God was just showing off when he made you!

"spread a little sunshine today, be generous with your compliments"

I was going to write an article on compliments today, when I discovered this little story. After a read it, I threw out my clever writings because this said it better, enjoy...(and anyway I'm always happy to let someone else do the work)

The Power of Compliments
Submitted by: Gayle Shemezis miracleacres@maqs.net

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.

It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much." were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in Viet Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.

The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.

As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes." Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.

"Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it."

All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home."

Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album."

"I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary."

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists."

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

"Marge, you're as pretty as Princess Leia, and as smart as Yoda" Homer Simpson

Eduardo

Beautiful thoughts

"to truly love life,
you must first come to the realization
that life loves you"


"The amound of outrageous joy
that you will experience in your life,
is directly related to the amount
of outrageous kindness you show"

Eduardo

Just one little word to describe you!

How would you describe yourself in just one word?

This comes from Scott Adam's blog. I found it an interesting and fun little challenge. I wonder if the first answer that pops into your brain, is the same as the answer you get when you've given it some real thought?

"Suppose you had to pick one word to describe yourself. Your first reaction, I assume, is that it is impossible. You are so many different things, in so many different contexts. No one word can capture more than a tiny slice.

Now suppose I ask you to think of people you know, and see how many of them you can describe in one word. Suddenly it gets a lot easier. He’s a jerk, she’s hot, he’s a loser, she’s a nerd, etc.

This exercise only gets hard when you apply it to yourself. Let’s test this theory. Today’s challenge is to come up with:

1. One word to describe yourself

2. One word to describe me (since I’m the only one you all sort of know)

The only rule is that people who have survived some terrible illness or situation can’t pick “survivor” as their one word. Too easy.

Go.

Lucky

P.S. Please no swear words!

Recess

"join the rescue recess movement"

Remember when as a kid in school, the recess bell would ring. My heart would jump for joy as I would always try to be the first to hit the swings or grab the soccer ball. Ahh...recess, exhilarating fun. A chance to get out of the stuffy classroom and get some oxygen pumping through the system with some good old fashioned fresh air. Beautiful!

"get out of your stuffy office and into the sunshine"

Imagine if, every business had to give it's employees a recess in the morning and another in the afternoon? I would bet anyone, that productivity would increase, stress would be reduced and the work place would be a happier place. Just like the kids, it would be hard for the big people, to be stressed when they are having fun. Kids can invent games and so can the supposedly smarter adults.

"it's not possible to be stressed when you are having fun"

I know some are thinking, hey Eduardo, we have coffee or smoke breaks now, so what's the difference? Is this just semantics? NO, this is a fun break. Do what you like but have fun for 20 minutes, twice a day. Companies in my world would do what ever they could to facilate the fun concept. Maybe they would install Wii games on your computer or just tell you to go outside and go for a walk in the park. Perhaps 20 minutes wouldn't be enough? Who cares how long the break is, if the productivity and quality of work go up?

"what this world needs is more fun"

We've got it all wrong, life isn't and shouldn't be serious stuff. Life should be fun, easy and abundant (there I go again). Creativity which is the juice for super achievement is hard and difficult when your world gets too serious. Creativity is the offspring of fun. Isn't that beautiful? Have more fun, get more abundance.

Hey another great idea....what if when people go for counselling when their relationship is falling apart, they are first required to visit the Happy Consultant. He or she would prescribe a heavy dose of fun to be taken for an extended period. If that didn't work, then go straight to your lawyer.

"and what about Happy School for the slow learners"

I have decided that the world of business, needs "happy consultants". Forget the psycholgist, first try a happy consultant. I think I'd make a great happy consultant. I've got the qualifications...I'm happy. That's the first prerequesite. Next, I'm creative, I can think of ton of ways to have fun. I've done and love to research the topic. So hire me! (I'm expensive but I'd give a money back guarantee on funny paper of course).

I figure that if the workplace was a happier environment, that it would save companies and even the government billions of dollars in lost productivity. The health system wouldn't be over stressed. And most importantly the world would be a better place. This is just so good...I'm excited...wait recess is over, I better get back to work.

Smile, there is always a goofball like me, looking out for you!

Eduardo

P.S. Donations to the 'Rescue Recess' movement can be sent directly to me.

The easy to improve your life

"it's not who you know,
it's who you know that likes you"

I've been writing for the last year about how to make our lives; fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance. Lately, I've been wondering...what is the easiest way to accomplish that? If there was just one thing that could impact our lives in a positive way, what would it be?

In search of an answer, I tried to think of who I knew that seemed to have a charmed, happy and profitable life? I could think of many people, some I knew and some I read about. So I asked myself, what do they have in common? And the answer is.....

"they are all likeable"

People who are likeable tend to get the best jobs, build the best companies, have more friends, better relationships and enjoy life more. Sounds good, right? But that doesn't even touch the benefits of being likeable. Here are a few more benefits;

* Doctors give more time and better care to patients they like
* Likeability is the most consitent predictor of election results
* Likeable people inspire others to give more
* They get better and quicker service from retail businesses
* Likeable students get better marks from teachers
* They get forgiven quicker for misdeeds (I need that one)
* They have better physical and mental health
* Live longer and happier lives

There's more but you get the point. Things come quicker and easier for likeable people. We favor them and do what we can to make their lives fun, easy and abundant. And this amigos is one of the biggest secrets I've ever learned...

"it isn't the choices we make about other people that makes life enjoyable, it's the choices they make about us"

There will always be the foolish few who actually prefer to go it alone. Their attitude is I don't need other people to make it. And with supreme effort, they still succeed. I'm just not one of those who wants to make any more effort than is necessary to reach my desires. If others want to help me out and make my life easier, I say welcome onboard. Life is fun, easy and abundant when others want you to succeed because they like you.

