10 Signs You Have The Coolest Girlfriend In The World

Most men make a few mistakes before they find a girl who is perfect for them. There are lots of things that you find out while you are with someone; for example they could be selfish or extremely high maintenance.

This can result in you feeling sad and unloved, but as you grow older you become more aware of what you want in a relationship. The perfect girl is out there – maybe you have already found her?

Check out 10 signs that your girlfriend is one of the coolest in the world.

1. She is independent

No one wants to become a part-time carer for their partner, but some partners can be so needy and clingy that you end up feeling like their babysitter. A great girlfriend is independent and strong; instead of needing you there, she simply wants you to be there because she enjoys your company. Without you, her life doesn’t fall apart; she just gets on with it.

2. She is interesting

You and your girlfriend should be able to have conversations that last for hours and truly interest you. A relationship can last a lifetime, so it is important to find a girlfriend who interests and excites you.

3. She gets on well with your family and friends

Your girlfriend should be interested in your personal life, and she should be keen to meet the other people in your life. Even if she isn’t BBF with your little brother, it should be obvious that she is trying to love the people that you love.

4. She is intelligent

Your girlfriend should open your mind up to new ideas and perspectives, teaching you new things while making you question what you already know. This is important for any long-term relationship; without intelligence conversation is difficult, and without conversation it is likely that the relationship will turn sour.

5. She is there for you when you are feeling low

Your girlfriend is the one person who you can go to after a seriously hard day. She is the person who will listen to you vent before offering a much-needed hug. If your girlfriend is dismissive of your problems, there may be deeper problems in the relationship.

6. She respects you

Respect is one of the most important aspects of a relationship. A great girlfriend won’t share your secrets with others, and she won’t try to push you around. It is worth noting that the respect must be mutual; you give respect to earn it.

7. She makes you want to be a better person

When you meet someone truly amazing, they will inspire and motivate you to a be a better person. From advancing your career to becoming more compassionate, there are endless ways that your girlfriend can motivate you to be better.

8. She accepts your individual interests

In a relationship, both partners will have their own individual interest. An awesome girlfriend will encourage you to follow your interests, and she will continue to pursue her own. No matter how much she loves you, she understands that you love other things too.

9. She makes you laugh

Laughing is the ultimate sign of happiness, and your girlfriend should regularly crack you up. Relationships have highs and lows; without someone who can make you laugh, the lows will be a lot more noticeable.

10. She loves you for who you are

A great girlfriend doesn’t want to change her boyfriend. She will embrace all of his quirky traits, and she will even find them cute. If your girlfriend is trying to change you, it might be a sign that you two aren’t well suited. The girl who is loves you for you will never try to change who you are.

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An Open Letter To All 20-Somethings: Don’t Panic!

The first and most important thing is: life does not get easier. Being an adult is not easy and won’t ever get any easier. Why? Because you will face new problems as life goes on. With each stage in your life, you will learn lessons that will help mold you into the person you were destined to be. Your twenties will be where most of those lessons are learned. I suppose this is not what you wanted to read. Perhaps you expected me to come up with something magnificent and inspiring. You were expecting something intelligent that will teach you the secrets to living an easy life.

I am here to tell you that there is no secret in the world that will keep your heart from breaking, dreams from crashing, and your faith from fading at some points in your life. Your best chapters in your life will most likely be written in your twenties—you just don’t know it yet. Your heart mends, your dreams change, and your faith comes back… so don’t panic. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. You must learn to let it be.

Planning your life down to the minute is not the way to live. You are in your twenties… you absolutely are not expected to have everything figured out, so stop acting like it! I have found that if you plan everything down to the very second, life gets even more hectic and you aren’t exactly living.

That 10-year plan that you wrote in high school is really more like a guideline and not exactly a map to your life. It is great to have goals, but we are our own harshest critics. If you don’t get that call back for your dream job at 22, don’t be too hard on yourself. Pick yourself up and keep trying. That doesn’t necessarily mean keep calling the company that didn’t call you back either. If a door closes in your face, let it be. Keep going because there are so many other doors to knock on and the one you walk through will be the right one.

2. Forever isn’t really forever in your twenties.

This goes for every aspect of your life. This goes for what you think is a dream job, where you want to live, who you want to be with. Almost everything in your life at the moment is temporary. At this point in your life, it is okay to not be sure of what you want to be when you grow up (even if you feel as if you are grown up). As of right now, I have been a barista, served in the military, worked in a daycare, worked with small business owners to fix their credit, been a barista again, become a wedding planner, written articles for a great website, and now am planning events for one of the greatest companies I have ever worked for. Trust me, nothing is permanent in your twenties. You will constantly change your mind—and that is completely okay!

