The Key to Happiness - Not what you might think

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. --Albert Schweitzer (1875 - 1965) 

We are busier than we have ever been, working long hours and feeling under more and more pressure. How do you spend your days? For many people work and pleasure are seen as separate, with work being a chore that has to be done to pay the bills. It doesn’t always have to be like that. Although we don’t have to love everything we do, we do need to gain some enjoyment from most of what we do. Take a moment to see if it is time to start afresh and do something you love, something that adds the pleasure factor back into your working life? 

Think about what matters to you and why you do the things you do. For each person that means something different. What aspects of a job are important to you? List them. Think about your dream job. Does it motivate and inspire you? If not, think again. It has to mean something to you; otherwise you will not be prepared to put in the effort to achieve what you want. Ask: ‘What am I prepared to give up to make this happen?’ ‘What would I love to try?’ ‘What options do I have?’ ‘What are my talents, skills and qualities?’ ‘How can I utilise them in my ideal job?’ How can you take an idea and turn it into reality? Get creative and think through how you could make money doing what you enjoy.

Starting anew requires courage, confidence and commitment. Hold on to your sense of purpose. Believe in yourself. Ignore the critics, for there are bound to be some, and face your fears (there will many of those too!). Ask for help from those people who can assist you and get supporters to keep you motivated. Research things that interest you and, if necessary, go back to basics and learn new skills. Develop a clear vision of where you’d like to be in 10 years’ time – and why. Write it down. Be specific. This will provide you with something to focus on. Think creatively. This may not happen all of a sudden, but if you work at it gradually, day by day, it can happen. 

And if starting something new is not for you, how can you love the job you already have? You can’t always control your situation, but you can always choose how you react to it. Your attitude colours how you face every day and has an influence on the people around you. Choose to be positive. Are there areas of your job that you can improve on? Who can you discuss this with? Is a change to a new role in the same company an option? Examine the possibilities. Your job does not define you, but how you do it does. 

And why bother? Doing what you love gives you a good reason to get up every morning. Your life will be challenging, certainly, exciting, definitely. Doing things you enjoy which give you personal fulfilment and satisfaction has been shown to contribute to good health and longevity. Don’t wait for perfect circumstances to start. Begin now!

Advanced Yoga Demonstration with Urban Yogi Bri

As it is generally admitted by yoga practitioners and yoga trainers, yoga sessions are very much about self equilibrium, peacefulness and meditation. By practicing meditation we can all reach the sublime state of learning the purpose of our existence and maximizing our will to reach it. 

Studies have proven that meditation highly contributes to both physical and psychological well-being, which is why yoga routines consider the practice of meditation as one of its main principles. 

Reducing physical pain, stress and blood pressure, meditation promotes a state of mind, by which we can achieve self-healing. Due to all these uncontestable benefits that this practice involves, there is a great variety of information available in different formats, regarding the most efficient meditation techniques, postures, courses, products and forums. 

Religion and psychology promote meditation as well, as a way of assessing our actions and seeking self improvements. As many theories and ancient believes demonstrate, our present life is determined by our previous actions, which is why it is vital to analyze and meditate on the things we do, in order to find ways of improving ourselves and thus, creating a brighter future.

Meditation is definitely one of the main principles of yoga, as it has been verified that it is a trustworthy tool to use for achieving mental clarity and health. A very important thing to know is the fact that there are various types of meditation exercises, designed for advanced or beginner yoga students. Thus, you have to carefully analyze all details and information provided on each and every one of these techniques and exercises, so that you obtain the maximum results, from your meditation routines. 

Despite the fact that many people believe that, just like breathing, meditation is something that comes naturally and cannot be taught, there are a few aspects of this process, which can increase your efficiency and your results, in no time. One of the aspects you have to bear in mind is the time of the day when you carry out your yoga meditation; hence, it would be perfect if you could do it either in the morning or late in the evening, as during those particular moments of the day, the atmosphere is charged with a high level of spiritual energy.

Here is some advice regarding meditation:

• Before starting the meditation session free your mind of all worries. 
• Try to locate a quiet place, where you are not likely to be disturbed. 
• It is recommended to choose the same moment of the day, as well as the same place, for your meditation routine. 
• Focus on meditation; do not let your mind get lost in other thoughts.
• Try to follow a pattern when breathing. 
• Your head, back and neck have to be placed in a perfect straight line.

Remember that it is crucial both to perform the meditation session and to observe the results, in order to get close to experiencing the supreme synchronization between the body and the spirit.

Your Focus Determines Your Reality

Imagine that you have just put on a pair of blue-tinted sunglasses. If you were to look around the room and describe what you see, everything would appear blue to you because it’s being filtered though a blue lens.