I've decided that at Eduardo's Happy School, the first subject taught will be....How to be more likeable! I can't think of a more important subject. My graduates will all be taught this vital skill and as a result will be world leaders in likeability.

Now that we have established that the most important skill to attain in life, is likeability, the obvious question is how? I've been researching and applying my limited brain power to provide you some answers. Appreciating the limited brain power aspect you will have give me more time.....so come back tomorrow!

I promise you some fresh insights. I might even go into more depth than the ever popular method of...buying the first round.

Smile, I really, really like you!

Eduardo

sudden insights

"I get a lot of epiphany's (sudden insights). It's probably because I thought I knew so much when I actually knew so little"

So off the top of my head, here are some of great epiphany's over the past year. I will give them to you without comment. See if any of them resonate with you?

* I have everything I need

* The answer is always love and the way love is expressed is kindness. Love and happiness are the same thing.

* The world needs and craves enlightenment. Anyone and anything can be a teacher.

* Most people don't like to think and are happy to let someone else do it for them

* Manifestation of what you want, requires imagination. Imagination requires play. Therefore, getting what you want is fun and easy.

* Life is easier if I accept complete responsibility for everything in my life.

* I tend to forget lessons learned, so I need constant reminders.

* I tend to remember best, what I think is important or funny.

* Be wary of people who rarely laugh or smile, whatever it is that they have...might be contagious!



Eduardo

BONUS: The guy who smiles when something goes wrong, has just thought of someone to blame (unknown funny person)

OK, who has a screw loose?

"if you haven't got a screw loose somewhere, you are probably wound too tight"

How is that for a motto to have? I made that up of course, but it gives you an insight to my weird world.

I like serious people, the world needs them for lots of important jobs. Reminds me of many years ago I was scheduled for a hernia surgery. While laying on the table and ready for the anthesiest to put me under, I heard the surgeon laughing and joking with the operating staff, about his golf game. I was greatly concerned that he wasn't focusing on the job at hand (me). So I said to him..."hey Doc, you are about to perform some delicate surgery on parts of my body that are incredibly near other parts of my body that I really love. I would appreciate it if you took this real serious." For some reason this put the operating staff into fits of laughter. Then the lights went out and I awoke hours later, and proud to say that everything was still where it was supposed to be. So I like serious people (sometimes).

However, the world doesn't need me on that team, so I joined the other side. A little over a year ago, I decided to adopt my belief that "life was meant to be fun, easy and abundant". So far it's working to perfection!

"there is always room for one more fool"

As they say....we are not going to get out of here alive anyway (so we may as well have some fun). I tell my friends, it's not my inner child I'm worried about losing contact with...it's my outer adult. This attitude is life changing.

Whenever I'm about do something, I try to remember to ask myself...is there a fun easy way? Usually there is. Let me give you an example; recently I needed to buy a vacuum cleaner and was thinking, how could this be fun and easy? Lo and behold I'm in Costco and I see a robot vacuum cleaner. Of course I bought it. That dang thing works beautifully, cost less than the one I thought about buying and entertains the dog to boot. I call it Angelina and she does the work at the press of the button. So now my floors and carpets are cleaner than ever. Brad Pitt and me, we love our Angelina. Perfect!

You probably get jokes sent to you over the internet as do I. I keep the really good ones and send them on to friends and delete the rest. A good joke is to be shared. What you look for, you find and I find the humour everywhere. I tease my friends, my clients and most everyone I come into contact with (especially if they are the serious side). And kids, my God I love to tease kids. Of course being a teaser means you are going to get it back in bucketfuls, but I'm ok with that.

Here's another of my mottos....."the more I smile the richer I become"

I've found incredible truth in that made up statement. My income tripled over the last year and I'm having a great time. Interestingly, I'm working no harder than I was before. You can't accomplish much in this world without the help of others. And people help people they like, so it's profitable to smile a lot. The more you smile (whether you feel like it or not) the better you feel. This of course attracts friendships as an added bonus.

"I haven't got and don't want any goals, dreams or intentions, so big that I can't have fun pursuing them"

One day my son said to me...it must be fun to live in your head Dad, but aren't you worried about losing track of reality? Nope, how can I lose track of reality when I made it up to start with? I actually think making up your own beliefs is the single most important thing you can do to change your life for the better.

Why live with beliefs like....life is hard and difficult? That serves no one. I don't like hard and difficult so I dumped that belief.

It all starts with your attitude. The world really needs one more goofball and I think you are likely candidate! The fact that you read this blog, cinches the deal for me.

Smile, life was meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance (but only for us goofballs)!

Eduardo

The Rules of the World

"life is easier when you know the rules"


No one seems to knows who wrote these rules. I challenge you to read these rules and see if you can find anything to disagree with. The more I contemplate 'the rules' the more profound they appear to me. If you agree, I strongly recommend that you print them and keep them so you won't have to repeat your lessons in life (like me)


1 We only get one body.

2. We will learn lessons.

3. Lessons often appear as mistakes or failures.

4. A lesson is repeated until it is learned.

5. If we don't learn the easy lessons, they get harder.

6. We'll know we've learned the lesson when our actions change.

7. We will tend to forget the lessons.

8. We can remember the lessons anytime we wish.

I wish that someone had taught me those rules when I was young, I could have avoided a lot of painful lessons. I like them so much, I think I'll go tattoo to them to my son's head. He'll thank me when he gets older!

Eduardo

What makes life hard and difficult?

I'm not prone to looking at things from the negative viewpoint, however it is an interesting question.  What makes life hard and difficult? 

Sometimes circustances and the luck of the draw, make life hard and difficult.  Consider those who are born with disabilities, did they do anything to cause their predictament?  Or the child born into poverty and ingnorance?  I don't have answers to those type of questions, however, I do believe we sometimes make our lives hard and difficult by our own actions or lack of actions. 

