Set Your Intention for A Great First Impression (By Madeline Frank)

When is the last time you consciously set out to make a fantastic first impression? We often think of first impressions as something we deploy for job interviews and first dates, however, your road to excellence and success (no matter how you define success) is paved with the conscious efforts of making a series of great impressions.

Recently, I was invited to speak to one of the largest and top performing real estate companies in Virginia. The audience was a mixture of seasoned pros and eager new representatives.

One exercise I frequently do with most audiences is I ask them to imagine they are about to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. They are some of the top musicians in the world, and are about to perform a symphony to a sold-out audience.

What do you think would happen if they took the stage wearing workout clothes instead of formal wear? Would that affect the audience's perception of them?

For tonight's performance, we are summoning the legendary Frank Sinatra. I have had the honor of personally playing with Frank Sinatra, and one element that the entire orchestra agreed upon was that he intentionally set out to make a staggeringly awesome first impression.

Frank Sinatra walked out on stage with a big smile on his face, standing tall and fit, wearing a black tuxedo that fit him to perfection. He made eye contact with his audience, making them feel as if he were singing to them in his living room and they were honored guests. The audience were mesmerized by Sinatra.

One success example that everyone could use in their world today is to simply smile and dress in clothes that fit you. Also, stand or sit tall, don't slouch.

Tap into your Internal "Wow"

I asked my audience to imagine that they had just sold a half million-dollar property. (and earned a nice commission since they are Realtors).

Every one of them stood with their shoulders back, they made direct eye contact, and they spoke with clear enthusiasm.

The way you carry yourself creates a picture in people's mind. Your prospects don't know if you have sold everything you've touched in the past 72 hours or if you feel like you couldn't close a ziplock bag at this moment... other than the way you present yourself.

Takeaway from this example: Practice carrying yourself in a confident manner.

Becoming a conscious complimenter.

One of the best illustrations of the power of compliments came from Dr. George W. Crane's psychology class at Northwestern University. Dr. Crane believed in the application of his teachings, not just in the memorization of his lessons.

He created the Compliment Club. Every day his students were to pay an honest compliment to each of three different persons... for 30 consecutive days. He also had the students journal the experiences.

Dr. Crane required the students write a theme paper about their experiences. He wanted them to note the changes they noted in the people around them, as well as how this experience altered their own outlook.

The students realized that by consciously complimenting others, they were motivated, encouraged, and inspired as well. Dr. Crane believed that appreciative words are the most powerful force for good on earth.

Everyone in life needs positive encouragement to help them grow, inspire and motivate them to succeed.

Take away: compliment 3 people every day for the next week and notice how your life improves.

You will also notice that the more you compliment, the better you will connect with others.

Everyone loves to talk about themselves. Asking the right questions of the people you encounter on a daily basis will deepen your relationship with them and will also help uncover a few "undercover customers".

No matter what your job, maintain a positive attitude, think taller, dress well, compliment someone every day, and journal what happens each day!

Training yourself to give honest compliments to others is a fabulous door opener for your success. By talking to people, you otherwise would not talk to, you will be expanding your circle and building new and stronger relationships.

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10 Little Steps to Happiness

What is happiness? Happiness doesn't mean being joyful or laughing all day long. Although happiness should be defined by each of us for ourselves, a general understanding of it could be having more good moments and memories than bad ones and having an overall feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment. So, how can we have more happy moments?

1. Give yourself permission. Give yourself permission to be happy. Many of us have the impression that we're not allowed to be happy, that we don't deserve it. Well, we're all WRONG! We ALL deserve to be happy, no matter what others say or even what we believe. And if you look deep inside you, you'll feel it in your gut. I am right. You DO deserve to be happy. So give yourself permission to be. Start enjoying that freedom. YOU CAN BE HAPPY.
2. Smile... even if you don't feel like it. Yes, smile as often as you can. If you are with people, they'll feel warmer and respond likewise. If you're alone, smile for at least 3 minutes and your brain will take it as a real smile and will start producing feel-good hormones and other chemicals.
3. Enjoy the now. Feeling bad about the past will not change it a bit and worrying about the future will not make you any more ready for whatever it is that finally happens. Hopelessness lives in the past, fear in the future. Choose the now and make an effort to live it. Only in the now can you truly be free.
4. Like yourself. Make a list of everything you like in yourself, no matter how small or big and remind yourself of all those traits a few times each day.
5. Love yourself. Every night, when you go to bed, devote a few minutes to just feel love for yourself. Thank yourself for anything good you did during the day and let the warmth of love fill you up. If that's too hard, close your eyes and look for the little child you once were and who still lives inside you and shower that kid with your love.
6. Flip it around. Somebody tells you something or does something you don't like? You might get angry, upset or feel ill-treated. Or you might turn it around by being original and choosing to interpret it as a wakeup call or as a funny situation. They called you something... choose to find it funny instead of offensive. They push you, ignore you or even talk about you... choose to consider it just a reminder that we are all humans and, as such, make mistakes. Love the humanity in those who upset you.
7. Dare yourself. Early in the morning dare yourself to do something unexpected or different throughout the day. Choose the action in the morning so you have the whole day to find the right moment to do it. You don't need to think of very difficult or adventurous plans but just something you wouldn't usually do, like going to a certain store or eating a new type of food.
8. Share love. Say something loving to one person (or more) today. You can say it out loud or in writing. You can even draw it or sing it.
9. Try new words. Are you one of those who often uses words such us... 'can't', 'don't know', 'never'... ? Why don't you try to use some easier ones like: 'don't feel like', 'would like to learn' or 'not in the habit of'... ? Or choose a positive or happy word you want to use today and try and apply it as often as you can. Be brave and imaginative with your words.
10. Count your blessings. Take a piece of paper and something you like to drink and sit comfortably maybe with some nice music in the background. Then write. Write a list of all and every blessing in your life. Start with the smallest ones: I'm alive... to the biggest ones you can feel. Don't leave anything out. Once you're done, leave the list on the table. Read it every morning during breakfast for a week.

Enjoy life... ALL of it,

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Handling Outrage Fatigue

Does the thought of reading or watching the news make you queasy? Have you begun to curse aloud while reading your social media feeds? Do you find yourself saying, "It can't possibly get worse," and then of course it does?

