The Science of Happiness

Happiness is a very complex emotion that is multifaceted. It means different things to different people, with diverse cultural and ethnic significance. It's been the subject of writing by many an intellect and philosopher.

Happiness can be described as joy, cheerfulness, contentment, enlightenment, and satisfaction. As easy as it is to describe, achieving true happiness in our lives is not that simple. Many factors impact our ability to do so.

The Subtle Art of Dealing with Stress

One of the hardest things to manage in life is stress. It can be triggered by relationships, family, sickness, money, work, or bills, or perhaps by a combination of several things. So what is the best way to manage stress, you might ask?

Managing life's stress can be challenging and overwhelming. There is no universal solution that works for everyone. Some individuals find it beneficial to speak with a professional therapist, while others prefer confiding in friends or family, provided they are not part of the issue. Many self-help books and eBooks are available, along with numerous online resources. Unfortunately, some people suppress their worries until they reach a breaking point, which is clearly not a healthy approach.

Life or What We Call It

Life as we know it, is a beautiful thing in many ways. It's as much a mystery as it is anything else. Thanks to modern medicine, we have learned so much about how we function, and equally important about all the things that can go wrong. We've identified countless ailments and subsequent treatments in the form of a multitude of different medications and therapies.

How much though, do we really know? There are vast gaps in our knowledge. We don't fully understand our existence, as much as we marvel at our own perceived superiority over everything around us. We have inherited a planet and everything we need to survive. That being said, we continue to systematically destroy it.

The next time you are outside, take a long look around you. You'll soon realize there is only one thing on earth that doesn't seem to fit. I'm not talking about all the stuff we've built around us, I'm talking about us. We're out of place and I'm sure many people would say they've felt it. 

What if tomorrow you found out your life was nothing more than a dream, a simulation if you will? If that were true, would it make your life any less real to you? Of course it wouldn't. That begs the question what is real and can we trust everything we perceive in this world?

Have you ever thought you saw one thing, but it turned out on closer inspection to be something entirely different? I have on many occasions. How hard would it be to extend that same principal to everything and everyone around us. If everyone's perception can be a little different, then we can't be certain that everyone experiences the same things either. 

Perhaps what we perceive as linear and certain such as time and space, can be bent to our will. Secrets such as this may never be unveiled to us. If it is true that much of the power of our brain remains untapped, how will we ever know what we're truly capable of?

The universe is an apparent ever expanding entity, full of galaxies, stars and planets. To think there's no such thing as intelligent life outside our own planet is inconceivable and probably impossible. When we look up at the night sky, we can imagine another species out there somewhere looking back at us, just as ignorant to our existence as we are to there's. Perhaps space repeats itself. If so, when we look up to the stars it may be like looking into the mirror, as a multitude of other versions of ourselves are all living simultaneously, scattered throughout the universe. What if we are looking at ourselves when we look into space, and what if UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon) were actually us visiting ourselves from the future?

There is one thing we can say with certainty. The truth is absolutely ours to discover. The truth might be so profound, we wouldn't comprehend it. The average human probably can't handle the truth. If the truth doesn't align with world religions, what then? Our whole belief system is based on what was passed from generation to generation by word of mouth for decades before it was ever written down.

There are only two things that truly matter in this life. One would be living a good life by following what we feel in our hearts is right. The other simply put, would be to treat others with respect and kindness. If we don't get anything else right in our lives, these two things are probably enough, at least for now.

Need Some Extra Cash? Look no Further

Need some extra cash? Look no further than your garage or basement! Yes, you heard me right. I don't have some lame product I'm trying to shove down your throat, or some tear jerking success story. I just have facts.

Over the past 16 years my wife Carole and I have been together, I've learnt that most of us accumulate a lot of "stuff". Notice I used the word "stuff" and not "junk". That's key here, because what you might think is junk, actually is worth something to someone. If you're real lucky, some people may be prepared to pay a lot for it. It don't matter what it is. It could be a car, children's toys, books, sports equipment, you name it.

