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How to Be Happy

How to Simplify Your Life (Infographic)

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Complications are not fun. They aren’t peaceful, they aren’t lovely, they aren’t cool…. they aren’t anything but unnecessary, unwelcome headaches.

In that vein, I’d like to propose that we all simplify our lives in 2017. I believe the benefits will be felt in every corner of our lives – including our physical, emotional, and mental health.

The infographic below is a wonderful way to get the ball rolling. The infogrpahic gives us a lot to think about and will help us recognize the areas of our own lives that need a little simplifying.

Courtesy of: NetCredit

Positive Thought: Quote About Enjoying Life

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Quote About Enjoying Life
I’m normally a really chill kind of gal – which is just my way of saying I’m a clown with a penchant for the silly things in life and a distaste for the mature things in life. Grow up? I want no part of it. Like my dad before me, I obsess over birds, coffee, and good food and shirk away from being overly serious or “down.”

However, a few days last week I was in what could only be called a funk. It was a funk’s funk. Life has been kind of…. well… unpredictable lately and has thrown me a few curve balls.

I’m not a curve ball hitter. I like them up and a little outside but life didn’t ask first – it just threw one past me. Then another. Then another…

Anyway, I failed to roll with the punches and I found myself stomping through the house one day, getting annoyed with my own foul humor and crabby mood. Thanks be to God that I caught myself before I had to subject anyone else to the stomping and scowling. My cats slept threw it, so I didn’t even have to endure their judging glances.

Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.  – Kenneth Branagh

I came to my senses by asking myself, “What is so terrible that it was worth the cost of peace and happiness?” I stumped me, which is always a freaky kind of feeling.

The humor of the moment (as I searched for an answer that I would accept) lightened the mood and the day.  I walked around the yard with my thoughts and came to the realization that NOTHING that was bothering me was anywhere near worth losing a minute of happiness, let alone an entire day. So, I threw the worries over the fence and came back in the house.

If we were to be totally honest with ourselves, we’d admit that many… maybe even MANY of the things we get worked up over simply are not getting worked up over.  It made me think of the Kenneth Branagh quote Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about thing. 

Beautiful, wise words to live by – everyday. Even, maybe even especially, the rotten ones.

Keep smiling and keep laughing! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Update to the Self Help Resources Page

I recently heard from a veteran ( in the US Marine Corp and US Navy units in the first Gulf War).  Veterans are a group that get my undivided attention and endless respect This Veteran is now one of our Country’s many Disabled Veterans.

He assists Maritime Injury Center in their mission of advocating for mariners and Veterans alike. In this Veteran’s own words, “Now more than ever, I think its important for service members to understand the significance of the Jones Act and how it impacts the captain and crew of merchant ships hauling military cargo in times of engagement. You can find out more about the Jones Act at www.maritimeinjurycenter.com/jones-act/.”

He went on to ask if I would consider adding a link back to MaritimeInjuryCenter.com  on the Self Help and Improvement Resources Page to help advocate for our armed forces, while also educating maritime workers on their rights if they become injured at sea.

Consider it done, sir, and thank you for your service.

 

How to Keep From “Losing” Yourself in the Ugliness Around Us

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Life is Too Short to Be Anything But Happy!
Never Let Anyone Else Rob You Of Your Joy or Silence Your Happiness!
First things first. Before I go any further…. I just want to say that I do not have a “side” when it comes to the recent Presidential election. I did not vote this particular election and, what’s more, while watching the results on CNN that evening, I did not feel the overwhelming “investment” I’d felt in past elections.

My personal candidate was Marco Rubio, and I greatly respected Ben Carson as well. If Vice President Joe Biden had thrown his hat into the race, I would have had a candidate in each party.  I guess I should be glad I never had to face the problem of liking too many players in the game!

Don’t get me wrong, unlike most people, I don’t feel any animosity toward Hilary Clinton or President-Elect Donald Trump. I respect many of the things they’ve done in life, including their children.  Are they perfect? No more so than you or I.  I wish both of them a world of happiness and success in life. I have no time for or inclination toward hate, bitterness, or resentment – so if you’re waiting for me to spew any ugliness, you’ll be sorely disappointed. I leave the judging to God.

I only point these facts out because there is an unreal amount of hate swirling around these days and I don’t want anyone thinking I have a political agenda. I have no such thing.  What I have is a “happy agenda” and I’ve had a bad case of it for as long as I can remember.

