Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Making Yourself Indispensable



 
 

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via Productivity501 by Anna on 1/28/09

Since the economy is now in recession, the current state of affairs is causing many people rethink how they view their job security. Those life-long  jobs we hear our grandparents speak of, unfortunately, do not exist in the numbers they once did. For most people, their best option is to make themselves one of the employees that stands out from the others in terms of willingness to work, enthusiasm and dedication to the business. Here are a few suggestions to help "recession-proof" your job.

help-main

1. Keep a positive attitude

I once heard a story about a person in nursing school that was considered for a job over others, simply because of their good attitude. While many other students were becoming discouraged and complaining, this particular student kept a positive attitude, which then rubbed off on everyone else! Working with someone like this makes tasks seem much less difficult, and a positive morale usually does great things for teamwork in the business. Being one of those few that can find the positive in every situation could help single you out as a stellar employee.

2. Give real effort

Those that do more than what is required generally stand a better chance of being noticed by those in authority. The same applies in school. Real effort will usually reward you with a nice "A" or "B" because the teacher knows you put in the extra time and work and really care about what you are doing. Employers can usually tell when a job has been done with above-average dedication.

3. Learn how to delegate

The skill of knowing what can be outsourced and what cannot is something that is learned with time. If you can figure out a way to take some of the busy work out of your boss's schedule, they just might find that to be a valuable bit of reasoning. Knowing how to allocate resources for maximum efficiency is a skill that will greatly benefit any company.

4. Learn new things

Finding new ways to improve processes and having more general knowledge helps make work run more smoothly. The general knowledge of anything related to the company helps you make informed and wise decisions. Having the knowledge on hand also makes you a valuable resource for anyone having difficulty with their own work. Resolving issues before they become problems is a great skill to have and saves those in authority the trouble of sorting out the mess.

5. Network

It is easy to just sit back and do your job; however, when a company is restructured, it is best if others (your boss, other managers and employees) know the quality of work you do. If you are willing to put in extra time and effort and actually have that extra time, try to volunteer to take the tasks no one else wants. This will make your boss's life easier, and they will most likely appreciate it. If they know you as someone who is willing to help with a wide variety of tasks, you have a better chance of keeping your job. In addition, getting to know and respect managers in other departments is a good idea so that you have someone to speak for you other than your current boss. If the current authority is laid off, then someone else in management knows the quality of work that you do.Though this tactic helps, don't depend solely on it to save your job.

6. Share

If you know how to solve a problem a co-worker is dealing with, share your knowledge with them. This gives your boss fewer questions to answer and reduces the number of headaches he/she has to sort out. Helping jobs run smoothly ultimately makes your department run more efficiently, thus benefiting the profits of the entire company. A department that is shown to be efficient will be much less likely to suffer from lay-off's in the future.

7. Take responsibility

Everyone appreciates honesty. If you happen to make a mistake at work, it's not a good idea to try to cover it up. Usually, trying to hide mistakes only results in a bigger mess. Simply being honest can be a wonderful tool in gaining the trust of both authorities and co-workers, alike. People are more likely to really work hard for someone they know is trustworthy and that helps them whenever possible.

8. Be creative

Being creative with your problem solving can assist you in devising new solutions to dilemmas in the workplace. If you can find a solution to a problem before your boss is even bothered with it, they will come to appreciate this very much, and will most likely not want to lose you if restructuring occurs.

9. Stay healthy

Good health is one of the major components of reliability. For example, if you don't get enough rest, you might not be able to solve problems and face issues that normally wouldn't be much of a challenge for you. Even though this is not your normal level of ability, your boss might not know you well enough to realize this, so it is really beneficial to make rest a priority. Good fitness levels also help improve your self-confidence and give you something positive to think about when your day isn't going how you would like. Someone who shows dedication in taking care of themselves is more likely to put that same effort into their work.

10. Develop communication skills

One thing that most employers notice and appreciate is an employee that has good communication and grammar skills. Those that show they have superior vocabulary and grammatical knowledge are able to express ideas and assist others in understanding difficult material. If your communication skills are polished, it makes you sound intelligent and well-prepared for the tasks given to you, even if you don't have a lot of experience in the field. Ability to communicate well also enables you to explain difficult concepts to other employees. This, again, helps save your boss time and hassle. When you free others to do things that they normally would not have time to, it helps promote innovation within the company and generate possible profits.

