Laugh More, Worry Less

Always remember this truth: There is PLENTY of time and occasion for worry and sadness in one's life. That's why it's so important to take advantage of the opportunities to "Laugh More and Worry Less"!

I'm typing this article on the same day that I recorded the podcast for this topic and it's also the same day that I found out that a friend of mine that graduated High School with me passed away from a long battle with cancer. I talk about that a little on the podcast and how it relates to this very thing.

There are ALWAYS things that come our way that we will not laugh about or feel joyful about. That, my friend, is simply the way life is for those that walk this path. 

However, there are PLENTY of opportunities to find reasons to laugh and smile!

Tell me friend, what is accomplished by worry? Oh listen, I understand about worry. I've had many nights where I didn't sleep well due to worry. It seemed that, no matter how hard I tried, my mind would not let go of the worry. You've been there, too, I'm sure. 

But, again, what is accomplished? Many things that we worry about are things that we have absolutely no control over and there are also many things that we worry about that never come to be. 

I can tell you one thing that IS accomplished with worry. It affects our health in a NEGATIVE way! That's right. Worry can (and often does) bring about ulcers along with a variety of other digestive problems. It can also cause depression and, as already discussed, many sleepless nights.

So, take the challenge friend! Take the time to FIND those things - each and every day - that can make you smile more, laugh more and, as a result, worry less! Hey, sometimes you even have to laugh at the things that normally might cause you to worry.

Life goes by too quickly and many times we miss the good things in life by worrying about others. Don't become so overtaken by the pressures of life that you forget how to laugh - and how to laugh more often!

If you have children at home, you can teach them this lesson by SHOWING them how this is done. That's right, they are watching YOU and YOU can show them that, even in the midst of the everyday struggles of life, you can still find a way and a reason to smile and laugh.

Yeah, it's THAT important!

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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Are the Best Things in Life REALLY Free?

 

There is an episode from the old "Andy Griffith Show" in which Barney Fife takes his girl, Thelma Lou, out on a date. However, for the date, he didn't actually take her "out" anywhere. Instead, he picked her up and took her down by the lake for some "smooching" time. As they were sitting in the car, Thelma Lou made some comment about wishing they had gone to a movie or done something different, to which Barney replied, "Well Thelma Lou, don't you know that the best things in life are free?".  Apparently this "free" date didn't qualify as one of the "best" things in life for Thelma Lou.

You've heard that phrase yourself, right? 

Look at the graphic above and you'll see it again. And, you'll also see little images to demonstrate what types of things fit into this "free" category. But, are they really "free"?

 

Don't get me wrong...I understand the thought behind the phrase and I agree that, too many times we feel that MONEY has to be involved in order to bring happiness. That is usually NOT the case.

 

But, again, I want to focus on asking the question about these particular things: "Are they REALLY free?"

 

As we go through this series this week, understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch! In other words, NOTHING is actually FREE, friend. And, yes, that includes hugs, smiles and friends.

 

All of the things that you see on the first graphic (and that we will be discussing this week) require an INVESTMENT from you in one way or another. That's right - it ain't free, buddy!

 

Think about it...do you really want a complete stranger coming up to you and giving you a hug out on the street? You might, but NOT ME! There has to be some sort of "connection" or relationship in order for me to give or receive a hug. Sure, it may be a joyous celebration at a sporting event that might cause such a thing to happen but, even at that, the excitement over that sporting event would be the "connecting" value.

 

You must INVEST YOURSELF in some sort of way in order for a hug to MEAN something and for it to be welcomed (on either side) for encouragement, solace or appreciation. Otherwise, they are just plain AWKWARD. You've experienced some of those, haven't you?

 

SMILES are a little different but, friend, they still require an investment from you. Sharing a smile is one of the easiest things that a person can do but, have you looked at the faces around you lately? There doesn't seem to be too many of them with a smile on their face!

 

You have to make an investment - a commitment - that you are going to share your positive attitude REGARDLESS of how many people ignore it because you just never know when you will come across someone that really NEEDS that smile on that day. Believe me (and I think you already know this), it DOES make a difference! Add to that smile a friendly (and genuine) greeting - especially at your workplace - and see what happens. I love doing that with the ladies in the office at my work. I love to smile and greet them with a genuine, "Good morning, ladies! How are you doing today?" and then watch their faces light up with smiles of their own as they respond in a very similar way.

 

And finally, FRIENDS. It doesn't take a genius to realize that having friends DEFINITELY takes an investment from all involved. Am I right?

