:: The Center of Happiness ::

This simply amazed me!!! I had to share.

What pure joy to see such talent!

I just love ’a-ha’ moments. So, I beg your indulgence for some ‘soon to be my birthday’ ramblings.

I have long realized freedom to be one of my core values. Having Annie Oakley as a distant cousin helps make sense of my feisty awkwardness in this linear reality called life. I have struggled to find ‘traditional’ ways to channel my talents and tame my loquacious nature, but seldom have felt like I fit easily and completely. Such is life as a ‘right-brained’ introspective spirit that was dropped for some uncertain reason into a culture that is designed to be ‘left-brained’ friendly.

Life is a messy yet amazing journey. I have explored along the way as a pioneer attempting to make sense the map I was given of my place and purpose in it. I have made the best of being a bit counter-culture and accepted that I march to the beat of a different drummer at times. I have shaped my diverse skills and intuitive way to nurture and honor the power of choice for my self and others, inner and outer.

It seems to be a common question to ask, “Who an I?” and “Why am I here?” How does one find happiness when life can be so uncertain?

As far as I can tell, the common and defining thread in my life is that I show up at times of transition, expecting joy and looking to bring meaning and peace regardless of the situation caused by change. I bring a knowing of the power of connection and acceptance, and the energy of discernment that holds the space for miracles to happen. I tend to be the one who hold open the door for insights to be born and for love to enter, even at times when the situations at hand make it difficult for light and joy to prevail. Peace and steadfastness are the calming ingredients I offer every situation, and have done so ever since I was born.

Whatever the ‘it’ is that I contribute, it seldom comes in a ‘nine-to-five form, and even when I was a therapist I wasn’t good at fitting deep and life-changing conversations into a fifty minute hour.

Ihave reached for and done my best to connect others to the possibility of peace without pushing. I tend their magnificence when they have forgotten, and hold the space for it until they remember.

I have been known to take subtle steps as well as leaps of faith in my own life toward freedom and happiness to model embracing life as a delicious invitation to create meaning and to highlight our significance.

With my birthday just around the corner, at this time of year often find myself reflective, living up to my loquacious nature.

How did I not find that word until just last week! Loquacious is what I have beenaccused of being my whole life, just not using this amazing word!

When awakened by losses embedded in life you more consciously look for thebest ways possible to dive into your remaining time with verve.

That’s a great word, verve.

Each birthday taps you on the shoulder with a sweet invitation to notice simple wonders and not pass up opportunities that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. The course of our life can shift at any time, so I strongly lean in the direction of savoring each present moment so as not to be left with regrets and resentments… or words that feel important to say. It seems best to get busy, not only crafting our ‘Bucket List’, but daring to live it relentlessly to fulfillment.

At the risk of being called ‘loquacious’, I ask for birthday permission to ramble a bit more, unedited. Assuming my wish is granted, here are a few more birthday ponderings…

I was born in the fifth month of May on the 31^st day in 1951. Though I don’t know a lot about numerology, the number five numerically is the number that represents freedom, adventure, and change.

Here are characteristics I found of the number 5:

You make friends easily, you are versatile and multi-talented, upbeat and inspirational and a good communicator and motivator. You have great verbal skills and you are very dynamic, persuasive, adaptable, versatile and curious, courageous, bright and quick-witted.

You are an explorer and adventurer who wants to experience all of life, you also like to perform in front of audiences and you like to do several things at the same time.

One word could have replaced all of these to describe the characteristics of five… my new favorite word… loquacious!

As a little girl my dad had me convinced that everyone was taking Memorial Day off to celebrate my birthday! Memorial Day is a day to honor those who protect freedom. I suppose that could be described as the intention of my path, to honor the freedom, especially of women and children, to be authentically who we are, happy and joyful regardless of our circumstances.

Being somehow a ‘doula’ of life’s transitional moments from womb-to-tomb, I have been called to serve those who are willing to make friends with change, curious enough to expand their consciousness and compassion, and determined to claim freedom from their old ways of thinking. Whether through giving birth, entering into a new phase of life, getting married or divorced, illness, loss, or through the transition, expected or unexpected at the end of life in this form, lessons and insights are abundant. I encourage people back to knowing their own magnificence and coax weary hearts to focus on fresh possibilities.

Whether it makes sense or not, I seem to be the emissary chosen to hold the space for joy and freedom in good times and amidst challenges. I am a right-brained bridge person called to stir up the left brained perspective to reveal for us all the connection between and benefits of harmony and diversity.

Happy Birthday to me, and let freedom ring.

