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How do you fill the world with happiness?

Problems in life, they come and go. Overcoming problems is the beauty of life. The search for happiness starts from within. The path to happiness starts by loving you, loving life and then loving others to life.

I am dedicating the month of August to HAPPINESS! Why, because it’s Admit You’re Happy Month! So let’s take our quality of life and juice it up a couple of notches by tapping into the science and spirituality of happiness.

So what is your happy? I know mine starts with me and then shines out to my family, my children, my friends, and all the children we serve in Uganda.

There’s no right way to be happy. Everyone’ definition of happiness and their path to achieving happiness is different. Happy is what you make it, so don’t let your happiness flatline.

It’s going to be a happy August. Tomorrow we launch 31 days of HAPPY. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for our Mindful Happy Hour fun, facts and fulfillment, along with our Happy Jar Challenge to raise funds for our happy children in Uganda.

Love. Blessings. Happiness.
Cristen

Did you get the memo? Today is National Memo Day. I’m not really sure where this day came from, but out of all the wacky holidays – I think this is an important one.

Think about it. Memos kind of run our lives. A memo is a written message with what can be powerful intent. In business, companies write memos to inform their employees about important happenings in the organization such as new policies, company news, reminders, etc. When an employee misses an important memo detailing a new company policy, it can lead to costly mistakes.

Memos are also frequently used in our personal lives. If you’re like me – you’re probably constantly writing notes to yourself – a short message reminding you to do something. How many post-it notes do you have on your desk right now? There’s a whole industry built around memos. Post-It Notes, reminder pads, task journals. In the electronic age, we’ve event developed several apps and integrations to help us quickly type these reminders on our phone or computer. And if it couldn’t be any easier – you can now write a memo just with your voice. Que Siri or Alexa to remind you to do something or put milk on the shopping list.

Memos, although small in nature, are a powerful tool that we use to run our lives. They’re not only being used for practicality, but for self-improvement too. Think of how you could enrich your life by writing down memos of self-love and gratitude. Gratitude journals are becoming more and more popular. They serve to help people remind themselves to focus on the positive aspects of their lives by writing down a few brief notes of things they are thankful for. This helps train the brain to come from a place of positivity when viewing the world.

Gratitude is another powerful tool that we have. When we’re having a particularly bad day, or even a good one, practicing gratitude turns what we have into enough. And when our hearts are full and we have enough, we have the ability to share our extra. And that makes us the richest people in the world.

So what would you include in your note to self? Is there a powerful quote that motivates you to keep striving for your goals? Consider making a note to incorporate gratitude into your life, and practice showing gratitude by paying it forward and helping others.

I’m going to include a note to self to incorporate more gratitude into my life.

Gratefully yours,
Cristen

February is the month of love. It’s all around us. Hearts have become synonymous with love. Just like there are different ways to love and express that love, there are different types of love. Let’s explore them.

According to ancient Greeks, there are seven types of love:

1. Eros (erotic love) – Named after the Greek god of love and fertility, Eros refers to sexual or passionate love. In Greek mythology, it is believed that cupid’s arrows bring on a form of madness as we “fall” in love after being pierced by the arrow.
2. Philia (affectionate love) – Philia is used to describe the love between equals or friends. Plato believed physical attraction was not a requirement of love, and therefore used philia to refer to love between friends. It can be the platonic love, without attraction, or strengthen the bonds between lovers.
3. Storge (familial love) – Storge is a kind of Philia used to describe the love between family or close loved ones born out of familiarity. Most commonly used to describe the bonds between parents and children, siblings, or friends who we have known forever.
4. Agape (selfless love) – This is the highest form of love. It is a selfless, unconditional, universal love. It is not influenced by any selfish need or primal desire like some other forms of love. It’s the type of love we feel for strangers (like the kids at Hope for Hearts).
5. Ludus (playful love) – Playful love, or Ludus, refers to uncommitted love. It is akin to the love we feel when we first meet a potential suitor and begin to fall in love. In the early stages of love (flirting, teasing, dancing, seducing, etc.) we are still uncommitted. It works best when both parties stay this way, but if one advances to another stage of love, conflict can arise.
6. Pragma (practical love) – Pragmatic love is based on reason or sense of duty to longer-term interests. Other types of love take a back seat to pragmatic love. It is more common in arranged marriages, celebrity relationships, or political pairings.
7. Philautia (self-love) – Philautia comes in two forms – healthy or unhealthy. The unhealthy version is akin to hubris, believing yourself to be above everyone else, the gods, etc. Healthy self-love is more like making sure you are whole and healthy before you can help others (such as the old metaphor of putting the oxygen mask on yourself before your neighbor on a plane).

While Valentine’s Day may focus on Eros, Philia, or Ludus, I challenge you to take some time for yourself this month and examine the other types of love in your life. Are you taking care of yourself, keeping your heart and soul healthy? Think about your love for your family and how you can strengthen it. Do you have any pragmatic relationships that need attention? Do you have any relationships based on the Agape, selfless type of love?

When you make a donation to Hope for Hearts, it is one of the highest forms of Agape you can ever show. You’re committing a selfless act of giving to a stranger who you will never know. It is an unconditional act, forgiving of any past transgressions and with only the hope that they will turn their life around and lift themselves from poverty to prosperity.

So tell me, who do you love?

With love,
Cristen