<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852</id><updated>2011-07-28T14:51:09.492-07:00</updated><title type='text'>DONNA DAISY</title><subtitle type='html'>Learn how to have feelings of love (gratitude, forgiveness and compassion) rather than feelings of fear (anger, blame and guilt). Training your Mind for Happiness and your Heart for Love is what psychologist, life coach, author and inspirational speaker, Donna Daisy offers her clients. The Donna Daisy Blog is your best source for happiness information and education.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>18</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-4012648339491393157</id><published>2010-10-24T12:19:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-24T12:27:30.863-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Creating Relationships That Work In Retirement</title><content type='html'>I have heard it said that there is good news and bad news about retirement. The good news is that you get to spend more time with your spouse. The bad news is that you get to spend more time with your spouse!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When couples retire, even if they live in the garden spot of the world, it isn’t unusual for them to experience strain in their relationship. Each person’s role may have changed. The income and status from previous jobs are gone, and children are usually no longer living at home. The daily golf games you were looking forward to aren’t as satisfying as expected, and finding interesting things to talk about at dinner each evening can be a struggle.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To make matters worse, most couples have never spent so much time together, and in such immediate proximity. It is easy for couples to become angry, frustrated, and irritable as they find themselves together twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, without having ever considered how their relationship and their lives should look in this new situation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you and your partner are looking toward retirement, or even if you have already retired, you may have some decisions to make. You can either choose to sit down and discuss your dreams for retirement with each other, or, if you make no preparations, you risk maintaining old patterns of interacting that aren’t working for you any longer, and experiencing the disappointment and lack of fulfillment that comes from living out your retirement in what I call “quiet desperation.” Retirement is a time that you can choose to recommit to a new life and to your partner, with each of you sharing the responsibility for maximizing happiness, and making retirement the fun, exciting, joyous segment of your life that you have always dreamed it would be.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When my husband and I retired, we had an unusual amount of challenges due to his serious health problems. He was faced with finding a way to be happy despite his illness, and I was coming to grips with being thrust into the role of full-time caregiver. Below are some of the strategies that we found especially helpful in our relationship as we dealt with retirement and the particular set of problems we faced. You don’t have to wait until retirement to start using these skills. They are helpful in any committed relationship at any time of life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1.  Build and maintain intimacy. This is the golden rule that is at the heart of everything else in your relationship. You build intimacy by being truly honest with each other - - talking about your hopes, your fears, your dreams, and feeling safe doing it. Stephen Covey, the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, teaches that we have an emotional bank account with every person we communicate with. Just like with a regular bank account, you make deposits and you make withdrawals. Positive interactions are deposits. Negative interactions are withdrawals. It is essential for a warm relationship that the positive interactions (deposits) outnumber the negative interactions (withdrawals). Here is a formula that you may want to remember: You need 5 positive interactions to balance every negative interaction.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Prioritize time for communication. When you sit down to talk, make sure you have no distractions ─ no TV ─ no newspaper. Give your full attention to your conversation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Make communication safe. In addition to expressing the appreciation you feel for one another, establish ground rules for communication, so that each person can be assured of not being criticized or demeaned. The rules can be as simple as: &lt;br /&gt;- Treat each other with respect.&lt;br /&gt;- No hurtful criticisms.&lt;br /&gt;- No passive-aggressive behavior. &lt;br /&gt;- Listen deeply and without judgment to what the other is saying.&lt;br /&gt;- Think before you speak.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Establish one or more shared goals such as rebuilding a healthy, mutually enjoyable relationship, and creating a happy, fulfilling retirement life for both individuals.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Establish that each partner is interested in the well-being of both ─ &lt;br /&gt; You might say things like, “Here are some things that are important to me      in retirement” and “Tell me about the things that would make our  retirement years most enjoyable for you.” Then you look for ways to blend    your wants and needs. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. Begin with the end in mind. When interacting, keep the focus on what you are trying to accomplish (a healthy, mutually enjoyable relationship and a fulfilling retirement.) Choose words carefully rather than reacting with anger and sharp, critical words.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6.  Discuss issues that are important to the relationship such as:&lt;br /&gt;- How is our marriage doing?&lt;br /&gt;- How is our retirement doing?