Many of us are suffering from outrage fatigue-too many days, weeks, and months in a row of seeing indiscrete, impolite, immoral and violent behavior everywhere we look. We access the news with feelings of fear and dread. We prepare for social engagements with preemptive antacids or headache remedies. The world is no longer what we remember or long for, and we are tired. Tired of OMG moments and feeling helpless. What can we do to stay sane and sound during these times?

Don't try to fix the whole world on your own. While it's true that one person can make a difference, you cannot solve all the problems around you single-handedly. Trying to work your day job, volunteer for every cause that touches your heart, and talk your silly relatives over to your side in politics is going to wear you out and make you bitter. You must prioritize the people and issues that make demands on your time and energy.

Ask yourself what causes and people are truly the most important to you. Consider your natural talents. Where will you make the most difference? Maybe you should run for office or start a charity, but maybe you need to spend more time providing the very best family game night ever known.

Learn to smile and nod. There has been a decline in civil discourse and critical thinking lately that is alarming. However, when you're fighting outrage fatigue putting more effort into defending your position with a logical argument is hardly relaxing. Don't get me wrong; I am all for well-considered, courteous, discussion and debate. Yet, there is something to be said for the old-fashioned art of politely and graciously changing the subject. Conversation feels like a vanishing art, but with a little practice you can relearn how to divert chit-chat from toxic subjects and give yourself a rest.

Take up some form of meditation. Wait, wait... before you push the woo-woo alarm. The business community, educational professionals and healthcare providers are all on the same page here. Learning to relax, controlling your breathing, and practicing mindfulness have all kinds of benefits. In addition to the well-documented benefits for concentration and general health, a mindfulness practice can give you a break from feeling outraged, whether that outrage is justified or not. The mental distance provided by meditation can help you to see solutions where you previously only saw roadblocks, and may help you to realize that the world perhaps has more decent people fighting the same good fight than you thought.

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How To Make Yourself Likable

Pleasing personality doesn't necessarily means that you have to be beautiful. You can be likable if you are sincere and treat other people with respect. in my field of work, I have noticed that people who frequently ask questions to a new acquaintance are often well-liked. By nature we are helpful. Most often than not, we always want to share what we know especially when someone appears to need our help, we are always there to extend any assistance they need and provide answers to their queries.

Other people do not like people who talk more. But this is quite the opposite. If you want to be liked, you need to be more open especially when you are in a foreign country. You have to be a good conversationalist. The secret is to be a wide reader and an effective listener. When you listen, you can easily find common grounds to talk with.

Moreover, over-communicating puts people at ease. But it's also important to pause once in a while to listen because likable people are always good listeners and are genuinely curious to learn new things. The best communicators talk and talk but still have time to listen for a response. That makes them more likable.

A no-strings-attached approach to helping others also makes you more likable. Never expect anything in return. Make sure that you are really sincere because those who help just to be liked always reveal a manipulative trait. However, this is easier said than done. It requires a lot of effort. When you do, you will find that more people will like you.

It's hard to hate someone who has a carefree approach to life. Usually, the most-liked people are those that can fill a room with laughter. Those people who are easy to be with and who can laugh despite the odds of life. It might not be in your nature to joke around but make sure you are ready to see the humor in something. Even if sometimes, the joke is already off the belt, just don't take it seriously. Be someone who can laugh easily and smile often. By doing this, you will win people over.

It's better to see the real picture in life instead of the ideal. Oftentimes, the serious people are essentially acting selfish because they focus too much on their personal issues without realizing that highly likable people at work are those people who can set aside their issues and go with the flow. They are not selfish.

Admitting weaknesses makes you more likable. You are after all a human being who is subject to some imperfections!

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Smile a Camouflage of Joy And Misery

What is seen is a reality, but not the truth. This statement has volumes of facts camouflage in a smile. Realities establish the facts and phenomenon, but the truth becomes the prefix of reality. People in every walk of life experience upheaval passing through roller coaster of happening within their lifespan. The events are either happy and joyous or misery and hurting. The depth of joy and pain are important and relevant to the relationship of affected persons. The consequential events are directly proportional to the individual's relationship and circumstances of happenings. It is essential to dive deep into the reasons that lead to the core concept and the ground reality of happenings.

Those who learnt the art of reading smiles understand the facts that various forms of smile reflect different meanings. The reality and truth of smiles both subjectively and objectively indicate the personality of a person. Why it is important that people smile to show their status of happiness or sorrow. It is not totally in people's control to show or hide their feelings and emotions. The reason which is debatable is that it hurts an individual more when he covers up his grieve and pain by smiling in-front of those hurt them most. Sometimes it is just by compulsion and sometimes deliberations to expose their hidden emotions and feelings distinctly.

Anthony Euwer an American poet, admired by former US President Woodrow Wilson, has beautifully penned down the following Stanza:

"No matter how grouchy you're feeling,

You'll find the smile healing.

It grows in a wreath,

All around the front teeth

Thus, preserving the face from congealing."

If you analyze the logic and reasoning behind smile when you meet another person face to face, it would show the truth behind the reality of smile. It is said that, "The part of the brain responsible for mirroring is called the inferior frontal gyrus, which sits above your temple towards the forehead. There are many reasons and causes of smile, however, the observer should take into considerations of the persons involved and prevailing circumstances. This "emotional mirroring" is one theory of emotional perception and the subject of much psychological research. And, like all body systems, things can go awry.

It is safely deducing that you may not arrive at the conclusion substantially, yet the line of reasoning and evidence distinctly point in the direction of facts and phenomenon. It is, therefore, established that facts and the phenomenon will be revealed no matter how much you suppress them or conceal them behind façade of deception and ignorance. There are many adjectives added to the word, a smile which is appropriately coined as idioms to deceptive smiles. The study of smiles is a part of gelotology, psychology, and linguistics. And it may be good to know that scientific word for a "real smile" is "Duchenne Smile" which is named after physician Guillaume Duchenne who first recognized the muscles involved with this smile.

It is proven beyond reasonable doubt that forced smiles have convincing reasons to establish its sanctity within the context and meaning. It is written that forced smile works, because the smile is as disingenuous as the "crocodile tears." The tears aren't coming from real sadness; this smile isn't coming from true happiness. Regardless of motive, the smile is not a reflection of how the smiling person feels.

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How to Maintain a Positive Attitude To Be Happier

1. Have a Daily Routine. The way you start your day matters a lot. Ensure that you have a daily routine that puts you in a good mood so you can start your day off right.

