Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ THE TURNING OF THE TURN ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

still

.

remember

.

t

h

e

. 

turning

.

o

f

. 

the 

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the 

yearning

.

o

f

.

the 

yearn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

.

a

s

.

one,

.

.

o

u

r

.

.

hearts

.

h

a

v

e

.

parted,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

we

.

c

a

n

.

never

return

.

t

o

.

the

.

w

a

y

.

things

started . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

we

.

h

a

d

.

breathless

pages

.

y

e

t

.

to

discover,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

so

feverishly

wished

.

f

o

r

.

none

.

b

u

t

.

each

other . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

At

first

.

t

h

e

.

curse

was

.

t

h

e

.

yearning 

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

later

became

.

t

h

e

.

turning 

yearn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

yearning 

turn

.

f

o

r

. 

something 

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

turning

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

turning

yearn

.

f

o

r

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

.

c

a

n

.

never

return

.

t

o

.

the

.

w

a

y

.

things

started,

.

.

w

h

e

n

.

.

eager

hearts

thundered

.

d

o

w

n

.

the

runways

charted . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

hurts

because

.

w

e

.

will

never 

laugh,

–

–

dance,

–

–

frolic,

.

.

o

r

.

.

play,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

way

.

w

e

.

did

.

i

n

.

those

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

sun

.

w

i

l

l

.

solely

remain

.

i

n

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

never

shine

. 

t

h

a

t

.

way

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

shine

. 

t

h

a

t

.

way

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

turn

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

turn

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Today

.

w

e

.

share

.

t

h

e

.

hours

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

remain,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

it’s

not

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

it’s

.

n

o

t

.

the

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

search

.

f

o

r

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

search

.

f

o

r

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

search

.

f

o

r

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

forevers

.

s

o

.

warmly

embraced,

–

–

before

.

t

h

e

.

change . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ before

.

t

h

e

.

change,

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

.

bet

. 

w

a

s

.

placed,

.

.

t

o

.

. 

gamble

away

.

t

h

e

.

golden

grace,

.

.

o

f

.

.

a

.

young

romance

.

i

n

.

a

dance

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

dancing,

–

–

within

.

a

.

daydream 

trance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

dance

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

dancing,

–

–

within

.

a

.

daydream 

trance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

still

.

remember

.

t

h

e

. 

turning

.

o

f

. 

the 

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the 

yearning

.

o

f

.

the 

yearn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 2016 where the contemplator is haunted by, and looks back with, heavy regret on a wonderful romance experienced in the past – where some kind of change happened or was introduced at some point. And once that change occurred, the romance never had the same magic, warmth, passion, or luster ever again. The contemplator repeatedly revisits and, with a heavy heart, longs to go back and do something different so the change never happens – but there is no going back, and nothing can help in any way because the damage was done, and the change is now permanent. This was the first of three poems I wrote that were largely inspired by the movie: “Holding the Man.” I actually hated the title of this movie, but thought it was an excellent movie overall.

☆°▪︎ THE SHY GOODBYE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

might

–

–

have

noticed

.

t

h

e

.

smile

behind

–

– 

your

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

promise
–

–

behind

.

t

h

e

.

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

it

was

.

t

h

e

.

shy 

goodbye

–

–

that

brought

.

t

h

e

.

tear

.

t

o

.

my

eye . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

shy

goodbye

–

–

which

absorbed

.

m

y

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

haunted

.

m

y

.

hindsight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

it

made

.

m

e

. 

realize,

–

–

you

were

.

y

e

t

.

another

twilight

–

–

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

recognize . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ another

–

–

deeply

dawning,

–

–

starlit

sky

.

o

f

.

lost 

opportunity

–

–

gone

by.

Reflection:  

This poem was written as a reflection on missed romantic opportunities. I had so many of those earlier in my life that in order to overcome my shy nature with respect to initiating conversations with others I did not know, I created and adopted the expression: “I’d rather try than be haunted by…” because the potential discomfort and awkwardness of trying and getting shunned was less painful than the haunting, restless thoughts of what might have been. So, it reminded me to always make my best effort no matter how awkward it might seem.

