Happiness is Music!

One thing that really keeps me in a happy state is music. More and more it's become so important to me! I love music!!! I listen to music when I'm not feeling so great, when I'm getting ready in the morning, on the way to work, sometimes during my lunch break, when I'm working out, driving in my car, and many times when I'm home just cleaning or hanging out. I am so grateful for music! Right now I'd say it's at the top of my list as far as things that make me really happy. What is the one thing that truly lifts you up every time you do it? For me, it's definitely listening to my favorite music.....

I enjoy all kinds of music, but mostly R & B and Alternative Rock. Sometimes I love to go back in time and listen to my old favorites...The Fixx, The Cure, Pink Floyd, The Smiths, (Morrissey) ect... I love to crank it up loud and sing and sometimes even dance! (it's a good thing people can't see me dancing by myself-at home in my living room! ha ha) One of the best times I ever had was taking a road trip to the Grand Canyon with my fiance. (last year) We spent many hours driving and enjoying great music all the way there! (you've got to love Sirius Satellite Radio!) What a great time...

I've also had the privilege to see many great shows in my life! Lets see if I can remember all of them..... Journey, The Lilith Fair (Sara McGlocklin was my favorite artist there) Portland Jazz Festival, (many great artists there too such as Erykah Badu!) Everclear, Morrissey, The Cure, Neil Young, "X", Psychedelic Furs , Beck, and Romeo Void. I'm sure there are many more that I can't think of right now!

I've also had the honor of a few friends sending me their own cds. They are very talented! What a great thing! I listen to their music often and have such an appreciation for that kind of talent....

I love and appreciate music so much. Aren't we so grateful for these talented people who bring so much happiness into our lives? I know I am! What would my life be like without music...don't want to imagine!

What's your favorite music? What do say- time to crank it up??!!!

Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory. -Sir Thomas Beecham

If music be the food of love; play on. -William Shakespeare

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. -Victor Hugo

Thanks for stopping by!

All the best,

Kimberly

Love

Love is a beautiful and powerful word. How lucky that we get to experience love! Think about everyone you love, everyone who loves you, and everything you love to do. What a wonderful feeling to love and be loved. What a wonderful feeling to be doing things that you love the most in life. Think about how much you love. Are you giving enough love? Are you saying I Love You to the people who mean the most? Are you doing what you love as much as you should be? It is important to reach out and love those even when we don't feel like we have it to give.

It is important to give love to total strangers, to love those that need it the most, and to love ourselves no matter what. Your loving gestures will never go unnoticed. And what you're giving back to yourself is just simply unmeasurable. It is important to be doing those things you truly love and to fill yourself up. What puts a huge smile on your face? What brings you a ton of happiness? Do it more! You will have so much more to give this way...... Help others to feel more loved in any way that you can. There are so many that need it!

I feel love from people everyday....whether it's in a smile, nice comment or conversation, a hug, a phone call, a note or card, a message, ect.... It never goes unnoticed with me! I love everyone and when you meet me, you usually know it right away. I feel good about that. I feel good that I am able to be a loving person and be there for others. I want people to have a good, warm feeling when they walk away from me. I want others to know that I was there for them and will always be. I have made making others feel good and loving everyone a top priority in my life. And no, you won't please everybody. But you can keep trying. You can continue to love them. We all deserve to be loved. And we should all be giving the love right back. I'd like to see more of this in the world.

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 DeAngelis

If you have love in your life it can make up for a great many things you lack. If you don't have it, no matter what else there is, it's not enough.

-Ann Landers

Love is a choice you make from moment to moment.

-Barbara DeAngelis

Take A Big Interest In People!

I think it's very important to take a big interest in other people. I've always done it and I always will. Not only is it creating better relationships, it's also being a contributor and making others feel good. You can learn so much from other people too! So give people your time, really acknowledge and listen to them, remember names as much as possible, give them your full attention, look for the good in people, show a big interest in their life, be there for people! You will see that the rewards are endless. We all need to feel important and appreciated. I have many fans just at my job alone! (patients and employees) Not trying to boast, just making a valid point. I believe the reason I have so many fans is because I care about people, I invest my time in them, I'm always complimenting or encouraging them, and I make sure I'm enjoyable to be around. I make people feel good whenever they see or talk to me. I always try to make it a good experience when I come into contact with people. Everyone is important and I want them to feel that way when they walk away from me..... We are all in this world together and we all have something great to offer! I love being that person to remind someone when maybe they aren't feeling so important.....

