LazyGuide - Ernie J Zelinski -

8/12/2019 LazyGuide - Ernie J Zelinski -

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The Lazy Persons

Guide to Happiness

by Ernie J . Zelinski

Visons International Publishing Edmonton, AB, Canada

Distributed to bookstors by Sandhill Book Marketing Phone 1-800-667-3848


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Introduction

Having written six books, I am always being asked byfriends and acquaintances, What are you writing now?"My next book was supposed to be a parable, a projectwhich I have now set aside four times. My reason foradvancing this book is that I have the sense there is a realneed for it.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that you have encounteredThe Lazy Person' s Guide to Happ iness. There may besomething in here that you need to discover, or bereminded about, in order that you can get your life backon track to contentment and peace of mind.

Because my best known book is The Joy of Not Worki ng,some people will think that the lazy person" in the title ofthis book refers to me, the author. It does partly, since I amsomewhat a lazy person, and comfortable with it.

COPYRIGHT 2001 by Ernie J. ZelinskiALL RIGHTS RESERVEDReproduction in whole or in part, by any means, is not allowedwithout written permission from the copyright holder except forbrief quotations in reviews or articles.Direct any inquiries to:Visions International Publishing, Box 4072Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6E 4S8

Phone (780) 436-1798

Canadian Cataloging in Publication Data

Zelinski, Ernie J. (Ernie John) 1949-The lazy person's guide to happiness : shortcuts to a happy and

fulfilling lifeISBN 0-9694194-4-9

1. Happiness -- Quotations, maxims, etc. 2. Conduct of life --

Quotations, maxims, etc. I Title.BJ1481.Z45 2000 170'.44 C00-901052-1

00 01 02 03 04 05 VIP 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1


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Whether you are conscious of it ornot, you are the source of allyour happiness.

You have two choices:

You can read this book.Or you can refrain from reading it.

Either way, you can still be happy.

However, the lazy person" in the title alsorefers to the reader, who may need guidance orreminders on happiness, but doesn't want to read atime-consuming tome.

Clearly, happiness takes work, but it doesn't take a lotof hard work, as most people in Western society believe.Above all, happiness entails paying attention to life.

In the modern world, it's so easy to forget all theimportant things which contribute to happiness, andinstead, pursue those that don't. For this reason, weshould all have a small handbook to review from timeto time.

Whatever you make of the collection as a whole, Ichoose to think that at least a few of my reminders willhelp you lead a fuller, more relaxed, and happier life.

Erni e J. Zelinski


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Much of tomorrow's happiness willdepend upon how happy youare today.

The question is, what seeds of happinessdo you intend to plant before the end ofthe day?

Life is a game.Happy people are the players.

Unhappy people are the spectators.

Which would you like to be?


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Be clear that happiness doesn't carehow you get there.Indeed, not only does happiness not carehow you get there; it doesn't even careif you get there at all.

Predict unhappiness in your life andyou will become a psychic with apretty good track record.

6

To create more time for enjoying thatmysterious and unpredictablephenomenon called life, minimize yoursearch for the secret to it.

Wiser people than you and me have triedwithout much success.

Besides, you don't need to fullyunderstand life to fully enjoy it.


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In order that you can experiencemore happiness in your world,sometimes you must go backwardsbefore you go forwards.

Don't ask why.

Some things just work better in practicethan they do in theory.

8

Happiness, it seems, doesn't likepeople who are desperate for it.The desperate pursuit of happiness isone of the chief causes of unhappiness.

So, stop trying so hard to be happy,and let the good times roll.


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To be successful at this game calledlife, often it takes not working sohard at it.

Take the time to drop in and thinkabout what you really want.

The answers may surprise you.

Unhapp iness is not knowi ng what we

want and ki lli ng ourselves to get i t."

Don Herold

Some important purpose topursue;Someone to love;Something to appreciate today;Something to look forward totomorrow.

This brings much happiness.

What more do you want?


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Accept that if you have been lookingfor happiness and haven't found it,you have been looking in the wrongplaces.

Don't allow advertisers or otherpeople to dictate what you wantin life.

As the graffiti writer declared, You cannever get enough of what you reallydon't need."

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J ust as important as deciding whatyou want in life is deciding whatyou don't want.

Allow yourself to give up those thingswhich don't make you happy.

