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The 5 rules of Happiness

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance

picThe 5 Rules Of Happiness:

If you like something, enjoy it.

If you don't like something, avoid it.

  1. If you don't like something and can't avoid it, change it.
  2. If you can't or choose not to avoid or change something you don't like, then accept it.
  3. You accept something by changing your perception of it.

Sounds pretty simple right? I agree too, but you'd be surprised at how fast most people forget these 5 simple rules when faced with a difficult situation.

So next time you find yourself in an unhappy or stressful situation, run through these 5 rules in your head and see if you're breaking any of them.

Trust me, they'd really help you see what you can do to remedy the situation and be happy.

 

 

1. One of the best things I enjoy doing is floating on my back in the water. Try it sometime. It is actually VERY peaceful and serene.

2. One of the things I don't like is confrontation and avoid it as much as possible.

3. I have done that with many things in life from jobs to places to live to difficult relationships.

 4. This is the hardest one to do. Acceptance is possible but never easy.  I always think of the serenity prayer.

5. Actually I am living this one right now because I lived with my Mom for 8 months and HATED it. Not saying it is a barrel of laughs now but my perception is what makes this time different.

So let me know:

1) What is something  YOU enjoy doing?

2) Do YOU avoid what you do not like?

3) How do YOU change something you don't like and can't avoid?

4) What is one way you have chosen to accept something you couldn't change and didn't like?

5) Have you ever done that and was it a success?

 

Posted by

Sharon Lee

Rebecca Gaujot, RealtorĀ®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Sharon, great post and glad to see you blogging more you must be feeling much better...

Sep 28, 2010 05:00 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Sharon, I like taking a nap or siesta outside in the grass after eating lunch.

Sep 28, 2010 05:01 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Sharon, that's cool. Nnow it is time for me to learn to stick to it. Implementation is what often suffers

But let's keep trying

Sep 28, 2010 05:02 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Sharon, I'll play!   I enjoy quite a few things - spending time with the family is number 1. 

Sitting in the hot tub looking at the stars is a favorite. I avoid several things I don't like- life is too short.  I can't change or avoid household chores, but I make a list of things I want to accomplish and get a great sense of satisfaction when everything on the list is checked off. I just have to accept the fact that I can't afford a housekeeper so if I choose to live in a clean house it's up to me. LOL

More difficult, but also I try to accept people as they are and assume their intentions are good - even if  they disappoint me.  This has worked well for me, best not to judge the outcome but notice the intention and appreciate differences. 

Sep 28, 2010 05:09 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Russell-Thank you my friend. Very sweet of you to say.

Sheldon-Love your list. You are blessed having such a beautiful family that would make you smile a lot.  #2) I do too although sometimes those people are family for me and hard to do. 3)I bite my tongue and force a smile myself. 4)Very wise. 5) I have done this a lot recently. Thank you for all your thoughts. I appreciate it my friend.

Caroline-Thank you and thank you for stopping in.

Rebecca-I am getting better and stronger everyday. Thank you for asking

Gary-I love laying in the grass anytime.

Jon-Thank you. If at first you don't succeed try, try again was my grandma's wise words. Thank you for stopping in.

Mary-Thank you for taking time to answer the questions. Now I would love the sitting in a hot tub looking at the stars myself although I don't even need a hot tub as i am a big fan of the astrology. The house cleaning part i can definitely relate to as I feel the same way. This is a tough one but the secret of happiness is acceptance where people are it. You are a wonderful person my friend.

Sep 29, 2010 12:16 AM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I believe the accepting part is the culprit for many unhappy lives. . specially when you apply politics to the mix

BTW. .Excellent post and I'm so glad that I subscribe to your blog so I can read posts like this. . .very positive and helpful to my everyday routine.

Sep 29, 2010 01:44 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

1) What is something  YOU enjoy doing?  Reading a good book

2) Do YOU avoid what you do not like? oh it's not a what it's a who

3) How do YOU change something you don't like and can't avoid? this would be time spent with a family member and I just tell myself over and over that he was "conditioned" to think this way

4) What is one way you have chosen to accept something you couldn't change and didn't like? taxess and death

5) Have you ever done that and was it a success?  still working on it.  but if I can find a way to avoid taxes and death... I'm all over it.

Sep 29, 2010 04:47 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Thank you so much Fernando. That is very nice of you. Have a super day.

Tammy-Your list made me smile. Your #1 I love myself. Been doing more of that recently. Your #2 I have a who as well. #3 Ditto for me on this. Luckily he lives in a different state and might have crawled back under his rock. I can only hope. Your #4 and #5 I am right there with you. Thank you my friend I appreciated you doing this.

Sep 29, 2010 05:35 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Sharon, I enjoyed this list so much I put it in my phone so I can refer to it anytime I need a quick reminder.  Hope you are having a good week!  :o)

Sep 29, 2010 06:13 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Ann-I take that as a great compliment. My week is going well. Hope yours is as well.

Sep 29, 2010 07:06 AM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

So simple yet so difficult...Such simple words, so difficult to implement, at least until you learn to say "yes" and "no".  It really is that simple...but difficult! =O)

Sep 30, 2010 04:23 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Sharon, what a penetrating post... I had to stop and think about it... thanks... it is so good that I am going to re-blog it for you so that my audience can share in your wisdom

Sep 30, 2010 04:58 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Cheryl-Nothing worthwhile comes easy but it is worth it.

Chris-Thank you and I appreciate that.

Sep 30, 2010 05:03 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

First of all I would love to see Sheldon force a smile! Your list something I'm still practicing Sharon.

1) What is something  YOU enjoy doing? The would list is to looooong, music, arts, food, wine, friends......

2) Do YOU avoid what you do not like? Sometimes I just have to man up and do it.

3) How do YOU change something you don't like and can't avoid? Add something that makes me happy into the mix.

4) What is one way you have chosen to accept something you couldn't change and didn't like? As Donnie Brasco would say... "Forget get about it"

5) Have you ever done that and was it a success? Yep!

 

 

 

Oct 01, 2010 03:58 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Did you forget me Miss Sharon Lee? I must have closure!

Oct 06, 2010 04:29 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Hey beautiful Cynthia-I like music except rap, hip hop and heavy metal. I like everything on your list except the wine. My list is long and need more of it in my life.

2.  I think they call that putting our BIG girl pants on. NOT fun but you have to do things in life that you don't want to.

3. Great idea. I will remember that. Thank you my wise friend.

4. That is a toughie but in order to have peace and happiness it is doable.

5. Me too.

So how did I do for you on the closure? Just remember I would NEVER forget you my friend. I look forward to the day I get to meet you in person. Of course you moved FARTHER away now. Hope you are doing well.

Oct 06, 2010 05:26 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

I'm glad to get your note but so sorry you are not feeling well Sharon. Yes you were perfect...I now have closure!

Thanks my VA friend!

Oct 07, 2010 03:57 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Thank you my friend-I am tough so I will be fine. Glad you have closure.

Oct 07, 2010 04:00 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Sharon and VB is so sorry he missed this post and I hope you don't mind if I feature in late ... featured at

SELF HELP ADVICE AT ACTIVERAIN

VB ;~)

Oct 17, 2010 10:46 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Thank you very much VB. It was very kind of you.

Oct 17, 2010 11:56 AM