Activities.....

Boy have I got some good one’s today…I’ve always felt to be the queen of staying active/busy. My philosophy is that I’m blessed to have my health, working arms, legs, a good heart, and for what it’s worth a brain…why would I sit on my butt not making any use of any of this…too easily it can be taken away.  I thrive to “keep on keeping on” it’s what keeps my bliss going as well.
1) De-clutter. A clean home is a clean mind, and you'll feel better in an orderly environment.
2) Donate to charity. Giving to those less fortunate than you will make you appreciate what you have.
3) Laugh…I seem to repeat this a lot but it falls into every category. Take an hour and a half out of your day for pure laughing entertainment and you'll feel instantly boosted.
4) Take a nap. I wish I did more of this but when given the chance a quick power nap, especially on a sunny afternoon, is luxurious and will help you make it through the day.
5) Change one thing in your daily routine. You'll stave off boredom and might discover something new that delights you.
6) Take a walk. Taking a quick walk, even just around the block can clear your mind and raise your mood.
7) Surround yourself with smells that make you happy. Smell is a sense that greatly affects our mood.
8) Listen to upbeat music. Even just a few minutes of a hip-shaking tune gets your blood flowing and makes you feel more positive.
9) Make a home cooked-meal. You'll get not only tasty food, but the pride of having made it yourself.
10) Dress up for no reason. Putting on clothes that make you feel good increases your self-esteem and your mood. Whether you think so or not, people do judge by appearance & how they present themselves on the surface, their grammar, etc… Self-expression is great but try your best not to come off as an idiot.
11) Do something you loved as a kid. Riding a roller-coaster or scavenger hunt can help you connect to your inner child and remember simple thrills.
12) Wear red…my favorite color. I read once that red can make us feel confident, powerful and strong and it is so very true!
13) Splash on some perfume/aftershave. Smelling nice always adds extra cheer especially if some else notices.
14) Volunteer your time. Selfless acts and helping others is a fast route to genuine contentment.
15) Decorate your home for the holidays. Preparing for holiday celebrations is always fun and a great excuse to invite friends and family over.
16) Take time for yourself. Go to a movie, or a museum or a walk around town by yourself to re-connect.
17) Perform random acts of kindness. Hold open a door for a stranger, pick up a strangers tab anomalously, or leave some money in the vending machine, for no other reason than doing something nice for your fellow man. Such acts are priceless to your heart.
18) Send snail-mail. Rediscover the pleasure of old-fashioned communication. Yet another lost art to co-inside with thank you notes. Make it your goal to make it popular again.
19) Make time to curl up with a good book. It can be either a thought-provoking tome or a guilty pleasure.
20) Put thought into your bedding. Be cozy and happy drifting to sleep and wake up to a happy morning.
21) Dance, dance, dance… dancing is fun and stress-releasing.
22) Clean the house. Even if you don't like cleaning, a clean home can drastically improve your attitude. Plus, you work too hard to have a roof over your head, why not have a clean one.
23) Find a hobby. Painting, singing, tai chi—it doesn't matter as long as you have an outlet to express yourself. It drives me nuts when people do not have hobbies or too many to keep up with. Keep it moderate, this way you really get something out of your choice.
24) Turn off your phone for a day. Let people know in advance that you are taking a personal day and can only be reached in case of emergency. Savor the silence.
25) Sing in the shower. It doesn't matter what you sing, just make sure you belt it as loud as possible.
26) Stash some money in a secret place so you can discover it later. Pick a spot you're likely to forget so you get a thrill weeks or months later when you stumble on it.
27) Enjoy a guilty pleasure TV show. Make some popcorn and banish the guilt—we all need a cheesy escape sometimes.
28) Go for a walk or jog in the rain. Something I LOVE when the opportunity approaches me. The high produced by exercise will be heightened by the cool rain on your face…simple pleasure.
29) Enjoy a cold beer or chilled wine on a hot day. Need I say more? I’m not a big drinker but I love a cold beer after mowing the lawn!