So what's my point? I'm getting there. Before I go further though, let's make one thing abundantly clear. Well known classified ad websites are NOT good places to sell your "stuff". Most of us have a lot of things around the house that you no longer need, but could come in handy for someone. The problem with big classifieds websites is that very few people want to drive an hour to pick up your "stuff". In fact, most of the time you get that typical reply, "Duh, I'll give you $20 for it if you can deliver it to Tim Buck Two", yeah, right!

What I've just recently discovered is Faceboook. Ok, now don't laugh at me. I know it's not really well known, and many of you have probably never used it, so just thought I'd help you out here. (sometimes I'm very sarcastic by the way, lol!) What I'm getting at, in a very round about manner, is that you shouldn't advertise on a website as vast as some of those big classifieds websites for small items. You're really wasting your time. You need to concentrate locally.

I live in Limoges, Ontario. It's a small town of approximately 3,000 people located 20 minutes east of Ottawa. My wife Carole introduced me to 3 or 4 local classifieds groups on Facebook this week. No word of a lie, we're lucky if the stuff we post in these groups lasts a day. I put a drill press on there 5 hours ago and it sold in 5 minutes. It's crazy, Carole sold $150 dollars worth of kids toys and books in the past 18 hours. Perhaps it's the area we live in, but I'm telling you it's been a real eye opener.

So here's what I want you to all do. Dig out all those used clothing, books, toys, and other unused goodies. Then go on Facebook and search for groups in your area where you can post your "stuff" (NOT "junk", lol). I'm sure there must be a group, for example, called Twillingate Classifieds on Facebook. If there is not, then create it! Let's get local classifieds groups running everywhere on Facebook. It's absolutely FREE and there's no hidden agenda. We're just a bunch folks trying to buy and sell the things we want or need, and we don't want to have to drive 3 hours to pick it up.

There's an added bonus by the way. We've noticed you can get more money for your stuff locally as well. Who would have known. Happy shopping!

Back to School 2014

It's back to school time again already! Some would say "it's the most wonderful time of the year!". I'm not so sure I would go as far as to say that, but it is nice to get back into the fall routine

This morning is a very busy day on our roads and highways. The school buses are out in full force carrying our kids to school. Also, many parents are seeing their kids off for their first day of school, or for their first day back to school. Quite a few kids don't take a bus and are being dropped off by their parents or walk to school. It's an all-around very busy day today.

As everyone heads back to the "grind", so-to-speak, I wish everyone a happy and safe day. Please remember to drive carefully and yield to all those buses. Please be especially careful in those school zones as well as near schools where you will find many kids walking to and from school. Let's make today a great, accident free day!

Labour Day Weekend

Labour Day weekend is here! This is considered by many the last camping weekend of the summer. It's three days to let loose before everyone (well mostly everyone) gets back into the Fall routine. Many people are finishing up their summer vacation. Also, many kids are returning to school this week (if they haven't already).

Many people take full advantage of this long weekend. Some people go to their cottage or cabin, while others go camping (in tent or RV/camper). There are many special events this weekend. For example, where we went camping they held a big corn roast. With a little research you can find some great places to go.

So hopefully everyone has a fun filled and safe weekend. There's nothing better than fun with family and friends. Make this weekend no exception as we see Summer 2014 off with a big bang!

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Complete!

http://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=user_uploads&list=tcard1972

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: The Rules

Over the past few weeks, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has went viral. So I just got challenged, but when I went online to try and find what the rules are, there's actually very little you can find. After an intense search I did manage to find the information I was looking for. Tonight I thought I would share this information with you.

Just a side note here. This is for a great cause.

"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord".

There is no cure. This is a disease that kills every one it affects. That in itself is good enough reason to support this cause.

So, today I'm going to clear up all the confusion and outline the basic rules of how the Ice Bucket Challenge is supposed to work. Here goes (in step form):

1. You have to be challenged by someone who has done it.

2. Once "challenged", you have 24 hrs to complete the challenge.

3. You have a choice.

a. You can accept the ice bucket challenge and complete it within 24 hrs, after which you must make a donation to ALS of $10.00 (really any amount under $100, but $10.00 is generally accepted as good).

b. If you do not accept the ice bucket challenge, you must make a donation of $100.00 to ALS.