Oddly enough, they aren't always theeasiest things to give up.


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Desperately wanting things leads tomost unhappiness in this world.When you want something badly,work at giving up your desire for it.

Not wanting something is as good ashaving it.

And a lot less trouble.

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Understand that a want is not a need.All your needs are satisfied today.

And they have been since birth.

Otherwise you wouldn't be alive right now.

You can do without most wants for at leasta week or two.

Go without a want long enough and it willlikely go away.


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It's best not to waste time and energyattempting to blame others for yourunhappiness.

No one should be able to affect thequality of your life.

And guess what?

No one does!

Except for you, that is, with your ownthoughts and behavior in response towhat others do.

16

Seriously consider what a blessing itis not to receive everything youpray for.

According to Saint Teresa of Avila,More tears are shed over answeredprayers than unanswered ones."

We, ignorant of our selves, beg oft en

our own harms, whi ch wise powers

deny us for our own good."

Wi ll iam Shakespeare


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When you are looking for someoneto blame for your unhappiness,you don't have to look far.

As they say in the Southern states, thebiggest troublemaker in your life is theperson in the mirror who everymorning puts makeup on your face orshaves it.

Most of t he sorrows of the earth

humans cause for t hemselves."

Buddha

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The mark of your unhappiness is thedepth of your belief in how muchyou are a victim of your circumstances.

Argue for why you are a victim, andguess what?

You are one.

You get to be right about it.

The question is:Do you want to be a victim or do youwant to be happy?


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You may decide to go traveling insearch of happiness.The further, the better, you think.

Surprise!

The only happiness you get toexperience on Himalaya mountain topsis what you bring with you.

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It may be difficult to find happinesswithin ourselves; but it is virtuallyimpossible to find it elsewhere.

Given that most happiness emanatesfrom the mind and soul, where do youintend to go in pursuit of it?


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Keep in mind that life lived inanticipation of tomorrow, orregretting yesterday, is always a day

short of happiness.

No longer forward nor behind

I l ook i n hope or f ear;

But, grateful , take the good I fi nd,

The best of now and here."

John Greenleaf Whi tt ier

If you're in a hurry to find happiness,slow down.Give it a chance to catch up with you.

If you are not happy here and

now, you never wi ll be."

Taisen Deshimaru


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B

efore you climb overthe side of the fence to

where the grass appearsgreener, try watering yourside first!

24

Try going with the flow of life alittle more.Let things happen naturally instead of

always trying to make things happen.

It's always easier to ride a horse in thedirection it's going.


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Have you ever considered that yourenvy is the happiness andenjoyment that you perceive everyoneelse is having?

Well, you should.

Perhaps people you envy are muchmore miserable than you are.

I look at what I have not and think

myself unhappy; others look at what I

have and thi nk me happy.

Joseph Roux

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Be the source of happiness insteadof looking for it.You won't have to look for happiness

if that is where you are coming from.

And be content wit h such things as

ye have."

The Bible, Hebrews


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Ahappy life isn't the absence ofunhappiness.Unhappiness will sneak into your lifewhether you want it or not.

So will happiness.What you choose to do with either isup to you.

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To be happy is to have few wants.To have fewer wants, count yourblessings more often.

Glad that I li ve am I;

That the sky i s blue;

Glad for the countr y lanes,

And t he fall of dew."

Lizette W. Reese


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Hell is other people," declaredJean-Paul Sartre.In the same vein, a friend says, Humanbeings, what a stupid concept!"

The fact is, people are only human.

To be sure, if they weren't, life would bedifferent.

Since people will continue to be human, it'sbest to accept them for what they are.

Adjust your behavior around them in waysthat bring you the most happiness.

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Start living life according to the waythings are instead of the way theyshould be.

Much unhappiness is caused by the belief

that life should be different from what it

actually is.

Accepting reality for what it is will liberate

you from the imprisonment of what ought to

be.

As Lenny Bruce said, What is is, and what

ought to be is a damn lie."


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Avoid falling in love with fourmembers of the opposite sex allat the same time.

Don't even consider marrying

someone with more problemsthan you.

Hang around with people who wearMickey Mouse watches.And be suspicious of those who wearCartiers.

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Hang around happy people.

Avoid unhappy people.

Fall in love with a happy person.

Marry that happy person.


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If you are a happy person, don'tspend your time trying to make anunhappy person happy.