30) Go to hear live music. Hearing music live puts you in the moment in a way an iPod can't.
31) Travel when you can. Travel can open your eyes to the world and offer a fresh new perspective. Take a weekend trip. If you haven't got the funds for a jaunt to Paris like I wish I had, no matter. Even a weekend or day long break from home can make you happier.

32) Spend time by the ocean. There's nothing like sand between your toes and fresh sea air.
33) Go stargazing. Find a spot relatively free of unnatural light and marvel at the beauty of the night sky.
34) Sit in front of a beautiful view. Find a spot close by with a nice view that you can visit when you need a break. I have so many of these spots.

35) Create a blog; it’s quite therapeutic to get your thoughts out of your head in a different forum. I've shared so much of what I'm sharing in my blog with others and the usual impression I get from them is "what planet are you from" persona. Here I get to share without the look from others who just don’t get it.

I am enjoying this blogging and in some way feel like I am writing a book. I have not all the secrets but I've sure paid a lot of attention & made mental note of what makes & creates my own bliss. Now I've been lucky today in that I get to partake in #4 with my 3 year old....yummy bliss!

Relationships.....

Relationships are vital to our humanity. Without the warmth, contact, network, support, closeness of it all you might say, what would even be the purpose of existence. Have you ever heard of a happy, blissful hermit? I don’t think so! Be nurturing to relationships including you…you are an important relationship to someone else.

1) Get a dog…who doesn’t love a wagging tail.
2) Give more hugs. Hugging releases the same chemical as a massage and is always free!
3) Make time for your friends. Personal connections are so important and making even a little time to be with people who make you smile can keep you happy.
4) Make new friends. Meeting other people is exciting and finding a new person with whom to connect can only enhance your fulfillment.
5) Write thank-you notes….it’s a lost art these days, but expressing gratitude makes you and the recipient happy.
6) Call your mom, dad, grandma, or a friend, anyone you haven't talked to in a while and surprise them with a chat.
7) I am not a big cat person but get one if you're not a dog person, cats make wonderful, loving, stress-reducing housemates and bed-warmers….even moody one’s-they’re just funny.

8) Communication is key, key key! Never hold in something if you feel it in your gut, that’s your gut telling you the obvious. Nothing ever gets settled without a bit of word action.
9) Cuddle up with someone you love. Enjoy time with your kids or your lover for instant happiness.
10) Hang with kids. Being around children's infectious optimism is sure to boost your mood.
11) Hold a baby. They're cute and cuddly and without a care in the world—you'll feel instantly uplifted.

Health.....

After just watching the Woman's World Cup between the USA & Japan I am going to be sure to add “Health” as the next great association to your bliss. The dominance all these woman allowed us to take witness too is beyond inspiring and if your adrenalin was not pumping during this game, then you just might be dead because it was fantastic! The sculpted bodies on these women showed their power & strength that keeps them going. Below I’ve listed items with health that I’m sure all the woman of the USA Soccer Team would surely agree with, you can’t get as far as they do without taking care of your health.

1) Laugh out loud. Laughing releases endorphins and lowers levels of stress hormones.
2) Get more fresh air. Fresh air is invigorating!
3) Work out. Exercising can not only make you feel better about yourself, it also releases endorphins in your body to give you a natural high…..so why not…it’s so natural!
4) Eat chocolate….duh…this is a given.
5) Meditate.

6) Get a massage. Besides its relaxing properties, the touch involved in massage creates warmth in your body and releases the chemical oxytocin—also known as the cuddle hormone.
7) Have sex…another duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8) Getting enough exposure to the sun has been proven to be crucial to happiness and well-being….so get that vitamin D. I can attest to this during the winter at times.
9) Drink coffee. Coffee is the world's most popular mood-enhancing drug, but remember to drink in moderation.
10) Eat more spinach. Popeye's favorite green is packed with folic acid, an important vitamin that boosts serotonin production.
11) Eat more colorful fruits and vegetables. They contain antioxidants which help remove toxins from our bodies that cause stress and aging.

12) Get enough sleep. Sleeping for 8 hours per night can elevate your mood and better prepare you to greet the day.
13) Take vitamin C. Keeping your immune system happy will keep you happy.

