Marci Shimoff

     Marci mainly talks about being happy.  She mentions how it has to come from within.  She also discusses how others are attracted to us when we are happy and that the stronger force always wins - the most positive and happy or the most negative and unhappy.  She wrote a book about not having a reason for being happy(Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out) and she mentions that there is such a freedom in not having a reason to be happy.

     There is a Happiness Set-point - most important in life - it is why we want anything - we just go back to this automatically -we can reset it by: Making up our minds to br like Teflon for negatives and velcro for the positive - it takes 20 seconds for my mind to discover/remember to take it in.  Keep a gratitude and success journal and SAVOR my successes.  We need to have a toolbox of energy-psychology techniques.

     Fringe Benefits of being happy:

1. Healthier - 1/3 less likely to be sick

2. Live longer - 9 years longer

3. Greater fulfillment in relationships

4. Greater fulfillment in career

5. Make a million dollars more over the course of their lifetime

     She mentions in her book twenty-one happiness techniques but puts them into 7 main areas and suggests we start with our weakest link.  She compares the seven main areas to a house:

1. Foundation - taking responsibility for my happiness "I'll be happy when..." - where are you giving away my happiness?

2. Roof - Living an inspired life - purpose and passion

3. Garden - who do I surround myself with?  Toxic people or helping people

Four cornerstones: 4. mind(thoughts), 5. heart(greater sense of love), 6. body(cells, etc.) &7. soul(spirituality)

     A Couple of Happiness Techniques

1.Heart Rythmn Coherance: Heart focus - put hand over heart, then imagine breath is coming in and out through  my heart - feel the care and appreciation that I have had on a moment when I feel a lot of gratitude - do this once a day or once an hour

2. Marci's favorite technique - Ho-oh-pohno-pohno  - "I'm sorry, I forgive you, thank you, I love you" - keep saying this over and over.  Experience this to anyone you feel anger or resentment toward.  She told a couple of stories relating to this technique, but the shorter of the two is: Dalai Llama was talking to a Tibetan Buddist monk who was being tortured in a prison and The Dalai Llama asked this man, “When did you feel like you were in the most danger?”  The monk said, “When I stopped feeling compassion toward the prison guards.”

     She ended with this very powerful quote:  “When there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.  When there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.  When there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.  When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”  - Chinese Proverb

Thanx 4 your energy!