Category — Quotes

I don’t know about you, but meaningful quotes (thank goodness!) seem to find me at just the right moments and re- balance me.

When time is so short and demands are so high, leisure and lengthy reflection opportunities can be illusive.

In those rushed moments quotes like these revive me, remind me of my purpose, untangle what my mind has made difficult, and return me to my  true self.

Do these speak to you today?

Life always gives us
exactly the teacher we need
at every moment.
This includes every mosquito,
every misfortune,
every red light,
every traffic jam,
every obnoxious supervisor (or employee),
every illness, every loss,
every moment of joy or depression,
every addiction,
every piece of garbage,
every breath.

Every moment is the Guru.

– Charlotte Joko Beck
American Author and Zen Teacher

“Every experience in your life is an opportunity to love”

– Rich German

“The mind is the last part of yourself to listen to.
It thinks of everything you can lose.
The heart thinks of everything you can give,
and the soul thinks of everything you are.”

– Neale Donald Walsh [Read more →]

Dear Happy Traveler,

I have always been curious about words… their origin, their apparent meaning, and their embedded or double meaning. As many of you know, I also enjoy revising the meaning to words so they hold a more intentional impact.

A word that caught my fancy recently was one we hear far too often these days: overwhelmed. Everywhere I turned, I hear the word in conversation, experience it in everyone’s attitudes, and witness the result on people’s faces.

Honestly I, too, had a week that tempted me to concur, however, remembered the words of Mother Teresa,

“I know God will never give me more than I can handle, I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”

Her cantankerous commitment to optimism reminded me to take a deep breath and look again from a different view-point.

With her whispering in my ear, I insisted on believing there has to be a better way than despair, and somehow had it in me to refuse to succumb to this overwhelmed perception that only leads to feeling worse.

These feelings caused me to ponder what exactly is the “whelm” we are “overed” by? Hmmmmm. What is whelm?

whelm
Pronunciation: \?hwelm, ?welm\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English
Date: 14th century
Definition:
1 : transitive verb 1 : to turn (as a dish or vessel) upside down, usually to cover something : cover or engulf completely with, usually disastrous effect
2 : to overcome in thought or feeling : overwhelm <whelmed with a rush of joy — G. A. Wagner> intransitive verb

When we get attached to the way we think life “should” be, we resist what is, even miss it all together. Life then moves forward about as easy as a car with the parking brake on. Our creativity and compassion shut down, prohibiting us to see all the alternative possibilities for joy available to us, even amidst challenging circumstances. Life becomes a pain in the rear to endure rather than an adventure to be explored. [Read more →]

"Be happy in the moment – that’s enough. Each moment is all we need – not more."

– Mother Teresa

"Live in the present moment and find your interest and happiness in the things of today."

– Emmett Fox

"It isn’t the experience of today that drives men mad. It is the remorse for something that happened yesterday, and the dread of what tomorrow may bring."

 – Robert Jones Burdette

"A smile is the beginning of peace."

 – Mother Teresa

 "Whenever you are sincerely pleased, you are nourished."

 – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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.

There’s too much emotion, too much negative emotion: frustration, hatred, anger. I think that’s the greatest obstacle. So I think as a first step this should be cooled down. Reduced. Forget these things. And I think for the time being, we need more festivals, more picinics. Let us forget these difficult things, these emotions, and make personal friends. Then we can start to talk about these serious matters.”

~~ Dalai Lama

“Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

– Yoda, Return of the Jedi

How could a little green alien be so wise?

Go ahead. Right now, try to get up from your chair. I’m serious. Just try. If you succeed in any way, you have not tried, but actually done something even though it may not be perfect or complete.

However, the truth is that there is no such thing as just ‘trying’ if we are taking even one small step or making one conscious gesture in the direction of our dream beyond doing nothing. You have taken action, and that counts.

Procrastinators are perfectionists in disguise. Don’t wait to do something until you are certain you can do it perfectly. Life is messy and mistakes offer insights, so dare to start now. By connecting the dots between all our small gestures, feelings, and actions and by leaning in the direction of our intentions, we create a continuous flow of energy and expand our happiness. If we combine this with a sustained belief in the possibilities, our dream becomes a reality.

Do you remember when your mom would tell you to, “Do your homework” to which you would reply, “I’ll try”? Translated, this meant that you most likely had no real intention to do your homework and would do nothing.