Remember, if you’re getting light winded too easily, then you’re not getting enough oxygen to the brain, and well then it can all go downhill from there, let that be your first & only sign to be sure to exercise, lose weight if needed, and build your strength so you can conquer anything, mostly your bliss!

Attitude.....

Your "Attitude" is most relative to your bliss among other things and I'll get to those at a later date but for now let me start with the most important.  In fact, in my opinion it is what can make or break your bliss.  It all depends on how you choose to conduct  yourself through attitude.  Below I have listed 19 items (I tried for an even 20 but this is all I've got for now) that I truly believe help guide me through life & make me able to engage in my every day bliss.  I'm sure you will find these to be relevant & make a lot of sense.
1) Smile. It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.
2) Be grateful or even going as far as making a grateful list. Focus on all the great things in your life to enhance feelings of joy and attract more good things.
3) Break outside your comfort zone. Being comfortable doesn't make you happy—challenging yourself does.
4) Follow your gut. Most of the time your first instinct is not only correct, but the best choice.
5) Don't regret your decisions. If it turns out you were wrong, don't waste time worrying about it, instead make the next best decision and move forward.
6) Accept that you can't be happy all the time. Focus on being content and the "truly happiness" will be all that much sweeter.
7) Try to see from others' perspectives. Much of our unhappiness comes from our frustration with other people not understanding us. Try to imagine how they see the world and the frustration will ease.
8) Let the little things go. There's no sense in wasting your energy and inhibiting your happiness by worrying about things you can't change.
9) Make the decision to be happy. Happiness is an attitude, not a physical state.
10) Don't take things personally. So often, anger and frustration directed at us is a result of someone else's misplaced stress. Recognize that it's not necessarily about you and you'll remain calmer and happier.
11) Savor the small moments. People who take longer to enjoy small moments and then reflect on them later in the day show significant increases in happiness....I know, I'm one of them.
12) Avoid comparing yourself to others. It's damaging to self-esteem—focus on your own achievements.
13) Make meaningful goals.  Humans need a sense of purpose to thrive, I've noticed having dreams and aspirations make you happier than if you are without them.
14) Embrace spirituality. Research suggests and I have purely witnessed that people who participate in a religious community or explore alternate sets of beliefs are happier and better adjusted in life. This is so true; non-participants do not have the same light as a participant (just my opinion & observation).
15) Have a good cry when you need it. Allowing yourself to break down completely is cathartic and you'll feel better after you let it all out.
16) Do realize some folks act out in rude deliberate ways towards you only due to jealousy of your happiness, but never allow that to bring you down or make you hide your happiness either. That's the worst mistake anyone can make, just because you take control of your own happiness and another does not, doesn't mean you should bring your self to their level to have something in common. Take it as an omen that you have your shit together and keep on moving.
17) Learn to forgive yourself. Focusing on your past mistakes serves no purpose besides keeping you from moving on.
18) Maintain perspective. When life starts to feel out of control, remind yourself of the positive things in your life and how lucky you are.

19) Define what happiness means for you. Don't worry about what other people define as happy, find what makes you happy and go for it.
Till next time, keep up a good attitude & enjoy great bliss because of it!

Friday night bliss....

Friday night dinner out in one of our favorite intimate restaurants, the hubby, boys, & I.   It's raining outside, dim lighting, and as usual great talk, laughter, chaotic goofiness from the three year old, friendly chat with our server.  We love this place; it is special to us and even our kids. The 8 year old shares his fondness and this is coming from a gentleman of few words unless, it is a subject in regards to Lego.  Even our other little guy can't wait to get there once it's mentioned.  To top it off, as we all open our fortune cookies, each one reading perfect in reference to us all.  Mine read, "You are admired for your adventurous ways".  My hubby agreed in more ways than one (wink), but what really blissed me out of this world was when my 8 year old said "Oh yeah, that's totally you mom!”   I thought this was sweet but he added in much detail his knowledge of why he felt this way so boldly.  He hit it on the nail though...I was like "Wow you get me!"   Just when you think sometimes your little people may not be paying attention to who you really are other than "only mom", sweet little moments like this engage you.  My littlest guy even began chiming in once he caught onto the discussion.  Awe to be savvied by your children's enchanting words because they know you & to be known by your kids, to me says they really dig you,  and that is the icing on the cake of pure bliss. 

