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April 6, 2012
 If we are stressed and frustrated by the what and the amount of what we have to do, how could doing something lead to calmness, inner peace and a sense of happiness? By aligning what we do with what we truly believe. It sounds simple, until we think about all the things coming at us everyday, that if we aren’t mindful, can sweep us up and carry us on a path we don’t like and didn’t intend.
So how do we claim our calm, stand our ground against the loud and persuasive push of pointless productivity? The first step is through wisdom or self-awareness. We have to know ourselves, dig deep into ourselves and discover our core values, what we believe, what we want, what we love, what we dislike, what brings us joy, what we fear and what drive us.
But what good is wisdom if nothing is done with it? Now comes the doing something. As Hyrum W. Smith mentions in his book, The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management, “inner peace is only possible when the things we are doing are in line with the things we believe.” This is where we set goals, bucket lists and resolutions. No matter what you call them, they won’t help unless we act on them. He suggest we “sit down with our values and goals every single day to create our daily tasks list, in addition to everything else we’ve got to do anyway, and add to our list what really matters. Governing values get into daily task lists through the vehicle of intermediate goals.”
Now I am already a goal setter and list maker. This is not a new concept. But my own happiness often never gets a chance to be scratched off the list as I don’t seem to value my own happiness like the productive things that need done When I started thinking about how I wanted to make time for my own happiness when there seemed to be no time to spare, I came across Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project. In her book she finds her formula for happiness and describes it as, “to be happy, I needed to generate more positive emotions, so that I increased the amount of joy, pleasure, enthusiasm, gratitude, intimacy, and friendship in my life. I also needed to remove sources of bad feelings, so that I suffered less guilt, remorse, shame, anger, envy, boredom, and irritation. I saw that I also needed to consider feeling right….living the life that is right…in occupation, location, marital status, and so on. It’s also about virtue: doing your duty, living up to the expectations you set for yourself.” Then she explains that there is also growth. That “it isn’t goal attainment but the process of striving after goals-that is, growth-that brings happiness.”
She also creates and shares her “scheme to put happiness ideas into practice,” a Resolution Chart. The chart helps her to commit to concrete and measurable actions. She had one major resolution each month and focused on the steps to see them carried out. Each month she added another resolution. You can check some examples out online at http://www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com/resolutions.html
Here are my resolutions and actions steps-
1. Work and woe the body-exercise daily, eat right, sleep right, do routine maintenance (dentist, doctor, hair stylist)
2. Be the master of my mind-read, write, take classes (design, marketing, leadership, art, dance), learn new things, try new technologies and mediums, accomplish tasks I set, complete the to do list I make, clear clutter, find mind time (meditate)
3. Socialfy-nourish current relationships (date nights, show affection, give compliments, have celebrations, vacations, camping, plan a big get together or trip, enjoy others interests, write letters), have coffee or cocktail with a new friend and a dear friend each month, when invited-try to attend, join a group of people with similar interests, spend time with people I adore, admire, aspire to, and appreciate and who appreciate me, extend myself to the community through continuing to volunteer and network, practice excellent spirit of service and be positive, polite and professional
4. Get financially fit-stick to my budget, keep records, file papers monthly, check in with retirement planner, pay down debt, build up savings, think twice, use what I buy or give it up and put it into circulation
5. Evolve my environment-keep work areas organized, things in their place, reflect my style, beliefs, and values in what surrounds me, fix the roof, plant some flowers, paint the rooms I don’t like, purchase furnishings for a feeling of being grounded, clean living areas weekly, storage areas monthly, listen to music
6. Be mindful of matters of the spirit-follow the Golden Rule, exude kindness (there is only love), explore beliefs, explore new places, spend time in nature, enjoy time with my furry friends, think big, pursue my passions, do it with style, leave my mark, create something from nothing, express myself through works of art, music and food, seek stillness, knowledge and truth, give time, money, talent, a smile and a hand
Rubin states that while we can take steps to align our values and our actions to feel a sense of serenity or lasting happiness, “you won’t wake up one day and find that you have achieved it. It is something you have to resolve to do everyday, forever.” We can’t control everything but we can control more than we think. We can choose our attitudes and our actions. She concludes that “the feeling of control is an essential element of happiness-a better predictor of happiness than, say income. Having a feeling of autonomy, of being able to choose what happens in your life or how you spend your time, is crucial. If I keep my resolutions and do the things that make me happier, I end up feeling happier…”
What’s next? Part III (The Impacts and Implications)
Posted by Laura Lynn Housel
January 22, 2012
 I found myself struggling to find inner peace in a fast paced world that values productivity. I recently took a vacation to have the time to do the things I had been wanting but didn’t feel I had the time to do, you know what how this is. But when I returned I felt like I had only set myself up for more stress and a feeling of failure. The piles of paperwork, catch up conversations, daunting deadlines and endless emails were overwhelming. Everyone wanted it now, yesterday, last week. Each proclaimed to be important. Each proclaimed to be urgent. I felt I needed to do more, do it faster, do it right. I felt if I could just get this done, done well, done now then I could relax and feel better. It was if I thought inner peace was waiting for me at the end of the to do list.