I want people to be happy! Not just the “smile on their face” kind of happy, either. I want people to be so happy and so in love with life that they find it almost impossible to sit still.

The present emotional climate in the world is stormy with signs of getting worse before it gets better. And this from an eternal optimist! I take no joy in pointing it out, but if you expose yourself even slightly to social media or mainstream news, you already know this assessment is spot on.

Is this a tragic situation? No……  It is what it is. History is filled with tragedies – any fellow history buffs reading this are already nodding their heads in agreement.  The Boston Massacre, the Trail of Tears, Slavery, the Civil War, Concentration Camps, and on and on. Those were unspeakable, unimaginable, and gut-wrenching tragedies.

History is also filled with protests, marches, anger, and the other situations we are seeing on an almost daily basis. These periods come and they, eventually, go.

One of my mom’s favorite quotes was, “This, too, shall pass.”  Eventually, the anger, raging, fighting, and lashing out will die down. In the meantime, I want to encourage as many people as I possibly can not to “lose” yourself in the ugliness.  If that means removing yourself from it – as in getting off of social media or cutting back on the news – do it. Do whatever it takes.

I, personally, (as a web publisher) have to stick it out. Sometimes it feels like I’m standing out in the rain without an umbrella. My main social media activity is on Twitter and, within just the past two years, the rain has felt more like a raging storm…

  • I’ve seen close friends go at one another in ways I’d never have thought possible. All because they disagreed on a Presidential candidate!
  • I’ve seen wonderful, easy-going Christian men and women who once tweeted encouraging and uplifting messages become so filled with hate and anger that their tweets should come with warning labels.
  • Put simply, hate and anger are absolutely everywhere – celebrities, corporations, news outlets, social media platforms… they’re all getting into the mix.

As I said earlier, the emotional climate in the world isn’t what I’d call tragic. However, I’ll tell you what IS tragic – seeing people lose who they are and what they stand for. It’s tragic to see individuals become so consumed with hate and anger that they cannot even carry on civil conversations. People have lost the ability to civilly disagree with others. They’ve lost the ability to accept that others have opinions that may be different from their own.

People today have the mindset of, “I’m right and if you don’t agree with me, you are wrong.”  But they don’t just stop there… they will unload on anyone and everyone with name-calling, belittling, accusations, and venomous anger.

Simply for having a different opinions.

So where do we go from here?  In addition to praying (day and night!) for things to change, we have to be on guard. We have to make sure that we don’t allow others to steal our joy. We also  have to be on constant guard for something else – we have to make sure we don’t turn into them.  Think of a zombie movie for a minute. What’s the worst possible thing to happen in a zombie movie? For the hero or heroine to become a zombie – for them to become the vile, cruel, and.. let’s face it… downright ugly zombie.

If we give the bitter, angry crowd too much of our time, our hearts, and our thoughts… we will slowly become more and more like them. What a revolting thought!

Who in their right mind would want to spend so much time angry, bitter, resentful, and mean-spirited – all while being constantly on the prowl for something else to get upset about.

A few nights ago, I saw a young man (who, a year ago, was one of the calmest, happiest people on all of Twitter) – within a span of 30 minutes – verbally attack THREE different groups of people.  Not one, not two.. but three. He hurled accusations and made a bitter little spectacle of himself. I instantly thought back to who he used to be and felt kind of sick to my stomach. Slowly but surely, he lost himself.

I hope that hasn’t happened to you and, if you’re close to “the line,” I hope this will serve as a reminder.

Actionable Ideas 

  • Unfollow any social media accounts that spew negativity and ugliness. EVEN if they’re simply reporting news – some news accounts are inherently negative and, trust me, you don’t need that in your life.
  • If you see a news story coming on that you know will “stick with you,” turn the channel. You aren’t going to lose any life points by not knowing all the news stories.
  • Each day – throughout the day – ask yourself, “Who do I want to be?”  Frequently reminding yourself that you want to be happy, positive, encouraging, and giving will help you keep from slipping into anger and will keep you from throwing an adult temper tantrum… which is possibly the ugliest thing in the entire world. Yes, even uglier than zombies. Before speaking, “tweeting,” or even “retweeting” get into the habit of asking yourself, “Is this the person I want to be?”
  • Spend more time doing what brings you joy. Enjoy sports on tv, watch old movies, read Agatha Christie mysteries (or your own favorite author, of course!), watch the History Channel, cook, take up a new hobby, play with your pet, walk… whatever your bliss is, don’t just walk to it, run to it. When “times are rough,” like they currently are, you need these blissful moments more than ever.

