"5 tips" -by Kristy

Photo source: gettyimages.com

Sometimes being happy is not the easiest thing in the world. Life is a roller coaster; sometimes you're up and sometimes you're down. But if you find holding onto happiness an ongoing struggle, perhaps all you need to work on is changing your outlook. Attitude adjustments aren't simple but they can work wonders for your mood. A story I found on Yahoo! shares some clever tips.

by Sarah McColl, Shine staff at Yahoo.com writes:

Reach out
Studies show that relationships are vital to a positive outlook in life. And it makes sense --- engaging with others reminds you that no matter how crappy your day or foul your mood, you're not alone. A superficial interaction like chatting with the mail carrier can make you feel like you belong to a community, but intimate relationships are what keeps us going even when times get tough. Send a text to a college friend telling her you're thinking about her, or call your spouse just to say "I love you."

Be thankful
This is worth repeating again and again. Each of us, if you can believe it, has so much to be thankful for. There are the big things, like a loving family and your health, but then there are a million little things, too. When you adjust your perspective to be grateful for all that you have rather than bemoan all you don't, you start living life in the positives, and the results are immediate. Learn how to create a gratitude practice.

Live your passions
Even if you spend 8 hours a day at a job that doesn't exactly have you leaping out of bed in the morning, you can still find ways to do the things that make you feel most alive. In fact, you owe it to yourself for your own happiness and well-being. Whether it's making doll house furniture or roller skating, taking part in activities you love gives your life a sense of meaning and pleasure. Be creative about how you're going to work your passions into your day --- maybe you can form a book club at work or start writing that novel on your lunch hour. Read more about how to make the most of your daily life.

Make do
We live in a culture obsessed with buying stuff, and when we're sad, many of us turn to retail therapy for a quick boost. But that high is short-lived and leads us to spending money we don't have which, doh, only makes us feel worse when the credit card bill arrives. Instead of turning to shopping malls to buy the thing we hope will suddenly make our life happier and complete (never works, does it?), make the most of what you already have. Try "shopping your own closet" (or your man's) and wearing that other 80% of your wardrobe you seldom get to. Or give what you already own some TLC to breathe some new life into it. Maybe your kitchen just needs a good scrub down --- not a new refrigerator --- to feel shiny and new again. Every time you have that impulse to spend, make an effort to make do with what you already have.

Enjoy the simple pleasures
The best things in life, just like the bumper sticker says, often aren't things and they're usually free. Think babies laughing instead of Porsches. Get lost in the way the sun comes through your windows, the vibrant yellow of spring's first daffodils, or a perfect piece of golden toast. Make it a point to bring pleasure into your life and to really savor the delights that are abundant around you already.

Don't Gossip - by Monica

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” - Mother Teresa

I’m not sure if this blog entry would be classified in the category of “happy,” but probably more like “inspiration.” I just feel like this is a topic that needs to be addressed because I feel like we are perpetrators as well as victims when it comes to this topic.

Sadly, it is human nature to judge and to gossip. Sometimes, it seems the world runs on gossip. I am ashamed to admit that I have taken part plenty of times in gossip as well. I have judged when I had no right to.

But, chances are, you do have too. I know that probably everyone I know does. And it’s sad because, as much as we love to gossip, does anyone like being the topic of gossip? I know I sure don’t. But, honestly, if so many people gossip, chances are, at least a time or two, your name has been the one upon their lips as well. And if you think too hard about it, it really is sad to think, “I wonder what people are saying about me?” Because if people gossip to you, who’s to say they’re not gossiping about you?

Trust me, I know because recently, I have heard things friends have said badly about me behind my back. Something that two friends probably muttered without even thinking about hurt like hell to me. And that’s the thing – when we gossip, we don’t think about it. We don’t think about how it would hurt the other person…we just talk without thinking to fill the time. It made me wonder what else people say about me behind my back. All I could think was, “Wow, I wish these friends would have said it to my face so I could stand up for myself” or “Is that really what the world thinks of me?” And then I thought back on the times I’ve done this to friends. Why is it that we give ourselves the right to gossip, but when someone else is doing it to us, we think it’s wrong? When you talk about a friend, just think to yourself, “Would I be okay with them hearing what I’m saying about them right now?” If the answer is no, then you probably shouldn’t be saying it. And you never know because someday, maybe the person you gossip to will gossip back to the person you were talking about…about what you had said.