&lt;br /&gt;- How much time do we want to spend together and separately? It is important that each person maintain his and her sense of individuality. You need a combination of time spent together, and time doing things with others&lt;br /&gt;- Who is responsible for what? Who does the grocery shopping? Who does the cleaning? Who plans the social calendar?&lt;br /&gt;- What are the financial issues that need to be discussed?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In short, in my experience, what will bring greatest happiness and the most harmony to any relationship is 1) the attention by both people to the desire for a healthy, mutually enjoyable relationship, and 2) the communicating in a manner that is focused on a mutual goal, feels safe to both people, conveys appreciation of one another, and is respectful of all points of view.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you,Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-4012648339491393157?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/4012648339491393157/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/10/creating-relationships-that-work-in.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/4012648339491393157'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/4012648339491393157'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/10/creating-relationships-that-work-in.html' title='Creating Relationships That Work In Retirement'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-1472823080179298781</id><published>2010-10-10T07:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-10T07:32:45.267-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Do What Happy People Do</title><content type='html'>There is a saying among 12-Step people that goes like this: "If you want what I have, do what I do." I believe the same principle also applies to happiness. If you look around you at people who are enjoying each day to the fullest, regardless of their circumstances, you will notice that these people are likely to have something in common. They all have happiness habits that they practice on a daily basis. In other words, they have a foundation for happiness. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are some of the happiness habits that I have found to be most effective both for myself, and for the people I work with:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Practice gratitude. Look around you every day and notice the many things that you have to be grateful for. I have found that even in the bleakest of circumstances, I still have many things for which to be grateful. Each of us has 86,400 seconds in every day. Ask yourself, "How many of those seconds am I remembering to be grateful?"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Practice acts of kindness. I have a group of friends with whom I walk my dog, Abby,  each morning between 7 AM and 8 AM. A couple of years ago, one of our older neighbors, Sylvia, lost her next door neighbor and best friend. Each morning, all of the "dog friends" would go out of our way to give Sylvia a big hug and invite her to join us. Sylvia now says that act of kindness by the "dog friends" each day was what got her through some of her darkest days. Acts of kindness don't have to cost anything. Simply giving an encouraging smile to a stranger can be a great act of kindness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Social support has been found to be one of the greatest buffers against the damaging effects of chronic stress.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. Practice forgiveness. Buddha summed it up best with this saying:Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For more happiness habits, you might want to have a look at my book, "Why Wait? Be Happy Now!" by going to my website, www.donnadaisy.com. You can also find it on www.amazon.com.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you,Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-1472823080179298781?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/1472823080179298781/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/10/do-what-happy-people-do.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/1472823080179298781'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/1472823080179298781'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/10/do-what-happy-people-do.html' title='Do What Happy People Do'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-1877659459546683543</id><published>2010-10-07T06:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-24T12:17:16.961-07:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>Hi Everyone - Did any of you happen to take part in any of the September 21 world peace activities? I received some beautiful videos and emails with inspirational messages that kept me reminded of this important date. In case you happened to miss out, I would like to dedicate this blog to the 2010 International Day of Peace, and the importance to our future that this day represents.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;All of us wish for and dream of peace in this world. And even though we have our own stressors, day in and day out, as we step back and view the world from a larger point of view, we recognize that the world has great stressors as well. Some are political, some are economic, and some are environmental. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is my belief that what the world needs right now is not so much a change of politics, but a change in our hearts and lives. It needs us to cooperate and support one another rather than compete. It needs us all to be focused on blessing one another, rather than blaming each other.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In her book, The Age of Miracles, author and lecturer Marianne Williamson notes that, “We are in the midst of a great revolution – a time in which we will make a quantum leap from one era of human history to another. Things will be radically different over the next years as we enter either a new age of darkness or a new age of light.”  