(Link to Video)

I always knew, some [...]]]> The other day I saw this video on Facebook.  A friend was sharing what she found from a friend.  I loved what they shared so much I’m sharing it with you.  I love the idea of sharing Happiness, or at least sharing HOW to be happier!

(Link to Video)

I always knew, some how, that my attitude mattered in how happy I am, and after watching this video, I believe I contain the happiness gene.  I suppose this gives me a bit of an advantage, and explains so much in my life.

I had always wondered how I could survive some of the things I survived, like being abused as a teen, homeless at 17, financial upsets and more, and still come out in the end generally happy. Sure I wasn’t smiling all the time when things were happening, and there were times when I felt lost and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I always seemed to pick myself up, change where I looked, and headed on up to happy before long.

In the video Sonja Lyubomirsky said that 40% of our happiness comes from the activities we choose.  Makes sense.  Are you choosing at least ONE activity each day that you enjoy?  It could be as simple as reading a book, watching a favourite show, calling a loved one, or going for a walk with the dog.

They also shared on the video that taking 30 minutes to “think happy thoughts” like being grateful, produces significant results.  I agree!  Kick-starting your day with a 5 minute JOY Journal is a great daily practice in this direction.  You could also just list 5 gratitudes in your mind each morning before you get out of bed, and again before you go to bed.  You could watch videos of laughing children or funny pet videos. 

You don’t really need to do that 30 minutes all in one shot.  You could give yourself six 5-minute shots a day too.

Nutrition affects your brain too.  Are you getting enough Vitamin B?  Is your brain getting enough of the good carbs?  I”m talking veggies, not bagels.  How do you expect your brain to function properly when you don’t give it what it needs?

Balanced nutrition, hormone levels and fitness can all boost your thinking power.  What’s one thing you can do each day to bring more balance in these areas?

I truly believe that Thinking Yourself Happy doesn’t need to be hard.  Take baby steps each day, and you’ll notice a difference right away.  You really can afford 5 minutes a day towards your happiness.

Dream BIG!

Velma Gallant
The Queen of JOY!
Founder and Host of Welcome Changes Radio

PS ~ I’m thinking that Sonja Lyubomirsky would be a great interview for Welcome Changes Radio.  What do you think?

I just finished making my scrumptious bean salad and baked squash to bring to the family dinner, so I thought I’d pop in and wish you all well.

I’ve already [...]]]>

I know it’s a bit early for my American Friends, but for my Canadian Friends the feast is upon us!

I just finished making my scrumptious bean salad and baked squash to bring to the family dinner, so I thought I’d pop in and wish you all well.

I’ve already enjoyed one fabulous dinner with my family.  Today is dinner with my husband’s family.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year (no matter when you have it).  It reminds us to be grateful.

The thing is, we honestly shouldn’t need a holiday to remind us to be Grateful.

We know that Gratitude belongs in our lives.  We have been taught to say “Thank You” whenever someone gives us something.  The Response for many has become natural–a habit.

What if we shifted from Responding with Gratitude to Being Grateful?

How would your life change if your were BEING Grateful?

Gratitude is a powerful Energy. Think about it.

Being in that Energy (Being Gratitude) versus Sampling that Energy (Responding with Gratitude).

Again, how would (could) your life change?

Give it a go.  Choose for one week to Live in the Energy of Gratitude.

I would bet that you’ll end up with more and more reasons to be grateful by the end of the week?

You up for it?

Let me know how it goes.

Dream BIG!

Velma Gallant
The Queen of JOY!

PS ~ With this being Thanksgiving weekend, there will not be a Welcome Changes Radio Show this week.  I will be posting Chaney’s download link shortly.  It’s been wonderfully busy here!

Time.

Most of the time it seems like there’s not enough of it.

We try to squeeze more stuff into the time we have, and then wonder why stress seems to be a normal part of our daily lives.

There’s more [...]]]>

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi

Time.

Most of the time it seems like there’s not enough of it.

We try to squeeze more stuff into the time we have, and then wonder why stress seems to be a normal part of our daily lives.

There’s more work at our jobs than we have hours there.  Many have taken on two, three and even four jobs.  Sometimes it’s to make ends meet, but other times it’s to pay for those things that we think will finally bring us happiness.

Homes have two and three cars.  Kids are enrolled in sports and other activities that seem to be going up and up in price.

