It is solved by walking

"Truth finds you on a long walk"

'It is solved by walking' is a quote from St. Augustine, a monk from hundreds of years ago and one smart guy. Old St. Augustine figured out that he could solve most of his problems by simply going for a walk. Like him, I've found that when something is bugging me, if I go for a walk it helps to clear my head.As usual the solutions are simple. At times we can feel trapped, confined and restricted in our cars, homes or offices. A little fresh air and a stroll can do wonders. I think this is do our 'fight or flight' mechanism when we are under stress. A little exercise gets the blood flowing and mind working.

"If you want to know if your brain is flabby, feel your legs" Bruce Barton

And then there are the health benefits including weight loss, protecting your heart and stress relief. Walking is a terrific way to release hurt and negative feelings. The list could go on but you get the idea.

Solitary Stroll

This uses your body to relieve tension by working the muscles. Without anyone elses thoughts interferring with yours you can get your own worked out. I find it helps me with writers block. A long walk is sure to get the ideas flowing. Problems and creative ideas are resolved in half the time. Silence and solitude are the pathway to a peaceful soul.

Walking Therapy

Got a problem with your spouse, friend or child. Take them for a walk in the park or on the beach. Without all the interferences of TV, radio, cell phones etc. it is possible to get real communication. Couples that walk together, stay together. I remember back a few years ago, I had a problem with an employee and had decided that it would be best to fire him. Instead I took him for a walk in the park and we got into a discussion of his problems. By the time we had returned to the office, I was amazed at his change of attitude. We had a great exchange and we both came to realize that the problems were solveable.

"I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards" Abraham Lincoln

Even back in old St Augustine's times there must have been distractions like monks praying too loud, or complaining church members. Today there must be a hundred fold distractions. Hey, if nothing else going for a walk gets you out of the house or office for a little peace and quiet. 'Todas esta bien' It's all good!

"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me" Fred Allen

And the last word should go to Philospher Friedrich Nietzche who said...'all truly great thoughts are conceived by walking'.



Eduardo

P.S. Did you know that there are 1,440 minutes in a day? Couldn't you spare just 20 of them to get a little exercise and some good ideas?

Fun easy ways to stay positive

"of course I make up my own reality, I wouldn't trust that job to anyone else"

The economy and the stock market suck, but will it ruin my day? No way! You see I am what some would say is delusional. This is not say that I don't suffer from moments of being really annoyed and discouraged. I have developed coping mechanism's that work exceedingly well for me. And after each of you makes a personal declaration to buy me a beer the next time you see me, I will share all. (pause)
Great I'll take that as a yes....

Let go of your stupid ego

Ego drives us to accomplish incredible things (good ego)and it also drives us to do some powerful dumb stuff (stupid ego). Your stupid ego is that desire to have more than others, to be perceived as smarter, richer and better looking. Stupid ego is the reason that most of us live in a society that is the most abundant in the world and yet we are not very happy. We are the materialists, the great consumers and possibly the biggest fools that ever walked the earth. The easiest way to slay stupid ego is to...

"Invest in your sense of humor"

Only when you can laugh at yourself, have earned the right to laugh at others. I really like laughing at others so I quickly developed the skills and awareness to laugh at myself. Now my world is amazingly funny. I made up this line....'it's not my inner child I fear losing contact with, it's my outer adult' The happiest most positive people are always those who can laugh at their own misfortune. They don't get knocked down as much as others and if they do, they have the skills to get up quickly. That leads me to my next secret...

"It's ok to be delusional"

I don't see the world as it is, I see it as I want it to be. Don't tell anyone else or the boys in white coats will be knocking on my door. I carry around in my cranium thoughts like...'god was just showing off, when he made me". Or how about this beauty...everything is possible if you can have fun doing it.
I collect a whole bunch of those delusional thoughts and I put them on cards like the one you see above, because...

I need constant reminders

I have lots of little tips to remind myself to be positive and expect the best. One of them is to print cards with a thought or a question such as, 'how can I have fun doing something I don't really want to do'. I'm a lazy guy so I do things like read a book with a highlight marker. That way I can do a 2 minute review and pick out what I thought was valuable. I put little signs around my home as reminders. Of course you have to know that I'm the guy that paid to go to a memory course and forgot to go. So you can see that I am a world class forgetter. However, no problemo, I've found ways to outsource my memory. And finally.....