I recently was sent a beautiful book called The Circle by Kerry Armstrong. I have only put my town in the water of it’s beautiful pages, but already invite you to do the same.

In Joy,

Rhonda

I have been easily pondering happiness as I share time this week with my niece, Alicia, and her oldest son, Connor, now three-and-a-half. He is my grandnephew and I am more than delighted to spend time with them visiting Seattle from Alaska.

As many of you know it is not a pleasure trip for them, but instead a week long adventure of doctor’s visits, procedures and re-evaluations. When Connor was barely two he was diagnosed with A.L.L. leukemia. After highs and lows, a bone marrow transplant, weeks in isolation, and a stay that lasted well over a year where Connor and his family lived between Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, it appears most gratefully that Connor is one of the lucky ones. At this moment he appears to once again be a normal, active little boy who is cancer free.

It is Connor and his family who taught me beyond a shadow of a doubt that happiness is possible, even amidst hideous circumstances. Perhaps not easy, but it is possible. It calls for a new way of seeing and a willingness to surrender to the moment.

Happiness is not dependent upon money, although it can be an amazing asset to facilitate joy, or health, although it might have been easier to sustain joy without this weighty detour into illness that flirted with death. Choice was key, and the determination to see happiness in the cracks of life was essential.

With the near loss of someone so innocent and the awareness this situation brought that life is so fragile, Connor’s journey, accompanied by his dedicated family and support circle of amazing and generous angels, offered us all a new way of treasuring life, and a more conscious way of appreciating each moment. Connor’s gift to us was a peace beyond comprehension. Our strength and faith was expanded by experiencing that happiness is ours when we open our hearts to the blessings of what is, and the power of connecting in a healing circle beyond differences and circumstances.

Between medical appointments today I strolled through a near by park with Connor and his mom, content and grateful for one positive report after another. You could tell Alicia was savoring what others might take for granted. Her son was finding great joy in kicking pine cones and chasing his shadow.

With a sweet smile on her face I overheard Alicia say, “Connor, I love you”, to which Connor replied, “I love me, too.” One more important lesson offered by a now not so bald headed little Buddha.

This is happiness at its best.

Dear Treasured Traveling Companions,

‘It’s possible for you to feel happy—and that
choice is yours to make at any moment.’
– Michael Neill (http://www.geniuscatalyst.com/)

I have had a horrible allergy for far too long.
Perhaps you do, too. Sales and marketing have
somehow seemed against my nature. I have felt
that to sell or promote compromises your integrity.
I have not felt comfortable in this role for as long
as I can remember. I have held the belief that
self-promotion is shameful and making money
means that someone else goes without. Pretty
limiting mis-beliefs, don’t you think?

We all have our old stories that we live as if they
were true. But, they ain’t necessarily so. Realizing
this, I have been on the journey of re-writing my
old stories and redefining my relationship with my
work, with money, and with promotion so that I
can do the work that I love, live prosperously so
I can be generous, and reach those whose road
may become easier by my services. Sales, promotion,
and prosperity can be slimy or spiritual, meaningful
or maddening. I get to choose. If I want to serve and
make a difference, it’s about time I get over the old
limiting beliefs and make room for what makes joy
possible.

I think many of us share this allergy, and in taking
proactive steps toward peace, freedom, joy and success,
I have included making friends with money, sales and
marketing as essential to my journey. It has always been
easy for me to promote those who I have been touched
by, but self-promotion has had its roadblocks.

Money, promotion and success aren’t bad. They need
not lead to slimy, pushy behavior. When offered with
integrity and honesty, they lead instead to being a channel
of service, support, and mutual gain. I can’t remember
who it was that said, “Money does not make a man,
but reveals him”. All I need to do is be who I authentically
am as I share my passions and insights.

A friend, coach, and colleague in the field of
happiness who has helped me expand my vantage
point, undo my ‘nots’ and get of my ‘but’ is Michael
Neill. He is an amazing writer, coach, radio host,
and voice-over talent. Michael is the voice of the Villian
in Scooby Doo, so he has my grandson’s deep admiration
for a reason other than mine. Simply put, he is a light
hearted, creative gem of a man who offers many practical
gifts.

I have the authentic honor to nudge you to purchase
Michael Neill’s newest book, Feel Happy Now! Feel Happy
Now! is one of those books you will read more than once
and return to often. It gives you a life-line to joy in turbulent
times. As you Drive Yourself Happy, this is a book you
will want to take along for the ride!

