Simple Solutions - Making Money #4

Well, I started with dogs and thought I might as well stay with them for the time being.

Do you love dogs? Enjoy having them around? Do you need some extra money coming in? Start a small doggy day care at home in your yard. Won't work if you live in an apartment or condo. But, if you have a yard, a place where you can make the dogs comfortable, some shade or shelter, and love to see happy dogs, this one could be for you.

It only takes a few dogs - you don't want a whole herd of them on hand. Say four or five which can translate to the equivalent of $15 per hour. Price will depend on where you live, what other locations charge, the services you provide, etc. If you train dogs, great - you can charge more if you really train them. You can charge extra for dog washing and grooming. If you don't know how to groom a dog, find someone who does and who will come to your home.

Remember, though, if you do decide to run a doggy day care, you have to be at home with them at all times - they become your responsibility and do not take that lightly.

Start by finding articles on the web and read them.  Next, see if books are available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  (I already know they are available.)

Visit other people who have doggy day care centers to see what they have done - don't be afraid to steal ideas to make your operation better.  Need to find them?  Look on the Internet or look in (gasp!) your phone book.

Make a list of who you know who has dogs. Let them know you are starting an exclusive doggy day care center.

Make sure you like the dog and have the dog and owner over to see how the dog interacts with others - make sure they all get along if you have multiple dogs. If the new dog does not get along with the existing dogs - don't care for the dog.

Make sure the dog has had all shots and they are current.

Lunch for the dog should be packed by their 'guardian.' You should not have to purchase food, but do make sure each dog has an area they can think of as their own like  kennel or even a pad.

Keep your yard clean and free of fleas. Make sure the guardians are using something on their dog to control fleas.

Have emergency contact information for every dog including vet's name, number and location. Make sure you know the shortest way to get to the vet's office - just in case. 

This is not intended to be a full list of what to do to start a doggy day care. Do the research and know that you can start to make money very soon - target about $25.00 per day, per dog, or whatever your area will support comfortably. You could easily be earning several hundred dollars per week by taking care of animals you love.  Do your research!  I recently found prices on the Internet for my area that shocked me for in-home doggy day care.

And...get this...you can extend day care into over night care and make even more money! 

Easy Solutions - Safe Driving

There is no denying there are more cars on the road.  I don't have the numbers at this moment, but I do know from simple experience there are more people on the highway and streets just because there it takes longer to get anywhere.  You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that.

And, if there are more cars, there will be more accidents between vehicles and involving pedestrians.

The easiest way to avoid an accident?  Stop at stop signs.

Now, I know that's a pretty basic concept, but it's one that I don't see many folks fully understand.  I know you have seen those drivers; the ones who kind of slow down, but never stop.  I see them at just about every Stop sign and turning right at a red light.  They don't stop.  It's just a matter of time before someone is injured as a result of not obeying the rules of the road.

I apologize...I was starting to rant and you don't deserve that at all.  Please, please, just remember to stop at Stop signs.

Thanks!

Easy Solutions - Lesson From Jake

About six months ago a woman from a cat rescue group brought a kitten to me.  I didn't know what to expect, or if I'd even like the cat.  A white, fluffy kitten was handed to me and the first think he did was purr.  He, later named Jake, was happy to meet me!

Do you think there is a lesson there from Jake?  When you meet someone for the first time, greet them with a genuine smile and be pleased to meet them.  What can it hurt?  It can only help.  And you never know who you are going to meet; but do know you have from 10 to 30 seconds during which you make an impression that will last for years.  Why not make it a great impression?

Be happy to meet people.  Such an easy thing to do to make life a bit more simple!

There is more to this, but I wanted to get this out while it was on my mind.  Stay tuned.

Easy Solutions - You Need to See This

You need to read about the power of a child...and the power of time spent with them.  Please take a moment to read this.

Spending time with child, no matter who you are, is so very, very important.  It's gold. 

Easy Solutions - Family Time

Everybody seems to have a cell phone, email, social media, work and who knows what else pulling at them everyday.  The moment we get home we are checking work email and project status, or connecting to others through Facebook.  So many demands.

And, then there is your family right in front of you.  How do you give them the attention they need - whether it's a spouse and/or children?  The easiest way?  Turn off the cell phone and computer for a specific time.  Take a look at this article from the L A Times.

Your family deserves your attention, too.  Is there an easier way to give it to them than by pushing the off button or putting your cell phone into silent mode?

Easy Solutions - A Happy Life

I have always thought that one of the basic rules for a having a happy, fulfilled life was giving.  Giving back. Giving to others.  Giving away.  Just giving.  And, do you know there is one ridiculously simple way to give?  Collectively, they have become known as Random Acts of Kindness (RAK).

What is a RAK?  It can be anything!  Yep, ANYTHING that makes a person's day a bit brighter, is completely unexpected, and there is no thought of anything in return.  I know, anything is pretty broad, but that's the inherent beauty of a RAK - it's tailored to the situation.  Some examples might be in order:

Taking out a neighbor's trash cans.
Bringing in a neighbor's trash cans.
Buying the next person-in-line's coffee at Starbucks.
Helping another carry a box if you see they are having a problem, or doing it before they have a problem.
If you walk for exercise, and know your neighbor's dog, take the dog with you.
Complete a simple repair for someone - like securing house numbers so they aren't falling.
Reaching for something in the store when you see someone having a challenge getting it.

Begin to get the idea?  The list of possibilities is endless!  Just take a look around.  Opportunities are everywhere.  A RAK is the ultimate way to customize helping another in some small unexpected way.  As a result their day will be better - and so will your's.

A few more RAK's in the world and it would be a better place!

I would love to learn what RAK you might have done today.

"A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money."  John Ruskin

Easy Solutions for Weight Loss #3

This should have been Weight Loss Tip #1 - this is soooooo easy!  Shall I keep you in suspense any longer?  Nah.

Drink water.  That's it.  You probably already drink some water every day, right?  Just pay attention to when you drink it.  I am saying it's important when you choose to drink the water.

Now, I know every diet tells you to drink a huge amount of water everyday.  Eight glasses seems to be the standard amount of water they tell you to drink.  That's a lot of water!  And, a lot of trips to the bathroom!  I know - I did it.  And, there are huge benefits to drinking that much water, don't get me wrong.  But, if you have trouble drinking that much water, read on.

Let me tell you what I found out as I began to lose weight: If I drank about 12 ounces of water 15 minutes before eating, I did not eat as much.  I did not eat as much, so what happened?  I lost weight.

So, a few minutes before each meal, drink a glass of water.  Three meals.  Three glasses of water.  You will eat less.  And, when you eat less, what has a decent chance of happening?  Wait for it...Weight Loss!

This is so very easy and can lead to weight loss success.  You can do it.

Easy Solutions for Potting Large Plants

I was getting ready to transplant a plant from a pot it had out grown.  Now, because I don't want to re-plant it anytime soon, I decided to put it into a large pot.  You know the problems with large pots?  They take a large amount of potting soil!  Okay, that's a, "Well, duh."  But, the large amount of soil makes them very heavy if they need to be moved.

The easy solution?  Use less soil! 

How?  by using empty water bottles in the bottom 1/3rd of the pot.  You were either going to recycle them or throw them away, so why not recycle them into the bottom of the big pot?  They take up a lot of room, allow the soil to breath and water to drain.  For plants it doesn't get much better than that.

• Keep the water bottles caps on and just put them into the bottom of the pot.  
• Fill it about 1/3rd full with the bottles.  
• Then, add soil.  
• Wet it so it gets between the bottles.  
• Add more soil and the plant.  
• Finish by adding a bit of fertilizer and more soil.  
• Water well.  

Check soil level the next day and add a bit if it has settled.  You will use much less potting soil. The planted pot will be much lighter to move.  The plant will be healthier because the roots can breath.  (The roots will grow around the bottles.)  Everything and everybody wins!

