Happiness is a difficult subject to concretely define, and many people have many various opinions about what would constitute happiness.

How do you exactly determine what happiness is? Is a certain lifestyle, a certain behavior, a certain world view? People have a variety of opinions. Some argue that money is the key to happiness.

A certain radio host argues that happiness is a serious problem and in fact achieving it is a moral obligation. Some have even suggested that the art of setting and achieving goals is the key to happiness. Is this really the case or is there something much more complicated to the idea of being happy?

Some people would equate happiness with having a good time or achieving a great deal of material wealth. Others would have a more philosophical or religious viewpoint which looks at happiness as a virtuous life – that is, a disciplined life well led according to certain moral or ethical principles.

I tend to agree with the latter of these two points. However, I believe it must also be said that complete happiness in this life requires a combination of the above options. In other words, we need to have a certain amount of material wealth and career success in order to achieve a truly complete happiness.

A little extra money is always certainly helpful, but if its coupled with a plan towards achieving your goals a little can go a long way.

It has been said many times that money cannot buy happiness, and I would have to agree strongly with this proposition. Yet, anyone who has struggled to survive financially knows that simply focusing on ethics will make it extremely difficult to achieve complete happiness.

Setting goals could actually help you achieve both types of objectives. There is no reason why you cannot combine financial, social, and career goals with more spiritual goals that focus on your character and the type of person you want to be in your everyday life.

No matter what it is you are trying to achieve, setting goals dramatically increases the likelihood that you will achieve these objectives. If you want the greatest chance possible of having a happy and prosperous life (as well as an ethically or religiously grounded life), then each of these needs should be specifically planned for and set as goals for your life.

Perhaps in this sense, we can assert that setting goals is at least one of the keys to happiness.

Jacob Lumbroso is a writer and an enthusiast for foreign languages, history, and foreign cultures. He recommends http://ottomansforsale.org/ for anyone looking to buy Ottomans for Sale.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

-Winston Churchill

The #1 question I am asked more than anything else is, “How do I stop feeling like I do?” Put another way, “How do I stop the pain?” No matter what your situation, whether you’ve been left by your partner, you’ve just lost your job, you have no confidence, you’re jealous, you want revenge and on and on, YOU CAN get beyond the emotions and feelings attached to it.

First let me say this…we’re all only human. Of course you are going to have the initial pangs of hurt, anger, fear, etc. at the onset of any situation. It’s called reaction. It’s normal to have these kinds of feelings when you are threatened by a situation or hurt by someone.

When things don’t work out the way you would like them to there’s no doubt it will elicit a gamut of emotions and feelings that you have to deal with. But, it becomes a problem when you can’t let go of feeling bad about whatever has happened or is happening.

Whether you like it or not, you have to first accept what is. If you have no control over what has occurred, wishing things were different isn’t going to make it so. It’s in this resisting of what is and not accepting, that causes your pain.

So, how do you get over it? You change your thoughts. You change what you keep saying to yourself about the situation, you get in control of your inner dialogue. You control the one thing you can – your view of it, the way you choose to look at any given set of circumstances.

You can apply this to anything you are experiencing. Take this example: let’s say your relationship has ended. After the initial shock and expected time in healing you still find yourself stuck in the pain, you can’t seem to get over it and you may even believe you never will.

Remember, no matter what you’re experiencing, (job loss, jealousy etc.) it’s what you are telling yourself about this situation that keeps you from moving forward.

Back to the breakup. So, you are sitting there feeling miserable, you are going over and over in your mind, what if, if only, shoulda-woulda-coulda – all kinds of thoughts of what happened and how things might have been different if you had done things differently.

You may be saying things like: I feel so bad, I’m so hurt, I’m devastated, I’ll never get over this, how could this happen to me, why did this happen, I’m so depressed, I’ll never meet anyone again, who are they with, what is wrong with me that they didn’t love me, and the list goes on. (Remember, the words will change according to whatever the personal “thing” you’re trying to get over.)

Now, how do you think these kinds of thoughts would make a person feel? Good or bad? It is these exact moments of dwelling on your situation in a negative, non productive manner that will make Heaven out of hell or hell out of Heaven.

You have to flip the script!