2. Carry an Attitude of Happiness With You. Instead of waiting for external things that make you happy, be happy and then see how that affects things that happen around you. That is, instead of telling yourself that the first good something has to happen, and then you will be happy, be happy first. It will make you develop a positive attitude.

3. Smiling Give You The Power Of Positive Thoughts. Try to smile for a minute while you think about a happy memory or the last thing that made you smile. The body releases endorphins and serotonin, also known as the healthy hormones when you smile. It is much easier to feel the life when chemicals that are released by your body are conducive to you well-being.

4. Think positively. Read books with positive thoughts, listen to music with uplifting lyrics, and watch movies where that will make you have positive thoughts. You can change your negative attitude by uploading as much positivity in your brain as you possibly can.

5. Take Responsibility. At any time, your positive attitude can be a victim or a creator. The first step you should take is to take responsibility.

6. Be proactive. An active person develops to recognize social skills because he or she allows external events or others to influence how they feel. An active person decides how they will feel no matter what they may be passing through. Be proactive by choosing your attitude and managing it throughout the day.

7. Change your Thoughts. When you change your thoughts, you will develop a more positive while negative attitude leads to negative thoughts. Changing your attitude is easy on what you are thinking and choosing to think differently.

8. Have a Purpose. Create purpose in life gives you a positive thought, so you can stand firm in the midst of the vicissitudes and challenges of life. It brings purpose and meaning to your life, if you know your purpose, it will go a long way in your nice personality development.

9. Concentrate on the Good Things. To have a positive attitude, concentrate on the good. Concentrate on the good in yourself, the good in others, and the good in your life.

10. Stop Thinking that Life is Easy. The truth is that life is not easy sometimes. It may even be painful. But if you develop positive thought you can take it. We know that sometimes things will not be easy, and thoughts toward good things that would make you adapt to it and believe that thing will be better

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Embracing Positivity in Darker Days

The turmoil of each day is so overwhelming and hindering us to see the light at the end of tunnel. Imagine how hard it can be to smile when you see your toddler being admitted for a brain surgery operation. Perhaps, how it is so hard to find hope when a loved one lay on a hospital bed and losing hair to chemo. How can you find the reason to face another day when you find yourself in situation like that?

We might all wonder why life can be treating us like that. Sometimes, we just hit rock bottom and it feels like the boat is on its way to sinking. We find ourselves in terrible situations where we feel there is no way out. The question you might ask yourself in such hard times might be " How can I focus on the positives when all hell has broken loose?"

So I wonder how can we find and embrace the positives than focusing on the troubles the day brings. Perhaps, a next-door neighbour comes with a tray of baked flapjacks or cupcakes when you have just lost a loved one. It isn't the cupcakes which you appreciate but the thought of them thinking about you in such a tough time. Let's say your daughter makes you a cardboard card with drawings and stickers of flowers, babies and stars wishing you a speedy recovery as you lay restlessly on your hospital bed.

What am I trying to say?

Embrace the good and positive things that happen everyday. When you in the habit of noticing the small things like receiving a tray of cupcakes from a neighbour and being grateful, you will find yourself in a better state. Those positive things can take you by surprise and has power to wipe the not-so-nice things in your memory. Of course, it won't take away the cancer from your body but when we embrace positivity in the darker times of our life, we can pass through them with hope.

Life will always be filled with horrible things that when we focus on them in our minds, we become depressed. Situations, illnesses or horrific experiences can rob us our happiness. But we can choose to focus on the brighter side, we will find ourselves gaining hope that has been long-lost.

Remember, each day we have to make decisions on whether embrace the good things or focus on the negatives. When you choose to not let the circumstances dictate how you see life, you will find that you will adopt a positive attitude. There is always something to make you smile or make you feel that life is totally worth to live. Choose to embrace the good thing in your live. The gift of life each day can been something to focus on. The family or neighbours can be something you can be grateful of. Life is too short to focus on the negatives.

Hope will be the cornerstone of survival in your darker days. Never underestimate the power of positivity. Every situation has its positives.

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Why We Should Be Thankful in Life

Gratitude is one of the many stepping stones on the road to happiness. It is one of those virtues, that if you cultivate today, it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Gratitude is not just about being grateful for what you have, it is in fact about being able to appreciate the good in life and being able to turn around the bad so that it doesn't dampen your spirits.

Gratitude as a virtue can act as a shield if you let it, and it will protect you from all the bad in the world because once it is a part of who you are, no matter how much someone or something tries to upset you, you will be able to put it into perspective and lead a happy life without wallowing.

Here are some examples of how gratitude can help you and those around you- 

If you've had a bad day at work and now you're forced to sit in a grey, cold conference room to attend some meeting. You can immediately start looking for something good in there, like the view outside the room, or lovely colleagues. This thank you that you send out will return to you by making you feel warm and happy.

Even a simple thank you can work wonders. If you're going shopping to some market and a vendor hands out a bag of fruits to you. Stop for a second and thank him/her like you really mean it. See how that smile will infectiously spread on their face too. You didn't even have to do anything big. A simple thanks will now have a ripple effect for the rest of the day.

Compliment someone on something. It doesn't matter whether the compliment is big or small; what matters is whether you really mean it. It is important to understand that if we really mean the things we say or do, our behaviour will communicate that message to the people around us. That compliment you make might earn you a compliment in return, get you a new friend, or just give you the joy of making someone's day special.

So how can you cultivate the practice of gratitude in your life?

Gratitude journal- studies suggest that if you write things down, the effect goes deeper than skin. Note down about five things you are grateful for, every day and see how much positivity that creates.

Write a letter- if someone has done something good for you, even if it was a very long time ago, write them a letter thanking them for whatever it is that they did and how much it is appreciated by you. This might open doors to new rekindled friendship for you.

Learn from your mistakes- When faced with a bad situation, ask yourself what you can do about it. What it is that you can learn from what happened and ensure it doesn't happen again.

Smile- here is one of the simplest solutions. When you answer a call, smile. It will reflect in your voice and the other person might enjoy talking to you.

Gratitude is very important if you want to lead a peaceful and happy life.

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The Magic in Your Smile

When was the last time you allowed a beautiful memory to keep a truly good smile on your face? One of the things you should press to do and keep daily is your smile. You'll be amazed to know what keeping a smile on your face is already helping you have.