Being an effective and dedicated employee makes you stand out from the crowd in a positive manner. Those that take an active, rather than passive, role in securing their employment stand a much better chance than those that just accept what they see as inevitable. As the cliche says, "The best defense is a good offense." Keeping the ball in your court gives you a bit more control over your employment status and helps relieve the stress of feeling helpless. Actively but discreetly promoting yourself in the esteem of those around you can make all the difference in keeping and enjoying your job.

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Monday, January 26, 2009

* Return to Georgia

Los Angeles was amazing. I had a great time.

Day 1 my BFF picked me up from the airport and we headed straight to my sister's house. My friend was telling us a story about her grandma walking around the house naked with the curtains open, and when she walked up grams was embarrassed. She thought her granddaughter was a stranger. FTFOLMAO

My sister and I went to the hospital to see my mom but she was having some procedure done, we waited two hours and then left. The BF and I saw Paul Blart Mall Cop. Not funny at all. But we still had a good time.

Day 2 It rained and poured. I didn't have and umbrella cause it had been 85 for the past 10 days. I should have known. Anyway I stopped in Koreatown on my way to the hospital. Some lady tried to sell me an umbrella for $30. I wanted to say, "Bitch are you crazy?" Instead I told her, no thank you, and found one instead for $2.99. That's what I'm talking about. I stopped in a Korean shopping mall. Everyone in there was looking at me crazy. Whatever. It's a free country. If you can sell liquor in my hood I can window shop in yours.

When i got to the hospital, the nurses were saying that my mom sleeps all day and that she cant talk, and blah blah blah. I kept calling out Mom until I heard her say, "What?" She would open her eyes real wide and look at me. I sat next to her and prayed. She would move her legs from side to side. She kept falling back to sleep so I would walk up to her and open them with my fingers like I did when I was a child. She used to hate that. I would too if I was sleeping.

It kinda sadden me to see her like that, but I didnt want her to know that, so I left and went to get some lunch. My girl Gladys' calls and i tell her I want to go to the Korean Spa to get scrubbed, my treat.

$45 a piece wasnt bad at all. First we got naked in the locker room and put on our robes. Next we went to the common room where the showers, hot tubs and saunas are. First we showered, and as I washed myself surrounded by beautiful women my inner lesbian came out. I was also really nervous. I'm alot more comfortable being naked in front of men than I am women.

We started at the mugwort tub. That sucker was hot. It took some time for my ahem, lil girl, to get adjusted to the temperature. Next was the cold tub. It's supposed to shrink pores. After that the mineral tub for more cleansing. I had to try the Jade Sauna. That sucker was so hot. I think some of my fat cells melted. Hell most of them.

After that we showered and took a nap on the Jade heated floor. That was the BOMB. A heated floor. That was worth $30 alone. Next a different sauna and then it was time to get scrubbed.

Have you had a Koran scrubbing? You need one. This woman wore some mitts and first she moistened my ski by pouring warm water over it, and then she scrubbed. It felt really good took. First face down, then on my back, and then on each side. She got my legs, in between my legs, my breast, my arm pit, all over my butt. I loved to the side of me and I saw these balls of.... da hell is that.... SKIN. EWWW

I'd rather have it off of me than on me. Then she put soap on and scrubbed me again. I needed that. I was squeaky CLEAN!

Day 3 I hung out with my girls. I finally held my friend's baby. He's only 6 mos, but he's huge. He already wearing clothes for a one year old. I saw Mom again. More praying. I told her that these prayers are going to permeate her entire body. I could tell that she was fighting and not ready to die, so that made me stronger. I told her that I was leaving but that I'd be back very soon to check on her.

Sunday i got into GA at 3:30pm. i dont know why my flight is always 30 minutes early getting in. My Boyfriend hadn't even left the house yet. I met decided to get on the train and meet him in the city.

I was very happy to see hat the house was still clean. And I;m very happy to be home.
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Peak Pick: Winter Greens



 
 

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via Whole Story by James Parker on 1/21/09


Green Kale in the field - Oxnard California

I love Greens.

There are few meals more comforting in the winter than a simple bowl of sautéed greens served with brown rice, and maybe a small piece of fish or chicken. Mustard is my favorite variety of green by far but I'm not picky in the winter - the cool weather makes the mustard greens supply a little harder to come by but it's worth the trouble if you can find them. Winter greens grow slower and the cool weather gives them a deeper color and more robust flavor.


