Cats in a CD Store

After my last post, I figured it was time for something on the lighter side:

Cat listening to Barry White

Cat listening to Bluegrass

Cat listening to Stevie Wonder

Cats listening to Heavy Metal

Cat listening to Rap

Cat listening to Techno (on ecstasy)

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cats in a CD store cats

"Blogger Burn-Out"

Recently, I have seen a number of prominent bloggers take an extended break or even quit blogging altogether. Some of their comments are: “I just put so much pressure on myself to visit, read and comment on hundreds of blogs per day. I cannot do that anymore,” and “I am simply worn out and burnt out. I am not finding any joy in the process any longer. It has become a chore for me to even think about preparing a post. I am just tired.” I won't mention any names because I do not want to make this about them personally. However, I think that we all know someone who has taken this road.

A common theme seems to be a self imposed pressure to do too much; to reply to every comment, to visit every commenter’s blog, to have to give out every award we are presented as soon as it's presented, to complete every meme that we are tagged with, to feel like we are letting our readers down if we go a day without posting, to feel we have to visit every site that is on our blogroll every week, to feel guilty if we truly have nothing to say, and it goes on. The worst is the feeling that we are disappointing our friends.

Too much self-imposed pressure can do terrible things to us; it can rob us of our passion and steal way the fun. What makes blogging worthwhile is the passion and the fun.

One of the issues that we face, I believe, is that as a group we all have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) tendencies and blogging exacerbates these. We put far too much pressure on ourselves to perform (guys, does that sound familiar?) And what happens to performance when pressure enters the equation?

Sometimes it's OK to just say that "I have nothing to say today." We will understand. What I don't like to see is the "all or nothing" response to impending "Blogger burn-out." The "all" is the prelude to the "nothing." "All" meaning that we succumb to the pressure and try to do it "all" and that leads to the “burn-out” and possible "break down." "Nothing" meaning we quit; we give up. The end result is the same.

We try to please everybody, and in so doing we lose the sense of who we are. If the blogesphere is not the place to be ourselves, then we have no place.

Personally, I love getting awards. It must be my deprived childhood (LOL.) What I did not like was the pressure to have to turn around and give them out immediately upon acceptance. So I adopted a policy of graciously accepting them into an archived file with acknowledgment and of course a link back. At the end of the month I bring all of the awards for that month to a new post acknowledging that months "blessings." When I am ready, or it feels appropriate, I will give them out. This has alleviated a ton of pressure off of me. As my friends know, when I give out an award it comes from the heart, and not from the pressure.

When it comes to memes, I evaluate them on a case by case basis. If there is value in it, or if it is fun I will play along.

Fortunately, I have yet to run out of things to say or something to post.

I try, key word "try," to visit all my blog-mates once a month. The bogs that I like I visit more frequently. Just because I haven’t visited in a while does not mean that I do not like the author or the blog. Let's face it there are a lot of good blogs out there and it is physically impossible to visit them all.

These are some of my coping devices.

We each need to find our own healthy balance.

Oh yes, and one more thing, inadvertently we put pressure on our friends to respond to our posts, to respond to our comments and comply with our tags. We need to ease up on the expectation. I know that I am as guilty of this as anyone.

I have probably made more blunders and errors than most. It was the kind guidance of my friends that has kept me blogging. For me blogging is unlike anything that I have ever experienced. The passion and fun grow day by day.

There is no easy answer or a right or wrong answer. This is just something that we all have to be aware of.

I would like to get some feedback on this. I believe that we all, at some point in our blogging lives, are hit with potential "burn out." How do you handle it? What pressures do you feel in regards to blogging? How do you cope?



Technorati Tags:
Burned Out burnout burn-out Blogger Burn-Out

Best "Out of office" automated replies

1. I am currently out at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position. Please be prepared for my mood.

2. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn't have received anything at all.

3. Sorry to have missed you, but I am at the doctor's having my brain and heart removed so I can be promoted to our management team.

4. I will be unable to delete all the emails you send me until I return from vacation. Please be patient, and your mail will be deleted in the order it was received.

5. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first 10 words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.

6. The e-mail server is unable to verify your server connection and is unable to deliver this message. Please restart your computer and try sending again.

(The beauty of this is that when you return, you can see how many in-duh-viduals did this over and over . . )

7. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system. You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.

8. Hi, I'm thinking about what you've just sent me. Please wait by your PC for my response.

9. I've run away to join a different circus.

10. I will be out of the office for the! next 2 weeks for medical reasons. When I return, please refer to me as 'Lucille' instead of Jim.