4. Here's where some people get confused, you have to challenge  3 other people (not more, not less).

5. You have to make a video of you completing the challenge that contains the following information:

a. You have to mention your name

b. You have to mention who challenged you

c. You have to say you accept the challenge with the full name (ie: "I accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge").

d. You have to challenge 3 people to complete the challenge and that they have 24 hrs to complete it.

e. You have to mention the ALS website address where people can make a donation.

f. You have to mention that you will be donating money as well as completing the challenge.

6. Finally, you're supposed to post the video of you completing the challenge online via social media (most people are using Facebook).

So that's basically it. Good luck!

The True Friend

What words are these? You don't realize when you are younger what a "true friend" really is. I don't know if anyone has a perfect definition, but what I do have are a few ideas that will probably strike a familiar cord for many of you.

I don't know if everyone has a true friend, but I would venture a guess that most of us have at least one, if not more. You might not even realize it. What you will notice though is that when you really need them, a true friend is always there for you, not only when it's convenient.

I've learnt over the years that you never loose a true friend. Despite the miles between you, or absence from each others lives, a true friendship will always be. No matter how long you've been apart, when you finally do get together with a true friend, it is like you were never apart, like time stood still. I am blessed to have a few true friends.

If you are a little younger and haven't experienced this yet, have no fear. As you age, and your life takes you away from your friends, you will quickly come to know who your true friends are. There is nothing greater than having these people come and go in your life. Some of my true friends I haven't seen in months, but I know when we do get together, it will be like old times.

Above all else, a true friend wants nor needs anything from you, well besides your friendship. You may loose touch at times, but you'll always be led back to each other. All you can do is try to keep in touch until your paths cross again.

That's about all I can tell you about a true friend. I hope you have one, as I'm sure you do.

The "Price is Wrong"

Back in the day, I used to be a big Price is Right fan. That was back in the days of Bob Barker of course. I'll never forget those cheesey props and games. I have to say though that some of those games were pretty good.

In 2014, I don't know about you, but for me the "Price is Wrong". Every single thing we pay for is increasing in cost. The sad thing about it is that salaries are either frozen, or only marginally increasing.

I'm far from genius, but it doesn't take Einstein to figure out that costs can't keep going up, and salaries not. Eventually somethings got to give. I believe we are starting to see that now.

The list of things we are paying more for just keeps getting longer and longer, including, but not limited to, Electricity, Natural Gas, Home Heating Oil, Propane, Gasoline, Groceries, Cellphones, Internet, Television, Vehicles, Houses, Property Taxes, Income Tax, Sales Tax, Insurance, and etc., etc., etc. You just can't expect people to pay for all these things, and then have some left over to spend on leisure and other frills.

Now what we are seeing is that disposable income is at an all time low, but our appetite for buying stuff is at an all time high. These days, most of us have a lot of "wants". The problem is that for many families these days, they can't afford these "wants". For most this means racking up a lot of debt (on credit card, line of credit, car loan, personal loan, etc.)

Moral of the story, this just can't keep going on the way it has been. Eventually we will reach a breaking point, and when we do, the least of our worries will be having those "wants". For many, it will be a struggle to keep what they already have.

My plan is to win the lottery,...as soon as I start buying lottery tickets :-)

Saving money with Groupon

Let's face it, everyone these days is living on a budget, or bust, lol. Either or, we're all out looking for that bargain. Everything is so expensive, and the costs keep going up.  Here it is summer and you're looking to get away, perhaps do a little something for yourself, or perhaps you want to get away with the family.

Well, if you are looking to save a few bucks, then look no further. Groupon is a great place to save a few bucks, or maybe even to get an idea for something to do.

The discounts you'll find on Groupon are actually quite slashed. Like everything, you have to be careful what you buy, and always, always read the fine print.

What's the catch you might ask? Well, you won't find anything on Groupon for Twillingate area. You will find lots of deals for St. John's and Mount Pearl though. Now the bigger the city, the more Groupon deals you'll find. I live in Ottawa area, so there are a ton of deals for this area.

I didn't say it was perfect, but if you are trying to make some plans and you are visiting an area where Groupon deals are available, you should definitely check out their website.