Five Simple Rules for Happiness

On Facebook today, someone posted a great post, which I in turned shared because it pretty much sums up how I live my own life. I wanted to share alittle on my thoughts (see below) on this post:

Five Simple Rules of Happiness
1. Free Your Heart from Hatred.

2.  Free Your Mind from Worries.
3.  Live Simply.
4. Give More.
5. Expect Less.

1.  Free Your Heart from Hatred - I strongly feel that "hate" is a word, expression, feeling that has no good to it.  And I've always tried to instill in my daughter to never say or feel hate towards anyone or anything.  You can dislike or disagree with someone, but remember a few things.  We all are different, and have differences that we may not agree with, and that we have to right to choose not to accept; however, differences are just that...differences.  If we choose not to like or agree with someone or even something, we can do that respectfully.  To express or feel hatred towards someone or something will only make us feel negative and act in a way that is not productive, respectful & that won't make us feel better..almost a guarentee. Another thing is that just because we have differences, doesn't mean we can't associate or even be friends with someone.  Having differences is what diversity is all about...and experiencing, welcoming & accepting diversity will make us better people, and better able to interact with others in our lives & that we will come in contact with throughout our lives.  Getting to know someone that has differences from ourselves expands our horizons and helps us learn how to get along with everyone, not just people "just like us."  One of my greatest experiences in my young life was going to college and meeting, interacting & developing friendships/relationships with individuals different from myself (different personalities, nationalities, ethnicity, beliefs, interests, etc.).  As long as I don't compromise my own values &  morals....it's enriching to get to know & interact with individuals different than myself.  It can also help us to learn new things, gain new interests, to "walk in someone elses' shoes," and gain new/greater appreciation!

2.  Free Your Mind from Worries - Is this possible?  Not easy...but yes, possible.  We all have worries, and many of us can write down a list of our own individual worries every single day.  Rightfully so.  But to fill our mind & heart with worries can take a toll on us....rather, we can remember that cool little prayer, God grant me the serenity to change the things I can, to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference.  If we have the ability & resources to change something...make a negative (a worry) into a positive (something good), then go for it.  But remember that we may not always be able to change every worry/problem, so bombarding ourselves & our minds/hearts with worries does us no good. It only brings us down & makes us feel worse. Something helpful might be to write down your worries, and choose 1 or 2 that are tangible things that you can do something about; set a goal to improve that worry, and a few steps to achive that goal.  For the bigger worries, and esp. the ones we may little or no control over, write them down, and as you can set little steps/goals to work on them, but free your mind from them on a regular basis, as it will only bring you down.

3.  Live Simple - This is a big one.  I honestly struggle with this one.  More than not I am very happy & content living simply, but there are always those moments when you wish you could have more; have this thing or that, live this way or that, go out & get the latest trends, nice clothes, electronics, toys, etc.  I really only get this feeling when I'm in the mall (LOL) or around other people who seem to "have it all."  But it doesn't take long for me to snap back into reality that having lots of stuff, the latest things, a big house, a fancy car, a big title, etc will not make me truly happy inside.  What makes me truly happy inside is having my basic needs met (basic food, shelter, clothing, a means of transportation, a job, basic furniture in my home), and living simply with the people that are most important to me...And this keeps me in check and helps me to appreciate those more imporant things (family/friends/important relationships in my life, the basic things needed to survive and live with).
Although I dislike and am uncomfortable with feeling like I "struggle" to get by, and would love to have a few more nicer things in my life & home....in my heart, I know & remember what's really important.  Things don't make people truly happy....being truly happy comes from within & appreciating the simple things in life and important people in our lives.