Could not be more simple and you are recycling.  And, go ahead - you can move it even after just watering it.

Helping the Earth and yourself - does it get any better?

Easy Solutions - A Simple Million $

I just came across this article and you have to read here.  A person took the simple idea of having a garage sale and turned it into a million dollars.  Does it make a bigger impact if you see the number $1,000,000?  Pretty good number, huh?

He started when he was only seven years old by going to garage sales.  But, he believes any time is a good time to start.  He gives advice on how to have a successful garage sale.  BIG tip: Lot's of signs.  You've got to let folks know where they can buy, right?

Then, it's a matter of turning the money made from your garage sale into more.  Can it be a cool million dollars?  That's not the question.  The real question is what are you going to do with it?

I know I will get into this in a later post, but I had to share it with you asap.

You can do this - really!

Easy Solutions - Making Money #2

People love their dogs - that is just a fact. And, they want them to be cared for and cared about.

What else can do with dogs? Walk them.

Walking dogs is a big business in some major cities like New York. We've all seen pictures of a person walking what looks like 12 dogs at once. It does not have to be that way. You can walk fewer dogs and still make decent money.

Why walk dogs? Because, like people, dogs need exercise on a daily basis. They need to get out and see what's going on in the neighborhood. And, people's workdays are getting longer so the time to walk their dog is really limited. Enter a dog walker.

What will you need? A love of dogs - all kinds of dogs. A few strong leashes, unless the leash is provided by the dog's guardian. Decent shoes - you will be walking a lot. A sense of adventure - because like mail delivery you will be walking dogs in all sorts of weather. And, be a good neighbor - pick up after the dogs. Oh, yes, don't forget to keep dog treats with you at all times in your pocket or a bag - remember to keep your hands free.

Figure out how much you want to charge. Start a bit low so you can get some first clients. You will probably know your first clients, so start by calling friends and neighbors, let them know you are going to walk dogs.

Remember to meet the dogs you will walk - literally interview them. Make sure you get along with the dog before committing to walking it. Also, find out what training the dog has had and what words they respond to. You can walk dogs in the morning and in the afternoon.

Again, I found a book you might want to consider if you want to walk dogs. It's titled The Dog Walker's Startup Guide: Create Your Own Lucrative Dog Walking Business. There are also articles available on the internet that have valuable information.

The money? Figure about $10.00 to $20.00 per dog per walk. And, that is with a group of dogs.  For a private walk think around $20 or $30 – and higher in some areas.  I'd think about giving a discount if you take the same dogs out twice per day, but that's up to you. However you price your service, be very careful not to price it too high.

Be selective in the dogs you choose to walk. Make sure you get along with the dog and the dog likes you. If you think there will be a problem - don't take the dog. Being selective can be a very good thing for your business.

If you take two or three dogs out - make sure they get along!

Think about add-on services you can offer clients. Training is a natural if you know what you are doing and have experience. Grooming is another - even just bathing a dog is an add-on service.

You can live in the city or in a suburb. Almost anywhere people have dogs as pets.  In fact, I was just talking with a friend the other day who lives in a middle class section of Southern California.  I would have never expected a dog walker to be active in his neighborhood, but what do I know?  He told me about seeing a woman walking several dogs twice a day and that he had talked with her.  Why was she walking the dogs?  She had a business - it was her job to walk them!

It just goes to show you that this can be done almost anywhere.










I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.  For me they are the role model for being alive.  ~Gilda Radner

Easy Solutions for Car Buying

Among the things I really, really, really don't like is buying a new car.  In fact, there are very few people who enjoy the process, but they are out there.  So, if you enjoy the hours spent haggling for a great car price, don't read this.  Just that simple.  Stop right now.  You can find another topic on this blog, or another.

I'll stop while you leave.

But if you would rather walk over hot coals, have bamboo shoots slipped under your finger nails, and listen to nails being drug across a chalk board than go through the process of buying a new car, this is for you.  You ready?  Good.