"There is always a fun and easy way"

If not one soul were to ever read anything on this blog, I would still be the winner. The act of writing these articles is actually brain food for me. Just by writing I become more positive. I think everyone should write a blog, a journal or make comments on sites. It reinforces the positive and besides you can have a chance to poke fun at Eduardo in the process. If you really want to try a fun experiment try this. The next time you have something unpleasant to do, write a card that says something like; How can I fun doing ______________. If you stay with it, you will be pleasantly surprised with what your dusty old brain might dig up.

Smile, staying positive is fun and easy

Eduardo

Why shouldn't you 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

Epiphany's

"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.

* Nothing stays the same. Every storm will pass.



Eduardo

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

You just keep getting smarter...who knew?

"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

The potential is mind blowing!

When was your last hug?

I've been doing a little research to test the potential of my HUGS TO GO franchise idea. What I've discovered is a market so huge it is truly mind blowing. In my research I discovered that the experts believe we need a lot of hugs just to survive and a lot more to grow. Check these figures out:

1. We need 4 hugs a day for healthy survival
2. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance
3. And we need 12 hugs a day for growth

Now lets do some simple math to test the market potential;

There are approximately 300 Million people living in the USA.
Lets assume that 10% of them or 30 Million would be in need of our service.
They will need 12 hugs per day, that's 360 Million hugs per day
At just $1.00 per hug that's $360 millions dollars per day
Times this by 365 days per year and my calculator went beserk!

Now consider world wide potential with 6.7 Billion people and the profit is beyond your imagination and would require that Big Blue Computer to calculate my future wealth.
Warren Buffet, I laugh at your pitiful little wealth, I'll buy you out with with my coffee money .


My Dirty Little Secret

I wasn't going to disclose this however in my ongoing desire to be Truthteller, I am by conscience (yes I do have one) forced to share the complete truth about my plan......hugs are addictive! More addictive than cigarettes, cocaine and Paris Hilton stories. So the business will be unstoppable. I suppose some governments will force me to reveal my dirty little secret in my advertising, but I'll just put it in teeny tiny letters hidden in the copy somewhere.

And that's not all!

Remember, I said I'll sell franchises. The cost of my franchise I estimate to be only $19.95 each. I know......amazingly cheap. Still I project revenues from franchise sales to be in the Trillions of Dollars. PLUS, there is the 5% royalty from each sale. By the end of the first year I anticipate I'll buy my son Hawaii for a birthday present.

Stay tuned because we have so much more to discuss. I haven't even touched on all the benefits of hugging.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go look at some yaht's and a private jet!

Adios my lucky amigos and don't forget to email me your franchise applications.

Eduardo

This is sooo good I had to print it again!

"YOU ARE THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET....JUST BECAUSE YOU READ TRUTHTELLER|

I like you people soooo much I'm going to let you in on what is soon to be the fastest growing franchise on the planet. My idea is going to make us all rich (especially me).

The basics of a highly successful franschies are;

1. Low cost of entry
2. Mass appeal
3. Low overhead
4. Great BIG profits

I've got it all figured out and I'm going to let you be the first in your area to buy one of my franchises. This is so darn good you may want to buy a master franchise and then sell sub franchises off to your friends.

I came to this idea when I realized that I've been giving away my product for free all of my life. I've been witness to the smiles and happiness it brings. The cost is nothing and the value is priceless.....

HUGS TO GO

Isn't that a beautiful name for a franchise? The name says it all! And as a friend said when I proposed it....it's beautiful and simple, just like you.

Oh yeah, you laugh at me now, but just you think about all the people on this little round planet who are starved for a good hug? What would they pay for a really good hug from Eduardo or better yet someone really handsome or a beautiful lady. And kids...who doesen't like a hug from a giggly kid? See....I told you...we're going to be rich!

It has even occurred to me that I don't have to sell hugs one at a time. I will make available monthly or yearly contracts at a slight discount. Of course we will set up automatic withdrawals from your banking account.

