Flower Therapy

As I worked on organizing some of my photography and uploading them to my Flickr album, I realized that I didn't even know many of the names of flowers that I had taken photos of. So, I did a search for flowers and came across this website with some of the information I needed.

An article caught my eye: Flowers=Happiness. I discovered scientific proof of something I had known all along - that flowers have an immediate impact on a person's happiness. Forget the money - give me a tulip!

And because it is one of my duties in life to spread the happiness around, I share with you some of flowers that have given me much happiness in the past few weeks...

Want to Accomplish More in 2008? Write Down Your Goals

Not too long ago I wrote about writing down your money goals. Have you started writing them down yet?

Well, if you're still not convinced that writing down your goals is important, you might want to read this article, 3 Ways to Accomplish Anything by Writing It Down.

Here are more thoughts about writing down your goal...

Thinking Differently in 2008

In my blog readings today, serendipity led me to discover Chris Bailey's blog, Bailey Workplay, where Chris shares some thoughts about thinking differently.

In 2008, what can you do to think differently about your life? About money? About prosperity and abundance? Is there any "old baggage" that you need to get rid of so that your mind is clear to accept better ideas about how to live better?

And speaking of thinking different, I've started a new blog...Gather the kids around because this is for them ;) Check it out: Lex the Blogging Dog.

Photo Credit: Stig Nygaard

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The Consequences of Being Stuck in a Rut

One day my best friend and her daughters wanted to go to McDonald's for lunch. My friend said that we were going to the McD's that was a little further away from the house.

"Why don't we just go to the McDonald's right here?" I asked.

"The girls like to go to the other one. You know how kids are..." she answered.

So I turned to her eldest and asked, "What's wrong with the McD's here? Why do you like the other one?"

She shrugged her shoulders and answered, "I don't know."

I then went on to explain to her that it was good to try something new everyday because you never know what you'll discover. There might be better things out there you would have never known about if you didn't go out and explore.

Many people get caught in a life rut which is actually detrimental to their mental health. I just read an article where Norman Doidge, author of The Brain That Changes Itself, says that as we get older we stop challenging ourselves, and consequently, our brain starts to slow down.

This is partly the reason why many of us get caught in a money rut or any other type of rut in life. People are not challenging themselves to try something new - like a new job, a new route to work, a new haircut, or even a new business. We're comfortable with what is familiar. Some people would rather live paycheck to paycheck than find a higher paying position doing work they love.

When you're stuck in a rut you become blind to any signs or opportunities that may come your way. You become like those horses with those patches over their eyes and become focused on where you think you have to go instead of seeing anything else going on around you.

So, have you tried anything new lately? Are you challenging yourself today? Well, it's time to live consciously!

Photo Credit: Derrick T

Give the Gift of Success This Holiday Season

One of the websites that I subscribe to is ThinkTQ which is a website full of resources to help you achieve success in life. Every week I get inspirational and motivational quotes in my email box. You can also see ThinkTQ's Lesson in Excellence in the right hand sidebar of this blog.

At my other blog, Fully Stocked, I talked about giving stocks to kids as gifts for Christmas and I think giving them the gift of success is good too!

5 Ways to Live the Good Life in 2008

As I reflect on the past year I think about all the things I've accomplished and I give thanks for all the good things that have come my way. So, as I look ahead to 2008 and make my list of things I want to manifest, my body fills with excitement because I know that these things will happen. No longer do I just write down my goal and just "hope" or "wonder" if it will happen. I know without a doubt that these goals will make it to fruition.

What about you? What would you like to manifest in 2008? What are you going to do to make it the best year yet? Here are five ideas to get your mind thinking:

1. Gain a thirst for knowledge by reading more books. I read somewhere that the average person reads no more than 2-3 books a year! Coming from a die-hard bookworm, I think that is insane! I believe that if people did read more then there would be more of us who are more open to other people's ideas and perspectives.

2. Tap into the creative side of your soul. Take an art class at a local community college or make it a point to visit the museum at least once a month. There are some great museums here in San Diego, but they're nothing compared to the museums I saw during my trip to Chicago this past year.

3. Start an online business! Now more than ever it is so simple to start a business online. If you really want to attain wealth and prosperity, starting an online business is the way to go. Kiss that 9-5 job goodbye and really, really live the good life ;)

4. Slow down. Everyone is in a rush to get nowhere these days. If you want to live the good life, you must slow down and just "smell the roses". Meditate every day. Reflect on your values and what is most important to you. Pay attention to what is going on around you. Too often we pass up opportunities because we're rushing through life.

5. Go on a travel journey. Visit a place you've never been to before. Widen your horizons and meet different people from around the world! When I visited Chicago I had the time of my life. I met people who have so much exciting energy.

One of the best parts of the trip was attending the Taste of Chicago, which was a huge food street fair. (Pictured here is me and Karyn, my best friend since 3rd grade who lives in Chicago. We're standing in front of Buckingham Fountain.)

If traveling more is one of those things on the "To Do" list for 2008, you might be interested in signing up for the Trusted Travel eNewsletter offered by Trusted Tours. If you sign up for the newsletter, you're automatically entered to win an iPod Nano! Sign up by December 31, 2007!

