2 Keys to Happiness

    The work of the Sower is given to each of us in this world, and we fall short of our duty when we let those with whom we are brought in contact leave us without having given them a kind thought or pious impression.

Nothing is so sad as the cry, "I am useless!" Happily none need ever be so.

A kind word, a gentle act, a modest demeanor, a loving smile, are as so many seeds that we can scatter every moment of our lives, and which will always spring up and bear fruit.

Happy are those who have many around them ... they are rich in opportunities, and may sow plenteously.

    Learning is not without its effect upon the soul; it either lends it wings to bear it up to God, or leaves behind it tiny sparks, which little by little consume the whole being.

If you would ascertain all the good or ill you have derived from all those hours devoted to historians, poets, novelists, or philosophers, put to yourself these questions: Since acquiring this knowledge, am I wiser? am I better? am I happier?

Wiser?—That is to say, more self-controlled, less the slave of my passions, less irritated by small vexations, braver in bearing misfortunes, more careful to live for eternity?

Better?—More forbearing towards others, more forgiving, less uncharitable, more reticent in opposing the faults of others, more solicitous for the happiness of those around me?

Happier?—That would mean more contented with my station in life, striving to derive all possible benefits from it, to beautify rather than to alter it?

Have I more faith in God, and more calmness and resignation in all the events of life?

If you cannot reply in the affirmative, then examine your heart thoroughly, and you will find there, stifling the good that God has implanted, these three tyrants that have obtained dominion over, you: 

(1.) Pride; 

(2.) Ambition; 

(3.) Self-conceit.

From them have sprung: dissatisfaction and contempt of your life and its surroundings, restlessness, a longing for power and dominion over others, malice, habitual discontent, and incessant murmurings. Have you any further doubts? Then inquire of those with whom you live.

Ah! if this be indeed the sad result, then, whatever may be your age, close, oh! close those books, and seek once more those two elements of happiness you ought never to have forsaken, and which, had you made them the companions of your study, would have kept you pure and good.

 Prayer and manual labor are the two greatest keys to a life of happiness.  Invest some time in yourself - take time for thoughtful prayer. And get some exercise or some form of manual labor.

Benjamin Franklin's Thoughts on Moral Perfection

   "I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish'd to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined.  

While my care was employ'd in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping; and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct. For this purpose I therefore contrived the following method.


In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I had met with in my reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous, as different writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name. Temperance, for example, was by some confined to eating and drinking, while by others it was extended to mean the moderating every other pleasure, appetite, inclination, or passion, bodily or mental, even to our avarice and ambition. I propos'd to myself, for the sake of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annex'd to each, than a few names with more ideas; and I included under thirteen names of virtues all that at that time occurr'd to me as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept, which fully express'd the extent I gave to its meaning.
 
These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:

1. Temperance

    Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. Silence.

    Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order.

    Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution.

    Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality.

    Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i. e., waste nothing.

6. Industry.

    Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity.

    Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice.

    Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation.

    Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness.

    Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

11. Tranquillity.

    Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Chastity.

13. Humility.

Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

   Benjamin Franklin's Way to Wealth

Reaching New Heights!

    Do you have a goal or two you just seem to never quite get around to reaching? Has success eluded you in one or more areas of your life? Try taking a little time each day visualizing your goal - and how you plan to reach your milestone(s).

     The technique is useful in many areas of life -  from avoiding anxiety during a stressful situation, to performing well during competition. You may find it a powerful tool in your work projects or even your very own personal fitness program.

1. Identify and write down the goal you want to reach.
2. Find a comfortable place to sit and relax.
3. Eliminate all distractions—turn off your phone, the television, and your iPad.
4. Close your eyes and focus on feeling relaxed. Free your mind of intruding thoughts.
5. Now, imagine yourself on your favorite beach. Create a picture in your mind of the place—the sights, sounds, and smells. Imagine a perfect day, warm and sunny, with a gentle ocean breeze. Picture yourself with your spouse or a  favorite friend, talking and laughing. Now visualize yourself starting on your way towards reaching your goal. See yourself taking action. Imagine the steps you will take. Practice - in your mind!
6. Take a moment to feel the pleasure and excitement of reaching one milestone after another.
7. Then imagine yourself enjoying your success - enjoying the sunshine, the view, the fresh ocean breeze, the good company and your excellent health. ( Good health and fitness will certainly prove helpful! )
8. Finally, visualize yourself finishing the journey and feeling great, both physically and emotionally.

     If you want to make positive, lasting change in your life, it helps to spend some time thinking about motivation. What are your reasons for wanting to reach that goal? What are your other personal goals? Will they help you? Are your goals in balance with one another?

    What obstacles do you anticipate? Consider how you will overcome them? Make a plan. Then take massive action! Visualize your success and consider how you might celebrate your success!

    Picture yourself winning the race!

Plan Ahead - Start Saving Your Money

    Have you ever thought about how you plan to finance your retirement years?

    Many people don't have a clear idea of how much money they actually have, so it's hard to know how much they might be able to count on when they retire. Finding out what part of today's money can go toward retirement simply means adding up the value of all your current assets.  In this case, "assets" are cash, investments, and anything of value you can exchange for cash, like your house, savings bonds, or even fine jewelry. This figure will be your first important clue.