My days of being a Hugslut, giving away those free hugs to every lady that crosses my path are over. I'm going to be a mega rich entrepeneur. I'll be a celebrity like Donald Trump (only nice). I might even set up a charitable foundation and give away some of my product free to the poor and needy (and really hot girls).

So contact me right away for franchise information and a mailing addresss for your very reasonable deposit before someone else beats you to the gold. Oh yes, of course I provide personal training (for the ladies only) I'll find a beautiful female assistant to conduct the male training.

I'm not sure whether it's the prospect of all the money I'm going to make or the sheer love of providing a service like this, that I'm most excited about. The one thing I am certain about is that I will be doing like all the self help gurus tell us...I'll be following my bliss!

"You laugh at me because I'm different
I laugh at you because you're all the same"
(I can't remember who said that, but she must have been a genius)

Eduardo, President
Hugs To Go

P.S. I trust you took notice that what I'm proposing could be classified as an 'eco business' I stongly encourage that all of my hug products be recycled!

Which is more important competition or 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

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

What this world needs is one more goofball

"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

My plan to make the world a better place (psst I need your help)

Imagine what the world would be like if everyone was humble?

That's it...my plan! Ok, I've got a few details to work out, like how to humble everyone on the planet. If you have any ideas, I could use some help here. I figure that if everyone was humble then we would all be nice to each other. There would be no jealousy, envy, arrogance and the world would be a far nicer place. If we were all humble we would treat each other with dignity and respect. How cool would that be?

"maybe, our greatest gift to mankind, is to be humble"

"if you haven't learned to be humble, don't worry, sooner or later the universe will teach you"

I was thinking about people like Donald Trump, he must be a contender for the world's most arrogant human. I must admit, the Donald has a pretty good life style, but I'm wondering is he a good human being? I have no idea if he contributes to charities or does anything but build up his bank account. I do suspect that when science eventually finds the center of the universe, that he will be crushed to find out that it is not him. Unfortunately the media portrays people like him as being strong and powerful. Personally, I beg to differ.

"humility is the greatest show of strength"

All of those 'big brains'like Aristotle, Einstien and Socrates were actually quite humble. They didn't brag about the size of cerebral cortex, instead they were smart enough to realize how much they didn't know and that humbled them. And when I think of the people who changed the world like; Jesus, Mohammed, Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Budda, these guys were the epitomy of humble. They didn't even bother with possessions, just the clothes on their backs was all they needed. No need for a Armani suit, like the Donald. They were quite aware of their power to inspire the masses and yet still remained humble.

"When I think of mankind, I think of this....fools of feather, flock together"

I hope you don't get the idea that I've mastered this ability to be humble. There have been times when I've been a little too cock sure of myself. Just ask my last squash opponent if I'm humble? Not to worry though, the universe keeps on finding new ways to humble me, so I'll get it figured out sooner or later. Right now I'm a work in progress!

"why is it that the few that seem to have it all, so often end up feeling like they have nothing"

So that's it, my plan is to humble everyone on the planet and then it will be nicer place. Now, how to do that?

Sincerely,

Your humble Eduardo

P.S. I just finished discussing my plan to change the world with one of my amgios and he generously offered me some sage advice on becoming humble. He said, Eduardo anytime you feel the urge to be humble, just go look in the mirror!

I'm here for you ladies!

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

P.S. I'll bet you didn't know it is National Play Hookey Day Probably a big cover up by employers to prevent the national media from picking up the story. But now you know so do the right thing and play hookey from work or school. Play hookey from your kids, play hookey from annoying people, play hookey from any responsibilities. Don't worry, I'll lead the charge...adios, I'm headed for the lake! (and if you can find me I'm giving away hugs for free all day)

You need a recess (and so do I)

"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 physcholgist, 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.

Are you having enough fun?

It occurred to me that maybe we are not having as much fun as we think we are. Or maybe we are having more fun than we think. Lest this question is keeping you up at nights, I am about to come to your rescue!

This is a very simple and fun little test that I've designed to measure your happiness quotient. You know how these things work, right? 1 means never, 2 is hardly, 3 is neutral, 4 is most of the time and 5 is just about always. Ok, let the fun begin....