Super sized Collard Greens- grown by Spanky Rawls in South Carolina

Growing up in the South, greens were always on the menu at my house. Turnip greens were the main attraction then — slow cooked for hours in a giant pot with a lump of salt pork. These days peanut and toasted sesame seed oil have replaced the salt pork (and the cooking time has gone from hours to a brief sauté) but my love of greens has not diminished.


Rainbow Chard - Watsonville, California

I have other reasons for loving greens — every time I buy a bunch I feel a surge of pride in the organic growers who produced, harvested, and packed the product in a way that sets the standard for quality in the industry. Greens are also a staple commodity produced in season by local farmers, large and small, throughout the U.S.


A WFM wet rack in the Southeastern US – 100% of the product in this picture is organically grown

If you are looking for a place in your local produce department that showcases the success of the organic industry, the wet rack is the place and cooking (and salad) greens are the commodities. No other product category maintains a higher average percentage of organic products annually and nowhere is the quality of organic production more evident or the care in which the product is handled in post harvest. Your local wet rack also a measure of how well a grocer cares for their produce — a well maintained greens section is as much an art as it is a science.


Red Kale – Watsonville, California

Greens are a popular crop because the same plant can produce multiple bunches and continue to add leaves even after several cuttings. Greens are also very hardy and prolific, growing well in a wide range of climates all over the U.S. This makes them a consistent income crop for large and small growers alike and as winter gives way to spring (and spring into summer) large scale production out of Florida and California is replaced by regional and local farming. Greens can also weather moderate freezes with little damage in most cases — this extends a local farm's season in parts of the U.S. that get early cold snaps.

Cooking green varieties change depending on the time of year and area of the U.S. where they are grown. Here are a few of the more common varieties:

Swiss chard: Red, green, and rainbow Swiss chard is similar in texture to spinach and has a mild pleasant flavor. High in Potassium, vitamin E, and beta carotene, chard is best cooked for a short period of time.

Mustard: Generally considered the strongest "flavored" classes of green, mustards have a sharp "peppery" flavor. Green mustard can be either flat leaf or curly and there are several varieties of Asian mustard (like Mizuna) that are milder. There is also a very delicate variety of red mustard that is sometimes seen in farmers' markets.

Collard: An extremely popular green in the south, collards have broad, flat leaves and a mild distinctive flavor. Collards are high in calcium and vitamin C.

Dandelion: Available in both red and green varieties, Dandelion greens are an excellent source of dietary calcium and vitamins A and K.


Lacinato Kale

Kale: The most popular cooking green, kale will get sweeter the cooler the growing conditions get. The most common variety is green kale but there is also a Red Russian, flowering (purple and white), and the more recently popular narrow leaf Lacinato kale.

You can steam, sauté, braise, roast, or slow cook greens. My favorite method is a simple sauté:

Take one bunch of your favorite greens, wash thoroughly and remove the large stems. Tear leaves into small, bite-size pieces.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive or peanut oil over medium high heat (I also add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil for flavor). Add greens and sauté until you reach a desired degree of doneness- add a dash of soy sauce at the end right before serving. I like mine full-flavored so 8-10 minutes is good for my tastes but the flavor softens the longer you cook them so I encourage experimentation.

Here's a more traditional southern recipe courtesy of Dana Peters, our Southeastern U.S. field team member:
1 bunch of greens (collards, turnip, mustard)
3 strips of range fed pork bacon — lean
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

Wash and cut greens in the direction of the main stem (removing the largest stems). Chop into small pieces and place in a large pot with 2" of water. Add bacon, salt, and sugar and bring to a boil; reduce to medium temperature and cook for one hour. Dana also suggests combining greens for different flavors.

There are many other types of greens (and endless ways to prepare them). What is your favorite?

Many thanks to Dana Peters, John Walker, and Bob Flood for contributing to this post.


 
 

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

How to Find Your True Priorities



 
 

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via PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement by Hunter Nuttall on 1/19/09

gym

On January 1st, many people make resolutions for the new year, such as to go to the gym every day. You can't help noticing that gyms suddenly become much more crowded. But by February 1st, most people have abandoned their resolutions. Gyms become empty.

Sometime between January 1st and February 1st, people realize that they don't really care that much about their New Year's resolutions. In many cases, it's because they chose their resolutions for the wrong reasons. This applies not just to New Year's resolutions, but anything people do just because they think they should.

