What is Happiness?

Happiness is:

·         In the present

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.

Dale Carnegie

·         Friendship

To be able to find joy in another’s joy: that is the secret of happiness

Geroges Bernanos 

·         Serenity

Happiness is to seek and find peace of mind.

Gillian Hughes

·         Little things

Happiness is when everyday things shine like gold.

Pam Brown

·         Within

Happiness is inward and not outward; and so it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are.

Henry Van Dyke

·         A new beginning

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Confucius

·         Giving

All of us have the power to give happiness… a listening ear, a seeing eye, an outstretched hand.

Pam Brown

·         In pain

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.

Dolly Parton

·         Kindness

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

·         In you

Learn to value yourself, which means to fight for your happiness.

Ayn Rand

·         Laughter

The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed.

Sebastien R. N. Chamfort

·         Living life fully

The sense of existence is the greatest happiness

Benjamin Disraeli

What is your happiness? 

Top 3 Posts in October 2012

1. How to Live Longer Meaningfully

According to an item in the news you live longer when you work longer. Look at the chart below:

Retirement age and life span

Country           Retirement age   Average life span

 Singapore       62                       84(F) 79(M)

Hong Kong     Nil                       86(F) 80(M)

Japan              60                       87(F) 80(M)

Korea             60                       84(F) 77(M)

Malaysia         55                       77(F) 73(M)

Indonesia        55                       72(F) 68(M)

The key to longevity is meaningful activities. What can you do to extend your life span?


2. 7 Effective Ways to Cope With Unemployment

The U.S. unemployment rate is at 8.1% with no clear sign of improvement. What do you do when you are suddenly retrenched from a well-paid job? You have been working in a company for more than 20 years and you are given a house and a car plus other benefits. Here are practical ways to face such a challenging situation:


3. 10 Ways to a Healthy Brain

Here are 10 ways to look after your brain so that you stay alert, read and understand faster, remember more, think clearly and are more creative:

10 Great Ways to be Employable

Employability refers to a person's capability for gaining and maintaining employment.

Hillage and Pollard, 1998

Having a good degree does not mean that you are employable, you need a combination of qualifications, experience, personal characteristics to avoid being unemployable. The other point to note is that you may be employed, but are you really employable? Find out what you need to be truly employable:  

1.      Creative: You are hired to get things done effectively and efficiently. You need logical, analytical, and problem-solving skills to sustain your employability.

2.      Innovative: You cannot stay in your comfort zone. You have to innovate (Lat. innovare: "to change") and do things differently. It means taking risks and making mistakes. To change is to create new ideas and stand above the crowd.

3.      Collaborative: Be able to work hand in glove with others and achieve company goals. Know how to leverage the strengths of others to boost your own productivity.

4.      People skills: Be cheerful. Acknowledge and pay attention to others. Be interested in and look for the good in others. Know when and how to approach others to get things done. Develop the habit of seeing things from the point of view of others.

5.      Technical skills: This is your area of specialized knowledge and expertise. The most important thing is that you must be able to perform by applying what you have learnt.   

6.      Enterprising: What is your business sense? According to Wikipedia, it is the keenness and quickness in understanding and dealing with a business situation. Are you able to see the big picture and make wise decisions?

7.      Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing is crucial for your employability. Learn to listen attentively, study their body language and understand unspoken words.

8.      Language skills: The way to impress another person is to speak his or her language. The more languages you know, the easier it is for you to connect with others. In a cosmopolitan country like Malaysia, it is a necessity to know English, Malay, and Chinese to sustain your employability.       

9.      Personal attributes: Be honest, punctual, and able to meet deadlines. This is the way to gain trust and respect. Be flexible and adaptable.  Productive habits like getting up early, planning ahead, and organizing from day to day are effective self-management. Adopt a can-do attitude and never whine in the face of difficulties.

10.  IT skills: To be employable long term is to learn continuously.It is essential to embrace and adopt technological advancements and be productive. Move forward with the changing environment and stay ahead.    

To be employed is not enough, be employable. 

Related post:
Are You Unemployed or Unemployable?