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Out of Office replies out of office

Section II - (Installment #35 "The Conclusion of Section II")

(If this is your first time on this site, you may want to begin with "Are You Prepared For Success?" [Introduction])

If you have been reading along with each installment, then “Congratulations;” you have reached the end of "Section II". If you have not read Section I or Section II, I strongly recommend that you go back and begin at the beginning.

Remember, you need to fully digest, understand and accept the messages in "Section II" before you start with "Section III". Re-read "Section II" many times before you go on to "Section III". Re-read each rhyme and answer the questions posed at the end of each installment. It is very important that you become active in the process. It is also important that you are completely honest with yourself. If you are not honest with yourself, you cannot facilitate the desired change. Whether or not you share your answers with someone else is completely up to you; it will not affect the outcome of the ”Process”, as long as you are honest with yourself

"Section III", when you are ready, will enable your conscious, as well as your subconscious mind to take ownership of the positive messages replacing the negative ones. But this will only happen if you understand and accept the positive messages related in the "Section I" quotes and the "Section II" poems.

For those who already possess a "Positive Mental Attitude," Section III will help fortify and enhance you existing attitudes. There is really no need to go back through Sections "I" & "II"; just enjoy Section III as it is posted.

For those struggling with self worth and defeatist attitudes; when you completely understand "Section I"...when you accept the truths of the "Section I" quotes...when you desperately want to adopt the attitudes reflected by the "Section II" poems as your own...when you have written about, and let out, your deepest, darkest, secrets (when you have cleansed yourself)...you will then be ready to go on to "Section III"; this will be when you are ready to take the reigns and take control of your life.

The differences in the rhymes between "Section II" and "Section III" are subtle, but critical to the desired outcome.

Go back many times before you go on. Remember, "Never, ever, ever quit."

Remember to use the "Empowerment Triad" of PASSION, PLEASURE & REPETITION.

Go to Section III - Introduction

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Congratulations End of Section II

No Words Needed

I got this wonderful picture from Stacy. Thank you Stacy.





Technorati Tag: smile

Timing is often everything

Upon arriving home, a husband was met at the door by his sobbing wife.

Tearfully, she explained, "It's the druggist. He insulted me terribly this morning on the phone. I had to call multiple times before he would even answer the phone."

Immediately, the husband drove downtown to confront the druggist and demand an apology.

Before he could say more than a word or two, the druggist told him, "Now, just a minute, listen to my side of it. This morning, the alarm failed to go off, so I was late getting up. I went without breakfast and hurried out to the car, just to realize that I'd locked the house with both house and car keys inside and had to break a window to get my keys.

"Then, driving a little too fast, I got a speeding ticket. Later, when I was about three blocks from the store, I had a flat tire."

"When I finally got to the store, a bunch of people were waiting for me to open up. I got the store opened and started waiting on these people.

All the time, the darn phone was ringing off the hook."

He continued, "Then, I had to break a roll of nickels against the cash register drawer to make change, and they spilled all over the floor. I had to get down on my hands and knees to pick up the nickels, and the phone was still ringing.

When I came up, I cracked my head on the open cash drawer, which made me stagger back against a showcase with a bunch of perfume bottles on it. Half of them hit the floor and broke."

"Meanwhile, the phone is still ringing with no let up, and I finally got back to answer it. It was your wife. She wanted to know how to use a rectal thermometer.

And believe me mister, as God is my witness, all I did was tell her.

My Mother Taught Me.....

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, ! that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

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my mother taught me my mother

Are You Prepared For Success? (Section II - Installment #34 "Once the Goal is Reached…” – Male & Female versions)

There is no greater force than the force of a man determined

(If this is your first time on this site, you may want to begin with "Are You Prepared For Success?" [Introduction])

Once the Goal is Reached…

Once the lesson is learned and the goal is achieved,
Its easy to slip back to what you once believed,
But remember the effort that got you here;
What it took and what you did to overcome your fear.

The temptation to revert to what you once knew
May be strong, but know that it’s no longer you.
The battle for control between you and your past
Must be won day by day for the progress to last.

The process of growth is a journey, my friend.
Nobody, in fact, ever reaches the end.
If you continue to learn and continue to grow,
Then happiness and success is what you will know.

Be strong, don't look back at failures and fears.
Be assured, it gets easier as you go through the years.
The lessons you've learned must be renewed every day.
Believe in yourself so you don't lose your way.

Be firm of conviction, be confident and strong
You will know what to do, you will know if it’s wrong.
You are your own cornerstone, you know how to win.
Never give up and never give in.