So here are a few of my thoughts about how you may be making your life hard and difficult as opposed to fun, easy and abundant:

Doing what you don't liker

A lot of poor souls are trapped in jobs they don't like and don't seem to realize that they can quit.  Why keep doing what you hate?  No wonder work is drugery and you are unhappy.  If you are underappreciated, go where you will be recognized for your extra efforts.   Quit rationalizing why you must continue and plan your escape.  You don't have to go on unemployment insurance you can plan a better life before you leave the last one.  The good news; even if you have to accept less money to start a new job, by doing what you enjoy, chances are great you will end up with more.  And isn't life worth enjoying?

Living the lotto life.

This is for those whose retirement plan is to buy a lotto ticket.  Despite it's logic defying reality, some hang onto the hope that they will win the lottery or somehow good fortune will find them without them having to do anything to earn it. They forget that old adage....the definition of insanity is to expect different results when you keep on doing the same thing.

Hanging onto beliefs that don't work for you.

Henry Ford said, whether you think you can or you can't, you are right.  Why accept your limitations, you've done that all your life and what has it done for you?  So quit believing you can't get there from here.  It takes so little to exceed your own expectations....it just takes a little more effort and courage.  Here is what I believe is the biggest revelation of my life...

I can make up my own beliefs and amazingly it works beautifully

For those of you who are frequent visitors here, you've heard me say this over and over.   Life was meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance.  I made that up over a year ago and the end result is that is what my life has become.  What you look for you find.  What you concentrate on becomes your reality.   Play with this thought and see what you come up with. 

Beware the no fun people.

The world needs serious people but it doesn't have to be you and it sure as heck isn't going to be me.  I believe the no fun people are the absolutely the worst one's to look for guidance from.  Their seriousness, can squeeze the dreams right out you.  The aren't prone to seeing opportunity only problems.  They just love to knock you down a peg with cold hard miserable logic. 

Not enough thrills

When is the last time you experienced a thrill?  You don't have to risk life and limb but it's good to get the adrenline pumping to let remind you, that you are still alive.  Life was meant to be fun and thrills are elevated fun levels.  Get excited about something, anything.  Live!

Break a few of the rules just for the fun of it

Some rules are just plain dumb and deserve to be broken.  Of course you may have to face some punitive punishment if you get caught.  I personally enjoy breaking a few rules now and then.  I'm sure the literery folks would be dismayed with my writing style...who cares.  I often joke that they paint yellow lines on the curb so other people won't take my preferred parking spot.  Call in for a mental health day and go to the beach.  I'm not suggesting you should rush out and break the law but go ahead have some fun.   Society is often run by the standards of the lowest common denominator so go ahead and jaywalk just for the fun of it.  Just don't tell the authorities that I put you up to it!

There my little rant is over and I feel better. 

Adios

Eduardo

Bonus thought; "through humor you find humanity" lillian Thomas

What is your secret?

"Finally the time came when the risk to remain tight in the bud, was more painful than the risk it took to bloom" (Anais Nin)

That's a powerful thought, isn't it? I'm betting that all of us have some deep seeded wish that we haven't acted on. It's human nature to seek security and safety and avoid risk. To remain so tightly bound in the bud of our lives that we miss the opportunity to really bloom.

"ships are safe in the harbour, but that's not what ships are made for"

Life slips by so quickly and before we know it all the great opportunties have passed us by. But for a little courage, we could experience the thrill of a little greatness. Sometimes it's such little things like; giving forgiveness or not taking the opportunity to step forward and introduce yourself, that become regrets you are left with. A decent boldness is what's required of us.

"thank you for this moment and the treasure that it holds"r

If you found this article than luck you. Perhaps God or the universe has a message for you! As long as you're still breathing it's not too late to muster up a little courage and let you life start to bloom. Think about something you always wished you had done and do some little thing that will start you on the path to becoming who wished you were.

"each day shapes our lives as running water shapes the stone"

One of the reasons we don't become our potential is that we see the challenge as just too big. Funny thing about that idea, it's not necessary or true. To accept that thought means that you are viewing life as hard and difficult....it's not! Life is meant to be fun and easy and the fun and easy way is to make small incremental changes. Be honest, no matter how big a change you want to make, there is some small thing you can do today that will move you forward.

When I think back on the girl that I didn't ask out or to dance, the sale I never asked for or the opportunity I didn't seize, I know the fun I missed out on. Fear of failure was all that stood in my way.

"fortune favours the bold"
Today I think back and just have to laugh....how could I have been so silly and how lucky that I now know better!

Smile, the sun is always shinning on us, even if it's hidden by the clouds.

Eduardo

Guilty Pleasures are good for you!

"it's all a sham....we were meant to be happy"

Our society is one that idealizes the virtues of the pleasureless. Since we were kids we have been conditioned to believe that hard work, sacrifice and restraint are essential to a successful life. Society has condemned and in some cases even made pleasures illegal. They sucked the fun right out of life!

It's occurred to me that that this funless life they want us to live is a means of controlling us. The harder they can get the less fortunate to work, the greater rewards for the ruling class. The wealthy have always had their guilty pleasures, they just don't want everyone to get in on it. Great for the ruling class, crappy for the underlings.

Somehow we need to break the old mentality. Fun and easy is good, needs to replace hard and difficult. We need to recognize that we can have it all and we don't need to fall for those despicable lies like; keep your nose to the grindstone, the only way ahead is sacrifice and in order for you to win someone has to lose. Bullcrap!

The first step in changing this mentality is to put yourself fully into some former guilty pleasure. I care not if you get off on chocolate, wine or sex. The next time you decide to indulge....really get into it. Savour the moment and tell yourself it is not only good for, it is essential to your well being. It is the first and essential step towards a better life. Let your subconsious know that you deserve the good stuff. Learn to enjoy to the max, its important.

Now if you will excuse me there is a lemon pie waiting for me!

Eduardo

The secret to likeability!

