Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 3 Joy Quotes: How Does Practicing JOY Bring Order and Harmony Into Your Life? Also, Joy Contagious Lip-Syncing Cop Viral Video

From Denny:  Now if everyone in politics and every CEO in Big Business would read this, think how much people would quit hating their jobs, their bosses and their politicians!

Joyful X 2 Bathmat

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 3 Joy Quotes: How Does Practicing JOY Bring Order and Harmony Into Your Life? Also, Joy Contagious Lip-Syncing Cop Viral Video: From Denny:  Have you ever noticed that when you are filled with Joy that your whole world is suddenly harmonious and everything just falls into place?  Joy is contagious too.  When you feel good, everyone around you feels good too!

While not everyone is called to enter into the decades long rigorous training to become a mystic for the benefit of humanity, a lot can be learned and practiced in everyday life to better enjoy life's journey.  Practicing Joy is practicing healthy spirituality, regardless of religion or no specific religious preferences at all.

Joy is a central principle for the human spirit.  Joy sustains us through life's sorrows   and disappointments.  Joy acts as a counter balance while climbing out of depression or grief, dealing with past trauma and the ensuing PTSD, keeping us from sinking down further into negative emotions and thoughts.  Joy is important to safeguard not just our mental, emotional and spiritual health but it has a direct positive benefit upon our physical health too.

Adults often develop habits that steer away from Joy.  Babies laugh hundreds of times a day.  How much have you laughed out loud today?  How much have you laughed in the past month?  Do you find your world crumbling around you, feeling out of sorts and grumpy, thinking limiting thoughts, focused upon how little is going your way? ... read more

Joyful X 2 Padfolio

Inspire: Keep your Joy up and flowing to attract order and harmony into your life all year long!  
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Proceeds go to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank (Louisiana) and to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital for all the awesome help they have given to the children of the Gulf Coast.  

Developing this online gift store is one of the ways of how I keep my Joy up, focusing upon creativity that creates proceeds for charities doing great work.

*** Joyful x 2 design found in the Denny Lyon Gifts store @ Cafe Press in these sections:  bedding, stationery and inspiration (plenty of style choices for women, men, baby and kid's t-shirts and hoodies.)

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: Attitude Quote in Poem

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: Attitude Quote in Poem: From Denny:  Check out this clever direct poem about how our daily attitude shapes our lives.

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 12 Funny Quotes About Prayer

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 12 Funny Quotes About Prayer: From Denny: Prayer is a wonderful thing. It can bring us comfort, calm our fears and inspire us. It's also quite amusing to view it in terms of the human condition called "whining." There is also "bargaining." Once you grow past those two obvious pitfalls you discover "peaceful communion."

Parenting Magazine: How To Unspoil Your Kids

Image by Chris JL via Flickr

From Denny: Need help with your No Manners Munchkin or Bedtime Beast? Parenting Magazine's Ana Connery and psychiatrist Gail Saltz are here to share tips to help your parenting formula be more successful.

They are sharing tips on how to effectively unspoil a child and raise a grateful person with realistic expectations and the ability to deal well with the disappointments in life.

The pivotal issue is the pendulum swing of giving your child too much or giving in to them too much. Everyone loves their children and it is easy to get caught up in wanting to give them everything and make their lives easier than perhaps it was when you were growing up. Unfortunately, we can end up creating a difficult person no one else will like, hire or marry.

Psychiatrist Gail Saltz says there are several areas that need to be taught in parenting for the child to make their way into adulthood as a balanced and happy adult. Without teaching these tips to your child they can learn to behave as if they are entitled to everything and responsible for nothing:

* Teach about Life disappointments
* Help your child learn frustration tolerance
* Teach your child about delayed gratification
* Teach your child about how to learn to work hard for something they want. Don't give in to them for the short term. They must learn a long term work ethic. They will learn a lot about themselves on their journey of self-discovery.
* Teach your child how to deal with loss, whether it is over a toy, the death of a pet or the death of a loved one
* Remember: you are your child's most immediate and constant example. Are you living up to what you teach them? Are you modeling the behavior you expect from them?

Here are some useful tips to help create a child that will grow up to be a happy adult, equipped with the ability to handle anything Life throws at them.

Store meltdowns with a five year old: Most parents have encountered this and it sure is embarrassing. The pressure is on to stop the behavior quickly in public so the parent often gives in. Unfortunately, what giving in teaches your child is a positive reinforcement of bad behavior.