5 Ways to Get the Bills (Blessings) Paid on Time

It's the holiday season and I know some of you are wondering how you're going to buy all those gifts and pay the bills on time. If you've been reading this blog for some time and have been following some of the tips I've offered on how to attract money, you're probably already starting to see an extra flow of cash coming in!

Of course, it's not your job to worry about paying the bills on time! However, it is up to you to ask and just be open for the answers that come your way.

Well, I'm here to help you out with five answers...Be ready to receive!

1. Since it is the end of the year, it's a great time to work on decluttering your home and getting rid of all those unused items. This will definitely open up the pathway to receiving more abundance and blessings, plus you'll make some money in the process. Why not do a year-end garage sale? How about selling some stuff on eBay? If you need help with selling on eBay, let me know because I have experience and would be glad to answer any questions...

2. For every bill you pay, write "Thank you for this blessing!" on the payment receipt. Take out your bills right now, look at them, and say, "Thank you for these blessings!" Instead of moaning and groaning about those bills - which stirs up negative energy - be thankful that you have the electricity, cell phone, or car that makes your life better. Miracles do happen when you have an attitude of gratitude. Try it, you'll be surprised!

3. Get a personal loan from a friend or loved one. Set aside your pride and just ask someone who cares about you. Remember that people are more giving around this time of the year ;)

4. Try out installment loans from ThinkCash if you need money quick. I've done these before, but remember that this is just for a short-term fix!

5. Watch this guided Law of Attraction meditation, The Magic Diamond, that I discovered awhile back. I've watched it every night for a week and that's how I attracted a windfall of money. Always remember that there are tons of videos on YouTube that can help you visualize money and wealth! Watch the video below...


Do you have any tips to share on getting the bills paid on time? What has worked for you?

Have a Question or Suggestion?

I want to thank you, Dear Reader, for helping The Good Life become a success. If it wasn't for you I would still be blogging to myself ;)

I would like to continue to bring content that is important to you, so if you have any suggestions for content - anything you would like to read more about, what you like or don't like about this blog, or any questions you might have - please feel free to email me maria [at] salondemaria.info or leave a comment below...

Here's to 2008 being the year that you continue to live "the good life"!

The Good Life Is...Fine Dining at Bruno Jamais Club

If you know me, you know that I love the experience of fine dining. For me, that is certainly part of living the good life! And now you can get a chance to experience an exquisite dining experience because I've partnered up with Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club in New York City. One reader will win a $50 gift certificate to enjoy delectable cuisine such as Lobster Brulee and Foie Gras or perhaps you could drink one of their $10,000 wine bottles! Talk about abundant living ;)

Bruno Jamais Restaurant received the "Best Interior Design" award by Hospitality Design Magazine. Now, for the first time in the restaurant's four history, Bruno Jamais is open on Sunday nights for dinner, dancing and drinks with a reduced priced menu served from 6pm through 2am. In addition, there is also live entertainment. On a cold winter's night, allow debonair owner Bruno Jamais to make you feel at home and beat the doldrums of winter.

Recently, Bruno enlisted John Keller as the new chef. Keller's formidable experience includes Nobu and Le Bernardin. Together Jamais and Keller created a twist on the menu that lent an Asian influence without losing the integrity of the French cuisine. Signature dishes include the appetizer lobster brulee, the braised short ribs and an irresistible chocolate soufflé. Keller's philosophy is, "simple elegance without overdoing it."

Located in the heart of New York, NY Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club looks elegant and truly sumptuous. Reservations are required. Casual Chic attire is requested. Open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. with Live Music on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The restaurant is also open on Sundays from 6pm-2am featuring Mediterranean night.

All you have to do to win the $50 gift certificate is leave a comment sharing your thoughts on what "The Good Life" means to you. The contest will end on December 31, 2007. Winner will be chosen randomly from a computer-generated system and I will announce the winner on January 1st!

Wealth Quote of the Week

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“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” --Henry David Thoreau

How To Stop Worrying About Money

"I'm broke." Have you ever said this before?

I hear this out of a friend's mouth every time I talk to her. Actually, she used to say this all the time. I told her that she needed to stop saying this because she was going to keep attracting "broke" situations.

I told her to say this affirmation whenever she started to feel apprehensive about money: "God provides for me every day in every way". I recommend this phrase to you too!

If you're wondering what the first step is to attracting more money and wealth into your life, I would recommend starting with a positive affirmation like the one described in the previous sentence. You can write this affirmation down on a postie-note and put it in a place that you see everyday or if you have a voice recorder you can record yourself saying this affirmation and then play it to yourself in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed - or play it all day if you like!

In essence, you will be hypnotizing yourself to success and those money worries will start to fade off!

I found out about this website that has tons of hypnosis downloads including a few that can help you create wealth or be a money magnet. Just pop them into a mp3 player (or CD player) and listen to them as you go about your day!

Related Posts:

• Hypnosis For Self-Improvement
  
• Laughter and Affirmations
• Think Positive and You Will Be Positive
• Affirmations to Manifest All That You Desire
• Money Tip #1: Stop Worrying About Money
  

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Millionaire Secrets From Joe Vitale

Joe Vitale was on The Big Idea sharing his tips on how to attract more money and abundance into your life...

Watch the video below - Enjoy!