4. Give More - HUGE!!!!!!!!!! If I could share one thing my parents instilled in me..the one thing that has made a huge difference in my own life...that would be to GIVE of myself to help someone or something......We can all give of ourselves...whether it be through words or actions...we all have something to give...Our time, a helping hand, a resource, something we don't need anymore than someone else could benefit from (ie. clothing), our ideas, our prayers...the list goes on.  There is nothing more satisfying than the feeling of helping someone else or helping to make a difference with something in our lives, our community, in the lives of a friend or loved one, or even someone we don't even know.  We all have busy lives....but we all have a few minutes or maybe even hours, a day, week or month to give of ourselves to help someone or something (a cause).  If you want ideas of how you can give of yourself...please contact me..I'd love to chat more about this :)

5. Expect Less - When I hear this...I  think of what I expect from others & from life.  When we expect more or the best or biggest...we either get let down because that's not realistic or because someone or something does not meet our unrealistic expectations...or we may become selfish or greedy when expecting more...and forget what's truly important & meaningful...the smaller/less things.  We can expect someone to act a certain way..we can expect a job interview to result in a job offer...we can expect someone else to take care of our problems or community-level or world-wide problems....we can expect to always have the latest gadget...we can expect to always win a game or competition...but sometimes expecting more can lead to big dissapointments.  I truly believe it's important to reach for the stars, do your best, set expectations for oneself and in our lives, but do keep those expectations reasonsable, reastlic and backed with the mindset that sometimes less (or losing) is better or comes with a great lesson or experience.

Peace.....

Gearing Up for Bike Treks - Wheels of Compassion

I've thought of a way to combine two of my passions....riding long distances on my bike and helping others. That gave me the idea to do a bike trek, where I could ride while raising funds (through pledges/sponsors) & awareness about important causes.
Since there are so many important causes & needs out there, I 've decided to do a series of bike treks, as well as to reach out to other cyclist enthusiasts to ride along with me as part of a team, calling ourselves Wheels of Compassion!
I've decided to schedule my 1st trek on my 41st birthday, August 25, 2012....What better way to spend my birthday doing something great for me & helpful to others vs. sitting home & thinking about the fact that I'm getting older & into my 40's now...Ha!ha!
As I've been thinking about important causes that I and a team could ride for...I learned about a devastating incident in Wilson, NY where a family lost their home & was injured & lost a family member during a tragic blast that destroyed their home.  The Johnson family, a family of 7, lost their home, all of their belongings and one of their children/siblings in the horrible blast.
Their community, and people from all over, are coordinating efforts to raise $ for the family in this time of devastation & need. 
This will be the recipient of my first bike trek on 8/25/12...All funds raised through pledges will be given to the Johnson Family Fund.
My heart aches for this family & if my bike trek can help just alittle, I am honored to be able to do it! 
I hope many others come out to join me in this effort.
My mother taught me an important lesson growing up...treat others as you want to be treated.  And she set an amazing example of helping others.  I know that if I experienced an unfortunate situation/circumstances, that others would reach out to offer me help & support.  I have to opportunity to do that for others...and feel blessed to be able to do so.
Can't wait to do my first trek...and am already planning for the 2nd one in Septemeber. Stay tuned!

Found My Blog!

After several years of not blogging, I came across my blog & am back to blogging!
So much as happened in life since my last blog...so much to share...I'm excited to be back!

Through much recent adversity, changes, challenges, struggles & life lessons...both in my own personal life, as well as within the lives of family, friends & others....I began feeling a sense of sadness...UNTIL...my prayers were answered...And special people & incidences have been sent my way to redirect my sadness to hope....and to direct me in how I can turn negative into positive!

I have much to share & write about in future blogs....For now I'll leave you with these thoughts.....

Life is full of challenges, struggles, loss & adversity....As well as happiness, joy, blessings & HOPE....Never loose sight  of the later to see you through....

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason....

And that people are put into your life for a reason (on different levels, whether it's as a friend, colleague/coworker, neighbor, or simply in passing)....There is something to be learned from, gained from, given to, received from, shared with and thankful for/from...every person & incidence that comes into & through your life....

When you feel you've hit rock bottom, or very the most overwhelmed you've felt in your life....find & trust in your faith (whatever form of faith you possess/feel), inner strength, supports around you...AND don't be afraid to seek out & welcome new opportunities...new or renewed relationships/friends...BLESSINGS

Until next post...wishing you much peace within your self, your loved ones & relationships, your life...