Stick it out and refuse to give in. If you do give in you send your child the message to do more of the bad behavior. When kids figure out it works they will do more. Shut it down now before it gets out of control.

Trust that most people passing by you in the mall are parents and have experienced the same when raising their children. Know they are quietly wanting you to succeed as a parent.

When you hold the line you show your child a negative reinforcement to their wrong behavior or attitude. Eventually, your child figures out they can't push your buttons to do what they want and the bad behavior disappears over time.

Can you unspoil them? The answer is yes. Working with them when they are younger is easier than dealing with a teenager. You can "unring the bell" with teenagers though it is a more difficult process.

Unspoiling a teenager is more difficult because you have lost a lot of parental control over the years. In essence, you have given over your authority to the child to do with what he or she will.

The Mall Brat: When they demand the latest toy or technology, don't give in to them. That is responding to bad behavior and zero respect for you as the parent.

With teenagers who have had the run of the house - and you - for years, the most effective way to start the process of unspoiling them is to sit them down for a heartfelt talk from you. Tell them you have made parenting mistakes and it's time to chart a new course and revamp the system. Tell them you honestly love them and want the best in life for them. You want them to be a happy adult able to take on any life challenges with ease.

With an older child you may require the help of a professional counselor. "Just know that it is a stoppable cycle," says psychiatrist Gail Saltz.

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Happy, Healthy Children : How to Avoid Childhood Obesity, Attention Deficit and Boredom

Happy, Healthy Children : How to Avoid Childhood Obesity, Attention Deficit and Boredom: "The nature of childhood has greatly changed in the past 20 years. A sudden rise in childhood obesity, diabetes, and Attention Deficit plagues America. I have noticed a remarkable trend in the way we raise children as well."

By Delores Monet @ Hubpages

From Denny: Here is a short good resource article from a friend over at HubPages who has 5 children herself! She has a number of excellent further reading links provided as well. Check it out.

Affording College

Affording College: "Affording college is always an issue, but more so now, when there is so much uncertainty about the economy.

You may find yourself in the uncomfortable position of not being able to afford your college tuition and fees. Don't give up! There are things you can do."

By Tom Rubenoff to parents
Photo by Brent and MariLynn @ flickr

From Denny: Some practical advice in tough economic times to help your child get that college education.

Tips on keeping your house clean when everyone seems to be too busy to help.

Tips on keeping your house clean when everyone seems to be too busy to help.: "As a certified clean a holic this question was surely meant for me alone. I am so house proud that even the dogs and cats get dustered and hoovered(by the way it's not cruel,my dogs rather enjoy it. It actually concerns me as to how much lol)."

By bevy400
Photo by Randy Son of Robert @ flickr

A Practical Guide to Improving Your Body Image

A Practical Guide to Improving Your Body Image: "Bookstore shelves are lined with self-help books geared towards improving self-esteem, and particularly body image, but many turn out to be rants on the state of society with no practical advice you can actually implement into your daily life.

That's why I've written this guide, both as an offering to the masses of women, young and old, who underappreciate themselves, and as a reminder to myself - however hackneyed it may sound, the only person who can define my self-worth is me."

By Maddie Ruud
Photo by Shannon Archuleta @ flickr

7 Fast And Easy Tips To Being Organized

7 Fast And Easy Tips To Being Organized
7 easy tips to help you get organized fast. The topics covered are the top 7 problems most people have trying to get organized.

By Elle Dixey

A place for everything and everything in its place. It sounds easy, doesn’t it? Then why are so many of us disorganized? Where does all the clutter come from? And what do we do with it? In this article, we will give you 7 easy tips to getting yourself organized.

First, here’s a brief overview of how organization works. Everything in your home or office, even your car, should have a home. A place where any particular item can be kept. Now it makes sense that something you use each day and possibly several times a day should be easily accessible. For example, whether you have a home office or an office out of the home, or both, perhaps you might use paper clips every day. These should be right on your desk, within easy reach. Maybe you only use the stapler once or twice a week. This doesn’t have to be front and center, You don’t mind reaching into a drawer or a cabinet to get the stapler once or twice a week, do you? Now, here’s the beauty of being organized. You get to choose. Do you mind reaching into the drawer for the stapler. Then let’s put it right out there within your reach. Suppose it’s kept on the right hand side of your desk. That’s the place you have designated for your stapler. But, you pick it up, use it, and put it down absentmindedly on the left side of your desk.