Here is an article called “Gossip: Where’s the Harm?” from mycatholictradition.com that really describe this pastime Americans love…and what it may stem from:

“But it’s the truth!” You often hear that as the defense. It starts innocently enough with people sharing information. Then all of the sudden it gravitates to, “Did you know that …” and off it goes. The sharing part is good. But sharing information about another who is not present to explain his or her side is gossip. Don’t deny it. We’ve all indulged in it. And regretfully, sometimes with relish!

Why do we gossip? Some studies actually say that this is good for the human psyche. If we look at why we gossip, I really do not see how an activity so destructive can be good for anyone?

Well, here are some of the reasons why.


Influence

This is where we slip most of the time. It only takes one person to start and then gossip grows.
Voyeurism

We sometimes find ourselves drawn into the web of someone else’s misery without ever having to step foot in it, and admit it, enjoying every minute of it. Silently gloating, “Thank goodness that did not happen to me!”

Self-righteousness

“He’s really bad at this. I’m better than him.” “She does this all wrong.” “They did not raise their kids as I raised mine!” Think about it. If we feel good about how our life is we tend to make that a measure of how others should live theirs. Guess what? They feel the same way as you.

Low self-esteem

When we think so little of ourselves we feel the only way we can feel good about us is to cut others down.

Anger

In times of distress we lament, “Why does it always happen to me?” However, in times of relative prosperity do we ask ourselves “Why me?” It is very human to feel we deserve “the good” all the time. But it is our extreme arrogance that makes us feel the “bad times” only happens to others. If we fail to ask ourselves, “Why do I deserve this blessing?” we forfeit the right ask, “Why do I deserve this pain?” Sorrow, just as much as happiness is a personal choice.

To hurt another

This is really pernicious. This is a deliberate and conscious effort to hurt another person borne out hatred, ignorance or jealousy.

How bad can it be?


Remember that indulging in gossip gives fuel to another conversation some other time without you but about you. It’s a cycle that is easy to break. How bad can it be? Well, would you want to be fodder for gossip? No, I don’t think so.

What can I do?


If you find yourself drawn into such conversations, examine your motivations and work on it. You cannot control the other person’s actions. But you can control yours.
If gossip starts, change the subject. Be open about being not willing to participate in gossip.
Choose alternative and constructive topics. Guide a conversation away from these pitfalls. You will be remembered.
Build. Do not destroy.

"March is Reading Month" - by Kristy

View original article by Katie Land, news editor, at Oakland University

Oakland University's mascot, Grizz, paid a visit to elementary school classrooms to encourage reading among the children. The Grizz is planning on visiting 10 elementary schools in all. It is a great and fun way to promote reading among the young impressionable students.

Strange wedding dresses - by Monica

Getting married is one of the most memorable moments in someone’s life. But, when it comes to taking that big step in a relationship, many people don’t want to be traditional. Here are some…um…unique wedding dresses women decided to walk down the aisle in. All I can say with some of these is – glad it wasn’t me.

Source: Hubpages

Dress made out of toliet paper



For your protection...a dress made out of condoms!!




The longest wedding train


Source: Oddee

Wedding Dress Good Enough to Eat...made out of chocolate


Stuck together forever -- A dress and a tux made out of duct tape


Source: Tacky Weddings

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell


The Flinstones Double Wedding


Source: Twilight Guide

Twilight (Vampire Fangs)


Source: Brides
Hello Kitty Wedding Dress


The bride from hell?


Source: Manolo Brides

And...just because I know my boyfriend would appreciate this: A zombie wedding cake

"Funny Help Wanted Signs" - by Kristy

It seems like the lack of jobs and terrible economy is all over the news every single day. Yahoo.com provided a link to amusing Help Wanted signs to make you laugh and lighten the mood on an otherwise negative topic. Check out the link below to see the pictures and comments:

Huffington Post

Little boy saves his family - by Monica

"And bring soilders too," 7-year-old Carlos told a dispatcher as his parents were being robbed.

This story has a happy ending. The three robbers left the home after the boy told them he called the police. This just shows the importance of teaching a child what to do in an emergency situation because, sometimes, heroes come in small packages. I remember when I was little, I didn't even know what the phone number was to 9-1-1. When we were 5 years old, my best friend Felicia and I smelt an iron burning and thought the house was going to burn down. I, then, tried to call 1-9-1, 9-9-1, 1-1-9, because I couldn't remember the phone number. Thank God it was just an iron! Parents forget that children do have the capablity to act in a scary situation, just as Carlos did. He saved his whole entire family because he knew what to do in the situation.



