A little Grinchy reminder by @NNP_W_Light

Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store. -- Dr. Seuss

I know this time of the year can be very stressful, but this little Grinch reminder is for all of us.  

No matter what you must do, take a moment to relish in the things that matter...

Friends

Family

Love

Light

Relaxing

Giving of ourselves

Peace

Joy

Cookies

MRS N

Are your dreams too big? #goals @NNP_W_Light

Set daily, monthly and long-term goals and dreams. Don’t ever be afraid to dream too big. Nothing is impossible.  If you believe in yourself, you can achieve it. – Nastia Liukin  

Are your dreams too big?

Mine aren't.

I learned a long time ago I can do anything and be anyone, no matter what the critics say.

Did I ever think I was going to be happily married, a published author and wake up every day excited to see what happens?

No!

Growing up, I thought I was probably going to end up alone, unhappy and miserable.

When I turned thirty, I was still single and working in a bookstore. I decided to make changes and the first thing I did was create a list of goals (both short and long-term). I told myself that anything was possible. They included:

Meet future husband and get married

Write a book

Get published

Travel

Wake up every morning happy

Looking back on the list, I'm impressed that I have completed all my goals. So, it's time for a new list of goals.

I'm dreaming HUGE and you should too.

Nothing is impossible. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve it.

MRS N

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don’t look at it and wish you had painted something different.

Are you happy?

I used to think that certain people and things defined happiness.

If only I had a dream job, then I would be happy.

If only I was married, then I would be happy.

If only I was friends with this person, then I would be happy.

If only I had my dream house, then I would be happy.

The reality is happiness comes from within. When you're content in your current circumstances and with yourself, happiness floods your life.

Every day is a fresh start to live a happy life. Make it count. You don't want to regret what you did with your day.

Today, look deep within yourself at who you are and the life you're living. Be grateful for what you have and set goals for what you want to change. Let happiness ooze out of you and you will soon be living a happy life.

MRS N

Are you cultivating a merry world?

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

Are you cultivating a merry world?

The world is full of greed and those seeking wealth. More times than not, gold does not bring happiness. No, seeking happiness is a decision you must make every single day.

One of our resolutions is to be happy and to not let anything or anyone steal our joy. Over the past few weeks, I've had to release anger and annoyance in order to keep my happiness. And you know what? I've never felt better in my life.

Here's my secret: Every time I run into a circumstance which would annoy me before, I smile and push the negative thoughts in the trash bin. A snarky comment, an unexpected expense, a boss throwing more work than humanly possible, torn pants, yelling kids, broken dishes, are everyday occurrences which used to drive me round the bend but now have no power over me. I simply shrug and continue on with my day.

Take Professor Tolkien's advice and value what matters most: good food, good drink, companionship and music. 

MRS N

What's your joy? Find out where your joy resides...

Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all. – Robert Louis Stevenson

What do you think of when you hear/see the word joy?

When I think of joy, my mind floods with images of pure happiness.  My wedding, MR N, swinging on swings when I was little, Christmastime... these are some of the happiest events in my life. Helping others. Making someone laugh. Being near bodies of water. 

Joy is nothing more than pure, innocent happiness.  There is no agenda and there is only Light.

Find your joy and hold on tight!  See joy in the little things and you will surely see a miracle.

What's your joy? 

MRS N

Happiness is a verb... @NNP_W_Light

Happiness is being content with what you have, living in freedom and liberty, having a good family life and good friends. -- Divyanka Tripathi 

Happiness.

Many people in this world see happiness as a noun, something to take hold of. I see it differently.

Happiness is a verb. 

For the past week, I have been overwhelmed with work and home tasks. This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and all week long, I have been going, going, going. There's so much to do and not enough hours in the day to get everything done. My inbox is overflowing with potential clients as well as my VIP clients. I've taken on a few freelance editing clients. That's just the business side of my life. On the personal side, I've been getting in all the food, making sure we have enough chairs, decorating, cleaning, organizing, baking, cooking. Somewhere in the midst of all that, I get to collapse in the evening and snuggle with my husband. 

Why am I doing this?

Don't get me wrong, it's stressful juggling my business, my marketing job and my personal life in addition to getting ready to host the family for Canadian Thanksgiving. No time for procrastinating and at the end of the day, I'm utterly exhausted. Just before I drift off to sleep, I whisper to myself...

I love my life.

When you take your eyes off what you have and let happiness move throughout your life, you will love your life too! Happiness is a verb, not a noun.

MRS N

Are you different? Huzzah! @NNP_W_LIght

People may hate you for being different and not living by society’s standards, but deep down they wish they had the courage to do the same. 