Welcome back amigos! As promised, I would share a few novel ideas on becoming more likeable. I'll skip past the obvious stuff like.... take a regular shower, brush your teeth and don't be rude. I found 100's of examples of the obvious, but here at 'Happy School' we're into unique and of course easy.

What do you think is the fastest, easiest and surest guarantee that you will always be viewed as likeable? That's the question I've been pondering. That question had me stumped for a few days. But then in a moment of sudden insight, the answer was revealed. I almost wet my pants with excitement, it was that good. I Eduardo was now in possession of a life changing inspiration. The gods were on my side. Not only did I discover the secret of likeability but I had in my possession the secret to a fun, easy and abundant life. No point writing, reading and researching anymore....I had the answer! So what to do with it?

"for my amigos only, I will offer this one time opportunity. And for the incredible low, low price of just 4 equal payments of $29.95 (plus tax) it is all yours"

Whoa, got carried away there with the brillance of my discovery! After careful review and a return to sanity, I now will reveal all for the incredible price of FREE. I do have one caveat that I must insist on....as you read the secret, promise me you'll let it perculate in your brain for a few days. I'm confident if you do that you will come agree with me, it is brilliant. Here is the secret to likeability and to success....

"put others first and everthing becomes fun, easy and abundant"

Help others get what they want and they will be only to happy to help you get what you want. I guarantee that they will like you as well! The more you help others the more others will want you to succeed and be happy. Multiply your success, happiness and likeability by helping as many as you can. Consider it an honor to be in a position to help when you the opportunity presents itself. Call it Karma or cause and effect, the truth is, it works perfectly.

This is just another of those cosmic jokes. God has a terrific sense of humor. He puts everything right in front of us, makes it really obvious then sits back and laughs at our foolishness until we finally get it. This is just another one of his little tricks like....the more you give, the more you get. But hey, we're smarter than the average monkey and we figured it out!

All along my path, I figured it was all about me. I was focused on figuring out how to make me happy and successful. And dang if it doesn't turn out that I was wrong, it's not about me, it's about helping others. I help them get what they want and they help me get what I want. Simple...beautiful!

ADDED BONUS: Now, I'm just so damn likeable (might have to work on that humble thing next)

Smile, I am, therefore I am happy!

Eduardo

What is the easiest way to improve your life?

"it's not who you know,
it's who you know that likes you"

I've been writing for the last year about how to make our lives; fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance. Lately, I've been wondering...what is the easiest way to accomplish that? If there was just one thing that could impact our lives in a positive way, what would it be?

In search of an answer, I tried to think of who I knew that seemed to have a charmed, happy and profitable life? I could think of many people, some I knew and some I read about. So I asked myself, what do they have in common? And the answer is.....

"they are all likeable"

People who are likeable tend to get the best jobs, build the best companies, have more friends, better relationships and enjoy life more. Sounds good, right? But that doesn't even touch the benefits of being likeable. Here are a few more benefits;

* Doctors give more time and better care to patients they like
* Likeability is the most consitent predictor of election results
* Likeable people inspire others to give more
* They get better and quicker service from retail businesses
* Likeable students get better marks from teachers
* They get forgiven quicker for misdeeds (I need that one)
* They have better physical and mental health
* Live longer and happier lives

There's more but you get the point. Things come quicker and easier for likeable people. We favor them and do what we can to make their lives fun, easy and abundant. And this amigos is one of the biggest secrets I've ever learned...

"it isn't the choices we make about other people that makes life enjoyable, it's the choices they make about us"

There will always be the foolish few who actually prefer to go it alone. Their attitude is I don't need other people to make it. And with supreme effort, they still succeed. I'm just not one of those who wants to make any more effort than is necessary to reach my desires. If others want to help me out and make my life easier, I say welcome onboard. Life is fun, easy and abundant when others want you to succeed because they like you.

I've decided that at Eduardo's Happy School, the first subject taught will be....How to be more likeable! I can't think of a more important subject. My graduates will all be taught this vital skill and as a result will be world leaders in likeability.

Now that we have established that the most important skill to attain in life, is likeability, the obvious question is how? I've been researching and applying my limited brain power to provide you some answers. Appreciating the limited brain power aspect you will have give me more time.....so come back tomorrow!

I promise you some fresh insights. I might even go into more depth than the ever popular method of...buying the first round.

Smile, I really, really like you!

Eduardo

Has Eduardo gone soft?

"when your mind and heart are having fun, beautiful things find you"

I suppose it's probably because I spend so much time looking for things to support my beliefs that I constantly find evidence of it's truth.  Mostly it's through reading, researching and daydreaming but sometimes beautiful things just sort of sneak up on me and smack me across the head.

"when you have enough beautiful thoughts, you invariably have a beautiful life"

A month or so ago, I was listening to a tape and heard the phrase ...."standing on the edge of all that is possible" It has stuck in my head since then.  I keep thinking what an empowering phrase it is and of course I made it into one my cards as a reminder.  Then a few nights ago, I came across that phrase in an article I was reading.  I suppose the universe was sending me a reminder because it knows in it's infinite intelligence...that I'm a slow learner!

This morning I opened an email from a Yoga instructor named Adele.  She signed off her message with the word...namaste.  Being curious I checked Mr. Google for the meaning.   Literally it means 'bow to you'.  Namaste is a term used at the end of a Yoga session.   I also found a beautiful intrepetation that I really like and for the price of FREE I will share it with you.  I'm betting you like it as much as I do....

"I honor that place in you, where the whole Universe resides.  And when I am in that place in me and you are in that place in you, there is only one of us"

Namaste Amigos

Eduardo

Living lightly

I came across an article about living lightly and wondered what it was about. Turns out it was about living green and leaving the smallest possible carbon print on the planet. That's nice but it got me thinking....

How else can we live lightly?

