Interestingly, I found this right before my first sip of coffee this morning. I was able to apply one of Ashley Davis Bush’s easy and fun steps to adding more joy to your everyday life. I love the simplicity of these suggestions. Give one a try and tell us what you think!

Shortcuts to Quiet the Busy Mind

1) Freeze Frame To do when you drink your coffee or tea in the morning:

As you take your first sip, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, freeze the frame (make a mental camera click sound), and think, Life is good. Notice, breathe, absorb, and savor the tastes as well as the moment. Develop this happiness habit with every drink throughout the day.

This tool creates a “pause” which momentarily stops the physical and emotional spiral of the day.

2) Go with the Flow To do when washing your hands:

Whenever you’re at a sink and touch water, let the stream of liquid cue you to say, “I go with the flow” or “I trust the universe” or “I have faith in the flow of what is.”  This exercise reminds you to let go and flow with the current of life.

With this tool we remember the peaceful power of acceptance.

Read more at Your Life, Your Way

Whether metaphorically or literally, singing is a beautiful way of expressing yourself. So let your heart sing out or sing your favorite song proudly. Let these quotes inspire you to sing today. Sing like you just don’t care.

My heart is like a singing bird.
Christina Rossetti

I spent many years laughing at Harry Secombe’s singing until somebody told me that it wasn’t a joke.
Spike Milligan

Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and sitting in the shade.
Rudyard Kipling

Love, I find, is like singing. Everybody can do enough to satisfy themselves, though it may not impress the neighbors as being very much.
Zora Neale Hurston

My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil’s mind, and behold, all things are changed!
Anne Sullivan

No; we have been as usual asking the wrong question. It does not matter a hoot what the mockingbird on the chimney is singing. The real and proper question is: Why is it beautiful?
Bertrand Russell

Nothing I have done professionally will top the feeling I got when singing with John Farnham at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Olivia Newton-John

Singing is the love of my life, but I was ready to give it all up because I couldn’t handle people talking about how fat I was.
Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/singing_2.html#ixzz1nmobtYjx

Okay, so not everyone has a romantic partner on Valentine’s Day. What can you do to stave off that heavy heart that secretly wants something magical to happen?

There is one big problem when it comes to this holiday: we give our power over to others. We expect someone else to sweep in with some grand romantic gesture, whether it’s a gift or a night on the town. Maybe even a card in the mail. Maybe a romantic phone call…something! But unfortunately, we can’t always dial that up. Hence the disappointment that follows. We had a picture in our mind as to what romance is supposed to be. And that picture isn’t always actualized!

Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the picture in your mind. What would you like to have happen? Describe it in detail:

I’d like to kiss someone I like today. I’d also like to be taken out for a nice dinner. A small gift would be great too. A silver chain with an unusual pendant that I’ll wear constantly and be reminded of you. I’ll feel the heat of passion with another. That magical feeling of two bodies close to one another, desiring one another. I’d like a sweet dessert to top it off.

Just by the mere act of defining what you’d like to have happen, you’re that much closer to it. Because you can’t long for something if you’re not sure what it is! So long away today - simply be specific!

Whether you are for or against the Occupy Wall Street movement, one thing can be agreed on: people have the power to make change globally. If you believe in what these groups are doing around the world, help them in whatever way possible. Here are some suggestions.

We cannot go on expecting solutions to come from the political and economic elites who ride in limousines with security guards. They are not exposed to the impacts of their policies, so the feedback loop has been broken by the concentration of wealth and power in a few hands. This is why so many people are out in the streets demanding a transition from the dominant system (guns and money) to a new system that will give social justice and environmental restoration a higher priority than corporate profit-making.

By Kevin Danaher – Co-Founder,  Global Exchange

Life is a spell so exquisite that everything conspires to break it. - Emily Dickenson

While we may be a “day late and a dollar” short in the Halloween department, spells can be cast anytime of the year. They don’t require much and you probably cast spells without really knowing it (wishing hard and throwing a penny in the fountain anyone?) Here’s some steps to refine your spell casting abilities:

1. Identifying the purpose of the spell
This first step  allows you to collect your thoughts and become conscious of your internal state as well as drawing your awareness to any physical sensations that arise in response to your current situation. This places you fully in the present moment as you contemplate what it is you truly seek, where the root of the matter lies, if your heart is in it and how best to phrase your instruction in an affirmative, current statement to attain resonance on all levels.