10 Ways to Get Rid of Negativity from Your Life

People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?
Thich Nhat Hanh

The world is filled with negativity especially newspapers and negative people. If you are not careful, your life will be affected negatively. How do you insulate yourself from negativity? Here are 10 ways to do it: 

1.      Change your thoughts: The starting point of negativity is your thoughts. Negative thinking will influence your emotions and actions adversely. The best thing is not to dwell in such thoughts but change quickly to think of your strengths and look at the bright side of things.

  

2.      Exercise: Physical activities send more blood supply and oxygen to your brain. It has a calming effect on you and you will not easily get annoyed by negative events. An effective way is to jog in the great outdoors for fresh air and sunshine.  

3.      De-clutter at home and in your office: You will be affected negatively by clutter at home and in the office. Tidy up and create more space to attract positive flow of energy.

4.      Getting organized: Avoid getting into a stressful situation. It means you are out of control and it will lead to negativity. Plan, organize in advance and live an orderly life. When you are in control, you create self-confidence. 

5.      Act: Work, get busy and get things done. Taking action is one great way to fight negative feelings. 

6.      Choose happiness: Life is about making choices. Choose happiness and you choose positivity. Be wise and find happiness in your daily life now because big celebrations are few and far in between.    

7.      Connect with positive people: Positive people confirm your positive thoughts. They offer encouragement and support wholeheartedly. 

8.      Gratitude journal: At the end of a day, it is a good way to think and record all the good things that have happened to you.  An attitude of appreciation and gratefulness generates a positive perspective in life.   

9.      Start a new day positively: Start a new day right. Read motivational quotes in the morning and get inspired and start a new day enthusiastically.

10.  Focus on your strengths: Focus on what you can do to boost your self-esteem. When you think you can, you will be hopeful and cheerful.   

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.

 Maori Proverb

Related posts:
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Positive Attitude For Success

7 Advantages of a Debit Card

According to a news item in the paper, more and more Malaysian are using debt cards and debit card spending has increased 50% year-on-year. A debt card offers many benefits:

1.      Better Control of personal finance: A debit card allows you to spend only on what you have. You can use your debit card to spend according to your budget.  However, a credit card, without using it wisely, can lead to bankruptcy.

2.      Safer: You don’t have to carry a lot of cash when you go shopping, you avoid getting robbed.

3.      Simple life: With a debt card shopping is hassle free. There is no need for a buyer and a seller to count cash and avoid errors.

4.      Shop online: When you have a debit card, you can shop online. It is just like a credit card. 

5.      Avoid running out of cash: There is no need to look for a bank or an ATM when you are short of cash, just use your debt card.

6.      Supporting documents for your spending: It is easy to monitor your spending because there is a slip for each and every transaction.

7.      Worldwide acceptance: Like a credit card, it is accepted internationally and you can withdraw local currency from ATM when you are overseas. 

You need to monitor your spending and avoid getting into an embarrassing situation when a transaction cannot go through because there is insufficient fund in your bank account.

Related Post::
    Credit Cards and Young People

7 Things to Appreciate and Celebrate

Appreciate what you have, before it turns into what you had.

You may have taken life for granted because you are going through the motions every day. The grave consequences are only felted when you have lost it. Here are 7 things you should appreciate and celebrate:  

1.      Every new day: A new day is a chance to start anew, try harder, make changes and do what you have to do. Appreciate the power of a new day and just do it because tomorrow may be too late.

  

2.      Going to work: Working is more than getting the pay and feeding the family. It is your brand, self-esteem, and confidence. It will deal a blow in your life when you are out of a job. Just think of many who are out of a job and be happy to go to work.    

3.      A happy family: Your family is an important unit in your life. It is a big problem in the world of today because family units are breaking up more often and the divorce rates have grown very high. Appreciate harmony and peace of mind at home and you will be happy in other areas of your life.

4.      You have what you need: Do appreciate and be grateful for what you have. Thinking of getting what you want is one of the causes of unhappiness and discontentment. 

5.      Debt-free: Debt will lead to bankruptcy, agony at home, and a tarnished reputation. Be grateful that you can live within your means and enjoy financial freedom.  

6.      Freedom:  You are free to do what you want in life and follow your dreams, Live in the moment, enjoy the journey and pursue your goals. There are many countries in the world where your freedom is restricted.         

7.      Health and fitness: Health is the greatest wealth. Appreciate your well-being. Celebrate life because you  are living  with energy and alertness

     Be appreciative of what you have and celebrate. 

