Category: Happiness

Happiness - It's Something We All Look For

5/8/2017

“Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design.” — Jim Rohn

It’s one of the main things that all of us (at least most of us) are looking for in life. I know I want to be happy in my life and that I want to do things to bring more of it to me and those that I care for.

I think as we get older, what we know about happiness changes to more of a simple definition. I see it being about relationships, people, simple and quiet things. When we are young I think it’s more along the lines of looking for happiness in many different places and with many different things. Looking back on my life so far, I wish I would could have grasped this simpler definition on happiness and used it. One big key for me is that I have it now!

Robert Holden brings up a great point for us to always remember – We do not become happy because we are successful; we become successful because we are happy. Notice how it has nothing to do with money or things. While thinking about this topic, an equation popped into my head: Wanting to bring happiness to others = more of it for me.

Jim Rohn is right, which doesn’t come as a surprise, happiness is by design. It doesn’t just happen or fall into our lap. It has everything to do with the way we think, our choices in life and the circumstances we have around us – namely the people we have with us on our journey. There are so many decisions that we make every day that are connected to our happiness. So many little things that we can do and plenty of those things that are all under our control.

One of the major items that I think is directly connected to happiness is that of kindness. Shaunti Feldhahn says it well with kindness being about 3 things: withholding unkindess things, saying kind things and doing kind things. Again, things that we can control and I love things that come as a set of three. I can remember them.

Another major item on the list of happiness and it’s big everywhere, that is having an attitude of gratitude. I’ve been focusing on this for a couple of years now, especially in the morning as I get up with my first cup of coffee and it has been helping me tremendously. I know this and other things can help you too. You must admit, living a life with more happiness in it is far better than not having it. Right? Always looking for some feedback, conversation, comments, etc. :-)

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Quote of the Week - October 14, 2013

10/14/2013

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"Happiness is a choice" ~ Rick Warren

Such a simple truth that bears repeating. It's totally up to us to take this choice and make it our own. I know when I saw it this morning (Monday) I know I had to make it a focus of the week for me and for others too. I was tired after staying up watching my Detroit Tigers fall apart and lost game 2 of the ALCS. Also, it was such a busy weekend with so many things going on that I didn't get done everything I wanted to accomplish, so I was feeling a little down about that.

So not only did I see this quote when I got up this morning, but I also was thinking about it on my way into work. Reminding myself that I have the power to dictate my own day was huge! Napoleon Hill (who I was listening to this morning on my way into work) says it all the time. One of the key components of living a successful life, is to work hard at having control over our own mind. I realized through listening to him that I do indeed have a choice as to my attitude, my mindset, the way I respond to things, etc. It really helped me this weekend as I am really concentrating on watching how I respond to my wife and kids when things don't go my way.

It just occurred to me on how important this statement is. So, I just copied and pasted it into Word. I printed it out to keep on my monitor here at school. I will also have it on my folder for one of my classes too. It's just a nice little check point to re-adjust my thinking and to help me get through the rough times. How do these 4 words affect you? Any thoughts?

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Quote of the Week - May 13, 2013

5/15/2013

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“The goal in life is not to live forever, the goal in life is to create something that does.” – John Maxwell

John Maxwell always has great thoughts. This is one of the many that I enjoy reading about. I guess as I get closer and closer to 50 years old - still a couple of years away - I get to thinking about the bigger picture about what is life all about. This idea that he brings out, should get all of us thinking. As usual with many success and leadership principles, the earlier you think about some of these things, and then start to implement them into your life, the better off you can be.

Everyone should understand that we can't live forever. But John Maxwell is correct in getting us to think about creating things that do go on and on, even after we are gone. It could be a book, articles, or other writings that we might produce that will be around for a long time. It could be an invention maybe or even starting up a business that goes beyond our years. But I tend to view this as the investments that we can make into other people that are the best things we can create that will last longer than we will.

The investments that we make in our own children that will pass onto others. The way we treat and interact with others; both in and outside of our families will carry on after we are gone. The example on how we lead our lives, do get picked up and noticed by others. If we are leading our lives with positive examples - those will be remembered and used by others, which in turn will be picked up by others. If it's the other way around, then others will use our not-so-positive examples in their lives and affect others with them.

