Cinnamon Raisin!!

Cinnamon Raisin has arrived!! She is half Maltese, half Shitzu, in the designer dog world, she would be called a malshi... We got Cinnamon in the summer time (haven't written on here in awhile) and she's been my little companion ever since.... Since I work from home, it can get pretty quiet in the house.... No children yet... But we are trying... So, little Cinnamon keeps me busy...She is a little wild, but I'm hoping she will calm down and I'm hoping this is her puppy stage....

Join the Pet Club?, Part ll

My husband and I are thinking of buying/adopting a puppy. We bought a book on dog breeds because we wanted to find the best breed for us that fit into our lifestyle. One of our requirements is that the dog has hair as opposed to fur. (aka hypoallergenic). I did some research online and came across a new type of breeds, well, not really a breed, but a mixture of two breeds, called a hybrid, also known as designer dogs. I was unaware that these dogs existed until now and they really seem like the 'popular' pet to own. A few of the designer puppies I came across were Maltichon, Maltipoo, Pekeachon, Shihtzupoo, Lhasapoo, Morkie, and Yorkshon, to name only a few. I could not believe it. I showed my husband and we were in awe at all the new 'breeds' out there. Most of them are smaller 'designer' dogs. They are hypoallergenic, which is also good. We are leaning towards the Maltichon puppy, which is a cross between a Bichon and Maltese. These breeds are supposed to be good with children (thinking towards the future... :) )

I noticed a lot of the pet stores in our neighborhood are selling these designer puppies....Does anyone have any advice on these new hybrid 'designer' breeds?

Food for Thought ~ Monday's Daily Quotes

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." —George Bernard Shaw

"To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are." —Muhammad Ali

TGIF ~ A Quote for Friday

"Opportunities don't knock at all. They don't have to, they're already all around us. It's up to us to see where they are and take advantage of them."

—Dave Thomas

Where does time go?

A poem written by my husband.

Blink, Blink, Blink
I remember when I was a child playing with GI Joe Figures

Blink, Blink, Blink
I am now a man and I can still remember playing with these toys

Blink, Blink, Blink
Where does time go? Time slips through my mind as sand pours through an hourglass

Blink, Blink, Blink
I remember when my parents would take me to Toys R Us and my eyes would light up like florescent lights

Blink, Blink, Blink
I sleep at night, two seconds later it's the morning, I ask you, where does time go? Why does it exist with such passivity?

Blink, Blink, Blink
I look at my watch and no matter what I do or how I think, time is constant and cannot be controlled, it just ticks, ticks and ticks.

Blink, Blink, Blink
Time must be infinite, there will always be time, but how can I control or stop time?

Blink, Blink, Blink
Then, I thought, I closed my eyes, there is only one way to control time.

Blink, Blink, Blink
Just accept the fact that time is infinite, it will always be, it never ends, it never stops, it's a constant circle that never stops rotating or spinning.

Blink, Blink, Blink
What time is it?

Blink, Blink, Blink
I don't know, I don't even have a working watch.

Blink, Blink, Blink
Now time doesn't even matter anymore because now you need a battery.

Blink, Blink, Blink
What time is it?

Blink, Blink, Blink
Who cares anymore, where's the nearest Wal-Mart?

Two paths. One decision.

"...Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." —The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost

When faced with a decision — two scenarios you have the power to ultimately decide which way the story plays out — choose wisely. This is your path in life. Don't turn around. Don't look back and think "Why did I choose this route?" Take responsibility and have no regrets. This is your path — enjoy it.

Is our path in life pre-destined? I'm not sure. Depending on your religious beliefs it may or may not be. We are all faced with decisions to make on a daily basis. Some are more important than others. Some shape our lives and have brought us to where we are today. My decisions have led me to where I am now. I chose my own path. Some events in my life, good or bad, I had no control over. One example being I could not stop or predict 9/11 from occuring. I could not predict that I would be living where I am today if events surrounding my past had not occurred.

How I reacted to these events shaped who I have become today. I am thankful for the decisions I have made in my life thus far. The road I have traveled, although a bumpy ride, through sadness and hurt, happiness and love, a whirlwind of events, has gotten me to where I was meant to be. Possibly pre-destined? I am happy, in love, and family means everything to me.