Speaking of things not being permanent, do not beat yourself up over your current “love.” Don’t go looking around for the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with at this age. If your soulmate happens to stumble into your life, perfect! If not, that’s okay. Right now, you are really figuring things out. Heartbreak pains go away with good company and laughter. Keep your friends close and you will soon get over it. Also, when your friends tell you that someone is toxic, listen to them. More than likely, they are right. If they see that the person you love does not treat you the way you should be treated and say something to you, do not ignore it. They truly care for you and only wish the best for you.

One last note on this subject: if the person you love lays a hand on you, they do not love you. That truth is plain and simple… THEY DO NOT LOVE YOU. Stop making excuses for their awful behavior and cut them lose. You will eventually forget their phone number, where they live, and their name. Trying to fit them into your life is like you trying to fit a piece of a completely different puzzle into the one you are working on. It will fit for now, but eventually you will need to get rid of it to move on and complete it. They will only hold you back from becoming the amazing person you are meant to be.

3. Your giant group of friends will eventually become a small circle.

At this point in your life, you will start to go from about a hundred friends to about five really good friends that you can trust. Get rid of the ones that are negative all the time, get rid of anyone that says they “love you,” but abuses you either physically or mentally. None of these people are worth your time. At this point in your life, the sky is the limit, but you have to get rid of the extra baggage before you fly. I know that we all try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but if they are keeping you from growing up and getting out there in the world, you do not need them.

You will find good people out there that will want nothing but to see you happy and successful. Don’t be afraid of the world—there are a lot of nice people that will be willing to grow with you and experience what life’s new chapter has in store.

4. Now’s the time to see the world.

It is “too expensive,” you say? Let me break it down for you, okay? Let’s say you buy a large cup of coffee at your local café for about $5.95 every single day for a year (this is excluding the second time you go there to get your afternoon cup), how much would you have? The math is $5.95 x 365 = $2,171.75. That is a trip to Mexico, Canada, another state, Europe, and the list goes on the longer you save. Travel is something that everyone should experience. Seeing the world and experiencing a different culture is an eye-opener. So get your passport ready and get out in the world for a bit.

5. Slumps aren’t only for baseball.

You will go through several slumps in life. You will accept job offers that leave you baffled on your first day. You will have some tough times financially, you will experience heartbreak, and you won’t get called back for that interview, but just think of it as a slump. This is one of the hardest lessons to learn: you just can’t be in control all of the time. Things might not go as you planned them out when you were 18 years old, but you’ve just got to roll with the punches. Your twenties are supposed to be the best part of the roller coaster called life.

All in all, these are going to be the best and worst years of your life. Do not be afraid to make memories. Don’t be afraid to go to the party tonight because of the hangover tomorrow—trust me, they get worse as you get older, so do it now!

Dream big, smile often (even when you don’t feel like it) and meet new people so you can narrow it down to the friends that you are going to keep for life. Most importantly, you need to learn. Learn as much as you can because we are expected to make countless mistakes. So by all means, make them. You are still growing and still learning, and that is okay.

Featured photo credit: Alex/ College Graduation via flickr.com

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The Appeal of Security Shutters in Homes and Offices

In our day to day life we see a lot of security shutters being used in different applications, such as home and different commercial spaces. The different commercial spaces use the security shutters to protect their business from vandalism and theft. In most of the European countries it is a common sight to see a home secured with the security shutters.

Usage in the business settings:

Security Shutters

After the working hours the businesses want to protect their homes from various dangers that can be caused from the theft or vandalism. Some of the business owners allow the perforation for the customers to view their products, and so do not allow the perforation and have a completely blocked shutter. The material used for the security shutter is most the steel or aluminum. The material is light or there is also electronics used to open and close the huge shutters without manual force. There are lot of designs, colors and materials that the businessman can choose from and it all depends on the kind of choice the businessman has and also the locality that the business is located in.

The usage of security shutters in a home setting:

Security Shutters

These days, even the homeowners have seen the various benefits that the security shutters add to their property and opt for these as an added security measure. The addition of security shutters ensure that the home is secured from the burglars and intruders and also from the people who just want to get some trouble in the neighborhood. In this time where crimes are happening almost everywhere, there is no question of keeping any option open for the intruders. In addition to that, the security shutters are also available in various designs and materials and colors, and this adds a value to the property in the long run as well. The owner of the property can feel free with knowing that his property is secured and the value of the property is also increased.