You can start slowly, but the key is starting. Instead, each time you catch yourself falling back into the pit of woe-is-me thinking you have to change your thoughts. Say something like this: I may feel crushed right now but I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Or, I’ve been through a lot and I miss what I had but each day I am moving closer and closer to getting over this. Or, I am strong and I know that this too shall pass.

I don’t care what it is you say, but you must say something other than whatever it is you keep saying to yourself now. Figure it out and write it down. Each time you fall back, read it and re-read it. Keep telling yourself that sometimes things don’t happen the way we want but it doesn’t mean your life is over; only that part of it is over.

Plus, know that everything happens for a reason. Most times it’s a blessing in disguise. But if you keep dwelling on what makes you feel bad, that is exactly how you are going to experience your day, feeling bad.

You are the only one who has control of what you think about any given situation. You can make it good or bad, livable or not by how you present it to your mind. If you keep beating yourself over the head with toxic thoughts it will only serve to keep you stuck exactly where you don’t want to be.

So if there is something you’re trying to get over now you know, it is the way you choose to think about it that will make you or break you. So choose your thoughts wisely. It’s 100% your choice as to what you think.

Do you want to find out more about how to stop wasting your time and begin living your best life now. Visit Susan’s site. Susan’s work has inspired people from all over the world to take back their power! Learn the secrets in her new book: “The 7 Keys to Unlock the Power Within You.”

I know there are things I wish I had done differently in my life and perhaps you’re the same.

If you are not satisfied with the life you have built for yourself I tell you there is a way to change it. Follow along as I explain what I mean.

There is a way for you to turn it all around, to become the success you have always hoped you’d be. The power to change, to turn your life around is and has always been available to you. It lies within your Intentional Mind Power.

The Universal Mind or Cosmic Consciousness is a vast reservoir of untapped resources just waiting for you to place your order and take possession. For you to utilize your Intentional Mind Power you need to develop a more disciplined mind and this is quite easy for anyone to do.

Developing a high degree of focus and concentration is the key and you can improve yours by merely sitting in a chair for 15 minutes, twice a day. The best times are first thing in the morning when you get up and the last thing at night before going to bed

The purpose of this is to access your super-conscious mind. The part of the mind that has a direct link to the Universal Mind

The Universal Mind is a living, breathing, thinking entity that dwells within the interspaces of the universe. A thought, which is energy, placed into the Universal Mind will set the creative wheels in motion.

Once the Universal Mind creates the desired thing it then sets forth to produce the cause and effect necessary for you to possess whatever it is your thought created.

Not many people really know what cause and effect really means. The reason is the cause and the reality of the situation is the effect. By changing the cause to make it possible for the desired effect to become your reality. Cosmic Law states the cause and effect is an irrefutable law

In order to change the cause first make an image of the situation you desire in as much detail as you can. Then while accessing your super-conscious which is directly linked to the Universal Mind you implant it into the Universal Mind like placing an order

Placing your order to the Universal Mind is best done while accessing the super-consciousness. When you are in the alpha state you are accessing your super-conscious mind and therefor in direct contact with the Universal Mind

I believe meditation is the best way to reach the alpha state even though there are many other ways. It is up to you to find out the best way for you to reach the alpha state.

One thing you must know is that you drop into the alpha just before going to sleep and right after you wake up in the morning. When you are awakened by an alarm clock you jump all the mental states going directly to the beta state

When you are new to all this finding an easy to follow, guaranteed simple method is best and the one I recommend is all that and uses onlyh natural means to aid you on your way. To learn more simply go to Intentional Mind Power.

Have you ever wondered what separates people like Bill Gates, Arthur Blank, Michael Jordan, Abraham Lincoln, and Socrates from people like you and I?

These people were able to use their powerful personalities and creative insights to make huge changes in the way we look at life. What made them so different though, were they born with some special gene or something that you lack?

As we get ready for a new year that will absolutely be filled with new challenges let’s think about the things that set these people apart and consider how we can grab hold of these successful characteristics to make our lives better.

People of power don’t wait for others they take charge of their own life. Great people realize that your pitiful set of circumstances are not someone else’s fault. Even when terrible things come their way people of greatness keep moving forward.