Think about why you do what you do

Maybe they think they're supposed to exercise, so they decide that's what they should focus on. But regardless of the wonderful benefits of exercise, you won't stick with it if it doesn't support something that truly matters to you.

This goes for exercising, losing weight, reading, writing, socializing, or anything else. Just because something is beneficial doesn't mean it's right for you. And one of the biggest mistakes you can make is focusing on the wrong things.

We have to accept that we can't do everything. It's not just a matter of time management, although that's certainly part of it. We have a limited amount of resources such as time, patience, energy, and support from others, and we have to decide how we'll use our limited resources. We have to prioritize.

Define your priorities

So decide what your priorities are. Don't just blow this off by saying you want "happiness" or "success." That's far too vague to be helpful. Spend some time thinking about what you really want in life, and be specific.

If one of your priorities is "happiness," fine. What specifically does this entail? What makes you happy? This is one of the most important questions you could ever answer, because everything else follows from this.

Enjoy the journey as well as the destination

We know how to eat an elephant: one bite at a time. So be sure that you enjoy your day to day life, instead of doing only what you think you have to do, or obsessing about the ultimate outcome.

Maybe you decide that to you, the ultimate happiness is having your own private island. And that's fine; there are no right or wrong answers here. But remember that the private island is not a priority per se. You merely came up with the private island as a means of pursuing your actual priority of happiness. Don't focus so much on a goal that you lose sight of why you want to achieve the goal.

If your priority is happiness, then your daily actions should support that priority right now, regardless of whether some future goal is achieved. Maybe right now, a cup of hot chocolate will make you happy. By having some hot chocolate now, you're satisfying your priority of happiness. That doesn't stop you from working towards your private island, but it makes the journey a lot more fun.

Focus on what really matters

If going to the gym every day is not fun for you, maybe you shouldn't be doing that. Yes, it could bring you terrific results over time, but what is your real reason for doing it?

Is it because you want to have a long, happy life? OK, then focus on having a long, happy life. If you don't like going to the gym, then how is it going to make you happy? It might increase your lifespan, but if you're spending that extra time doing something you don't enjoy, then what do you get from living longer?

Focusing on your real priorities might give you a better solution than focusing on what you think you're supposed to do. For example, maybe another one of your priorities is spending time with friends. Maybe then, you and a friend could work out together just a few times a week.

OK, you might be breaking your resolution to go to the gym every day, but you're spending time on what you've identified as your priorities, which is what really matters anyway. Because when your life is directed at what matters to you, you can't go wrong.

About the writer: Hunter Nuttall wants you to stop sucking and live a life of abundance. Visit his site to learn how to improve your life and your income.


 
 

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Avocados and the “Best Ever” Guacamole



 
 

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via Whole Story by James Parker on 1/7/09


Our super field guy Chuck in an avocado orchard in the Mexican state of Michoacán

There is something I've observed about guacamole and the people who make it — everyone has the "best ever" recipe and each is as individual as the person who makes it. Mike, the berry buyer here at our national produce office in Watsonville, has a simple, five ingredient recipe he got when he worked at a Whole Foods Market in Santa Rosa, California. Amy, a research and information administrator in Austin, has a "secret" recipe from her grandmother who insisted the spices be fresh — "not the 10 year old stuff in your cupboard." My personal recipe — which, by the way, is the best ever —  has sour cream to improve the texture. This, according to the Southwest purist, is not "real" guacamole but some fancy-pants California dip that only looks like guacamole. The truth is great guacamole is a matter of taste and like wine, is largely determined by what the person consuming it likes or dislikes.  But all the recipes have one thing in common – they all start with avocados.

Also know as an Alligator Pear, the avocado is actually a fruit. Originating in the Americas, the avocado was a large part of the diet of the indigenous people of Central and South America at the time they were encountered by Spanish explorers (who were credited with introducing the fruit to Europeans). Commercial cultivation of the avocado did not happen until the beginning of the 20th century and it wasn't until the chance discovery of the Hass variety in 1926 that avocado production began in earnest.
Mexico is the largest producer of avocados in the world. The next four countries on the list for commercial production are the United States, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Indonesia —and you have to add all four together to come close to matching Mexico's annual output.  In the U.S., California and Florida produce the most fruit.