Electronic security shutters:

Security Shutters

In our age of modern technology, we are going electronic in almost everything. From the car locks to the electricity in our homes, nowadays it is possible to get almost everything functioning on the electronics. In this regard the security shutters are not behind. The security shutters can also be operated electronically and there are a lot of other features like adding a camera, finger print detection and stuff like that which can be added to these shutters. However, the electronic system is prone to failure so you need to make sure that you have a proper strategy planned out in case this happens in your home or office.

Cost of the best security shutters:

The cost of the security shutters mostly depends on the kind of material that you choose and the designs that you want on them. The cost of the electronic security shutters will be more than the normal one. If you have to get one of the best prices in the market, then you will need to carry out a good research and then only opt for the material and the option for the security. The cost will slightly vary from area to area and you may also find some good deals online when you compare the prices with the local dealers. With the great variety of these available in local stores and online stores, there is no limit for what you can do with these.

All that you need to do is first consider your security needs and then accordingly get the security shutters for your property.

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10 Delicious French Toast Recipes To Try At Home

No matter who you are or what you like, there’s a French toast recipe for you. Between the bread type, toppings, and fillings, the possibilities are endless. That’s why we’ve compiled our top 10 French toast recipes for you right here. Get your skillet ready.

1. Crock Pot Creamy Banana French Toast

This recipe gets extra brownie points for utilizing the glorious crock pot. No need to dread the long process of slaving over the stove making endless waves of French toast. Just layer your bread and bananas in the crock pot, cover with a milk/cinnamon/honey mixture, and go back to bed until your breakfast is ready. Easy as pie… or French toast.

2. Savory Feta Cheese French Toast

If you’re feeling hipster, try out this savory version of the normally sweet classic. Adding the feta cheese not only as a garnish but also in the egg mixture will give your meal an extra dose of creamy goodness. Plus, this would make for quite an impressive dish at a brunch gathering.

3. Cinnamon French Toast

If you’re best buds with cinnamon buns, then this recipe is for you. Assembled in a casserole fashion, you can pop a pan of this treat in the fridge and bake it the next day. Or, if you just can’t wait to try it, bake it immediately – no judgment here. Top with your favorite fruit, drizzle with some syrup, and your taste buds will be singing your praises.

4. Creme Brûlée French Toast

Everything about this recipe screams classy. The brown sugar and Grand Marnier are just what you need to get your day going. Plus, it calls for Challah bread which everyone knows is the best foundation of a great French toast. You could even grab your culinary torch if you feel like getting really fancy.

5. Classic French Toast

Plain Janes, listen up. If you’re unsure of which recipe to start with, try this one. You can’t go wrong with the original French toast. The simplicity of the soaked bread all warm and gooey is beautiful – no frills needed. Everyone is sure to enjoy this dish.

6. Baked Stuffed French Toast

Think of this recipe as a sandwich’s cousin. Gruyere and ham sit inside the pockets in the rustic bread and melt in your mouth. Simple, but unique. A huge benefit of this recipe is getting to bake it instead of trying to use four skillets at once. Thank you, Martha Stewart.

7. Brioche French Toast with Asparagus and Orange Beurre Blanc

If you actually know what orange beurre blanc is, I applaud you. This sauce is made by boiling and reducing white wine, orange juice, shallots, cream, and butter. Already drooling? Me too. Also adorning the French toast is some roasted asparagus. Whip up this dish, and you’ll look like a pro.

8. French Toast Roll Ups

This recipe wins the fun prize. Not only are they easy to make, but they also look pretty spiffy. The cinnamon and sugar filling and coating will satisfy your cinnamon bun and French toast cravings. Plus, dipping the warm roll ups in syrup is practically a party in and of itself.

9. Pumpkin Baked French Toast

No need to feel guilty after devouring a serving (or two) of this dish. You’ll have many chances to substitute healthier ingredients – prefered milk, bread, sweetener, and even the option to nix the butter. Assemble it the night before, and wake up to a comforting dose of fall weather any time of the year.

10. French Toast in a Mug

It doesn’t get any easier than this! If you have five minutes and a mug, you can make French toast. The recipe calls for chocolate chips, but feel free to add any mix-ins of choice – use your imagination. When that microwave dings, you’ll be melting at the sight in front of you.

