Happiness Is for Hippies?

Ok, so the title was little more than a cheap ploy to draw your attention. But, the truth of the matter is that we should all be happy and enjoy life, not just those embedded in the hippy culture, living life on their own terms.

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about life balance, happiness, joy and what's important in life. Yeah, I know, money is important but it doesn't buy you happiness.

If that were the case, the United States would be one of the happiest countries on the face of the earth: we have one of the wealthiest populations on the planet.

In fact, when compared to other countries, we don't rank anywhere near the top in happiness: the U.S. is #23.

I found this really cool article called "The World Map of Happiness" on Guy Kawasaki's blog.

Here's who made the top 20:

1. Denmark
   
2. Switzerland
   
3. Austria
   
4. Iceland
   
5. The Bahamas
   
6. Finland
   
7. Sweden
   
8. Bhutan
   
9. Brunei
   
10. Canada
    
11. Ireland
    
12. Luxembourg
    
13. Costa Rica
    
14. Malta
    
15. The Netherlands
    
16. Antigua and Barbuda
    
17. Malaysia
    
18. New Zealand
    
19. Norway
    
20. The Seychelles
    

Here's the actual World Map of Happiness Map

So, with all that being said:

• What is happiness?
• How can you be content, regardless of your circumstances?
• How do you find joy whether something good or bad happens to you?
• What does life-balance and quality living have to do with happiness?

I'll address these questions in a future post...

"Like a Candle in the Wind:" Anna Nicole Smith & Your Health

Just the other day I found this great website, www.realage.com, that allows you to take this great test to see where you stand health-wise. Granted, it’s a gimmick, but it makes sense. I took it and when all the dust cleared, I was actually 6 years younger health-wise than my actual age. I attribute this to the fact that I’ve lost significant weight after my appendectomy a while ago, and have kept it off through a healthy diet and exercise.

Think on how important it is to do everything you can do to remain healthy. I realize I need to stick to my exercise and aerobics regimen, and to eat nutritious foods, at least a good deal of the time.

Ask yourself:

1. How do you feel? Are you operating at your optimum? When you wake up are you ready to go or do you already have that headache and flagging energy that drags throughout your day?
   
2. Where do you want to be? Are you satisfied with your health, productivity, physical-emotional-spiritual balance or would you like to make improvements?
   
3. Are you willing to change? If you’re happy where you are, great! If you would like to make improvements, start small. Maybe you could begin by taking the test at www.realage.com. Yes, it’s a bit long, but it’s also very comprehensive. This could be just the jumpstart or catalyst to start you on your way to a “new you!”
   
4. What are some easy, simple things you could do that would have an impact on your health? Ideas: get to bed earlier, cut out those triple cheeseburgers and super large fries at Wendy’s, walk twice a week, etc.

Exercise & Nutrition as Blackmail

Ok, I didn't really get blackmailed, but it felt like a set-up nonetheless. As it goes, my wife and I were at our chiropractor and she's like, "oh, yeah, they're having the 'body for life' thing tonight. Let's stay." I'm an avid planner and my next step was food--I was starving. So, during the presentation I went and grabbed something.

And, actually, I'm so excited that we will be eating more healthy and exercising, together! I believe that we'll feel better in no time and look back on this commitment as something that was life-changing, positioning us to live out our lives, the way we want. This can happen to you, as well, if you make the decision. I encourage you to consider it. (Better health & nutrition, that is).

Now, I want to set the record straight. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Body for Life Challenge, it's a national contest where people compete for prizes and money, to see who can put together the best physique, have the greatest weight loss and achieve the most results over a 3 month period. Check it out: www.bodyforlife.com.

Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Balance: Living the Life of Your Dreams

If you've always wanted to be a competitive bodybuilder or achieve that body that others would die for, go for it. For me, I have modest goals: I just want to feel better (all the time). That way, I can live the life of my dreams, with no limits. For me (as I mentioned in a previous post), that lifestyle encompasses physical, emotional and spiritual health--what I refer to as life-balance. And really, I'm just getting started.

At present, I'm a "apprehensive exerciser" at best, since over the last few years I've struggled with my health. But that is about to change. Honestly, it's been years since I've consistently been to the gym and decided to eat healthy as a lifestyle. So, I face this with mixed emotions, if not somewhat muted excitement.

Oh and thanx to diynaturally at http://diynaturally.wordpress.com/ who got me thinking in the right direction. Then, before I knew it--it all came together--and here I am (gulllppp!)

Healthy Eating Is Hip...& It Helps

The last few weeks (3 in fact) I've been eating healthier than I ever have in my entire life. I've gone vegan, well, vegetarian, at least for the most part. I don't know how people do it. But before you congratulate me, I have to admit It's something I've done out of necessity. No chicken, beef, pork, sodas, dairy, etc. It's been mostly a vegetable diet and I've gone virtually crazy coming up with tasty dishes that fit the bill.

The bottom line: I've lost almost 17 pounds. The health people I talk to say that it has a lot to do with cutting out the sodas. AMAZING! Also, I've been concentrating on taking great vitamins and other supplements.

I believe that physical health is a key component in success.

A balanced life is comprised of equal parts physical, emotional and spiritual health. If you don't have the physical, it's almost impossible to get the emotional and spiritual together. (more on this in a later post)

Here's a special reach out to the "BetterMeister" at www.iambetterthanu.com. He's been doing his own brand of health: largely cutting out sodas and drinking tea instead, for starters. Also, taking vitamins, well in his words, "manamins," in case anyone's wondering.

I know I'm definitely feeling better. The only negative: I no longer have jeans that fit.

For more info on health-related stuff, organic whatever, or basically anything that's "good for you," check out: www.diynaturally.wordpress.com. You might learn something--I know I did.