Here in the U.S .most of our avocados come from Mexico, Chile and domestically when in season. The California season starts in December but the peak in production is March, April and May. The season usually lasts until September but it's hard to know how long the California season will last this year since a reduced crop is expected. The weather, the fires in Sothern California and the water shortage will make a crop about 30% lower than normal. Summer is the season for green skinned fruit out of Florida and we see Hass variety from all three locations in the summer as well. By September Mexico and Chile take over for almost 100 percent of our avocado needs as California finishes harvesting for the year.


Chilean Hass avocados — with companions

While the varieties produced all over the world number in the hundreds, there are two broad types of avocadoes. The most common commercial variety for sale here in the U.S. has a dark, bumpy skin — a type dominated by the Hass variety. This variety can be produced year round and is coveted for its high oil content and creamy texture. The second type of avocado commonly produced is a green skinned type — these varieties keep their green skin when ripe and commonly have lower oil content.


Bacon variety avocados – Los Angeles, California

Like most citrus, avocado trees are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures and will not tolerate prolonged periods below freezing. In favorable conditions, though, the avocado tree and fruit are remarkably resilient – needing little in the way of input and having few natural pests. In fact the biggest challenge to bringing avocados to market is weather and the fruit itself,  which like many tropical fruits, need some help to ripen once they are off the tree and must be stored and shipped in a very narrow temperature range to avoid chill damage.


Avocados on the tree - Central Mexico

The challenge for a grocery store is to keep fruit on the shelves that is ripe enough to eat but not too ripe that it bruises (which will turn the interior black).  It is for this reason that most avocado displays are shallow and the fruit is still firm to the touch. I like to buy my avocados firm to keep from have to cut out and dispose of bruised sections, so I try to get mine a few days before I need them. To finish ripening at home I place them in a bowl with any type of citrus or bananas. Both release ethylene gas which will help the avocado ripen. If you buy a lot of avocados at one time, make sure you check on them every day — avocados generate a lot of heat when ripening so the fruit at the bottom of the bowl will ripen faster that the fruit at the top.


Fancy-pants avocado "dip" – Watsonville, California

Here's the recipe for a big bowl of my "best ever" guacamole:

  • 8-10 medium avocados (ripe)
  • ½ pint of cherry tomatoes (grape or regular variety- sliced into small pieces)
  • 3 oz sour cream
  • ¼ red onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 hot pepper (I like Anaheim- finely chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin (or more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (to taste
  • Juice of 1 lemon (or 2 limes)
  • Cilantro to taste (or not if you don't like it)
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients except the tomatoes, mashing first with a fork (or potato masher) and then blend with a firm whisk.  Taste and correct the seasoning and then fold in the tomatoes at the end so they will be intact.  Serve with tortilla chips to lots of opinionated friends.

Okay…bring it on. What's your "best ever" guacamole?

Many thanks to Chuck Anunciation and Rodrigo Velasquez for contributing to this post.


 
 

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My Friend G......................



 
 

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via Chef Therese Nelson by therese on 12/20/08

I was talking with a friend today about our worth as a women. The conversation started with a walk down memory lane remembering men we'd dated in college and I mused that it was sad that I couldn't remember the names of men that had meant something to me. We started talking about women and our attachment to men and G made a brilliant observation that as women we often times give of ourselves so freely that we forget what we need in return. She said its easier for a man to get a woman into bed than it is to buy a car and that its sad that we ask so little for ourselves.

The striking thing to me was how right she was. I think of myself as a smart woman and I value myself a great deal, but as I think about my relationship history I realize that I never tell the other person what I need. I mean i'm not sure you're suppose to present a list, but I never say so when i'm not getting it. I feel like i shouldn't have to ask, like if it's the right person what he gives me will be enough and when it's not I assume he's not the one and move on; but what if I asked? I mean what if in the failed relationships I've walked away from I'd just have said "look man, call me more often", or "i need us to go outside of the apartment more" or,"i hate that you dont tip enough" whould they have ended differently. We ladies always talk about lack of communication being the downfall of a relationship so perhaps thats what ive been guilty of.

At the heart of what G was saying was the woman though. I mean what she was saying was less about what we need from men and more not ofering what we have to give without thought of the value so I guess more important than telling my partner what I need I should value what I have to give more and ask that he earn it.

 
 

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Single Secret to Making 2009 Your Best Year Ever



 
 

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via Zen Habits by Leo on 1/5/09

Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.

I was sitting here at my computer, pondering whether I wanted to write a post with tips about "making 2009 your best year ever". It's been done, and most of my tips you've already read before on Zen Habits.