Featured photo credit: Grilled French Toast/Steven Depolo via flickr.com

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5 Ways To Overcome Entrepreneur Isolation

You’ve left your corporate life behind to pursue your passion. This new life of an entrepreneur is exciting and fulfilling, but it can also get lonely quickly. You find yourself less aligned with old friends and colleagues. Your life has changed drastically while theirs stayed the same. There are less people to commiserate with and you feel a slow isolation coming on as months go by.

Feeling isolated can eventually impact your mental well-being and productivity. It might even make you feel depressed and negative.

So, break out of it when you see the signs. We’re social creatures and we crave connection. A few small changes can help you connect, recharge, and get your mojo back in no time.

Acknowledge your accomplishments

You didn’t get here looking for the easy way out. You’re here because you had the strength and the resilience to break away from the norm and pursue your true passion. You still have that strength. Take a moment every so often (maybe even once a day) to go through your accomplishments from the day you decided to become an entrepreneur. Remember the small challenges you overcame and how you did it. You’ll start to realize the strength and confidence grow within you again. You’ll mentally reinforce your mission and feel aligned to it.

Join a group to make new connections

Sometimes, loneliness has little to do with the number of friends in your social circle and more about the type of connection that you’re missing. So, make new connections. Join an entrepreneur group in your neighborhood. There are many organized groups or events for entrepreneurs, like Meetup.com, for example. You can join a group, attend an event, and meet others in your area. The great thing about this is that you’re likely to meet people that can relate to your new challenges and lifestyle. You might even make a few new friends to commiserate with and go out for coffee or drinks. As you form new connections, you’ll realize you’re not alone.

Trade in some online time for the real deal

Sure, we’re all connected to friends through social channels like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc. While it can be addicting, it can also be isolating because you’re missing out on tangible interactions, like hearing someone’s voice or watching them laugh. Why not cut back a bit on the online socializing and interact with people the old fashioned way? Take the time to meet in person. Setup a coffee or phone date with a friend. Go out for dinner or a movie. You’d be surprised how quickly you’ll feel less alone and more open.

Learn a new skill for exercise

Exercise makes your body release endorphins (feel good hormones). However, if the thought of spending hours at the gym alone and watching time tick by makes you squirm, then replace it with fun activities that you can do in a group. Dancing is not just for the stars anymore. Actually, dance classes are available in many locales. Dancing teaches balance, relieves stress, improves flexibility, and can help make a new friend or two. You could also try something new and exciting that you’ve never done before, like archery, rock-climbing surfing or snowboarding. Many activities can be sampled with Groupon type deals so you can dip your toes in to see if you like it before committing. Learning a new skill stimulates your mind, while physical activity recharges your body. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and engaged.

Practice gratitude daily

Being thankful draws positive emotions and creates a positive mindset. Find three things every day that you’re thankful for. They could be events that occurred, your accomplishments, or even your cherished ones (your family, your friends or your pet). Acknowledging this and being grateful every day will train your mind to create a positive mindset. You’ll feel your mental well-being grow day by day. You’ll also realize and appreciate what’s truly important to you.

Conclusion

Overcoming isolation is a step-by-step process. It does not happen overnight. So, take baby steps. If something does not work out, don’t dwell or shy away from trying something else. The goal is to find your sweet spot – where you feel connected, engaged, and supported.

Featured photo credit: JOHN MARK ARNOLD via magdeleine.co

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10 Ways to Reclaim Your Mental Space Amidst a Busy Schedule

Is today’s landscape of over stimulation (media, smart devices, multitasking, high-stress work environments) making you increasingly anxious? Do you find yourself fleeting through a busy schedule, meeting tight deadlines and being constantly contacted while barely getting the time to be present, enjoy an experience, or live in the moment? You’re not alone. And what’s more—living in such a state of excessive stimulation can leave you mentally fatigued and lower your productivity.

Try these easy tips to find your calm and reset and reclaim your mental space amidst any busy schedule.

1. Start an easy breathing technique.

This simple 4-2-4-2 breathing technique increases focus, energy and promotes relaxation. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 2, exhale for a count of 4, hold for 2. Feel the air fill your lungs as you breathe in and feel the air leave your lungs as you exhale. Repeat this 5–10 times and feel your mind and body instantly relax. Do it at least once a day to get your body and mind in a calmer and more focused state of being.