Dale Carnegie mentioned that "the expression one wears on one's face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one's back". You could not agree less with the words in this quote.

Ever wondered why most people never seem to be aging? What makes you feel more relaxed with some people and not others? How did you feel that day you had a sour morning and your colleague beamed a smile at you? A smile is the cutest thing anywhere in the world.

In a Swedish study, subjects were shown pictures of several emotions: joy, anger, fear and surprise. When the picture of someone smiling was presented, the researchers asked the subjects to frown. Instead, they found that the facial expressions went directly to imitation of what subjects saw. It took conscious effort to turn that smile upside down. So if you're smiling at someone, it's likely they can't help but smile back. If they don't, they're simply making a conscious effort not to.

A smile has special powers and you need to believe that! It can quickly calm fear, insecurity, hurt and anxiety, not only in your self but in the lives of everyone else experiencing those feelings.

Smiles are contagious! Give it to the world and you'll get it right back.

You can make a difference in your life and in the lives of others simply by smiling. Have a look at this, each time you smile at a person, their brain coaxes them to return the favor. You are creating a symbiotic relationship that allows both of you to release chemicals that make you feel good in your brain, activate reward centers, make you both more attractive and increase the chances of you both living longer, healthier lives.

Again it is of utmost importance to know and remember that it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown. Nobody wants to have wrinkles, so ensure somehow that your smile stays on your face.

It'll amaze you to know that smiling is a key for establishing healthy and genuine friendships. A smile from a person to you indicates that they like you. Your smile also can also offer encouragement to the people you meet and talk with.

Do you want to make a lasting and beautiful first impression? Smile. You look better when you smile, people treat you differently and you're viewed as attractive, reliable, relaxed and sincere. Attempt thinking of a beautiful memory and put on that beauty you got.

Make it a priority to smile. Attempt to make it a new decision today.

Smile... The world is so much better when you do.

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How To Create Happiness From Within And Live The Life You Want

How can one create happiness? Is it a tough question? To some who think they can buy happiness it may be, however not to those of us who know happiness within is where it begins to reflect into your material world.

Happiness within resembles a ray of sunshine which warms us and keeps us glowing.

We can't live without it and if you believe that happiness within yourself is a phrase found in your old-fashioned encyclopedia, reconsider as here are some basic pointers on ways to use that key to happiness to unlock the door where the ray of state of happiness may shine forth in your life.

The Course in Miracles teaches that, "You are a mirror of truth, in which God Himself shines in perfect light."

- 1. Smile most often

What much easier method is there to uncover happiness within than smiling often?

A smile a day maintains a state of happiness and keeps all nasty sensations away.

- 2. Positive Outlook

Begin finding ways to illuminate and glow if you are always sad and down believing you will always be the born loser.

Being more right-minded with optimistic outlook is something you need to do to keep the pleased hormones and vibes around you.

Axe away all that downhearted stinking thinking with a state of happiness within.

- 3. Speak to your friends with a great attitude

Too much stress drives and hurts happiness away. The next time you feel like your world is crashing hop on over to your good friend's crib for a cosy chat.

- 4. Do What You Love

I agree that not everyone is lucky enough to go after what we enjoy however you can still do exactly what you like in your extra time.

Hobbies are one area where you can get much elation doing exactly what you love.

The Course in Miracles asks us, "Have you really considered how many opportunities you have had to gladden yourself, and how many of them you have refused?"

Just remember, if we are serious, we all can discover happiness within.

Never say that happiness is a word you can just dream of finding.

Go for more than happy and create happiness from your inner world and reflect it outwardly to live a life you want!

What simpler method is there to unlock happiness with key to happiness called smiling?

Being upbeat, honest and truthful with your inner self is something you have to do to keep the delighted mindful agents and attraction principles working on your side to get the life you want.

Too much tension and wrong-mindedness drives and hurts joy and inner peace away.

To happiness giving you the life you want!

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The Law of Intention (By Don McCoy)

Intention

Noun in•ten•tion in-ten(t)-shen

1. an act or instance of determining mentally uponsome action or result.

2. the end or object intended; purpose.

I sat in my car, having just pulled into the Trader Joe's parking lot. I just needed to go in to pick up a few things. Sitting there I weighed my emotions and what thoughts I was having. I understood that how I was feeling and what I was thinking would determine my experience while in the store.

I could walk in with the basic intention of picking up the items I needed, make some inconsequential small talk with the check-out person and leave. Or, I could set my intention to have a more pleasant experience.

How do I do this?

How can changing my intention change my experience in my daily life?

I can talk about meditative practices that would bring about peace and tranquility to those that practice daily. I can talk about holistic retreats and monasteries that foster tranquility and reverence for life.

But I'm not going to.

I'm back sitting in my car, some metal music playing on the radio and I'm feeling a bit indifferent. So, there is a simple practice that always turns things around for me. There is something that I do when I am feeling indifferent, or sad, or even angry, that changes my outlook and then changes my intention.

I smile.

First internally, I'm still sitting in the car looking at the shoppers walking into Trader Joe's. Some have their head down, a scowl on their face. Some walk in with what appears to be a purpose similar to what I described earlier; get in, and get out as quickly as possible.

So, I smile and open the door to my car and walk into the store. The smile never leaves my face. It's a subtle smile, not the shit-eaten grin of a slightly deranged person. Each person I make eye contact with I smile. Most smile back. Some even say hello, or even engage in small-talk with me.

So, what is the biology behind a smile?

A smile begins in our sensory corridors. When we hear a whispered kind word, our eyes notice an old friend at the store. Or our hand feels the warmth of another's hand, this emotional data funnels into the brain. It leaves the left anterior temporal region, then rises to the surface of the face, where two muscles, are ordered to action: Residing in the cheek is the zygomatic major, which tugs the lips upward, and encircling the eye socket is the orbicularis oculi, which squeezes the outside corners creating laugh lines or crow's feet on our face. The entire event is very brief - usually lasting from two-thirds of a second to four seconds - and those who witness it often respond by mirroring the action, and smiling back.

So the unintentional display of a smile is contagious. When we see another person smile, we often cannot help but smile back. So what if we create an intentional smile. It may start out as a fake representation. Maybe our moods are not the happiest sitting there in the parking lot. Maybe we had a bad day at work, or got into a fight with a loved one.