Take the fear out of your rear and just go with it…..

Why allow fear to get in your way of conquering the unknown.  Have you ever had such a fondness for something and never had the guts to do it once you were actually faced with an opportunity? Or, have you had a grand interest in a subject matter, yet never taken the available time to attack it?

What is fear? Is it a tiny indication of confidence lacked there of? I have to imagine so, even if in the slightest.  Are you best accompanied with confidence in the presence & support of another?  If so, then why not use this and gain over all strength of doing what you set out for by not allowing fear to weigh over you.  Of course you may choose to just tackle your task head on in solitude, after all self-perseverance is extremely rewarding.

If you can’t sing, do karaoke.   You can’t dance, start by wiggling your hips out in public, hell do it while shopping at Wal-Mart(this is much fun)…who cares if people are looking; most likely they are cheering you on with your ability to just be. You want a new hair style but you're just not too sure with your features, do it anyway, hair grows back.  You want to lose weight, make it happen, start sweating.  If you are interested in art, pick up a pencil & sketch pad and go to town.   People are rude to you, jump back with a fantastic smile & a cheery “how are you today” and move on...never fret or fray & allow it to ruin your day (I felt the need for a rhyme).  You’re afraid of speaking in front of a crowd; find an opportunity to do it anyway.  You are in the process of learning & conquering & a teacher or pear gives opportunity to share what you have grasped, never be the last to hold up your hand & certainly do not bale at sharing even if you end up being last to go…because that would just be lame.  The best perspective is if you end up looking silly, “so what!”  At least you’ve added a bit of cheer to someone’s day, hopefully including yourself.  After all, if you can’t laugh at yourself then you must not be the best of company….lighten up and take not, yourself too seriously.

It’s ok to be cautious but what better way than to prove to yourself that you can take on a challenge and even meet others along the way & learn from one another.

In simplifying things, “the biggest consequence of fear is missed opportunities.”

Embrace those in our lives & surround you with joyous souls....

There is nothing that can light you up like the laughter with a friend and a joyous soul.  In our journeys in life, we will come across all types of personalities which are; powerful, abrasive, downright hilarious(my favorite type), inspiring, peppy, self-loathing, born-leaders, manipulative, creative, Debbie downers, mentors, bullies, resentful, respectful, chaotic, and simply lovely.  Now we all can harbor some or all of these traits in some way or another, after all we are all human, but it is how much of yourself  you spend in certain areas that can speak volumes about your overall personality type as well as the one’s we surround ourselves with.

The simple truth in a blissful world in relation to relationships is to be open to everyone and give them a chance.  Know what you like in a person, may that be that you prefer to have a lot in common; but never weigh out folks whom differ from you.  Difference can be just as colorful and teach you things about yourself you may not have known otherwise.

 I am so very blessed to have some of the most incredible people in my life whose souls could out shine the sun; they are all so bright with charisma and joy.  Now I know I may sound like I’m exaggerating a bit by saying “I believe my friends to be perfect” but I assure you this is not a far stretch at all from the truth. They each have several important things in common, that being they are all very funny, loving, positive, non-selfish & giving.  Yes, there are many more different qualities that set them apart in different ways and that is what makes them so positively brilliant, individually unique, & interesting.  In turn these wonderful beings add much light to my life.  I like to think that I was lucky to stumble upon them, choose & cherish them and in return they have done the same. 

Take note from the destructive relationships we all have come across at some point or another in our lives and learn from it.  And let me state, never allow a sizzled out relationship keep you closed off from future ones.  I’ve seen this too much and hey, I’ve been there too (for like a minute), it’s normal to go there but never deliver on this thought.  It’s acting out on it which can make you miss out on some of the most fabulous people.  People in our lives serve much purpose whether they are a stranger with a kind word or a blunt truth you pass on the street, neighbor, child hood friend, co-worker, altar boy who simply flashes you a gentle smile that makes your day, family member etc. 

So as I check out, I will go out on the note , “embrace all but be wise to keep those extra special joyous souls close & cherish them”, in turn I’m certain they will do the same by you.