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We often feel like we a small and insignificant when it comes to such important issues as world peace. On the contrary. Now is the time for each one of us to take the first step toward leading the way toward a more peaceful world. We do that by first becoming more peaceful ourselves, releasing judgments and blame, and instead, tuning our hearts to love. The last half of my book, Why Wait? Be Happy Now! is devoted to exactly how we can tune our hearts to love. But for now, I would like to give you five steps you can take right now to start becoming the peace you want to see in the world:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Be grateful in the present moment rather than stressed about the future. Consider making a daily list of at least three things for which you are grateful Choose different things each day. One of the benefits of this exercise is that it keeps you focused on the good stuff!&lt;br /&gt;2. Practice acts of kindness on a daily basis. Seek ways to help others. The smallest acts of kindness can make a huge difference.&lt;br /&gt;3. Practice forgiveness. A friend of mine, whose husband recently asked for a divorce, told me she was tired of her minister telling her to forgive him. I reminded her of the saying from Buddha that hanging on to anger is like holding a hot coal. You intend to throw it at the other person, but you are the one that gets burned. You aren’t forgiving for the other person’s benefit, but for yourself.&lt;br /&gt;4. Surround yourself with positive, like minded people and nurture those relationships. Especially, let them know you appreciate them and respect them. Practice the five to one ratio (five positive interactions with them for every negative interaction.)&lt;br /&gt;5. Consciously bring forth your highest potential in order to make your highest contribution to the world. Keep expanding your knowledge and wisdom. Keep growing as a person. Remember, life has only one exam – a final exam that asks two questions: How much did you love? How much did you learn and grow?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In case you didn’t have the opportunity to see it, the following is the link to a beautiful video created by Heartmath, LLC. I encourage you to have a look. I believe that you will find that it is worth the “cut and paste” effort!&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;http://www.heartmath.org/templates/ihm/articles/landing/peace-day/2010/index.php?mtcCampaign=11967&amp;mtcEmail=28930072&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you,&lt;br /&gt;Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-1877659459546683543?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/1877659459546683543/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/10/hi-everyone-did-any-of-you-happen-to.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/1877659459546683543'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/1877659459546683543'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/10/hi-everyone-did-any-of-you-happen-to.html' title=''/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-7204618815161805310</id><published>2010-09-21T14:54:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-21T14:57:51.988-07:00</updated><title type='text'>You Can Increase Your Health and Wealth By Increasing Your Happiness</title><content type='html'>Written by Donna Daisy, Ph.D. on September 21, 2010&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Why do we put forth so much effort to be happier? It turns out that happiness brings with it quite a few fringe benefits:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Health benefits:&lt;br /&gt;1. Happiness strengthens the immune system, and results in greater overall physical health.&lt;br /&gt;2. Happy people are 35% less likely to get a cold and they produce 50% more antibodies in response to flu vaccines than the average person.&lt;br /&gt;3. Individuals who score high on happiness and optimism scales have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and infections.&lt;br /&gt;4. People who maintain a sense of humor, an indicator of happiness, &lt;br /&gt;   outlive those who don’t, and the survival edge is particularly large    &lt;br /&gt;   for people with cancer.&lt;br /&gt;5. Happiness and health create a positive feedback loop. Improving on &lt;br /&gt;    one improves the other&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Wealth benefits:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Research has shown that over a lifetime, happy people make significantly more money over a lifetime than their unhappy counterparts.&lt;br /&gt;2. Happy people tend to have more energy, more focus, and more motivation than pessimistic people – all of which contributes to greater financial success.&lt;br /&gt;3. Happy people are more positive. Other people tend to want to be around them as well as do business with them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Miscellaneous benefits:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Happy people are more sociable and energetic.&lt;br /&gt;2. They are more charitable and cooperative.&lt;br /&gt;3. They are better liked by others.&lt;br /&gt;4. They are more likely to get married and have satisfying marriages.&lt;br /&gt;5. They are more likely to have greater networks of friends and social &lt;br /&gt;    support.&lt;br /&gt;6. They are better leaders and negotiators.&lt;br /&gt;7. They are more resilient in the face of hardship.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Your Happiness Level:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;50% of your happiness level is determined by genetics; 10% is determined by your circumstances, and 40% is determined by your daily thoughts and activities. This is the part you have control of! The more happiness habits you build into your daily life, the more you raise your happiness level.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In my book, Why Wait? Be Happy Now! I outline many strategies for developing daily habits that support happiness. Here is the first step each you can take if you want to start increasing the amount of happiness and satisfaction you have in your life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Strategy: Take responsibility for your own happiness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;During my husband’s four year illness, we were determined to maintain happiness and quality of life in whatever time we had left together. The first thing that we had to really “get” was that happiness is not “out there” somewhere. Happiness doesn’t lie in some other circumstance or in other people in our lives. We also had to get over the myth of “I’ll be happy when - - (Charley can walk again)“. What we learned was that we always have a choice of what we focus on, and what we focus on will determine how we feel. Our mantra became “Focus on what is still good in our lives.” Happiness is a choice. You create your own happiness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What gets in the way of your happiness?