I think we can have a positive effect on others if we'll just take the time. Our life will be better for it.

“We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken.”

-Fydor Dostoevsky

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

-Albert Schweitzer

A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thankfulness....

I am feeling extremely thankful today and I want to express it! I think it's important that we express our thankfulness every single day. I say "thank you" a lot- it's something that is very important to me and that I've always done! There are many reasons to be thankful and many people to be thankful for! I've come to realize how important my friends and family are. There are many that are loving, supportive, kind, strong, inspirational, and successful. I'm thankful for all that they are and all that they mean to me. I am thankful for total strangers who have shown an act of kindness to me or made a difference in my life, even if it's just in some small way. When someone holds the door open for you, do you thank them? When someone does something nice for you, do you thank them? When someone gives you a call, do you say thanks for calling? Are you thankful when you have an 'Aha Moment' or when someone inspires you? Are you thankful for the good and the bad? Are you thankful for the lessons you have learned? Thankfulness makes me feel incredibly good and I know when I express it to others, it makes them feel good as well. I will never stop saying Thank You and being extremely Thankful! Express your thankfulness and help make the world a better place!

"I am thankful for small mercies. I compared notes with one of my friends who expect everything of the universe, and is disappointed when anything is less than the best, and I found that I begin at the other extreme, expecting nothing, and am always full of thanks for moderate good. . . . If we will take the good we find, . . . we shall have heaping measures." -Ralph Waldo Emmerson

"Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life." -Robert Stevenson

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. -Buddha

Thanks for stopping by!

All the best,

Kimberly

Special People Can Have A Powerful Affect On You!

This post is dedicated to Randy Pausch. Many of us know him as the professor at Carnegie Mellon University who inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide through his highly acclaimed last lecture. He died of complications from pancreatic cancer on July 25th. He was 47. Randy has had a profound affect on my life. First after watching his Last Lecture and then recently after reading his book "The Last Lecture." w/Jeffrey Zaslow. Not only does his book touch on his Lecture, but it also has many other powerful gems in it as well. His attitude, courage, optimism, strength, advice, belief in others, and love for his children and wife is amazing to me! He really puts into perspective what's truly important in life. Here are my favorite quotes from the book:

"Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think."

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

"Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

He has been a huge inspiration to me and will continue to be. He made me realize how truly precious our time is, how we should be spending it and with who, and to never give up on your dreams! He also reminds us how important gratitude is. I love that I have something in common with him- I too want to have a powerful affect on people, even long after I'm gone!

He will be greatly missed. But he continues to inspire....Thank you Randy!

Faith

Faith, Knowing The Good Is Always Coming!

So what does faith mean to you? To me, it means having an undying feeling that no matter what happens in your life, everything is going to be okay! I have gone through many things in my life as we all have- some great times, some challenging times, some very sad times even.... but the one thing that has always kept me in a good, positive place is the fact that I have a ton of faith. I think it's something important for all of us to have. I have faith in myself, other people, life! I know that things are going exactly as they should and that everything always works out. (for the better in my opinion) Say there is a time in your life where maybe you feel you don't have enough money, your feeling physically out of shape, mentally drained, maybe you have lost someone you loved, you are going through a hard time in your relationship, you are unhappy with your job, or you are just feeling at an extremely low point in your life. We've all been there or are there! Just know that it is temporary and that good things are coming your way! They always do! But you must believe this and just know that it really is true. I'll give you an example in my own life.... Lately I've been feeling like I really need a vacation- it's been awhile since I've had some time off (I'm talking about a week or more) and I am ready for some much needed "me time" and time with my fiance. Well, in one week I will be taking 16 days off! So my point is, I've been looking forward to this time off for months..... To me, there is always something up the road or around the corner (as I like to put it) to look forward to! If you can keep that in mind, life will be much easier. It will be better! Another example, I miss my sister a lot. She moved to Tucson as I've mentioned and although it was wonderful to see her in July..... I really miss her & her kids like crazy! But I also know I will see her in December (she'll be coming to Portland for a visit) where we can enjoy an early Christmas get together. I also get to see her in Vegas next April for my wedding. (she is my Maid of Honor) I also know that when I'm out there exercising everyday and working hard, the payoffs will be huge! That's something great to look forward to! (I've already started seeing the payoffs!) I always hang on to the fact that I have great things ahead to look forward to! If you apply that to anything, you will be amazed how many things you have to look forward to. You will be amazed at how much happier you will feel!