Near as I can tell, you have to be amagician to pull it off.

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You are responsible for your ownhappiness above any other.The best way to avoid happiness is tobecome responsible for someone else'sahead of your own.


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It doesn't cost much to be kind, but itcan be very costly being too kind.The more you give to certain people,the more they will push their luck.

As Harvey Mackay wrote, If you wantto be a Santa Claus, your sled better beable to pull a trailer."

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Don't waste time offering otherpeople advice.You will either lose or break even.

It the advice turns out bad, the person

will be angry at you.If the advice is good, the person willforget that you gave it to them.


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Misery doesn't only lovecompany.It demands it.

For this reason, don't walk away

from negative people.RUN!

Avoi d the company of

deluded people when you can."

Buddha

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Don't spend your time on earthjudging people.It's tedious and won't make you happy.

Besides, this is God's job.

When someone or somethingpuzzles you, SMILE!


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Don't waste your time trying toconvince some person that what heis about to do will get him into trouble.

The best way to prove a fool wrong isto let him have his way.

Be careful with your heroes.Don't put them on pedestals;Because no one deserves to be there.

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It takes energy and precious time toargue with an unreasonable person.Ask yourself what the payoff is.

And accept that there is insanity on

both sides of the argument when youargue with an idiot.


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Stick to being yourself and notanyone else.When Leonardo da Vinci was asked whatwas his greatest accomplishment in hislife, he replied, Leonardo da Vinci."

In this regard, Zen Masters don't ask usto be something or someone we aren't.

Instead, they ask us to be more truly andmore fully who we are.

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Don't waste time justifying yourselfto your critics.As the unknown wise person stated,Any fool can criticize and most do."

Trying to be liked by everyone isimpossible.

Thus, seek the respect of others, notpopularity.


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Waiting can be hard work anddown right dejecting.Instead of waiting for the phone toring, phone someone else!

Be good to others, but don'texpect a lot of gratitude inthis world.

Remember that good deeds areseldom remembered and bad deedsare seldom forgotten.

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To paraphrase Mark Twain, ifsomeone hasn't given you acompliment by noon hour, then giveyourself one.

Occasionally, you will be giventhe chance to be eitherintellectual or pleasant.

Leave being intellectual to others.


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Stop complaining about everythingimaginable to your friends.After a while, you will sound like apoetry reading gone bad even toyourself.

Getting upset over someone'srudeness drains you of power.Besides, if someone is rude to you,there is a good chance that you haveearned it.

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Hang around wise people.Listen to them carefully.

You will learn a lot about happinessin a short period of time.

Someday you may think aboutdoing something which a wisepeople says you will regret.

Be clear that you will regret it.


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The next time someone sayssomething nasty to you, agreewith them.

This way, there won't be an argument.

And you will leave the personperplexed at the same time.

If you end up getting into a fight,make sure that you win by at leasthalf a mile.

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You are in control over the hurtother people inflict upon you.How much you are wronged isdependent on how much care andenergy you put into remembering it.

Avoid potentially nasty people anddangerous situations.In case you haven't noticed, it is alwayseasier to avoid trouble than to get outof trouble.


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Go slow when choosing new friends.Quality beats out quantity ten timesout of ten.

Never lend money to a friend old or new.In the event you don't get paid back,you will end up losing both.

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AScottish proverb warns us,Friends are lost by calling often andcalling seldom."

Remember that it takes ten times as muchtime and energy to make a new friend as it

does to keep an old one.

Forsake not an old f ri end; for the new is not

comparable to him: a new fr iend is as new

wine; when it is old, thou shalt dri nk it w ith

pleasure."

Apocrypha. Ecclesiasti cs 9:10 .


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Do what is right even when whatothers are doing is wrong.Clearly, even though a million peopledo a stupid thing, it still remains astupid thing.

Stand above the crowd even if youhave to stand alone.There is no greater way to gainself-respect and the respect of othersin this world.

52

Whenever you refuse to forgivesomeone, you haven't imprisonedthe other person.

You have imprisoned yourself instead.

So, be forgiving of others.

And even more forgiving of yourself.

Contrary to popular belief, revenge isnot sweet and it won't bringhappiness.

As the French Proverb states, The bestrevenge is to live well."


