Connections

Stress release can be very simple if we allow it. We release stress by having fun and doing things we enjoy, all the things that make you feel good. What makes you happy? The things that make you happy are the things that will keep you alive! We must always make time for the things we love and enjoy.

There are many ways we can release stress by doing the things we love. What are some of the things you enjoy doing? What are some of your hobbies? I love to play board games, make candles, and do scrap booking. Some people enjoy playing sports or video games. Many women like to go shopping. Watching movies, playing an instrument, or even just listening to music are other great ways of relaxing and dissolving stress from life. Any sort of creative process where you are actually making something with your own two hands is great for the mind and a perfect way to ease stress from your life. Pottery, drawing, painting, and carpentry are all wonderful ways of expressing creativity. Horseback riding, bicycling, or hiking are great ways to get outside and appreciate nature. There are so many options.We need to find things and activities that we really enjoy, and make time for them regularly in our lives.

Another very important area we should focus on is making time for our friends. This may seem like a simple idea ,but how many of us make time for our friends on a regular basis? So many times we get caught up in our daily lives with work and children and new relationships we tend to put our friends on the back burner. They are there for us when we need them, but how about all that time in between? Do we talk to them only when we need something or have a problem? Or do we show them that we appreciate them in our lives?

As humans we are naturally social animals. Just like animals in the wild, we have our own packs, our own herd that we belong to. The people in our lives are not here by mistake. Everyone in our lives make an impact on us; they influence us. We need to appreciate our friends and realize what a true blessing they are in our lives. It's not always easy to come across a true friend; a real friend who is there because they want to be. Because they see what's inside of you, the real you. The friends who are there through thick and thin, no matter what happens. Those are the friends we need to make time for. We need to show these friends that we appreciate them by keeping in contact with them on a regular basis. When is the last time you had lunch with your good friend? Did you remember their birthday?

When we love and appreciate our friends then we are creating more joy, in both our own life and theirs. It feels good. And when we feel good then we are releasing the built up stress in our lives. Keep in touch with old friends. It's good for your health.

 "Foster connections - There is no question it is the connections with others that bring richness to our lives. Strong social connections and shared experiences create the foundation on which happiness can thrive. Pick up the phone; email an old friend."

"Chicken Soup for the Soul - Find Your Happiness. 101 Inspirational Stories about Finding your Purpose, Passion, and Joy." by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Amy Newmark

The Best

"You won't find happiness by always striving to be the best."

"Chicken Soup for the Soul - Find Your Happiness. 101 Inspirational Stories about Finding your Purpose, Passion, and Joy." by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Amy Newmark

Think about it. When someone is striving to be the best and that is what they are focused on, then they are unsatisfied with their current state of being. We must turn our thinking around. We must first be loving and accepting of where we are at now and then we will find true inspiration to change for the better. But we should not insist only on the best, because if we do then we are judging and not accepting of ourselves at the current time.

Striving to be the best all the time can be very tiresome. It is no way to live. Many can become obsessed with the idea of becoming the best. It consumes them. It becomes what they live and breathe. It is what they are thinking about and what they are doing. This will set you up for unhappiness. How can one be happy when all they can think about is what they want to become? If that is what you are thinking about, then all you will notice is your short comings, which will also lead to more unhappiness based on the Law of Attraction. There are many things a person can become obsessed with. Some people have to be the best when it comes to work and money. Others choose to strive to be the best looking. Sadly, many people develop eating disorders and do crazy things to try to compare to what our society shows as attractive. I have a friend that works out for four hours a day! FOUR hours! God, that is crazy! Granted she lost 50lbs. Other people want to be the best with their grades in school. Others may  want to become the best at sports. There is nothing wrong with setting goals and trying to achieve them as long as you are honest and fair with yourself. Only you can judge whether you are truly happy. If it makes you happy, then more power to you, but sometimes our minds can become clouded with the idea of becoming the best. So be real with yourself and be sure that you have safe and healthy goals.

We will never be happy with ourselves if we are always striving to be the best. If we are only focused on one thing and that is all we ever do or think about, then how can we truly be happy? We must be able to do the things we enjoy too. We must have balance in our lives. Balance is the key.

To Pursue or Create?

"Some people pursue happiness, others create it."

-Margaret Bowen

How do you live your life? Are you someone who is constantly looking for happiness and chasing the idea? Or are you someone who appreciates everything that crosses your path? Are you looking for things to make you happy? Or do you already have reasons to enjoy life? We can choose to be happy with what we already have and where we are currently. Or we can always be looking for something else to give us a reason. Which are you?

Some people are always looking for that next thing, that next next person, that next paycheck, whatever it may be to make them happy. Why not be happy now? Why should we need something else, something new? Until we learn to be happy as we are then we will never be happy because we will never be satisfied. When we learn to be grateful for the blessings in our lives then we have found the key to happiness. Some people will always be looking for happiness. Others have learned to create it. There are so many things we can do in our own lives and the lives of others that can inspire happiness. When you have learned how to enjoy life then you will discover the ways of creating happiness and joy. We will learn that when we can create joy in other people's lives then we are creating happiness in our own lives as well. It feels wonderful to make others feel joy and happiness. When we can do nice things for others then we are growing spiritually. Soon it will become fulfilling to do nice things to others. It feels good to give to others, and the more we do it the more we will enjoy it and want to give more and more. Share with your loved ones. Share with strangers. Brighten the day of others. Make it your goal to create happiness in the lives of whoever you come in contact with. Choose to be happy.

When we can make others happy then we feel fulfilled deep down. To share our love with others is the best gift we can give. Instead of chasing happiness, let's choose to create it. What can we do to share our love? What can you do today to create happiness in your life and the lives of others? Don't hold back. Create and share happiness.

Limitations

Limitations come up in our lives all the time. Everyone has their fair share of obstacles. It is what we choose to do with them. How do you handle obstacles? What are some great ideas to diminish any doubt or setbacks? How can we move easily past limitations?

We are all living and growing. We are learning and advancing each and everyday. But every now and again we come across a wall. Something in our path that slows us down or even puts us at a complete halt. What should we do when this happens? Sometimes this can be so frustrating and belittling. The best, and sometimes the only thing we can do is to stay positive. There is no good using energy on negative feelings. If we trust in the Law of Attraction then the best strategy is to stay positive and to have pleasant thoughts. Whatever we choose to think about will attract more of what we are thinking. So the best advice to is to stay focused on our goal and to never give up. We can start attracting good things by imagining the best possible scenarios. Things will always turn around. If we have an attitude of gratitude then we can find things to be thankful for. When we are being thankful then we are attracting more things into our lives to be thankful about. Whatever we are thinking, we are attracting so lets be thankful for whatever we can think of. Think of anything positive that gets your mind off the current situation. The more you focus and think about the bad, then the longer it is going to stick around. In fact you are attracting more mishaps and obstacles when your center of attention is on the bad. When we notice what is not right and what isn't going our way then unfortunately we are asking for more of that. We must turn our thinking around and choose to notice the good, and what is going right for us. Every problem, every circumstance is only temporary. Once we realize this then we can choose to make the change if we want to. Get your mind off the problem and focus on the good.

Do not be limited by your current state of where you are. There are ways around obstacles. And sometimes all we can change is our thinking. Once we learn to change our thoughts then we will soon see the direct results in our daily lives. The power of the mind is amazing.We can make a difference just based on our thinking.