Now, the flip side of this was that I got so good at it that I ended up with a lot of acquaintances but not much more. So, several years later, I penned the line: “fewer, deeper” as my mantra to remind me to focus on a select few to have deeper relationships with.

☆°▪︎ THE DYING GREEN ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The 

sweet,

–

–

sleepy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

serene . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

r

e

–

–

–

the

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

.

drifting 

leaves

.

f

r

o

m

. 

the 

trees . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

–

–

–

drifting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

–

–

–

drifting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

–

–

–

drifting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the 

breeze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

–

–

–

from

.

t

h

e

. 

trees . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

a

l

l

i

n

g

–

–

–

from

.

t

h

e

. 

trees . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

how

things

–

– 

used

.

t

o

.

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

drifting

.

i

n

.

the

breeze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

drifting

.

i

n

.

the

breeze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

drifting

.

i

n

.

the

breeze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

a

.

n

e

w

.

regime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ of

a

.

n

e

w

.

regime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

. 

sweet,

–

–

sleepy,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

serene . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wake

to

.

t

h

e

. 

dying

green . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

wake

to

.

t

h

e

. 

dying

green . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

someone

else’s

dream,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

grieve

.

t

h

e

.

lack

.

o

f

.

peace

.

i

t

.

brings . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

– 

it’s

truly

.

n

o

t

.

where

.

t

h

e

y

.

otherwise

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

mean

.

t

o

.

be.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 2016 in reflection of those who tend to go with the flow, complain when things don’t go their way, but rarely fight for much of anything. So, in short, they get what they get – and that is all.

☆°▪︎ ADDICTION ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

was

.

t

h

e

.

urge

.

before

.

t

h

e

.

yearn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

heat

.

before

.

t

h

e

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

was

.

t

h

e

.

sip

. 

before

.

t

h

e

.

surge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

rapture

.

before

.

t

h

e

.

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

did

.

n

o

t

.

learn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

tomorrow 

arrived

–

–

again

today,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

the

.

same

.

future

.

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ with

.

t

h

e

.

same

.

future

.

a

s

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

almost

.

found

.

a

.

way

.

t

o

.

pay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

almost

.

found

.

a

.

way.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2016 where the affected party struggles with a negative cycle-of-addiction on constant repeat which ends up consuming his/her life – leaving not much of anything left.

☆°▪︎ TOO ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

time

.

i

n

.

the

days

.

o

f

.

youth,

–

–

when

.

m

y

.

pages

exploded

–

– 

with

.

t

h

e

.

howling

tunes

.

o

f

.

wildly,

–

–

romantic

moons . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There 

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

a

r

e

.

not

.

a

s

.

new,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

I

begin

.

t

o

.

serve

.

a

.

colder

brew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

colder 

brew

.

o

f

.

blue . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

a 

colder

brew

.

o

f

.

“truth”

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

thought

someday

.

.

I

might

return

.

t

o

.

that

room,

–

–

where

.

t

h

e

.

howling

wild

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

bloom

anew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

thought

someday

.

.

I

might

return

.

t

o

.

that

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

everyone

.

h

a

s

.

become

“too” . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Too

nice

.

o

r

.

too

cruel . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ too

determined

.

t

o

.

win

.

o

r

.

lose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Too

many 

issues

.

o

r

.

too

few . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ too

easy

.

o

r

.

too

difficult

.

t

o

.

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Too

much

.

o

r

.

too

little

.

t

o

.

prove . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ too

intent

.

o

n

.

using

.

o

r

.

being

used . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Too

intense

.

o

r

.

too

loose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ too

eager

.

t

o

.

make

.

i

t

.

happen 

soon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

If

you’re

going

.

t

o

.

race

around

madly

.

t

o

.

capture

romantic

moons,

–

–

you

better

.

d

o

.

it

soon,

–

–

while

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

a

r

e

.

new . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

better

.

d

o

.

it

soon,

–

–

before

.

i

t

.

becomes

“too” . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

–

–

it’s

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

–

–

it’s

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

–

–

it’s

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

i

s

.

not

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

everyone

.

h

a

s

. 

become

“too.”

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2016 where the romancer begins to realize romances do not come as easy as they used to – because over time preferences, experiences, expectations, reservations, histories, judgements, and such tend to get in the way.