This is where the law of intention comes into play;

"Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment... intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality have infinite organizing power. And when we introduce an intention in the fertile ground of pure potentiality, we put this infinite organizing power to work for us. __ Depak Chopra.

An amazing thing happens when we choose to smile even when we really aren't feeling it. The moment another person sees you smile at them, they invariably smile back. That instant and often involuntary response changes your thought pattern. Someone smiled at you! Your smile stays on your face a few seconds more. Maybe someone else smiles at you again...

What that little gesture has on the small society inside of that Trader Joe's is nothing short of a miracle. Someone else had a bad day. You chose to enter the store with a smile on your face. The person witnesses that and smiles back. Quite possibly this small and seemingly insignificant event could change how they feel and view their day from then on. Now, multiply this by all the people they meet.

I was told something many decades ago.

We have the opportunity to change the world at least once every day.

What if that smile was a singular event that carried to hundreds of people, even thousands of people, effectively changing their view of life and themselves?

We do not often see the results of our actions, of our emotions on others. But a smile.

A smile is free and priceless.

Try one on for size next time you are sitting in the car in the parking lot. Or anywhere else.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Law-of-Intention&id=9613941

Social Skills That Will Help You Become Accepted And Admired

It is everyone's true desire to be accepted and admired. Being accepted and Admired is entirely up to you. All it takes is the ability to pick up a few significant social skills that help build emotional awareness. There are some noteworthy social skills that can be learned quite quickly.

Below is a list of several ways you can become more accepted and admired and become the most likable person in the room.

1. When first meeting someone for the first time you will want to make eye contact. This may sound like a simple thing to do but so many fail miserably at doing it. This remains one of the most impactful mistakes a person can make when conversing with someone. When you are able to look a person in the eyes it shows that you are full of confidence and poised. You will want to implement this skill immediately. Just know that it requires no training or special talent. It just takes the commitment to look a person in the eyes while conversing with them.

2. After looking the person in the eyes you want to give them a firm handshake. You don't want to crush their hand, but you want them to know that you are a person of substance. You don't want to want to wimp out by shaking hands with a limp and feeble handshake. Research shows that people decide whether or not they like you within several seconds of meeting you. A firm handshake contributes largely to that first impression, as does a strong carriage and confident body language.

3. Hey, don't forget to give the other person that bright warm smile along with the first two skills I just covered. It is OK to laugh and tell jokes for the most part. Most people unconsciously mirror the people they are communicating with. If you want to be accepted and admired, try using positive body language. What you put out is usually what you get back in return.

4. Rule of thumb; cut your cell phone off and put it away. There is nothing ruder than a person constantly looking down at their cell phone while you are trying to converse with them. It would be to your best interest to keep your phone put away until after your meeting is over. For those that don't know, that's just plain common courtesy. Once again, this requires no training or special talent to do.

5. If you want to gain positive points with the person that you are conversing with, you will want to call them by name. Everyone wants to go where everyone knows their name. If nothing else, you may want to write this one down and don't forget it. So, the next time when someone uses your name or uses your name during a conversation, think back and remember just how good it felt when they did it. Now, if you have trouble remembering peoples names you might want to use a trick I use when first meeting people. I try to write their name down on something and I try to use their name as many times as I can when I first meet them. This helps me remember their name right away.

6. Finally, you want to actively listen to the person you are conversing with. Simply hearing words doesn't make the grade. People that want to be accepted and admired should learn the forgotten art of listening. Most people are thinking about what they are going to say before the other person has finished speaking. This is why people cut off a person while they are talking. By you doing such a thing shows that you are very disrespectful and unconcerned with what the other person is saying.

Active listening consists of several steps: The first step would be hearing the person you are conversing with. The second step to listening would be to interpret what the other person is saying without interrupting them. The third step would be evaluating what was said by the other person. The last step would be waiting for the right time to respond to what the other person has said.

Now you are armed with the vital information that the pros are armed with. These skills are learnable and coachable. It does not take a brain scientist to follow any of these steps mentioned in this article but the willingness to execute them.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Social-Skills-That-Will-Help-You-Become-Accepted-And-Admired&id=9872728

How to Give a Winning First Impression Now

How to give a winning first impression now and every time can be learned. Here are 5 "how to" tips to give a positive first impression.

When it comes to modern-day society and life, whether you are in a business meeting or a social encounter, your very first impression is incredibly important.

When people first meet you, they will judge and remember you by that mental picture they take.

Many people make first impression mistakes without even knowing it. In this post, we share five key how to tips to help you give a winning first impression now.

Tip #1: Give a Winning First Impression Start With a Smile 

The very first thing you should do to make people comfortable around you is to smile.

A smile takes away tension. It tells other people that you are happy. Smiles help people feel comfortable. Smiles are contagious!

Smiling exudes self-confidence. So when you first meet someone, smile.

Tip #2: Dress for the Occasion 

The second way to give a winning first impression is to dress for the occasion.

You do not have to go out and buy the latest, most expensive, designer clothes. The price of your clothing does not really matter.

When it comes to making a first impression at work, for example, you don't want to overdo your look. But you also don't want to look sloppy. The clothing you wear reflects your personality. How you dress will impact how people perceive you.

Tip #3: Use The Other Person's Name But Don't Overdo It 

To give a winning first impression, be careful not to overuse someone's name.

This is not suggesting you not repeat someone's first name. Addressing someone by name after introductions is actually a good thing to do; especially if it is uncommon to you. What we are saying is do not over do it.

Tip #4: Be a Great Listener 

The fourth thing you can do that will help you with how to give a winning first impression is to be a great listener.

Being an active listener is a skill. However, it is a wonderful skill when it comes to meeting people and getting them to like you.

Why?

Because most people like to talk about themselves. Their interest is in what they have to say.

As a great listener your task is getting the new person to elaborate on their interests. Their personal opinions will make them feel more comfortable around you.

Active listening tips include giving short comments like, "Oh interesting" or "I agree".

Bonding during the first few minutes of interaction will make people like you more.

Tip #5: Let Other People be the Center of Attraction 

The fifth suggestion on how to give a winning first impression is let other people be the center of attention.

In making a good first impression at work, let the other person understand and feel as if they are more important. Do not dominate the conversation. Do a lot of listening. Do not talk about yourself unless asked. This may seem like a different technique but it works wonders in the world of business as well as meeting people in your after-work life.