First, relax.  Buying a new car was never easier.  No more haggling to get a good deal.  No more hours spent in the dealership as they hold the keys to your old car.  No more kids pulling at you to get you moving.  None of that.  Why?  The internet sales department.

That's right.  The internet sales department.  If you have not discovered these folks, and are in the market for a new car, find them.  Reach out to them.  Just about every dealership has one of these departments which can be reached through their websites.   The type of services vary a bit from dealer to dealer.  First, just about everyone will give you a no-haggle price.  It's been my experience that it's a discounted price.  You tell them the exact car you want, and you get a price for a specific car down to the VIN number.  Could it be easier?

Now, a few added services that some dealers provide through their internet departments might include pre-arranging the financing before you ever step foot on the car lot.  Others might offer discounted maintenance for your new vehicle.  And, still others might offer a number of free car washes.   

I discovered these folks about six years ago when I bought a Honda Pilot.  I contacted the internet sales department at several dealerships and sent them the same email using the power of copy and paste.  That way I knew everyone was working from the same basic information.  I generally received my answers back within a few hours.  From those answers, I made an appointment to purchase.  One hour after arriving I was driving out in a new Honda Pilot and could not have been more pleased with the transaction. 

Please remember to be honest in any answers you might give them regarding a trade-in and condition.  Since most dealerships use the Kelly Blue Book you can get a good idea about the value of your trade-in, if you have one.  Sites like Edmonds.com provide realistic pricing information that you can use as a guide.  And, finally your can use any one of a number of sites for reviews like Car and Driver, Motor Trend and many manufacturers now have reviews from just plain ol' drivers on their websites.  By the way, Edmonds also has reviews by current owners and professional drivers.

So, use the power of the internet to make car buying almost enjoyable and certainly easy!


Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead.  ~Mac McCleary

Easy Solutions...Keep it Simple Early

I was doing a bit of research on the Internet...okay, I was looking for a machine for work, and I followed a link that took me to an unlikely place...Here.

Why is it important?  Because you don't want to have to fight an illness or face some sort of calamity before learning what is important in life.  The simple things; the easy things are the most important in life.  Family.  People.  Conversations. Giving to help others.  So simple and yet so enriching.

Please, don't pay attention to all of the noise around you telling you that you have to have this or that or go to this place.  Take a moment and listen to your heart. 

The sooner you do it, the sooner your life will be easier...and better!

Easy Solutions for Weight Loss #2

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I had to lose 60 pounds so I looked for the easiest ways to meet that goal, which I did.  I will be passing on the lessons I learned on a regular basis.

You have decided; really decided to lose weight.  Congratulations!  Do you know what happens when you really decide to lose weight?  You make a bunch of other little decisions automatically.  Really.  My first thought after deciding to lose weight was that if I eat less, I might lose weight - so the decision to eat less was already made.  But how to eat less?  That is really difficult for a lot of folks.

In fact, when I spoke to someone about losing weight and mentioned eating less, they got a bit upset with me.  In fact, they told me if they didn't leave the table full, they would get angry.  Okay, I get it.  But, I have to tell you about a bit of magic I discovered.

You see, I found that when I stopped eating before I felt full, I'd be satisfied about 10 minutes later.  Somewhere along the line, the stomach does not communicate with the brain when you are eating very quickly.  I don't now the science behind it - and I am sure there is some, I just know it works and works well.

Tonight I had a great BBQ pork sandwich.  Is this diet food?  Probably not.  But, I only had half of a sandwich - a real half - not some half that had a full-size portion in it.  And, I drank iced tea - two servings sweetened with a pink packet of stuff.  I finished my half sandwich and then relaxed while I drank the iced tea.  When I got up from the table, I was 'full.'  After a few minutes, I walked about 3 miles.  Several hours later I am still satisfied.