 

Too many people whine and complain about not having any friends when they are not willing to invest in such a relationship. They want friends but don't care enough about others to reach outside of their own little world to allow others in. Or, many times, they just are too selfish to reach out and care about others.

 

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

 

Sure, some friends are closer than others. That's normal. That's expected. Those are likely the ones with which you have far more invested. Cherish those relationships!

 

So, you see, in reality, these things might be considered "free" but they ALL require an investment from YOU. But hey, that's what life is all about...each of us sharing our lives with those around us.

 

Aren't you glad?

 

Invest and fill your life with those hugs, smiles and friends and, until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

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Something to Think About...

FUN FRIDAY: Best Pants EVER!

I don't usually post a blog article when I do a "FUN FRIDAY" podcast but, obviously, today is the exception.

 

Why? Because there are some of you out there that only read this blog and have never experienced one of my "FUN FRIDAY" podcasts and I want to give you a little extra push to do so.

 

I'm not going to cover everything I talk about in the podcast but I'll share with you the main points that I discuss:

 

     1. The use (or misuse) of the phrase, "best ever!"

     2. An origin of "pants" that is often heard but impossible

 

Join me by clicking one of the links for the podcast below and - as a special treat - we'll also have fun with the "Bootie Shake Break" between the two discussions!

 

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!

 

Enjoy your day, smile and share that smile with those around you and, as always, whatever you do, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

 

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Fun With Money!

I had a GREAT time yesterday!

For one, I got to spend the day with my wife, but on top of that, I had the opportunity to put a HUGE smile on her beautiful face - and I did.

For some time now she has been talking about needing to get some sort of small computer so that she could keep up with things without having to find time around MY schedule with our main computer (which I'm on a LOT). Too, as she begins her own business ventures, she needs something that she will be able to keep up with information for that as well.

Recently, she has been seeing commercials on television about a tablet that has it's own keyboard/cover combination that would allow her to do everything she needs to do but in a much smaller and lighter package than what she had considered before.

I told her I would get it for her birthday - which is still about one and a half months away - but ended up telling her yesterday that I was going to go ahead and get if for her now so that she could begin using it. What a BIG smile came over her face! But that wasn't the only big smile of the day.

Once we purchased the tablet and checked out she literally snatched the bag out of the clerk's hand with a smile from ear to ear as if she were a child under the tree on Christmas morning. Then, once we got home and she got to plug it up and start getting things set up on it, she had a CONTINUOUS smile on her face as she did so.

I loved every minute of it and it made ME smile knowing that I had done something that made my wife that happy.

"Like" us on Facebook!

The only thing that made that possible right now was the fact that I have been doing some things lately to have a little extra money available.

 

Yesterday I had FUN with MONEY!

 

Yes, I know there are TONS of things I could have done with that money other than what I did yesterday but, for me, right now, this was the BEST thing that I could have done. And, I'm glad I did.

 

What about you?

 

What would an extra $500 - $1000 a month do for you and your family?

 

Think about it and I mean THINK WITH PURPOSE about that. What would it do for you? What would it allow you to do that you can't do now?

 

Oh, I know life is not all about money. But as an old song says, "It's better to have and not need than to need and not have."

 

I'll be sharing more with you soon and even sharing some information with you that might just help during this upcoming holiday season.

 

One final thought: You don't have to spend $$ in order to make someone else smile. Do that today. Put a smile on someone else's face and I can promise you that in return you will also put a smile on yours.

 

Think about it and be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Leaving Your Positive Footprint

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same.”
-Anonymous

In today's podcast - let me first of all clarify something - I DO realize that the correct term is "carbon footprint" and not "carbon imprint" (and yes, I'm grinning as I type this!). I realized that I had made the mistake when I listened to my recording to make sure things fit together as planned BUT I wasn't going to try to correct that. I still think you got the point in the podcast (even though you may have had a laugh!) and, I prefer for my podcast to have as much of a "live" feel as possible even though they are recorded.

O.k now - on to the topic at hand! Number one premise for us to set down for the day is this:

You DO leave an IMPACT each and every day!

(And this is regardless of HOW you approach your day - positive OR negative!)

So, once again, we come back to the point of "choice" - it's YOUR CHOICE as far as the type of impact you wish to leave on the world around you. Yup, it's all still up to you!

IMPACT YOUR WORLD! This can be a daunting task to consider, right? But, notice closely that I did not say, "Impact THE world" but "YOUR world" instead. There is a big difference!

