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

Live 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

The Decision Maker

There are several things that are critical to your success and happiness when you are faced with starting or buying a business or making a career change. I want your life to fun, easy and abundant, so I have developed this incredible guideline. Please don't make any decision without checking it out first.

Prior to making that big decison ask yourself these 4 important questions:

1. What will I do? Is this something that I find ethical, rewarding, and profitable?

2. Where will I do it? You don't want to trap yourself into living someplace where you will be unhappy a year from now. Nor would you want to end up in a place that would leave you physically or emotionally unhappy.

3. Who will I do it with. Whom you end up working with or employing can have a major impact on your success.

4. This is the Truthteller extra....Will I have fun doing it? To me, this is the most important consideration. If you enjoy what you do and have fun with it, then it won't be work but more like play. You will have more energy and creativity.

Life gets fun, easy and abundant when you have all 4 of these suggestions answered to your satisfaction.

Smile, the more you do, the richer you'll be!

Eduardo

The Cosmic Jokester

Did you ever get the feeling that this life is just one big joke, being played out at your expense?

Some things just don't seem to make sense. Here is a short list, that I've been contemplating...

*The best way to conquer your enemies....is to love them.
*To find God....stop looking.
*To gain wisdom....stop thinking.
*To feel wealthy....give it away.
*The dumbest person in the room....is the 'the know it all'.
*To gain more influence....place other people's interests first.

(that list looks like future articles for me to write...hmmm)

At times life just doesn't seem logical and maybe that's why so many people struggle. But what if it's all just a big joke? What if there is a God (or Goddess, women like to have fun too) and he or she gets together with their amigos, every once in awhile to have some fun with us little people down here?

Now things would start to make sense to me! For instance...some years ago, I was listening to a speaker promoting his memory course. He demonstrated his craft by memorizing the names of every person in the room (there were about 50 of us) plus some details about each of us. And this was just for starters, the guy was amazing, he had all kinds of memory tricks....I was impressed!

So I plunked down my 100 bucks. After all, as my friends know I tend to have a suspect memory. If I get really involved in something I can forget seemingly small details, like to pick up my son after school.

Anyway, I was conjuring up in my mind all the benefits and how I would impress my friends with my new impressive display of memory skills. They were going to impressed next week after I graduated from the course. There was only one problem....I forgot to go!

This little story has entertained many over the years and always at my embarassing expense. I can't begin to count how times I've heard lines from so called friends like, how many times did he resell the same course to you? A cosmic joke? I think so.

It's things like this that have led me to believe that life is not meant to be taken so serious. If it's one big cosmic joke, then I want to be in on it. And if my head is full of hot air as many have long suspected...so what? When my life on this planet is done, the least they will say of me is...the fool sure had a good time!

Smile, and people will think you are in on the joke!

Eduardo

Lean back and enjoy life

"happiness is the meaning
and the purpose of life,
the whole aim and the end
of human existance"
Aristotle

I've got more good news for you! Once again I've discovered more proof that your life was meant to be fun and easy.

Researchers in Canada and Scotland have released their joint study that shows that sitting upright is not good for your spine or your health. This is no problem if you are comfortably prone on your sofa watching American Idol or a movie. However, we know that many people do work sitting upright at a desk. That is not good for you, so stop that.

It seems the position that is best for your spine is to lean back in your chair at a 45 degree angle. So what does this mean?

It must mean that God intended us to lean back and enjoy life, right? Makes sense to me. Man wasn't designed to sit upright at work or leisure. I feel better already!

Smile, you have my permission to put your feet up on the desk (it's good for you)

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

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.

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



Eduardo

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

The 'New' COMMANDMENTS!

I read today that the Pope has issued a list of new deadly sins. Deadly sins sounds pretty ominuous, right? The original 7 deadly sins were issued by Pope Gregory in the 6th century. They were since rejected by theologians including Thomas Aquinas. I'll bet you never heard of this sin as drawn by the Pope Gregory.

"It is a sin to be sad"

I think they should have kept it! And I can't imagine why they dropped that one, it's beautiful.

All this got me to thinking about the 10 Commandments. As I was daydreaming, I thought to myself....what if I was God for a day, what commandments would I give? I wrote down my list and of course, whether you want it or not here are

THE NEW 10 (MORE) COMMANDMENTS....

