Optimism Trumps Pessimism: Stay Optimistic

It is true that we have seen senseless acts of violence in the last week but don't let it change your outlook on the world. There are millions of good people and you are one of them. 

Choose optimism and you have chosen happiness. This is your life, only you can truly control your choices, and choosing happiness is the best way to achieve being the best YOU you can be. Here are some suggestions for how you can ensure happiness in your life:

·  Be the best you can be by your own standards

·  Surround yourself with people who inspire you and make you feel good

·  Focus on what you have, not what you lack

·  Optimism trumps pessimism

·  Smile often and genuinely

·  Be honest, to yourself and to others

·  Help others

·  Embrace your past, live in the present, and look forward for what is yet to come

Difficult People Are the Ones We Learn the Most From

I love the old-fashioned ideas of virtues such as kindness, generosity a LOT.

I am determined to develop my patience muscle so it gets stronger all the time. Here is a big one for me; to learn to have patience with difficult people. (And realize I may be one, myself and not know it!)  This is not only a good deed for the person you are exhibiting patience towards, but it is also a good deed for yourself! Imagine that, a good deed for yourself! For example, when someone is purposely trying to push your buttons by doing something or saying something rude, you can choose to act with patience and understanding instead of anger. This will benefit you by keeping your blood pressure low and your stress levels low as well – which we know are two health issues that many people are suffering from today. My wise woman friend BJ Gallagher says, “Difficult people are the ones we learn the most from.”

Eco Acts of Kindness

We have all been hearing and reading about the plastic fish and birds are eating; therefore, we are, too.  What can you do about it? A lot!

 

 Keep a compact reusable bag in your purse for those spur-of-the-moment purchases. Refuse a plastic bag for five items or less. Fit purchases from different stores into the same bag wherever possible. There’s no reason to have eight shopping bags with only one item in each.

Put your cloth bags back in your car as soon as you’re done unloading groceries. There’s less chance of forgetting them at home that way (and you’ll be one step closer to using them!). Keep them on the front seat, rather than in the trunk. If you see them, you’ll be far less likely to forget them. I am not embarrassed at all about being a bag lady. I urge you to embrace your inner bag lady or bag man and practice eco acts of kindness. 

Spooky Acts of Kindness: Happy Halloween

 Bowl of candy? Check. Costume on? Check. Pumpkins carved? Check. 

We are approaching All Hallow’s Eve and what better day to dress up, go out, and overindulge on sugary sweets? However, take a few precautions before venturing out:

·  If you have kids, don’t let them trick-or-treat without supervision

·  Don’t let your child eat candy that doesn’t come in a wrapper

·  Hold a flashlight when outside so drivers can see you

·  But Halloween doesn’t have to be all about the sugar rush and crazy costumes. It can also be a very charitable day:

·       Make cards of kindness

·       Some children are too ill to go out trick or treating. Make homemade Halloween cards for hospitalized children with life-threatening illnesses and mail to either Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness or Hugs and Hope.2
·       Send candy to the troops
·       Many dental offices participate in post-Halloween candy buybacks. Donated sweets are sent to organizations such as Operation Gratitude or Operation Shoebox. Both organizations include the candy in care packages for U.S. soldiers in harm's way. Find a participating dental office near you or get information to start your own collection.

Every Day Should Be Forgiveness Day

If you have born a grudge for someone, forgive them or let it go.

You don’t need that negative energy in your life. Remember that forgiveness is not absolution; what happened in the past still happened but what you are doing is relieving yourself of the burden that has been weighing you down. Now you can heal. Our society is also in need of lessons in forgiveness and a dramatic reminder of this can be found in the film and foundation behind www.unlikelyfriendsforgive.com where we learn the real power of atonement and the art of forgiving, even after brutal acts of violence.

Be Open to the Possible

Start chatting it up and you never know what could happen. Prepare to be amazed!

 

My boyfriend has that magic ability to talk to anyone; 99% of the time, he has made a new friend, too. It is fun to watch him in action and he is definitely somebody you want to bring to parties and social occasions.  Be open to conversing with new people and becoming friendly with them. If you’re at a bookstore and see someone holding a book you like or are interested in, strike up a conversation and ask them about it. You may make a new friend or find out that they’re in the same business as you. You can network yourself and make connections at any time. Many people keep to themselves when out and about, either playing on their cellphones or avoiding eye contact with others, but this closes you off from being a productive individual. Being open to the possibility of a new friendship or work relationship helps share your ideas with others and creates more opportunities for you. In line at the Pacific Café in San Francisco on Geary Street, we met a woman’s whose cousin from Mainland China was being held in immigration detention for not having the proper paperwork and my boyfriend who is fluent in Cantonese was able to offer vital information to this family. You never know when YOU might need the help of a total stranger!

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Find the Joy in Giving

Have you noticed how good it feels after an act of kindness?

Find joy in giving.“Altruism boosts immune function, improves our moods, and is linked, not only to a higher quality of life, but a longer one,” according to Stephen Post, at Stony Brook University. Those who help others also experience a “helpers high” when their bodies are flooded with feel good endorphins and other natural chemicals. It’s pretty basic: When we do good, we feel good.