People smile when they see me? 1 2 3 4 5

I smile when I see strangers 1 2 3 4 5

I laugh (daily) 1 2 3 4 5

I have fun at work 1 2 3 4 5

I have fun at home 1 2 3 4 5

I share funny emails 1 2 3 4 5

I have celebrations for special events 1 2 3 4 5

I tell jokes 1 2 3 4 5

I do silly or goofy things 1 2 3 4 5

Others tell me jokes 1 2 3 4 5

I am optimistic 1 2 3 4 5

Ok, the test is over, add up your score. Here's how to rate your score;

40 or above: Congratulations you are either extremely happy or seriously deluded. Either way, good for you, you are invited to my parties.

30-40: You need to lighten up and have more fun. Sorry no invites to the party until you shape up.

30 or below: Amigo you have a bad case of terminal seriousness. Your life may not be a long one, but it will seem that way!

That's it class is over, I expect you all passed with flying colors. Don't forget when you come to the party to bring a really nice present for the host (me).

Eduardo

P.S. Those who know me personally may have reached the conclusion that I purposely slanted the questions so that I would score highly.... You didn't think I was going to take the chance of failing my own test did you?

Imagination crisis

"that which you imagine, believe with a red hot desire and act on, is yours to keep"

Consider this quote from Robert Moss's excellent book...The Three ONLY Things...

"the greatest crisis in our lives is a crisis of imagination. We get stuck, and we bind ourselves to the wheel of repetition, because we refuse to reimagine our situation. We live in a set of negative or confining images and pronounce them reality"

He also said, "we do it to cling to the familiar, not daring to give up what we are or, have been, for what we are meant to become".

One of my personal epiphany's was that, most people don't like to think. They believe, that thinking is hard work and who can blame them for not wanting to volunteer for work. It seems much easier to just react when things go poorly, blame others or circumstances.

Imagining is thinking

It is really easy to sit and daydream, but remember that any form of imagining is thinking. So when you play with thoughts in your head you are creating an action that can lead to all kinds of possibilties if you accept the importance of your thoughts. We keep insisting on trying to make life difficult, when the universe wants to simplify it for us and make it easy.

The unreal life

Herman Hesse had this to say...."There's no reality except the one contained within us. That's why so many people live an unreal life. They take images outside themselves for reality and never allow the world within them to assert itself"

So how we interpret what happens to us determines our reality. Two people can have identical experiences and interpret it differently. The effect on their lives can be dramatically different. At any misfortune, one could say...damn, nothing ever goes my way. Another could interpret the misfortune and say...that's not good, I wonder what I could do take advantage of that. One gives up and the other finds answers and maybe even prospers from the experience.

The philosopher Marcus Aurellius had this to say...."a man's life is dyed in the colors of his imagination". So if you're thinking to yourself, my life is a little grey and dark, maybe it's time to dust off your imagination. Daydream about a better life and how that would be and feel.

Don't dismiss imagination in yourself and especially never in your children. Accept what it has to offer, the possibilities are truly only limited by your imagination.

Smile, it looks really good on you!

Eduardo

P.S. Right now, I'm imagining a big beautiful blue sky with white puffy clouds floating by. I'm sitting on my boat, basking in the warm rays of the sun and admiring the blue calm waters that surround me. I'm enjoying the feeling a gentle warm breeze on my skin and an ice cold beverage in my hand. And (I have to stop here because somethings are just too private).....well, why don't you just join me and experience it yourself...

The more you smile, the richer you become!

"this thought will just blow you away"

I'm always professing that life was meant to be fun, easy and over-flowing with abundance. Ever since I adopted that mantra, I have been discovering the truth and wisdom within my declaration. Now, it seems that success and happiness might be easier than even I thought.

Laughing all the way to the bank

Research has been proving that the more you smile and laugh, the more successful we tend to become. I imagine that there are many logical explanations for this. First, a smiling person is more approachable and deemed to be more self confident. Also, we naturally just want to do business with people we like and we like to be around happy people. Smiling has proven to makes us more attractive and whether we like or not, attractive people get more breaks in life. And that's just a small part of the benefits of smiling and laughing.

"smile and you will have better relationships"

In research done by studying the smiles of 20 year old women, it was found that 30 years later, those that had the biggest smiles (measured by crinkles around the mouth and the eyes) had the most satisfying and long lasting relationships. Again, this makes sense, since a warm smily person would just have to be easier to live with, right?