1. Thou shalt accept what is and love it.

2. Thou shalt show kindness to everything and everyone.

3. Thou shalt give daily and with a happy heart.

4. Thou shalt dream big dreams and pursue them.

5. Thou shalt simplify.

6. Thou shalt believe in the potential of one's self and of others.

7. Thou shalt forgive as you would yourself would want to be forgiven.

8. Thou shalt remember that your body is a sacred gift and is to be loved.

9. Thou shalt seek solitude and silence in times when you need answers.

10. Thou shalt smile often and remember that my gift for you, is that life was meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance.

Not bad huh? Don't you think the world would be a much better place with my commandments. I'm not calling for the abolishment of the exisiting commandants, just a modern day update. Got a better one, let me know?

Smile, we live in an imperfect world and I am the perfect example!

Eduardo

I just want to help you women!

I just read a very significant report out of the University of North Carolina. It has incredible implications for all you ladies who stop by this site.

Here is the short version of what the researchers found. Women who are hugged regularly have a lower risk of heart disease. Good grief, I don't want to lose you ladies who visit here. The right thing to do would to be to offer myself up so as to save your lives.

Smile, if you need a hug, I'm here for you!

Eduardo

If you only knew, how weird I really am...

"life isn't what it seems...it's much better"

While enjoying my morning coffee and reading this mornings paper, I came across an article about a 'Laughing Club'. Of course this caught my attention, but turns out it wasn't quite what I expected...it was much better.

"I'd rather be thought of as a happy Jack Ass, then as a serious professional"

The Laughter Clubs, which are now spread all over the world, was the brain child of a Dr. Madan Kataria. The good doctor was a rather dour and homourless professional (his description). Inspired by reading about the story of Normal Cousins (the guy who cured his cancer with a regimen of intense belly laughter) our Indian doctor started the first 'Laughter Club'.

At first they started by telling jokes but after a short time the jokes digressed into offending each other with off color jokes and sexist humor. Funny for awhile, but soon the laughs stopped. It was then that the doctor had his epiphany. What if we removed the reason for laughing (the jokes) and just laughed for no reason at all?

The next meeting of the group Dr Kataria, told the group, they no longer would need a reason to laugh. This made one guy laugh. Soon they were laughing for no reason at all. The sound of one person laughing would have others laughing and soon it spread like a wild fire. And if you didn't feel like laughing you were told to fake it, which enevitably turned into real laughter.

This reminded me of my own joke telling experiences. My friends like to get me telling jokes, not because they are so funny, but because I frequently start laughing myself before I reach the punch line. The fact that I'm laughing too much to get to the punch line, really cracks them up.

After I left the restaurant and was driving home, an idea popped into my head. Why not try laughing for no reason? I was alone in the car, so why not? At first I had to force a short laugh. I tried again and it got a little better. I kept trying and soon a strange thing happened. I started laughing uncontrollable. Now I'm easily amused but this was becoming hilarious.

I came to a red light, but by now I practically have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. I car pulls up beside me and the guy is looking at me like I'm some sort of space cadet. This really sets me off in another fit of laughter. Within seconds he's laughing so hard he's pounding the steering wheel.

He pulls away from the red light giving me that universal sign language that I know means that I'm a nut case. So, I'm turning at the light and I see a woman standing on the corner waiting to cross the street. She has been watching this and she is laughing her head off. All these people laughing, and having no idea what we are laughing about. By this point I'm beyond being embarrassed, who cares it's hilarious.

By the time I get home, I've calmed myself down but my stomach hurts. I've laughed so much my stomach muscles sore. I reached the conclusion that those people think I'm weird, so I conclude...welcome to the club.

I've since discovered that what I was doing is called 'Laughter Yoga' Funny, I thought I was just making a fool of myself?

A quick check with my friend Mr. Google and I find all the benefits of laughter. There are tremendous physical and emotional benefits backed up by research. Here are a few; weight loss, mood elevation, freedom from chronic pain and even evidence of strengthened immune system.