Throughout your day-to-day activities knowing how to give a winning first impression is integral when it comes to having relationships, making new friends, job interviews, and getting along with other people.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Give-a-Winning-First-Impression-Now&id=9842344

Why Making Others Happy Can Make You Happy

When people feel happy, they experience positive feelings which they attribute as being something good.

But when people make someone other than themselves happy, it amplifies those positive feelings even bigger, more and further.

That's why people feel great about themselves and are inherently fulfilled when they know they have made a positive difference to someone's lives.

In fact, if you are ever feeling down yourself, one way to bring yourself up is to find ways to make others happy. This will give you an emotional boost you need.

When you strive to make others happy, they notice. They will have a boost in their mood which you will see that reaction in their face immediately. Sometimes, this random act of kindness may somehow return to you immediately or sometime in the future.

The great part about making others happy is it is relatively easy to do.

It can be as simple as giving someone a genuine compliment. Or it can be volunteering to help out your colleague whose workload is overextended. Sometimes, simply expressing your appreciation to someone can uplift their spirits no matter how small the task that you are thanking them for is.

One really easy way to make people happy is to smile.

Smiling is a warm and friendly act that most people will respond to positively by smiling back. A smile is a form of welcoming and shows that you are opening yourself up to those people. It gives people an invitation to approach you.

Another way to make someone happy is to actively listen to them. You would be amazed at how effective this is.

Most people aren't good listeners because they tend to wait for the silent moment so that they themselves can talk and express their opinions. However, if you can stand out from the crowd and be a fantastic listener, they will fall in love with spending time with you as hanging out with you makes them feel happy.

If you want to go a step further in making others happy, try to learn more deeply about the people whom you want to make happy.

Be curious and interested in what they do. Then, if you see something related to their interests, either bring it to their attention or relate to them with your experience about that thing so that both of you are connecting in an emotional expressive level.

Of course, you should never use these skills to manipulate, trick or deceive people in order to make them happy. This type of malicious intention will be caught (especially by the intuitive sociable people) and hurt you and your reputation very quickly.

People will appreciate you much more and will respond positively to your efforts to make them happy instead of trying to get something out of it for yourself. And when you do it in a value-giving, non-needy, generous way, they will more likely to reciprocate and do awesome things for you to make you happy.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Making-Others-Happy-Can-Make-You-Happy&id=9536041

Can You "Force" Yourself Into Happiness?

Here's the scenario:

#1 Your boss has been bugging you for an entire week to get that presentation done.

#2 You discover that one of your kids has caused some trouble in school and he was sent to a detention class by the teacher.

#3 Your washing machine and refrigerator have broken simultaneously and it's going to cost several thousands of dollars to fix.

You can add a few more incidents if you want.

The point is when these are conditions happen, concurrently or separately, they probably aren't going to make you happy.

However, a better question is, can you actually make yourself happy just by changing how you think?

There's plenty of evidence to support that you can indeed force yourself to be happy.

In fact, it's been scientifically proven that by forcing yourself to smile for just 2 minutes, there's a radical shift in your chemistry and psychology, which can be the catalyst for the turnaround.

While it won't make all the day-to-day problems disappear, it will surely help make life easier.

One way to reinforce this happiness is to focus your thinking on all the things you have in life, rather than those transient problems.

Those problems will eventually go away.

You will finish your boss's presentation and he'll leave you for peace (for a minute maybe).

You will work with your kid that is having trouble and get him some extra help.

You will find the money required to fix the home appliances and they will run smoothly again.

If you can picture those positive outcomes, the actual problems themselves will become less important.

Set up a vision of what it's like to be happy and your brain will work to help you get there.

When you are happy, the people whom you work with or live with will naturally pick up your mood and they will be positively affected.

Of course, there are certain times when no matter how hard you try, you simply can't get past feeling a bit de-motivated.

In those instances, it's always better to talk to friends and family.

Sometimes, just having someone listening to you can shift your mood around. A few of those people may even give you some constructive advice on how to solve the problems you are facing and this can help you lighten the burden, which eventually set you up for happiness and other positive emotions.

Another way to make yourself more happy is to take a break once in a while.

Spend some time in solitude and nature. Read an inspirational book. Go for a mini vacation with your family and kids.

People need to realize the importance of recharging themselves and getting away from the usual routines. It lets you see life from a different perspective and allows you to think more clearly and broadly.

This can be all that is needed to break through tough challenges and negative situations so that you are relieved and can go back to experience your default setting of happiness.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Can-You-Force-Yourself-Into-Happiness?&id=9531553

16 Tips to Brighten Up a Dark Day

There are a great deal of things that can darken your day. Maybe storm clouds are covering up the sun or you simply learned that your son needs braces that will cost more than your last automobile. If you need fast relief, have a look at these fast and easy treats for your body and mind.

Quick Ways to Brighten up Your Mind

1. Count your blessings. Cultivating appreciation makes you happier. Draw up a long list of things that you're grateful for and post it someplace where you can see it throughout the day. Tell somebody how much they mean to you.

2. Hang out with good friends. Connect with others. Invite a bunch of friends over to view a movie and eat popcorn.

3. Volunteer in your neighborhood. Support a deserving cause while you take your mind off your problems. Pull weeds for elderly neighbors or do fundraising work for a local charity.

4. Invest in others. Studies show that money can purchase joy when you invest it in others. Surprise your mom with a heated mattress pad to help her sleep. Or, go to your local fast food restaurant and buy some meals for any of the homeless in your area. Trust me, that alone will brighten your day fast!

5. Head outside. Experiencing nature raises our spirits. Have a nice picnic lunch in the park.

6. Learn a new skill. Adding to your achievements offers lasting fulfillment. Sign up for an online course or ask your next-door neighbor to show you how they keep their yard so green.

7. Laugh aloud. Smile wide and think of something that makes you want to chuckle. Watch funny cat videos on YouTube or think about the funny thing that took place at your kid's school play.

8. Listen to some positive music. Positive music is contagious. Put together a playlist of songs that make you want to dance and be joyful. Sing along with the band and notice how happy you begin to feel.

9. Pet your dog if you have one. Your dog is an excellent role model for teaching you how to put aside your cares and just live in the moment. Let him or her cheer you up when you're feeling blue.

