A Tale of Two Ref Magnets

Some time during the week, I got really upset to find one of my two ref magnets was missing. You're probably wondering what's the big deal? It's just a ref magnet right? Well, I bought these two ref magnets in Thailand a few years ago on a trip with girlfriends. That time I formed a dream that I will travel more and collect more ref magnets from other places. I haven't fulfilled that part of the dream to this day so I hang on to it. Why am I sharing this story? Because I learned something from it.

You see the ref magnets have been sitting on the ref for so long that I don't really put that much importance to them. But it does make me feel calm to be looking at them daily. So imagine when one day I take a look and one of them was missing! I was pretty much devastated when I tried and tried to look for it but couldn't find it. I had two sleepless nights and a major headache. The story has a happy ending though. We did find the second ref magnet. Now both of them sit in front of my desktop table.

So what did I learn? That sometimes we don't value things that are important to us until we've lost them. Lucky for me it wasn't totally lost. But seriously, how often do we take things or even people for granted, esp. our loved ones and family or even friends? Sure we see them a lot -- daily even -- but have we showed them how much we appreciate them? If not, it's not too late to do so. It's funny how it took two ref magnets to teach me this lesson. Now I know better than to take anything or anyone for granted.

Live in the here and the now! Appreciate and value what you have and who you have in your life right now. Don't wait until it's too late.

8 Habits of Very Joyful People

1 - Decide to be happy.

Happiness is a state of mind. If you want to be happy, think happy.  And  yes, it's a choice -- your choice.

2 - Apply the power of positive thinking.

Being positive doesn't mean you're only counting on the good things to happen. It  really means believing that no matter what happens, it is for the best.

3 - Maintain emotional wellness.

Nothing beats emotional wellness. How do you maintain it? Find time to reflect and meditate.  When things get a bit overwhelming, step back, detach yourself, take a walk and see the good things in life.

4 - Have an attitude of gratitude.

When you wake up in the morning, say thanks. Be thankful for another day, another chance to make a difference. In a values enhancement camp I attended some years back, we were made to chant "Today is better than yesterday. Success!"

5 - Live in the present.

There is no point in dwelling in the past. Even if you had a sad childhood, face it, it's over. Live in the now. Today is a gift, that's why it's called present. 

I remember reading a short cartoon strip of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. Pooh asked Piglet, "What day is it?" Piglet replied, "It is today." To which Pooh remarked, "Ah, my favorite day."

6 - Love what you do and do what you love.

Find the meaning and purpose in what you do. Then you won't have reason to complain or wish you're doing something else. Life is short. Spend your time wisely. Doing what you love and loving what you do makes waking up mornings super fantastic!

7 - Approach life with humor and laughter.

Laughter is the best medicine. No, you don't need to be a clown or to act as silly as one in order to find humor in every day situations. Enjoy life! After all, it is great to be alive. 

8 - Observe a healthy spirituality.

For me, it helps a lot that I have faith. For whenever I find myself lost, troubled or weary, I pray.  

Have a joyful life! :-)

Food For Thought

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.  
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles. 

But
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.