They never sit back and blame the government, their parents, or their shoddy education for their problems. When they see a problem they just go after the solution and never waste time on regretting the past. Action step, stop blaming others and take charge of your own life.

People of power know that associations are everything. Recently I had a young entrepreneur tell me that he began to be more successful when he stopped hanging out with his buddies and he started hanging out with people who were successful in business.

He said “I was amazed at how these people didn’t think of making a million dollars as a big deal, they just went out, put their plan into motion and did it.” It is having associations like that, that will give you the inspiration to reach higher than you have ever thought you could.

Action step, target four or five very successful people in your town and ask them out to lunch. Tell them you want to talk to them about their success. It is not very often that they will say no if you approach it in the right way, it may take a few tries but this is a great way to get involved in new networks of people.

People of power know that helping others is a very important key. Henry Ford said it like this “To do more for the world than the world has done for you, that is success.” Successful people know that giving to others is a big part of what makes them successful in life.

There is no doubt there are some stingy rich people out there, but there is a big difference in being rich and being successful. Sometimes you need to go the extra mile and give of yourself in a way that hurts. Give more than you think you can and you will be rewarded more than you can imagine.

Action step, find a charity to donate time or resources to. Make connections, increase your network and get involved with the good that is going on there.

If you have made it this far in this writing you are well on your way to being more successful this next year. This is the most incredible relationship advice that you will ever get, improve yourself. Take these concepts and write them down.

Make an effort to put them into action so that they will forever be a natural part of your character. When I see you this time next year you will be surprised at how much they have changed your life. I will hardly recognize you.

I have one more hint for you, and this is one that I normally charge
for. Instead I am going to give it to you for free.

Visit One Final Hint and I will give you a special report I wrote on lighting a fire in your relationships. You will be stunned that I am giving this away for free once you read what is inside it. Everyone should have these secrets, but you will only find them at that link above.

The Secret of Deliberate creation claims that it can help you achieve all of the dreams you desired.

What I found particularly nice was that the audio is a treat to listen to. The program is in an easy and understandable language which is set at a nice pace and is very effective. All the tracks are broken down into a thirty minute piece at the max, so overall you have about 5.5 hours of really constructive information.

The whole package contains eight CD’s, The first seven CD’s are a mix of the main content of what to expect from the secret of deliberate creation and quick start programs which give you a deep experience of manifestation of science in achieving your desires. The eighth CD is a bonus one. This CD has six e-books and software to help you out a little bit more.

I can safely say that this program helped me achieve what I wanted, be it breaking out of my old habits or patterns which had me in their grip for a long time.

Some of the information about the universe that he shares comes as a huge surprise. I never knew that universe can conspire with us in helping us achieve our dreams. The hypnosis system which he effectively discusses can come as a boon for many.

Once you start using this program you will understand how effective it can actually prove to be, its one of those programs you can keep going back to if you face any dilemmas. It removes mental blocks and frees your inner mind and also your body.

Anyone and everyone can utilize this program for their benefit, the key is to listen to it and apply his methods. It can change your life and your lifestyle. There is absolutely no need for any prior skill or expertise to make it work.

You have to listen to it daily and put your faith in it. As we all know practice makes perfect and this rule applies here too. All you have to do is download it online or order it. All the concepts that Dr Anthony speaks about in the secret of deliberate creation are the ones we really need to understand and change in our daily life.

While the product itself is very effective, I personally did not find the bonuses as helpful. There is absolutely no need of adding on E-books which we most definitely won’t require. This product can stand on its own. So all in all I give it a 9 out of ten rating.

For more information on Dr. Robert Anthony’s program and an indepth review click here and for more information on the power of your mind and why you keep doing things which you do not want to do and how to effectively change that click here

It is a very unfortunate fact that as a result of the recent recession, many business owners have become panicked about the future of their business.

Yes, it is sensible to make ourselves aware of any financial issues which may or will affect us directly, but by adopting a negative attitude, we could in fact do more harm to the success and overall future of our business if we allow these pessimistic views to take over our business mind.

Fear can work both ways within our lives. At one end of the spectrum, fear can be the one thing which pushes us to succeed and can motivate us.