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Never wish deprivation orunhappiness unto others.What you would like to deny others,you will eventually deny yourself.

Your thoughts won't affect others;however, the thoughts will negativelyaffect what you attain in your life.

Therefore, grant to others the things andhappiness you would like for yourself.

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Depending on others to make youhappy is probably the mostdifficult way to attain it.

Try lighting your own fire instead ofwaiting around to be warmed by

someone else's.

Happi ness is not something ready

made Buddha can give you. I t comes

from your own actions."

The Dalai Lama


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You may hope for, but you won't behappy with an entirely easy life.When you always do the easy andcomfortable, life turns out difficult.

However, when you do the difficult anduncomfortable, life turns out easy.

Think about this carefully, and youwill see that it applies to all areasof your life.

56

Believe it or not.This is it.

This is as good as life is going to getright now.

The experience you have of it will bedetermined by your prejudice alone.


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Your suffering is something youchoose.Experience it fully.

Without it you will not achieve

personal growth and higherconsciousness.58

Always do the right and honestthing, regardless of how moredifficult it may appear to be.

In the long term, it will be the easierand more rewarding thing to have done.

As the Buddha says, Karma means youdon't get away with anything."


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The severity of your problems is amatter of perspective.Change your perspective and most ofthem become insignificant.

Some of them will no longer exist asproblems, but opportunities instead.60

Think your problems are specialand unique?Well, there's only about ten majorproblems in life.

And everyone has variations of all ten.So what makes yours so special?


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Life is much easier when you takeresponsibility.Taking responsibility is yourwillingness to be the author of all yourexperiences including those which

you are embarrassed about and don'tmake you proud.

62

An old Chinese proverb states, Myhouse burnt down, but now I cansee the moon."

Provided you look for it, there is a silverlining in every cloud, regardless of how

dark it is.

However, you will fail to see the silverlining if you are expecting somethingworse or much better.


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Think about the consequences ofyour actions before you make them instead of afterward.

This will do wonders for reducing thenumber of problems you have in your

life.

Don't buy expensive socks if you can

never fi nd them."

Unknown Wi se Person

65

Problems without solutions aresomething you dream up.Ask around about your problemsand people will give you manygood solutions.

When l if e's problems seem

overwhelming, l ook around and see what

other people are coping wit h. You may

consider yourself fortunate."

Ann Landers


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Never cry over a glass of spilt milk.It could have been a bottle ofDom Perignon.

Do not worry; eat t hree square meals a day;say your prayers; be courteous to your

credit ors; keep your digestion good; exerci se;

go slow and easy. Maybe there are other

thi ngs your special case requi res to make you

happy; but my fri end, these I reckon wi ll give

you a good li ft. "

Abraham Li ncoln

66

An unknown wise person advises us:The only way to prevent what's past is toput a halt to it before it happens."

If this sounds impossible, it is.

Since you didn't prevent the past fromhappening, there's no point sweatingover it.

A hour of worry whether about the pastor the future robs you of an hour ofhappiness.


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Most circumstances are neither goodnor bad, but our thinking makesthem so.

So why not look at life as an adventureinstead of a burden?

Lif e is easier to take than you think;

all that is necessary i s to accept t he

impossible, do without t he

indispensable and bear the intolerable."

Kath leen Norri s

68

Understand that nothing is as seriousas it first appears.Today's crisis makes tomorrow'sinteresting story.

There ain' t no cloud so thi ck that t he

sun ain't shini n' on t' other side."

Rattl esnake, an 1870s mountain man


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Asimple life is a happy life.Life is simple.

But you make it complex.

Go back to the basics.And see how happy life can be.

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Opportunity for happinessknocks often.The question is, how often areyou home?

When one door of happi ness closes,

another opens;

But often we look so long at t he closed

door, that we do not see the one which

has been opened for us."

Helen Kell er


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As the old saying goes:Keep doing what you're doing andyou'll keep getting what you're getting."

So, if it's working, keep doing it.

And if it's not working, stop doing it.

Simple how life is, isn't it?

72

Making the simple complexdoesn't take ingenuity.Making the complex simple, now,that's ingenuity!


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Suffering from boredom?Try getting to the source.

Be clear that there is only one source.

Something is boring me;

I thi nk it is me."

Dylan Thomas

74

Do something every day to makeyour life less complicated.Learn to identify the unimportant.