So ask yourself, what do I have to look forward to? How can I feel good in the moment when maybe something isn't quite perfect in my life right now? Don't let the challenging things have power over you, and keep an excellent attitude no matter what! The choice is yours....pick the one that makes you feel good. You deserve to feel good!

"Faith is courage; it is creative while despair is always destructive." ~David S. Muzzey

"To me faith means not worrying." ~John Dewey

"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it by the handle of anxiety, or by the handle of faith." ~Author Unknown

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit." ~Emmanuel

Thanks for stopping by!

Kimberly

Be An Action Taker!

Do you know who some of the most attractive people in the world are? Action Takers! People who are not afraid to get things done. I'm talking about anything from daily chores to big goals. I love being an action taker! I find it to be one of the most attractive qualities in a person. Nothing feels better than taking care of yourself, your home, exercising, working hard at your job, working on goals, doing nice things for others, just getting up everyday and getting things done! It gives you great confidence to be an action taker. It gives you motivation for life! (or at least it does for me) I had a very busy evening tonight and finished it up by having a great work-out! Sure, it's now after 10pm....but that was the best time for me to fit it in. It's all about what's important, having your priorities straight, and not being afraid to make things happen! It immediately lifts your spirits when you are busy doing things. You want to be able to look back on your life someday and say...."Wow, I sure was an action taker. I got things done! I feel good about my life and all that I've accomplished!!!!" Who are the most successful people in the world? Action takers!

Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately....

"In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently."

-Tony Robbins

"Success comes from taking the initiative and following up... persisting... eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?"

-Tony Robbins

The Best Moments of Your Life!

So what are the best moments of your life so far? I bet there are many.

Here is a picture of my sister Kelly and I. I'm the one in the pink!

I recently got back from Tucson, Arizona and had such a great time visiting my sister & her family! I've been doing a lot of thinking about what the best moments of my life have been. I've had many ofcourse, but this trip to Tucson was definitely at the top of the list! It was fun to take a trip by myself, (I don't do that too often and I plan to do it more!) it was wonderful to see my sister & her kids who I miss greatly, and I got to visit one of my favorite places: Arizona! It's not just all of the fun things we did, it's about spending some great quality time with the people you love. What matters most is giving people your time. It's priceless! To see my sister so happy when I arrived at the Phoenix Airport made me feel really good. To see my niece light up when I took her on some rides at the Old Tucson Studios, put a big smile on my face! To be there for my niece at 4:00am when she was having a nightmare was a really good feeling for me. The fact that she thanked me the next day (twice!) for being there for her almost made me cry! How sweet! To watch the baby and his funny little morning routine (Teletubbies) was so special. To go Bridal Dress shopping with my sister (also my maid of honor) and find the perfect wedding dress was a great experience! To sit out at Starbucks with my sister and just have some time to talk and enjoy eachothers company was awesome! To get to know the man in my sister's life a little bit better was great. He is one of the nicest and most thoughtful people I've ever met! (and a wonderful dad too!) I couldn't be happier for her! Taking the time and enjoying life with the people you love is truly what it's all about. As I've gotten older, it's become a much bigger priority for me!

Don't forget those that are important to you! Don't let too much time pass by before you make that phone call or pay a visit to someone you love. Life is short! Enjoy every moment of it! I am!!!!

"Treasure your relationships, not your possessions."

-Anthony J D'Angelo

"Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the gratefully and appreciating heart."

-Henry Clay

Happiness

I hope you are all having a wonderful and fun summer! I've been having a very busy summer so far! In less than 2 weeks I will be flying off to Tucson, Arizona to see my sister Kelly. She moved there at the end of May and I really miss her! We are going to be doing some bridal dress shopping and just enjoy some good quality time together. I can't wait! I am hoping to move to Arizona myself someday very soon. It's such a beautiful place with incredible weather and so many great things to do. I love the desert!

For those of you who don't know already, my new wedding date is April 25th, 2009. It is so much nicer to have a year engagement! Everything is falling into place and Russell & I are enjoying every moment of our engagement.