I made a small list of things I'd recommend to anyone wanting to make 2009 their best year ever … coming up with a single life-changing goal, creating a mantra for that goal to keep them on track, simplifying their lives, making time for loved ones and themselves, learning to be in the moment … all of these are great tips, and I could come up with a dozen more that would really help people if they wanted to make positive changes.

But then I realized that there's just one tip that's needed. And it's not a tip you'll read in most personal development, productivity or self-help blogs or books.

That's because if you implemented this one tip, you wouldn't really need any others. It would put all of us out of business.

So, because I enjoy writing personal development posts and books for you guys, I'm counting on you to NOT actually implement this, and to keep needing other tips I give you in the future.

Kidding of course! Go ahead, put me and all the rest of 'em out of business. I'd rather have you happy and successful, and look for another job, knowing that I did something good.

So what's that single secret, the one thing that will not only make 2009 your best year ever, but put personal development and self-help bloggers and authors out of business?

Are you sure you're ready to hear it?

OK, you're ready. :) Here goes:

Stop waiting for happiness. Happiness is right here, right now.

Sounds too simple, but if you haven't realized this, and put it into action, it can have an amazing effect on your life. Today. Right now.

My Life of Waiting

When I was young, I couldn't wait to become an adult. Oh, the freedom! Becoming an adult would bring me happiness. I couldn't wait.

When I became an adult, I couldn't wait to get a good job. That would surely bring happiness. I couldn't wait. When I got a good job, I couldn't wait to get a raise. When I got a raise, I couldn't wait to get married. When I got married, I couldn't wait to buy a nicer car. Got the car, then I couldn't wait to buy a house.

When I bought the house, I couldn't wait to … get out of debt.

I could go on for quite awhile, but you get the point. None of my desires ever produced happiness, because I was stuck in the mindset of wanting more. When I got what I wanted, I wanted something else. My happiness was always on hold, because I was waiting to reach a goal.

Waiting for happiness.

On Goals and Desires

It's good to have goals. I have them — it's a part of living and working. But how much are you investing in your goals? How much of your happiness is based on your goals?

It's also natural to have desires, but if your life is a series of desires, one after the other, and everything in you is in pursuit of those desires, you will always be striving for happiness, waiting for it.

Instead, remember: Stop waiting for happiness. Happiness is right here, right now.

Feel free to pursue goals, and desires … but don't make your happiness dependent on them. Don't think of happiness as something you'll have once X happens (whatever X is right now for you).

Life is a Journey - Enjoy It!

So how do you go for goals and still have happiness right here, right now? By remembering that the important thing isn't the destination … it's the journey!

Remember that, always: the journey is the most important thing. Not the goal. Not the ending point.

Think about it: if you are only happy once you reach a goal, what about all the time you spend getting to the goal? That's much more of your life than actually being at the goal. If you're only happy when you're at the destination, you'll be unhappy most of the time.

What's more, if you are stuck in that mindset, when you reach your destination, you won't actually be happy — you'll be looking toward your next destination.

Instead, remember: Stop waiting for happiness. Happiness is right here, right now.

How do you enjoy the journey? By appreciating life in its fullness, its wonderfulness. By not looking so much toward the future, but focusing on the present moment, right here, right now. By looking around you, and realizing that everything you need for happiness is already here!

Everything You Need for Happiness

What do you need to be happy? Do you need a fancy car and a mansion and millions of dollars? If you could have every single desire granted to you right now, would you be happy then?

Or can you be happy now, with what you have?

Can you look at the gorgeous sky, and realize what a miracle it is? Can you look at a sunset, a forest, a flower, a child, and realize the miracle of each of these things? You probably can, if you take the time to look at them fully.

And then you might realize that your eyes are a miracle, and that they allow you to see each of these other miracles. If you have your eyes, you have all you need for happiness.

What if you are blind? Can you taste chocolate, or strawberries, or cinnamon, or tears, and realize what a miracle those things are? Can you hear Mozart, or John Lennon, or Jack Johnson, and have your soul fill up with happiness? Then you already have all you need for happiness.

All you need is the present moment: spend time with a loved one, talk with a friend, watch a funny movie, go swimming in refreshing water, smell fresh baked bread, go for a walk or a run, curl up with a good book, cuddle on a rainy day, give and receive a hug.

It's true — this is the only thing you need to know: Stop waiting for happiness. Happiness is right here, right now.