You will find that life's a breeze whenyou work as hard at simplifying it asyou now do at complicating it.


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To conquer boredom, put yourboredom at risk.Too much safety is dangerous.

You can climb Mount Everest becauseit's there."

Or you can climb an imaginary mountainbecause it isn't there."

Which do you think will bring you moresatisfaction and happiness?

76

Some of the most fascinating thingsin this world are things which wedon't go looking for.

Thus, allow more chance into your life.

The more chance you allow, the moreinteresting your world will become.


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Don't wait for retirement to be happyand really start living.Invariably, people who try this find outthat they have waited much too long.

As Henry David Thoreau warned us,Oh, God, to reach the point of deathand realize you have never lived at all."

78

Fame, fortune, romance, or adventure.Whatever your dreams, worktowards them.

You will never get satisfaction andhappiness from the things you intendedto do.


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Health i s the greatest gif t.

Our body is pr ecious.

It is our vehicle for awakening.

Treat it wit h care."

Buddha

If you don' t take care of your body,

where do you expect to li ve?"

Graffit i W rit er

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The foundation for all happiness liesin health.Physical, mental, or spiritual health use it or lose it!

It is important to enjoy what is beforeit isn't.

We don't appreciate how precioussomething is until we lose it.

Often we don't get it back.


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Avoid driving your car as if yourjourney is the only one on earththat is going to save the universe.

Stop and think about it;

And you will realize that your journey israther insignificant in the higher orderof things.

The hurri er we go,

the behi nder we get."

Old Dut ch Proverb

82

You may have accepted the adage:Time is money."

Yet, this adage is false.

Otherwise, we should also say:Money is time."

The fact is:

Time is worth much more than money.

Spend it wisely.


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When you think that you don't havetime to watch a beautiful sunset,think again.

The time when you most need to watcha sunset is when you don't have time

for it.

What is thi s life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?"

W. H . Davi es

84

If you must hurry, then hurry slowly.Speed kills in more ways than one.

But at my back I always hear

Time's wi nged chariot hurr ying near;

And yonder all before us lie

Deserts of vast eterni ty."

Andrew Marvell


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To put more time in your life,don't rush.Slow down instead.

In a magical way, the world willease up for you.

86

Pay attention to good advice whichcomes unexpectedly.For example, the menu at a restaurantin my home town advises:If you're not served in 5 minutes,

you'll be served in 8 or 9.Maybe 12 minutes.RELAX!


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Learn how to live and be happy oneday at a time;And you will have mastered how tolive happily ever after.

Happy t he man, and happy he alone,

He who can call today his own;

He who, secure wit hin, can say,

Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have

li ved today."

John Dryden

88

No enchanting moment lasts forever.Therefore, savor it while it is still there.

Seize the day and put the least possible

trust in tomorrow."

Horace


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Everyone seems to want to besomewhere they aren't.Choose to be where you are rightnow and you will be happier than90 percent of humankind.

90

Celebrate the small things in life.They usually turn out much bigger thanyou could ever imagine.

Keep in mind that you can't truly

appreciate the big things until you canfully appreciate the small ones.

And here is another reason to celebratethe small things:

There are so many of them compared tothe big ones.


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If you expect to have it all, you willhave nothing.Learn to be happy with nothing.

And you will have it all.

I have the greatest of riches:

That of not desir ing them."

Eleonor a Duse

What is success?And what is happiness?

Think about these a little today, and alittle more tomorrow, and still more theday after.

See how your answers changewith time.


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Most people will agree at some levelthat money doesn't buy happiness,but deep down they haven't accepted it.

Regardless of how old you are, you willshow wisdom well beyond your years

when you truly accept that money can'tbuy contentment and peace of mind.

Mere wealth can't bring us happi ness;

Mere wealth can't make us glad;

But we'll always take a chance, I guess,

At being rich, and sad."

C. C. Colton

94

Remember that success invariablycomes with a price.Know what the price is before youseek it.

Being unprepared will mean you haveto pay the biggest part of the price afteryour success not before.


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I suppose I passed it a hundred times,

But I always stop for a mi nute.

And look at t he house, the tragic house,

The house wi th nobody in i t."

Joyce Ki lmer

Home is any four wal ls that enclose

the right person."

Helen Rowland

Why waste so much time, energy,and money trying to buy thebiggest house that your credit ratingwill allow?