The Huge Hidden Cost of Everything (and How to Avoid It)

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Opportunity cost is perhaps the largest cost people experience in their lives. And most people are not even aware they have it or how much they pay out in terms of time, money, effort, happiness, and peace. Days become weeks, weeks become months, months become years, and years become decades as opportunity cost accumulates in the background. How much do you suppose you’ve paid and wasted in opportunity cost over time?

Well, anytime you engage in, participate in, or commit to something you have incurred the opportunity cost of being unavailable for something else which might have been more positive, rewarding, or inspirational in nature. This goes for the people in your life, the activities you engage in, the work you perform, the beliefs you hold onto, what you spend money on, the temptations and addictions you fall victim to, your personal relationships, the goals and dreams you pursue, your mental state of mind, and the attitude or disposition that you generally carry.

For example, people sometimes remain in relationships which are less than ideal for them (or worse) and do not realize how wonderful their lives could otherwise be. Or they work a job which is less inspiring or fulfilling than it could be. Or they believe in something others tell them to even when it creates negativity in their lives or conflicts with their values (and incidentally forgetting something that I always tell people regarding beliefs: “just because you believe it – it does not mean it’s true.”). Or they put in a lot of time, money, and effort towards achieving a goal they told themselves they wanted for years only to discover it’s not what they truly wanted at all. Or they chase after stocks that everybody loves instead of buying the hated ones which offer more promising future gains. Or they live in a constant state of stress, depression, anxiety, and/or negativity instead of taking steps to improve their mental and physical well-being and overall sense of hope, optimism, positivity, and productivity. Or they carry huge grudges, judgments, and resentments against others and never get the chance to create or experience the closeness that they truly desire with these others.

Don’t do this to yourself. There is opportunity cost with everything. So choose wisely. Move towards the more positive, rewarding, and inspirational aspects and distance yourself from the rest. If you do this you will begin to minimize or avoid the opportunity costs in your life and live increasingly happier throughout the remaining days, weeks, months, years, and decades of your life. So do not waste another precious moment. Start living your new life today.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness

☆°▪︎ THE HAUNTING HOUSE OF DREAMS ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Welcome,

.

m

y

.

sweet

tangerine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ welcome

.

t

o

.

the

house

.

o

f

.

dreams . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

r

e

–

–

–

everything 

comes

.

s

o

.

effortlessly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everyone

seems

.

s

o

.

young,

.

s

o

.

serene,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

so

.

i

n

.

between . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

carelessly,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

laughingly,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

breathtakingly

–

–

free . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ just

.

y

o

u

.

wait,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

see . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Now,

–

–

come

.

w

i

t

h

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you’ll

.

j

u

s

t

.

love

Ruby . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ well,

everybody 

does . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that’s

really

.

w

h

a

t

.

I

think . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

believe

.

y

o

u

.

will

.

s

o

o

n

.

agree,

.

.

a

n

d

.

. 

see

–

–

exactly

.

w

h

a

t

. 

I 

mean . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

e

c

a

u

s

e

–

–

–

she’ll

wrap

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ she’ll

wrap

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

–

–

–

her

spider’s

web . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ her

spider’s

.

w

e

b

.

of

fanta ~ tease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

gently

easing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ gently

easing

–

–

chaos

.

i

n

t

o

.

clarity . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

bitter

.

i

n

t

o

.

sweet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

worries

.

i

n

t

o

.

tranquility . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

when

.

s

h

e

.

becomes

breathless,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

restless

.

a

s

.

the

sea . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

taunting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

teasing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

appeasing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

o

u

r

–

–

–

every

–

–

want

.

a

n

d

.

need . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

o

u

–

–

–

will

simply

–

–

never

wish

.

t

o

.

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

wish

.

t

o

.

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

when

.

y

o

u

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

when

.

y

o

u

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

t

–

–

–

will

probably

.

b

e

.

with

.

s

o

m

e

.

sense

.

o

f

.

serenity . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ with

.

a

.

passing,

–

–

peaceful

ease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

i

l

l

.

recall

.

t

h

e

.

way

.

y

o

u

.

feel

–

–

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

haunting

.

w

i

l

l

.

keep

calling . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

haunting

.

w

i

l

l

.

keep

calling . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

calling

.

y

o

u

.