Ah, then the realization hit-there is always more to do! I can’t wait to get to the end, because it is endless. Inner peace is not something we have to wait to get to, it is now. Inner peace is not from what we produce but in the process.
Truth is, I knew I created my own situation. I actually like doing things, contributing something of value. I signed on for more tasks all on my own. If the pressure of productivity was stressing me out, then something was not lining up right.
First, I must make sure that I infuse my daily tasks and events with things that also really matter to me. Hyrum W. Smith explains in his book, The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management, that “most people are frustrated and stressed out because they sense their lives are out of control…they feel busy but not productive. We may be doing a lot of what we think we ought to, should do, and have to but not what we truly want to. Inner peace is only possible when the things we are doing are in line with the things we believe.” We make sure we take out the trash, pay the bills, respond to every message, attend every meeting and turn in every report but often neglect to call that friend, take that walk and certainly don’t write that book. He goes on to say “insignificant things get in the way that seem urgent but important things are seldom urgent, unless we make them so.” There are things that have to be done, but unless we make the effort to add in even a little of what we really want to be done, we will never really feel fulfillment. “Discovering what’s most important to you, and doing something about it is what inner peace is all about.”
This is the time of year most of us reflect on our goals, our bucket lists, our resolutions. If we are doing just to do, we won’t feel satisfied, just frustrated. We need to give those big life goals and dreams a sense of urgency. If I seek inner peace through and despite productivity Smith suggests I “sit down with my values and goals every single day to create my daily task list, in addition to everything else I’ve got to do anyway, and add to my list what really matters. Governing values get into daily task lists through the vehicle of intermediate goals.”
What’s next? Part II (The Doing Something)
Posted by Laura Lynn Housel
December 27, 2011
December 26th is National Whiner’s Day. If you missed it, don’t worry there is still time to get your whine on as it is often celebrated on the 27th. This is a day dedicated to whining. Whining is easy, often a knee-jerk reaction, and can be a fun get together game of who has it worse. A great way to celebrate-a whine and geez party.
But seriously, what if all this groaning could lead to growing? It might be possible that whining can lead to something wonderful. If you want to talk about what grieves and depletes you, Martha Beck suggests in her article, ” You Can See Clearly Now,” that you complain about “precisely the things that bother you. The more specific you are about what upsets you, and why, the clearer you can make your desires. People who get what they want tend to be the ones who make the effort to know what they want.” So listen to what you are really saying. Your whining is telling what is broken and can empower you to fix it. Let the moaning set you into motion. The complaints can be a compass, pointing you into a new direction, telling you its time to change course.
Beck goes on to say “these problems may look uncannily like burdens but they are actually invitations to change. That will happen if you use the force of complaint to reach precise solutions.” We cannot wallow too long in our whining and allow ourselves to indulge in the why me mentality trap. A better future comes from moving forward. Imagine the solution, ways to fix the problem, and the steps you can take to make it happen.
National Whiner’s Day is also meant to encourage and remind us to appreciate what all we do have in our lives. Nothing breeds abundance more than gratitude and a positive attitude. Charles Swindoll believes in the impact of attitude. He states that “it is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day. We are in charge of our attitudes.” Build your future upon what you do have, what does work for you, and what matters most to you. Let these be your guide, as you go on and grow, doing good and being kind, keeping you from going adrift but don’t let them become an excuse for stagnation. Sarah Monguso further explains that, “you can’t learn from remembering. You can’t learn from guessing. You can learn only from moving forward at the rate you are moved, as brightness, into brightness.”
Whining can lead to something wonderful if you really listen and use it as a tool to fix what is broken. Let it deliver you to your true desires, your dreams. Ride the waves of change gracefully, don’t let yourself get anchored in and sloshed about reliving the past. Chelle Thompson explains that “when things happen to us, it is the reaction we choose that can create the difference between the sorrows of our past and the joy in our future.” When something upsets you, think about what would make it better. Set your intentions like a sail. When something perceivably good happens or when something perceivably bad happens, you have the power to choose your reaction. You can adjust your sails.