"a smile is an visual expression of gratitude"

This may sound trite and even trivial to say that if you smile more you will get more of what you want out of life, but research says this is TRUE! If I were teaching a course on how to become more successful and happy, the first thing I would teach would be to dramatically increase your number of smiles and laughs per day. Hard work, inspiration, goal setting etc. will only get you so far. To become successful and happy we need others to help us short cut the process. And the first step to getting people on our side is to smile. Simple, huh?

This is the most exciting thought I've come across, since I started blogging. We can have more abundance and happinesss, and it all starts with smiling more. And, yes...you can fake it, until you make it. Smiling when you don't particularily feel like it, can change your mood and your bank account.

"this is so profoundly simple, it just makes me want to laugh"

Here are some benefits, I've found (based on research) when you increase you smiles per day

*makes you look younger
*improves brain functions
*relieves stress
*lowers blood pressure
*changes your mood (quicker than drugs)
*builds self confidence
*leads to more friendships
*makes you more attractive and approachable
*strengthens the immune system
*live longer (and happier)

"could this be the path to enlightenment"

No research to demonstrate this, but my thought is...why not? Maybe, that's why they sell those smiling Budda's. Smiling and laughing makes you more receptive to creative thoughts. I've read several articles where the writers recommend that when you are looking for an idea, you should start by smiling as it puts you in a proper mood to receive ideas.

Smile with your eyes

For a more beautiful and genuine learn to smile with your eyes. First, imagine and try to feel a twinkle in your eyes. Let your eyes beam and then let it spread to your mouth. The smile you will generate from this will convey warmth, sincerity and love. (maybe I should start a smiling dating site, see I'm getting more creative by just smiling about it) Try this, you'll see, it really works.

The more intense the smile the greater the benefit. But wait, here's the problem; after reading this article you might be convinced to smile more....but will you keep it up? Some will and some will quickly fall back into old patterns, and not give this a proper chance to work. And that amigos is why you need the magic card I printed at the start of the article. We need reminders to keep us on track, so print off mine or make up your own. Put it where you will see it often, and when you do see it SMILE. You can also change it up if you like. For instance if you are looking for love, you might have yours say...The more I smile, the more attractive I become (you get the idea) so personalize it if you wish.

"The universal beauty secret that transcends all cultures and time is a smile"

I'm developing the habit of smiling whenever I come face to face with people. I smile when I want to love the moment. I smile when I appreciate nature. Heck, I'm smiling right now, writing this article for you. I even tried keeping track of smiles per day but gave up because, I was doing it all the time and how do you measure a 5 minute smile versus a 5 second smile. Yesterday, I measured my laughs per day....58! I thought that was pretty darn good until I found that young children laugh up to 112 times per day. Then I felt better when I found out that adults aged 42 years only laugh on average 6 times per day. Laughing increases after retirement, but I don't want to wait that long.

I've got a ton more to say on this topic, a books worth I'm thinking. However, I'll leave you with this thought one more time....

"the more you smile, the richer you become"

And that could be richer in; money in the bank, happiness, relationships, spiritual growth, health, and love. Could you imagine how much money we could make if there was a product or drug with these benefits? We would be trillionaires!

"smile, it looks really good on you"

Eduardo

P.S. Please don't assume that I am implying that all you have to do in life is sit around and smile. Of course, there will be inspiration and perspiration involved in the attainment of anything worthwhile. However, don't also diminish the significance of the value of your big googy grin!

This or something better

"maybe the reason we don't always achieve our intentions and goals is because they just aren't worthy of us"

I can't recall where I first heard the phrase, this or something better, but it has always stuck in my head. I love the idea that there might be something even better in store for me then what I originally desired.

So now whenever I decide to manifest something I think worthy into my life, I always add the thought....this or something better. I figure if the universe is limitless, then why should little Eduardo put limits on the big guy. I may not be willling to settle for less but I'm sure as heck willing to settle for more!

In the past year I've been witness to many good people manifesting incredible things in their lives, including myself. Frequently, we got more than what we intended. So the proof is out there,it works.

I can visualize it now, readers writing down....I intend to win the lottery...this or something more! And, who knows, maybe it will be something more. If so, remember your amigo Eduardo, who put you onto this.