2. Less is more.

If you’ve got a schedule that doesn’t allow you any wiggle room any day of the week, then you need to do less. Rushing from task to task without  a break can lead to multiple unwanted outcomes. You could start to burn out. Mental fatigue can make you to take longer to complete your tasks, getting even more anxious. As you rush through your activities, you may not complete one or more the way you would like to because you’re moving on to the next. You’re impatient and snappy when that’s not the real you.

So, start to prioritize your tasks and let a few of them go. Perhaps move some to another day. They will always be there for you when you wake up tomorrow. You’ll find yourself being more productive, more efficient, and more content.

3. Reclaim your morning.

If your morning starts with reading the news or checking your email while sipping your first cup of coffee or tea and solving problems on your drive to work, then you might be jolting your body into a state of over-stimulation before it is ready. Ease it in and reclaim your morning. Enjoy your shower. Sip your beverage slowly. Nourish the smell and taste. Take a moment to enjoy your breakfast. Start your work activities only when you’ve moved through your morning space.

4. Do something fun every day.

We’re generally wired to give 100% attention to something we consider fun to do. Even spending 20–30 minutes on something you enjoy—like gardening, wood carving, cooking, baking or whatever hobby you cherish—can have you unwinding from your day’s stress and training your mind to focus wholly without distractions. Shifting your thoughts to something totally different from what you generally do all day will also help you unwind completely and feel mentally refreshed.

5. Rest your mind with sounds of nature.

Anxiety surmounts when we’re surrounded by a lot of activity and navigating a bustling world every day. You need to get away and clear your mind without having to go on a vacation. If you can get to a park, lake, beach or river, then sit by the water and listen to the sounds and environment. If you can’t, then step back anyway. Put those headphones on and listen to calming sounds like trickling water, waves washing ashore or other sounds. Zone out the world and listen to sounds of nature. Feel your stress melt away as you realize and appreciate nature.

6. Try a few yoga stretches.

Yoga is an age-old proven technique for disciplining mind and body. Many yoga websites offer easy poses with pictures and instructions for a beginner or even the advanced yogi. Try a few simple stretches to start your day with energy of even relaxing stretches to unwind at night. Whatever you fancy, you’ll start to slowly develop a rhythm that will help you clear your mind and enhance your focus.

7. Connect with friends.

We’re social beings. Human interaction is paramount to our wellbeing. Positive human interaction is comforting, soothing, and even calming. Friends do just that. Step out and meet a friend for coffee or dinner. Listen to them talk and appreciate the safety net of friendship and have a good laugh. Get a good mental reset.

8. Unplug from devices.

We’re always “plugged in” and this is one of the main culprits of over stimulation in today’s culture.

Disconnecting can be hard. Start with ½ a day every week to be unplugged from your phone or computer.  Fill that time with something, or someone, fun. Take a walk or sit at a café and watch people go by. Browse an old bookstore or antique shop. Maybe you’d like a long drive out to the country. Let the time pass without Wi-Fi. Enjoy the space and feel your inner Zen bloom.

9. Read a book in bed—the old fashioned way.

Good sleep rests your mind and body. Lack of sleep increases anxiety, reduces concentration and interferes with your productivity. When you’re getting ready for bed, your brain triggers the production of Melatonin, a sleep hormone that signals your body to get ready to sleep. Blue light emitted from your tablet or phone can suppress melatonin production. Over time, this leads to disrupted sleep/ wake cycles (circadian rhythm) or a restless night. Try an old fashioned page-turner instead. Keep your room dim and cool. Create a cozy environment to get the best sleep you can so you wake up well rested and alert.

10. Identify your “happy place” reset.

There’s something that makes you happy—a place you loved, a place you long to be or an experience you cherished so much you would love to have it again. Whatever your happy place is, it’s your mental safety net. Think about this once in a while. Take a good 5 minutes at least to visualize your happy place. Imagine yourself there, taking in the sights and sensations. This will reset your thoughts and help guide you to what you really want and what you really enjoy.

Conclusion

Disengaging and anchoring your thoughts to achieve mental well being is a step by step process. Don’t worry about being perfect. You’ll get better at it with practice. As part of the safety briefing on airplanes, they always tell you to put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others. Your mental well-being is just as important so you can be your best for all that rely on you. Don’t ever give up your mental space.

The whole purpose is to reach a state of happy gratitude and calm, a state that you can control and command at will so you can be well while you’re being productive.

