By Lisa Cypers Kamen, Harvesting Happiness

When adversity strikes, what’s your first response? Do you withdraw and try to ignore the problem? Look to others for support? Get suited up for battle?

In his pondering on human nature, philosopher Aristotle boils it all down to this: How people act when the choice isn’t clear or easy is the gist of who they really are. Whether he knew it or not, Aristotle’s ideas for character all those centuries ago is also a good indicator for happiness: The way we maneuver through life’s traumas speaks volumes about how happy we are.

So how do we react when life’s got us down? We could take the first road, pretending the problem isn’t there, or look to others for comfort. But both those approaches keep us stagnant, preventing us from using that negative energy to propel us forward. If an acquaintance starts spreading hurtful rumors about you, gossiping back only spreads the gloom. The best way to make a statement about your worth is to use that negative buzz around the neighborhood to fuel your search for joy. Take up a musical instrument, volunteer at a local shelter, or even learn a new language! Find something, anything, positive to throw your energy into so that adversity isn’t the main thing occupying your mind.

Flourishing — being energized, engaged and positive about life — is better revenge than malice or a juicy rumor. It shows off your strength and confidence, and tells adversity that you’re the one in control. Finding ways to maintain our happiness mantra amid negative people and events is the key to staying happy – and I bet resisting revenge gossip and the temptation of hostility would prompt Aristotle to say a lot of good things about your character.
Happiness is an inside job®
Happiness Strategy:

Often, a practice as simple as repeating a single-sentence mantra can go a long way toward helping us develop positive life habits. When adversity hits, it is more important than ever to focus on positive energy that propels us forward. The next time you are faced with a tough situation that has the potential of knocking you down, remember this mantra: My ability to flourish and stay positive is bigger than any troubles I am experiencing. Repeat this mantra at key points in your day: Say it ten times aloud when you wake up in the morning, five times each time you pick up your cellphone to make a call, and ten more times as you lie in bed reflecting on the day you’ve had. As you say each word in the mantra, truly think about its meaning and try to live the next hours of your day according to its message. By having this mantra as something concrete and predictable to turn to every time life gets shaky, you’ll learn the art of staying grounded amid uncertainty. You’ll be flourishing before you know it.

Remember…happiness is an inside job!

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.

She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

By Lisa Cypers Kamen, What is Your Happiness?
Happiness is something everyone wants, but happiness seems to elude so many of us. We search and we search for our happiness, and we hope to find our happiness through relationships, goal achievement, money, faith, material goods and more. Can you take a breath and stop searching for a moment? Take another breath and then another and then another. Let each breath be deeper and longer than the one before. Stop the quest and just breathe.
Don’t think as you sit and breathe deeply. Let your mind have a bit of freedom from its constant effort to find answers and solutions. Simply enjoy the sensation of relaxation and peace that will fill your body and soul with each inspiration. Understand that when you give the mind its freedom, you open the door to inspiration. Let the breath do the work for you.
Now, as you give yourself the gift of this peaceful space, choose happiness. Your happiness, or your H-Factor, is a simple choice. It is no more or no less than a choice. The choice and the experience of happiness comes from within you, you see. Happiness has always be there, here, within. Happiness emerges from within you rather than from sources of external gratification. Take time every day to choose happiness. Breathe it in like the fragrant aroma of a glorious flower or of a fine wine.
As the pace of daily life becomes faster and faster, the importance of taking control of our time becomes mandatory. From the point of conscious awareness, take the time to stop, to breathe and to choose happiness. This choice will affect the rest of your day, your month, your year and your life.
Remember…happiness is an inside job!

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.

She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

by Lisa Cypers Kamen, Harvesting Happiness

Harvesting Happiness is pleased to offer Challenging Stress which is just one of over 30 interesting and insightful videos on the subject of happiness.  Do you want great information to help you create your own happiness and find the happiness in your own life? If you have trouble viewing the video below click here

Challenging Stress to be taken directly to the video page on Harvesting Happiness.

Like what you see? Click here to view more videos on Happiness.

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here  to hear Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio which airs Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download the shows for free at Itunes by clicking here.

To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at HarvestingHappiness. This video series is offered for informational purposed and is not intended to take the place of a licensed professional. For more information about PTSD, Combat Stress and Military Workshops click on Harvesting Happiness for Heroes.

