Keep those cards and letter coming!

Write letters and send postcards

The things that make me the happiest have an emotional and physical effect.  And even more so when you do something for someone else.  One of the most lasting of these things is a personal letter.

Being born in the transitional time between letters and computers, many people in my generation have already shunned snail mail as a way to communicate. This makes them rare, but a very inexpensive surprise. My grandmother was one of seven children, and they communicated with a round-robin letter. From mailbox to mailbox, they would add an update on their life and send it around to the next sibling. She taught me that letters are a valuable form of communication, something she’s emphasized as her memory slowly fades.

I got into the habit of writing letters and during the times where I was most stressed, a paper due, a newspaper deadline, or turmoil, I would write a letter. Letters live somewhere between thoughts and stories. They are a confidant and a piece of yourself that you can choose to scrap or share.

When I receive a letter, especially from someone who I haven’t heard from in awhile, I get a rush of endorphins, because I’m holding proof that the friend considered me. It’s the same rush I get when someone is thoughtful or goes out of their way to help me. Most friends reciprocate with a call to say how happy they were to open a personal note rather than another bill or W-2.

I followed epistolary literature in college, often using my break from studying as a chance to write letters. Perhaps letters will go the way of Wells Fargo wagons, but I’ll single-handedly support the post office as long as my friends have addresses and my fingers can write. Letters are my personal therapy, my rush of endorphins, my connection with those I love, and my alone time—my regular serving of happiness.

As the old Jimmy Durante song goes, “make someone happy.” A thoughtful, hand-written letter will do that EVERY TIME!

It's so important to make someone happy. 
Make just one someone happy…

Fame, if you win it,
 comes and goes in a minutes
.

Where's the real stuff in life, to cling to? 

Love is the answer!

 
Make someone happy. 
Make just one someone happy.
 And you will be happy too.

Get. Very. Simple.

 A few years ago, I  had the immense pleasure of attending a lecture by Huston Smith, the preeminent scholar of the world’s religions.  Smith first came to the attention of the world when he brought a young Tibetan Buddhist Monk – His Holiness, the Dalai Lama –to America for the first time. Smith spoke about the continuing impact of religion on our world, most notably the strife in the Middle East over religious differences. He was at his most joyous when he spoke about his own spiritual practices, which he described to us. Smith said, upon rising each day, he did Hatha yoga for some minutes, followed by reading a few pages of a sacred text, after which he meditated or prayed for at least five minutes. He would finish his morning ritual by doing a bit of yard work and some composting. As gardening and composting enthusiast, I was engrossed. Smith extolled the virtues of this service to the planet, which results in rich, dark soil, and a beautiful garden he greatly enjoys.

The entire audience smiled as they listened to this great and humble man describe the spiritual practices with which he began each day. These were Huston Smith’s personal morning rituals and I felt more at peace just listening to him describe his simple steps to serenity. I love the irony that this premiere academic, who has such as deep understanding of all the religions rituals throughout history, had created such an uncomplicated approach for himself. I left the talk inspired to worry less and enjoy more. I saw the deep wisdom of simplicity. Huston Smith rarely appears in public but I never miss a chance to listen to him speak on any subject. I recently saw him again at San Francisco’s esteemed CIIS and heard the one detail he had left out of the previous discussion of morning practices, which I recognized as a  brilliant happiness habit.  He was introduced that night by a dear old friend, who added this delightful detail he knew from their time as college roommates: Upon waking, Huston sits up ramrod straight in his bed, claps his hands together and says very loudly, ”It’s going to be a GREAT DAY.”

What simple activities can you perform to add joy to your life?

Are there any “downer duties” you can delete from your life?

Do you feel a longing for simpler times in your life?

What can you do about it?

Is there a morning “life affirmation” you can speak upon waking?

Wishing you sweet serenity,

Acts of Beauty

When I was working on the Random Acts of Kindness campaign, it was an incredibly joy-filled work experience. I usually do love what I do but this took it to a whole new level. My work was not just about helping my company or paying my rent for the month, it suddenly really meaning something. We were making the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time. There was literally an electricity in the air and we arrived at work each day to see what miracles had happened overnight while we were sleeping.

I remember the first day we knew everything had really changed - we found out through the US mail. Usually we only had a dozen or so pieces of mail, bills mostly and a few queries, letters from readers or an order or two. One day, the mailman knocked and said, "I need help here." He had BAGS of letters from people all over the country and a TON of ones with suggestions of acts of kindness. There were laughter and tears as we sat down on the floor and tore open the envelopes reading aloud from the letters. Some were in children's big blocky letters (these usually had the best ideas of kindness) and others in elder's careful script. I treasure that memory as I saw the power of the human heart that day.

Creating your path to peace of mind:

Maggie Oman Shannon Champions the Importance of Creating  in a Busy and Often Chaotic World:

The author of Crafting Calm and interfaith minister shares her philosophical take on beauty.

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Maggie Oman Shannon, author of Crafting Calm

Ultimately, connecting to our creativity can help us connect to our spirituality. In other words, crafting can become a spiritual practice."