Any thoughts? Are you on your way to creating something that will last beyond your years?

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Quote of the Week for February 25, 2015

2/27/2013

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“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” - Oscar Wilde

We all have issues going on in our lives.  It seems now a day that so many people are having more issues in their lives that they must deal with. From money problems, the poor economy, the negative news around the country and around the world, in the media; there is no wonder the mood seems to be sad and depressing at times.

But what about if we took a step back and took a deep breath and tried to look at each issue by itself instead of one big jumbled mess. The things that I’ve been working on, I’ve tried to do just that.  I’m trying to ask myself, “What can I do about that?”  It’s always good to try and deal with things that we can actually do something about. It’s taken me a long time to realize that fact, and to tell you the truth, I still need to be reminded about it all the time it seems. Worrying really doesn't do any good at all.   I've found that if I deal with things that I can control, I feel much better about all the things going on in my life.

I've also began to see that there is opportunity in these bitter trials. Mostly it’s the opportunity for me to get better.  While others may blame, criticize and condemn others for their situations; I’m trying to learn to look for the chances for me to get better and to improve the situation that I find myself in. Does it work all the time? No way, but it’s getting better. There are usually things that come out of tough times that make us better in the long run. That involves having patience and the ability to actually do something about the situations that we find ourselves in. It’s a long process sometimes and we have to remember that life is indeed a journey and there are many things that happen along that journey.

Any insights? Any thoughts? Ideas?  Always looking to learn from others – and I know others are looking to learn from you too. Go on… be a difference maker by offering your ideas to help yourself, me and others.

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Quote of the Week - January 21, 2013

1/23/2013

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"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes." - Andrew Carnegie

Finding this quote on a Monday and thinking about having goals for today (a teacher meeting day) along with goals for the week ahead; got me thinking about having these thoughts going for me long term. Instead of just a Monday or a week, I'm thinking (and I know that) I need to have these going for my future. Thinking about Andrew Carnegie (the steel industry guy) and all the success that he had with people and leadership; I know it's coming from a good source too.

I had a good discussion with a colleague today about focusing in on important things in life. That there are only so many things that we can control and actually do something about ourselves. Happiness comes from the fact that we have the ability to command over our thoughts on those things that are important and that are really important to us. The key is to realize this as soon as we can for then we still have time on our side to do something with this fact. The longer it takes for us to realize the truth to this statment the further away from true happiness I think we will be.

What are your thoughts on this quote? What lessons can you teach me and others with your opinions and thoughts? Please let me know here.

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Quote of the Week, January 14, 2013

1/15/2013

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“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” -- Charles Dickens

One of the things that I try and get across to my students is to be a difference maker. I put my weekly picture on my Blackboard sites and it was that exact message. So when I found this quote
and how much it connected with that important idea, I had to get it out there.

When we set out to make a difference with others, that can be done in so many ways. It is something that all of us can do each and everyday with so many people. First, would be to make a difference with yourself. With everything going on in the world, we can make a huge difference with ourselves by working on how we think. By watching our self-talk, making it more positive rather than negative, that can really help ourselves out. We all have critics taking shots at us along with the everyday trials and tribulations taking shots at us too. How we "defend" ourselves from these issues is very important in making a difference with ourselves.

Once we make a difference with ourselves, we are then able to have a huge impact with helping others. Making a difference with others is one of the things that is most needed in today's world. So many people need help in many different ways and you would be surprised to know that you might be the one that can do it with someone that you will see today. So, see who you can help today along with helping yourself. Make it a point every day you can to lighten the burden of someone else.

The few people that have responded to these thoughts, please know you have already helped me, a great deal with your time and thoughts. So, you've already taken care of helping someone - that someone would be me. :-) I appreciate it very much. Leave me your thoughts since it will not only help me, but in turn it will help others too.