So, either go buy it right now (http://www.geniuscatalyst.com/),
or here’s more…

In his bestseller You Can Have What You Want, Michael
Neill revealed the practical benefits of cultivating inner
happiness for creating tangible real-world success. Now
he reveals the “how” of happiness—simple, effective ways
to make immediate and lasting changes to your moods,
your outlook, and your life. Inside, you will find key
formulas, experiments, and techniques to help you
experience your capacity to choose and to change.

. The Myths of Happiness—I’ll be happy when…, it’s not
possible to be happy in certain situations, and unhappiness
is good for us

. The Happy Formula—give yourself better feelings, tell
yourself better stories, and act on your inner knowing

. The Permission Principle—the reason people aren’t
happier more of the time isn’t because they can’t be—
it’s because they think they shouldn’t be

. Three-Step Recipe for Happiness and Well-Being—
on demand, anytime you want

. Behavioral Prozac™—ten small changes in the way
you think and what you do that will have a profound
effect on your well-being

Order your copy of Feel Happy Now! and discover
that there is always something you can do to make
things better. Send Michael your receipt and he’ll
send you a link to a collection of ‘Happy’ downloads.
Order 5 or more and he’ll send you a signed copy of
his new 6-CD set Effortless Success absolutely free!

Your Keys to Happiness from Michael Neill’s Feel
Happy Now!
Happiness is the process of creating and experiencing
good feelings in your body and mind, moment by
moment by moment.

While in theory happiness makes us feel wonderful,
in practice it enables us to create a more and more
wonderful life. The three tools we use to build our
happiness—the way we use our body, the maps we
make in our minds, and the stories we tell ourselves—
are the same tools we employ to make ourselves
miserable. Once you master the process, you get to
choose the result.

As you learn to stop arguing with reality, let go of
trying to control what’s outside of your control,
and start making clear choices about how you
want to be and behave in the world, you’ll find
yourself with less stress and greater serenity
than ever before.

…perhaps the greatest secret in life is this: There
is nothing wrong with you. Except for the stories
you may be telling yourself about how you’re
supposed to be, what you’re supposed to be doing,
and who you’re supposed to (or not supposed to)
be doing it with, you are perfect exactly as you are.

…it isn’t just what we do when we’re happy, but our
happiness itself that makes a difference in the world.

Occasionally, someone will ask whether using these
tools will mean that they’ll never feel unhappy again.
Fortunately, the answer is no—I’ve yet to come across
a lasting, meaningful happiness that doesn’t include
the full spectrum of experience and emotion. But I
know for myself the joy of a life that gets better and
better as I become happier and happier.

Praise for Michael’s book, Feel Happy Now!P…for
Michael Neill and Feel Happy Now!
‘Warning! As you read this book you will experience
many immediate positive side effects, including
gentle smiles and greater happiness. Michael Neill
evokes intimacy and hope in every chapter!’

– Robert Holden, Ph.D., author of Happiness NOW!

‘What Michael Neill has to say works. Read this book
and feel happy!’

– Candace B. Pert, Ph.D., best-selling author of
Everything You Need To Know To Feel Go(o)d

‘All I say is IT’S ABOUT TIME! Michael Neill has directed
the process of change in the direction that works. It
should be a lesson to everyone who wants to change
lives—happiness is where we need to go. Michael lays
out the what and the how in an easy-to-use format.
Not just good reading, but good living.’

– Dr. Richard Bandler, behavioral technologist and
co-creator of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

‘Michael Neill has written a simple roadmap to
understanding everything you need to know about
feeling happy… It is an effective and entertaining
guide that deals with issues that one would normally
consider to be hard and heavy. If you are depressed,
think you could be feeling down, or simply just want
a better quality of life, this book is your essential guide.’

– Oli Barry, BAFTA and Grierson Award-winning
director of Bye Bye Happiness

‘Michael Neill is a genius in making the accumulated
wisdom of his own and humanities’ search for
happiness available to busy, modern, and often
stressed-out Westerners. This book gives you
profound yet eminently practical ways for realizing
spontaneous joy and deep fulfillment. I highly recommend
it.’

– Dr. Peter Fenner, author of Radiant Mind: Awakening
Unconditional Presence and Intrinsic Freedom

‘This book is a brimming, practical miracle! What a spot-
on distillation of exactly what we each need to practice to
cultivate a lighthearted life.’

– Jennifer Louden, best-selling author of The
Woman’s Comfort Book

‘Michael Neill is the finest success coach in the world
today. The time I’ve spent reading and rereading
Michael’s work has made a remarkable difference
to my success, happiness, and well-being. I have
recommended it to everyone I know who is genuinely
interested in self-improvement.’