— Psych Central

(PRWEB) June 11, 2013

Interfaith minister Maggie Oman Shannon claims that cultivating and noticing beauty is far from frivolous. In her new book Crafting Calm, she relates personal stories and step-by-step how-to's on DIY projects that help people get in touch with their spiritual side. As she explains on Inspire Me Today, "There is always something lovely to be found, always; and the search for it or deliberate creation of it is never frivolous. John Keats was right: Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty." When most of the world is determined to shut down creativity in favor of being "realistic" or practical, Maggie Oman Shannon's is one of the lone voices encouraging people to put busyness on pause and focus on small, simple moments of peace and beauty.

Oman Shannon has also recently appeared on the the popular podcast Tranquility du Jour with Kimberly Wilson. The two experts discuss how to make time for crafting in the midst of a busy schedule, and talk about the importance of finding a few moments for peace. As a mother with a jam-packed schedule herself, Oman Shannon knows from experience how hard scheduling time for calmness can be. But, as she so boldly states, the active and mindful focus on beauty is a "political statement" and a "spiritual practice," and the inner peace it can bring is well worth the effort.

Rev. Maggie Oman Shannon, M.A., is an interfaith minister, spiritual director, workshop and retreat facilitator, and author of five books, including Prayers for Healing and A String and a Prayer: How to Make and Use Prayer Beads. In 2000, Maggie Oman Shannon founded The New Story, a coaching and consulting business focused on helping people create deeper meaning in their lives. Shannon currently has the honor of serving as Spiritual Director of Unity Spiritual Center of San Francisco. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and nine-year-old daughter.

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What the world needs now:

Allen Klein is one of the best selling inspirational authors on the planet with over 600,000 copies of his books sold. His message of healing with humor and being in good cheer no matter what is needed especially now more than ever.

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The Art of Living Joyfully: How to Be Happier Every Day of the Year

(PRWEB) April 24, 2013

How did Allen Klein come to be the world’s only Jollytologist, selling over 600,000 books worldwide, and become a successful speaker? Surprisingly, Allen’s mission began when he faced life’s greatest challenge. When he was a young man, his wife was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. During his wife’s bedside vigil, Allen quickly realized that telling jokes and stories lifted not only his wife’s spirits, but everybody else’s, including his own. The compelling inspiration of words and the healing power of humor helped everyone cope with the diagnosis and death of his wife at the young age of 34. Allen Klein’s purpose is to make people feel inspired again, to bask in laughter and revel in joy. In the busyness of life and the stress of the day-to-day, it is easy to become over-worked and under-joyed.

Allen will be appearing on these radio shows; tune in to listen to his jokes and advice about living joyfully:
May 3: Coach's Cafe Radio
May 16: On Purpose Radio

Another way to listen to Allen Klein is through his audio books:
The Art of Living Joyfully: How to Be Happier Every Day of the Year
Words of Love: Quotations from the Heart
Change Your Life! A Little Book of Big Ideas
Inspiration for a Lifetime: Words of Wisdom, Delight and Possibility

Allen will also be speaking at the Hospice of Hilo in Hilo, HI on May 10th and at Illinois School Nutrition Association from June 27-28th.

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Put down your smart phone and pick up some prayer beads:

There is a quiet revolution going on, wherein people are choosing to “live the handmade life.” Rev. Maggie Oman Shannon illustrates that you can "craft the crazy away" through beading and crocheting, candle-making, and collaging.

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Crafting Calm: Projects and Practices for Creativity and Contemplation

(PRWEB) April 10, 2013

New from Viva Editions, Crafting Calm: Projects and Practices for Creativity and Contemplation, a D.I.Y. guide to peace of mind, explores crafts and creativity as a spiritual practice providing enormous benefits. Maggie Oman Shannon takes a rich “potpourri approach” that weaves together interviews, historical facts, "Soul Craft" projects for readers, quotations, and suggested resources.

Shannon has facilitated workshops to help others “tap into that deep well within themselves where the waters of creativity, spirituality and personal identity blend and swirl.” Discover the arts of making prayer beads and prayer shawls, creating a Biblical garden, love boxes, mandalas and tiny altars or one of the many other activities to open the creative flow, and help with relaxation.

Maggie Oman Shannon will be at these events leading workshops of calming crafts:
4/19: Towne Center Books, Pleasanton, CA - 11am
4/19: A Great Good Place for Books, Oakland, CA - 7pm
4/24: Inside Edge Interim, Irvine, CA - 7am
4/28: Unity Spiritual Center of San Francisco, Ocean Ave
5/2: Bookshop West Portal, San Francisco - 7pm
5/4: Books Inc. Alameda, CA - 7pm
5/23: Readers Books, Sonoma, CA - 7:30pm
5/30: Book Passage, San Francisco, CA - 6pm
6/9: Unity Spiritual Center of San Francisco, Bush St

Listen to Maggie on the radio on these shows:
4/10: Soul Journeys Radio, 5-7pm PST
4/18: The Soul Directed Life, 11am PST
4/22: Inside Personal Growth, 9am PST
5/22: Energy Awareness, 3-4pm PST
7/3: Publishers Weekly Radio, 12pm PST

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Learn from the man who taught over a million people the "art of intending:"

Viva Editions: Books for Inspired Living's "Get What You Want" Released as an Audio Book Today

Tony Burroughs, a grassroots community leader who has inspired millions of intention-setters, releases his inspirational book and shares his message of hope and transformation.