Life is worth living, so give it your all.
Believe in yourself, be proud and stand tall.
Have faith and know that the answer's in you.
Go forth and don't hesitate, live life anew.

(An Original Poem by Mel Kaye)

I strongly suggest that you write down your immediate reaction, after passionately reading this poem.

• What do you plan on doing to maintain the attitude changes, once they are achieved?

Copyright © MondayMorningPower, All rights Reserved

Please go to Section II - (Installment #35 "The Conclusion of Section II")

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Once the Goal is reached Goal reaching your goal

Smarter than a first grader?

A first grade school teacher in Virginia had 25 students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the first half of a well-known Proverb and asked it to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1. Don't change horses....................until they stop running.

2. Strike while the................................bug is close.

3. It's always darkest before...................Daylight Saving Time.

4. Never underestimate the power of........termites.

5. You can lead a horse to water but......how?

6. Don't bite the hand that....................looks dirty.

7. No news is......................................impossible.

8. A miss is as good as a .......................Mr.

9. You can't teach an old dog new ...............math

10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll........stink in the morning.

11. Love all, trust................................me.

12. The pen is mightier than the..............pigs.

13. An idle mind is..................the best way to relax.

14. Where there's smoke there's..............pollution.

15. Happy is the bride who.....................gets all the presents.

16. A penny saved is............................not much.

17. Two's company, three's ................the Musketeers.

18. Don't put off till tomorrow what........you put on to go to bed.

19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and ... you have t o blow your nose.

20. There are none so blind as.................Stevie Wonder.

21. Children should be seen and not..........spanked or grounded.

22. If at first you don't succeed.............get new batteries.

23. You get out of something only what you ... see in the picture on the box.

24. When the blind lead the blind..............get out of the way.

And the WINNER and last one!

25. Better late than.............................. pregnant.

Spread the Word - Round two

About three weeks ago I began a meme that was intended to give bloggers a voice and a way to spread their message across the blogesphere. I created a directory of blogs that would travel from site to site. Well this list has eclipsed 100 sites and is still growing. I want to keep this list alive and continue it's growth. That means that I need your help.

This meme is viral in nature, meaning that every one who participates gets tremendous value. The rules are simple and the results are are very rewarding.

If you have already joined the directory, please repost. If you have not joined, please do so. Just follow the rules.

The rules are easy, see below.

**Start Copy Here**

We have a voice;
We must be heard;
Therefore we blog;
Now spread the word!

This directory is based on a recent post that was conducted asking the question “Why do you Blog?” and the rewrite “Why do you Blog? - Reworked.” The purpose of this directory is to tell our tales by spreading the reasons that we blog to as many sites as possible. We get to explain ourselves, direct traffic to our site and highlight our most important, most representative or most relevant post in an SEO favorable format. This will be a positive experience for everyone who wants to get involved. This will enable you to create a short advertisement for your site that will be spread across the blogesphere; a growing directory of blogs.

This is an open directory. You do not have to be tagged to join in. All you have to do is follow the rules.

Please let me know when you have added your site by leaving a comment on “Master List” with a link to your post. This will insure an up-to-date list, giving you even greater distribution. You then need to copy the growing list back to your site on a regular bases.

Rules:

1. Copy the archived directory from *Begin Directory* to *End Directory* and place it in your archives (back date it so that it does not appear on your front page. This list is too long for your front page.) Title this post "Spread The Word" Directory
   
2. Copy from "**Start Copy Here**" through "**End Copy Here**" on this post
   
3. Paste into a new post
   
4. Create an inventive post title
   
5. Write a brief introduction to the post.
   
6. Before “**End copy here**”, In place of my paragraph, please add your name, site name (with link), a very brief description (2-3 sentences) of why you blog, and your most important, most representative, or most relevant post (with link.)
7. Make sure that the link at the end of your post links to your archived directory, not mine.
   
8. Tag others to participate. This is a request, not a requirement.
   
9. Leave a comment and a link to your post on “Master List.” That way I can grab your addition and add it to this growing list.
10. Schedule regular visits to the "Master List" so you can copy/paste into your archive, keeping your list current.
    

My name is Mel and I am the author of Attitude, the Ultimate Power, aka Monday Morning Power. I blog because I am passionate about happiness and living in the moment. I want to spread the concept that we are in control of our own lives and can choose how we act and react. My site is focused on the Pursuit, Capture, Care and Feeding of a Positive Mental Attitude. One of my most representative posts is “Happiness Vs. Human Nature.” I am also the author of a new site called "So You Want To Complain." This site allows anybody to complain on any subject, anywhere in the world. The complaint is posted and anyone can comment on it. It is like an open forum to vent.

