Posted by happyuniverse | Posted in Power of the Mind | Posted on 29-06-2009
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My wife and I were running through Marine Park in Brooklyn, New York when we heard that Michael Jackson had died. The first thing I thought was drugs, which seems to be the case. The death is sad, but it serves as another reminder the happiness isn’t found in album sales and popularity. Every year or so we lose a celebrity who seems to have it all. People on the top of their game like Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith, John Belushi, Elvis and Janis Joplin unraveled down the spiral of drug or alcohol problems.
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On Wednesday morning, I went to check the daily weather on my MacBook and when I started typing the computer wobbled like an uneven table in a dive bar. I picked it up, and protruding from the bottom was a warped battery case with thick, hard foam peeking through ever so slightly. My battery had exploded.
While at the Apple store purchasing a new battery, I questioned an Apple employee. The last thing I wanted was a repeat explosion. She asked me if I leave my computer on for long periods of time. The truth is I leave my computer on for all time. Over three years ago, I bought my MacBook. I turned it on, and it’s still on.
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Over the last few weeks it’s been raining and gloomy almost every day. My backyard was recently finished, and we have used it only twice this spring. Nevertheless, the rain hasn’t really bothered me. It’s given me a chance to forget about watering my new vegetables in my garden, and a yield is peeking through already.
It’s easy to say “look on the bright side,” but this can be difficult at times when we just don’t see it. Instead of looking for a bright side, it’s more beneficial to take action in creating one. We can make our own bright side when we follow 4 simple steps:
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Calm down marathons runners. I’m only kidding. Well, half-kidding. Before you crucify me in the comments section, let me explain. I was a sedentary couch potato for a number of years. My exercise program consisted of the chip-dip and the beer-lift. I finally decided to lose some weight. I took a run in Florida while visiting a buddy, and afterwards realized I had traveled over 7 miles. A bit of research lead me to believe that marathons are not impossible, and after a few months of training I ran my first in NYC.
My second marathon was five months later in Nashville. What became glaringly obvious was that a lot of people run marathons. After NYC I felt like I had joined an elite group of athletes, but after Nashville, I realized I was still in a large crowd. This made me eager to bring my game to the next level. Instead, my wife and I had a baby, and I stopped running for about 6 months. I gained 40 pounds and fell back into my old patterns. Earlier this year, I snapped myself out of the baby haze, and got back on the road. Forty pounds later, I am once again gearing up for a marathon, and in addition, I am training for my first ultra race.
Posted by happyuniverse | Posted in Products and Services | Posted on 09-06-2009
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Today, I learned of a site called Survey Monkey. Below is my first test of it's capabilities. I hope that through your responses we will be able to make Happy Universe a stronger site through writer/reader collaboration. I love getting e-mails and comments from you, which help to shape Happy Universe. Please feel free to continue to share. Also, if there is anyway I can help you through Happy Universe, please don't hesitate to ask.
Click Here to take survey
Posted by happyuniverse | Posted in Coaching, Inspiration | Posted on 08-06-2009
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Life is busy, and there’s always an excuse for ordering take out or popping a TV dinner in the microwave. Unfortunately, the quick fix is often unhealthy and fattening. When food is packaged, delivered, or handed to us through a drive-through window, we give up control. We allow our diets to be programmed by corporations that focus on the 
bottom line instead of our waistlines.
Some restaurants have healthy choices, but the only way to be sure of the quality of our diet is to cook our own food. At first, this concept may seem impossible. I can hear the naysayers already: “There are only 24 hours in a day, and besides, I don’t even know how to cook.” I understand the concern, and I reiterate that there’s always a reason, or excuse that makes it easy to pick up the menu and dial the phone. However, cooking your own food can be quick, healthy and fun.
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This post is the first of a series that will dissect and explore the keys to unlocking happiness. I will look at both the science that explains how our brains experience happiness, and the art of happiness as understood by eastern philosophy. If you enjoy this article, I strongly suggest you subscribe to Happy Universe to learn more about how you can live a happier life, and share our joy with others.
Happy Universe Key #1: Physical Movement
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The temperature is rising, and we all want to cool off. Ice Cream is loaded with calories, fat, and sugar, but there is a way to make a soft serve frozen treat that is healthy and delicious.
Ingredients:
2 Small Frozen Bananas,
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Enjoy the Journey as much as the Destination
The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side Of The Fence ~Anonymous
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After a 10K run and a full week of rehearsals that ended at 3am, I fell off the running wagon. Here is the system I used to get back on:
Recognize the Fall:
