Make an effort to connect . . . .

In my mind, there is no substitute for an amazing conversation with someone whom you feel a connection. The benefits feed my soul in a way that is irreplaceable. It truly is priceless. I had a lovely conversation with a friend last night about this very topic.........what it means to have meaningful relationships. We both realize the importance of taking a closer look, and making an effort to nurture those connections.  You have to be willing to open your heart, however, to get there. It's easy to make small talk, right? Shallow acquaintances are around every corner, and at every holiday party, but they usually leave us with little or no lasting worth. Healthy, caring relationships can give our lives immeasurable joy and meaning. Like most things with value in life, these relationships must be sought and maintained deliberately. Are you willing to make a conscious effort to develop meaningful relationships? Open your mind to the possibilities! We have a chance to learn something from everyone we meet. What a gift! Life moves so quickly.....so make time for those who make you laugh, pay attention to what they value, then make an effort to connect with them on that level. 

I read an article online about the misnomer of how easy it was to "keep in touch" with people these days on Facebook, via email or texting. But the truth is, it's not the same as real time. Replacing face-to-face or voice-t0-voice time with brief contacts online does not make up for real time together. Reach out. Make the effort to have friends and meaningful relationship. For me, it is the key to my happiness and well being. 

"For those who are willing to make an effort, great miracles and wonderful treasures are in store."

-Isaac Bashevis Singer

A carefree spirit . . . .

No better reasons to return to work . . . .

Good morning friends! How's life? I hope it's treating you well. Today I should consider doing a post about how crazy busy life can be, and how it can so easily become a blur if you let it. And that is exactly what could happen to me right now if I'm not careful. I am now back in the workforce again after taking a 7 year hiatus, and as busy as it is, it feels so good to be engaged in our business again. So I'm setting priorities and working hard to make sure I can keep the balance in my life that has proven to be so very vital. (More to come on that topic!)

But today I want to share with you a little bit about why my husband asked me to come back to work. He asked that I reengage in a completely different way. He wanted me to bring a bit of the human element to the business atmosphere that he thought was lacking, and he knew it was right up my alley. I was so willing to do that! I go to work to chat!.......to talk to, and more importantly, to listen to our employees, to talk and listen to our customers, to fix minor annoyances, and to simply pay attention to what we can do to add more of the human touch. We all know that happy employees are productive employees, so I have the awesome task of making sure our employees are happy. I am loving this kind of reengagement! 

So what does human element mean? 

My favorite description comes from Tim Stepp........... 

It means sending thank you cards in your own hand writing even if your writing looks like a 5 year olds.

It means dropping your business to talk to a client/customer/employee about a life issue that they may have, and caring, not just because they're a client, but because they're a human being.

It means stepping outside of your role as a businessman/businesswoman, and extending yourself as a person. 

I believe there are no better reasons to return to work. I'm so happy to be back, connecting, caring, and extending myself in a way that I believe is so important. 

Being happy at work rocks! 

Pssssst . . . .

What do you want? Something for yourself? More happy, shiny friends? Better health? A new career? More money? More time? Or are your burning desires along the lines of helping others? Giving unceasingly? Lending a hand? Making a difference?

Think. Think. Think.

Ah-ha! I knew it. A true spiritual maestro, you want it all. Bravo! Now, please remember, if you really want to make a difference in the world, you will be most effective if first you are selfish.

Selfishness doesn't mean you don't love others; it simply means that you love yourself, that you honor your dreams and preferences, and that you finally understand you can make no one happy until you first get happy. And thus the pursuit of your happiness is the worthiest of all.

Besides, you're not here to save the world. You're here to save yourself from boredom and limitations. And as you soar, the world will become a better place.

"The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others."

-William Phelps

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you . . . .

I read a quote earlier this morning that said "just because you're not always skipping through tulips with joy doesn't mean there's something wrong with you." I couldn't agree more, however, because of the fact that I write about finding more joy in your life, I am guessing I could be mistaken as one who might think otherwise.  Quite the contrary. We are faced with challenges, demands  and heartache every day. I am not immune from that. Nor do I believe that there is something wrong with you if you can't put a smile on your face when you're staring at a pile of work and your boss is breathing down your neck, or if you've just missed your flight and lost your luggage.  It can be difficult to remain joyful through these stressors. But I do believe, with all my heart, that it is how you approach these stressors that makes all the difference. I am an optimist by choice.  I am fully aware of daily difficulties, but I also believe that life is overflowing with good. And I choose to see the good in front of me, even when faced with bad situations. If you are making a choice to  dwell on the worst part of the situation, you are the one who suffers. 

Tomorrow marks the 3rd anniversary of This Way to Joy, and I thought it might be a perfect time to reiterate why I do this. So why do I write about finding joy? Simply because I believe that ultimately everyone deserves it. And I know that when you can find joy in your own life, you become a better person; a happier person. When you're a happier person, you make it easier on those who spend time with you. You're a joy to be around! We probably can't conquer the world because of it, but it sure makes a difference in how you spend your days, which turn into months, then years, and before you know it, you've just lead a pretty happy life.

Please allow me to

thank you for visiting me.

♥ I am honored that you choose to come here. ♥

xo, Connie

-Aurelius

I do believe that if people would just start by saying

"it's fun," when it seems hard;

"I'm happy," when they seem sad;

and "I know," when it seems as if they don't,

they'd finally discover 

that it really is,

they really are,

and they always have.

Works for me,

The Universe

(The Universe really does rock!)

One of the world's best and oldest questions . . . .

What really makes us happy?

Giving? Getting? Something to do? Something to love? Something to hope for? That's just the big stuff! As most of us are beginning to realize, it isn't the big pleasures that bring the most happiness. It's making a big deal out of the little ones.

So, what's on your list? A glorious sunset? A bowl of soup on a chilly day? A kiss behind the ear? Breakfast in bed? A hug from a child? A few hours in a bookstore? A half-hour on the treadmill? Pasta with friends? A rooftop dinner? Receiving a love letter? Writing one? Getting an unexpected compliment? Giving one? A hike in the woods? Losing yourself in a good book? Meeting a deadline? Having your wish come true? Sharing the holidays with people you love? 

Knowing it's Friday, and planning your weekend?

We all have our share of troubles and sadness, but we also get a shot at life's tiny delights, and the best part is, those tiny delights are everywhere and all around us.

Just think how happy you'd be

if you lost everything and everyone

you have right now...and then,

somehow got them back again.

-Kobi Yamada

Photo via
tinywhitedaisies

The art of living does not consist

in preserving and clinging to a particular

mode of happiness, but in allowing

happiness to change its form without

being disappointed in the change;

happiness, like a child, must be

allowed to grow up.

-Charles Morgan

Maybe happiness is this:

...not feeling like 

you should be somewhere else,

doing something else,

being someone else.

 

Happy Monday!

Make it a great day!

xo


Photo via Patterson Maker

-Unknown

Photo via Olive Juice

Supercoolhappy . . . .

How you feel is more important than anything else. 

And this is something you get to choose, 
moment by moment. 

Supercoolhappy 

works for me!

Happy Monday!

Make it a great week!

Via Notes from The Universe

27 years . . . .

"A long marriage is two people 

trying to dance a duet 

and two solos at the same time."

-Anne Taylor Fleming

Happy Anniversary to my husband.

Thank you for the dance.

xo