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Invest In The Gold That Is Happiness

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Gold AngelWith the Dow widely swinging back and forth by hundreds of points each day of late there has been even more a flight to precious metals like gold as an investment, what the advisors call a "safe haven."

But have you ever thought of the "best haven" when investing? Investing in your life I am talking about here not the financial instruments.

     Invest In the Gold That Is Happiness.

Did you know that YOU are responsible for your happiness? That little thought seems to have eluded many I know from talking with them. They think maybe it is their government, their job, another person only, maybe cash in the bank that will get them to happy land.

Take time to think about your happiness and fulfillment in life with meditation and then take ACTION! That action means INVESTING in YOUR HAPPINESS. Do the things that bring you joy and satisfaction. Minimize the time spent on things that don't. Create space and budget for both pleasure and happiness, the latter being that contentment good feeling. LAUGH ALOT. Enjoy yourself. Don't feel guilty about it. Be kind. Do something nice for someone else. Don't keep score with that. Also,

Learn something NEW.

Create or start something. Be a BUILDER of things.

Stop being "normal." Who wants to be a Joe Schmo or Susie Stick in the mud normal anyway? VERY BORING.

Dream big and dream often, THEN ACT.

You do only go around once as they say in the Budweiser commercials, and happiness is not only an inside job it is the BEST GOLD BEST HAVEN investment in yourself, you will ever make.

Valerie Crowell
Keller Williams - Walnut Creek, CA
Broker Associate

Great post Gary!  

I've often said that I would be happy living out of my truck as long as I had my dogs with me.  Not so sure about that right now, as I have a 110lb rescue staying with me!  LOL  But seriously, I wake up happy every single day.  It's the thread that I have in common with my best friend.  He wakes up happy every single day.  Sometimes we lose our mojo, when that happens the other one talks us off the ledge but for the most part we're digging through that pile of horse manure looking for a pony.  I do the things I dread first so I can enjoy the rest of my day.  And I seek and find joy every single day.  

Yesterday I heard about that 98yo lady who just got her 10th degree black belt and I thought "Gee, you know, I've always wanted to earn a black belt."  It's going on my 4-1-1 next year.

Get busy living or get busy dying.  Thanks Gary!

Aug 14, 2011 06:30 AM
Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop
NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA
A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Agreed 1000% Gary. This reminds me a little bit about Professor Randy Pausch's Last Lecture...great message :-)

Aug 14, 2011 06:37 AM
Katie Munoz
Moving Forward Inc - Seattle, WA

I agree with almost everything you said.  I'd just like to add that even if we were to go round again and again, wouldn't it be a great idea to make the most of each turn? 

Thanks for the positive message.

Aug 14, 2011 06:45 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

As usual, you have a great motivator here.  Thanks for all the work you put into each post.  I, for one, really appreciate it.

Aug 14, 2011 09:25 AM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Gary, with more and more people losing their homes and livelihoods, this a a very timely post, and one that is sure to resonate with a lot of people!

Aug 14, 2011 11:20 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Wise words my friend. Think I will have a BUD. Well better not though. Smiling.

Aug 14, 2011 12:35 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Gary, friend, the energy we use to complain, is the SAME energy we can use to be happy....it's how you USE it that makes a difference in mental health, physical health and certainly makes you a much nicer person to be around...as you will draw good energy your way and quite possibly make a difference in someone else's life!

P.S. Once again--the perfect photo as illustration.

Aug 14, 2011 01:40 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Gayle-That is spot on advice. Sorry Gary just had to chime in for a sec on the great advice from Gayle and you. Still want the BUD bud. LOL

Aug 14, 2011 01:43 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Gary, many times the best investment is right under our noses. Starting with our family

Aug 14, 2011 02:41 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

And remember that the stocks are just like real estate. You have to hold them for the long term in order to make any money with them.

Happy Monday!

Aug 14, 2011 08:38 PM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Things don't make us happy, people don't make us happy. We choose to be happy by accepting what is around us. Yes, you can change things, but if "changing" something is the only way you can be happy you will always be looking for that last little "change" to get you there.

Aug 15, 2011 04:04 AM
Sandy Shores FL RealtorĀ®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Great post, Gary!  It's about investing in ourselves, and being the best that we can be in all aspects of our lives.  So true. Without happiness, it all means nothing.

Aug 15, 2011 05:33 AM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886
I love learning something new- and creating something. Whether it's a new recipe or a new painting- there is joy! Kathy
Aug 15, 2011 06:24 AM
Melinda (Mel) Peterson
Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR
The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Gary ~ I was lucky enough to invest in gold many years ago when it was less than $250. an ounce.  This girl is quite a HAPPY camper today ;)  

Aug 15, 2011 04:06 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Hi Gary, I hope YOU are happy today. 

Aug 15, 2011 04:38 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Elizabeth: Glad I helped a little bit with the centering. We all get by with a little help from our friends.

Wanda: Good point about no timeline. We can be happy right now.

Valerie: Thanks for your lengthy comment. Don't mess with 98 yr old ladies with black belts. Keep moving forward.

Colleen: I love that Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I wrote a post about it many moons ago actually before he died of pancreatic cancer.

Katie: Making the most of each of our days is sheer wisdom. Thanks for that thought.

Don: I appreciate YOU for reading and commenting always. THANKS!!

Suzanne: We can still be happy despite meager surroundings and working our way through troubles. Each day is not full of doom and gloom. It really isn't, just look around for the bright spots. 

Sharon: We have to do a Bud some day BUD. Hijacking my post ha ha....

Gayle: I like your focus on energy. Why use it to frown and be glum? That is just going to make you feel WORSE. Uplift others, find ones for you to uplift you.

William: We do indeed draw positive energy from those very close family members in our midst I agree.

Russel: Stock investments are so tricky, I will defer that advice to you!! SMILE. I love all the fun graphics you are sprinkling around in the comments sections here.

Than: HUGE wisdom with acceptance there and not forcing change to the nth degree. People so have a hard time with acceptance.

Sandy: I love the new family profile photo. Investing in our own happiness pays huge dividents. Life is dull if we don't have happiness and love.

Kathy: I am glad you jumped on the doing something new. That can always light up any of our lives.

Mel: That was super good fortune with the gold investment. I am going to put you and Russel Ray together for me as investment advisors.

Sondra: Thanks, I am happy, but want MORE happiness, smile. I hope you are happy too.

Aug 16, 2011 05:38 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Gary,

I'm glad that you're taking the emphasis off of money and speculative stocks.  I think you hit it when describing value like gold... g

Aug 16, 2011 08:42 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Gordon: Real happiness, lots of happiness is valuable in our lives like GOLD !!!

Aug 16, 2011 09:55 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Gary, this is so true.  We can choose to be happy no matter other circumstances - especially those not in our control. Real happiness can't be bought or sold, but it is more precious than gold :-)

Aug 16, 2011 11:15 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Mary: Understanding the out of control stuff like you said and letting it go, puts you a long way down the road to happiness. Very valuable stuff, happiness, you are so right.

Aug 16, 2011 02:59 PM