Truth be known, a small house can hold

as much happiness as a large one.Sometimes it will hold even more.


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Zen masters tell us that we becomeimprisoned by what we are mostattached to:Cars;Houses;Money;Friends and lovers;Egos and identities.

Let go of your attachment to thesethings and you will be set free.

98

Call forth the best you can muster forliving life to the fullest regardlessof how limited your funds.

As the Greeks say, When you are poor,it is important to have a good time."

Take the time to drink quality wine orchampagne at least once a week.

This is especially important when youhave something to celebrate;

And even more important whenyou don't.


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Get happ iness out of your work or you

may never know what happi ness is."

Elbert Hubbard

If you have to support yourself , you

had bloody well better fi nd some way

that is going to be in teresti ng."

Katherine Hepburn

100

Since you will spend a third or moreof your waking hours at your job, itis important that you enjoy it.

Happiness from our work comes onlywhen it's of great benefit to ourselves

and others.So, don't work just for the money.

You are a slave if you do.

Your work should enrich your mindand soul as much as your financialwell-being.


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It is all too easy to demand of lifemore than it has to give.Try to be everywhere at once and youwill get nowhere.

Try to do everything and you will donothing.

Try to be loved by everyone and youwill be loved by no one.

So, follow your dreams; but knowyour limitations.

102

You work best at what you mostneed to become.So, work to grow, not just to acquire.

Whatever you want to be, don't botherwith other things.

For it's not what you become, but whatyou don't become, that will hurt mostin the end.


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105

Clearly, hard work doesn't guaranteehappiness.If hard work guaranteed happiness, over90 percent of Americans would behappy.

Surprisingly, psychologists andpsychiatrists say that only about 20percent of the total population is happy.

104

Avoid the extreme behaviors ofindulgence and deprivation.Make it a rule to practice moderation ineverything you undertake.

Except, of course, for moderation itself.


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You can't be happy if you areworking too hard.Just ask your friends and familywhether they think you are.

Pay attention to what they have to say.

Answer this important question:How many people do you know who ontheir death beds stated, I wish I wouldhave worked more"?

106

The most difficult way to make aliving is to work hard for it.Hard work is the best thing everinvented for killing time as wellas you.

The secret is, work as hard as you haveto for a comfortable living;

And as little as you can get away with.


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Why not practice being a lazy, butintelligent and highly productiveperson, instead of a hard-working,but hard-headed and moderatelyproductive one?

In other words, work smart and not hard.

It i s in vain that you ri se up early and go

late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toi l

for he gives to his beloved sleep."

Psalm 127(126 ) : 2

108

Always strive to create an excellentwork-life balance.Try to err on the side of leisure.

If a man has important work, and

enough l eisure and income to enable him

to do it properl y, he is in possession of

as much happi ness as is good for any of

the children of Adam."

Richard Henry Tawney


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Warning:Be a bit lazy, but still be creative, active,and productive.

It is folly to strive for total comfort.

Comfort is a double-edged sword.

A little will increase health andhappiness.

Too much, and it will destroy both.

110

Whenever you are doing somethingdifficult or time-consuming, askyourself what would happen if youdidn't do it.

In the event the answer is nothing, or

next to nothing, stop doing it.


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Within each of us, more than we ever care toadmit, lies the power to change our lives.We can have better health, deeper friendships,everlasting love, more riches, enjoyable work,and greater freedom.

The power lies, not in getting to Heaven, but in

using our creativity on earth.

If your dail y li fe seems poor, do not

blame it ; blame yourself, tell your self t hat

you are not poet enough to call fort h it s

riches."

Rainer Mar ia Ril ke

112

Think about this quietly and carefully:Years from now, as you review your life,what may you regret not having done?

Clearly, it won't be to have worked longer

and harder.

And it won't be to have accumulatedmore possessions.

Whatever it is, shouldn't you be doingit now?


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115

Stop being so reasonable all the time.Go with your intuition a little more.

Some of life's best decisions are theones least thought out with reason.

114

The degree of your contentmentdepends on the quality of yourthinking.

Your thinking can either make youmiserable or it can make you happy.

The amount of time and energyrequired for each mental state is aboutthe same.


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117

Life's big changes bad or good often come unexpectedly.Be prepared for either.