Featured photo credit: Jill Wellington via pixabay.com

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How to train for a happy life in 7 easy tips

Every serious athlete will tell you that in order to compete with the best, you have to train. It takes hours upon hours to just get into the same league, let alone be the best at something. If we really want to excel at anything, we must prepare for it and make it part of our daily lives. It is not something we can just “wing” and see where we end up. It takes dedication, perseverance, and commitment.  It requires effort (lots of it) and a daily dose of attitude.

Isn’t life just as important?

Shouldn’t we be gearing up for bringing our best self to every moment, every experience, and every person we meet?  With all of the negativity in the world, we are bombarded with hate and anger, accompanied by misunderstanding and distrust.

But we all want something better, don’t we? Maybe we won’t say it out loud, but we are all thinking it.

We all want to be happy. We all want to feel alive and that our days here mean something. We all want something to look forward to and to believe in.

No need to get on your latest running shorts or sneakers… you might not even break a sweat, but this training is serious stuff.

Shake it off

There are always going to be things we cannot change though we want to and the past will always haunt us if we let it. If we really want to be happy, we have to move past the stuff that isn’t there anymore or the stuff that isn’t so happy.  Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting — it means, “I’ve accepted it, but holding onto it weighs me down or it makes me better.”  People are going to say bad things regardless of whether or not you are in their favor or not.  You know in your heart if it’s true or not.  As Dr. Seuss said, “Those that mind don’t matter and those that matter don’t mind.”

Positive vibes only

It’s easy to get sucked into the mindset of the “Debby Downers” who lurk around, just waiting for someone else to join their group.  Be mindful of those that sap your energy and those that restore it. ONLY spend time with the people who encourage you, who support you, and make you better.  It may mean saying “goodbye” to people you really care about, but no one can keep from drowning when people are constantly trying to hold you under water.  You can tell when you are with good people — you naturally gravitate towards them and find yourself removing yourself from those who just don’t have the “feel-good” vibes you need.  There is nothing wrong with putting your own needs before someone else’s.

Listen to your heart

Too often, we let our minds get in the way of our hearts.  We do what makes sense instead of trusting the path we already know we must take.  Listening to your heart can be difficult when people try to talk over it.  They tell you that your heart is wrong and that everything you love and want is just a waste of time.  Ignore them!  Your beating heart pounds its echo loud when it wants to be heard.  Your only job is to believe in its message and allow it to guide you where you really need to be.  No matter where it takes you, you will have followed your heart without a single regret.

Believe in magic

Who doesn’t remember being captivated by the circus or “The Wizard of Oz” or even Tinkerbell and her Pixie Dust from “Peter Pan?” Too often we search for a rational explanation and refuse to believe in something until we find the answer why.  Accept that some things don’t have an explanation and no amount of logic will make it so.  Things that seem random really might not be all that random and when we believe in something a little more than only what we can see, touch, and hear, it’s just the magic talking.

Sing out loud

I know it sounds corny, and most people don’t understand why singing makes the list.  The next time you are sitting at a stop light and the person in the car next to you is belting out whatever top 40 hit that’s on the radio, look at their face.  Do they look unhappy to you?  Nope.  They are having a ball.  They don’t care if you laugh or sing right along with them.  Don’t just hide out in your shower or when no one else is at home with you… sing! Try it now! See? Feels good, right?

Find joy in every day life

The negative is always upon us. It’s there — in the news, in the schools, in the political arena.  We can’t escape it, but we can put joy in its place.  The secret is to look for it, buried beneath all of the other crap.  Look for the joy in a laughter of a baby.  Look for the joy found in old friends being reacquainted with one another. Look for joy in the warm cup of coffee you now hold in your two hands.  Look for the joy in a simple “hello” between two strangers.  Joy is everywhere… you just have to find it.

Give yourself away

It sounds boring, but it works.  We cannot feel unhappy when we give of our talents and gifts to someone else for no other reason that we can.  Give to someone without being asked to or for any kind of recognition.  Leave parts of you with unsuspecting people who never even learn your name.  Create a legacy that will long be remembered long after you are gone.  Most importantly, give your time away unselfishly and never request it to be returned to you.  Create value in your message, in the way you live, and how you inspire others to fall in love with life.

The constant pull between just existing and really thriving is where our free will comes in.  Being happy is a choice.  It must be made every day.  Just like the athletes who train for their one shot at something exciting, we need to start “training” for our best event yet… life.

Featured photo credit: Ismael Nieto via unsplash.com

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