When I was in school, I desperately wanted to be like the other kids.  Being an only child with a divorced mum was not as common as it is today.  Kids laughed at me for not having a dad.  The truth was I did have a dad; I just didn't know it at the time.  I tried hard to fit in but they only laughed at me.

Today, I love being different.  I love being my own person and not relying on others for my self-worth.  You should too!

You are special, unique and beautiful.  Don't let society dictate who you are.  Be proud for being different. 

Deep down, those people who hate you for being different are green with envy and wish they could be as bold as you.

MRS N

Let's talk yearly goals by @NNP_W_Light

Let's talk about your yearly goals.

It's August 1 and we're more than halfway through the year. Time for a little check-in on how our goals for the year are progressing. Have you met any of your goals yet? 

When I wrote down my 2019 goals, I never thought my goals would be met, let alone by August. My professional goals were all about growing the N. N. Light Author Promotions brand and gaining more clients. I'm thrilled with the results but it's been a long time coming.

I've worked my bum off this year and there were times when I thought I might collapse. In the beginning, it was hard to see any results from my efforts. I began to lose my patience but MR N keep me calm and told me to be patient.

Eight months later, and I'm glad I kept calm while waiting. It wasn't easy as I'm prone to rushing ahead and not waiting. I kept my attitude in check and stayed busy. Today, I woke up happy and ready to take on the next project.

How about you? Are you remaining patient while conquering your 2019 goals?

Patience isn't wringing your hands with worry. It's having a good attitude while waiting. Patience is a trait we all must evoke to not only be successful but to be content.

MRS N

Do you follow the Golden Rule? @NNP_W_Light

In the end, nothing we do or say in our lifetime will matter as much as the way we have loved one another. – Daphne Rose Kingman

What's the most important thing we do in our lifetime?

Love one another.

I'm a firm believer in the Golden Rule (treat others like you would like to be treated). I try to spread kindness and love to everyone I know, meet and interact with. I smile at the person who cuts me off in line. I love people who hate me. I encourage those who need it, even without them telling me.

Why do I do this?

I was taught from the time I was small to love everyone, no matter what. It didn't matter if the person I loved reciprocated or deserved my love. I couldn't control anyone but myself.

I've had friends come and go in my life. Even though they aren't in my life anymore, I still love them.

I know what you're thinking...

C'mon MRS N, nobody is that perfect! Don't you get hurt or angry when people leave you or lash out at you?

Sure, I do but that doesn't mean I don't love them. I'm human and I make mistakes. I cry and curse. But when the dust has settled and I meditate/pray about it, love comes pouring out of me. It's who I am as a person, at my core.

What's the most important thing you do in your lifetime?

In the end, nothing we do or say in our lifetime will matter as much as the way we have loved one another.

Mrs. N

Infest others with your happiness by @NNP_W_Light

Be so happy that when others look at you, they become happy, too.

Don't be down...be happy.

Happiness is infectious. Today and every day, swarm everyone with your happiness!  

Happiness will spread faster than bacteria and you will make this world a better place.

MRS N

Happy Summer Solstice by @NNP_W_Light

It is Summer, it is the solstice

the crowd is

cheering, the crowd is laughing

in detail

permanently, seriously

without thought.

-​ William Carlos Williams

Today is June 21 and it is the Summer Solstice. 

What is the Summer Solstice? 

The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. For that hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight. (Wikipedia)

It is a holiday celebrated around the world and in almost every culture. It's also one of my favorite times of the year. 

Summer brings a joyfulness, a freeing of one's spirit to bask in the sun and the outdoors. It's a time to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables and grains. It's time to dance, be free and fall in love. 

Whatever you do to celebrate summer, may it bring you unadulterated joy.

Happy Summer Solstice!

MRS N

Happiness is not found on GPS by @NNP_W_Light

"Happiness is not found on a GPS monitor but by being content with where you are at this moment." - N. N. Light

Are you searching for happiness? Do you yearn for it, like one might crave coffee or chocolate?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Brace yourself, for this secret will blow your mind.

Happiness is found not by reaching a destination but by being content with where you are at this moment.

Let me give you an example.

Growing up, I thought if I had money, I'd be happy. See, I was a poor kid and refused to stay poor. I looked to my grandfather and saw a self-made man. He left the family farm, was the first in his family to get a university degree, was a teacher for three decades before starting his own business. I knew it was possible and knew with money, my life would be perfect and I'd be happy.

The result? I wasted years trying to attain wealth and missed out on the joys of life. It wasn't until I switched my outlook that happiness surrounded me.

When you're content with where you are at this moment, happiness floods your heart. Even if you're in the middle of attaining your long-term goals and on your way to bigger and better things, give thanks for all you have and keep on the path to success. 

Stop searching for the coordinates for happiness... it's within you. All you have to do is embrace it.

MRS N