Click here for complete directory

**End Copy Here**

To participate in Round two I am tagging the following sites:

• A Circle of Women
• Acquire Wisdom and Live with Passion
• A Twist of Word and Mind
• Back Home Again
• Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
• Christy's Coffee Break
• claytonlowe.com
• Cooler Insights
• Counseling: How it Can Be Helpful
• CRAIG PHOTOGRAPHY
• Creative Think
• Empathy
• Fine Art of Blogging
• Gullibility
• HEY, DON
• LIQUID ILLUZION
• Mad Goat Lady
• Necessary Skills
• One Kind Act
• Something to Smile About
• Synthetic Life
• The Early 30's Rumba
• The Satirical Muvver speaks out
• The Secret of Life
• Vagabond Tramp
• When Will I Use This
• WIXY's Gone Bananas

Another Chinese Toy Recall

Technorati Tag: Chinese Toy Recall

Sometimes you just can't win.

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Sexual harassment Discrimination

Are You Prepared For Success? (Section II - Installment #33 "What to Do Next” – Male & Female versions)

(If this is your first time on this site, you may want to begin with "Are You Prepared For Success?" [Introduction])

What to Do Next

The introspection is through, the mask is gone.
You now know who you are.
The facts are in, the analysis complete;
What you desire doesn't seem that far.

The goals are set the plan is made;
You know what needs to be done.
No more excuses, no more reasons why;
It's time to act as if you've won.

Stop hiding now, and take that risk;
Know that you will not fail.
Stumble...you might...so get up again,
And into success you will sail.

You know how to deal with obstacles and fears;
Most of them you've already met.
You have the tools to accomplish your goals,
And what you don't have you know how to get.

All that's left for you to do,
Now that the fire's been lit,
And you know you'll win, there is no doubt,
Is to go out there and "do it!"

(An Original Poem by Mel Kaye)

I strongly suggest that you write down your immediate reaction, after passionately reading this poem.

• Is there anything that is stopping you from "doing it"?
• What is stopping you? (Be specific.)
• What will you do about it?

Copyright © MondayMorningPower, All rights Reserved

Go to Section II (Installment #34)

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What to do next what next

October Blessings

It's time to acknowledge my October gifts. I am Honored by each and every one. "Thank you" to all my friends!! It is you who are my true gifts.

I am honored to have received the first ever "Way Cool " award from Baba Doodlius of
The Thoughts and Saying of Baba Doodlius on 10/31/07

Given by The Little Aussie Cynic for creativity on 10/30/07
Awarded to me by Jackie of The Painted Veil on 10/28/07

Awarded to me by Amelia of "Amel's Realm" on 10/26/07

Awarded to me by Sandee of "Comedy Plus" on 10/24/07
Given to me by Sandee of "Comedy Plus" on 10/24/07

Presented to me by Ann of "A Nice Place in the Sun" on 10/23/07

Presented to me by Ann of "A Nice Place in the Sun" on 10/23/07

Awarded to me by Amelia of "Amel's Realm" on 10/18/07

Presented to me by Ann of "A Nice Place in the Sun" on 10/16/07

Presented to me by Sandee of "Comedy Plus" on 10/16/07

Presented to my by The Oswegan on 10/5/07
Awarded to me by "Kissing The Dogwood" on 10/1/07

Dangerous Virus Warning!!!!

There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally, and by hand. This virus is called Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely.

If you should come into contact with WORK, put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer- Elimination-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

Please pass this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.

Technorati Tags:
Dangerous Virus, Virus

Happiness

I was asked by Bob Clubbs of “every, every minute” to participate in the Desiderata Series. I have chosen to write an article on “Strive to be Happy.” Since choosing this topic, “Be Cheerful” has been added. Now in my opinion “cheerful” and “happy” do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. However, they will be connected in this article. This article can also be found on Bob Clubb's site: every, every minute.

For those of you have read my blog “Attitude, the Ultimate Power,’ aka “Monday Morning Power,” know that I have spent a lot of time discussing happiness and I have some very definite opinions on the subject.

Let’s start with the requested premise of “Strive to be Happy.” This statement conjures up a journey (a quest) with happiness as the end reward for a successful journey’s end; in other words a successful result. If happiness is the reward for successfully completing the journey then that journey, will more times than not, end in disaster. After all, not every journey is successful. I talk at length about this in Happiness Vs. Human Nature. The journey, or the “striving for,” is far closer related to one of the basic tenant of human nature, which is “not being satisfied,” than it is to “happiness.”

