Four Easy Steps to Get Happy....er.

Although I am a full-fledged believer in the Law of Attraction, and a wide-eyed quantum physics enthusiast, I've discovered that many folks do not embrace these concepts. However, I'm pleased to report that despite your belief system, there are some very simple things you can do immediately to improve your mood and setpoint for happiness.

Step 1: Quit commercial talk radio cold turkey. Talk radio embraces some of the most consistently negative, "us vs. them" messages on the media "dial". Even if you are in full and complete agreement with the opinions of the hosts or guests, TURN IT OFF and count to 10. The healing will begin almost immediately. Practice this non-listening for a week and you'll be amazed at the results. (NOTE: The same holds true for opinion shows on the television.)

Step 2: For those of you who watch a lot of sports, cut your sports viewing by 50%. As a big sports fan myself, I love to watch a good game. But like anything we enjoy (eating cookies, sitting in hot tubs, playing in traffic...) moderation is key. Countless studies have shown that excessive sports viewing promotes passivity, passive-aggressive behavior, ADD and annoyed significant others. Use the "patch" method, and ease off slowly. Start by only watching games with your home team involved. Next, drop it down to your favorite sports. Once you take the first step, you instantly break the "moth-to-a-flame" hypnosis and begin to move on with living life. If you are a true, die-hard sports fan, use the new-found time to read a book about sports or better yet - join a local team and actually PLAY the game to claim to love, which will yield additional health benefits.

Step 3: Review your music choices. Listen to the lyrics and the messages being delivered to your head, heart and spirit. Music is a very powerful medium which holds tremendous sway over our moods and our overall outlook. Cut back or cut out music that contains consistently dreary, depressing, aggressive themes and words. I'm not suggesting you listen to Pat Boone or even that you need to take the edge out of your ecclectic musical library. I'm merely recommending that you become mindful of the nature of what you pump into your ears over and over each day, and consider emphasizing more positive, uplifing tunes to lift you up and inspire you.

Step 4: Pretend that everything you say or write about someone will be heard or read by them. This will force you to start to think of positive things about everyone around you and will break you of the natural habit of dissing someone behind their back. Really - what's the point? Your subconscious is not going to let you get away with that anyway, so you will just be feeding your own bad feelings anyhow. Speak well of others - start today! As an extension of this, let go of all grudges. They do nothing but taint your own existence. I believe it was Nelson Mandela's quote that went something like this: "Holding a grudge or a bad feeling about someone is like drinking poison and thinking it will kill your enemy." Why poison yourself? Let go and feel better.

I think you'll find that these are simple, cost-free steps that will yield immediate tangible benefits. So what are you waiting for you stupid, fat idiots?!!!*

* You'll learn that I will be unable to avoid adding silly, and sometimes offensive humor into my posts. Apologies in advance.