I was surfing the web today and came across a new site called Happier which has online exercise tools and tips. The goal of the site says it is to

“The happier.com team is working hard to help you “go beyond the books” and provide you with research-backed tips and tools that are proven to help increase positive emotions, boost overall levels of engagement and meaning while also enhancing the quality of relationships.”

I honestly believe that as widows and widowers we need to invest our time in learning to be happy again. If we don’t there is a danger that we start to “enjoy” the pain….I know that sounds harsh but I know for myself that I went through a stage of feeling more comfortable with the pain and no people around than to rejoin life. Now I spend 20 minutes a day doing something that will make someone else or me happy ….

{Photo by istockphoto}

Post from: Widows Quest

Donald Latumahina presents 30 Simple Ways to Enjoy Life posted at Life Optimizer.

Nadege presents Will Smith, Law of Attraction, and Hard Work posted at Clearly Envision.

Charles Euchner presents Time Passages posted at START SIMPLE, saying, “An intriguing look about how perspectives on time — past, present, and future — could spell your success or failure.”

Alex Smith presents Your Brain Is Your Best Self Defense Weapon posted at TBO-TECH.

Louise Manning presents What do you find wonderful? posted at The Human Imprint.

Toni presents Remembering posted at Wifely Steps, saying, “Sometimes simply remembering helps ease the sadness of the lost loved one.”

Chris Edgar presents It’s Never Too Early For A “Midlife Crisis” posted at Purpose Power Coaching, saying, “The “midlife crisis” is a subject of mixed feelings in our culture. Some applaud people who have the courage to reevaluate their direction in life, while others see it as “too late” to change one’s course midlife. Personally, I don’t think it’s ever too late to start considering what we’re here to do in life. What I wonder is why we call these times in our lives “crises” at all. As I suggest in this article, it’s best to keep your calling—your overall mission in life—in mind at all times, no matter how young or old you happen to be.”

Richard Onebamoi presents 8 Motivational tips for Success posted at SELF-IMPROVE-BLOG, saying, “Motivation is often defined as the process of arousing, directing and maintaining behaviour toward a goal.”

Charles Euchner presents Dealing With Neurotics posted at START SIMPLE, saying, “Dealing with neurotics is so hard because there is so little you can do. A legendary psychotherapist wrote the book on the subject.”

Brain Blogger presents Roundtable: The Anti-Psychiatry Movement posted at Brain Blogger, saying, “Can proper nutrition and exercise solve all the disorders of the mind? Are psychotropics more harmful than good?”

Wally Bock presents It’s not your fault. It’s just your turn posted at Momentor.

Stephen presents Your Life is What Your Thoughts Make It – Balanced Existence posted at Balanced Existence, saying, “Probably the most vital lesson we can learn in life is the importance of what we think. Some say that if they knew what you think, they would know what you are. Indeed our thoughts make us what we are. If we think failure we will fail. If we think of lack and worry we will have lack and worry. If we think happy thoughts we will be happy.”

Mac presents 10 Quick Tips To Boost Confidence posted at Actorlicious.

Erin Pavlina presents What Happens When You Die? posted at Erin Pavlina’s Blog, saying, “I’ve gotten a lot of emails asking me variations on this question so I thought I’d do an entire blog entry on this subject to help everyone understand what I believe happens.”

David B Bohl presents How to Get Closer to People posted at Slow Down Fast Today!, saying, “Do you find yourself longing for closeness in your relationships? Are you one of the many people today who maybe spends a little too much time on the computer, and not enough time connecting in-person with like minds and kindred souls?”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of positive thinking using our
carnival submission form.

Post from: Widows Quest

I am having a few days away with her…we are going to the place where Mum and Dad last holidayed together. Mum can’t wait to show me where Dad was so happy. I cannot wait for 2 reasons

• Just spending quality time together. I live away and when I go home, we end up in the car , in the garden, at the shops…as I try and help her in her life.
• Creating some wonderful memories that I can look back on forever

It is funny how when someone dies, how it focuses the mind on the love of those around you. I  know that I don’t take the relationships for granted like I did, I invest much more time as I never want those regrets again….