&lt;br /&gt;These are the greatest culprits when it comes to undermining your own happiness:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;• Blaming others&lt;br /&gt;• Complaining (the average person complains 70 times a day)&lt;br /&gt;• Blaming yourself&lt;br /&gt;• Saying “I”ll be happy when - - - - “&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best illustration I have seen of taking responsibility for your own happiness is the story that goes around in the email circuit. It is the story of a 92 year old man who had just lost his wife, and made the choice to move to an assisted living facility. The attendant showing him to his room said, “I believe you will love your room. It is decorated quite nicely. Just wait until you see it.” The man, quietly and wisely said, “I already love my room. I made the choice to love it when I got up this morning.” His attitude is the perfect example of choosing to create your own happiness.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Happiness is a CHOICE! Why wait? Be happy now!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-7204618815161805310?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/7204618815161805310/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/09/you-can-increase-your-health-and-wealth.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/7204618815161805310'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/7204618815161805310'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/09/you-can-increase-your-health-and-wealth.html' title='You Can Increase Your Health and Wealth By Increasing Your Happiness'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-376059603758697177</id><published>2010-06-04T07:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-06-04T07:49:24.585-07:00</updated><title type='text'>What Makes You Happy</title><content type='html'>As I talk with men and women of all ages, it is apparent to me that many people are struggling with their emotions. They describe feelings of worry, fear, disappointment, and discouragement, and ask if there is a way to become happier. They want to feel a sense of contentment with life again. They want to feel hopeful and optimistic about the future. They want to experience joy and passion for what they are doing. Fortunately, research in the field of Positive Psychology has given us information and some very promising tools to significantly raise our happiness level.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There appear to be three factors that play the greatest role in determining how happy you are: Your circumstances (10%), your genetic inheritance 50%), and your daily activities (40%).It appears that your happiness level can be increased over time through the conscious choices you make regarding what you think and what you do in your daily activities.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Given the proper understandings, information, tools and strategies, and some encouragement along the way to make life choices that support happiness, you have everything it takes to be happy now, regardless of your circumstances. It seems to be that researchers are soon going to conclude that Abraham Lincoln may have been right on the money when he said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-376059603758697177?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/376059603758697177/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-makes-you-happy.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/376059603758697177'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/376059603758697177'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-makes-you-happy.html' title='What Makes You Happy'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-8042069426252948307</id><published>2010-06-03T08:01:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-06-03T08:11:26.848-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The Gift of Grace</title><content type='html'>In our four year journey during my husband's illness, he and I may not have learned all the wisdom and eloquence of some who have made this journey, but we did learn some things that made our lives richer and more fulfilling as we traveled the road of change together.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have lost him, but I am determined that I won't lost the gift of grace - - learning and honoring what really matters, and the softening of our hearts - - that came with change. Perhaps you will find the suggestions below helpful as you travel your own path of change and experience the many opportunities for magical transformation that such a journey can bring to you and those who love you:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Recognize that you are always in transition. That is what life is all about.&lt;br /&gt;2. Accept that while you may no longer feel a sense of control over your circumstances, you always have control over how you respond to your circumstances.&lt;br /&gt;3. Honor what was, but come to peace with life as it is.&lt;br /&gt;4. Make the shift from blaming others to taking responsibility for creating a present different from your pat.&lt;br /&gt;5. Live in the moment with appreciation because things you took for granted can suddenly be gone.&lt;br /&gt;6. Understand that perhaps what happens "out there" isn't what life is all about. It is really what happens "in here" (your heart) that you find the grace to accept life on its own terms.&lt;br /&gt;7. Find and nurture a new vision for the future.&lt;br /&gt;8. Consider sharing the wisdom you gain along the way in your personal journey with others who may just be beginning theirs. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-8042069426252948307?