At the other end, it can have disastrous effects as our fear influences our emotions within our business approaches which affect our managerial styling and ultimately, our profits.

In some cases we may simply shrug off our negative attitude as stress which comes hand in hand from owning our own business. However, if we are able to get to grips with the issues which are affecting our attitude, we can help improve the overall success of our business and reap the benefits of positive thinking.

It is likely that there may be a number of factors which have caused you to adopt a less than positive attitude but in order to effectively alter this attitude; you need to be able to identify what is going well with your business to re-focus your motivation.

If you have been able to acquire new clients or leads or have witnessed a fantastic outcome as a result of a new marketing or promotional strategy, you need to focus on these positives. If you have been losing money as a result of the recession for example, look at what changes you made in order to keep yourself afloat and analyze whether these changes will be able to stay in place for a prolonged period of time in order to optimize your saved money.

During times of crisis, we often find although are not aware, that we constantly think or communicate negative thoughts whether these are thoughts about us as a person, or about our business. In order to adopt a positive attitude, you need to consider how your negative thoughts may be affecting the way in which you make business related decisions.

Allowing our worries to diminish our ability to stay positive may result in us shying away from making any decisions which are considered too risky. Yes, it is understandable that problems within your business may make you more hesitant to take risks, but sometimes, taking a risk can help propel our business to where it deserves to be.

These risks may be changing your marketing strategies, looking to build on your clientele or even looking to expand your business. By thinking positive thoughts about how these risks can benefit your business, you will learn to expect good things for your business, helping you to maintain a positive outlook for your business.

Recognizing a great opportunity during these difficult times could be the one thing which keeps you ahead of your competitors.

Finally, one effective way in which to help your business succeed as a result of your positive thoughts is to practice positive affirmations. Although at a first glance this may appear to be a slightly embarrassing task to tackle, filling your mind with positive thoughts can make you more equipped to rid your mind of the negative ones, helping you improve on your decision making and overall managing of your business.

Draft a few empowering sentences which relate directly to what you hope to achieve with your business and any future aspirations you have for your company and repeat these as often as you feel you need to. Weak affirmations will only aid in placing doubt in your mind as an entrepreneur.

It is unfortunate fact how many business owners are allowing their negative thoughts consume their minds and ruin the foundations of the business. Although this is something which we may fear will occur to us, it is important to remember that in the event that our competitors face this feat that it can in actual fact, help us to succeed further. Now, that’s something to be positive about, surely?

Diana Samalot is mother of twin girls, writer, entrepreneur, master marketer and success coach. Using the proven system, training, coaching and world class support that the top 1% earners use will take your business to the next level whether you are seasoned or a newbie. Take action now and find out if you qualify to become part of her team of entrepreneurs and a millionaire by 2012, go to http://thebestmillionairecreator.com

“Self-sabotage is when we say we want something and then go about making sure it doesn’t happen.” -Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby

Do you think a trained athlete goes into a game thinking, “I know I’m going to lose, I can just feel it.” Or, “I’ll never win this I’m just not as good as the others.” Or, “Who am I kidding, with my luck I’m going to lose.

No way! These people are not only trained in their field of expertise but they are “mentally” trained to prepare for the big events in their lives. They are mentally pumped up! They visualize peak performance. They see themselves winning. They master their mental skills so they perform at their best. They are in the “Zone.”

It’s the same with your life. Do you believe you will succeed? Do you know without a question that no matter what life throws you, you are a survivor? Do you look at life with hope and anticipation of good following you? Or, are you a defeatist? Do you approach your life with a negative attitude and a foreboding that if the worst can happen, the worst will happen?

If you are walking around saying things like, “I’ll never do or have whatever it is I want,” whether it’s to get married, lose weight, get that job, find a way out of debt, be happy and on and on; you will suffer defeat before you ever get in the game.

It’s time to take a look at the glass and be honest as to whether or not you see that glass half empty or half full. Decide how you want to approach life. If you are on the “right” thinking path; keep on going. But, if you find yourself walking down Poor Me Highway, it’s time to get off at the next exit and put yourself back on course.