Trying is a state of inaction. Follow Yoda’s instruction. Do, even if it means one small step in the direction of your intention. Your thoughts, feelings, and actions combined with your intention are what manifest your desire.

Now, go do your homework.

A SHORT CUT TO HAPPINESS:
Today I do my homework. I take action knowing that even one small step is more than just trying. I get clear on what I intend, and then make my thoughts, feelings, and actions congruent. No more trying. Today I DO in spite of my hesitations, shaping my choices and actions according to my values.

Hello,

Rhonda here. I am with my grandsons (and my two daughters) in Long Beach. These three little guys are ages five, 16 months and 18 months. What a joy they are, and how meaningful to me to know that they recognize me and see me as a safe place to land in this sometimes crazy world. By choosing to live every moment fully with them I am way behind in postings and other writing. Balance is illusive, especially since they sahred a cold with me,but, today I feel the inspiration and energy to share, and it’s nap time.

“Every man dies. Not every man truly lives.”
— Braveheart

What are we waiting for? Many of us die until we die, rather than live until we die. So, if you’re going to die anyway, you’ve got little to loose and a lot to gain! And, the amazing miracle is that those who live until they die never die, only change form. They live on and on and on.

We look to other leaders, authority figures, or ones who have dared to live lively, thinking that they have all the answers and we don’t. Instead of using them for inspiration in shaping our own steps, we compare ourselves to them. We deem ourselves to be tiny and small, even lazy but safe, and let them do the living for us.

Yet, the truth is that we are all ordinary individuals who have extraordinary wisdom to share. Each grain of sand is essential to the beach’s beauty. Each of us, from our own life experiences, have gifts to share that can make the path easier, more enjoyable, and offer insight for another. Our success and contributions need not be big and flashy to be of equal or even greater value. They only need be given openly and authentically from the heart.

Moment of D’Light:
Today choose to live proactively, and awaken from your complacent slumber. Today allow your voice to be audible, and choose to live fully each moment until you die. We never really know when that moment will be. Now is the only real moment to have a ‘happily ever after.’ Dive in and live it fully! Joy is possible, even amidst challenging circumstances.

“If the only prayer you ever said was ‘Thank You’, that would be enough.”
– Meister Eckhart

Humble and authentic gratitude is indeed a powerful prayer. To be grateful for not only big things but for the simple blessings can carry us beyond challenging circumstances with a greater sense of contentment.

One of the greatest heartaches we feel is a lack of acknowledgement. Too seldom are we fully appreciated for our contributions and not often enough do we appreciate the gifts of others sent our way. Yet, it is these simple gestures that grows true happiness and expands our sense of worth. Gratitude, given and received, heals these wounds of ‘not enoughness’ and paves the path to a greater happiness. It is an essential key to happiness.

Gratitude must come from the heart and should not be offered as a way to initiate something being offered in return. The amazing thing is that when a heart-felt ‘thank you’ is given without strings, it magically offers a huge return. Giving really is receiving.

For a Moment of D’Light:

Today I offer thanks in abundance. I notice each kind gesture, big and small from the sweet scent of fresh flowers and an available parking space to business referrals or expensive gifts. I am grateful not only for the gifts and kindness I receive from others, but know it is important that I be grateful for myself, knowing and appreciating my worth.

“During the years of Buchenwald and Auschwitz,” he said, “Matisse painted the most charming flowers and fruit that were ever made. That’s why today they still speak more eloquently than the most macabre description of the period. Their creator was faithful not to the tragedy but to the reaction that tragedy kindled in his conscience.”

– Source: Odysseus Elytis, translated by Theophanis Stavrou: Books
Abroad, Volume 49, no 4, Autumn 1975

It is so easy to react to the tragedies of life with despair and hopelessness, and then what we focus on generates more of the same. We must dare to step out of reacting to the disasters and detours and very consciously respond instead. If not, we are only compounding what is not working.

Despite the dark that seems to be so prevalent, transformation calls for us to commit instead to seeing beauty and positive possibilities. There is abundance that our focus on lack prevents us from seeing. If we are to transform war to peace and heal from the inevitable heartaches that are a part of life, we must adjust our perspective to see that love is the answer to every question. We must not deny darkness, but celebrate the light. In doing so, we expand the light that dissolves darkness

MY SHORT-CUT TODAY:
Today I focus on and notice the flowers, even in the cracks in the sidewalk. I am faithful to respond rather than react to tragedy and setbacks. In so doing I reveal and emphasize the beauty in life.