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7 Ways to Strengthen Your Career Brand

It is not slickness, polish, uniqueness, or cleverness that makes a brand a brand. It is truth.

Harry Beckwith

When your name is mentioned what do people say about you? Their words are your brand. Positive words translate into a positive brand. Here are 7 ways to fortify your career brand:

1.      Be an expert: Work on your strengths, solve problems, and show others you are an expert in your field. Create awareness of your brand and attract others to come to you for guidance.  

2.      Achievements: It is wise to record and showcase your performance.  It is an effective way to support and substantiate your brand.

3.      Trust: A trusted brand is a promise. You are therefore able to deliver as expected. Trust consists of creditability, quality, and value.

4.      Differentiation: Do not be one of them.  Be able to stand out. What distinguishes you from the competition? One way to do it is to start a blog and impress others with articles with unique ideas on the subject that you are good at. Be relevant and meets the needs of others.  Conceive ideas that are valuable and useful. 

5.      Consistency: Always stand by your brand in what you do. Maintain a high standard and always perform your best.  

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6.      Getting noticed:  Promote your presence and connect with the right people online and offline. Project your brand positively and command a group of loyal followers. Communicate online with two-way dialogue. Create a web resume and manage your presence. Sign up with Google Alerts to monitor and protect your brand online.

7.      Gain more knowledge: Acquire the latest know-how and update your knowledge according to market changes and meet changing needs. Be ahead and stay ahead. 

       Your brand is what others perceive you. Develop a positive image and build a brand that others can count on.

Are You Living Effortlessly or Struggling?

A good athlete can enter a state of body-awareness in which the right stroke or the right movement happens by itself, effortlessly, without any interference of the conscious will. This is a paradigm for non-action: the purest and most effective form of action. The game plays the game; the poem writes the poem; we can't tell the dancer from the dance. It happens when we trust the intelligence of the universe in the same way that an athlete or a dancer trusts the superior intelligence of the body.

Lao Tzu (c.604 - 531 B.C.)

 How do you live your day? Are you struggling or thriving and living effortlessly?   Check it out:

·       Are you struggling to get up in the morning or looking forward to a new day?

When you do not like your job or it is stressful, there is no incentive to get up and go to work. When you are passionate about your job you are enthusiastic to welcome every new day. 

·        Are you struggling to get things done or happy at work?

Is your job boring or are you a square peg in a round hole? Are you miserable at work?

To be happy at work, the job must be challenging and you are able to apply what you have learnt to solve problems at work. You are eager to perform at your best and you get satisfaction out of your job.  

·       Are you trying to get even or just forgive and live with peace of mind?

Holding grudges is applying pressure to yourself and disturbing your peace of mind. Forgiveness frees the mind and allows you to focus on living in the present.

·      Are you living with debt or enjoying financial freedom?

Living with debt is a constant struggle trying to get ends meet. Living within your means is the way to live effortlessly.

·       Are you struggling to have more material wealth or just be contented with what you have?

You are not satisfied with what you have. It is always a constant struggle to acquire the latest without end. Living with contentment and be happy that you have what you need in life. The rest is just extra.

·        Are you struggling to match the lifestyle of others or just be delighted with your way of life?

It’s an endless struggle trying to catch up and cope with the lifestyle of your neighbors because you may not have the financial means to do so. Living your own way of life is effortless because it is what you can afford. You are happy with what you are.

·      Are you struggling to live in fear of the future or do you just do the best you can now?

Yes, the future is uncertain but it is no use to worry and struggle to live with the imaginative future.  It is so much easier to live in the present because you are in control and you can do something about it.  

·       Are you struggling to dwell on a problem or working creatively for a solution to it?

If you do not deal with a problem it is a constant struggle to live with it. It is there to disturb your mind. Find a solution, get over it, and be free and easy.

·       Are you struggling to do too many things at once and get stressed or just focus on one task at a time effortlessly and live an orderly life and be productive?

Is your life disorganized? Are you having too many things to do in a single day? Are you rushing and struggling to get things done? Plan ahead and organize your day. To live effortlessly is to live an orderly life.

·       Are you struggling  to loosen up or just relax and have fun:

When it is time to relax and unwind can you loosen up and enjoy the moment fully? Do not struggle and get tensed up all the time.