We run faster and faster after the carrot.  No matter how hard or fast we run, that carrot stays out there in front of us.  If we happen to get a nibble of the carrot that taste is never enough. 

Exhaustion sets in.  The body breaks down.  The emotions break down.

And from this weakened state, we add one more thing to our already full buckets thinking this will make things all better.

It won’t.   And getting a bigger bucket won’t work either.  The burden will still be just as heavy, and you’ll likely add more thinking that it’s OK because you have a bigger bucket.

We are spending less time with our loved ones.  We are spending less time with ourselves.  We stop eating quality food because we don’t have time for it.  Eating highly processed food is easier and quicker.  It doesn’t take as much time to prepare, which we think is good because it’s like taking something out of the bucket.

We don’t walk or ride a bike anywhere because it takes too much time.  Yet there are those who drive their car to a gym they’ve paid good cash for just to walk on a tread mill.

It seems to me that the world is just a little bit insane.

What if we walked with our family for exercise, and enjoy some conversation while we’re at it? 

What if we cared for a garden? We’d supplement our food bill with “real” food.  We’d get exercise, and experience mindfulness.

What if there was another way to get your carrot without running on the treadmill you paid to use, carrying heavy buckets, and neglecting your spirit, body and mind?

There is.

The first thing is to make sure that the carrot you’re chasing is really what you are looking for.

All too often the carrot is something we’ve been told we want.  Joe next door has one, and he looks happy.  Jane on TV has one, and she looks happy.

That guy over there is a doctor, and look at all the stuff he has.  He must be happy.

Notice, though, that each thing we strive for is ultimately to create happiness?

Perhaps the carrot should be Happiness.

Is running on a treadmill you paid someone else to use, carrying heavy buckets filled with activities that do not fulfil your soul and weigh heavily on your body and emotions making you happy?

If you answered yes to this, great.  I’m truly happy you found your happiness.

If you answered no to this, maybe it’s time to make some changes.

If you agree, the next question becomes, “what would make me happy?”

If you can’t answer that right away, maybe you can answer “what is not making me happy?”

Lightening the load and releasing little bits of unhappiness creates the opening to see what would make you happy.

What if you only filled your bucket with things that made you happy?  I’ll bet that bucket would be easy to carry. And if you jump off the treadmill and go for a walk out in the world you’ll likely find more happy things to put in your bucket too!

Walking and exploring the world with your buckets full of happiness. 

Now that sounds like a LIFE!

I’m in!  Are you?

***

Velma Gallant, The Queen of JOY! is an author, speaker, teacher, and healer.  As the host of “Welcome Changes Radio, she has interviewed over 100 personal growth and development experts.  Between growing up, raising a family, and building her business, she’s come to the conclusion that life is a continuous series of events and transitions.  There were times when she felt lost, broken, and confused, until she realized she wasn’t defined by these events and transitions.  Velma has stopped defining herself by what she does and the events of her life, and invites you to do the same!  JOY comes from within, and has been there all along, waiting to be rediscovered.

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”When I am this, then I’ll be happy.” Do the “Then”.

”When they do this, then I’ll be happy.” Do the “Then”.

We fill our lives with criteria and obstacles.  Happiness is always at the end of this list.

“When I am happy, [...]]]> “When I get this, then I’ll be happy.”
Do the “Then”.

”When I am this, then I’ll be happy.”
Do the “Then”.

”When they do this, then I’ll be happy.”
Do the “Then”.

We fill our lives with criteria and obstacles. 
Happiness is always at the end of this list.

“When I am happy, then I will ____.”
Do the “Then”.

Don’t wait for tomorrow.
It’s always a day away.

You’ll clear one “When” to reach your “Then”.
Another will fall into it’s place.

Do the “Then” Now.
Be Happy Now.

Velma Gallant, aka The Queen of JOY, is an author, international speaker and Lazer Clarity Coach. The Queen of JOY wears many hats as she coaches her clients, including the I-Doctor of Self-Vision. As a Life-Driving Instructor, Velma encourages you to release the brakes and JOY Ride through Life! One of her special Joys is Welcome Changes Radio, where she interviews fun and exciting guests such as Mike Dooley, Joe Vitale and many more. Velma can be contacted through her website, http://queenofjoy.com.