So here is my challenge for you? I'm asking you to test this idea right now. Look at this article and start laughing. If it helps you, look at my mug and start laughing (that would work for my amigos). Pretty soon you will find yourself laughing at your own laughter. Go with it, enjoy it and join with the fools like me!

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to mark your calender on the first Sunday in May...that is "World Laughter Day"

Eduardo

Work is a four letter word!

"I am opposed to work, I think it is beneath me and totally unnecessary"

With that statement, I'm comfortable knowing that I have removed all doubt and you now consider me a certifiable, full blown wacko. Strangely, I like that thought.

Before you run away from this site, lend me your eyeballs for a few moments and I'll tell you how I got there! First, raise your hands if you like going to work? Just as I suspected....most of you would sooner be anywhere else. Well amigos, I have good news.

"you can accomplish more without working"

While I reject the necessity of work, I embrace the concept of great effort. It takes effort just to survive and a lot more to achieve anything worthwhile. Just don't confuse work with effort.

I suspect that you might be thinking that I'm just playing semantics with you. (at least you didn't say I'm working with semantics). Not so my friends.

To explain myself, let me give an example. If you asked me to go to the gym and work out to the point that every inch of my clothing was soaked in sweat and when I finished, I was so dog tired I could hardly move....I might tell you to get lost (or worse). On the other hand, if you asked me to play several games of squash with the same results, I would jump at the opportunity. If it's fun I'm all for it, if it's work, forget it.

"the easiest path to success and happiness is the fun one"

That is the Truthteller philosophy! The same thing applies to your vocation. If you have a job you love, it is fun to give your best effort. If you hate it, it is hard work and drudgery.

There are two ways to improve your vocation. Quit and get a job you like or put the fun into the one you have. Too bad most employers don't understand this. When it feels like you aren't really working is when you are most productive. Get lost in the task and time flies. Truth be told, most think they are working hard, however they are producing small results.

"kick the work habit"

Your life shouldn't be an uphill battle, go with the flow...get a job you like! In the process you become happier and more successful. You may have to take a pay cut to do what you love, but not for long. Doing what you love will fire up your creativity and who knows what great ideas will surface to increase your wealth. At the worst, you will be happier.

"Smile, everything is possible if you can have fun doing it"

Eduardo

My gift of happiness for you

Who wouldn't want a gift of happiness? Lucky you, Eduardo is going to give you a full week's worth of happiness. All I need is to get into your head, just for a few short minutes. Deal?

Great, here's how it works. You take a piece of paper and write out 7 actions that will bring you happiness. Make sure they are easily doable. They can range from downright simple to grandiose, the choice is yours. Have fun with this, consider what makes you smile, laugh or giggle. If you like fill up a page and then select your chosen top 7. Ok amigo, your part is done and you can have your head back now.

As for my part, here it is.....DO IT! That's right, every day for one full week, do one of things on your list. How hard can that be? It can't, it can only be fun and easy and that's why you are here, right?

I'll even prime your creative pump for you by sharing a portion of my list;

1. Go to a movie with my son
2. Get a massage
3. Call or visit one friend or family member a day, for 7 days (emails don't count)
4. Buy a new book
5. Give 7 compliments in one day (I give myself permission to exceed this number, should I run into the Swedish Girls Bikini Team.)
6. Take pictures of clouds (I know strange, but I'm like that)
7. Watch every hockey game I can find on the boob tube, every day for a week.

See how easy and how much fun this can be. A week's full of happiness and it's just for you! I can hardly believe my own generosity. Hey, your amigo Eduardo is here for you.

I'm printing my list off and taping it to the computer to ensure I don't forget any of my 'happy actions' (yea right, like I'm going to forget to make myself happy)

"there is no happiness, except in the realization that we have accomplished something" (Henry Ford)

Did you know that the unhappiest people tend to move the least? (I'm not talking about those with disabilities) As Mother Teresa said...it is impossible to be unhappy when you are walking fast. So what am I trying to tell you?

GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND JUST DO IT! (did I say that with enough authority?)

Eduardo

Who knew you were so special...

You won't believe what I learned from this guy! (and it has nothing to do with fashion...did you see that vest)

His name is, Neil deGrasse Tyson and he is an astrophysist, author, scientist, and director of the Hayden Planetarium. Neil was also selected one of the Times, 100 most influential people. So I suppose we've established the fact he is pretty smart!