·     Are you struggling to move about or feel energetic in your daily life?

Do you sit all day long without moving your body? It will be a constant struggle just to get up. Be active, exercise every day, and feel the energy in you and you will move about so effortlessly.

·     Are you struggling to endure negative thoughts or get motivated by positive thinking?  

Do not crowd your mind with negativity. It is torturing the mind and you are struggling to live with it. Think positive and be cheerful and you will live your daily life effortlessly.   

·       Are you whining or living the best you can?

Life may be unfair, do you just complaining about it or are you making changes or live with it the best way you can and seek improvement? Whining requires great effort wastefully. Feel good to take action and make progress in life.         

              Are you struggling? Make changes in your life and live effortlessly.   
Re

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10 Productive Ways to Use Post-It Notes

A Post-it note is a wonderful tool because it sticks anywhere. Do you know the economical way of using sticky notes? Buy one or more in pad form ( 5 inches) and cut it into 5 small sticks because one Post-it note or Sticky note usually is about one item, one idea, or one important thing to do.  It is a waste to use sticky notes in pad form unless you are writing notes on them. One more thing, don’t use white Post-it notes because they will not stand out. Bright colors get noticed easily. Here are 10 productive ways to use such sticky notes.    

1.      On your office desk: Stick it on top of the desk for something to do outside the office as soon as you complete the current job. It’s a great reminder while you are focused on the current job and forget what needs to do next.

2.      Reading: It is the best bookmark. You will not miss the page where you stop reading.

3.      In your purse: Going shopping? Need a few items urgently? Stick a post-it note into your purse. When you open your purse to take out cash or your credit card, you will notice those items to buy.     

4.      For your signature: It is commonly used in the office when a document requires many people to sign on many pages. Stick at the side of each page where signatures are needed. It is a quick and easy way to get things done. 

5.      Labeling: It is one effective tool for identifying important sections of your notes. Label all the important pages to locate them easily. You can use different colors for different sections of your notes.

6.      On the file folder: Apply a post-it note on your file folder to remind you to take action on the following day.

7.      Dashboard: When you are on the move, stick one note on your dashboard so that you will remember what to do when you reach your destination.  

8.      At home: You can stick it on your computer screen for things to do online. However, there is an accessory called Sticky Notes that you can use as a normal post-it note while working on your PC. Learn to use Sticky Note in window 7 at http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-use-sticky-notes-in-windows-7.html#glossary-desktop. There are disadvantages because you can delete say, a password, accidentally and you cannot remove it and stick it somewhere else. You can also stick a message on the fridge, on your desk, or on the door.

9.      Creative way to use a Post-it note: Use a Post-it note for easy post-drilling cleanup at http://lifehacker.com/5620573/use-a-post+it-note-for-easy-post+drilling-cleanup.

10.  To motivate and create more happiness at the workplace: Write a thank you note or words of appreciation to an employee. It is sure to make his or her day.    

       What do you do with your Post-it notes?

            Related post:

            

10 Effective and Easy Ways to Remember Getting Things Done

It’s Time to Get a Tablet

The message is taken from A Turn of the Page for Newsweek:

 We are announcing this morning an important development at Newsweek and The Daily Beast. Newsweek will transition to an all-digital format in early 2013. As part of this transition, the last print edition in the United States will be our Dec. 31 issue.

As a subscriber of Time Magazine, I wonder it will follow suit. For readers like us, the sensible thing to do is to embrace technological advancements and change our reading habit and forget about holding a physical copy of a magazine or a book in our hands. It is time to buy a tablet and change our reading habit. A tablet offers many advantages:

1.      Avoid cluttering: You don’t have to worry about finding magazines scattering everywhere at home. It’s going to be a thing of the past. Your home will be spacious, tidy and neat.

2.      Lightweight and handy: It is as good as holding a book in your hand and extremely mobile.

3.      Reading: It is so convenient to read before bedtime, be it an eBook, a magazine or an article.

4.      Working on a flat surface: Do work like actually writing notes or ideas and taking notes. You are not confined to work in one place. Work outdoors if you like.    

5.      A great companion when you are going away: It is like taking along your PC at home with you. Surf the Net, play games, check and send email. Most important of all, your reading materials are all on the tablet.   

