| Every so often you come across something in | | | | serves as a daily reminder that life is far too |
| writing that impacts you to the very core. Be it a | | | | precious to just let pass by without proactive |
| book, poem, phrase, quote, or story, so | | | | engagement. |
| penetrating are the words to your heart and mind | | | | Here's a list of 5 simple ways (call it your own |
| that your soul, indeed your very human condition | | | | "Sticky Note for Life") to find deeper fulfillment, |
| is unalterably changed forever. You become | | | | greater satisfaction and higher joys out of |
| permanently transformed forever because of | | | | relationships, careers and life. |
| some simple (check that) powerful use of words. | | | | 1) Become A Walking, Talking Smiley Face. |
| Such was the case with something I read on my | | | | There is nothing more infectious or contagious on |
| kids' computer a while back. As a parent you try | | | | you and others than a simple smile. Smile at |
| to keep a watchful eye on what your children are | | | | yourself when alone or in public, and see how |
| doing and viewing on the computer. One day I | | | | your own attitude and condition improves. The |
| was surprised to see a new electronic sticky note | | | | next time you catch yourself being a worrywart |
| displayed on their monitor. You all know what | | | | or frowning, smile. Share that smile with others |
| sticky notes are; those pads of colored pieces of | | | | and watch the whole world change before your |
| paper with adhesive on the back so you can | | | | eyes. |
| forget to remember where you lost the note to | | | | 2) Pretend You're A Semi-Pro Karaoke Singer. |
| yourself that you stuck somewhere. You use | | | | Start singing or humming along to your favorite |
| these little pieces of paper to jot down ideas, | | | | music more often. Do it in the shower or on your |
| phone numbers, grocery lists or "to do" items. | | | | way to and from work. One of my personal |
| There was nothing particularly unusual about | | | | favorites is Sing A Song by Earth, Wind and Fire. |
| seeing sticky note graphics on their computer. | | | | Remember: it's not about the quality, Karaoke or |
| The kids often created clever and funny sayings | | | | otherwise, it's about lifting your spirit. Just as a |
| on these to amuse themselves. They typically | | | | smile can change one's attitude, music can |
| included messages like: "Jordan loves Pokemon!" or | | | | lubricate a happy soul. |
| "Lauren rocks!" or "Hailey is my bestest friend | | | | 3) Turn Your World Into "The Happiest Place On |
| ever cause she made me banana bread!" You can | | | | Earth". |
| see why I usually didn't take too much notice of | | | | Look out Walt Disney, here you come. What is |
| these literary masterpieces. | | | | the first impression people get when visiting your |
| But this time a bright yellow sticky note in the | | | | home or office? If it's not warm, friendly and |
| bottom right corner of the computer screen | | | | happy, then something is wrong. Create an |
| caught my eye. It wasn't so much the color that | | | | environment where family, friends, and associates |
| grabbed my attention, as it was the syntax that | | | | (even strangers) can escape the world and lose |
| actually appeared to make sense. There on the | | | | themselves in a safe, relaxing and fun |
| screen in front of me was the following phrase: | | | | environment. Become the place where everyone |
| Live Well. Love Much. Laugh Often. | | | | wants to hang out, chill out and take a break |
| "How strange to see something so profound on | | | | from the world (like your favorite friend's house |
| my kids' computer," I thought. Now, this wasn't | | | | when you were growing up). |
| the first time I had actually heard or read these | | | | 4) Take A Walk (Or Run) On The Wild Side. |
| words (the phrase has been around for a long | | | | Do something you've never done before, or |
| time), but seeing the phrase right then and there | | | | haven't done since you were an uninhibited and |
| penetrated my soul. I asked my family who had | | | | fearless kid. Ride a skateboard or go roller-skating |
| placed it on the computer. One of my daughters | | | | in the park. Take skydiving lessons. Join a sports |
| thought she might have found it on Google but | | | | or hobby club. Get a different style haircut or |
| wasn't sure. Nobody seemed to really know how | | | | color. Update your wardrobe to trendy or |
| the phrase found its way on the screen. It's as if | | | | conservative, whichever is the opposite of your |
| it just magically appeared from sticky note | | | | normal fashion. Wear fake Groucho Marx glasses |
| heaven. | | | | to your next meeting and bring some for |
| I was so impacted that I decided to investigate | | | | everyone else to put on. Step out of character. |
| the author and origin of such a wonderful saying. | | | | Do something spontaneous right when you think |
| After Googling the phrase I found that the saying | | | | about it. Don't rationalize. Don't delay. You're |
| is actually a derivation taken from a story by | | | | thinking of something right now. I know you are. |
| Bessie Anderson Stanley entitled, "What is | | | | Do it. |
| Success?" The story, and phrase, is often | | | | 5) P.A.C.E. Yourself. |
| attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson's inspirational | | | | Positive Attitude Changes Everything. Whoever |
| prose called "Success", but it was in fact Bessie, | | | | came up with this acronym was spot on. When |
| not Ralphie, who penned the following words: | | | | you wake up in the morning - jump out of bed |
| He has achieved success who has lived well, | | | | excited for a new day of life, don't roll. When |
| laughed often, and loved much; who has enjoyed | | | | someone cuts you off on the freeway - give |
| the trust of pure women, the respect of | | | | them a beauty pageant wave instead of a |
| intelligent men and the love of little children; who | | | | one-finger salute. When your spouse forgets that |
| has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who | | | | thing you asked for - say that's okay and offer |
| has left the world better than he found it, | | | | to do it together. When a co-worker blows a |
| whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or | | | | deadline, let the stress be their problem not yours. |
| a rescued soul; who has always looked for the | | | | Our attitude and our actions are the only two |
| best in others and given them the best he had; | | | | things we can truly control in our lives. Get control |
| whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a | | | | of yours now. |
| benediction. | | | | There you have it. Choose now to "live well" by |
| From this simple quote comes the inspiring phrase | | | | improving your mental and physical condition; "love |
| known around the world: Live Well. Love Much. | | | | much" by opening your heart and mind to other |
| Laugh Often. Since reading that one little sticky | | | | people and opportunities to serve; and "laugh |
| note, the phrase has become a personal mantra | | | | often" by finding joy in the journey through |
| for experiencing life and living it to it's fullest. My | | | | humor and laughter. The alternative doesn't sound |
| wife even has it prominently displayed on a | | | | like much of a life. Enjoy. |
| decorative wooden plaque in our bedroom. It | | | | |