By Lisa Cypers Kamen, Harvesting Happiness

Since what seems like the beginning of time, people attempting to diffuse disagreements have told people wrapped up in the quarrel that “there are two sides to every story.” The result usually goes something like this: One person in the argument is more emotional than the other and immediately scoffs at the comment. The other person in the disagreement – the one that is likely a little more willing to back down – sees his or her foe’s reaction and then tosses out any thought of meeting halfway. Every once in a blue moon, the idea of seeing both sides actually succeeds in inspiring empathy, but most often, it fails. And here’s why: The statement, “there are two sides to every story” simply isn’t true!

Heated arguments with friends or loved ones happen more than any of us would like to admit. These situations can start anywhere and can be triggered by anything (and it’s often the littlest things that cause the arguments to escalate). When we’re caught up in the moment, it’s only natural to see these types of situations as black and white: Either I win, or my opponent does. Either I’m right, or the other person is. But it’s precisely that false dichotomy that makes the two sides to every story argument so detrimental. The fact of the matter is, resolving arguments shouldn’t be about choosing one of the two opposing viewpoints as “correct”; all that does is put a Band-Aid on the situation, ensuring the hard feelings will live on and the wounds will never fully heal. Instead, ending the argument should be about working together to compromise somewhere in the middle. The first side of the story is yours; the second is your opponent’s. So what’s that third side that we always seem to overlook? Reality.

It’s easy to overlook reality when we’re caught up in a heated argument. It’s also easy to refuse to budge when you think you’re right. But reality is your friend. It’s the middle ground that can allow both sides to walk away content. By acknowledging that reality is separate from your perspective and from the other person’s viewpoint, you’ll become more open to finding a solution that resolves rather than covers up the root issue. And what does that mean? A lot less ill will toward the person you’ve been arguing with.

No one likes to be wrong, and no one likes to admit defeat. If we enter into an argument acknowledging that there is a third side to the story – the reality of the situation – then we’ll have a much better shot at meeting somewhere in the middle. And the more efficiently we resolve our arguments, the more quickly we can move on to less turbulent waters.
Happiness is an inside job®
Happiness Strategy:

The next time you find yourself in a disagreement with a friend, or a loved one, pull out a piece of paper. Instead of engaging in a heated debate, each of you should be given time to rationally spell out what you feel, want and need. Remember, each person should have an equal opportunity to fully express him or herself. Rather than engaging in a back and forth debate, each person should express him or herself completely before the other person can begin. Once everything is written out, try to find the commonality in both of your positions. See if any of the words that are on your side of the list match your friend’s list. Also, try to see whether everything you want is completely mutually exclusive to everything your friend wants (chances are, it is not). Through this method, you’re more likely to discover the common ground, or “third side to the story” that gets overlooked during a traditional back and forth argument.
Remember…happiness is an inside job!

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.

She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

By Lisa Cypers Kamen, What is Your Happiness?
Happy people are inspiring and delightful to be with. Their happiness is infectious. We feel better when we are around happy people. Of course, we understand that all people have moments of sadness, disappointment, anxiety or irritation. However, there are many people who are happy most of the time no matter what. In spite of life’s challenges, some people find a way to smile and laugh every day of their lives. These people choose to live! Their happiness is infectious and spreads to those around them like a virus. Happy people improve affect their environment via domino effect of their positive outlook, behavior and model. These people choose to live joyfully in every moment. These people heal our hearts and our minds. They lift us up.
Finding happiness and living joyfully can be as simple as walking through an open door. Perhaps the only question we must ask ourselves is this; do we really want to be happy? Do we value the idea and experience of happiness enough to embrace it and live it? Is happiness important enough to us to choose it now?
We, too, can be a person who inspires and uplifts others. There are no courses to take. There are no fees to pay. There is nothing we need to do other than make a choice; no matter what our life circumstances are we can be happy right now because we choose it. We have the power to do this. Everyone has the power to do this. Embrace your happiness. Discover your H-Factor.
You may find that your walk through life becomes immeasurably easier. You may find that you have the energy to do all the things you really want to do. You may find that you live to laugh, dance, sing and play rather than living to survive. You will attract happy people to you, and you will find fulfillment from within yourself and through your choice to live joyfully. What a beautiful thing indeed!
Remember…happiness is an inside job!

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.

She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

by Lisa Cypers Kamen, Harvesting Happiness

Harvesting Happiness is pleased to offer Be Happy which is just one of over 30 interesting and insightful videos on the subject of happiness.  Do you want great information to help you create your own happiness and find the happiness in your own life? If you have trouble viewing the video below click here

Be Happy to be taken directly to the video page on Harvesting Happiness.

Like what you see? Click here to view more videos on Happiness.