Quick Ways to Brighten up Your Body.

1. Breathe deeply. Breathing has an effect on how you feel. Focus on the flow of oxygen going into and leaving one nostril. Follow your breath down through your throat and chest. Feel your stomach rise and fall.

2. Lower your shoulders. Scan yourself from head to toe. Open up any areas of tightness and tension. Draw your shoulders back and down.

3. Massage your feet. You may be cranky because your shoes have actually been pinching your feet. Kick them off and dip your toes into a tub of warm water. Dry off and roll a tennis ball around under your arches.

4. Try aromatherapy. Choose an invigorating fragrance like grapefruit or peppermint. If you're agitated, select relaxing lavender or sandalwood.

5. Move around. Exercise is a natural and advantageous stimulant. Accelerate your heart beat with some laps around the track or ten minutes on an inclined treadmill. You might even play a game of catch with your children.

6. Stretch out. Want a yoga pose that will perk you up? Sun salutations will do the job. To calm down, rest on your back and extend your legs straight up against a wall.

7. Rest. On the other hand, maybe you're dragging because you need more rest. Take a short nap and go to bed early so you'll be bright-eyed and fresh tomorrow.

Some days are gloomier than others, but you can be prepared for conflicts and difficulties. Utilize these pick-me-ups or develop your very own techniques that keep you smiling and content no matter what's going on around you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?16-Tips-to-Brighten-Up-a-Dark-Day&id=9449313

Messages of Hope: Penguins, Blankets and Smiles

With all the shootings, wars, and violence in the world, not to mention the heat of the our current political environment, it's easy to lose sight of the good.

Yet good there is, always. Good people striving to make the world a better place regardless of the turmoil of the moment.

Two stunning examples come to mind:

Weighted blankets - blankets that weigh 10% of the person's body weight, made of what looks like small bean bags sewn together. For reasons science can't yet figure out, these blankets are helping vets with PTSD and who are suffering from horrendous nightmares, children with autism and other sensory disorders, and elderly persons with insomnia all get a good night's sleep.

Middle-schoolers in Connecticut came to the rescue of a penguin with an injured leg. They first made a 3D printed "boot" (which looks like a wide band just above its left foot) with the help of ACT, a 3D systems partner (and the support of their local aquarium). Then they constructed an even lighter-weight boot on their recently acquired high-school's 3D printer allowing the beleaguered penguin more mobility.

These innovations may be beyond some of our ability to create (certainly way beyond what I could come up with!), but there are a multitude of ways to make the world we live in a better place; ways that take little time, little or no money at all, just a moment's thought.

For example, smile. Smile at a stranger, smile at your spouse, smile at your dog/cat, smile at your boss, smile at a co-worker, smile at the barista, smile at whoever crosses your path. For no good reason. Not because they did anything special, just because a smile is such an easy gift to give and receive.

Oh, once in a while there will be someone who's too deeply mired in a private sorrow or difficulty to receive your smile, but that doesn't matter. Somewhere within them it may resonate, and if it doesn't, nothing lost on your end.

Say "thank you." A lot. Often. Not just because someone did something especially nice for you, but just 'cause. Like thanking the cashier for bagging your items. Or your teenager for taking out the trash (it doesn't matter that you had to remind her 15 times, thank her anyway). Or your spouse for giving you the opportunity to chill for a few minutes before diving in to the evening's chores. Or the flight attendant as you get off the plane. Or anyone else in your vicinity.

People love to be appreciated, and there's far too little appreciation that comes our way in any given day. Be an appreciator! Your every message of hope and good matters.

Go for the gold, combine your thanks with a smile, and you will indeed have made the world a better place--if only by reminding yourself and others, how good this amazing thing called "life on planet Earth" really can be.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Messages-of-Hope:-Penguins,-Blankets-and-Smiles&id=9513040

Yes, Happiness Really Is Just A Decision Away

People used to say to me "Happiness is a choice." Somewhere in me I knew they were right but somehow I couldn't get it, and I continued to look for happiness outside of myself.

That message eventually found its way into my heart and I realised what I was doing to keep happiness at arms-length. And I was ready to make the necessary changes.

We all know the power of the 'word' particular those words we speak to or about our self. As I listened to what others were saying I realised how much they were holding themselves back from the happiness they were desperately looking for.

As I reflected this back to myself I could see clearly how I too was keeping happiness at bay through my powerful self talk. I heard myself saying things like: When I finish my book, then I'll be happy. When I open my practice then I'll be happy. When I have such and such amount of money then I'll be happy. When I pay off my bank-card or when I 'm out of debt then I'll be happy. When I know my purpose, then I'll be happy. And so the list of When I, then I, goes on and on.

Those things I said were like throw away lines; off the cuff remarks. I really didn't give those comments the time of day. I wish I had, because I now know there is no such thing as a self remark or a joke or a criticism made to one self that passes by. Our unconscious mind is like a sponge and we sill soak up these comments even if we say them quietly to our self.

In time, these thoughts or comments become a part of our unconscious programming or beliefs and we live believing that we have to do something, or achieve something. We think must have, or we must own something in order to be happy. I'm not saying that we don't become happy when we achieve some of those things but I noticed that the sense of happiness soon wore off and very quickly I was looking for something else to fill the void.

What I was really telling myself and then believing was 'I can't be happy until... ' And as I believed so it was, and happiness remained somewhere down the track - until I made some new choices. Whether I was referring to material possessions or personal achievements or that perfect relationship, I was always relying on something out-side of myself to give me pleasure or happiness. I kept that happiness in the future because words like 'when' and 'then' refer to a time in the future.

And how often I have heard parents say things like: When my kids go to school, then I'll be happy, when my kids go Uni, then I'll be happy. When my kids pass their exams, then I'll be happy. When my kids get their own car, then I'll be happy. When my kids can fend for them self, then I'll be happy. When my kids get their first house, then I'll be happy. And the worse of all: When my kids are happy then I'll be happy. When I know my kids are safe, then I'll be happy. And again the list of 'when I, then I' goes on and on. How will we ever be sure that our kids are safe? The only thing we can be sure of is the longer we keep putting off being happy until, the more unlikely we are to experience real happiness.