But is this reality? No, it’s your perception of reality. We only see, hear and experience life through the perceptual filters of our senses. This is why life (and reality) is always subjective. Our senses are always at work, filtering out what we believe to be false or what is beyond our ken. I once read a story about how the Indians responded when Cortez landed his ship in the new world. The author claimed that the Indians couldn’t “see” the ships in the harbor because their minds were incapable of conceptualizing such vessels. They had no frame of reference. (This point was recently demonstrated in the movie What the Bleep Do We Know?)

Are you one of those people who is afraid to stretch your perception of reality?

What if you believed that your brain had already, instantly, scanned this page several hundred times and that you already knew everything written here? You are simply reading this page again because you’ve refused to believe that it’s possible to recall these words in detail.

Did you know that every human being has a perfect photographic memory? It's true. Unfortunately, photographic memory lasts for about one-tenth of a second, then almost all of the information is consciously forgotten. Young children have photographic memories that last much longer. However, the ability disappears as children grow older. Why? Is it from lack of use? Do the neurons that generate photographic memory stop firing when the skill no longer serves a purpose? Anthropologists report that in cultures where people do not learn to read or write, photographic memory continues throughout adulthood. If this is true, then is our educational system actually creating limits and barriers to our genius potential? Perhaps our kindergarten curriculum should consist of memory development classes … and leave the ABC's for later when the child can learn them at a glance.

Please don't think that because you are able to read this page your memory skills have been lost. Remember, everyone has a perfect memory. This is true whether you are one year old or ninety-one. Your mind absorbs everything that happens to you and processes this information, consciously or unconsciously, through the five senses. It is the process of retention and recall that needs improvement, and here again, it is subject to the realm of your belief system. If you truly believe that you have a perfect memory and a faultless recall system, the brain, being a servo-mechanism (goal oriented), will continue to modify your skills until this becomes your truth. This is why using mental imagery and affirmations is so important. They can help your program your brain to accept its “truth” on the subconscious level.  Once that happens, your world is infinitely better because you have created a new paradigm of what’s possible for you. You have removed your limitations and accepted a new reality.

So, today, why not change your world from the inside out?  Knowing you can is simply a matter of believing you can.

Five Easy ways to overcome Depression using Simple Techniques

Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives. We get sad when we fail in our exams, when we're rejected by the person we love, or when someone very close to us passes away. Depression, however, could be more fatal than just plain loneliness. It could render life-long consequences that could ruin your self-esteem, health, and well-being.



Here are some superb tips to conquer the melancholy mood and get the most bliss out of your daily activities.

1) Get Enough Light and Sunshine.

Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.

Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.

This is the reason why many people are suffering from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons. It's because the nights are longer.

If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights. Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks instead of driving your car over short distances.

2) Get Busy. Get Inspired.

You'll be more likely to overcome any feeling of depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live a life full of inspired activities.

Do the things you love. If you're a little short on cash, you could engage in simple stuffs like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, playing sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity that you have passion for and would love to pursue.

Set a goal - a meaningful purpose in life. No matter how difficult or discouraging life can be, remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you are capable of doing anything you desire. With this kind of positive attitude, you will attain a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.

3) Take a Break.

I mean it.

Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage you. Take a break from your stressful workload and spend the day just goofing around. In other words, have fun.

4) Eat Right and Stay Fit.

Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a brief moment of energy; but they would later bring about anxiety , tension, and internal problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people would drink alcohol to "forget their problems." They're just aggravating their conditions in the process.

Exercising regularly is a vital depression buster because it allows your body to produce more endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes called "the happy chemicals" because of their stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.

5) Get a Social Life.

No man is an island. Your circle of friends are there to give you moral support. Spending time and engaging in worthwhile activities with them could give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing feels better than having group support.

Never underestimate the power of touch. Doesn't it feel so good when someone pats you on the back and gives you words of encouragement during your most challenging times? Hug or embrace someone today. You'll never know when you have saved another life.

Get intimate. Establish close ties with your family and friends. The love and care expressed by others could tremendously boost your immune system and fend off illnesses. Best of all, you'll live a more secured and happy life.

A Guide to Inner Wisdom - Make your Life Better

As we look at the pain in the world around us, we see many things we deeply desire to heal and change.    Many of those things seem beyond our ability to influence and change.

There is one thing we can change – our relationship to ourselves.  We can look deep within, moving closer to the truth of who we are.   In doing so, we move beyond the limitations of our personality and the world around us begins to transform.  Radiant joy and love emerge and are contagious.  

Getting to know your Higher Self is a loving and powerful way to move closer toward healing and self-realization.    The Higher Self knows everything about us and sees the bigger picture.  It knows all of our past lives, our dreams, frustrations, relationships, our different personalities, the lessons we are learning, all possible choices, the past and our potential future.  The Higher Self can be a wonderful guide. Just imagine the possibility of seeing everything more clearly, feeling the joy and security of knowing that your choices are taking you toward your highest good!