The lesson here?  Eat a bit less as a start.  Don't starve yourself.  Don't eat special diet food.  Eat what you like, jut eat half of what you would have eaten and then leave the table.  What's going to happen?  You will lose weight - that's what!

And, isn't that what you decided to do?

"Choices are the hinges of destiny."  Pythagoras

Easy Solutions for Making Money - Garage Sale

You know, like everything else in life, having a successful garage sale takes a bit of preparation, but it can be time well spent when you are counting money at the end of the day.

 Everyone seems to have extra 'stuff' they are willing to part with for a price. And, when times are tight, you might even part with more stuff to make some extra money.

How much am I talking about? Well, that all depends on what you have for sale, your neighborhood, if you do a bit of advertising, how you display your items, and whether or not you know your market. Lots to know to have a successful garage sale, huh?

Here are a couple of books about having a garage sale:

Everything You Need to Know...

Garage Sale Magic

And there is information available on the Internet:

About Garage Sales

Plus a whole lot more.  But please remember, just because it's on the internet it isn't always right.  Always evaluate what you are reading and the information you are receiving.

The Basics

Decide what you want to sell.

Decide when you want to sell it - weekends work best.

Post signage where it will be seen. don't be afraid to post signs on streets that get enough traffic so you will let people know you are having a sale. Post signs at least one day, and two days are better, before you have your sale.

If you have valuable items for sale, think about posting to Craigslist.com to let folks know about your garage sale (it's free) and putting flyers up where people will see them. The more people that know about your sale, the more people will come by.

Watch the weather as the day gets closer. If it gets bad, at least post a sign that the garage sale was postponed and let people know the re-scheduled date. That's just being courteous.

Decide the prices ahead of time. And, decide on a pricing strategy - what offers will you take? What if people buy several items - will you provide a discount?

Price items before you put them out - several days in advance of your sale. There will be enough to do just setting up your items - don't think you can set-up and price on the same morning.

Be set-up on time. Remember, it's your store and you posted hours of operation. Be ready to go on time which means everything is out and displayed.

Speaking of display. Take a bit of time to think about how you want to display your items. I have seen items neatly displayed - almost as if it were a display in a store. And, I have seen items that seemed to have been thrown out there in piles. Both methods can be successful depending on what you have for sale and who you attract as customers. If you have time, take a look at several garage sales and see how they are displaying items, hang around long enough to see if they are selling items, and talk with the people having the sale.

The Big Day

It's here. Your big sale day. The signs are out. You have even posted some flyers. You have some great stuff for sale. And, you are ready to make several hundred dollars, or more. Just do one thing - Show Up. It's kind of important that you are out to greet potential customers and are available to take their money. Don't laugh. I don't know how many garage sales I have driven by and seen a lot of stuff, but nobody around to take money. Show Up.

Be ready to sell. Know where you will deal and how you are going to deal to make sure you make money. Have a few dollars in your pocket for change - $1's, $5's and maybe a $10. If you can't make change, maybe you can offer something extra to sell you don't have to make change.

Have fun. Be kind. Smile. Don't bother people as they look. If an item has a story that might influence a sale, tell them the story, but keep it short.

Make money.

It might sound a bit more involved and take a bit extra planning, but that is the difference between a successful garage sale and just sitting in your driveway for an entire day and have nothing to show for it.

Good Luck and God Bless. Let me know how you do.

Easy Solution for Weight Loss #1

This is the first in a series of posts about easy solutions for weight loss.  They will appear about once a week - so come back and take a look.  The goal, as always, is to keep it easy and simple.

It seems as though a new 'diet' is introduced every week that guarantees you weight loss.  And, if you can't lose weight on a diet, get a bit of surgery done. Surgery has to be the definition of complex; there are always side effects. Plus, it's really expensive. 

I am never going to refer to being on a diet.  Being on a diet is by definition temporary.  Losing weight should be permanent.  You want to get rid of the pounds and keep them off, right?