By my definition of living lightly, I mean living an effortless life. That would involve a lot of things. Not carrying around excess baggage, being happpy and loving etc. Here are a few quick thoughts about how I try to live lightly:

Be Opimistic

I expect things to work out for me. I easily envision that my life will improve. I'm never sure how, other than I anticipate that the universe is on my side.

I decide how to interpret what happens.

Because I've decided that the universe is on my side, when something goes wrong, I assume it is for a good reason. Somehow, I will find a benefit. Sometimes I don't find the answer until years later but it always seems to show up.

Let go

And when things go wrong and misfortune strikes, I try to let go of it, as soon as I can. This is when I say to myself...it is what is! Some things you just can't do much about, it has happened and the only course is to let it go or if possible take some positive action.

Good for you

There was a time (not so long ago) when I would read or hear about some good fortune that came to someone, who I maybe didn't like or admire. This would bring feelings of jealousy. Now, I've trained myself to just say quietly in my head...

good for you!

I decided that if good things can happen to those who I think don't deserve it, then even better can come my way.Be kind to everyone and everything I try to smile and act friendly to everyone I come into contact with. This means the homeless guy begging for change and the ill tempered waitress who is run off her feet. Being kind to people is easy but try being kind to things. I was real kind to my car this morning when I took it to the car wash. The damn thing didn't even say thank you! It did look much better though.

Laugh at everything and as often as I can

Some of my best stories that amuse friends were tales of my misfortunes. It takes the sting out of problems when you can laugh about them. And for some dang reason it pleases the heck out of my amigos when they get a laugh at my expense.

I have a purpose here on this planet.

Even before I figured out what the purpose of my life was, I assumed that I had one. It was only a matter of time before I figured it out. I just never knew it would take so long. Having a purpose gives me meaning beyond just surviving until I die.

Life was meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance

Sure I made that up myself! Who cares, it's served me better than any other personal thought or philosophy I've ever had. Ever since I adopted that mantra, quess what....my life has become fun, easy and abundant. So who's the fool?

I wrote a poem as a reminder to myself

I usually keep them to myself (for obvious reasons), however I've shared this one before so here goes, it's called

'Go Gently'...

go gently
like the cool summer breeze
that refreshes

be open to inspiration
as the flower is
to the morning sun

make no more effort
than the river
on it's journey to the sea

be not fixated
on the destination
for that is the end

it is the journey
to be enjoyed
and cherished

your destiny
is free will
just say thank you

live without effort
carry no burden
for none is necessary

know that life
is meant to be fun, easy
and over-flowing with abundance

Hey, I'm just getting warmed up, but before I start rambling, I'll give it a rest and ask you....how do you live lightly?

Smile; for if you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid!(I got that from a Greek philospher named Epictetus and not from one of my so-called amigos)

Eduardo

Who has a screw loose?

"if you haven't got a screw loose somewhere, you are probably wound too tight"

How is that for a motto? I made that up of course, but it gives you an insight to my weird world.I like serious people, the world needs them for lots of important jobs.  Reminds me of many years ago I was scheduled for a hernia surgery.  While laying on the table and ready for the anthesiest to put me under, I heard the surgeon laughing and joking with the operating staff, about his golf game.  I was greatly concerned that he wasn't focusing on the job at hand (me).  So I said to him..."hey Doc, you are about to perform some delicate surgery on parts of my body that are incredibly near other parts of my body that I really love.  I would appreciate it if you took this real serious."  For some reason this put the operating staff into fits of laughter. Then the lights went out and I awoke hours later, and proud to say that everything was still where it was supposed to be.  So I like serious people (sometimes).However, the world doesn't need me on that team, so I joined the other side. A little over a year ago, I decided to adopt my belief that "life was meant to be fun, easy and abundant". So far it's working to perfection!"there is always room for one more fool"As they say....we are not going to get out of here alive anyway (so we may as well have some fun).  I tell my friends, it's not my inner child I'm worried about losing contact with...it's my outer adult. This attitude is life changing. Whenever I'm about do something, I try to remember to ask myself...is there a fun easy way? Usually there is. Let me give you an example; recently I needed to buy a vacuum cleaner and was thinking, how could this be fun and easy? Lo and behold I'm in Costco and I see a robot vacuum cleaner. Of course I bought it. That dang thing works beautifully, cost less than the one I thought about buying and entertains the dog to boot. I call it Angelina and she does the work at the press of the button. So now my floors and carpets are cleaner than ever.  Brad Pitt and me, we love our Angelina.   Perfect!You probably get jokes sent to you over the internet as do I. I keep the really good ones and send them on to friends and delete the rest. A good joke is to be shared. What you look for, you find and I find the humour everywhere. I tease my friends, my clients and most everyone I come into contact with (especially if they are the serious side).  And kids, my God I love to tease kids.  Of course being a teaser means you are going to get it back in bucketfuls, but I'm ok with that. Here's another of my mottos....."the more I smile the richer I become"I've found incredible truth in that made up statement. My income tripled over the last year and I'm having a great time. Interestingly, I'm working no harder than I was before. You can't accomplish much in this world without the help of others. And people help people they like, so it's profitable to smile a lot. The more you smile (whether you feel like it or not) the better you feel. This of course attracts friendships as an added bonus. "I haven't got and don't want any goals, dreams or intentions, so big that I can't have fun pursuing them"One day my son said to me...it must be fun to live in your head Dad, but aren't you worried about losing track of reality? Nope, how can I lose track of reality when I made it up to start with? I actually think making up your own beliefs is the single most important thing you can do to change your life for the better.Why live with beliefs like....life is hard and difficult? That serves no one. I don't like hard and difficult so I dumped that belief.It all starts with your attitude. The world really needs one more goofball and I think you are likely candidate! The fact that you read this blog, cinches the deal for me. Smile, life was meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance (but only for us goofballs)!Eduardo

Increasing your likeability

"I want to share with you the secrets to making people like you"

That was the title of one of those junk emails I got on the weekend. For a small sum you too could become one of those fortunate people who others can't resist. You'll be able to choose a partner from the most beautiful people in the world. You will not only have an abundance of friends but promotions and success will come easy and naturally for you. It's your destiny, so act quickly. All this and so much more, and all for a less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks for one week!