2. Preparation for the spell
Gather ingredients such as herbs, crystals or candles, decide on timing in accordance with lunar phases or other natural rhythms and plan what your rite will be, to get into the head space that channels life force toward your desire. The process of planning your petition subtly addresses your sentiments around the subject and creates an opening in your energy indicating your willingness to receive what you are asking for.

3. Creating sacred space from which to cast the spell
Next is to enter a space that is a time with no time in a place with no place where you turn within and connect with your core being. This meditative state facilitates alpha brain waves and verifies your connection with the Greater Whole. In essence, you enter an energy vortex that is untouched by time and that expands throughout all dimensions. It is from this place of unity with the fabric of the universe that you are able to harness Original Substance and craft it into manifest form.

4. Performing the rite itself
This step often consists of a symbolic gesture such as lighting a candle, burning a prayer paper or fashioning a talisman ~ your right brain responds to images and the carrying out of the act itself conveys a strong message to your subconscious mind. Casting a spell shifts your consciousness and provides a sense of action, similar to how locking a door affirms your sense of security. The thrill of casting magic alone raises your vibration, welcomes magical experiences and invites possibilities into your awareness.

5. Loading/Magnetising
Charge an item or raise the intensity of energy within the cone of power (vortex) you have conjured. This can be done through holding a vision of your desired result in rich visualisation, chanting a rhyme, brandishing a wand, drumming, dancing or a myriad other ways that facilitate pouring your creative essence into the etheric form of your intention.  Loading aligns body, mind, emotion and spirit to cohere into a swirling magical missile.

6. Release
Finally, cast your magic into the universe like a cosmic flare and severe any attachment to the outcome by forgetting about it and going about your day as usual in the full knowledge that it is done. This practise relinquishes control and allows aspects unknown to you to unfold.

Stella Seaspirit fosters your Witchiness and refines your energy-crafting abilities by offering a unique and fresh outlook on Witchcraft as a living philosophy in a simple to understand way. Her goal is to assist you to cast more potent magic. Stella is the creator of Magick by Design coaching and facilitates the Sparkling Witch Tribe, a private online sanctum. Sashay over to her website to get your free Witchification Kit. Connect via Twitter and Facebook.

Let’s take a moment of thanks and appreciation for the Occupy Wall Street protesters. You don’t have to agree with them. But they are exercising their rights as US citizens and taking a stand and attempting to make a positive change.

What can you do today to take a stand, no matter how small? Make a difference in your own life first and the ripple effect will occur. How can you instill in others around you the importance of standing up for your rights?

Gimundo is one of my first virtual stops in the morning. It’s keeps me posted on positive news around the world. Today I found a great, very creative piece about something most of us consider a nuisance: junk mail.

Here are some great ideas the next time you’re fuming at your mailbox:

Utility

1. Burn in Place of Wood
Yep, you can do it, too. Stay warm in the winter by a fire made of all that junk mail. Just throwing it in the fireplace won’t be too effective, but by using a product like the Newspaper Brick Maker (about $30), you can make paper bricks that will burn like real wood.

2. Use as Packing Material
Sure, dehydrated mushroom mycelia and plastic pillows filled with air are both good green packing material options, but why not use your bounty of junk mail? Just run it through the shredder and use it to ship or store fragile objects.

3. Use as Animal Bedding
Avoid the cost of buying bedding for your small rodent friends by shredding your junk mail. It might also come in handy as bedding for your urban chickens.

4. Use as a Funnel
This works best with those return envelopes you get in the mail. Simply cut a small section of one corner of an envelope (for the bottom of the funnel) and a larger portion from its opposite corner (the mouth of the funnel). Use this to conveniently refill salt and pepper shakers. This idea is one of the useful ideas from JunkMailGems.com.