But … What About My Goals?

Should you give up your goals for 2009, now that you've decided to be happy now? Nah. Go ahead and pursue those goals, but remember to enjoy the journey. Consider:

  • Losing weight. Will you only be happy after you've lost weight and are slim and trim? When you have the perfect body? Screw that! Make it an enjoyable journey — exercise can be a lot of fun! Eating clean, healthy food can also be incredible, once you learn to enjoy it! Enjoy the journey to health and the great body will only be a side benefit.
  • Getting productive. Do you have a desire to crank through your to-do list, stop procrastinating, and knock down your projects, one after the other? Well, that's good, but realize that your to-do list will never ever be completed, nor will your project list. They're never ending, and in fact they're supposed to be that way. So you'll never reach a destination here — all you have is the journey! Learn to enjoy your work - every minute of it — and productivity will come naturally.
  • Learning a new skill. Whether you want to learn French, or to play the trombone, or to master Jeet Kune Do, will you only be happy once you've learned the skill? No! Learn to love the learning process! It's an exploration not only of new territory, but of yourself. It's wonderful.
  • Simplifying. Do you want to get rid of clutter? Will you be happy only when you've gotten rid of all excess things? No! Enjoy the process of decluttering — it's one of my favorite pasttimes! :) Imagine that I'm there next to you, enjoining you to "TOSS IT!" with a wildly cheerful voice.
  • Writing a book. Do you want to write the Great American Novel? Don't wait until you're done to enjoy the book … love each moment you can spend writing. It's a miracle.

What are you waiting for before you become happy? Can you find happiness right now, in this moment? Let us know in the comments!
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Sunday, January 4, 2009

From the Carol's Daughter Site

Lisa's Journal

Gift Giving from the Kitchen

12.09.08 | 5 Comments

Sometimes my favorite gifts to give are a combination of my favorite soufflés and body butters with unique mixtures that aren't available for purchase.  Two of my favorites are my Rose Milk Bath and Potpourri, both of which you can hand make right in your kitchen.  They're a cinch to whip up and always make for a great present.  Since they both are fresh, you'll want to keep Rose Milk Bath in the refrigerator (it's good for up to 7 days) and the potpourri should remain closed in an airtight container for two weeks to cure.  Then you can open the jar to release the fragrance, pour the contents into a mesh bag for a scented sachet or place into a large bowl. What are your favorite items to gift for the holidays (besides Carol's Daughter gifts of course!)?
 
Rose Milk Bath
1 quart Whole Milk
1 fifth of Vodka
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
5 roses
50 drops rose fragrance oil
Strawberries, sliced and strained of juice (optional)
 
Glass Bottles
Bottle Tags
Twine
Ladle
Punch Bowl
Pyrex Measuring Cup
 
1. Gently pull the petals off the roses, throwing away the center and stem.
2. Toss the petals into a large mixing bowl, saving some for floating in your bath or in a bowl near your bath.
3. Pour in the milk (smoothes the skin), followed by the vodka (tones and skin and acts as natural preservation), then the vanilla extract (an aphrodisiac).  Stir.
4. At this point you have the option of including sliced strawberries to add alpha hydroxyl acids (improves skin texture, cleanses pores)
5. Add rose oil fragrance.  Be creative if you dare by adding gardenia (uplifting), honey (attracts and retains moisture), or sandalwood (calming). 
6. Gently mix and pour items into a glass jar.  Tie ribbon around the mouth of the jar with a note from you to the recipient.  Refrigerate until ready to gift.
 
 
Potpourri
Dried Roses (simply hang roses upside down in a dry space such as your laundry room for three days)
Pearly Everlasting
Coco Flowers
Orange Slices
Angel Wings
Tailsprings
Cinnamon Sticks
Winter Fragrance
*Alternatively, you can use dried orange slices
 
1. Clip your rose heads from their stems and place in a jar.
2. Add in Pearly Everlasting – this reminds me of snow – and slowly add in other ingredients.  The most important aspect of potpourri is color and texture so make sure you have a healthy balance.
3. Drizzle rose fragrance oil over the flowers – about 10-15 drops for each handful of ingredients.
4. Mix gently and place a good handful into airtight jars.
5. Tie with twine and include a note for the recipient to wait 2 weeks before opening. This will ensure that the fragrance is absorbed into the ingredients and will last a long time.

Peace.

Love,

Lisa

By: lisaprice
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