People will go and work out for an hour, they will shop till the drop, they will spend hours reading a book, they will spend time watching or playing a sport but, when do they take the time to get in touch with their inner-self and in particular their inner dialogue?

If you slow down and breathe and really listen to your thoughts you will start to see why your life is where it is right now; why you haven’t met anyone yet, why you’re still fat, why you won’t let go of the past, why you’re still in debt and why you’re still unhappy.

Your thoughts are the conduit for your experiences. Whatever you mentally put out there, whether you’re aware of it or not, is exactly what you will see showing up in your life. Your life is a mirror of what you think.

So if you want to get into the game of life and play it like a champ; enjoying the thrill of winning and being a viable contender. Then don’t allow your thoughts to defeat you before you even give yourself a chance.

Start today and let yourself know that it’s inherent in your nature to be a winner. You have the God/Allah/Higher Power given ability to do the thing you think you can’t and have success in any area of your life.

Tap into the strength that is already within you to be the best you can be and leave the rest behind. Get the word “loser” out of your vocabulary and triumph over a defeatist mentality to win the prize of your life – Happiness, peace of mind and the confidence to be anything you want to be and do anything you want to do!

Do you want to live a better life or do you just want to talk about it?

Susan Russo is an author whose direct approach is a wake-up call for those who are sleep walking through life. Find out how to wake up each day and enjoy your life!

With kids, work, commuting, email, cell phones, and all of our other responsibilities, it seems like the world keeps getting faster and more complex.

Sure, a lot of the new conveniences are great, but they can also leave you wanting to slow down and make things simpler.

If you feel like your life has turned into a rollercoaster you have no control over, there are ways to simplify things. If you’re looking for a way to calm down and relieve the stress, start by following these 3 tips:

1. Choose quality over quantity.

When’s the last time you looked in your closet, basement, or garage? Chances are, it’s full of stuff! There are plenty of things we accumulate over the years – things we think will make our lives easier, happier, or more exciting.

However, most of that stuff winds up collecting dust. Then, instead of feeling happy from your purchases, you’ve just created another chore for yourself – cleaning out the garage. It’s certainly not a way to relax!

Organize your home and get rid of all the stuff you don’t want or need. You’ll immediately feel better, because a cluttered home can make your entire life feel cluttered. As the space around you starts to get neat and tidy, your attitude will soon follow.

And, if you really want to feel better, donate all of that unwanted stuff to charity – and give it to people who really need it!

2. Learn to say no.

It’s a tiny word, but a tough one to say! If you have a huge project at work and the PTA wants to you to be in charge of the 3rd grade bake sale, politely decline. By trying to fit too much onto your plate, you’ll make yourself feel stressed and anxious.

If you absolutely don’t have time for something, don’t heap it onto your pile of responsibilities. You’ll either wind up draining yourself trying to get everything done or you’ll feel like a failure when you can’t do it all.

3. Devote a little bit of time each day to silence.

Whether it’s actual noise – like the kids playing in the living room – or figurative noise – like all of those nagging thoughts racing through your head – you’ll never be able to simplify your life without spending time in silence.

Take a nice bath, go for a long walk, or read a few chapters of a great book. No matter how you shut off the noise around you, it doesn’t have to take long – and it can work wonders. Devoting a little bit of your day to silence is a great way to feel relaxed and peaceful.

No matter how you decide to do it, simplifying your life means actively slowing things down! It may take work at first, but soon, it’ll feel like second-nature.

Tony Mase is a serious student of the works of Wallace D. Wattles and the publisher of the “A Powerful Life: The Lost Writings of Wallace D. Wattles” ebook that includes “The Powerful Life” by Wallace D. Wattles along with twenty-two other rare books and articles by Wallace D. Wattles. Grab your copy now at: http://www.wallacedwattles.com

Copyright © 2010 Steve M Nash

They say that only 7% of communication involves actual words.

A massive 55% of communication, can you believe, is down to body language – how we hold ourselves, the look in our eyes, how we smile or frown or growl! Well, what if it were the other way round? What if only 7% of communication was body language and 55% of communication was expressed via words?

Well poor ol’ Mae West, for one, would have had far too much time on her hands that’s for sure. Mae famously said this once: “So many men, so little time.”