Smile, it will make you richer!

Eduardo

P.S. See the picture of the car in the card above? Two years ago, my son informed me, that it was the car he wanted. He couldn't see how that would be possible, until he graduated from University and got a job. I made up the card for him and told him to visualize owning it. He got that car awhile back but now has one....even better!

Reasons for optimism

"within every adversity lies the seed of a benefit so magnificent, that once realized, will bring you to your knees in gratitude"

Alex Tan had this to say...."perhaps our eyes need to washed by our tears once in awhile, so that we can see life with a clearer view again" I doubt that brought much comfort if your stocks and savings are taking a beating?

However, being the eternal optimist I'm looking for reasons to be optimistic. Being true to myself I even found some humor which I'll be only too happy to share with you....

"a pessimist is a man who thinks
that all women are bad,
an optimist is one who
hopes that they are" (Chancey Depew)

Feeling better? Not yet? Well, here are a few thoughts that might help...

1) Nothing is static pernamently. Everything in nature is operating in cycles. Even after the worst possible storm comes the sunshine.

2) Bad times make people nicer. It is usually in the worst of times that we see the best in people.

3) Maybe this will be end of consumerism run amuck. This endless desire to get something newer, bigger or fancier than our peers hasn't brought us anymore happiness. Maybe, this is the time to strive for voluntary simplicity. Time to learn to appreciate what really matters and ditch our rediculous egos.

4) As quick as things turn sour, they can turn around.

5) We are insanely lucky! We could have been born in Darfur or Somolia. We won the gene pool lottery and don't even know it (or forgot)

6) Everything is not as it seems....it is much better. What a beautiful opportunity for me to live my own philosophy!

Feeling better now? Great! (see how opitimistic I am?)

Ok, one last feel good thought (I made up just for you)

"if we could only see ourselves
as God sees us....
now that would be really funny"

Eduardo

You have problems....so what! You also have solutions!

"you know what to do, you just want me to find a shorcut for you"

I am a strong believer that we all have the answers to our own problems. We may have forgotten the answers or we may just be stuck. All we need are some simple techniques to bust open the dam and let the flood of answers and solutions come pouring out.

When things are going poorly, we sometimes feel overwhelmed and feel that we not capable of solving life's problems. Our mind can play tricks with us, making us feel like giving up. Or, we turn to others to ask for solutions, in the hope that we can dump our problems on them. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't. But then what to do when others are not interested in solving our problems?

"I'm thinking that since our minds play tricks on us, why don't we turn it around and play tricks on our mind"

Problems are stressful and can seize up our creative thoughts and block us from what we are looking for, right? Ok, then here is my little trick, or should I say...carefully researched technique (that sounds more professional). It occurred to me, that a better approach to problem solving is to make it a game!

Games are fun, they are not stress producing. When we are having fun, we relax and even though we are expending a great deal of energy, it doesn't feel like it. Any expert worth his salt, will tell us that creativity is most evidenced when we are having fun. And you know what it says, up there in the banner...."everything is possible if you can have fun doing it"

So lets have some fun and solve your problem! Here is what I ask you to do; print off the card you see above (I'll explain how). On the back of the card, write this..."I ask for guidance", now finish the sentence. For instance you might write something like....I ask for guidance to show me how to find a better job. Or any other problem you are stuck on.

Next, meditate on the words on the card..."Don't give up, play with it" As you think about those words, and get yourself in a playful mindset, ideas will start coming to you. Write them down and take action! If you don't write them down immediately, you may lose them. And if you don't take action on your ideas, then this is all just a big waste of time.

Before you go to bed at night, read the card (both sides) and ask for guidance to solve your problem, before you nod off. Keep a pad of paper and pen by your bedside. Your answer may come in the form of a dream. You have to capture that thought as soon as possible as dreams are extremely elusive.

The most important part of this inspired technique (I dreamt about it) is that you will have fun with it. Get yourself in play mode when you are thinking about it. Now, have fun solving your problems....