On the surface, not being satisfied seems to be selfish; a negative connotation. However, not being satisfied, which fuels the “striving” in human nature is actually a good thing, a very good thing. If it wasn’t for our basic dissatisfaction with what we have, the constant desire to have “more”, where would we be today? Without the desire for “more” there would never have been any inventions, discoveries, cures, art, etc. Where we usually go wrong is when we tie this concept of “more” to happiness.

Happiness must never be tied to human nature or else we are destined to be unhappy. I also wrote a piece on this subject “Happiness Made Simple”. We must learn to never qualify happiness. I am an absolute firm believer that happiness is a decision; that we can choose to be happy. I absolutely believe that anyone, anywhere, in any economic condition, in any health condition, with few exceptions, can choose to be happy. Why should the billionaire be any happier than the pauper? In fact, I bet there are, in relative terms, more happy paupers than happy billionaires. Sometimes it just get’s down to “I’m happy to be alive.”

Now, to get back to the differences and ties between “happiness” and “human nature;” I have tried to sum this up in an original quote, “Human nature is what drives us; happiness is what sustains us.” Think of two perpendicular lines, one vertical (pointing up) and the other horizontal (pointing sideways.) The one pointing up represents human nature, a constant up-hill battle to achieve. The one pointing sideways represents happiness. We have the ability to maximize happiness no matter where we are on the vertical line, by the simple process of choice. What makes choosing happiness simple is another very important concept called “Gratitude.”

By simply being grateful for what we have, no matter how much or how little, the choice to be happy comes so much easier. “Gratitude” is probably an entire article in itself. So for now, let’s just accept gratitude on face value. One of my favorite posts is the “Gratitude Dance.”

As a species, we have an innate ability to over complicate everything. Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to understand the simplicity of choice; now that’s not to say that choice is simple. We all have those inner voices that keep trying to drag us down, to influence us to make the wrong choices. Without getting to far off topic, I am posting an entire series on how to quiet your inner demons called “The Process - "Are You Prepared for Success?".” I am also a huge fan of the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” (Music Videos - Positive Attitude / Feel Good.) Don’t worry, be happy is a choice. One has to have to right internal frame of mind to be able to make that choice; the choice between “worrying” and “happiness.” Again, I have written an entire series on that frame of mind; The Process - "Are You Prepared for Success?"

In order for me to best understand what my real choices are, my constant companion is Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Pledge: “God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.” If we can apply this in everything we do, the ability to choose happiness becomes a lot easier.

As I said in the beginning of this article I was going to connect “cheerful” with “happy.” I see “cheerful” as an outward manifestation of being happy. This brings me to another important concept: “Happiness is a Moral Obligation.” With few exceptions, happy people make this world a better place and unhappy people make it worse. Let me ask you; how do you feel when you are around a happy person? How do you feel when you are around an unhappy person? See what happens around you if you choose to be happy, expressing cheerfulness. Even if you fake it, it becomes contagious and before you know it, you are actually feeling happy. Why are you feeling happy? You are happy, because you have made the choice to be living in the moment.

Let’s see if I can tie all of this together into a clear bullet-point summary/conclusion.

• Happiness should never be connected to a result or a condition.
• Happiness is a choice.
• Happiness comes easier when it is based in “gratitude.”
• Happiness is also living in the moment.
• Happiness is a moral obligation.

Technorati Tag:
happiness

I Bet You Didn't Know this.......

In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have

"the rule of thumb"

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Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled

"Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered

into the English language.

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The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred

and Wilma Flintstone.

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Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.

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Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

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Coca-Cola was originally green.

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It is impossible to lick your elbow.

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The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work:

Alaska

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The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)

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The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

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The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $ 16,400

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The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour:

61,000

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Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

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The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

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The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

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Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from

history:

Spades - King David

Hearts - Charlemagne

Clubs -Alexander, the Great

Diamonds - Julius Caesar

------------------------------------------------------------------------

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

------------------------------------------------------------------------

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in

the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in

the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the

horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural

causes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th,

John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2,

but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

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Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?

A. Their birthplace

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Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat

name requested?

A. Obsession

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Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until

you would find the letter "A"?

A. One thousand

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and

laser printers all have in common?

A. All were invented by women.

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Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?

A. Honey

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the

year?

A. Father's Day

------------------------------------------------------------

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.

When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed

firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a

month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law

with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their

calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which

we know today as the honeymoon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old

England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them

"Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."

It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into

the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill,

they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the

phrase inspired by this practice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you

can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at

Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a

wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be

in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed

it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey

lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2007 when...

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that

they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if

anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the

screen

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even

have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for

panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your

coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this

message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on

this list.

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

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