[iStockphoto]

Post from: Widows Quest

Peter Murphy presents How To Keep A Conversation Going – The 10 Simple Steps posted at Communication Skills Power.

Chris Edgar presents Owning Our Disowned Energies posted at Purpose Power Coaching, saying, “Many of us worry that, if we show the world who we truly are, we’ll be hurt—in other words, we’ll be destroyed for “being ourselves.” Perhaps the part we’re afraid to show is our anger, vulnerability, sexuality, or something else. If this is true for you, I invite you to try this simple technique: just admit to yourself, without judgment or reservation, that the part you’ve been concealing exists.”

Richard Onebamoi presents Three Essential Keys for Success posted at SELF-IMPROVE-BLOG, saying, “The ability to take action strategically is perhaps one of the most important single skills of achieving personal and professional success. Strategic action may be defined as the process to ensure successful achievement of personal or professional goals and objectives and this is the essence of strategic action.”

Brain Blogger presents Laughter is the Best – and Possibly Oldest – Medicine posted at Brain Blogger, saying, “We have all heard the old adage before: laughter is the best medicine. But, it might just be among the oldest medicine.”

AndrewB presents How far do your horizons expand? posted at Personal Hack, saying, “In my opinion, our worst enemy as humans is our own mindset. It’s our very selves that hold us back from taking what we really want in life and keep us locked up within ourselves.”

Nathalie Lussier presents Being Grateful for What You Have posted at Billionaire Woman.com, saying, “Being grateful for what you have is a great way to overcome negative circumstances in your life.”

Applying the Law of Attraction presents Three Sure Ways to Create Lack in Your Life posted at Applying the Law of Attraction Membership Library, saying, “When you try to attract abundance and prosperity into your life, you probably focus on techniques like affirmations and visualizations, as well as staying receptive…”

Daylle Deanna Schwartz presents The Law of Attraction and Service People posted at Lessons from a Recovering DoorMat, saying, “Next time you want great customer service, use the Law of Attraction and kind but effective approaches.”

Dianne M. Buxton presents Everyday Spirituality and Your Miracle on a New Earth posted at manifestingsuccess, saying, “This is one of the pieces of the puzzle, and I hope it helps.”

Erin Pavlina presents How do you recover after an emotional setback? posted at Erin Pavlina’s Blog, saying, “How do you raise your energy when you’ve been stepped on and emotionally trounced by another person, and your self esteem is so low that you can’t even imagine ever being happy again?”

Bill Urell presents Addictive Relationships: Are You Aware Of Theses 7 Signs of An Addictive Relationship? posted at Addiction Recovery Basics, saying, “Do you know the tell-tale signs of an addictive relationship? This article reveals 7 signs.”

kenny mc bride presents The answers are easy, It’s the questions that are difficult! posted at Positive Thinking – A Realistic Approach.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of positive thinking
using our carnival submission form.

Post from: Widows Quest

Sheamus presents What Does It Mean To Live Well? posted at i am shéamus.

ananga presents The Simple Art of Anti-Stress Breathing posted at Ananga Sivyer’s Living by Design Blog, saying, “When stress feels normal we forget how to relax and we forget how to breathe. We get used to muscle pain and tension. We may develop mystery abdominal pains as we upset the balancing energies of our bodies, our sleep becomes disturbed and we find it hard to sit still and take life in.”

Lisa Spinelli presents The Psychology of Money: Low Self-Esteem is Like Driving Through Life With Your Hand-Brake On | Greener Pastures: Personal Finance posted at Greener Pastures: Personal Finance, saying, “Using visualization as a tool for improving self-esteem.”

Avani presents Faced any fears lately? « Food For Mind posted at Food For Mind.

Chris Edgar presents Learning To Let Life In posted at Purpose Power Coaching, saying, “Many of us, to protect ourselves from being hurt, have cut ourselves off from our ability to fully experience life. This gives living a predictable, unfulfilling quality. In this article, I talk about ways to restore our appreciation and awe for the world around us.”

Marcus presents 15677 Steps To Personal Discovery posted at Personal Development & Self Help, saying, “Sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone is a great way of gaining perspective on our lives and the things that go on around us everyday. This article describes a journey of self discovery I recently undertook.”