Until I can find a little more time to write, I wanted to post this article that I feel is very powerful. I hope you enjoy it too! Thanks for stopping by.....

Happiness Quotes.....

"In the pursuit of happiness you will become free from stress and worry.The art of happiness is to be content with what you have and with what you don't have. Happiness allows the mind to nurture the positive qualities in the self and others.Happiness allows the sparkle of the mind to touch the heart of others."

If you want to be happy, be.

~Leo Tolstoy

"No matter what happened to you yesterday, your attitude is your choice today."


Happiness

Happiness, roughly speaking, is a comprehensive term for a state of mind that is usually comprised of and probably much more than the feelings of contentment, achievement, fulfillment and peace of mind. It is a kind of tickling, tingling, zinging, singing and a dancing sensation accompanied by a healthy and a joyous change in heart beat resulting from the faster circulation of blood. Each cell and tissue of the human body gets activated and experiences this pleasant sensation. There is a spring in the feet and also perhaps in the body and the person wishes that this experience should continue for ever. Happiness occurs at various states and depth of intensity and acquires different characteristics which accord with that state.

Various states, shades or feelings of happiness can be described as: bliss,
joy, jubilation, exultation, gratification, uplifted spirits, cheerfulness, playfulness, amusement, fun, gladness, delight, elation, ecstasy, thrill and lot more.

Some people are happy because of their ‘sanskars’, the intrinsic nature. They refuse to go down the dumps whatever the circumstances. They do not need to be taught to be happy. They do not make any conscious effort to be happy and undisturbed. The shadow of gloom over them occurs only for a short time and they return to their jovial self soon thereafter. Normal shortages and deprivations of life cannot cow them down. They are made up of brave and lively hearts. Happiness exists in their genes and attitude. They take life in their stride. If you study their nature closely, you will find that such persons are always inclined to forget and forgive. They do not take any unpleasant situation or occurrence to their heart. It is in their nature to fly with the wind, to flow with the current and not to impose their will to oppose or change it. The result is that they can enjoy the feeling of flying—a metaphor for happiness-- or flowing effortlessly. Just imagine the case of person lying blissfully in a boat which is being carried away by the cool current of the stream on a hot summer day. On the other hand, visualize the picture of a person panting, huffing and sweating even in the cold wind trying to paddle hard going in the opposite direction of the current in the same stream. This is not to denigrate the value of struggle to improve one’s circumstances. It is these brave souls that bring about the development and progress in the world. Probably both are happy in their own way. Some people enjoy struggling while others are happy at avoiding it.

Happiness lies in the attitude.

There is a third category as well. It consists of those persons who like being sad and morose. They enjoy gloating and wallowing about in the muck of sadness, probably like pigs in the poor lands. They are always ‘moody’, ’philosophical’—continually peeling off the layers of an onion.

Happiness is a matter of attitude.

We must, however, understand that we deserve to be happy.
Happiness is our birth right. It is a biological necessity for healthy living. Unhappiness is a state of mental and physical sickness. We should not let our happiness evade us what ever the state of our health and circumstances. We should not allow others to forfeit it.

If it is not in our intrinsic nature - sanskars - to remain naturally happy, we should make conscious effort to develop an attitude that is compatible and conducive to being happy.

Happiness is an antidote to the poison of sad circumstances in our life.
Happiness is the best and most nutritious and vitalizing food.

It is a positive biological process. Happiness, whatever its level, shade or hue, creates certain enzymes and chemical changes in our body which are conducive to our health, well being and longevity. If it is a golden rule not to give sorrow to anyone, it is a diamond rule not to receive sorrow from anyone or any situation.

Kimberly

The Importance of Gratitude

Ever since I learned the importance of gratitude, my life has never been the same. I first started writing down 5 things I am grateful for everyday. (An idea I got from Oprah!) I began to see and truly appreciate how much I had in my life. It's so easy to see all that we don't have, but what about what we DO have? It's a much more empowering thing to focus on! After seeing the movie The Secret, (by the way, everyone should see this movie!) I started carrying a gratitude rock with me as a constant reminder to be grateful. I don't need reminders anymore because it's just so automatic for me now. I wake up every single day feeling grateful! I still enjoy writing down the things I feel grateful for from time to time, but mostly it's just something I already feel!