Gardening

For these gardening projects, make sure there are no toxic adhesives or inks on the paper goods you use.

4. Make Seedling Pots
Another clever product is the PotMaker (about $15). You can use paper to make seedling pots, which can then be planted directly into the soil and will decompose on their own. This way, you don’t have to buy plastic pots (which saves money and resources).

5. Garden Mulch
You can literally lay out junk mail or old newspapers on your garden as a mulch. This makes an excellent weed barrier and will have all the benefits of traditional mulch. But since this is a little aesthetically displeasing, you might also want to cover with a layer of leaves or other traditional mulch.

Alternatively, you can also shred junk mail or old newspapers first and then lay them as mulch. This will allow them to break down easier.

Read more tips at Gimundo!

Just stumbled across this piece in the DailyGood.com and wanted to share it. Who doesn’t like quick and easy answers? Have a great weekend. Do something wild and wonderful.

Surprising ways to instantly improve your mood

by Gretchen Rubin

Being happier doesn’t have to be a long-term ambition. You can start right now. In the next 30 minutes, tackle as many of the following suggestions as possible. Not only will these tasks themselves increase your happiness, but the mere fact that you’ve achieved some concrete goals will boost your mood.

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you’re on the phone, stand up and pace. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better…

2. Take a walk outside. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

3. Reach out. Send an e-mail to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel more friendly toward you, but you’ll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

4. Rid yourself of a nagging task. Deal with that insurance problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a rush of elation.

5. Create a more serene environment. Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time organizing bills and tackling the piles in the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do.

6. Do a good deed. Introduce two people by e-mail, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also…

7. Save someone’s life. Sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. Do good, feel good?it really works!

8. Act happy. Fake it ’til you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.

9. Learn something new. Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you “should” or “need to” learn about. Some people worry that wanting to be happier is a selfish goal, but in fact, research shows that happier people are more sociable, likable, healthy, and productive?and they’re more inclined to help other people. By working to boost your own happiness, you’re making other people happier, too.

At Only Positive News, we’ve addressed the importance and power of physical touch. But it bears repeating. Why? Because in today’s world, we become increasingly distant from one another physically. We’re all too aware of personal space (which matters - don’t get me wrong!) but to a point where we don’t embrace…embracing.

What can you do today to improve your health and the health of loved ones? A simple hug may do the trick:

Researchers from the University of Carolina study also found that hugging instigates an elevated release of oxytocin, which is known as the “bonding” or “cuddle” hormone and prompts loving and caring feelings. Some studies have shown that it also reduces blood pressure. Another study that took place in 2000 showed that hugging babies while they were given blood tests made them cry less and kept their heart rates steadier. Both elevated levels of cortisol and high blood pressure have been linked to various diseases, including heart disease, so not only does hugging feel great, it’s good for our hearts, too.

Source: Gimundo

The Act of Touching

Yes, I’m one of those people who think that resolutions don’t work. There are a number of reasons why:

1. We’re rebels. Inside of us resides a little child. And we all know what happens when we tell a child not to do something. The child wants to do it that much more. New Year’s resolutions operate the same way. It’s a scolding - one that many of us refuse to accept as adults. In short, “You can’t tell me what to do!”

2. We’re imperfect. It’s wonderful to strive for perfection but the truth of the matter is we’re all highly flawed. This isn’t a bad thing but we’re not saints - we make mistakes. New Year’s resolutions set us up for failure by trying too hard to be what we’re not.

3. Time passes. New Year’s resolutions seem great the first week of January. But what about the third week in March. Resolutions have a shelf-life…and it isn’t very long!

I like the idea of making random new year’s resolutions that don’t stress you out or put too much pressure on you. Positive resolutions - ones based on what you can add to your life, not take it away.

Several years ago, I vowed to touch people more in the new year. I’m from a Germanic family, not the warmest lot, physically. Yet I know how great it feels to be touched. People love being touched, for the most part. I decided to be a more physical person. And guess what? That’s the only resolution that has ever stuck for me.

What’s a simple, positive new year’s resolution that works for you this 2011?