This 'road' thus far has been my journey through life. I hold my head up and continue to strive forward, along this path I have chosen. My path, my decision.

What Does Happiness Mean to Me?

My mom once asked me this question. She interviewed a handful of people and asked them this same question. I remember people coming up with different answers. Right now, at this point in my life, happiness means a few different things: I appreciate life and all that I have. I am happy because I have a husband who loves me, supports me, and encourages me to do and be the best that I can be. He pushes me to strive to my fullest potential. I appreciate the confidence and praise he gives me when I design or do something that is 'entrepreneur' like. I appreciate my home, which is my shelter, I appreciate the food that we have each day and the love that I have from my family. I appreciate that my parents live close by and that I want to spend as much quality time as I can with them because life is precious and you never know what tomorrow will bring. I am glad my sister and my first niece live very close by. I am appreciative that everyone close to me is in good health and takes care of themselves. I am fortunate to have all of these things. This brings me peace and happiness. Material things are nice, but not as important as family. This is my post on happiness. Everyone has a different meaning of happiness. What does happiness mean to you? I encourage your responses.

Take a chance!

"Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare." — Dale Carnegie

Go for it! If there is something you have been putting off doing, now is the time... We tend to put off our dreams and aspirations until we have the time to do it, but when do we really have the time? Let's make the time. Put aside 5 minutes each day to focus on your dream. The more you can put into it and take action, the sooner it will become a realty. What are you waiting for, start that dream!

Subscribe to this blog for daily inspiration and leave comments for others to inspire us. We can all learn from each other.

Comfort in Chocolate?

Sometimes food can be used as a disguise to diverge our thoughts from stressful things that happen in our lives. Some foods give us comfort. Comfort foods. I never realized what that meant, but it can be true. When I am feeling down or under the weather, chicken noodle soup always makes me feel better. When I am feeling the daily stresses of life and it is hitting me harder than it should, I sometimes crave chocolate. This is my comfort. Does it solve my problem? No, I don't think it does. Instead of food, I wonder if I will ever feel the need to use our treadmill? =) In a future post, I'll discuss that exercise really does relieve stress, and the treadmill really does make me feel good, sometimes...but for now, where's my chocolate.

What is your comfort food?

Acknowledgement Day

Tell someone today, that you appreciate them. It could be your mother, father, daugher, son, husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend. Whomever you decide to say these sentiments to, will make you feel good about yourself. Not only have you made the other person feel good, but you should feel a sense of contentment by thinking of someone else other than yourself. Today you made a selfless gesture.

Today I will acknowledge my mother. If she has not read this post yet, she does not know this and I will be calling her later today.

Acknowledge someone you love or admire today.

Pass this along to a friend.

60 Seconds or Less is All We Need to Be Inspired

This can improve your way of thinking drastically.

Whether you are at work getting settled in, home taking care of your children, working from your home office, or as a housewife, remember to take a moment to reflect each day. We all have our daily routines, and usually everyday becomes the same routine. It usually starts with a kiss to your husband or wife goodbye for a good day at work, a daily check of your emails for the day, conversing with co-workers, friends, or family, and of course our daily work activities. The same routine re-occurs the next day.

Each day, take a moment — it could be in your car on your way in to work, sitting at your desk at work, on the railroad or subway on your way to work, these are just to name a few suggestions, but try to, at least once a day, take a moment to reflect on how you appreciate how good your life is.

We all want, want, and want more. But really, if we sit down and really reflect on what we do have, we might be very surprised to the realization that we really are lucky to have the things that we have. Not only materialistic things, but our loved ones, food, shelter and our health.

Take a moment each day to reflect on this. You will be glad you did.

Does anyone think this would work?

A FABULOUS Quote for the beginning of a FABULOUS week

"You make the world a better place just by being in it."

—Author unknown

Pass it along. Subscribe to my blog, and receive daily inspirational quotes each day.

The start to a FABULOUS week.

wish it. dream it. do it.