For one, it IS a daunting task for any of us to consider making an impact on the whole world - there are very few people in history that have lived in such a way as to have such a huge impact!

However, when we break this down to OUR world it becomes more manageable. So, it is important for us to "define" what, exactly, encompasses "OUR WORLD".

Here's a short list to consider - make it personal and add to it so that you can get very specific in your approach:

1. Your children, your spouse - YOUR FAMILY

2. Your neighbors (whether in an apartment building or a neighborhood)

3. Your co-workers

4. Your circle of friends

5. Those you have contact with on a daily basis (your child's teacher(s), school bus driver, etc., the parking attendant, store clerk, waiter/waitress, YOUR bus driver, paper delivery person - on and on we could go here -- YOU add to the list from YOUR life)

6. Those at your church or social group

Even though this list can grow quickly, it is still a much more manageable size group than considering the whole world.

BUT HERE IS THE KICKER!

Your impact spreads far beyond those on your list! Think about that and consider how your actions impact the lives of those around you which, in turn, very likely will influence their impact on those that THEY contact on a daily basis.

Just like the ripples on a pond from a rock tossed into the water, so is your impact and influence on those around you. It doesn't stop with the initial "splash" that is made - it goes out further and further beyond the point of contact.

WOW! Pretty amazing to think about, isn't it?

Here's a challenge for today (and then tomorrow and the day after that and then the day after that and then....well, you get the point, right?) -- see how many people you can help smile today.

Whether that is a child or an elderly person (and all points in between) - think about the impact you can have just by sharing yourself with others and bringing a smile to the face of others.

And then watch the ripple effect take off - beyond your knowledge and beyond your initial contact.

Each and every day we leave an imprint or a footprint -- why not do all that you can to leave your POSITIVE footprint on the world - YOUR world -- along the way?

And...here's a twist from today's podcast -

"Make someone else's day awesome? That is something you may can do for them!"

(And yours will be awesome in return - guaranteed!)

Mike

Enjoy Life TODAY!

As we continue with our "Positive Alphabet" we stop off at the letter "e" and will spend a few minutes talking about the need to, "Enjoy Life TODAY!".

If you've listened to me for very long at all, you know that I am a firm believer in this principle -- TODAY IS ALL WE HAVE!

Think about this: "TODAY is the TOMORROW that you worried about YESTERDAY!"

Also, consider this fact - Once that 24 hour period that we refer to as "tomorrow" arrives it then becomes "today".

So, for me, tomorrow really doesn't exist - all we have is TODAY!

And, it is up to each and every one of us to ENJOY and LIVE LIFE TODAY! Don't wait until tomorrow. Don't wait until this happens or that happens. Don't make your plans based on circumstances - you'll wait and waste your whole life away.

It's like a phrase I saw on a DVD the other day...I don't want to get to the end of my life and say, "I wish I had". I would much rather come to the end of my days and be able to gladly say, "I'm so glad I did!"

Don't you? Which would you choose? If you say that you don't want to have any regrets then understand that the way that you make that happen is by living and enjoying your life TODAY!

"Oh, but I have a stinky and terrible job!" (You can fill in whatever excuse that you want on this part).

SO WHAT? What does that have to do with your ability to "make it an AWESOME day"? Seriously! Think about it. Regardless of your job or circumstance, YOU have the ability to enjoy the day - it is up to you! I believe this 100% and have seen it manifested many times.

Last Thursday when I was in Springfield, MO. attending the "Get Motivated" Seminar on the campus of Missouri State University I noticed this principle being put into practice. There were nearly 10,000 people attending this seminar and, the most of them did not want to leave the arena during lunch. So, think about that...this is a smaller arena which means there are fewer food counters available. And, all at once, nearly 10,000 need to buy lunch!

Would YOU like to be behind the counter? Perhaps you would IF you were getting paid commission for every person that bought from you or from every order! That'd be great, wouldn't it? BUT, this is not the case the majority of time. Usually, regardless of the size of the crowd, that person behind the counter is getting paid the same each hour - the hourly wage.

Now, as much as I'd like to think that everyone attending that seminar was nice and polite as they ordered - I'm sure that just wasn't the case. When you get a crowd of people all "bunched up" all wanting the same thing and wanting it NOW....well, you get the picture!

As I stood in line, I just looked around and watched people. Some were smiling and laughing, some looked like they had been weened on a dill pickle and others look like they had been an extra in that "zombie movie". I then turned my attention to the people working behind the counter and I saw pretty much the same thing. In all fairness, I guess I really didn't see any of them frowning, but I could tell some of them were "rattled" by the crowd and that some were already tired and likely wishing that the day was over.

