Two Busy Days

This past Wednesday I packed up my stuff and went to NYC to attend the Book Expo America at the cavernous Javits Center. The show seemed a bit smaller than years past but huge nonetheless. I brought copies of my five-book proposal and visited many publishing houses looking for a book deal. The big houses won't even look at you unless you have an agent (I don't have one yet) and the smaller ones are all very cordial, but still tough to crack.
I learn something every time I go to the Expo (this is my third event). I will submit my proposal to several companies who expressed some interest, but I am going ahead with my plan regardless of their acceptance or rejection of my work. My plan is to write and publish a "Simple Happiness" series of books.
The next day, Thursday, I had taken a booth at the Hauppauge Industrial Association Annual Trade Show, the largest trade show on Long Island. Still pretty exhausted from my treck in and out of NYC. I arrived early and got set up for a day of meeting and greeting hundreds of trade show attendees.
This was a very different experience from the day before. At the Book Expo I saw only two people whom I knew all day long. Here on my home turf the faces were much more familiar. My materials and message were enthousiastically met by practically everyone who stopped to chat. Books and CD's were sold, hundreds signed up to receive my weekly emails, video testimonials of my book and "Aha Moments" were recorded. Many prospects for speaking opportunities presented themselves and asked to get more information.
It's a thrill to be recognized as one who is making a difference in the lives of others. A number of folks stopped and commented on my "Aha Moment" of the day before which focused on Kindness. The atmosphere around the booth was energetic and very upbeat. People really do want to be a little happier. I am so blessed to be in a position to offer practical steps and inspiration to some who are seeking.
Thanks to all for lifting my spirits and showing me that I am on the right path.

Do What YOU Love

What makes you happy?

What do you love to do?

Find out what it is…then arrange your life so you can do more of it.

Jim Ryan

P.S. If you're on Long Island or the NYC area, check out my upcoming workshop "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" on April 25, 2009.

Aha Moment #5 Daily Awareness

It is in the daily awareness of making small positive steps that strong permanent changes occur. Your conscious progress toward happiness becomes a daily focus in your life.

Aha Moment #4 A Thought Is Just a Thought

A thought is just a thought. Your thoughts are not your life. You fashion your life by the thoughts you choose. Simple happiness comes when you reach for thoughts that empower you, and let go of those that do not.

Aha Moment #3 Mindfulness and Observation Are Key

Your job, if you want simple happiness, is to notice when you are hanging onto disempowering thoughts. When you observe yourself feeling sad, hurt, or depressed, you can usually trace that feeling back to how you are thinking about things. Observing yourself is the first step; choosing a better feeling thought is the next step.

Happy or Unhappy

The other day while prospecting for speaking opportunities at middle schools and high schools, my assistant came across the website of an upstate New York school district. On the home page was a section called Daily Announcements. I found the message quite appropriate, since my talks focus on how to live a happier and more fulfilling life. It said:
The main difference between happy and unhappy people is that happy people mostly evaluate their own behavior and constantly attempt to improve what they do.
Unhappy people, on the other hand, mostly evaluate the behavior of others and spend their time criticizing, complaining and judging in an attempt to coerce them into "improving " what they do.