NYMuse

Happiness = Helping Others

We usually think of happiness as doing stuff for ourselves.  We focus on helping "me" feel good and doing what will make "me" happy.  Forget about everyone else, and especially people we don't know.  

But Happiness researchers such as Sonja Lyubomirsky say that acts of helping and service to others are also things that can make us happy.  By doing stuff for others, we may start to appreciate our communities and neighbors more. We might realize there's more to it than just "me" and "my" selfish happiness.  And that brings a chance to remember how fortunate we are.  Ah, yes.  Fortunately, this can bring feelings of gratitude.  Gratitude brings happiness.  Happiness is helping others.

~NY Muse 

OOPS! You Hit Reply All???

It's probably safe to say that everyone has had this email experience at some point in their emailing life --  accidentally hit reply all OR replied back to the wrong person....ugh!  SO embarassing! 

GASP!  Suddenly, you're scrambling for that option to take it back...undo...delete...RECALL!!!!!  But alas, it's just too late!  It's already out there, already landed where it shouldn't be, never to return. 

So what should you do now?  Run away?  Hide under your desk?  Say your email address was hacked?

Today & EveryDay:  Remember that you can make a mistake at any moment.  You are  human, after all.  Ignoring it, avoiding it, & pretending like it never happened is not a good option.  Always be ready to be accountable for everything you do & even everything you don't do.  Be ready to explain, apologize, and deal with it.  Be ready to Recall what happened with a new Reply.

~NY Muse

 

What's the Right Amount of Pressure?

We believe there's a way things should be done.  And as a result, we also believe there's a right way and a wrong way to doing things.  We think or rather we tend to believe, that our way is, of course, the right way.

If your way wasn't the right way, then you wouldn't do things that way, right?  Sure.  But then, there's everyone else's way which you often insist on imposing on.  It's ok to give your input.  You can absolutely help, direct, and guide someone to do stuff better and smarter, just as long as you let it stop there.

There's a very fine line between pressure and concern.  Make sure you recognize that the next time you're butting in on someone else's way of doing things.  Too much pressure will only blow the lid off.  Take it easy, please.

~NY Muse

Smiling Is Good For EveryOne...

Smiling may not save the world, cure cancer, or solve all your problems.  But a simple smile can just make you feel better in the moment.  And we only have this moment now.  So why not smile & make it a good one for everyone?

If you catch yourself feeling sad, angry, tired, or moody at any point at all Today....stop for a second, and remember to SMILE.  It'll only take a second.  And then you can go back to whatever it was you were doing so sadly, angrily, tiredly, etc.  Will you try it?  Let me know how it goes.

~NY Muse

Make Time to Waste Time...

Source: urbansavior.com via ny on Pinterest

 

Wasting time seems to be an easy thing to do.  Most of us tend to complain that we spend too much time wasting time.  

But sometimes, wasting time is exactly what you need to do to get out of a rut.  Maybe it's as simple as needing an hour to yourself to just stare at the wall & think.  Maybe a brisk walk through the park has the power to refresh your body & mind.  Maybe traveling to another place is what you need to refresh your spirit.  

We all need time to do that sort of 'nothing' thing that is actually 'something' for us.   Make Time to Waste Time.

~NY Muse

 

How To Fake It 'Til You Make It...

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Some people have such an incredible ability to be optimistic about just about everything.  They seem at ease with all they can't control, confident that all will be fine, and, no matter what, can only see the glass as half full.

And then there are the others who simply aren't wired to see the glass as half full.  What to do?  Researchers say you should 'Fake it until you make it'.  I guess habit & routine, may make it habit & routine that you can become more of an optimist.  Hmmm....worth a shot?  Why not!

Today & EveryDay:  Learn to be more optimistic by acting as if you already are more optimistic. Adjust your view.

~NY Muse

21 Days to a New Life...

As we go through our days doing, doing, doing, we may get comfortable in thinking this is all we can do. So how do we separate what we could do from what we should do?  

Here's something I read recently which may help you find out: 

Every day for the next twenty-one days, find a place in your life where you choose passion over skill, adventure over comfort, intuition over logic, and faith over fear. As you begin to break free from all the “should do’s” and obligations, your new life path will be revealed, and with it all your heart’s desires will become a reality! 

~NY Muse

How To Start Your Day Right...

EveryDay we start again from the beginning.  We know that we want to end the day with a positive outcome, but we rarely do anything specific to ensure that.

So how can you start your day right?  NY Muse suggests you start your day with one simple question:

What is my Intention Today?

By starting each day with a clear intention for the day, you can actually determine the outcome you hope to achieve.  Keep this question in your mind, on a piece of paper, or have it pop up as a daily reminder on your calendar.  That simple prompt can get you focused to move forward positively EveryDay.

As Oprah once said: Intention Determines Outcome.

~NY Muse

Happy Mother's Day!

On this day, we pause to honor Moms everywhere for their special role in our lives.  After all, we wouldn't be here without them, right?

And we should remember that there are all kinds of mothers in the world & in our EveryDay lives -- Moms, Mom-to-Be's, and those who are Moms-at-Heart.  Today we celebrate all of these mothers who are extraordinary in more ways than one.

What's most extraodinary to me about Moms is their LOVE.  In The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm explains it beautifully:

"Mother's love is unconditional, it is all-protective, all-enveloping; because it is unconditional, it can also not be controlled or acquired.  Its presence gives the loved person a sense of bliss; its absence produces a sense of lostness and utter despair."

Mom's love is the highest kind of love -- completely unselfish & endless, creating an emotional bond like no other.  

Today & EveryDay:  Remember that Mom already has her gift:  You.  All you need to do is share yourself & your love with her EveryDay.   Cherish Mom Today & EveryDay.   

~NY Muse

50 Shades of Gray Hair....

Our society has such a fascination with youth & all the great things that come with it, that we often forget that there's a whole group of older people that are part of our world too.

Often the elderly seem  slow in memory & agility, unable to keep up with (our) quick pace.  They're wrinkly, losing hair, and just fading to gray.  So we conveniently ignore them, talk past them, & elbow them out of the way.    

Older people may look invisible after a certain point in society.  But that doesn't mean that we should pretend they are not there.  Don't forget that while they may be fading on the outside, and may not react as quickly as they did before, they're still just like the rest of us on the inside - alive & vibrant with all of the same thoughts & dreams & goals that everyone has.  

Today & EveryDay: Remember to look past the cover, and give respect & attention where it is due.  One day, you'll be elderly too!

~NY Muse