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Get What You Want: The Art of Making and Manifesting Your Intentions

Get What You Want has been purposely set up to awaken something magical and mysterious within you.

— ForeWord Reviews

(PRWEB) April 02, 2013

Starting today, Get What You Want is available as anaudiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Tony Burroughs has been spreading his tenets of intention-setting for the past twenty years, and has developed a worldwide community that helps people achieve their goals and dreams.

Tony will be sharing words of inspiration in several exclusive upcoming interviews:
5/29 Energy Awareness Radio with T Love 3-4pm PST
7/13 Exploring Unexplained Phenomena on KZUM Radio with Scott Colborn 8:30-10:30am PST

Support Life, Seek Truth, Set Your Course—so begins The Code, the set of principles that have guided Tony Burroughs and that he has spent the last two decades sharing with the world. In Get What You Want, Burroughs has gathered together the tenets of The Information for the first time. At the core of these teachings is conscious manifesting—collecting your desires in a context “for the highest good” and stating them aloud to a consistent and supportive circle of fellow intenders. Burroughs has been sharing this technique since he left Kona in the 90s and there are now more than a million people all over the world who meet regularly in Intenders Circles and manifest all they can imagine. The network is knitted together in a grassroots association called The Intenders of the Highest Good.

Tony Burroughs is an author, storyteller and a cofounder of The Intenders of the Highest Good, a grassroots community movement with Intenders Circles in countries all over the world. Also the author of the popular daily email message called The Intenders Bridge at intenders.org. Burroughs lives in Mount Shasta, California.

Proud and grateful:

Viva Editions: Books for Inspired Living Proudly Announces Author Carole Brody Fleet's Happily Even After wins the Books for a Better Life Award

Books for a Better Life is one of the most prestigious awards in book publishing. Happily Even After: A Guide to Getting Through (and Beyond) the Grief of Widowhood, by award-winning Carole Brody Fleet, founder and CEO of Widows Wear Stilettos, is in the running for the Relationships Award.

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Happily Even After: Getting Through (and Beyond) The Grief of Widowhood

Learning to live happily after the experience of devastating loss is among the most important lessons that can ever be taught.
—Marci Shimoff, Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul

Happily Even After: A Guide to Getting Through (and Beyond) the Grief of Widowhood is in the running for the Relationships Books for a Better Life Award.

Brenda Knight, Associate Publisher of Viva Editions, acquired Happily Even After having experienced widowhood herself said, "This is the book I wish I had at the time. I feel incredibly proud of Carole's book, essential reading for anyone experiencing grief. Now it can get to many more people who need it thanks to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Our intention all along was to get this book to widows, young and old, as well as "widows of the heart," partners not in legally joined relationships. Carole's heart, humor, and practical guidelines cover everything from finances, dealing with children, living single in a couple's world, and more. Carole's courage in sharing her own experiences and those of others is invaluable to anyone who's lost a spouse or life partner."

About the Book
The issues that surround the loss of a spouse are numerous and complex. The widowed must find a way to accept and deal with conflicting and confusing emotions while being expected to "carry on and carry forward." They must also adjust financially and legally and be available to children that inevitably look to their surviving parent for guidance and support. Happily Even After answers the most common questions that the widowed have, both immediately following a spouse's death and in the months and even years after. In her warm, witty, and wise tone, Carole walks widows through the shock and overwhelming sadness and back into the land of the living. Whether a young woman in the early years of a marriage, a golden anniversary celebrant, or a "widow of the heart" who lost a significant other with no legal claims, Fleet offers practical tools.

About the Author:
Carole Brody Fleet is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc. Widely recognized as a leader and expert in the areas of grief and loss recovery, Ms. Fleet is a regular guest on national and international TV and radio shows. She has been featured in many magazines, newspapers and websites, and is recipient of the Embrace Life Award from State Farm Insurance Companies and the Board of Directors Outstanding Service Award from the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. She is also one of Huffington Post's most popular bloggers. Carole Brody Fleet resides with her family in Southern California.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the founder and sponsor of the Books for a Better Life Award:
Since its inception in 1996, Books for a Better Life has recognized more than 650 self-improvement authors and has now raised more than $1.9 million for the New York City - Southern New York Chapter’s comprehensive support services and educational programs for people living with MS, their friends and families. The Awards recognize self-improvement authors whose messages are aligned with the chapter’s mission of inspiring people to live their best lives. The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis. MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn't. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS through our 50-state network of chapters. The Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

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