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/8042069426252948307/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/06/gift-of-grace.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8042069426252948307'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8042069426252948307'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/06/gift-of-grace.html' title='The Gift of Grace'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-8326014801375912923</id><published>2010-05-31T06:54:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-31T07:02:39.885-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Transition From Old To New</title><content type='html'>As my husband and I began to focus on the positive aspects of what we really wanted in our lives, it turned out that what emerged as the most important thing had nothing to do with what we were grieving over having lost due to his illness such as golf, travel, a fast-paced life-style. For us, relationships - with each other, with our family, and with our friends - were at the top of our list of things that would bring us the fulfillment and life satisfaction that we wanted in whatever time we had left together.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The grace that came with the dramatic change in our lives was learning the wisdom of accepting that which cannot be changed, focusing on things that uplifted us, and savoring the change that occurred deep within both of us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We knew clearly what we valued, and as we began living our values, we experienced the joy that comes with living in integrity with our values. Our thoughts, our words, and our actions were reflecting that which was most important to us. What a blessing that experience was for us. What grace.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The danger for all of us when we are in crisis is that the stress of the situation has the potential to feel so great that anxiety, depression, and despondency can easily take over.  But, in these times of change, there is also an opportunity, and the opportunity is one of metamorphosis. Just as the caterpillar becomes encased in a chrysalis in which it actually liquefies before emerging as a graceful, beautiful butterfly, we too have to die to our old life. For only then can we make the transition from the person we were to the self of authentic wisdom, compassion, and true strength.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-8326014801375912923?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/8326014801375912923/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/transition-from-old-to-new.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8326014801375912923'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8326014801375912923'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/transition-from-old-to-new.html' title='Transition From Old To New'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-4817998368919476167</id><published>2010-05-29T06:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-29T06:48:58.151-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Finding Grace In Change</title><content type='html'>Some of the great challenges to our ability to be happy often come in the form of major life changes. Many of us have experienced life altering changes such as a job loss, the death of a spouse, a divorce, financial disaster, or major health problems. In the blink of an eye, everything has changed. We have been forced to give up what we love, yet have no idea of how life will be after the change.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When my husband first became ill, and we realized that he would probably not recover, it felt like our world had crashed around us. This man who had been active all of his life as a family physician and an ardent golfer was unable to walk and found himself confined to a wheelchair with little motivation to leave the house. How could this have happened to us? How were we going to regroup and rise above these things that were happening to us. How would we find the joy and the warm feelings that we had known when we were now mired in the sadness of our current sitution?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But as we began to think about what is really important in life, new insights began to happen and, gradually, a new approach to life was born. We made the decision to spend the rest of our lives living, not dying. With this perspective, life became more precious, and loved ones become more treasured.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-4817998368919476167?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/4817998368919476167/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/finding-grace-in-change.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/4817998368919476167'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/4817998368919476167'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/finding-grace-in-change.html' title='Finding Grace In Change'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-3156025977551789047</id><published>2010-05-27T15:38:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-27T15:50:04.665-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Where Do You Place Your Attention</title><content type='html'>Whether you are thinking about the past, the present, or the future, what you feel right now is your life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In reality, all of us could experience more happiness in our lives - - and very quickly - - by simply shifting that to which we give our attention. When we pay more attention to the things that make us feel good, rather than the things that make us fearful, insecure or angry, we have the opportunity to experience joyous feelings on a continuous basis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you focus on the good stuff, you feel good. If you focus on the bad stuff, you feel bad. It's that simple.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Despite this "knowing," however, many of us still find value in utilizing supplemental strategies and exercises that will help us achieve a more fulfilling, satisfying life. Try examining your beliefs about what it will take for you to be happy. Ask yourself, "What is getting in the way of me taking responsibility for my happiness?