseases.  If you want to fight fat, eat fatty fruit.  Olive oil is your solution.  Have a great day.

Simple Magic Trick to Make Your Fat Cells Disappear

You don't have to be a magician to make your fat cells disappear.  Despite my novice abilities, I tried something a couple of years ago that made over 30 pounds disappear and they're still gone.  I taught some of my friends how to wave their magic wands and now they're believers too.  The process has little to do with magic but does require preparation and a slight of hand at the grocery store in order to get results.  Here goes:

1. Don't expect all the fat to disappear on day one.  In fact, you need to stay at it for about 45 days.
2. Your preparation is key for success.
3. Team up with a buddy who is willing to practice with you for better results.
4. Modify your grocery list and only buy fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds.  Confine your liquid intake to water and wine.  Drink water in unlimited quantities while limiting wine to no more than two glasses per day.
5. Watch the pounds disappear at a rate of 3-5 per week.

Warning:  you may experience a few headaches during the first week of waving your wand.  Your audience may grow impatient as they watch you and they may even try to persuade you to give up.  Keep practicing.  It's worth it.  And some other things may also disappear from your life – things you may not be aware of that could be lurking in your body such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke and cancer.  You have the power to make these "things" disappear from your future.  Start with the fat cells first and everything else will fall into place.  Have a great day, Houdini.

Got Ikigai?

It's not the flu or some dreaded disease.  I didn't know I had it until I learned what Ikigai means.  It's a Japanese word which means a reason for being, encompassing joy, a sense of purpose and well-being.  The word derives from iki, meaning life, and kai, meaning the realization of hopes and expectations.

The Okinawan people don't just say the word, they live it, often to age 90, 100 and beyond.  Dan Buettner, author of Blue Zones, defines Ikigai as the reason for which you wake up in the morning.  I find this topic fascinating and I want to learn more about healthy living.  It's interesting to note that the Okinawans have no word for retirement.  Check out Dan's message about longevity in his Ted Talk below.  It may help you find your inner ikigai.  Have a great day.

Unburdening

Unburdening yourself is a lifestyle choice.  Thinking small brings about greater abundance.  It starts with a decision to free up space in your closet or garage by getting rid of the things you really don't need.  It may be cutting the ice cream from the grocery list that leads to a slimmer waist line.  Or the reduced amount of time spent in front of the TV that creates better quality family time.  Keep your life simple and you will discover abundance in every area of your life.  Have a great day.

Keep Going

Most of the dark clouds are in my rear view mirror now.  It's not easy to get through the storms but I do know one thing – standing still on rainy days adds time to difficult situations.  Movement is key.  There are times when one small step is all you can muster.  Take that step.  Pursue small wins.  Keep going.  Have a great day.

Feeling Buried?

One of the most important choices you will make today has to do with your perception about the world around you.  Be careful.  If you're feeling buried, your vision may not be very good.  This is where the germination begins.  The truth is you've been planted  Those days in the darkness are numbered.  Get ready.  Your time is coming and soon you'll be sprouting.  Congratulations.  Have a great day.