1. Mary Ellen P. Riley WHISK TOGETHER.COM Thriving Moms, Happy Families

2.  Recognize setting goals leads to happier people.  Our thoughts and words effect our happiness.  The importance of staying focused on the goal of happiness.  Happy people are smarter and more creative.  Happy people have more stable and happy marriages.  Happy people make more money.  Happy people are healthier and live longer.

7. I'm a Millionaire! -Emeals.com -Molly Maids -Green Envy Lawn Care -Babysitting Swap In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein

8. The Nun Study (Danner et al., 2001) Only positive feelings predicted longevity Age 85:90% of most cheerful quartile alive; 34% of least cheerful quartile alive. Age 94: 54% of most cheerful quartile alive; 11% of least cheerful quartile alive

9.  Suggested goal: 3 – 5 things you can try.

10.  As a goal, try to secretly serve someone each day.  Write an anonymous thank you note to someone you admire.  Pick up trash along a trail or road.  Look for a chance to serve in a group.  Write about your service in your diary.

11.  Many studies demonstrate that people who smile more are better liked.  Practice giving sincere compliments as you smile.  Put a pencil in your teeth and keep your lips from touching it, then watch a “comedy” that isn’t really funny ( e.g., Friends).  It will seem much funnier to you.

12.  Erik Giltay in Holland followed 999 older men and women for ten years  The upper third in optimism had half the heart attacks of the bottom third! Giltay, E.J., Geleijnse, J.M., Aitman, F.G., Hoekstra, T., & Schouten, E.,G. (2004). Dispositional optimism and all- cause and cardiovascular mortality in an elderly cohort of Dutch men and women. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61, 1126-1135. Optimism vs. Pessimism

13.  Optimism in women reduced the risk of breast cancer by 25%  Children exposed to excessive levels of stress before age 12 have 30% higher chance of developing cancer as an adult Peled, R. (2008) Breast Cancer, Psychological Distress and Life Events among Young Women. BMC Cancer (8:245)

14. http://pewresearch.org/pubs/301/are-we-happy-yet

16.  Your hopes and dreams are within your reach.  If you dream it you can do it!  Invest in Good social relationships  Optimism. Self-Confidence.  Wait long enough, and people will surprise you and impress you.