Use your creativity to make the best ofthe way things turn out;

And most things will turn out just fine.116

Of three precious resources in life time, money, and creativity theonly one unlimited is your creativity.

Make creativity your number oneresource, and time and money won't be

as precious.


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119

Don't allow your confusion about lifeto get you down.An unknown wise person advised us:

The fact is, you will leave this earth asconfused as when you arrived.

However, you will be confused on amuch higher intellectual level andabout more esoteric things."

118

Your thoughts may be,Easy words for you to say.

Life is much more difficult that this."

No doubt life is tough.However, you must ask yourself:

Next to what?"


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121

Understand that happiness doesn'tcare how hard you work;Nor does it care whether you weardesigner clothes;

Nor does it care how fancy your car is;

Nor does it care if you get any of theother possessions you want;

And it clearly doesn't care howbeautiful, talented, or intelligentyou are.

120

You must be able to feel pain.Otherwise, you can't feel joy.

So, when it's time to laugh, laugh.

When it's time to work, work.When it's time to love, love.

And when it's time to cry, cry.

Only then will you be fulfilled.


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123

Open your mind to opinions otherthan your own.The people whose opinions you mostfear may be the wise ones fromwhom you can learn most.

122

There can be little happiness wherewisdom is lacking.Wisdom can't be purchased with money;nevertheless, there is a price to be paid.

Never refrain from paying the price,

whether the payment is in time, patience,experience, energy, or perseverance.

Indeed, when you have to pay a lot forwisdom, you are getting a bargain.


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125

Perhaps you have recentlydiscovered reality and concludedthat life isn't fair.

It isn't.

You have an obligation to do your

best anyway.124

Happiness can only be experienced inthe event life brings you what youare willing to accept.

Accept more of what life bringsyour way and you won't be insulted

by reality.


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127

Many people are trying to besomebody they aren't.Don't be one of them.

You already are somebody;

You are you.And only by being yourself canyou be happy.

126

Don't expect to find more happiness bychanging your circumstances or yourenvironment.

Just because everything is differentdoesn't mean anything has changed.

As they say in Zen Buddhism, Whereveryou go, there you are."


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129

Not only enjoy solitude;Seek it.

Love yourself while getting to knowyourself better.

Within yourself is the paradise you havebeen looking for.

Here you will find all the happiness youwill ever need.

128

Unless you make peace with who youare, you will never be truly content.Self-esteem is something that only youcan give to yourself, not others.

It is important to love yourself even

more than your mother does no matterwhat others say or think about you.

So, always live as if you like yourself.

Indeed, after a while, you won't be ableto tell the difference.


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131

Ten times as many good thingshappen to you as bad things.Thus, it is your duty to spend ten timesas much time ranting and raving aboutthe wonder of life as you do

complaining about it.

Just th ink how happy you would be if

you lost everyth ing you have ri ght now,

and then got it back."

Unknown Wi se Person

130

Don't be dismayed when the worldhasn't brought you what youwant.

For everything you have been denied,the world has brought you something

better.It is your duty to discover what it is.


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133

Less is More."Think carefully about how this appliesto most areas of your life.

Be content wit h what you have;

rejoice in the way thi ngs are.

When you realize there is nothing lacking,

the whole world belongs to you."

Tao Te Ching

132

Try turning every adversity into anopportunity with some benefit to you.This way, adversity will have done half thework for you.

If your house is on fi re,

warm yourself by it."

Spanish proverb

T li i b hiY h h li i


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135

Try living by this motto:Happy to have;

But just as happy not to have.

And happy to be;But just as happy not to be."

There is no better way to experiencefreedom and peace of mind.

134

You have the power to limit yourhappiness with presumptuous hopemore than you can ever imagine.

It's best to eliminate all desire forthings beyond your reach.

Keep in mind that happy people carenot for what they can't have.

To admire without desire is their secret.

Wh th t it i l t thT f ll j thi


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137

Whether or not it is clear to you, theworld is as perfect as it can get.It is what it is.

And this is all that it needs to be for youto love it and be of service to it.

It i s so.

It cannot be otherwi se."

Inscri pti on in a cathedral i n Amsterdam

136

To fully enjoy anything you aredoing, do it as if it was your last act.Buddha tells us:

As you walk and eat and travel, bewhere you are.

Otherwise you will miss most ofyour life."

