Karlene Belyea, MBA “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” Society for Human Resource Management Statistics  90% of us say we want to spend more time with our     families. Best way to do that? Turn off your phone. Technology robs us of leisure time. 6 out of 10 people say they spend more time with their phones than their families. When asked if they’d rather give up their phone for a day or significant other for a week, half said their significant other! In the long run, you’ll get more done if you take a phone break. Unplugging allows your brain and body to recharge. Karlene’s tips for how to live the best life ever! Your life is shaped by your thoughts.  Business world “visioning” verses “manifesting your destiny”  To be happy, stay positive.  Think before saying “I am…”  Live from “the end.” Visualize the future the way you intend it to be.  Monitor your internal thoughts. Don’t think…  “I am a wreck.”  “I am unhappy.”  “I am overwhelmed, stressed, overworked.”  “I am not appreciated.” Instead think…         “I am well.” “I am strong.” “I am healthy.” “I am relaxed and working in a calm environment that only requires me to work 40 hours per week.” “I am appreciated and supported by my family, coworkers, and friends.” “I attract peace, harmony and happiness.” “I have time to do the things I want to do.” EXPECT the best from life and you will receive it. Envision your life as you want it to be. If you would like to accomplish something different than what you currently have, you must first EXPECT it of yourself and live from the end…as if you already have what you need. Visualize yourself in the future in the exact situation you want to be in. Do this frequently. You must also assume the feeling that goes along with this future wish or state as if it has already been fulfilled. You must be able to feel it. Dr. Wayne Dyer  “Act as if what you intent to manifest in life is already a reality. Eliminate thoughts of conditions, limitations, or the possibility of it not manifesting. If left undisturbed in your mind and in the mind of intention simultaneously, it will germinate into reality in the physical world.” William James  “The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind.”  “There are no limits to what you can achieve, only those you impose on yourself.” Pay attention to the last 5 minutes of your day.  Your last thoughts as you go to sleep stay with you all      night. Take time to calm yourself. No thoughts of criticism, condemnation or judgment. Take deep breaths. Consciously release tension in your body. Let the problems of your day go. Worry is a waste of time. Breathe deeply.  Best way to calm yourself  Best way to live in the moment  Take a deep breath and hold it for several seconds and then     slowly let it out. Repeat. Breathe in positive, healing energy and visualize this throughout your body. Breathe out the negative releasing tension, pain and stress. Take a deep breath often…it calms the mind and reduces stress. Stress isn’t good for you. Disease = Dis Ease. The body can only heal in a state of relaxation. Enjoy the present moment.  “If you are depressed, you are living in the past.      If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” Lao Tzu It’s very hard to live in the present. The internet, blogosphere and news media make it almost impossible. Try it, even if only for a second or two. Clear your mind and actually look at your environment. Colors are brighter, sounds and smells more vivid. Let go of the past and things that no longer serve you. James Taylor song lyrics… Forgive everyone and everything, including yourself.  Make peace with you past or it will     damage your future. People are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. True happiness is only possible if you have forgiven all. You must let go of all baggage and anger in order to move forward. “Forgiveness is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” – Robert Muller Forgive everyone and everything, including yourself.  It’s OK to make mistakes!  You’ve learned from your negative experiences and people and they’ve made you a stronger person.  Get negative people out of your life or if you can’t create a “bubble of light.”  Forgiveness is the key to happiness. Take time for yourself.  “I count.”  “I am important.”  “I love and approve of myself.”  “I now care for and nourish myself with love and joy.”  Look in the mirror and say nice things to yourself.  Take time for you even if it’s only 10-15 minutes a day to relax, sit outside, close your eyes, love your animals, etc.  Try meditation or guided visualization to improve your mental state of mind. Put positive affirmations up.  We are constantly caught up in life’s demands.  Consequently, having positive affirmations and reminders are helpful.  Create a list of things you want to remind yourself of and post them on your mirror, in your car or somewhere else.  Take time to read them daily. Understand that everything happens for a reason.  Nothing is left to chance.  Look for blessings in every situation, no matter how bad it is. They WILL be there eventually.  “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” – Helen Keller  “Letting go doesn’t mean you don’t care about someone anymore. It’s just realizing that the only person you have control over is yourself.” – Deborah Reber Realize that you are a spiritual being living a human life, not the opposite.  You are only in this body for a limited time.  When you came down here, there were plenty of people who volunteered to help you from the other side. Ask for their help when you need it and you’ll be amazed at how much help you can receive. They can’t help, however, unless you ask.  Trust your intuition. Realize the healing power of animals.  Spend time holding and loving your own animals each day.  They sense when you are unhappy and they can make you feel better.  Animals live completely in the moment and have a wisdom that we are unable to understand because we are too distracted by the past and the future.  “Never underestimate the power of an animal’s ability to heal your soul.” Learn from animals.  “What haven’t I learned from my dog? I’ve learned to wake up every day happy. I’ve learned to believe that most people and dogs are well intended, but to use my instincts just in case. I’ve learned that getting up early and going for a walk connects you to the world. I’ve learned that quietly observing someone teaches you a lot. I’ve learned to enjoy each meal like it was my last. I’ve learned that I’m not going to meet my neighbors by staying inside. I’ve learned that running through the sprinklers or playing with toys keeps you youthful. I’ve learned that love is without reservation no matter how bad you look or feel. And I’ve learned that our time with each other is precious.” – Author Unknown Learn to love yourself and don’t judge others.  Stop all self criticism and accept yourself as you are.  Treat yourself like you treat those you love. Praise yourself.  Be kind, gentle and patient with yourself.  Ask for help when you need it.  Give up complaining and criticism of others.  Take care of your body. Develop an attitude of gratitude.  Run through a list of everything you are grateful for in your life before sleeping each night.  What you give, you will get back in a greater amount.  Random acts of kindness keep you healthy and happy.  “Give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” – Brian Tracy Other Things to Remember  Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.  No one is in charge of your happiness but you. And you can        CHOOSE happiness. Time heals everything. Give time, time. You already have everything you need. The best is yet to come. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Dr. Wayne Dyer “Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Gandhi “All great changes are preceded by chaos” – Deepak Chopra “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill Maya Angelou Quote "The more you strive and search for happiness the more you overlook the possibility that it is here already." - Robert Holden: Be Happy Think about this… Have some fun! Have some fun!