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here  to hear Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio which airs Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download the shows for free at Itunes by clicking here.

To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at HarvestingHappiness. This video series is offered for informational purposed and is not intended to take the place of a licensed professional. For more information about PTSD, Combat Stress and Military Workshops click on Harvesting Happiness for Heroes.

By Lisa Cypers Kamen, Harvesting Happiness

The human body is full of hidden glands hard at work communicating and controlling our body’s responses to what’s going on around us. When our temperature spikes out of control, the hypothalamus saves the day, returning us to homeostasis. The thymus is our go-to gland for better immune health when we’re feeling sick. And if our blood sugar is out of whack, the pituitary gland regulates it. The body is an intricate system with a biological response to pretty much any hazard our environment throws at us. But what if those hazards have to do with emotions, not body functions?

We all find ourselves in uncomfortable situations. There are the situations when we just can’t agree with someone or have a hard time understanding what someone else is feeling. Without a mechanism kicking in to help us, these situations can quickly escalate into something more troublesome than a simple “agree to disagree.” Now imagine this: What if, just as your pituitary gland regulates your blood sugar levels, an empathy gland kicks in whenever you engage with someone?

The empathy gland would help us recognize, and maybe even share, feelings with that person we’re spending time with. With empathy to guide us, we would be able to connect more deeply with that person, and even if we still agreed to disagree, respect his or her feelings enough to end the exchange on a positive note.

There is no empathy gland. There is no biological mechanism to singlehandedly help us understand others. But by training ourselves to be in tune with the feelings of others and to recognize how people act when they are feeling certain ways, we can begin to identify the emotions they are experiencing. If you can get the awareness part down, you’ll be on your way to treating people with empathy. Like anything other change, learning to live this way takes time and practice. But once you fully implement your empathy gland, you’ll be surprised at all the fruits of your labor. Your relationships will improve, you’ll bring happiness to those around you and, most importantly, you’ll be able to apply that positive momentum to other aspects in your life that may need some improvement.
Happiness is an inside job®
Interactive Strategy:

A major part of learning to show empathy is being able to recognize it in others. To get your empathetic juices flowing, put on a song or two that you think lyrically embody the meaning of empathy. Listen to the songs, paying close attention to their words, and think about what lines in particular make empathy come to your mind. This exercise should help you get a clearer picture of what empathy means to you. Once you find your personal empathy anthem, use it to your advantage. When you’re put in a situation that makes feeling and expressing empathy difficult, use the song to guide you back to your empathy gland.
Remember…happiness is an inside job!

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.

She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

By Lisa Cypers Kamen, What is Your Happiness?
Happiness can be likened to hidden treasure – elusive, enduring, secretive and challenging. The big question when seeking happiness is how? In hard times, finding happiness can appear impossible, but in reality there are six simple steps you can follow.
1. Be Mindful
Being in the moment with awareness of the people, places, things and context of now. The past is behind us. The future is uncertain. Why not appreciate this very minute? Focus on what is positive right now. There is always something good even the silver lining of adversity.
2. Exercise Every Day.
“No one in our society needs to be told that exercise is good for us. Whether you are overweight or have chronic illness or are a slim couch potato, you’ve probably heard or read this dictum countless times throughout your life,” says Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky author of The How of Happiness. “But has anyone told you-indeed guaranteed you-that regular physical activity will make you happier? I swear by it.”
3. Opt for Experience over Expense
In a period of economic uncertainty where we watch our pennies like hawks, it might be prudent to expend our efforts in creating rich adventures or experiences to create emotionally rich memories versus spending money to acquire objects which may or may not have lasting value or buy increased happiness.
4. Practice Gratitude
Express thankfulness regularly and often. “In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things taken together, life is good and worth living… In other words, when we say “thank you” to another, our ego steps aside if just for moment to praise another for their contribution however small or large to our wellbeing” says Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. author of Thanks-How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier.
5. Volunteer
According to The Healing Power of Doing Good by Luks and Payne, volunteering or doing something for somebody makes us feel good, increases our sense of wellbeing and can make us feel positively giddy with excitement. Known as “the helper’s high”, by serving others we ultimately serve ourselves resulting in our own elevated sense of fulfillment. Receiving, by giving, for the pleasure of helping another.
Why seek happiness in hard times? We all know it is easier to embrace the gloom and doom of the present global economic situation, but happiness is serious business. As babies, we are born innately happy and become less so as we grow. Through awareness, one can recover or illuminate what has been lost or darkened by life’s trials and tribulations. Happiness is not a selfish, narcissistic or ego driven pursuit but necessary for a health and productive society. Through choice we can decide our destiny through happy thoughts that produce results.
Remember…happiness is an inside job!