7-Year-Old Hero Saves Family - ABC News

Read entire article at ABC News

"Options" - by Kristy

Photo source: gettyimages.com

I feel the need to stress the importance of options because it's so easy to forget. It's easy to feel comfortable and sometimes we incidentally let ourselves become tied down. If you are happy with what you have, you know it - but if you're not you need to go after what you want. This is your life and you only get one so you have to do it right. You have to do the things you want because you can't go back and do it differently.

Lately I've been struggling with my number one 2010 New Years Resolution- which was to take more chances. Unfortunately the chances that I have taken so far have not turned out pretty. But whenever you invest your time in something you are taking a risk. Even something that feels bullet proof can go wrong but you won't know if you don't at least try. And if it doesn't go your way now, it doesn't mean the tables won't turn eventually. Someday when it's meant to be you'll get what you want. Timing is a really tricky thing; sometimes it makes sense and sometimes it doesn't. You have trust that when it's right, it's going to happen. The best (and at times i do admit the hardest) thing to do is keep your head held high.

"Every time you get up and get back in the race, one more small piece of you starts to fall into place. Cause when push comes to shove, you taste what you're made of." - Rascal Flatts

Class of 2010 - by Monica

My graduation date is coming up in June. Only three more months until I’m thrust out into the real world to find a job to support myself with. And, although I’m excited to be done with what I’ve spent my life doing since I was 5 years old, it’s also scary to leave the only world I have ever known – school. But, even in this economy, I decided that I need to start focusing on the good instead of the bad. This is the time where we will define ourselves and shoot towards the dreams we have been preparing for during these past four years and maybe, for our whole lives. For example, my friend, who just graduated in December, just got a job for HP (yes, the computer company). And that gave me hope that, even in these economic times, the possibilities for our generation are still endless. There’s so much we can do in this big world and, for the class of 2010, we will be let out of the cages of school this year to make these decisions for ourselves. Yes, it is strange to say, but we are officially adults now. Let’s shape our lives the way we want them to be – down to the color of paint on our living room walls.

Here is an article I found on College Grad by writer Melissa Bullard about job search tips for recent graduates which I think could help those who have just graduated or about to graduate keep their heads up and not to keep thinking the worst:

If you're a recent college graduate, the current economic situation and news about rising unemployment may have you concerned about getting a job, particularly if you've already searched and come up short. Don't panic. There are a few tactics that can make your resume stand out, improve your chances of getting one of those fantastic entry-level jobs, and give you something worthwhile to do with your time.

1. Keep a Positive Attitude
According to the Wall Street Journal, the unemployment rate in April among those with only high school diplomas was about three times that of college graduates the same age. Even if job opportunities aren't abounding at the moment, you've still got an edge over those without a degree. Many companies are still hiring; it's just a matter of matching your particular skills to those most needed by employers. Eventually, waiting longer means you may appreciate the job you get even more.

2. Consider Rewiring Your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Think outside the box: just because you graduated with a degree in math doesn't mean you have to teach math or work in finance. People have used elementary education degrees as a step toward social work. What sub-skills, extra training, and uncommon volunteer experience do you have? You may have the necessary skills to get your dream job, but no employer knows that unless you pull them out from hiding under your degree and job titles and make them explicit in your resume. What happened when you helped out at the food bank? Did the administration go wireless? Did efficiency increase? Were you key in recruitment of new volunteers? Now may be a good time to revise your resume or CV, highlighting volunteer experience and remembering to focus not just on tasks, but also on results.

3. Prepare Yourself As Best As Possible
Take advantage of tools and advice that can help you in your job search. Many career fairs offer networking opportunities, and some offer free resume consultation. If the school where you graduated offers career counseling or mock interviews, take advantage of these resources to hone your interviewing skills and find new fields that match your coursework. College preparation Web sites such as CollegeGrad.com can give you resume, interviewing, and job search tips.
In the meantime, see what is missing from your education or experience. Some jobs require a particular skill or knowledge set that you might not have. If you are unable to find employment, take advantage of the extra time to take classes, earn a particular certification, or even go to graduate school. If you think you may eventually need a master's degree to get ahead in your career and you're having trouble finding a job now, why not consider starting the master's degree now, or at least taking some graduate courses?

4. Keep Looking
Don't give up the search. CollegeGrad.com and dozens of other career Web sites post new job ads every day. Finding employment can be like a full-time job, but harder you work at it, the better your chances are of stumbling upon your dream career. Good luck!