Posted by Laura Lynn Housel
December 7, 2011
The holidays are upon us and are full of iconic images, time-honored traditions and the overwhelming urge to give gifts! Some of us are driven by the thrill of the bargain hunt and some by finding just the right something for that special someone. So whether you shop Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday or Cyber Monday, this year opt for gifts that give back with a longer lasting sense of awe and wonder. No, not the awe and wonder we feel when we receive our credit card statements but the good feeling kind we get by improving a life, a community or even the world.
1. Improve a life
This month, most of us will send a greeting card or two. By going to www.childrensart.org and making our creations or our card purchases, we can help support patient programs at MD Anderson for kids with cancer.
Honor a loved one with a donation to charity in his or her name. A donation to Special Olympics will help provide people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in their communities, develop belief in themselves and feel like champions. For every inspiring Special Olympics athlete, there are many more waiting for their chance to shine. Find out this and more at https://secure.SpecialOlympics.org
While you are searching and shopping online, try giving back to a charity without spending a cent at www.GoodSearch.com. Simply as setting your computer’s homepage for your online searches, the charity of your choice will earn a donation. You can also help your charity through www.GoodShop.com each time you make a purchase at many of your favorite retailers online.
Give a gift that needs no wrapping by giving the gift of a memorable experience. Check out some ideas at www.excitations.com. Or, give the gift of you and volunteer for a cause!
“Each day is a gift to be shared, provide value to others and add value to yourself.” Richard Rowe
2. Improve a community
Money is power and where we choose to spend it matters. Ian Harwick at http://ianharwick.com points out that if you change even one buying decision the benefits will be long lasting. He suggests that close to 66% of the money spent at local businesses stays in the local community. When we practice some conscious consumerism and shop local, the Mile High Business Alliance states that it will recirculate 3 times more in our community. The benefits of buying local ripples out across the entire community and comes back to us and ours. The Alliance outlines that local businesses buy more from other local businesses and this means more vitality and wealth in our community. This leads to “more jobs, more tax revenues, and more unique neighborhoods providing the experiences we enjoy.” http://www.milehighbusinessalliance.org
3. Improve the world
If you live in a thriving community, giving back may be as easy as stopping downtown at your local shop on your way home from work. But, perhaps you could extend your helping hand this holiday season and beyond with gifts of fairness. By choosing to purchase Fair Trade items you can help those less fortunate that are struggling in developing countries. Fair Trade Organizations travel to third world and developing countries and work with different artisans and producers to help give them a better life. They help provide workers with a living wage to assist in covering living and basic expenses. Workers are able to keep their cultural traditions in their craft and the work does not deplete or permanently damage the environment.
Fair Trade products include but are not limited to coffee, tea, body care, apparel, art, crafts, and jewelry. One of my favorites for stocking stuffers and an everyday staple is Green & Black’s chocolate. Green is for organic and black is for the deep, rich dark brown color of the chocolate. www.greenandblacks.com According to Fair Trade USA, each time you purchase a fair trade product, you help support families and causes all over the world. Check out http://www.FairTradeUSA.org for more great information on partners and products, some of which may be in our own local shop.
So as we find ourselves in the spirit of the season of giving, remember we can make a slight shift and give gifts that give back. Our money can be more than a flash in the pan, it can make a measurable difference as a memorable experience, the maintenance of the health of a community or a means to end the suffering of a society. Our money is our vote on what we value and our choices cause a ripple effect.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Theresa
Posted by Laura Lynn Housel
October 28, 2011
Friends - I’ll be moving my written blog to a video blog in the
near future, this is in better synergy with my talent and vision. Happy fall
and stay tuned!
Embrace the day!!!
Richard
January 18, 2011
Looking Into The Past To See The Future
With the remainder of the steelhead run waning fast, I find my attention turning to warm memories from the Driftless. Hot summer days spent climbing around the naturally cool aquatic jewels that are Wisconin’s spring creeks. This is the fishing I look forward to most and I find myself looking into the past to remind myself of just what the experience of fishing them is like.