Life is short and we aren’t going to get a second shot in this life. Please don’t spend it worked up about things that are beyond your control. It isn’t good for your family, your mind, your happiness, or your health. Don’t let anyone or anything steal your joy.

Ironically, after typing out well over 1,00 words, I think we can sum it all up in two: Choose happiness.

Keep smiling!

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Choose Happiness

Another Lonely Christmas? Here’s What to Do

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Written by Mike James, a freelance writer partnering with Into the Blue on this and a number of other Christmas posts.

For many people, Christmas is the highlight of the year. It’s a chance to unwind from the hassles and stresses of life and celebrate the festivities surrounded by friends and family. A time to be happy and to feel loved. But what if you don’t?

People can be alone at Christmas for many different reasons – living far from home, no close family, or the recent loss of a loved one are just a few examples. Did you know that around half a million elderly people spend Christmas on their own every year?

It’s important not to confuse being alone with being lonely. While it’s perfectly possible to enjoy the solitude of your own company anywhere and anytime, Christmas included, loneliness is never fun and can be hard to bear. According to Age Concern, 1.2 million people in the UK are chronically lonely.

If you’re dreading spending the Christmas holidays on your own, here are some tips and ideas to help you cope.

  1. Volunteer for a charity

Shift the focus away from your own situation and make Christmas all about giving. Many charities and voluntary organisations are active throughout the Christmas period (and beyond!) to help those in need, and an extra pair of hands is always welcome.

Volunteering is a great way to get amongst people and away from your lonely home, while making a real difference to those less fortunate than yourself. Being able to help others at this crucial time of year will give you a different sense of happiness and perhaps the opportunity to gain inspiration and strength from people in all sorts of difficult situations.

Check for charity events in your local area or online, and consider offering to help out at a soup kitchen or charity Christmas dinner, bring gifts to a children’s hospital, or visit lonely residents at a Nursing Home.

  1. Go to work

If there’s an opportunity to work through the Christmas period, why not take the chance to keep busy? There are plenty of others who will be keen to take Christmas off to spend time with their families, meaning your offer to hold the fort and keep business going may be very welcome indeed.

Develop a sense of Christmas camaraderie with other colleagues who are also on duty over the festive period and have a little celebration between you. Mince pies at the desk? Fairy lights draped around the office? Christmas carols on the radio?

Even better, depending on the sort of work you do, you could be on an attractive overtime rate. Now there’s a Christmas present you wouldn’t have had otherwise!

  1. Join the community

With over a million chronically lonely people in this country, you’re certainly not the only one to have nobody to share Christmas with. Chances are that there are others nearby in exactly the same situation. Why not club together?

Investigate local community groups or church organisations to see if you can join in with a community Christmas Dinner, possibly making new friends in the process? Alternatively, if you’d like the opportunity to cook up a Christmas feast yourself, why not be the host?

Orphan Christmas is a new movement originating in Australia, encouraging people to open their hearts and doors to those in the community who may otherwise spend Christmas on their own.

Community Christmas is an initiative to make sure no elderly person has to spend Christmas alone. They organise Christmas Lunches, pub/restaurant visits, film viewings and all sorts of other get-togethers aimed at building social interaction in the community.

  1. Have an online Christmas

Perhaps your friends and relatives are far away, or you’re not able to meet up for reasons of illness or mobility issues? In that case, have Christmas party online!

Technology, thankfully, has completely revolutionised the way we’re able to communicate with each other – you can now even get Christmas e-Cards here. From text messaging to social media, email to video calling, it’s now easy to keep in touch. Use Skype, Facetime or Google Hangouts to set up virtual meetings with your loved ones – whether they live around the corner or across the globe. By setting up a Skype chatroom or Facebook group, people can drop in and out as they please. And the best bit? You don’t have to do the cooking or the cleaning, or even get dressed!

  1. Do something new and exciting

Rather than sitting at home feeling down during the Christmas holidays, now is the chance to do something you wouldn’t normally have time for. Choir Singing or Quilting? Chess or Country Walking? As long as it’s an activity you’re excited about and it involves social interaction or team work, it’s got to be a good thing.