Read the next couple of paragraphs (Neil's words) over carefully and consider what it means to us?

"There are more molecules of water in a cup of water than cups of water, in all the world's oceans. This means that some molecules, in every cup of water than you drink, also passed through the kidneys of Genghis Khan, Plato, Napolean, Abe Lincoln or any other historical person you can think about."

"The same goes for air; There are more molecules of air in a single breath of air, than there are breaths of air in Earth's entire atmosphere. Therefore, some molecules of air you inhale passed through the lungs of Socrates, Billy the kid, Joan of Arc, Beethoven and any other historical person of your choosing."

That just blows me away, I am made from parts of the greatest leaders and criminals the world has ever known. Everyone who went before me, is part of me. I just need to learn to access those great parts of me! (I'm going to ignore the criminal part)

You would think, I would be a lot smarter. I wonder what went wrong? That teacher in elementary school who said....Eddie, you little dummy , must have destroyed my self confidence and prevented me from accessing my inner Socrates. It's all her fault and all of the others in my past, who failed to see my inner genius. Too bad for them, because....

The secret is out....I now know I'm a genius!

Ok, well I may not be a genius but teenie, tiny parts of me are. And that is good enough for me. As a matter fact, I feel so inspired, I think I'll go sit under an apple tree, wait until an apple falls on my head and contemplate the laws of gravity. My inner Newton would like that. Only one problem....it's winter here in Canada!

Smile, you are a genius too!

Eduardo

P.S. Further proof you are special.....you are one in 6.7 Billion!

Competition vs Creativity

"the ability to create, is the only sustainable advantage"

Most of us were raised to believe in the benefits of competition. If we worked a little harder or did something a little better than the next guy it would lead to some form of victory or success.

I now believe we would be better served if we changed our focus from competition to creativity. The end result would be that we become happier and more successful. Less stress and more reward.

Competition attempts to be like. In competition we analyze the opponent and copy what we think we see as successful. Then we try to do a little more or do it a little better. That sounds logical but there is a major flaw in that strategy. And that is that it breeds sameness. We end up trying to do the same thing only a little better.

The great achievers in life are focused on creativity. Creativity leads to newness. A new way to do things and not just a slightly better way. A totally new product instead of a slightly better one.

To create something is much more satisfying. It leads to whole new ways of doing things. It is exciting and not just a grind.

Competition is an outdated model that leads to modest gains. Creativity can blow the doors open and do what has never been done before. Competition is the very reason that North American car makers are in trouble. The old business paradiam is failing the companies and it's employees. Playing follow the leader or trying to stay marginally ahead isn't working. Create something the world doesn't know it wants yet and get your companies excited and invigorated about the future.

The greatest things in life are those that we created. People with a vision are in huge demand and short supply today. And do you know what the real beautiful thing about this approach is? You can have fun doing it!

Smile, if you can't outwork the competition, you can always outplay them!

Eduardo

The best is yet to come

"Intelligence stays stable or sharpens as your brain ages"

Being older than most of my friends, I can't tell you how happy I am to read about this latest study out of Denmark. Yes, it has been proven through extensive research that our intelligence remains stable throughout our lives and may in fact grow as we age.

"So I say to all of you who are younger than me....respect your elders, we are smarter than you"

Scientist had long thought that intelligence peaked in your youth and was it's most powerful between the ages of 18 and 26. But, they had it wrong! You young wipper snippers (whatever the heck that means) have got nothing on us older folk. Verbal ability appears to just keep increasing over time. So if we could only get the young kids to listen, we could talk circles around them.

These findings override the very slow but steady loss of brain cells that modern medical scanning techniques have confirmed begins in the late twenties. It seems the brain adapts and changes with age. We may have less brain cells, but we have learned how to utilize them better.

"we have more neuron connections than you do, so there"

Tests have also demonstrated that expectations play a large part in testing. If you think you are a dummy, you tend to test that way. Change your attitude, and guess what, you get smarter, it's just that easy.

Just wait until my son gets home from University, I think I'll paste this article on his bedroom door!

Smile, we are smarter than we think!

Eduardo

How to make people like you

"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