"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Saturday, January 23, 2010

The Simple Key to Happier Feelings

The Simple Key to Happier Feelings
By RealAge

"Money? Nope. Fame? Nah. Good looks? Nuh-uh. None of these things paves the road to happiness. What does? Science says you'll have to look inside.

Turns out that personal growth is one of the keys to glad feelings, researchers have determined. So focus on self-improvement daily, whether it's taking better care of your health, doing things that give you confidence, or journaling to understand yourself better.

Joyful Goal Getting:
Yep, we all have a fundamental psychological need to make our own choices, feel a sense of accomplishment, and connect deeply with others. Which is why personal development is ground zero for good vibrations. And a recent study of newly graduated college students helped prove it. Those who spent their first 2 years out of school pursuing materialistic goals (think wealth, looks, and fame) were far less happy than students who achieved more intrinsic personal goals, like getting involved in their communities, nurturing close friendships, and working on inner growth.

Inner Happiness Reigns:
In fact, the materialistic students' goals actually contributed slightly to their unhappiness. So don't go there! Instead, formulate your own personal development goals, and use these tips to help you achieve them:

Believe:
Yes, you can do it! In fact, the college student study confirmed that the more committed someone is to attaining a goal, the more likely he or she will succeed. Use this tool to boost your goal-getting motivation.

Love:
Your life, that is. It's a gift!

Laugh:
With others.

RealAge Benefit:
Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16 years younger.

Love,

John Hancock - Happy Birthday - Wikipedia

Signing the Declaration
Hancock was president of Congress when the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed. He is primarily remembered by Americans for his large, flamboyant signature on the Declaration, so much so that "John Hancock" became, in the United States, an informal synonym for signature. According to a popular legend, Hancock signed his name largely and clearly so that King George could read it without his spectacles, but this fanciful story did not appear until many years later.

Hancock's signature as it appears on the engrossed copy of the Declaration of IndependenceContrary to popular mythology, there was no ceremonial signing of the Declaration on July 4, 1776.

After Congress approved the wording of the text on July 4, a copy was sent to be printed. As president, Hancock may have signed the document that was sent to the printer, but this is uncertain because that document is lost, perhaps destroyed in the printing process.

The printer produced the first published version of the Declaration, the widely distributed Dunlap broadside. Hancock, as President of Congress, was the only delegate whose name appeared on the broadside, which meant that until a second broadside was issued six months later with all of the signers listed, Hancock was the only delegate whose name was publicly attached to the treasonous document. Hancock sent a copy of the Dunlap broadside to George Washington, instructing him to have it read to the troops "in the way you shall think most proper".

Hancock's name was printed, not signed, on the Dunlap broadside; his iconic signature appears on a different document—a sheet of parchment that was carefully handwritten sometime after July 19 and signed on August 2 by Hancock and those delegates present. Known as the engrossed copy, this is the famous document on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

11 comments:

Eclectic Chic Style said...

YES!! Love this post!! and I am in agreement 100 percent!!! True happiness DOES come from the inside....and it's contagious too! :) (and we can look 16 years younger in the process?) YEA!! You are an inspiration!! Hope your Saturday is gorgeous!!
Hugs ♥ Teresa

Linda @ A La Carte said...

The older I get, the happier I am with myself and with that comes a very nice peace! If one can be peaceful in these very hectic times we live in. Glad you are back even though it's rainy and drab here in Atlanta.

Angela said...

That is so true! I think that is why I look as young as I do! hehehe

I have seen the Declaration of Independence at the Archives when we lived in Maryland.

I'm glad you are back!

Hugs,
Angela

my word verification word:
thakerse

^..^Corgidogmama said...

While good looks and material wealth doesn't hurt...alone, it's really nothing.
I'd have to agree with Linda here that the older I get, the happier I am with myself. THANK GOD!!!!
Darn good post Sandie!

Stella said...

That is one nice thing about being older most of come to realize it's the enjoyment of the moment that counts. We have been fogged in for over a week. I would so love to see some sunshine. Thanks for sharing.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Great post and so true!

AND I loved finding out about the engrossed copy of the D of I and Hancock's "John Hancock". ;-)

XO,

Sheila

sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Yep -- I agree with you and the other commenters. Are you back? Welcome back if so!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I have been taking notes, and am going to TRY ALL your suggestions.
What's a pug to do- except try?
Me and my mom--- we will TRY.
thank you for the words.
love
tweedles

LADY JANE said...

Well said....ones has to be happy with their own self before they can spread it around! Great post! So are you home? Really home...did you have a great time! Can't wait to chat! Things have been pretty busy here as usual! I can't wait to hear abput the babies and your trip! Hugs! Jane

betty said...

it is interesting that science says to "look inside for happiness". makes me think what God looks at, the heart. I think if we get our heart right with God, we will have joy in Him, not necessarily in our circumstances but in Him and that is what really matters, right?

it was 80 degrees today here

(just kidding)

betty

Buttercup said...

Agreed, the more I look inside the less I think I need. Makes life a whole lot easier. Hope you're having a good weekend.