Ralph Jean-Paul presents How to Be Good at Everything posted at Potential 2 Success, saying, “Who are these people who seem to overachieve at everything they do and how can you become more like them? Learn the skills and mindset needed in order to become a well rounded, multi-talented overachiever.”

SJ Yee presents Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart, Thirty True Things You Need To Know Now posted at Personal Development for the Book Smart, saying, “There’s nothing to distract you from the hard-hitting heart-felt wisdom that Livingston dishes out generously in the form of 30 steadfast truths of life and how best to live it.”

David B. Bohl presents 5 Signs You?re a Pleaser and What to Do About It posted at Slow Down Fast Today!, saying, “Regardless of what people say, we all care about what others think about us – even on a small level.”

Glowing Face Man presents The Joys of Change posted at Glowing Face Man: Awaken the Badass Within, saying, “The deepest, most common fear is the fear of change. Enjoy this article about enjoying and embracing change.”

Andrew Heath presents To Take or Not to Take Medicine for Depression posted at Andy

  Powerful Living presents Powerfull Living » 10 Qualities That Foster Trust & Safety In Relationships posted at Powerfull Living, saying, “Learn the elements that improve relationships in all areas of your life”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of positive thinking
using our carnival submission form.

Post from: Widows Quest

However, when you think about it, a widow or widower is not alone in the world….they may have lost their partner but that doesn’t mean that you have to be alone. I have even been in relationships when I felt alone!

Key is to understand the difference between losing someone, missing someone and the reality of living in solitude. I know I felt that I didn’t want to see people, didn’t want to go out…but that was me exluding myself from the love of friends and family. I wasn’t…aren’t….alone. I am surrounded by people who love me and want me to live a long and happy life.

When you feel alone, remember that is missing the person you love. You are not alone, this blog for instance offers friendship to you all

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Post from: Widows Quest

 

Well, as humans we are not perfect…we will always make mistakes but the one thing that I think about -  is the love that we show others. When I look back I know he knew how much I loved him, I know that…..I also know there were times that I was short tempered or awkward, but those human frailties did not define our relationship. Love did.
I feel blessed, as I have loved. Life without ever having that feeling must feel very lonely. I may not have that person in my arms now, but I do have the memories and the love in my heart.

Mother Teresa said “It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters”

I know that I lived – and still do – with an unconditional love in my heart. So, do I have any regrets ?…No, because there were times when I showed human frailty, there were times when I failed to be the perfect human being however, there was never a time when I didn’t feel and give that love…

When you look back, remember death parts the bodies but love joins the souls and forgives the occasional human frailty.

Post from: Widows Quest

“The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.” 

I have learned that bereavement can help you become that complete person. It is during the hard times that you learn more about yourself and more about what is important to you as a person. I think a loved one dying can help you evolve into that complete person. Losing someone can help you in the following ways

• Make you think what is important to you and spend more time doing those things.
• Loss shows you the value of the relationships and how investing in them is so important.
• Having strong feelings makes you more empathetic to others feelings
• Love without hurt is wonderful, but love with hurt allows you to value the good things in life even more.
• A complete person has felt the wonder of life and the downsides. A complete person uses the experiences for the better and takes the learnings to improve their value to the world.

What do you think, can you be a complete person without hurt? Do you believe that hurt has made you a better person?

Post from: Widows Quest

The author Nathaniel Brandon was right – we need to be able to love ourselves, we need to be able to accept our flaws and enjoy our strengths. We can often feel alone, worthless but we are not either of those two things..we have value to bring to the world and our “humanness” is something that we should enjoy not fear.

In accepting ourselves, we make ourselves more “attractive” to other people. To find happiness again, we need to ensure that we enjoy hanging out with ourselves(!), we need to be comfortable to ensure other people are comfortable in our presence….other people’s company may not seem important at the moment, but that friendship will help you heal the pain and make you smile again.

Post from: Widows Quest

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that
person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet
a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide
you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally
or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient
time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship
to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you s ent up has been
answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn
has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you
must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to
accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use
in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind
but friendship is clairvoyant.

Post from: Widows Quest