Easier said than done. But it can be done. If we can wish for something, dream about it, and then, decide to do it, we can accomplish great things. Accomplishments. To accomplish something is an exciting thing to do. We all set goals to accomplish things we want to do, whether it is a goal to climb a mountain, or something as simple as to exercise each day, each and every person to some extent has goals. Some people set higher goals for themselves and therefore need to strive and work harder to reach these goals. Once reached, you can feel a sense of accomplishment.

Accomplishing our goals does not always happen. Sometimes we start what we dream or wish to do, but do not finish it. This can cause regret in the future. No one wants to feel as if they regret something or wished they would have followed through with there dream. If we have patience and realize that things take time, your goal can come true. Working hard pays off. Being positive pays off. Positive energy is contagious. If you become a more positive person, you will attract more positive people around you. Just ask Mr. Cold Call. Check out some of the motivational quotes he found here.

Join the Pet Club?

So, my husband and I are thinking of buying/adopting a dog. Big responsibility! Do I want this responsibility? It is like caring for a child. Well, not exactly, but once we decide to get one, we will not give him or her away. Will it make me happy to have a dog? More content? Possibly. I think they would bring companionship and unconditional love into our home. My husband is leaving it up to me if I want one. Looking at my office space and while typing on my keyboard on my 2003 imac (the one that looks like a space ship) I wonder what it might be like with a dog by my side. It might be just what I need.

Countdown to 'Sex'

I can't wait for the Sex in the City movie to come out! I think every woman in the world is looking forward to it, except maybe a select few. JK. This show which aired on HBO was great. Re-runs still play on TBS but are censored for public TV. They covered all the dating issues and girl talk. My husband will not see this movie with me, and I will not subject him to it! It is a movie for girlfriends to enjoy together. I love all the characters on the show. I don't have a favorite. They all have there unique personalities. Let the countdown to 'Sex' begin!

Fortune Cookie Quote

"You will have a long and wealthy life."

This was my fortune that I received last night when I went out to dinner with my husband at the local chinese restaurant we occasionally frequent. My husband's fortune was not as kind. He threw his out so I cannot remember the exact sentiments, but in a nutshell, it was not a positive quote and therefore thrown away and not remembered. Are these fortunes really true? No, but I do enjoy reading them if they say something positive. Does anyone ever really read their fortune cookie? (Well, I mean the sentiment inside, before they eat their cookie!)

~ Our 1st Daily Quote ~

Believe in your dreams...they are ready and waiting to come true. —Author unknown

Re-Birth After 30

Since turning 30 I've learned to appreciate life more, and therefore have decided to take on more of a positive and motivational approach towards life. Life is too short to dwell on the past or to always be wishing the future would be sooner. Enjoy the present. Everyday is different and we need to appreciate life to its fullest. I wish I could program myself to think this way everyday. It always takes more effort to think more positively then negatively. I will make it my #1 priority to think positively. What do you think?

Welcome

Hello! Welcome to the Happiness Tree Blog. This blog was created for people of all ages to come together to inspire each other. Life is full of pain and hurt, but also full of love and joy. Here is one place where we can go for daily inspiration, feedback from others, to vent, and lastly, to learn how to live a more positive, fulfilling, happy life.

Today the economy is not great. Life is not easy, everyone has different circumstances, but we all do have similar emotions. Maybe not all at the same time, but over your lifespan, people all experience being angry, upset, envious, resentful, jealous, happy, or sad at some point in there life. Life throws us curve balls. Life hits us when we least expect it. It is easier to be negative than positive. Our thoughts are constantly changing. Sometimes, it's just easier to be down. Tell yourself, 'No, I will not be down. I do not like it when I get this way.' Re-direct your thoughts and energy to positive thinking and focusing on the good things in your life. Make a list.
Here are a few things on my list:
1. Family that loves me
2. Shelter/Home
3. Job
4. Friends/Networking (would like to establish more social connections)
I need to focus on the positive and be thankful for all that I have. This blog is meant for motivational speaking, focusing on the positive, sharing your thoughts, learning, and enjoying eachother's company (via internet ;p) Would anyone like to comment on there list of positive things in their life or just introduce themselves?