Eduardo

P.S. If you want to download the card you see above, here's how to do it;

right click on the card
click on SAVE PICTURE AS
then SAVE TO DESKTOP
then OPEN FILE
then PRINT
then ENJOY!
then BUY ME A BEER

Thinking is fun and easy

"it takes so little effort to exceed your own expectations"

I'm often asked how do I come up with the ideas for the Truthteller site? It's really quite easy since I figured out a little secret. Of course I'll share it with you (if you'll buy me a beer).

I made quite the discovery when I was on holidays in Mexico this past January. It changed my world. I learned how to think!

You laugh, but no one ever taught me this vital skill. Oh, I could operate in this world and get by reasonably well, but thinking was difficult. Parroting others was easier. I could function by following the thoughts of others. My information was gleaned from books, magazines, newspapers, TV and radio. Original thought was scarce at best.

Then one day I was sitting alone by the ocean, in the early morning, when my 'eureka' moment hit me. It opened the flood gates on my brain and ideas started pouring out. The idea for this blog was born at that moment. I was so excited I almost wet my pants!

It was so damn simple that I was convinced that I must have been born with a few less brain cells than most, to not have realized it earlier. But now amigos, as they say, 'the genie was out of the bottle'.

Enough already, I can hear you say! Tell us Eduardo, this great secret you speak of? Ok, hold onto your shorts, here it is....

'SILENCE, STILLNESS AND SOLITUDE'

Incredible huh? If you have the BIG 3, silence, stillness and solitude, then your brain opens up like the flowers to the mornings sun. Ideas will start popping up all over the dang place. You are on your way to discovering your inner genius.

So why don't they teach this stuff in school? Why don't more people practice this simple technique. Glad you asked grasshopper!

You see most people are too busy to think. They think that they are being productive if they are busy. Sometimes they are being productive, doing efficiently, what doesn't need to be done. Thinking is like a foreign language to them. They just don't understand that they are parroting and not thinking.

"It's not that you can't afford the time to be quiet and still. It's that you can't afford not to"

So there you have amigos. If you want to open your mind and let your inner genius out, all you have to do is get some of the good stuff....quiet, stillness and solitude!

Once all the world's noise is absent, then nature wants to fill the vaccum (with thoughts). All that is required of you is to monitor the thoughts coming your way. If the thinking is negative....reject it. If it's positive....accept it. Later on, record it. The result is thinking, the fun and easy way.

Where do I find my quiet, stillness and solitude? In the car, in the shower, in my office, but best of all....in nature. Something about nature inspires me. Particularly being close to water seems to jump start my brain. I'm sure you can think of your own place to escape the distractions and noise of the world?

WARNING: I can not be held responsible for all the good things that might come your way, as a result of your implementing the Truthteller concepts!

Eduardo

"you can be mediocre at anything, just make a minimum of effort and don't bother with that stupid thinking thing Eduardo talks about"

You could learn a lot from the lazy man

"you can't teach people
to be lazy....either they
have it, or they don't"
Dagwood Bumstead


So here is one of my wacky theories explained, that says to get what we want, we need to quit working hard! I'll bet that got your interest?


The universe doesn't fight or snarl. It does things in the easiest and most efficient manner possible. Just as electricity finds the path of least resistance, water flows to the lowest point in the land and forms rivers that find the path of least resistance on its journey to the ocean. It does this because it is the easiest way (letting gravity do the work).


So I'm thinking that life is like that (or should be). We should quit trying so damn hard to be successful or happy. We should follow natures example and take the easy way.


Aha, I can imagine what you are saying to yourself? This nut thinks he will be happy and successful by doing nothing! Well you are right (I am a nut) no actually I mean you can get what you want by doing nothing (well almost nothing).


So what pray tell Eddyweirdo, is the easiest path you speak of? Well grasshopper, it's all about dreaming and thinking! That sounds fun and easy, right? (it's ok, I always talk to myself)


Imagine the consequences if we worked 4 hours per day and then spent the next 4 hours dreaming up possibilities and thinking of how to implement them? Now if someone can tell me how to sell the idea to employers, we could change the world.

"progress is made by lazy men,
looking for easier ways to do things" (Robert A. Heinlein)

Smile, and join the fun easy movement!