Recording these amounts could be a pleasant surprise. You don't want to count emergency money and savings for your children's education or a big trip - only money that you are not going to touch for at least 10 to 15 years. For Pre-Retirement planning  don't include any future Social Security benefits and guaranteed pensions because these items are future income, rather than current assets.  Any balances in work-related retirement plans, like 401(k) plans, is counted, however, and you will want to include amounts from current and former jobs. In fact, these just may be at the top of your list of today's assets.

You May Have More Than You Think!

Tracking your money in retirement plans should be fairly easy. If you didn't roll over your retirement plan balance when you changed jobs into a new retirement plan account or into an IRA, or if you didn't take your account balance as cash, you may discover some forgotten retirement assets you have. This is a good time to think about keeping your money with fewer, rather than more, quality financial institutions so it is easier to manage.

Recording current and old retirement account amounts on the Pre-Retirement Savings/Assets Worksheet, is important for a couple of reasons. First, locating an old account could take time. The longer it's "lost," the harder it will be to find. Second, understanding your current financial standing should automatically start you thinking about how to make your money grow.

Start Planning Today!

     Remember you're facing a retirement that's probably going to be longer than your parents' and will involve more uncertainties. This new kind of retirement probably means there are many American workers worrying about, instead of planning for, the future.

     You can make the choice to stop worrying and start figuring. Not only will you come up with facts to work with, the chances are good you might change the way you save. The 2008 EBRI survey also found that 44 percent of people who tried to figure out their financial futures ended up changing their retirement savings plans.

If you are a married woman: In preparing for retirement, women face the very real possibility of spending part of their retirement years without the support of a husband - most likely through widowhood. The loss of a spouse can sometimes mean the loss or reduction of benefits that can place women in financial jeopardy. For that reason, women will need to focus on their financial resources as a single person as well as half of a couple. 

    Consider what happens to your Social Security and to retirement benefits if your spouse dies or you divorce. Know what assets you can count on. Check Social Security benefit documents, retirement plan documents, and wills. Remember that wills are important, but they may not provide the protection desired. Depending on the way assets are titled or the terms of a will, the money women believe they can count on may not be passed to the surviving spouse.

   Whatever stage in your career you find yourself in - its never too early to focus on adding to your nest egg and investing it wisely. Save Your Hard earned money and investing for a secure financial future.  Check out these tips for improving your financial fitness.

Getting in Shape for More Fun

    Is it a realistic hope to get in better shape between now and the end of the school  year? Can you lose some of those extra pounds before the Summer vacation?
 
The answer is a resounding Yes! You know you can. We can get with the program and lose those unsightly bulges. Trim that waist and work on slimmer thighs. You can firm up that butt. And strengthen those ab muscles. You can sculpt more muscular arms. 

    6-Pack abs may be wishful thinking ( or, in my case – totally out of the question ) between now and June. Some of you may already be on the way to toned and tighter abs and a much flatter stomach.
There is still time to shed those unwanted extra pounds.

    Time to slim down and look real hot in that hot Summer outfit. Still time to get in shape before school lets out. Before all the Summer fun begins. You can look great  while enjoying  your favorite sunny beach. Still time to get in shape and fit into that beautiful little bikini. Getting in shape fast is possible. You CAN have a healthier, sexier body before the warm days of Summer get into full swing!.

The key is getting started. Right now! Don’t delay. Just do something to get rolling. And keep increasing your physical activity each day. Enjoy a balanced, healthy diet of natural foods. Try more water and less soda. More whole fruits and less juice. Toss some chopped celery and carrots in a baggie and enjoy a healthy mid-day snack.

Start your day off right with a healthy, protein rich breakfast!

You really can enjoy Spring and Summer more this year and for years to come! Why not make today the start of your journey to a healthier, more fulfilling life!

  Start getting in shape and you can have more fun and loads more energy!

Do What is Best

    Most people are anxious to do what is best for themselves and least harmful for others. The average man now has intelligence enough: Utopia is not far off, if the self-appointed folk who rule us, and teach us for a  consideration, would only be willing to do unto others as they would be done by, that is to say, mind their own business and cease coveting things that belong to other people. War among nations and strife among individuals is a result of the covetous spirit to possess.

A little more patience, a little more charity for all, a little more love; with less bowing down to the past, and the silent ignoring of pretended authority; a brave looking forward to the future, with more self-confidence and more faith in our fellow men, and the human race will be ripe for a great burst of life and light.

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. "

2 Peter 1:5-8 (King James Version)

Saving and Investing Success

    Who hasn't lost money in the stock market? Or on that seemingly ideal investment? Don't let fear of losing get in the way of your success!
 
    We've all made our fair share of financial mistakes. If you are saving and investing chances are better than average that you're going to make financial mistakes, too. Everybody does. Look on the bright side and learn from your mistake(s). Do all you can to avoid repeating your mistakes.

    The lessons you learn can be a big benefit over the long haul.

    Do your research! Be careful who you trust. Study the success stories of others - check out how Warren Buffet made his fortune. History is filled with stories of financial success stories.

Be patient - don't expect to hit a home run with every investment you make.

Take advantage of compound interest - leave your earnings to keep earning even more. While it is never too late to start saving and investing - the earlier you start, the better your odds for lasting financial security! Start saving your money early!