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Habitual behaviors can get in the way of happiness. Some of these behaviors are complaining about what is wrong in your life, blaming others for your difficulties, being overly hard on yourself, and focusing more on the negative in your life than on what is positive. Ask yourself, "Am I ready to take charge of my own happiness regardless of my circumstances?" When you can answer with an unqualified "yes," you are ready to experience unconditional happiness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-3156025977551789047?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/3156025977551789047/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/where-do-you-place-your-attention.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/3156025977551789047'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/3156025977551789047'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/where-do-you-place-your-attention.html' title='Where Do You Place Your Attention'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-8835780437762567643</id><published>2010-05-26T16:03:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-26T16:12:01.676-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Your Inner Being</title><content type='html'>All of us have beliefs about why we function the way we do. My personal belief is that at the core of each of us is an Inner Being that is, at its essence, pure joy and wisdom. This Inner Being is what we sometimes call our soul or our spirit. It is always seeking happiness for you, and its mission -  a simple one - is to provide the guidance that will lead you towards a joyous life - a gift for you and a gift for the universe. Your Inner Being is in direct contact with you through your emotions. When your thoughts, words, and actions are moving in a direction that will bring you joy, you experience positive emotions. When you have negative emotions, however, that means that your thoughts, words, and actions are taking you away from that which will bring you happiness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Are you familiar with what we call "intuition" - - those feelings in your gut that seem to be telling you that you should or shouldn't do something? This is your Inner Being (some call it your Soul) communicating with you through your feelings. Even though most of us don't communicate with our Inner Being through a dialogue of words, you Inner Being is still able to serve as a phenomenal navigation system using your emotions to alert you to what is going on. So, if you are feeling angry, anxious, or fearful, your Emotions Guidance System is trying to tell you that what you are thinking, saying, or doing is taking you in the wrong direction and away from happiness. If, on the other hand, you are feeling content or even exhilarated, you know that you are acting in alignment with your Inner Being, and you are on a path to happiness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-8835780437762567643?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/8835780437762567643/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/your-inner-being.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8835780437762567643'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8835780437762567643'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/your-inner-being.html' title='Your Inner Being'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-5345402974231723140</id><published>2010-05-25T17:23:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-06-03T07:58:57.652-07:00</updated><title type='text'>It's All About Perspective</title><content type='html'>The perspective you choose will determine whether you use your challenging life experiences as opportunities for growth and recommitment to your vision for your life, or as a reason to simply give up on your hopes and dreams.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;People who are happy don't necessarily have less adversity in their lives than others. They simply have learned that it's all about their self-talk. Everyone has preferences. We would prefer to keep our jobs (usually). We would prefer to be in good health. We would prefer to have the perfect family. But until those things occur, we must keep our eyes on the real goal, which is enjoyment of life right now.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Unfortunately, quite a few of us succumb to the victim mindset that tells us, "He is making me unhappy," or "my age is making me unhappy," or "my job is making me unhappy." It's always some external factor - - presumably outside our control - - that makes us unhappy. Try suspending that belief. Consider instead that your success in life and your happiness level are directly tied to your thoughts and the actions you take as a result of those thoughts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-5345402974231723140?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/5345402974231723140/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-matters-is-your-perspective_25.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/5345402974231723140'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/5345402974231723140'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-matters-is-your-perspective_25.html' title='It&apos;s All About Perspective'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-6557824321325016677</id><published>2010-05-24T16:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-06-03T08:00:56.235-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Happiness Is A Choice</title><content type='html'>Admittedly, the idea that happiness is a choice, rather than contingent on what is going on in your life, is a little daunting and takes some getting used to. The payoff for accepting this belief, however, is huge.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I recentlyh met with a young woman - - let's call her Sally - - and listened to her story about all the things in her life that were preventing her from being happy. Her brothers verbally abused her since childhood, and even as adults, they are cruel, unkind, and emotionally distant when they communicate. Of her three children, only one maintains a warm and loving relationship with her. The others she rarely hears from.