Sounded pretty good but then I already have a lot of friends so I saved my coffee money and went to see my good friend GOOGLE. There I found hundreds of pages with similar advice for FREE.

I learned a lot of neat stuff like;

* look for ways to compliment others
* be an interesting person
* make sure you shower each day
and lot's of other good points for me to consider

I could give you a list of another 100 good points to attract people to you but here at the Truthteller site I want you to have the ultimate fun and easy method. So here is the secret revealed.....

"the secret to making people like you is....to love yourself first"

Think about it!

And as an added bonus (and at no additional cost) here are two more of my never fail techniques to get people to like you...

1. Buy a pick up truck....sooner or later everyone needs a friend with a truck to help them move something.

2. Show up at a outdoor activity on a really hot summer day with a box of ice cold beer!

Glad I could be here for you!

Eduardo

Magical Thinking

What if, I discovered a new way of thinking that could bring you closer to your desires? That would be magical thinking, wouldn't you say? Well....I did!

As with most of the things about me, it is really simple. I do simple really well. I especially like having fun, so my magical thinking process is both of those things...simple and fun.

Without further ado, let the bells ring out and the banners fly....it's too good to be true. Here is the secret words that will change your life...

What if

Can it be that simple? Yes. Are you smoking some funny stuff Eduardo? Nope. Ok, Eduardo, tell us why you think two simple words can create magic, before we call the guys in the white coats to come get you? Glad you asked amigos, but first let's consider some what if questions.

What if I have everything I need? (then I could do anything)

What if everyone loved me? (must be someone who doesn't)

What if God was always on my side? (cool)

What if I was brilliant? (dang, I thought I was)

What if I quit my job and did what I love? (what would I love to do?)

What if losing weight is fun and easy? (how would I do that?)

What if my life were perfect? (what would it look like?)

What if some greater power, caused me to write this article, because it was just what you needed to hear?

What if's, can lead you to some exciting new truths. I make up 'what if's' whenever I need some ideas. I usually add the words....in a fun and easy way (that's just me). This is the very simple process that inventors and other creative people use to generate ideas. But there is so much more....

Once we've discovered a great 'what if' to play with, it's important to write it down ASAP. Carry that piece of paper around with you, to keep reminding you to think about the answers. Whenever you get an inspiring thought about your what if, write it down. Trust me, you will be surprised at the ideas it will generate. This is one way to tap into the greater intelligence. And I know you like fun and easy (or you wouldn't be reading my stuff).

Stay positive and slay the negative.

As you contemplate your 'what if' you can be sure some negatives will try to infiltrate your thoughts. Let them go, critical thinking has it place but not at this stage.

This is the process I used that led to this blog. I thought to myself many times...what if life is meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance?
After much contemplation, research and just plain playing with the idea, I reached a startling conclusion....I believe it! Not 100% but it felt right. So I just plain decided to take for a spin and every day that belief got stronger. Now I totally believe that statement.

As a result of holding that belief, I keep finding reasons why it is so. And of course I keep writing about it, because I want you to believe it. I want your life to fun, easy and abundant...no...over-flowing with abundance. Isn't that beautiful?
And it all starts from asking myself...what if?

If this simple process was good enough for Einstien, Newton and Edison than it is good enough for Eduardo.

Smile, what if, I'm right?

Eduardo

Smart words

"todo ne es como se aparenta
ver es mucho mejor"

Ok, I wrote that in Spanish, because I thought it would make me seem smarter. It might have been better in Latin, but I know of no one, who could translate that for me. However, it remains the most profound thought I've ever had. (I know what you're thinking....who said I had profound thoughts) No matter, to me it is profound and I wanted to share it with you. Oh, just in case you couldn't translate, it means...

"all is not as it seems, it is much better"

While most of you may have thought, I was just laying on the beach soaking up the Mexican sunshine, I was also getting and recording some interesting thoughts and ideas. When this epiphany hit me, I was pumped up excited about it. Of course I immediately, shared it with my friends, who looked at me like they usually do (what color is the sky on your planet Eduardo). I remain firm in my singular belief that this is a life changing thought.

"I choose to construct my own reality, I just don't trust the job to others"

Haven't you ever noticed that two people can have the same experience and yet have entirely different interpretations of what happened to them? Let me give you an example from my holiday.

Several of us booked a cruise on a 84' sailboat. The cruise was a bit of a disaster but to me, it was still enjoyable. After the cruise was over, we were to be picked up from the marina by two vans. The first group took the first van and the rest of us were waiting for the second van, which never came. It was dark and being isolated, we were left wondering...what now?

It was way too far to consider walking and yet what choice did we have? Eventually, one of the ships crew came by in 1/2 ton truck. We had no alternative but to pile into the back of the truck for a ride back to the hotel. Six of us, crammed into the back of his truck and sitting on the floor. One of our group had a cooler with some cold beverages so we did what any tourista would do and drank on our way back. Of course this would be highly illegal in Canada or the US, but not so in Mexico.

Two in our group, thought this was the worst experience possible. Not so the rest of us, we thought it was hillarious and our most authentic experience. We laughed and joked the whole way back.

"it is what is"

That's my new motto now....it is what is. I accept whatever happens and if possible, I turn misfortune into a joke. When something goes wrong, I try and turn it into a good story.

"learn to wish that everything should come to pass, exactly as it does" (Epictetus)

Smile, all is not at it seems...it is mucho better!

Eduardo

I have everything I need

Did you ever have one of those thoughts you just couldn't get out of your head? Me too!

Lately, I keep thinking....I have everything I need.

