Rules of Happiness - Be Grateful

“If the only prayer you ever say in your

entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”

- Meister Eckhardt

We live in a fast-paced, microwave, drive-thru, Buy-It-Now
society.

It’s a society that has forgotten to be truly grateful for the
things around it. We only tend to be grateful for things when
we no longer have them.

Think of the sense of relief you gain when you just get over an
illness, and are so thankful that your turbulent tummy has
now settled. Consider how appreciative you are when those
tests come back clear. Or when the speeding camera doesn’t
flash. Or when you finally find your lost child in the
supermarket.

These are the moments in life when we realise how blessed
we truly are.


Yet how many of us truly appreciate that on a day-to-day
basis?

My guess is very few of us. We only become grateful of things
when we think we don’t have them.

But here’s the thing: by counting our blessings every day, in a
very literal way, we become happier people. Research across
the globe in countless studies has proven this over and over
again.

So, when was the last time YOU were truly grateful?

Think of all the wonderful things you have to be grateful for
right now. It could be your family. Or your health. Maybe
your home. Your friends. Your brain. Your heart. Your
spirit. Even your DVD collection.

We’ve all got amazing things in our own lives that make us
smile with joy. Things that bring a secret, loving tear to our
eyes.

And if we can only learn to count these blessings every day,
we’ll discover a true happiness and greater appreciation of
the beautiful world we surround ourselves with.


So, if you can, make that part of your daily ritual. Count your
blessings, briefly in the morning, and briefly at night. Then
smile at the world for sending such great things your way.

THE 18 RULES of HAPPINESS, KARL MOORE

Rules of Happiness - Be More Social

“Let us be grateful to people who make us

happy, they are the charming gardeners who

make our souls blossom.” - Marcel Proust

It turns out that Michael Caine was right all along.

Playing Scrooge in the Muppets Christmas Carol, he sang: “If
you want to know the measure of a man, you simply count
his friends!”

Countless studies on the science of happiness have turned up
one single characteristic of the happiest and most successful
people in society.

They have a large social network!

Lots of friends. Lots of colleagues. Lots of people they call
just to banter with for 10 minutes.

How many friends are stored in your cell phone?


One shortcut to becoming happier – quickly – is to simply
make more friends.

Be proactive about it. Don’t just wait for interesting people to
stumble into your life. Join a local dance group. Discover a
book club. Try randomly chatting with strangers in your
nearest cafe.

Get yourself listed on social networking sites, such as
Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Hi5 – and join the online groups
that share your interests. Subscribe to the many friendshiponly
sites springing up in big cities. Get out there!

Making friends isn’t that difficult. You just need to make
the effort.

Here are some tips.


Firstly, make yourself an attractive friend. Don’t begrudge
buying a coffee occasionally. Don’t have “attitude.” Don’t
spend your time moaning. Nobody likes negativity. Keep a
smile on your face – while being yourself.

Secondly, make an effort, even when they don’t. Sometimes
people are reserved in the early stages of friendship, and
need that extra push before a real connection can be
established. Be the one to make that move. If it doesn’t work
out, it’s their loss. Move on.

Throughout it all, however, make sure you play the numbers
game.

Don’t stop when you have one or two extra friends. Keep
going and going. Expand your social circle as far as you can.


Be the person that walks through town and bumps into a
dozen friends.

Remember, the happiest people are those that have the
largest social circles.

THE 18 RULES of HAPPINESS, Karl Moore

Autumn/Winter Competition!

A World Full Of Prettiness is having a giveaway where you can win the products above.

The giveaway is open internationally and it will close on 30th November.

More details on her blog:

http://aworldfullofprettiness.blogspot.com/2011/11/competition-extension.html

Rules of Happiness - Love More!

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They

always make a difference. They bless the

one who receives them, and they bless you,

the giver.” – Barbara De Angelis

American spiritual master Lester Levenson was given just
days to live.

The doctors had little hope for his failing heart. But,
surviving a few days longer than expected, Lester turned to
consider what life was all really about.

He concluded that life was about happiness, freedom. These
were the things he needed to pursue.

But what granted him the most freedom and happiness in
life?


Lester instantly felt that the answer was love. And when his
many girlfriends expressed their love for him in public,
certainly he felt a wave of happiness.

Yet it was fleeting. Momentary.

Then he realised that he felt the most happy in life – when
he was the one giving the love!

The more he loved his girlfriend, the happier he became.
The more he loved the world around him, the happier he
became. The more he loved even his enemies, the happier he
became.

And best of all, HE could control the amount of love he gave
– and thereby control the amount of happiness he
experienced.

Think about it for a moment. Doesn’t that ring true for you?

Don’t you feel happier when you are loving more?

I’m not talking about the clingy, relationship love that most
people are well-aware of. But rather an open, giving, warm
love. An all-accepting love, like that of a mother for her
child, or a child for his puppy.


So, can you simply begin to love more?

For absolutely no reason at all. Just for fun. Love the whole
world more.

Love your family for being as maddening as they are. Love
the beautiful green trees around you as you take your daily
stroll. Love your friends for all of their strengths and weaknesses.
Simply, love more.

Even your enemies, or that rude guy that insulted you this
very morning. Remember, if you’d travelled in their footsteps
and had their experiences in life right to that very moment,
whatever they just did would make perfect sense to you.
Accept it, and give them a little love, because they might just
need it.

Go through everyone you know – and in your own mind,
offer them a little love. Keep that open heart as you walk
around during your day.

Because, as the Beatles suggested, love might just be all you
need.

THE 18 RULES of HAPPINESS, Karl Moore