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Both her mother and father, who adored her as a child, have passed away. Sally not only felt alienated from her family, she had extremely negative self-talk. She told herself, "I am worthless. It's all my fault that my brothers treat me the way they do." At times, Sally was so distraught that she believed the world would be better off without her. She was allowing her happiness to be robbed by her own negative thoughts and by the actions and opinions of others.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What Sally had not yet realized was this: It's not what happens to you in life that matters. What matters is your perspective - - what you tell yourself about what happens.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you,Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-6557824321325016677?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/6557824321325016677/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-matters-is-your-perspective.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/6557824321325016677'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/6557824321325016677'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-matters-is-your-perspective.html' title='Happiness Is A Choice'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-6112227548661455239</id><published>2010-05-23T13:26:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-23T13:31:15.248-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Unconditional Happiness</title><content type='html'>Most of us are pretty well entrenched in beliefs that tell us "happiness isn't possible until I get my health back" or "happiness isn't possible as long as I have to live in this crowded little apartment," or happiness isn't possible until I find my soul-mate." The reality is that while each of those conditions that you place upon your happiness may represent a strong personal desire, none of them have the power to make you unhappy - - unless you give them permission to do so.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ask yourself this question, "Do I want to be happy?" When you can answer that question "yes" without any qualifiers (such as "I will be happy just as soon as I lose 30 pounds,") then you are ready to experience unconditional happiness every minute of the day. You are ready to be happy regardless of your circumstances. You are ready to be happy now!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you,Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-6112227548661455239?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/6112227548661455239/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/unconditional-happiness.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/6112227548661455239'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/6112227548661455239'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/unconditional-happiness.html' title='Unconditional Happiness'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-7370353440878286402</id><published>2010-05-21T17:38:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-21T17:46:38.296-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The Choice Is Made By You</title><content type='html'>Most of the time, when I suggest to someone that it is possible to be happy all the time, the response I get is, "Are you out of your mind?" People cite reasons like fear of job loss, the poor economy, money woes, a list of other worries as reasons they can't possibly maintain a happy state. Philosopher Peter Russell once said, "The sad joke about all human beings is that we spend so much time worrying about whether we are going to be happy in the future, we are never at peace in the present." In other words, we miss the opportunity to be happy now because we are afraid we won't be happy tomorrow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As a life coach, I talk with a lot of people who are experiencing very little happiness or joy in their lives. I used to find myself wondering, "Are there basic differences between the people who are happy most of the time and those who are unhappy most of the time?" And if so, what are those differences, and how do you overcome them if you are one of the unhappy ones?"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Over the last few years, I have come to realize that happiness (or unhappiness) isn't caused by other people in our lives. Nor is it caused by a particular set of circumstances. The choice to be happy or not is made by you even though you may not always realize it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With great love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-7370353440878286402?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/7370353440878286402/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/choice-is-made-by-you.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/7370353440878286402'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/7370353440878286402'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/choice-is-made-by-you.html' title='The Choice Is Made By You'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-4912877604301008400</id><published>2010-05-20T09:08:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-20T09:26:41.501-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Creating Satisfying Life Experiences</title><content type='html'>I believe that we are all capable of long, rich and satisfying life experiences. But the ability to remain happy, especially in times of adversity, requires the conscious use of some very specific life skills, including choosing the perspective through which we view the things that happen to us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Each day we have the choice to "be happy when - - " or be happy now. My book, &lt;em&gt;Why Wait? Be Happy Now!