So, the all time easiest way to lose weight...the most simple...wait for it...Decide you are going to lose weight.  That is so important it's worth repeating: Decide you are going to lose weight.  Once that decision is really made, you have started on your road to a new life.

I can hear you, "But I decided to go on a diet..." So, how did that work out for you?  Did you lose the weight?  How long did it take to come back?  For most of us, it comes back with a vengeance.  We drop ten and get 15 back.  Why does that happen?  We get tired of being on a restrictive food diet.  We want the ice cream, french fries, pie, etc.  Or, we want to eat until we feel full.  (By then you have over-eaten, but more about that in another entry.)

The decision I am writing about is the decision to lose weight - and to mean it.  And, it's the first step to real weight loss.

Three years ago I was about 60 pounds over-weight.  I don't know how I got to be that way; it just happened.  Okay, I know it happened because I ate a lot of food  Double and triple helpings of pasta, any bread I wanted, rice, I was a sucker for apple pie and cheese cake.  Over a 20 year period the weight kept coming on and on.  I didn't do anything to take it off.

One day I woke up and decided I was going to lose the weight.  And about 9 months later the weight was gone.  My BMI was 24.9, for those of you who follow BMI's.

BMI stands for Body Mass Index.  I found out that weight is not the measure any longer; it's your BMI.  You can figure out what your BMI is here. And you can learn a bit more about BMI here.  I do want to point out that the last link is for the Center for Disease Control website.  Obesity is huge (no pun intended) in the United States costing millions of dollars in health costs. It shortens lives and reduces the quality of life you have.  The list of diseases that are influenced by being even 10 or 15 pounds overweight is long from diabetes to high blood pressure to heart disease and on and on.

Please, don't cut your life short because you are overweight and discouraged.  Take the first step and decide you are going to lose weight.  Once you decide you are really going to lose weight, you have already decided to eat better food; eat a bit less - emphasis on a bit less.  Heck, you might even figure out exercise is a good thing - a few words on that later.

It's not complex.  Deciding to lose is easy and is the first step in a pretty easy process.  Really.

Easy Solution for Spot Cleaning

Like so many folks I have pets.  And when you have pets, or when life happens, spots and dirt on carpets, rugs and furniture happen.  It's just part of the life. 

I had to have tried just about every spot cleaner on the market and never found one I was happy with.  Of course, if I was even close to being pleased with how any of them worked, they were the more expensive ones.  I loved my pets and I loved having people over; I did not love the $7.00 I was spending on a cleaner.

That all ended when I found a simple recipe:

16 oz. of water
1 T. Tide powder
1 t. Vinegar

Combine them in a spray bottle.  Just put them in and shake the bottle. Then use.  It's so easy!

A few tips:

1. Spray the spot and let it work for a couple of minutes.
2. Use a soft bristle brush or rag like an old wash cloth.
3. Once you clean the spot, take a clean rag or a clean portion of the rag you used and blot the area picking up excess moisture.
4. If necessary, repeat.

The Tide cleans the spot.  The vinegar removes any scent or smell of the spot.

That's it.  From food to pet 'biologicals' it works.  It cleans almost all spots that happen.  And, talk about cheap to make!

Easy Extra Money

Need a little easy extra money?  Just a few more dollars a month, maybe?  You are not alone.

You know, unemployment is still up around 10 or 11% - probably higher since so many have become ineligible to collect benefits.  If you include 'under-employment' - those folks who are working but earning much less than they once did,or are working in a job for which they are way over qualified, and the number gets to be somewhere around 17% - at the low end.  Truthfully, nobody really knows how many are unemployed or under-employed.

From time to time I am going to offer easy ways to make the bit extra you need.  And, the great thing is that almost any idea I offer can be expanded into full-time.  Be your own boss.  Build your own business and you can never be laid-off.  Wow!

My oldest son has several dogs.  He might even be called a rancher.  And, while he loves his dogs; he does not love picking up after them.  Which means there's an opportunity for you!

There's gold in that poop!