This is a strange thought for me because, I know there is no beer in the fridge and the new BMW convertible, that I've been dreaming about is no where to be seen. So amigo, what can this mean?

I have noticed lately, something different is happening in my life. At times, I'll be doing something and need a tool or I'll be writing and need an idea; then poof, I get the idea or I'll think of some way of improvising for a tool I don't have. Sometimes I need help and out of the blue, help appears.

So I'm thinking is it because I'm holding this belief that I'm seeing and finding possibilities I just might not have noticed before? Was everything I needed there, but just below my level of awareness?

What if I decide that I need 10 million dollars? Well, I'm pretty darn certain that baring a computer glitch, I can go to the bank and it won't be there.

However, if I assume that I have everything I need, then maybe I already have the ideas to manifest it? This is getting interesting!

For those of us who believe that what we concentrate on becomes real, this might be a really valuable thought. Whatever it is, I'm thinking this is a pretty good belief to have. So I'm keeping it.

Anything that makes my life; fun, easy and abundant has to be a good thing!

Eduardo

P.S. I orginally wrote this article about 8 months ago. Since that time it has been incredible how much I've gained from holding this belief. It's like the gates to abundance opened up and it will for you as well. Tape this thought to your computer, your fridge and your forehead if you have to, keep reminding yourself...I have everything I need!

Why shouldn't we have it all?

"there is not one good reason to compromise"

Sounds pretty good doesn't it? Having everything we desire. How does that thought resonate with you? Is your first reaction, that's just plain stupid or are you thinking, sounds good to me, bring it on?

We've already established that I'm more than just a little delusional but I've been thinking this is what we are entitled to...having it all! While most of the world and common sense would tell me that life is hard and difficult; I'm carrying on like life is fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance. I have no intention of compromising on my belief. I desire to have it all for me and for you.

So what are your desires? They may not be what you think. We all get fanciful daydreams about all kinds of wonderful things and experiences. I will confess to lusting after a few famous beauties. So is that a real desire of mine?

Here's how I tell if my desires are real for me. If I can hold that desire consistently in my head for a long period of time without effort... it's legit. Real desires don't just fade away nor are they easily replaced with tomorrows desires. The longer I can hold any desire without conscious effort, the greater chance for it to materialize. How easy is that?

Now here's the problem....

It's just so damn easy to give up and dismiss those desires. Giving up without trying is a sin. A really big sin. Doubt always shows it's ugly side and in our weakness it's easy capitulate our dreams. As that tired old cliche says... you can't hit a homerun if you don't get up to bat.

Is your brain on your side?

For most of my life, my brain was working against me. I'd manufacture some really nice desire and then my brain would kick in. Thoughts like, I'm not smart enough or that's not realistic would creep into my consciousness and bingo...I'd give up the dream. Even worse is when I would let others rain on my parade. Amazingly, sometimes it was the very people who I trusted and respected, who stomped on my desires.

"small people always want to knock you down (to their size), great people want to build you up (as big or even bigger than themselves)"

What possible sense can it make to give up on our dreams? I'm firmly of the belief that if we can dream it and hold onto that dream (without effort) then we can manifest it.

Smile, you are standing on the edge of all that it is possible.

Eduardo

Is it time for recess?

"join the rescue recess movement"

Remember when as a kid in school, the recess bell would ring. My heart would jump for joy as I would always try to be the first to hit the swings or grab the soccer ball. Ahh...recess, exhilarating fun. A chance to get out of the stuffy classroom and get some oxygen pumping through the system with some good old fashioned fresh air. Beautiful!

"get out of your stuffy office and into the sunshine"

Imagine if, every business had to give it's employees a recess in the morning and another in the afternoon? I would bet anyone, that productivity would increase, stress would be reduced and the work place would be a happier place. Just like the kids, it would be hard for the big people, to be stressed when they are having fun. Kids can invent games and so can the supposedly smarter adults.

"it's not possible to be stressed when you are having fun"

I know some are thinking, hey Eduardo, we have coffee or smoke breaks now, so what's the difference? Is this just semantics? NO, this is a fun break. Do what you like but have fun for 20 minutes, twice a day. Companies in my world would do what ever they could to facilate the fun concept. Maybe they would install Wii games on your computer or just tell you to go outside and go for a walk in the park. Perhaps 20 minutes wouldn't be enough? Who cares how long the break is, if the productivity and quality of work go up?

"what this world needs is more fun"

We've got it all wrong, life isn't and shouldn't be serious stuff. Life should be fun, easy and abundant (there I go again). Creativity which is the juice for super achievement is hard and difficult when your world gets too serious. Creativity is the offspring of fun. Isn't that beautiful? Have more fun, get more abundance.

Hey another great idea....what if when people go for counselling when their relationship is falling apart, they are first required to visit the Happy Consultant. He or she would prescribe a heavy dose of fun to be taken for an extended period. If that didn't work, then go straight to your lawyer.

"and what about Happy School for the slow learners"

I have decided that the world of business, needs "happy consultants". Forget the psycholgist, first try a happy consultant. I think I'd make a great happy consultant. I've got the qualifications...I'm happy. That's the first prerequesite. Next, I'm creative, I can think of ton of ways to have fun. I've done and love to research the topic. So hire me! (I'm expensive but I'd give a money back guarantee on funny paper of course).

I figure that if the workplace was a happier environment, that it would save companies and even the government billions of dollars in lost productivity. The health system wouldn't be over stressed. And most importantly the world would be a better place. This is just so good...I'm excited...wait recess is over, I better get back to work.

Smile, there is always a goofball like me, looking out for you!

Eduardo

P.S. Donations to the 'Rescue Recess' movement can be sent directly to me.

I'm looking for a drop dead gorgeous woman!

"The best marriages are those where women marry men, who are less attractive than themselves, research has found."

Was I ever excited when I found this research. Imagine that, if you gorgeous women want to have a happy marriage, you should marry a man who is ugly. That's fantastic news for guys like me.