Even during challenges in your life, you can still find many things to be grateful for. That is actually the best time to practice gratitude- it reminds you that you still have so much to be thankful for no matter what happens. You will be okay! My wish is that everyone can feel more gratitude in their lives because if they could, it would bring them so much more.

Let me tell you about a time when I felt extremely grateful. One morning (many years ago) I was driving home from my boyfriend's house. We had been together for a long time and we were going through a break up. I remember feeling sick and totally heartbroken. The tears wouldn't stop running down my face as I was driving home. Directly in front of me was a school bus filled with kids. I looked up as the tears were flowing and noticed a little boy staring at me. He then smiled and blew me a kiss! I thought that was the sweetest thing ever and somehow after that, I just knew everything was going to be okay! I felt extremely grateful that morning. I tell this story because it shows how such a simple thing can be so powerful! It was for me anyway and I've never forgotten it.

Don't forget to notice and appreciate the special moments, people, and things in your life!

So what can you feel grateful about today? Start with one thing if you'd like, but you will be surprised at how the list will grow. And eventually, you will feel constant gratitude in your life. There's no better feeling if you ask me! Everyone one of us has so much to be grateful for..... it's all what you choose to focus on. I have been a much happier person ever since I discovered the power of gratitude. I am very lucky and have an amazing life!

All the best,

Kimberly

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

~Marcel Proust

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.

~Gerald Good

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.

-Anne Frank

Great Thoughts From My Doctor, Dr. Clarke

I have a ton of respect for one of my doctors, Dr. Clarke. He will be retiring soon, but I've learned so much from him. He recently published his first book and signed it for me. I was thrilled! But more than that, it's a great book and I wanted to share some of his key points. He really focuses on how stress can make people ill and the importance of having joy in your life. It's so true. And quite powerful!

Here are some great things he said to me in his office one day..... I made a mental note!

~People don't take enough time for themselves.

~People are busy trying to fix everyone else and everything around them. They forget to focus on themselves!

~The best advice he gives his patients is "go find something you love to do and do it! Get some joy back into your life."

~Sadly enough, some of his patients have felt their best when they are sick and in the hospital. That's when they actually have an oppurtunity to focus just on themselves and not worry about anything/anyone else. I find that really interesting and very sad.....

~Many people have had stressful upbringings and carry that into their adult lives. They continue to be stressed!

~Many of his patients who are stressed, don't admit they are stressed. A lot of them don't even know they are!

Something to think about.....

Find Your Joy!

Goals....

Having goals is so important. I know I just wouldn't be a happy person without goals in my life. I wonder how I ever survived before I discovered the importance of goals? I notice when I start to feel unhappy or unfullfilled it's because I've been sliding on my goals. The beautiful thing, you can start right back at it again and turn it all around! (in an "instant" even, as Tony Robbins always says!) Setting and accomplishing goals has truly made me a happier and more confident person. Whether it's a small goal or big goal, it's a great feeling of accomplishment! I am grateful for always wanting to strive for more in my life and for always having new goals! Goals ROCK! We have the power to do anything. Believe it and don't ever lose sight of that! I highly recommend making a "Vision Board." You will be amazed how much more you will accomplish by being able to see your goals! I have accomplished 6 goals on my Vision Board already and will continue until every goal is finished. I will then make a new Vision Board...... Get inspired by making a Vision Board!

"The most important thing about motivation is goal setting. You should always have a goal."

-Francie Larrieu Smith

Random Thoughts.....

I've learned that life is to be treasured every single day. We are so incredibly lucky to be here! I'm glad I've learned to appreciate my life so much because it really has changed me in positive ways. Everyday is important to me, every single thing I do is important, every person is important to me, every wonderful moment I experience is treasured, and every lesson I learn is greatly appreciated.

I've learned that gratitude brings you so much more in your life! I've learned the importance of gratitude in the last year and I'm so thankful for that! I cannot imagine my life without gratitude! I know that even when I'm being challenged in my life, I will always feel grateful. It's been one of the most empowering experiences for me! My wish is that everyone can feel grateful, in the best of times and in the worst of times!

My First Post....

So I decided to finally blog. I've been thinking about it for some time now, but since recently reading Thinkingal's blog, I got really inspired! So thank you Tracey! I love to write and what a great way for me to help inspire others. That's what I live for!

Stay tuned.