As we face challenges and move through difficulties, many times we feel lonely, isolated or misunderstood by others.   By getting your Higher Self involved in daily life, you will be able to feel loved, nurtured, and deeply understood.   Your Higher Self is always there for you, in a way that another human being is not able to be.   It is always ready to give you all the attention you need, always loving, has your highest good in mind – guiding you ever closer to unlimited source.

As we grow and evolve we sometimes find that our personality is not enough to support our expanded, abundant Self.    We sense and know the possibility of true prosperous living, but our old patterns of thinking and doing don’t give us the guidance we need to actualize our spiritual ideals and transform our lives. We need a means of finding our way through the day to day reality of living, in a way that supports our Soul’s expansive desires.  The Higher Self is the voice of the Soul.  Creating a “best friend” relationship with your Higher Self can provide immediate and insightful help for the challenges of everyday living.

With our Higher Self as navigator we can deepen relationships with others through Soul to Soul communication.    Previously unsolvable problems and conflicted relationships can be healed and problems resolved.  The love connection between souls transcends all personality differences.  The Higher Self also sees all opportunities for growth, allowing you to utilize your experiences in a more loving and joyful way.

This deep, expansive communion with the Self is one of the most powerful and direct ways to access the Soul’s ability to help you with all of your choices.  The experience is also exquisitely beautiful and profoundly intimate.   More intimate that any human relationship.  Who could possibly know you better and love you more deeply than the being you came through to be on this earth?  

This intimacy with the Higher Self is what so many are seeking in a “Soul Mate”.  The innate longing for completion, to be with your other half, the one that was created for you at the beginning of time, the one you were meant to be with – forever.  That one is your own Soul.  

Imagine for a moment that you are now able to feel, taste, touch and know that wondrous union right here, right now.  At last, here is the endless love you have been seeking which transcends this human existence.   Look deeply into those ancient eyes and see only the truth of love shining back at you and know that this wise one has been with you always.  Your heart opens as you feel the trust that comes from true commitment.  As your heart opens wider, allow yourself to be embraced by this great being of love and bright light.  Feel the strength, beauty, power and love of this ancient one flow through you.  Your own heart knows the truth; you know who this is… your Soul.  

Feel your heart call to this one.  Invite it to flow into your heart, embracing it.   A deep trust and recognition arises as your Soul’s energy fills your heart.  You know this connection is familiar, from the light, from the source.  Secret memories are now remembered.  Ah, warmth and safety at last.   Listen with your heart….your Soul is now speaking.  Words of encouragement…hope…love…gentle soothing phrases drawing you closer.  See how delighted this wise being is to see you, radiating magnificent colors and bright light.  It has been waiting for you, waiting for this union, waiting to merge with you at last.

How long have you been waiting for this moment?  How many times have you joined in this completion?  The years of separateness drift away as you experience the ecstasy of true love.  Rest in the peace of knowing you have come home at last.

To experience your Self in this way is an amazing gift and a great service to our precious planet.  Everyone can learn to turn within and commune with the Self. The rewards can be astonishing.  With practice, the heart continues to open, the healing process quickens, life becomes more joyful and the world around us begins to change.  Intimacy with the true Self purifies the heart allowing you to experience your own true abundant nature.   Discovering pure joy and true happiness need not be difficult.   It takes a only willing heart and practice.

20 Ways to make People Smile

Do you want to put a smile on someone's face today? Maybe make their day a little better. It won't cost you a single penny or much time to do just that. And because smiling is contagious, it probably won't just be one person you make smile today.

Here are 20 ways to turn that frown upside down.

1.  Send some flowers to your partner at work.
2.  Compliment a friend or work colleague on their appearance.
3.  Donate something to charity.
4.  Take a friend out to lunch.
5.  Let someone know you miss them.
6.  Make a surprise telephone call to your partner at work, just to say hi.
7.  Hold a door open for someone walking behind you.
8.  Hug your partner for no reason.
9.  Leave a joke on a friends answer machine.
10. Send a card to a friend letting them know what a good friend they are.
11. Give up your seat on the train to someone when there aren't any left.
12. Share your umbrella on a rainy day.
13. Ask a friend if they need anything while you're out shopping.
14. When it's raining, plan an indoor picnic with your children.
15. Leave a love letter somewhere where your partner will find it.
16. Send someone an unusual and unexpected gift like chocolate, flowers or sex toys.
17. Tell your child you're proud of them.
18. Tell someone you thought about them the other day.
19. Cook a surprise meal for your partner one night, especially if they normally do the cooking.
20. Tell your partner you love them.

Did you know it takes only 17 muscles to smile, but 43 to frown. Why waste all that energy frowning when you could just smile.

Here are 5 more facts about smiling.

1. Women smile more than men.
2. Smiling releases endorphins that make us feel better.
3. We are all born with the ability to smile, it's not something we learn from others.
4. A smile is a universal expression of happiness.
5. A smiling person is thought to be a more pleasant, attractive, sociable, sincere and competent than a non-smiling person.

Just remember, smiling is the easiest and cheapest way of improving your looks.