Now multiply this behavior by 20 or 30 times a day. You pick something up from where it is always kept, and set it down somewhere else. If you do this with 20 or 30 items every day in your office, what do you have when it’s quitting time? That’s right. A disorganized mess on your desk, However, don’t despair, there’s just one rule you have to follow. All you have to do is make an effort to put things back where they belong. Put that stapler back on the right side of your desk! This rule applies to just about everything, whether you are at home, in your office or in your car. As we said before, it sounds easy, and it is; once you get used to doing it. Go ahead, try it and watch what happens. The 7 tips below will get you started.

1. Paper Clutter - This might be the number one organizational problem people complain about, so if it’s yours, you are definitely not alone. As you probably know, the mail can pile up very fast. Sort your mail as soon as you get it. Send the junk mail to a shredder, recycling or the trash basket, unopened, right away. Separate your bills and personal mail. If don’t you have a place for these categories, get two baskets, two folders or two of any type of storage container. Put bills in one and personal mail in the other, But you knew that already, didn’t you?

2. Plan Ahead - It’s very easy to feel disorganized when you are rushed. If you have a lot to do in the morning, try to get a jump on things the night before, even if it just making a list of what you have to do, in the order they need to get done. Decide what you are going to wear the next day and set it out, so there’s one less thing to think about the next morning.

If you drink coffee, get that ready the night before. Don’t worry if you don’t have a coffee pot with a timer. Just measure the coffee into the filter, fill the reservoir with water and you’ll be all set. Coffee doesn’t take that long to brew. When you get up the next day, pop into the kitchen and push the brew button on the coffee maker. It will be done before you know it.

3. Keep All The Same Things Together - How many times have you gone through the house looking for stamps, an envelope and a pen, just to send something off in the mail? When we say keep all the same things together, this is a good example. You know you will need at least these three items if you want to mail something. So why not keep them all together?

Get a nice basket or any other container you like and store anything that has to do with sending mail in it. This could include different size envelopes, paper, note cards or whatever. Do you print out emails, then lose them? Make a folder for all emails you have printed.

In your kitchen, keep all your measuring supplies together in a drawer or a cabinet. Measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, large spoons and your mixer. Paying bills? You already know where your stamps, pen and envelopes are. Make a bill-paying folder just for bills to pay. You will be surprised how many things you can group together once you start thinking about it.

4. Save Time By Multi-tasking - Do you have to go to the Dentist’s office? Take a book you’ve been wanting to read and haven’t had time to do. Walking your dog? Make an effort to take him or her out more often and go for a brisk walk each time. Jog or run if you can. You will be getting some exercise and so will your dog. What’s more fun, walking or running with your dog or mindlessly pacing on a treadmill?

Paying bills but want to watch your favorite TV show? Gather up all your bill paying needs and settle down in your living room; watch TV and pay your bills at the same time. Trying to learn a new language? Get the lessons on CD and play them when you are driving.

5. Plan Your Meals For the Week - You can’t imagine how beneficial this is. Knowing exactly what you are going to make for dinner each night will definitely ease stress. Make a list of each meal and post it on your fridge. It will also save you money when you go to the market. With your list of meals in front of you, it is a lot easier to only buy what you need.

6. Put Things Away - It only takes a minute or two to put things away. But how many of us come in the house and toss our jackets on the back of a chair, rather than hanging it up in the closet or even on a coat hook? Enlist the other members of your family to put their things away when they are finished using them.

If all else fails, make a set time for everyone to go through the house once a day, pick up their things and put them away. Allot 10 or 15 minutes for this activity. Once this activity interrupts other things your family would rather be doing, you may find they are a lot better at putting things where they belong right away.

7. Add Space To Your Home - Add some shelves to a closet that is a catch-all. You will be able to store a lot more in there with shelves and everything will be easier to find.

Buy modular cubes that can be stacked on top of, and next to each other. Many of these can be purchased with storage baskets that fit right into the openings, giving even more versatility. Do you have an half-empty bureau or chest of drawers? Store little used items in those drawers.

Now that you know how easy it really is to get yourself organized, come on over to our site http://www.thebeautifulhome.net to get our Free Report - 50 Ways To Get Organized and more organizational and time-saving tips and also decorating ideas. When you get there click on "Organization" See You There!

Photo by marklarson @ flickr