Why not give a Christmas present to yourself that isn’t a ‘thing’ but an experience? If you fancy yourself as a bit of a wine connoisseur, sign up for a Wine Appreciation course. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make chocolate truffles, a Chocolate Workshop may be the perfect answer. From Flower Arranging to Salsa Dancing, Yoga Retreats to Bushcraft Skills, now’s the time to broaden your horizons.

Try to incorporate a physical element into your activity as this is proven to have mood lifting benefits. And if your mood is more positive, you’re more likely to want to reach out and connect with the people around you.

Keeping a Sense of Humor: My Personal Weapon of Choice

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Every time you find humor in a bad situation, you win!
I’m not perfect. I am so far from perfect we don’t share the same zip code.

Or time zone.

Or President.

You get the idea.

However, it’s often us woefully imperfect humans that have the most to share that could be of a helpful nature to others. Why? Because when we hit upon something right or good, it stands out like a lighthouse in the dark of night. We’re like, “Holy cats! I got this right! Let me tell you about it!”

One of the things this imperfect human “got right” was this: At some point along life’s highway, I decided that having (and keeping) a sense of humor is the secret to life. Okay, secret to life may be a little dramatic, but you can’t really fault me for that – I grew up watching Susan Lucci on All My Children. How could I not, at times, wax dramatic?

Someone else I grew up with was a father who was probably never serious for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. That’s undoubtedly where I got it from. That and an overwhelming obsession with birds, westerns, flowers, and coffee.

Cool genes.

In my Twitter bio (on my personal Twitter account, @JoiTaniaSigers), I even mention my refusal to take anything too seriously. That, of course does not imply that I am not serious when in the presence of things that are of a serious nature. Far from it. It simply means that a sense of humor is one of the two things I’ll always carry with me into any battle.

Even if the battle is an MRI and even if it’s God, Himself, I’m cracking jokes with.

When I was in my mid-twenties, my oldest daughter and I were in a bad wreck (it wasn’t remotely my fault, I just want to put that out there – so many vehicular mishaps ARE of my doing, I’m darn sure going to crow when one isn’t).  I had to have an MRI – which is perfect, perfect, perfect HELL for someone who is claustrophobic. H-E-L-L. I was scared to death leading up to the MRI and I was scared to death as I was rolled into the narrow machine.

So, with eyes tightly shut, I prayed. And prayed. And prayed. (Prayer is the other thing I carry into battles.) At one point, I prayed for God to send a guardian angel to help calm my nerves so I could last for the full 30 minutes. Then I said, “No! Cancel that last order… there isn’t room for both of us! DO NOT send an angel in here.”

I immediately pictured God chuckling at my silliness and had to chuckle myself.

I lasted the 30 minutes.

Just last night, while making supper, I burned my left hand badly. No, let’s give it the respect it deserves – I burned it BADLY. I splashed a good deal of HOT bacon grease out of my iron skillet and onto the front of my left hand – and up a finger.

It hurt like crazy. It hurt like crazy when they put medication on my hand in the urgent care center and it hurt when they wrapped it. It hurt as I sat up in bed last night when I should’ve been sleeping. Kind of hard to sleep when the entire top surface of your hand and one finger are blistered up and burning like someone sat a match to a glove and stuck your hand in it.

It hurts like crazy now too – in fact, my left hand is hating me with a cruel hatred with each word I type. It’s like, “You’re doing this, why?? First you baptize me with hot bacon grease and now you’re putting me on a keyboard treadmill??”

A lot of pain and inconvenience involved – But, like the MRI, the bacon grease and the pain did not win. I won. Why? I found the humor in the situation.

That’s the thing about seeing things through clown glasses (whenever possible), you take full control of the situation – you snatch it right out of the enemy’s claws. This morning, as I sat looking at the bandaged hand and wondering when or if  it would actually quit hurting, I realized that I needed to let my psyche and my family know that I was okay…. that’d I’d come out on top and had taken victory out of the enemy’s claws.

I found a stuffed girl bear, put some tape on her paw (her left paw, like mine), and took a picture.  I sent it to my daughters and said, “Twinsies!”

Being goofy, being silly, being downright weird, and laughing – those are my weapons and this was my way of letting my girls know that I’d won.

Whatever you’re going through, I’m with you in spirit. I know bad situations are not funny – but I also know that if you can find any humor whatsoever, it will save you.

I am now going to give this poor hand a break and pour a tall glass of iced tea, sit in my favorite chair, watch Andy Griffith reruns – and pray the episode where the farmer’s barn burns down isn’t in the lineup.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Twinsies
Twinsies!