– Paul McKenna, best-selling author of Change
Your Life in 7 Days

To read the Preface and Introduction to Feel Happy
Now!, visit:
http://www.geniuscatalyst.com/fhn1.php

I couldn’t be happier about suggesting you part with
some of your hard earned cash! Go buy Michael’s
book now!

In Joy,
Rhonda

Can you have one without the others?

It seems that they are not pieces, but rather intricately woven together. They call us to return to and to remember who we innately are in each stretch we make to live a joyful life.

It seems peace, happiness, freedom, and love itself are about accessing the joyful life that is available to us with each breath, in each moment, if we expand our willingness and commitment to see, hear and feel who we really are.

“Pollution, fraud, war, greed — whatever and wherever the waste we see — virtually every problem in our world today has its invisible root in the insatiable act of trying to escape ourselves.”

– Guy Finley

I was touched by this profound quote and the following article, written by Guy Finley.

http://www.guyfinley.com/Key_Lessons/Expanded_Lessons/Further_Understanding/3000/?src=KL&lyid=106747486

Although not ‘kosher’ in the marketing world to ever send people away for your website, I prefer to break that rule often. There is no such thing as scarcity, and it is important to me that people have the resources they need to activate their magnificence. This is prosperity that will find its way to me. This serves my happiness and the fulfillment of my life, too.

What a joyful thought, that everyone plug into their magnificence, trusting all is well, surrounded by and connected to others willing to be happy, too! Peace, hmmmmmm.

An important ingredient of happiness is cultivating and honoring our intuition. Dr. Judith Orloff is an expert in the field of intuition. Visit the following site to experience her work and view some video clips that offer valuable insights about the link between intuition and happiness.

http://www.youtube.com/judithorloffmd

Sometimes in order to find our way to happiness and to visualize new possibilities, we must clarify, let go of, and/or dare to redefine the old path.

Often we can get stuck in the loop of our old mis-beliefs not knowing how to break free, or not even realizing we are trapped.

Here’s to the journey of happiness, consciousness, and new possibilities..
What is simple is not always easy.

Byron Katie offers four simple questions that are easy and insightful if we surrender to them. I feel compelled to share with you a valuable resource, The Work..

I love the thought of Thanksgiving!!!

Gratitude is such a key to happiness.

I am very grateful for my readers, those who are committed every day to expanding joy in their life and learning how to live at The center of Happiness.

I had to share this with you!!!! Pay it Forward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9z2ELaBVJY

May we all join hands doing the gratitude dance!

Rhonda

Rhonda’s comments:
OK, sports fans. This one’s for you! Steve Goodier always makes wonderful contributions to wisdom and happiness through is articles and stories.

Also I post this in honor of my son-in-law, who is a devoted Bronco’s fan.

So… enjoy.

Rhonda

THE POWER OF LAUGHTER

Did you follow the 1987 football season when the Denver Broncos
played the Cleveland Browns for the AFC title?

Less than two minutes remained in the game and Cleveland was ahead by
a touchdown. The Broncos had just fumbled the ball out of bounds on
their own 1/2-yard line. Hostile Cleve land fans were already throwing
dog biscuits onto the field and celebrating a sure Cleveland win.

While the announcer was discussing who Cleveland would play in the
Super Bowl and Den ver fans were nursing bruised egos, the Bron cos
huddled in their own end zone. Quarterback, John Elway, was known for
miraculous wins, but this situation was almost impossible.

All-pro left tackle, Keith Bishop, looked around the huddle at his
teammates, took a deep breath and said, “Hey, now we got them right
where we want them!” Tense silence was broken by laughter. One player
laughed so hard he fell down! Somehow the joke lent perspective to an
absurd situation and a sense of calm confidence replaced anxiety.

What followed has been dubbed in the an nals of football lore as The
Drive. In less than two minutes, John Elway and the Broncos drove the
length of the field and tied the game with just sec onds left. They won in
overtime and went on to the 1988 Su per Bowl (which, judged by the
Broncos’ poor showing, was itself a kind of joke…).

An amazing shift occurred in the huddle that day. Laughter prepared
them to bring their best to a demanding situation as nervous,
negative energy was swept away in the absurdity of the moment.

Laughter has a way of creating positive change in any tense and
stressful circumstance. But, as Mark Twain said, laughter is the
greatest weapon that we humans possess and it’s the one we use the
least. Daily, we have countless oppor tunities to use the power of
laughter to make a positive difference.

– Steve Goodier
http://www.lifesupportsystem.com