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.

She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

by Lisa Cypers Kamen, Harvesting Happiness

Harvesting Happiness is pleased to offer Beauty in Simple Things which is just one of over 30 interesting and insightful videos on the subject of happiness.  Do you want great information to help you create your own happiness and find the happiness in your own life? If you have trouble viewing the video below click here Beauty in Simple Things to be taken directly to the video page on Harvesting Happiness.

Like what you see? Click here to view more videos on Happiness.

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here  to hear Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio which airs Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download the shows for free at Itunes by clicking here.

To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at HarvestingHappiness. This video series is offered for informational purposed and is not intended to take the place of a licensed professional. For more information about PTSD, Combat Stress and Military Workshops click on Harvesting Happiness for Heroes.

By Lisa Cypers Kamen, Harvesting Happiness

Have you noticed the bad rap that emotion has been getting lately? Every time you flip on the TV, watch a movie or turn the page in a book, it seems like the emotional character is labeled as the irrational one who’s not strong enough to think things through. In your day-to-day life, anytime you reveal how you really feel, there’s always someone who feels instantly uncomfortable around you. It’s even true with the people you’re closest with: How many times has your anger or disappointment led a loved one to flee the room or prematurely end a discussion?

So where does this bad rap come from? Fear. Emotions can be scary, and of all the emotions out there, the most intimidating ones for most people are the negative ones: Anger, annoyance, disappointment. The intimidation factor changes how other people react to our emotions, but it also changes how we show emotions ourselves: How often do we feel the need to hide our anger or tone it down so that we don’t push away other people? Avoiding our frustration might make the situation easier for a few minutes, but denying our feelings can do major damage down the road. It’s the last thing we should be doing!

If a situation has made you angry, the healthiest response is to let yourself feel pissed off! Stomp your feet, cry, talk a million miles a minute or do whatever it takes for you to vent. Sure, being pissed off might intimidate a few people around us, but the result is guaranteed to be much scarier if you choose to harbor your ill feelings. Countless studies have shown that people who suppress painful or undesirable emotions end up experiencing physical consequences – and, ironically, larger doses of those painful emotions they were trying to avoid in the first place! By letting ourselves be angry, frustrated or pissed off, we begin the crucial process of acknowledging and working through our feelings. And that’s a big step toward improving our emotional health and overall happiness.

So the next time you find yourself overcome with anger or negative emotions, don’t censor them. Tell the people around you why you feel the way you do, and then begin to work through those feelings. The people around you might be intimidated at first, but imagine how scary the situation could end up if you suppress your feelings instead of rationalizing them. When you look at emotion as something worth embracing, there’s a positive side to each and every one of them – even being angry or pissed off!
Happiness is an inside job®
Interactive Strategy:

In order to control your emotions, you’ve first got to acknowledge them. This exercise should help you get in touch with your feelings. Start by finding a quiet place devoid of distractions such as TV or the radio. Then, let the events of your day replay as if your life is the subject of a TV show. Pay attention to how your mind and body feel when you recount particular events. If your breathing gets shallower or your back stiffens when you’re thinking about a certain part of your day, make a mental note. Conversely, if you feel warm and at ease while thinking of one particular moment, make a note of that, as well. Now, think of the emotions that were connected to these changes in your body. By practicing this exercise, you will begin to build up an emotional awareness that will enable you to show your emotions in a healthy way.

Remember…happiness is an inside job!

Nothing gives happiness life a free gift. Receive your complimentary eBook, Got Happiness Now? Click here for your free copy.

Independent filmmaker, author, happiness coach and speaker Lisa Cypers Kamen creates these blogs to entertain, enlighten and educate our service men and women along with their families as well as support our troops. To contact Lisa, email her directly at lisa@harvestinghappiness.com and check out her websites at www.harvestinghappiness.com , www.hh4heroes.org & www.harvestinghappinesstalkradio.com.

Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio with Lisa Cypers Kamen brings a fresh approach to the airwaves promoting happiness, well-being and global human flourishing by presenting a diverse and proactive collection of the greatest thinkers and doers who have devoted their lives to creating a better world in which to live.

She is an expert in creating happiness, finding pathways to happiness, and building a happiness formula in her Harvesting Happiness workshops. Cultivate a happier life by tuning in weekly click here .Wednesdays at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. or download her free podcasts by clicking here.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!