A successful annual trout season really only gets better with age. Such a phenomena is not unknown in our lives outside of fishing. But somehow when we ponder an entire season, we are left with a stylized version of what happened. We look back and see a string of smiles, victories, hatches-matched and big trout subdued. This romanticized view is somewhat inaccurate in so far as it ignores the speeding tickets, landowner confrontations, stinging nettle, brutal heat and the skunked days that form the grammar and punctuation of our typical year on the water. Yet very little of this matters and I look to this past to measure possibility in my future.
It will be sometime before I get the privilege to experience this time and place again. At the very least, I will have to wait until March. More likely though I will have to wait until another summer season has passed. Only then will my memories begin to shuffle into a syntax that leaves me awash in satisfaction and yet wanting a bit more. The experience I’m after is a tough one to know, for even when you are in it’s midst, there is little you can do to recognize it. You must be content with the knowledge that when all is said and done, an overall feeling might emerge. I can look to seasons past and can recognize this awareness and hope that I am fortunate enough to experience it again.
I close my eyes and transport myself to a field of tall grasses, whispering in the breeze and crunching under foot. I find the winding stream hidden among the dense growth. I pause to look up and see a hawk on the wing. I hear more rustling and look across the stream to see a curious cow who has come to investigate. A trout just rose and I know I’m there.
August 24, 2009
NEW YORK CITY — You’ve heard of people going from rags-to-riches. Well, this is the story of the man who went from riches-to-rags.
Michael Gates Gill was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. And when he lost it all, he found true happiness — with God’s help.
Sweeping trash at Starbucks is the last thing the once affluent Mike Gill ever dreamed he’d be doing. But don’t ask him to give it up.
“My story is irrefutable evidence that sometimes loss can bring a new found peace and happiness,” Mike said. “Because I’m happier today talking to you right this morning as a barista at Starbucks than I ever was in the big six-figure job with the corner office and a big mansion.”
The son of famed New Yorker writer Brendan Gill, Mike partied with A-list celebrities, attended Yale, and worked for decades at the world’s largest ad agency, handling accounts like Ford and Christian Dior.
Then it was gone.
“I’d been fired from my job, I lost my big house, I was divorced, I was virtually broke, and I’d just been diagnosed with a brain tumor,” Mike said.
When Michael hit rock bottom, he found himself brooding over a cup of joe. Well, Starbucks happened to be hiring that day, and when asked if he wanted a job, for some reason, he said yes.
And from that point on, after a lifetime of manipulating people, Mike began to realize that joy comes from serving, not from being served.
“We’re made to try to find, with God’s help, our own way to help others. Whether taking out the garbage, cleaning the toilet or simply serving someone a cup of coffee and seeing the smile on their face, and giving a little service to people that makes them happy and increases their joy of the day, really makes me happy,” he said.
Mike felt newfound respect for people from different backgrounds, those he used to consider inferior. The surprises kept on coming.
You have to fall pretty far down the ladder to go from a 35-bedroom mansion to a one-bedroom attic apartment. But that’s what happened to Mike Gill. But believe it or not, he actually prefers his modest surroundings to this.
And that’s a third floor attic, no elevator, with just a few inexpensive furnishings inside. And Mike wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s like, you know how when you’re going through the airport and you’re carrying too much stuff, rushing to meet a plane? I was doing that. The Bible says you’re possessed by your possessions. And now I don’t have any possessions,” he said.
On his way to finding that peace, Mike wrote a diary, which turned into the bestseller, How Starbucks Saved My Life. Now, Tom Hanks is turning it into a movie starring himself as Mike.
“He said he loved that idea that at any time in life, you could discover a whole new kind of life that would make you happier than anything you’ve lived before,” Mike said.
So in the wake of losing your home, job, marriage or health, look for blessings.
“When you get external shocks, the best way to react is to take a big breath and go somewhere quiet and open your heart to God,” Mike said. “And He will give you all the love and joy you need to have a happier life than you would have ever imagined.”
By Lorie Johnson
*Originally aired August 19, 2009
May 21, 2009
When we see someone in need, take action to move them to the next level. It might only take a smile or a kind word but it will always take action!
Nothing big for this entry, just a warm thought and thank you for creating positive ripples.
Smile - share ; )
April 30, 2009
Don’t forget that today; 30 Apr is the national “Pay it Forward” day, give without condition.
It’s in giving that we receive - powerful thoughts!
Have fun - kindness is additive. Become a “kindaholic”!
Embrace the day,
Richard
National Pay it Forward day
April 23, 2009
Talk about a surprise, enjoy this video. Before we assume something about the people we meet, give them a chance to inspire us. Be an Ocean; create ripples of kinds and opportunity.
Surprise
Enbrace the day.
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