&lt;/em&gt; is not a book of theories about how to be happy. It is about training your mind to think in a way that generates good feelings (Part I) and training your heart to function from a place of love (Part II.) With this book, you will learn how to achieve and maintain happiness using very specific, well-researched strategies that worked for me, even in the darkest of times, and have proven successful for coaching clients and readers of mine as well.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is about being happy now - - unconditionally. It is about a sustainable happiness that can never be taken away because of your circumstances. My desire is to share with you the mindset, the heartset, and the strategies that helped to make each and every day of the four years of my husband's illness some of the best days of our life together.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am confident that as you come to better understand the incredible power you have to live above the line that separates happiness from unhappiness, you will easily create the joyous, abundant, and loving life you desire and deserve.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-4912877604301008400?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/4912877604301008400/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/creating-satisfying-life-experiences.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/4912877604301008400'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/4912877604301008400'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/creating-satisfying-life-experiences.html' title='Creating Satisfying Life Experiences'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-3788818847074779373</id><published>2010-05-19T15:50:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-19T17:06:51.017-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Our Story</title><content type='html'>I would like to share a personal story with you - - the story of the four years of my life that led me to write my book, &lt;em&gt;Why Wait? Be Happy Now!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My husband, Charles, developed an infection in both of his legs, resulting in his confinement to a wheelchair, and eventually, the amputation of his right leg. I became a full time caregiver as we worked together to manage his health issues. We both recognized that if we adopted the mindset that, "We will be happy when Charles gets better," or "We will be happy when Charles can walk again," we would miss the opportunity for many delightful moments, and the closeness we often shared as we worked together to get through those challenging times.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, rather than saying, "We'll be happy when - - " we chose a new motto: "Why wait? Be happy now!" We weren't going to allow our happiness to depend on conditions that were outside of our control.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I lost my husband in September of 2009, but I will always cherish the choice we made to be happy together, right then, in the present moment.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-3788818847074779373?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/3788818847074779373/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-would-like-to-share-personal-story.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/3788818847074779373'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/3788818847074779373'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-would-like-to-share-personal-story.html' title='Our Story'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-3783698361168375531</id><published>2010-05-18T07:50:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-19T17:02:30.341-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Our Circumstances Do Not Define Us</title><content type='html'>Think about how many times you have said to yourself, "I will be happy when I retire in ten years. That is when life will really be good!" Or, I will be happy when I get a different job." Or when my husband gets his act together. Or when the kids grow up. Or when I get that promotion at work.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is so easy to postpone today's happiness on the belief that when your situation changes, your level of happiness will also change. So often we believe that our circumstances, and not us, are in control of how happy we are. In reality, our circumstances do not define our happiness. What does define our happiness is what we tell ourselves about our circumstances, and the choices we make as a result.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With greatest love and respect for you, Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-3783698361168375531?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/3783698361168375531/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/think-about-how-many-times-you-have.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/3783698361168375531'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/3783698361168375531'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/think-about-how-many-times-you-have.html' title='Our Circumstances Do Not Define Us'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288369861047061852.post-8237494860472389364</id><published>2010-05-10T11:55:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-19T17:06:01.950-07:00</updated><title type='text'>New Book</title><content type='html'>My book, &lt;em&gt;Why Wait? Be Happy Now!&lt;/em&gt; has been published. Check it out on my website &lt;a href="http://www.donnadaisy.com/"&gt;www.donnadaisy.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With great love and respect for you,&lt;br /&gt;Donna Daisy&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/288369861047061852-8237494860472389364?l=donnadaisy.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/feeds/8237494860472389364/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-book.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8237494860472389364'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/288369861047061852/posts/default/8237494860472389364'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://donnadaisy.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-book.html' title='New Book'/><author><name>DONNA DAISY</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/11972394366304383387</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