And then I noticed a young man named Chas!

Chas didn't seemed rattled or bothered by the crowd. As a matter of fact, if you had been standing beside me watching this young man you would have thought that Chas was getting $1 per person that he waited on!

He was smiling - not a fake smile, but a genuine, "I'm glad to be serving you" kind of smile - and greeting each person as they came to the counter.

Now, I noticed some of the other workers smiling too. However, what I noticed with some of them was that it was one that they "put on" as each customer came to the counter and "released" until the next person stepped up. I'm not faulting them! They were tired, rushed, pushed and demanded upon.

But there was something different about Chas!

I don't know his background. I don't know his circumstances. I would guess that Chas would not want to do this job for the rest of his life BUT this was the job that he had now and, by all appearances, he had decided to enjoy his life TODAY regardless!

And, for me, it was contagious. I cannot help but think that there were others that noticed this young man and had their spirits lifted by his smile and enthusiasm.

And, yes, I DID tell him what an excellent job he was doing - even though I was in a different line!

So, you see, it doesn't matter - it is all up to you. Really. It is. What will YOU do with your day?

It is up to you. You can either "fuss it away" or you can choose to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Fun Friday - Arkansas Jokes

Yeah, I'm FROM Arkansas so I can do these jokes!

Let's all laugh and have fun (as a matter of fact, chances are you have ALREADY listened to the podcast by this time since it's 6:30 Friday evening my time as I type this) on this FUN FRIDAY and carry it on all the way through the weekend.


I just got back from a very enjoyable 200 mile ride on my motorcycle today. For me, there is nothing more enjoyable than getting out on the open road on my bike. Had several chores to take care of in different towns and the weather was perfect for taking my bike.

So, due to that, this is getting posted a lot later than I had planned!

Anyway - make it an AWESOME Day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)


Mike

"Fun Friday" - "Bubba Knows!"

Well, it's another Fun Friday - another chance to do the "booty shake" and, as always, another chance to smile, laugh and enjoy this and every day!

Enjoy the podcast (you can find it on iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/d4n2fx ) or click on the orange xml button over in the right hand column.

What will YOU do today to make sure that you smile and laugh? What will YOU do to share that with someone around you?

Whatever you do....enjoy the day and have a GREAT weekend! And, don't forget to....

"Make it an AWESOME Day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

It's "FACE TIME" on "Fun Friday"!!

O.k....here it is, "Fun Friday" once again! And on today's podcast I try to share some things that will not only encourage you to laugh and smile WHILE listening to the podcast or even just today - BUT to take these things I share (especially today) and use them to share the smiles and the laughter as often as possible.

I'm not going to go into great detail on this post as to WHAT I share on the podcast (I want you to listen to it, y'know?) but I will tell you that this is something you can do by yourself, with one other person, with your family, your kids, or any group at just about any time.

And I can promise you that you and everyone else will be laughing HARD before this is all over.

Have you laughed today? Have you smiled today? Have you shared that laugh and smile with anyone?

You know, laughing and smiling by yourself is GREAT! It's a great way to start your morning off and it helps get you in the right frame of mind as you head out for your day.
HOWEVER, I do believe that beyond that - they are meant to be shared and shared often.

You've experienced it, haven't you? Perhaps you are in a grumpy mood and someone comes along that helps lift your spirits and helps bring a smile to your face? (Oh, I know, sometimes it's the wrong person and the wrong time and you just want to slap them, right? - yes, it's o.k. to laugh at that feeling too!)

Now, take that as a challenge - realize that YOU have the power to brighten someone else's day. Not in a "fake" way. Be real. Smile a "real" smile brought on by the joy that you have inside. Share a kind word, an encouraging word. And see what happens.

My wife is a "pro" at this. She has demonstrated this to me for years. Like everyone else, she has worked with some pretty "crabby" people from time to time. But she will determine that SHE will be the one to help change that by smiling, being kind and considerate and not allowing THEM to bring HER down. Instead, she is determined to bring THEM up! And, you know what? it works!

I have seen this happen with her time and time again. And, even when she just goes down to the grocery store she does this with those that come into contact with her up and down the aisles. She tells me how amazing it is and how many people seem to be "drawn" to her, just because of this attitude. (Hey, if you haven't done so, go back and read and listen to Wednesday's post and podcast on "Seek and Ye Shall Find").

So, SHARE YOUR JOY and HAPPINESS today!