Yep, you got it.  Picking up dog poop in someone's yard can mean real money.  Look, a lot of people are working 10 to 12 hours a day and really don't want to come home to clean-up after their dog, or dogs.  So,what do they do? They leave it until the weekend.  Just think of the job they are confronted with.  A week's worth of dog poop.  I just can't think of a thing I would rather be doing on a Saturday than cleaning-up after my dog.  Even little dogs can poop in prodigious amounts!

Do you like dogs?  Do you want to make folks' lives a little better?  Do you want to earn a little easy extra money?  Well, start a neighborhood poop patrol.

What will you need?  Gloves, scooper (obvious, huh?), bags for poop, and a keen eye.  Let your friends know what you are doing and put out flyers in your neighborhood - make sure you give it a chance and hand out several hundred.  More on flyers in some future blog - just keep them simple for now.  The service you offer. Your name. Contact information.

How much to charge for this service?  Find out what the national companies are charging.  (Yes, there are franchises available for this service so you have to know there is money in it.)  Charge less than they do.  In fact, give your first customers a real break in price - the are going to become your best advertisers if you serve them and their dog(s) well.

You want a little easy extra money?  This is as easy as...well, poop.

The First Post

As I was getting ready to write this first entry so many ideas went through my mind.  I had to choose carefully.  I had to let you know the easiest way to have a better life.  It had to be a biggie.  It had to be profound.  

And I came up with so many ideas - but none of them were simple enough.  This was really a case of the nerves!  

Then, at about 2:00 this morning it hit me.  The single most important easy solution for a better life is....is the suspense killing you?  A drum roll, if you please...The curtains part to reveal...

SMILE.

That’s it.  Just smile and be pleasant.  There’s no real trick to it.  Just turn the ends of your mouth up.  That’s all it takes.  Smile.

I began thinking about the successful people I know.  Now, I am not just counting those who have made a lot of money; I am counting those who are leading happy lives...or, are happy in their life.  And, you know what?  They all had one thing in common - they smile at others.  

It is so easy...so simple.  Just smile at others and your life will be better.

Oh, I can hear you, “But, Phil, you don’t know my life...You don’t know the bad things that have happened...the tragedies...”  And you know what?  You’re right, I don’t know what has happened to you.  But I do know you have a choice: either wallow in it or wake up and greet the day with a smile.  It’s really your choice.

Look, if you start smiling at others, you will brighten their day - that is just a fact since there aren’t many smilers out there.  

“But, I don’t care if I brighten their day.”  

Let me tell you about a bit of magic - yes, magic.  If you start to smile at others - at the person in Starbucks, the grocery store, McDonalds...wherever you are, you will find that your day will be better.  String together a few days, and pretty soon you are at a week.  Put together a few weeks and you are at a month.  And, wait for it, put together a few months of smiling and you will be at a year.

Now, I am not saying you have to smile at everyone.  That is only for experienced smilers and I would not expect that from folks who are just starting.  No, just start by smiling at three people; just three.  Don’t over do it on the first day.  Watch their reactions.  Most of them will smile right back at you.  It’s amazing.  Your one smile developed into two smiles.  If you really want to go big, smile at five people a day...but that can get to be too much smiling if you haven’t done much before.

I know, I kow.  I am sounding a bit corny, but you will find if you just smile at three people a day for a week, your life will be better.  It’s the easiest way to make your life better.

“If you are reading this...Congratulations, you’re alive. If that’s not something to smile about, then I don’t know what is.”  Chad Sugg, Monsters Under Your Head.

“You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you but smile.” Charlie Chaplin

Thank You

First, thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  There are so many things to read on the web, and I will always appreciate you spent a few minutes reading here.  I promise to always have a positive message or observation.

I am re-starting with Blogger so be a bit patient with me.  I have to learn how to make the page look a little better and add a few things here and there.  But, I thought it more important to begin to let you know easy solutions for your life, than to spend a lot of time figuring out how to make this look better.

So, come back often - I will be posting several times a week.