T i h l i tY i t i th f


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139

To experience much love is toexperience much happiness.In your universe, if love is scarce, who isnot creating it?

Clearly, you are ultimately the source of

all the love in your life.

As the Beatles sang in one of their songs,

In the end, the love you take is equal tothe love you make."

138

Your seriousness can get in the way ofhaving a good time.Oscar Wilde wisely observed, Life ismuch too important to be takenseriously."

And don't even think about trying torefute him.

Consider each day you haven't laughed,played, and celebrated your life to be awasted day.

Y i th i l iftA di t Hi d b T


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141

You were given three special giftswhen you were born:The gifts of life, love, and laughter.

Learn to share these gifts with the restof the world.

And the rest of the world will playhappily with you.

140

According to a Hindu proverb, Truehappiness consists in making othershappy."

As far as possible without surrender, be akind, gentle, generous, and loving person.

Share whatever happiness you experiencewith others.

In this way you will multiply thehappiness that comes into your life.

Somedays you may doubt yourWhen happiness forgets about you


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143

Some days you may doubt yourhappiness.Don't!

Think too much;

And you will think yourself out of it.

142

When happiness forgets about you,see what treasures you can findin your unhappiness.

It won't be long before happinessremembers who you are, and sneaks

back into your life again.

Prescription forLife longHappiness:


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145

If you want to live a long and happylife, forget how old you are.This gets more important the olderyou get.

144

Prescription for Life-long Happiness:

Purpose enough for satisfaction;Work enough for sustenance;Sanity enough to know when to play and rest;Wealth enough for basic needs;Affection enough to like many and love a few;Self-respect enough to love yourself;

Charity enough to give to others in need;Courage enough to face difficulties;Creativity enough to solve problems;Humor enough to laugh at will;Hope enough to expect an interesting tomorrow;Gratitude enough to appreciate what you have;Health enough to enjoy life for all its worth.

There's nothing wrong with


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147

Theres nothing wrong withworking diligently for moneyand the many good things moneycan buy.

However, ensure that in the pursuit

of money, you haven't lost thepriceless elements of happinesswhich money can't buy.

146

Again, clarify what things mattermost to you.Ensure that they aren't sacrificed for thethings that matter least.

Priceless Things Which Money Can't Buy More Priceless Things Which Money Can't Buy


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148

Physical health Longevity

Self-reliance Personal creativity

Quality friends Achievement

Satisfaction Loving family

Respect of others Integrity

Reputation Peace of mind

Good character Sense of humor

Playful attitude Street smarts

149

Patience Gratitude

Compassion Empathy

Mental health Ability to handle money

Warmth Generosity

Humility Greatness

Charm Physical Fitness

Self-esteem Time

Spiritual fulfillment Wisdom

Never lose sight of your true wealth


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150

Never lose sight of your true wealth,the ability to think, creatively andspiritually.

It is better to have a million dollars ofthinking ability than a million dollars.

The million dollars can be lost easily.

Your million dollars of creativity andspirituality is always there whenever youneed it.

151

If you believe thathappiness can be bought,then why don't you tryselling some of yours?

Always keep in mind that happiness


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153

Rule #1: Be happy who you are,where you are, with whatyou have.

Rule #2: When you find yourselfunhappy with what lifebrings your way, go backto Rule #1.

152

Always keep in mind that happinessis a mode of traveling and not thedestination.

Zen masters tell us that we corrupt thebeauty of living by making happiness

the goal.They say happiness is the practice ofliving in the moment;

It's in everything we do.

You will be able to tell when youAlways be true to yourself


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155

You will be able to tell when youhave attained true happiness.Real happiness doesn't cost much.

Unworkable substitutes do.

To be wi thout some of the things you

want i s an indispensable part of

happiness."

Bert rand Russell

154

Always be true to yourself.Do not blindly believe what bringshappiness, even what is said in thisbook.

Find out for yourself what brings joyand contentment to your world.

Your inner voice will tell you what willbring you peace of mind.

Listen to it carefully.


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157

Enjoy today as if it was your lastday because it just may be.With this in mind, don't spend yourtime searching for the happy moment.

You are that moment.

156

Above all, you don't have todo anything difficult tobring happiness into your life at

this time.Just choose it and it's yours.


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Documents

LazyGuide - Ernie J Zelinski -