I worked with a woman; a single Mum who was so concerned about her kids that her only prayer day after day was for their safety and health. Every day she would declare out-loud: "God, all I want is to see my kids grow up safe, fit and healthy." Her prayers were answered and by the time her kids were in their early twenties they were fit and healthy. However, at forty this woman discovered that she had cancer. Was this a coincidence, or could it have been the works that came from her words All I want - which referred only to her kids. I wonder what might have happened if she had included herself in the equation and said something like "Thank you for keeping my family and I safe and well protected, happy and healthy" And with that having been said on a daily basis surely we can stand strong in faith that it is being done.

So how did I change things around? First I had to look at what my perception of happiness was. Maybe it was time to shift my perception? I was open to seeing happiness in a new light. I began speaking and declaring in present tense. I found that affirming every day thank you I AM HAPPY - as if I AM already - my unconscious mind soaked it up like a sponge and for what seemed like no apparent reason I became happy.

I made my self smile as often as I could, no matter what. I anchored a smile to my heart. This means that every time I 'think' of my heart, I smile. And every time smile, I think with my heart.

Who would have thought that a simple change in my thinking and my 'self talk' would change my life? My old habitual 'self talk' left me always wanting. My new 'self talk' created a new and positive habit which overcame me and became me. And with this new found sense of happiness I attracted into my world events, people, and material possessions which enhanced that happiness. However, I didn't rely on it to sustain happiness. Once the 'thing' passed, I found those feelings or basic foundations of being happy were still present, keeping the cycle of happiness flowing and the highs and lows to a minimum.

I did eventually learn that, no matter what I can choose to be happy NOW, not when. I can choose to wake up happy and go to bed happy. Happiness is a choice, or at least a decision. Yes it took a lot of affirming and confirming but I assure you, as you are willing to Be Happy Now, happiness will over-come you and become you, allowing you to now see your world through the eyes of happiness, what-ever happiness is for you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Yes,-Happiness-Really-Is-Just-A-Decision-Away&id=9495043

It's Okay to Not Always Be Happy

People are often told to smile or made to believe it's unacceptable to experience uncomfortable emotions. For women, a bad day is maybe blamed on PMS, or menopause or some other mysterious female ailment. Thus many women bury their true feelings under a false cheerfulness. For men a bad day is maybe blamed on having an argument with their partner or a difficult day at work.

That's not okay because it's okay to not always be happy, otherwise it's the only feeling we'd be equipped with. By embracing our own emotions and not feeling as if we are obligated to conform to society's expectations of emotional expression, we can improve our emotional health.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

That song became an expression to fuel a generation encouraging casting worries aside to be forgotten and just smile. Although the song has valid points such as not allowing excessive worrying to dictate our life, it does give the impression that happiness is an expectation. That expressing other emotions is taboo and that we are somehow diminishing the joy of others by not projecting happiness-no matter what our true feelings may be.

As if we must walk around with an unnatural smile on our face and bury our hurts, disappointments, and fears. This could result in bottling up emotional baggage to bury and endure. When people ask us to smile even if we don't feel like smiling, the action may be more uncomfortable than not. Or we may become resentful of the person who assumes we are angry or unhappy if we are not displaying happiness no matter what inner turmoil we may conceal.

Experience your Feelings-Not What You Think You "Should" Feel

Everyone doesn't express emotions in the same manner-and that's okay. This trait is part of what makes us unique individuals. Try to disregard those that disdainfully suggest we refrain from being a "Debbie Downer" or who complain if they assume we are being a "Positive Pollyanna." The only person to be held responsible for our feelings is ourselves.

Everyone doesn't cry at a funeral and some people cry at every commercial on television. What brings one person joy may not stimulate a smile from their closest friend. Emotional expectations vary from culture to culture as to what is deemed appropriate or rude in emotional expression. The environment in which we were raised and the manner in which our family expresses feelings, could influence emotional reactions.

Judging someone based solely on their emotional response is likely to produce an incorrect assumption. When unsure of the emotional well-being of a loved one, it's okay to just ask rather than encourage them to smile away their troubles.

For a person we know well, a significant change in their usual demeanor may be obvious. Take the time to offer a chance to talk, or purge a bottled up emotion. If they aren't ready to talk, let them know you're available if they change their mind. Likewise, if they offer a willing ear, consider taking them up on the offer.

My wish for you today is for you to find joy in experiencing your emotions and uncover the genuine happiness you deserve

http://ezinearticles.com/?Its-Okay-to-Not-Always-Be-Happy&id=9558299

Message From the Universe: When SMILING Gives You Wings! Or Is That Redbull?

"Did you know that the average person looks 793.7% more attractive when they smile?

Not to mention healthier, wiser, slimmer, richer, and cooler.

They do.

And smiles "become things" too, 

The Universe"

Not surprised at all with that statement. People are more attracted to people who smile vs people who frown. Unless you are a miserable person, you will be attracted to people who live a miserable life and share their sorrows and ungratefulness to the rest of the world. There are plenty of them with this kind of approach to life and how many more can they bring with them to the abyss of depression. It is really your choice to decide what path you would like to take. Believe me, the opposite direction to depression and sadness and misery is always the better one. Change your perspective, change your life forever and decide today to make a change for the better. Your attitude will change accordingly as you will not let the little things bother you any longer. You will look at life with eagerness and joy. You will not allow the small things bother you, nor the big things either. All great challenges in life are dealt better when being calm, stress free. When something happens out of your control, there shouldn't be any apparent reason why you should panic because this event would have occurred no matter what, because it was meant to be, regardless of how much you tried to avoid it or control the outcome. You need to learn to live with it and construct ways to control your feelings and emotions to properly find logical solutions.

It may be hard to smile when dealing with crap on a daily basis, I agree with you on that one. Just look at it this way. Don't you sometimes come across someone who behaves so immaturely towards you and is so stupid that you can't help yourself from laughing, even if their stupidity costs you time and energy or money? Their stupidity is out of your control, obviously, but you learn to accept it or not deal with that person any longer. So you just deal with the damage done and move forward. So let's consider life events to be stupid and immature and having to deal with them with damage control in mind. Life events are out of your control so the only thing you can actually do is just laugh at the situation and figure out how to alleviate the damages. Not much else you can do but once you have mastered this process, I can assure you that your smile will come back and you will attract more good things in your life that will make you forget the bad ones.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Message-From-the-Universe:-When-SMILING-Gives-You-Wings!-Or-Is-That-Redbull?&id=9517744