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Quote of the week - November 12, 2012

11/12/2012

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"Be careful how you are talking to yourself because you are listening." ~ Lisa M. Hayes

What a great quote to start out the week with on a Monday morning. Try and catch yourself today (and everyday) where you are battling some negative self talk. Since we are the only ones that are with our self, 24-7, 365 days a year; we really have to watch what we say to ourselves.There is
nothing more hurtful to ourselves and what we want to do with our lives, than to have negative self-talk. Do things that are necessary to talk positively about yourself to yourself. That means, don't be a "poser". You can't fake yourself out. There is no way to think positively about yourself if you aren't living a good and positive life.If we are doing things that we know we shouldn't be doing, we can't get away from knowing about those things.

We might be able to hide it from others, but there is no way of hiding it from ourselves. As we get started this week, whatever you are working on, make a point to stop and think about what you are thinking about and what you are saying to yourself. As always, I'm very interested in your thoughts, ideas and experiences. One think I've learned a long time ago, eventhough I've been a
teacher for almost 24 years, I cand (and should) be a student when it comes to learning about things. No matter how old you are, I know you can teach a few things to me... so thank you for any and all comments.

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Quote of the week November 5th, 2012

11/5/2012

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“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.” - Francesca Reigler

What a GREAT quote to start out a Monday with. With this being the week where we will finally have this presidential election over and done with, it's a great time to connect to your personal happiness. One thing I think is crucial for all of us to do is to realize we are really the ones that are responsible for our own happiness. We truly the ones that make ourselves happy or miserable. It really is a personal choice. For those that think this election will change their lot in life, will change them from having a negative life to that of their world will be all happy and good; they have a rude awakening for sure. Some people think that if their favorite candidate wins, their lives will be all wonderful. I tell my students all the time, be responsible for your own success and happiness. Don't expect anyone, especially the government to do it for you. If we can understand that happiness is really a choice, we can start making better choices that will have lasting affects on ourselves and those that we come in contact with too. Remember, how we carry ourselves sends lessons to everyone we come in contact with. A simple smile is something that can transforms someone's day, and we might not even know that person. Being miserable, actually choosing that, takes work. Being happy, with a positive outlook, takes work too. Which amount of work will pay the biggest dividends throughout your life? Always interested in your thoughts and ideas on this. Let me know.

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New Start

8/14/2012

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New start.

As the summer starts to wind down, it gets me thinking about the new school year starting up in the coming weeks.

One of the many great benefits to my job is that we start over every September. A new group of students, new challenges, new stories, new lessons to learn, etc; it’s all part of our world in education.

It’s another good chance for everyone to take a look at things going on in our life. With summer coming to an end, it always has seemed to me that it’s a new beginning too.

With fall comes a different way of thinking. We all gear up for the weather changes, school starting, football, hayrides, and the fun we had over the summer we get to re-live and remember those times.

It’s a great time of year to get together with friends and family, just like we did in the summer. We get to continue those fun relationships that we had over the summer and it might take some extra work to do that with everyone going in different directions, but it’s worth it.

We also look at changes that we would like to make with summer ending.

There really is no need to wait for the New Year on January 1st to make changes.

In listening to a podcast this morning some ideas came to me to share.

It has occurred to me that happiness comes from growth.

There are things that I have to get done around the house before school starts, and I am trying to work on those these next few days.

It will bring happiness to me for sure. But it will bring even more happiness to my wife and my son who have been let’s say, encouraging me to clean these things up for a long time now.

When you have something to grow for you are living life the way it’s meant to be lived.

Always getting better, fixing the problems in your life. There is an element of excitement there. Doing something about taking yourself from where you were to that place that you are going.

That is why I’m figuring out; I’ve got to look ahead more. There is a bigger picture that needs to be focused on, instead of my mistakes of my past.

See everything that comes your way as growth. I like that thought. Good and bad, see it as growth.

You know me, I’m always looking for feedback to these and other thoughts that are out there. Get in touch with me. It would be great to discuss these and other ideas to help each other out.

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Happiness - It's Something We All Look For

Quote of the Week - October 14, 2013

Quote of the Week - May 13, 2013

Quote of the Week for February 25, 2015

Quote of the Week - January 21, 2013

Quote of the Week, January 14, 2013

Quote of the week - November 12, 2012

Quote of the week November 5th, 2012

New Start

Coach John Daly

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