And the reason she said that, was because she also said this: “I speak two languages, Body and English.”

So if body language was less important in how we successfully communicate… well, as I said, maybe Mae West would have had far too much time on her hands.

Actually, maybe not. Truth is, she was also an expert in English – in *speaking* and listening to it! The rest of us, though, would have to become experts at speaking and listening. Meaning, we’d all have to learn how to explain ourselves verbally AND be lucid listeners.

All sound a bit odd and unnecessary?

Well okay, if you don’t like that ‘what if’ idea to do with body language – if you think it’s sensible that 7% of what we say comes from our words and 55% comes from our (often involuntary) body movements – then how about this ‘what if’ scenario?

What if ‘body language’ was a course you could study at college?

What if each term students gathered together and did exercises, role plays and a whole lot of other physical activities that enabled them all to understand the body language signs better.

What if the course had modules that were called:

* Interpreting body language – “the ABCs” or * Reading people’s body language (with an add-on module for the study of suspected criminals), or * Body language in communication – understanding body language

… You get the idea.

Well do you think employers would rail against yet another daft vocational course, OR do you think they’d get all of their staff (especially their sales staff) enrolled tout suite?

How do you think banks and shops and restaurants would cope if all their staff were graduates possessing this new body language degree?

How much better would big businesses run if their staff not only had been taught in how to write emails, but if they also had to be expert at how to read body, too?

Yes, what if body language *was* a skill that was taught like this, rather than having to rely on a) having natural body language reading abilities, b) reading relevant books on the subject, or c) reading (occasionally daft) body language articles to learn the truth.

What if!

Well, I know at least one individual (ahem!) who would be a whole lot happier and successful in life if this ‘crazy’ situation I’ve just described was true.

Alas, the reality of the situation is not like this at all.

In fact, Mae West sums up the truth of how much we all struggle, sometimes, with the vagaries of body language with this amusing quote:

“It isn’t what I do, but how I do it. It isn’t what I say, but how I say it, and how I look when I do it and say it.”

Clearly, understanding body language is an important skill to learn.

So my only advice to you is this: whatever way you learn how to read body language, the important thing is that you *learn how*…

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got that Mae West coming round for tea and I have to get rid of all the clocks…

Steve M Nash believes that you are your own self help guru. And that’s why he created http://www.SelfHelpCollective.com – to let you help yourself, and help others too. And you can find out what Steve *really* knows about body language here – http://www.selfhelpcollective.com/body-language.html

Do you think that you need help in life? It sometimes seems that my life is overwhelming with so much going on.

It seems that I have no way to finish all the tasks I have at hand. I have found a simple and effective principle to make life work so much easier. I think of this principle like the grease that makes an engine run more smoothly.

This is the principle of reciprocity. You may have heard of this before but I think if you read closely you will see that I have a little different spin on this that will make it work just for you.

Mr. Webster says that reciprocity is “A mutual exchange of privileges”. Here is how the principle of reciprocity is going to change your life. Do you think you have barely enough time to get things done? Do you have it in your mind that your day cannot hold anything else?

My advice is probably going to tick you off then. My advice is to reach out and help someone else. Don’t just help someone by opening a door for them, do something drastic. Most importantly do it without hope of return. You heard me right you cannot expect anything back from these actions. That is the solution to making this work in your life. If you will just trust me and give this a try you will see it works.

Just like that, is how the reciprocity principle works. You reach out to others and you do something that is helpful and completely above and beyond. You do it all without hope that they can do anything in return. Then the magic happens. The simple fact is the more kindness you give the more that will be given back to you. It becomes a giving and receiving of privileges. You will begin to multiply your abilities, your strengths, your ability to manage time.

“Do you think this can help in my love life?” one person asked me. It not only can help, it is essential for a relationship. I want to keep stressing that for this to work you must give freely and not expect anything in return. The principle dies on the works of a person with selfish motives. This may all seem very Pollyanna to you, but I can tell you from experience time and time again that it works, and it works very well.

This works but most people won’t ever even try it. If you want cutting edge, exciting information on how to make your relationships great then visit Principle of Reciprocation and get a free video and special report on how to improve your relationships now! (This information is normally valued at $97)