Take the things I share with you in today's podcast and use them to spread the laughter! What a great thing to do!

And...as always....

"Make it an AWESOME Day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"


Mike

FUN FRIDAY (Boredom Busters)

I'm actually typing this in and posting a little early since we are leaving for Dallas for the Success Symposium. I had planned to just wait and do this before we left, but I don't want to take the chance of having to rush to get it done. So......here we are.

One thing I'd like to ask first... I mention in the podcast that you can now actually access this blog by going to the main page: http://www.futureyouuniversity.com/ in two ways. One, when you sign up for the FREE REPORT you will automatically be taken to this page. Two, if you look in the upper right hand corner (or in the right column) you will see a link that reads, "Mike's Blog". This main site will continue to evolve and will be the MAIN site with information on my upcoming seminars, my audio stories for children with a positive message, my upcoming book and many more things. Anyway, you can still access this site (obviously) by going to the address that brings you directly here. Here's all I ask....if you do want to access the site via the FYU page, please do so via the link (unless you want the free report). Thanks!

Now back to today's podcast. I mention a website that I went to that had the items on it that I shared in the podcast. In case you would like to go check it out yourself, it is: http://www.discoverfun.com/

Main thing is this - HAVE FUN and SHARE THE FUN!
SMILE and SHARE YOUR SMILE!
LAUGH and SHARE YOUR LAUGH!

Hey, you go to work and sneeze and spread your germs all over the office, so why not "spread" the "virus" of happiness and joy?

One thing I also mentioned is that I will be getting a chance to meet and interview Angie Strader of http://www.theworldneedsmorehappy.com/
Go check out her page and become a part of her movement to share and spread more happiness!

Whatever it is....DO IT!

You'll be glad you did. (And so will others)
[disclaimer: Some poopy-heads won't enjoy it no matter what you do!]

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike Spillman

Friday the 13th = "FUN FRIDAY!"

Friday the 13th is just another day in the month! Hey, one of my brothers got married on Friday the 13th and they've been married something like 127 years...... well, maybe not QUITE that long, but you get the idea.

And, on top of all of that - IT'S FUN FRIDAY so get on up and CELEBRATE!!

I'm not going to put much here today but I simply want to encourage you to listen to today's podcast and allow yourself the opportunity to LAUGH and, yes to L.O.L. (Laugh Out Loud)! Think about it - another way to cause those around you to stop, look at you and wonder what you're up to - don't you love it?

And, of course, find out how YOU can win a t-shirt by listening to today's podcast.

Today, just for fun, we'll take a look at some "interesting" signs that actually exist. I share some with you that I have actually seen as well as some that I got off of the internet. Become aware of opportunities like this (funny signs that aren't meant to be funny) to smile and laugh and.....

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike Spillman

Peace of Mind (in a world of chaos)

In today's podcast I share with you 3 specific things you can do that will help you gain PEACE even in a world that is full of chaos.

Can you relate?

I'm sure you can - we all struggle from time to time with people, events or things that tend to rob us of our peace. The result? A life full of turmoil - and that, my friend, is not the life that you, nor I wish for ourselves or our families.

Let's face it - OUR MIND IS A BATTLEFIELD! It's a common struggle for us all everyday - controlling (or patrolling) our minds to keep them as free as possible from the negative pollution that surrounds us.

George Washington said this about peace:

"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."

Let's change that up just a little bit so that it will apply to what we are discussing today.

"There is nothing so likely to produce PEACE OF MIND as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."

So, the 1st step in gaining peace of mind is to IDENTIFY THE ENEMY! (worry? distrust? doubt?) What is it for you? Identify it so that you can...

2. Meet (and DEFEAT) that enemy! Do battle by filling your mind with right and positive things!

And, finally -

3. Give peace a chance! (Yeah, I know it's a song.) Give your mind a break and see what happens!

Yes, it IS possible - BELIEVE IT AND WORK/FIGHT FOR IT - to gain peace of mind in a chaotic world.

I shared the following item on the podcast and mentioned that I would include it in today's blog so that you can focus on it and absorb it a little better. The author is unknown - but it is really good stuff!

Symptoms of Inner Peace
A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experience
An unmistakable ability to enjoy the moment
A loss of interest in judging other people
A loss of interest in judging self
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others
An inability to worry (this is a very serious symptom!)
Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation
Frequent acts of smiling
An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than to make them happen
An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

These are the kind of "symptoms" that are GOOD to have, wouldn't you agree!

Together, we can do even this ----

Make it an AWESOME Day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)

Mike