I can foresee there will be no bookstores. You will buy eBooks and get online subscriptions to magazines. Children go to school with a tablet, taking notes, doing homework and sending completed assignments online to their teachers. No more pencils, ruler and eraser. It is a good thing to save all the trees and our good earth.   

I think Google Nexus 7 is a good buy but I will wait until Christmas for a good offer.

7 Ways to Be a Productive Senior Citizen

The United Nations (UN) International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually on October 1. It is stated on their official website that the theme of the 2012 commemoration is “Longevity: Shaping the Future”. Aging and health were also the themes of this year's World Health Day on 7 April. These themes focus on how healthy behaviors throughout life can help older men and women lead full and productive lives and be a resource for their families and communities.

What can you, as a senior citizen, do to be productive? I can think of the following effective ways:

1.      Share your wisdom: Be a resource, as the message clearly states. Share what you have learned in your life and your experience. The best way is to start a blog so that your messages can be reached far and wide.  

2.      Stay healthy: Taking preventive measures to stay healthy and fit is the best way to avoid burdening the government with burgeoning health care costs. An active lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle. Move your body and enjoy the great outdoors. Eat nutritiously and keep hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.

Related post:
Baby Boomers – The 7 Ingredients of Happiness

3.     Stay connected: Don’t isolate yourself and get depressed. Stay connected with people who care for you. Avoid negative people who discourage you in what you intend to do.

4.      Stay financially independent: One great way to enjoy peace of mind is getting financial freedom. You are self-sufficient and you avoid being a burden to others.

5.      Stay happy: Be cheerful and smile at people you meet. Stay positive and look at the bright side of things. Live in the present and enjoy what you do. Stop whining and stay energetic and confident to face challenges in life.

6.      Contribute: What are your skills? What can you do to offer services in the communities? Be a useful and valued senior citizen and lead a fulfilled and satisfying life as long as possible.

7.      Continue to Learn: Be alert and understand things that are happening around you; stay ahead and stay up-to-date especially in technological advancements. Read books and learn new things to stimulate the mind.  Learning is the way to live an interesting and rewarding life. 

       Taking proactive action is the way to stay productive in the golden years.     

10 Easy and Productive Ways to Improve Yourself

Do your best, and be a little better than you are.

 Gordon B. Hinckley

Don’t compete with others, but improve yourself and make positive changes in your life. Here are the things you can do to improve yourself:

1.      Take the first step: What is important in your life? What one thing you want to change and can impact your life greatly? There are areas in your life you want to improve such as your health, career, personal finance, relationships, or family. Take one small step at a time, but it is a giant step when you do it every day. Choose wisely and make a difference in your life.

2.      Reading: Get into the habit of reading every day. Start by reading a few pages or a chapter. Reading is learning and it is essential to improve yourself and be more knowledgeable.

3.      Move your body: It is the surest way to improve your health and fitness. You will stay calm and work with a clear mind when you exercise regularly.      

4.      Change your thoughts: Thoughts of negativity are depressing in the morning. Instead, think of your strengths and what you have achieved is the best way to start a new day because positive thoughts will generate cheerfulness, energy, and enthusiasm in you.    

5.      Learn something new: There will be no improvement when you do the same old thing every day. Take up a new course or a new hobby like gardening or blogging. Improve yourself intellectually, spiritually, and physically.

6.      Start a new day early: Do you get up early? Be early and see positive changes in your life. You are in control as an early riser.

7.      Get motivated: Read a chapter of a motivational book or a few inspiring quotes in the morning. Every day you need to be motivated to face challenges ahead of you.    

8.      Reduce TV time: When you watch less  TV  you will have ample time to improve your life in many ways. The time can be productively employed to change your lifestyle from inactive to active and improve your well-being.    

9.      Do what you are afraid to do: It is one effective way to break away from your comfort zone. You will make mistakes, but you will also learn a lot along the way and be much wiser. 

10.  Stay on course: The journey of life is paved with obstacles. Do not be discouraged by defeats and failures. Be confident and believe in yourself and go after your dreams in life. Do what you need to do. Determination and perseverance will get you success.

Improve yourself daily in a small way and over time you will be a much better person than before.

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.

 Aldous Huxley

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