Oh sure, you could pick some handsome rich dude but then you would only end up unhappy. Maybe, you would be happy for a few months but why ruin your chances for lasting happines. Marry Ugly!

Now in case you weren't aware, I am single and some have said, just a little looks challenged! But if you really want to score big, I have another single buddy who is butt ugly (he'll deny it but trust me on this one).

Eduardo

P.S. I have some friends with really good relationships, so now I understand why!

Have you got a screw loose?

"if you haven't got a screw loose somewhere, you are probably wound too tight"

How is that for a motto to have? I made that up of course, but it gives you an insight to my weird world.

I like serious people, the world needs them for lots of important jobs. Reminds me of many years ago I was scheduled for a hernia surgery. While laying on the table and ready for the anthesiest to put me under, I heard the surgeon laughing and joking with the operating staff, about his golf game. I was greatly concerned that he wasn't focusing on the job at hand (me). So I said to him..."hey Doc, you are about to perform some delicate surgery on parts of my body that are incredibly near other parts of my body that I really love. I would appreciate it if you took this real serious." For some reason this put the operating staff into fits of laughter. Then the lights went out and I awoke hours later, and proud to say that everything was still where it was supposed to be. So I like serious people (sometimes).

However, the world doesn't need me on that team, so I joined the other side. A little over a year ago, I decided to adopt my belief that "life was meant to be fun, easy and abundant". So far it's working to perfection!

"there is always room for one more fool"

As they say....we are not going to get out of here alive anyway (so we may as well have some fun). I tell my friends, it's not my inner child I'm worried about losing contact with...it's my outer adult. This attitude is life changing.

Whenever I'm about do something, I try to remember to ask myself...is there a fun easy way? Usually there is. Let me give you an example; recently I needed to buy a vacuum cleaner and was thinking, how could this be fun and easy? Lo and behold I'm in Costco and I see a robot vacuum cleaner. Of course I bought it. That dang thing works beautifully, cost less than the one I thought about buying and entertains the dog to boot. I call it Angelina and she does the work at the press of the button. So now my floors and carpets are cleaner than ever. Brad Pitt and me, we love our Angelina. Perfect!

You probably get jokes sent to you over the internet as do I. I keep the really good ones and send them on to friends and delete the rest. A good joke is to be shared. What you look for, you find and I find the humour everywhere. I tease my friends, my clients and most everyone I come into contact with (especially if they are the serious side). And kids, my God I love to tease kids. Of course being a teaser means you are going to get it back in bucketfuls, but I'm ok with that.

Here's another of my mottos....."the more I smile the richer I become"

I've found incredible truth in that made up statement. My income tripled over the last year and I'm having a great time. Interestingly, I'm working no harder than I was before. You can't accomplish much in this world without the help of others. And people help people they like, so it's profitable to smile a lot. The more you smile (whether you feel like it or not) the better you feel. This of course attracts friendships as an added bonus.

"I haven't got and don't want any goals, dreams or intentions, so big that I can't have fun pursuing them"

One day my son said to me...it must be fun to live in your head Dad, but aren't you worried about losing track of reality? Nope, how can I lose track of reality when I made it up to start with? I actually think making up your own beliefs is the single most important thing you can do to change your life for the better.

Why live with beliefs like....life is hard and difficult? That serves no one. I don't like hard and difficult so I dumped that belief.

It all starts with your attitude. The world really needs one more goofball and I think you are likely candidate! The fact that you read this blog, cinches the deal for me.

Smile, life was meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance (but only for us goofballs)!

Eduardo

'Happier Than God' by David Neale Walsch

"if there was one book that I wish I had written this it"

I haven't written a book review since I left school so you can bet this book is good! The title may sound like blasphemy but it's not. This is a book for those of us who are in search of answers to make our lives more fullfilled. Staunch religious traditionalists will hate it, but the open minded and curious will probably find it brimming with new found truths.

If you've ever read about and tried to implement the Law of Attraction without success, read this book. It will explain clearly what you've been doing wrong and why most writers and teachers of the Law of Attraction have been off course. I've seen so many people get excited about books like 'The Secret' only to give up on it later and now I understand what went wrong.

I thought about listing a bunch of quotes from the book but it occurred to me that without reading it in context, you might misinterpret it's meaning. So you'll just have to take my word for it.

Go buy the book (Happier than God) and you will understand the weird and wonderful workings of my brain (now there is a scary thought). This is stuff I believe!

Smile, it looks really good on you!

Eduardo

Money does buy happiness

"admit it... like me, you never bought into that old line that money can't buy happiness"

Money can buy happiness and there is new research to prove it! Researchers at the University of British Columbia demonstrated that even spending as little as $5 can make you happier. And since my greatest wish is for you to be happier, I will reveal all in another Truthteller exclusive.

So the question is....what could you buy yourself for just $5 that would make you much happier? Researchers conducted a survey where they gave one group $5 and told them to go buy a present for themselves. The other group were told to buy someone else a present or give it to a charity. Then they measured their happiness. Guess which group reported the most increased happiness?

The researchers also measured the happiness of employees after receiving profit sharing bonuses of $3,000 to $8,000. They found that those who spent their windfall on others were dramatically happier than those who spent it on themselves. The findings were so remarkable that it was necessary to analyze the data again to ensure it's accuracy.

"I want you to be happy, in fact I want you to be really happy"

So I've designed a masterplan that make all the readers of this blog happy (it's the least I can do). I want everyone to send me $5 and I promise that you will feel much happier. I will buy myself presents and let you know how happy I am. If you all do this I might even take another vacation, which will make me really happy and you can share in my happiness at the same time.

I know what you are thinking...but Eduardo, what if I don't just want to be a little happy, what if I want to be mega-happy? No problemo, empty out your bank accounts and send it to me immediately. I promise we will both be mega-happy!

Smile, I'm here for you!

Eduardo