Eduardo

P.S. Oops, I just thought of a major flaw to my plan....for some folks thinking and dreaming of new possibilities is hard work! (it's back to the drawing board Prof Eduardo)

Advice from the comic book guy

Here's some interesting career thoughts from Scott Adams, the guy who writes the Dilbert Cartoon\

If you want an average successful life, it doesn’t take much planning. Just stay out of trouble, go to school, and apply for jobs you might like. But if you want something extraordinary, you have two paths:

1. Become the best at one specific thing.
2. Become very good (top 25%) at two or more things.

The first strategy is difficult to the point of near impossibility. Few people will ever play in the NBA or make a platinum album. I don’t recommend anyone even try.

The second strategy is fairly easy. Everyone has at least a few areas in which they could be in the top 25% with some effort. In my case, I can draw better than most people, but I’m hardly an artist. And I’m not any funnier than the average standup comedian who never makes it big, but I’m funnier than most people. The magic is that few people can draw well and write jokes. It’s the combination of the two that makes what I do so rare. And when you add in my business background, suddenly I had a topic that few cartoonists could hope to understand without living it.

I always advise young people to become good public speakers (top 25%). Anyone can do it with practice. If you add that talent to any other, suddenly you’re the boss of the people who have only one skill. Or get a degree in business on top of your engineering degree, law degree, medical degree, science degree, or whatever. Suddenly you’re in charge, or maybe you’re starting your own company using your combined knowledge.

Capitalism rewards things that are both rare and valuable. You make yourself rare by combining two or more “pretty goods” until no one else has your mix. I didn’t spend much time with the script supervisor, but it was obvious that her verbal/writing skills were in the top tier as well as her people skills. I’m guessing she also has a high attention to detail, and perhaps a few other skills in the mix. Probably none of those skills are best in the world, but together they make a strong package. Apparently she’s been in high demand for decades.

At least one of the skills in your mixture should involve communication, either written or verbal. And it could be as simple as learning how to sell more effectively than 75% of the world. That’s one. Now add to that whatever your passion is, and you have two, because that’s the thing you’ll easily put enough energy into to reach the top 25%. If you have an aptitude for a third skill, perhaps business or public speaking, develop that too.

It sounds like generic advice, but you’d be hard pressed to find any successful person who didn’t have about three skills in the top 25%

Eduardo

P.S. So I'm sitting here thinking what am I in the top 25% for skills. Let's see...I'm definately top 25% when it comes to doing nothing, I'm might be flattering myself but I think I might be top 25% at writing and I'm not that great at anything else. So if I can make a career of being a lazy, no good writer.....then I think I'm going be rich!

Simplify

"we live in a world that is complicated, too much hurrying about, too much stress and not enough happiness. I doesn't have to be that way"

So then here are my 'top 10' ways to simplify your life;

1. Let it go! Let go of past hurts, anger and resentment. Let go of all the things that you don't really need and that don't serve you, like negative thoughts.

2. Learn to live with less information. Who needs all the negative stuff on TV and in the papers. Be selective about what you allow in your head. (but do keep coming back to the Truthteller, it's all good)

3. Be grateful. I'm always noticing that the most appreciative people are the happiest ones. You will also find yourself less impatient when you are in a state of gratitude.

4. Just say no! Trust your gut feelings and say no when something doesn't feel right.

5. Keep your memory out of your head. Why overload your memory banks with stuff that's better written down somewhere, like to do lists. You need some empty storage to capture new ideas.

6. Outsource the parts of your life that you don't like. I've outsourced cutting the grass to my son (I'm much happier now)

7. Be spontaneous. Why not drop the vacuum cleaner when a friend calls and take a trip to the lake or whatever your really enjoy. Being spontaneous can lift your spirit.

8. Lower your standards (just a little). Perfection can be a pain. Who are you trying to please? Who cares what others think? Spend more time with friends and family.

9. Get some peace, quiet and solitude. It can really recharge your batteries and give you some great insights.

10. Have fun. Make time for fun, its just important as making time to do chores. You just might be a little less insane.

11. Hold it Eduardo, you said top 10 and not 11 tips? Well amigos, its not because I can't count, its because you are so nice and I feel generous. Besides, this is the most important one! Ok, here it is.... send all your money to Eduardo. Now you won't have to worry about what to do with it. I know, you will be unloading that money problem on me....but I'm here to serve!

Smile, it looks really good on you!

Eduardo

How to be more likeable

"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