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

calling

.

y

o

u

.

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

calling

.

y

o

u

.

back . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

the 

house . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

.

t

h

e

. 

haunting 

house

.

o

f

.

dreams.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2016 where the affected party has the tendency to flirt with that which is bad for him or her – and gets repeatedly drawn into the deep. It seems this will be a lifelong, all-consuming struggle and that the affected party will never be able to escape the grasp of temptation, addiction, compulsion, and distraction.

Live With a Sense of Adventure, Passion, and Excitement

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

image

One way to live a happier life is to live with a sense of adventure, passion, and excitement. You can do this by exploring a wide range of interests and new experiences, ensuring you always have something to look forward to, and by allowing things to unfold however they might without any preconceived notions or expectations. Life can be such a thrill if you seek to live in this fashion at least on a periodic basis.

One thing I did recently in this regard was taking a road trip in a Mustang convertible that I rented. And I must admit there is something both free and exhilarating about saying “Let’s put the top down and cruise the open road… GO!”

experienced several wonderful places on this road trip: Savannah, Hilton Head, Georgetown SC, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh, Charleston, and Jacksonville FL. Charleston was probably my favorite out of all of these. I consider Charleston to be the king of charm! Of the 62 places I’ve traveled to and spent a significant amount of quality time in it ranks up at #3 – tied with Guadalajara Mexico, Buenos Aires Argentina, Boston/New England Areas, San Diego California, and Los Angeles California.

Taking a road trip like this in a convertible was something I’ve wanted to do for years now and I finally did it. This demonstrates three things that I frequently tell people for living a happier life: 1) Live with a sense of adventure, passion, and excitement, 2) Reward yourself all along the way towards your goals and dreams, and 3) Always have something to look forward to.
It’s amazing how wonderful it feels just to cruise the open road with the wind blowing all around you. It can greatly inspire you, make you feel alive, give you time for reflection and relaxation, and fill you with overpowering feelings of joy, excitement, and freedom.

So always find ways to incorporate a sense of adventure, passion, and excitement into your life. It can really ignite, reinvigorate, and electrify your life. You will feel like a new person filled with youth, fire, and vigor. So do this for yourself if you can.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness

Test Drive Before You Buy (Goals and Experiences Too!)

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

image

Over the past week and a half, I took a road trip in this Mustang convertible. I went to Savannah, Hilton Head, back to Orlando, then to Georgetown SC, Myrtle Beach, and Raleigh. I then went to Charleston and Jacksonville FL before coming back home.

Driving a convertible on a lengthy road trip was something that I’ve wanted to do for years now and I finally did it. This is an illustration of something that I frequently tell people for living a happier life: Test drive before you buy – goals and experiences too! That is, see if you can find a way to simulate the experiences you think you might want before making major purchases or before investing a lot of time, effort, and resources so that you can better ensure they represent what you truly want.

For example, one of the reasons why I wanted to rent a convertible was because I had contemplated buying one and wanted to see if this might be in my future. So this provided a low cost option for trying it out first. You can test drive other experiences in a similar fashion.

For example, If you think you might like to live in San Diego, then take a couple of lengthy trips there on ordinary average days or weeks, in ordinary average locations, to see what it might be like to live there on a day-to-day or a week-to-week basis.

If you think you might enjoy not working then take a few weeks off and stay in your local area doing ordinary average things to see if this might truly appeal to you or whether you just needed a break. A number of retirees thought retirement was something they truly wanted only to find themselves feeling bored, noncontributory, and unproductive. Perhaps if they had simulated the retirement experience first they might have come to this realization and instead continued working on a part time basis, worked a different type of job, or contributed in some other fashion.

If you think you might really enjoy teaching then perhaps volunteer at a local school to see if this is something you truly want before pursuing a degree in education. You can perform similar kinds of activities for other career fields to include healthcare, business, and hospitality. Years ago I thought I might like to become a teacher so I simulated the experience by providing presentations on my work in virtual reality based research and technology at various local high schools. After spending time in the classrooms and talking to teachers I realized it was not something I would enjoy as much as I had originally imagined. I thought I would enjoy the students, but not so much the administrative and preparation work or all the time spent outside of class grading papers, projects, and tests, and supporting all of the extracurricular activities and events. I’m happy that I learned that lesson prior to investing the time, resources, and effort to make it happen.

