What makes you happy? That seems like a pretty simple question to answer, huh? Well, not so fast… In today’s world it seems that we spend way more time thinking about what doesn’t make us happy than what does! Thinking about what (or who) we don’t like instead of who we do. Taking time to consider all the things we want instead of all of the things we have. So let’s force ourselves to get back to that original question.  What makes you happy?  -Is it the sound of a child’s laughter or the sound of screaming, yelling and arguing? -Is it the soft touch of someone you love or the hurt of a punch or slap?  -Is it the memories of happy times or those that still have the power of depression? We spend precious time and energy in our lives holding onto grudges, being angry over the smallest things (ie… road rage, slow service, misunderstood words here or there, etc…) and then having conversations about how bad we feel or how mad we are. But when we do these things, we lose track of one of life’s key question—What Makes Us Happy? Maybe the first step is to actually find out what makes us happy in the first place. Then, spend more time thinking about those things and telling others about them than the things that make you sad or angry. Doesn’t it just make sense that the more time we spend thinking of and being involved with the things that make us happy, the happier we’ll be? Well, the less time we spend being weighed down by all the negative things, the less negative we’ll become.  Take the time to find the things in the past and present that make you happy. Take the time to write them down on paper or in your phone or tablet. Take the time to add them into your life. Of course by adding more and more of them into your life that means you’ll need to get rid of some things too. (I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt here for realizing you’ll be getting rid of all of those negative things that have been holding you back.) So what makes you happy? Now ask those you,love and care about the same question I’ve been asking you. Once they rattle off the first few, press them for more and more and more. After all, there’s no limit to the happiness you might find in life. Keep searching. Keep enjoying. Keep appreciating. Keep sharing them with others and more than anything else, keep expanding the happiness within you.  Peace      …..Gregg

Whenever we celebrate The Holidays ( No matter which or how many we celebrate) there are always those people we wish were there with us, (Even our pets) that for any of a hundred reasons, aren’t. Well why not make them part of our celebration and create a new tradition to pass down year after year in the process?  This year make or buy a new ornament and simply write the name of a loved one, a pet, a friend or anyone you wish would be with you but can’t be.    There are no rules for this, they might be alive and somewhere else or maybe they’re only with us in spirit. The ornament can be as elaborate or simple as you want it to be. It can be one you make or one you buy. Just make sure that you put the name of that person or pet on it! Once you’re done with that,put it on the tree, hang it in a window or on your wall, lay it on a table, etc…  After you’ve done that, think about sending that person or their relatives a photo of the ornament you’ve made. Let them know what you’ve done and why you did it. Pass along the qualities they have and the reasons why you did what you did. This alone might be the best gift they receive all year long. Each year ahead, hopefully you’ll add the name of new friends or loved ones.  Each year you’ll celebrate with those you care about.  Each year someone else will know they’re being thought of and cared about, because of you. That’s not only a great tradition but a very loving thing you’ve done.  Starting your new tradition is easy and maybe it’s necessary too. Think of it as a guaranteed smile and deep breath of fresh air each time you walk by and see it. The good memories undoubtably Will be smiling  back at you and in their own way, saying thank you.   Peace        ….. Gregg

There was a time when we all felt the world around us instead of analyzing or directing or complaining or ignoring it. . At some point we convinced ourselves that that should be put aside. BIG MISTAKE!  We look at the world around us and the problems in it, and just can’t understand why. Well maybe just maybe, if more people felt instead of ignored or assumed or didn’t think at all, some of those problems we see out there would go away.  But, it’s got to happen within us first.  So, take a few minutes for yourself. Here are just 5 questions to ask yourself. Ask them, but make sure that when you answer them,  you “feel” the answers from head to toe.  Good luck…   •What does it feel like to be happy?  •What does it feel like to feel alive?   •What does it feel like to walk through the soft grass?  •What does it feel like to hear your favorite sound?  •What does it feel like to allow yourself to actually feel?  Peace       ……Gregg