And I’m happy that I rented the convertible for my road trip. Because I came to the realization that, although a fun vehicle to drive, it would be more of a toy I’d enjoy taking out every once in a while and not something I would want to drive all the time. So, I’d be better off by perhaps getting a used convertible, as a second car, just for fun. Another option might be to rent a three wheeler to see if that might be something I would enjoy instead.

So many people expend a substantial amount of time, effort, and resources on creating the life they think they want only to discover that it’s not what they truly want at all. Don’t do this to yourself. Always seek to test drive the goals and experiences you think you might want before making major purchases or investing a lot of time, effort, and resources to make sure that they represent your true desires. If you do this then you will live a happier, more productive life. So seek to do this often in your life.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness

Create Happiness and Abundance Through Appreciation

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

One way in which to create happiness and abundance is through appreciation; appreciation of who you are, appreciation of what you have, and appreciation of who you have in your life. The more you fill your life with appreciation the happier you will feel and the more rewarding your life will become. Three ways to achieve appreciation include thinking good, doing good, and being good.

Thinking good involves having positive thoughts towards yourself, towards others, and towards the earth/universe whether focusing on the past, present, or future.

Doing good involves making positive contributions towards others and towards your surroundings.

Being good involves having a positive disposition and a good hearted nature as well as a high level of integrity.

Filling your life with appreciation in these regards not only creates a happier you, but also creates happier surroundings and abundance throughout the days, months, and years of your life.

Consider this: Imagine that you loaned the use of your home to a house guest while you were away. When you return you find your home has been thoroughly cleaned, polished, and beautified to the extent that it is in far better condition than when you first left. In addition, you receive a card and gift thanking you for the use of your home. How wonderful would you feel and how likely would you be to help and do nice things for this person in the future? Well, the spiritual world operates in very much the same fashion whether your belief system involves God, the universe, or some other higher power or spiritual representation. The more you express genuine appreciation the more you will have in your life to be appreciative of; the spiritual world continually responding to your appreciation by blessing you with more to be appreciative of.

In my own life, I have experienced abundance through multiple channels. For example, I’ve earned an average of 37% per year in the stock market since 2010 which is a five year gain (on average) in each and every year. I have handily beat each of the stock market indices and most, if not all, fund managers and investment firms. Perhaps the success I’ve experienced to date has more to do with the universe blessing me in response towards my appreciation in my attempts to think good, do good, and be good for much of the time and less to do with my investment experience and expertise; a part time experience and expertise which pales in comparison with that of fund managers and investment companies who perform this kind of work on a regular full time basis and have done so for decades or longer. I’m not saying that what I’ve learned about financial management and investing, and the techniques and strategies I’ve developed, evolved, and employed over time, have not contributed to my success in these regards. I’m just saying that there might be something more to the picture. Thus, perhaps this appreciation concept is something worth pondering and carefully considering in your own life.

Now, one way that I express appreciation involves reducing waste through conservation and actively reusing or recycling items to the greatest extent possible. For example, I seek to minimize my use of paper, plastic, and power and actively collect recyclables as I come across them whether walking, running, or performing other day to day activities. Every time I do this, I express appreciation to the universe for all it has blessed me with in the beautiful, wonderful life that I get to enjoy each and every day. In this fashion, I am much like that appreciative house guest I mentioned earlier; creating a cleaner, more beautiful, and more sustainable planet over time in joyful appreciation of the happy life and surroundings that have been so generously loaned to me for all of my days by the most gracious of givers. And the universe continues to bless me for my appreciation.

So always remember: The more you express appreciation the more you will have in your life to be appreciative of. Not only will you feel happier just in realizing how much you presently have in your life to be thankful for and appreciative of, but you will create happier surroundings and be continually blessed in the days, months, and years to come. In addition, every time you express your appreciation you will notice more of what you have in your life to be appreciative of. And this will make you feel wonderful. So do this for yourself (and others). And do it often.

This and other happiness and self-improvement related tips are provided throughout my self-help oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/ 

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness