Another “outrageously generous” story…

Mornin’ mornin’!! Remember my “outrageously generous” friend, Steve? Well he just sent me another cool story I wanted to share with you guys… “After our family church zoom call I got to thinking about how Mary and Joseph probably felt not being able to find shelter. So I called up a few extended stay motels Read more about Another “outrageously generous” story…[…]

The Bright Sides

I am tired and exhausted. (but maybe that’s a good thing… it means I’m working hard, playing hard and living life to the fullest ๐Ÿ’ช) I feel anxious about traveling tomorrow. (I guess that’s a good thing too… It means I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and seeing to new places โœˆ๏ธ) I have Read more about The Bright Sides[…]

How heavy is a glass of water? ๐Ÿฅ›

One day, a professor holds up a glass of water in front of the class. He asks everyone, “how heavy is this glass of water?” A few students throw out guesses “8oz, 12oz, etc”… The professor continues… “The absolute weight of the glass doesn’t matter, it depends on how long I hold onto it. If Read more about How heavy is a glass of water? ๐Ÿฅ›[…]

Time to unplugโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ”Œ

I love this quote… Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including YOU.โ€ โ€“ Anne Lamott   Iโ€™m not sure who Anne Lamott is, but Iโ€™m following her advice regardless ๐Ÿ™‚ To do this weekend: Unplug. Disconnect. REST. Go offline… Everything will work again when you reboot next week. Read more about Time to unplugโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ”Œ[…]

Book Recommendations: For You, From You!

Happy Friday yโ€™all! I received about a billion book recommendations yesterday! And after a lot of cutting and pasting and linking, here they all are in one big list! (Itโ€™s more like ~50, not a billion ๐Ÿ˜Š) These links are all Amazon links, but if you are interested in reading any books I definitely recommend Read more about Book Recommendations: For You, From You![…]

Your focus ๐Ÿ” determines your reality

The secret to being happy?โ€ฆ โ€”-> Focus on what you love about your life. The secret to being miserable?โ€ฆ โ€”-> Focus on what you hate about your life. Today: Focus on the good stuff! (Then, go and create more of it ๐Ÿ˜‰) Make it a good one, Love, Joel Sent from Reykjavik, Iceland ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ. Thanks Read more about Your focus ๐Ÿ” determines your reality[…]

A frugal and effective happiness trickโ€ฆ

Morninโ€™ happy people! Today Iโ€™m sharing a snippet from a post over at The Frugal Girl. (h/t to J.Money for sharing with me!) ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿ‘‡ “Another tip thatโ€™s both frugal and effective in boosting happiness: a decade ago I started a project where I took two empty jars, and put โ€œgood momentsโ€ in one jar, and Read more about A frugal and effective happiness trickโ€ฆ[…]

Today = a worldwide celebration of generosity ๐Ÿ‘

Happy #GivingTuesday!! Now that Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Turkey Thursday and Sexytime Sunday are all over ๐Ÿ˜‰… it’s time to get back to what the holiday season is *truly* all about!… GIVING and HELPING others! “#GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to come together through generosity in all its forms by sharing Read more about Today = a worldwide celebration of generosity ๐Ÿ‘[…]

Proud to be an “imposter”.

Imposter syndrome… It happens everywhere, at every level of life. Trying something new?โ€ฆ Imposter syndrome. Leveling up or getting a promotion?โ€ฆ Imposter syndrome. Networking, making new friends, visiting new placeโ€™s?โ€ฆ Imposter syndrome. Everyone feels it. So…. Instead of feeling weird, running from it, or letting it hold me back, from this day forward, Iโ€™m going Read more about Proud to be an “imposter”.[…]

Happiness is a direction, not a place.

Most people wander around life, trying to find “happiness”. They think it’s a thing, a place, a person, a promotion… they travel far and wide to find it. But the truth is, happiness is already inside them. It’s a direction, not a place. To unlock happiness you just gotta be present, and pay attention to Read more about Happiness is a direction, not a place.[…]

Happy Spanksgiving! ๐Ÿ

Woohoo! Happy Thanksgiving everybody! This is my 13th year celebrating Thanksgiving in the USA. Growing up in Australia, we didn’t have Thanksgiving and there’s actually no holiday like it down there. When I moved to the US, it quickly became my favorite holiday! Everyone sitting around, family and friends, sharing delicious food, giving thanks for Read more about Happy Spanksgiving! ๐Ÿ[…]

Proof that more money doesn’t equal more daily happiness

I got some kind of big news last week… We had one of our rental properties appraised, and it’s risen in value by a whopping $46,000 since this time last year! Holy moly!!! I’m $46k richer!! Now, let me explain all the ways this will affect my daily life and happiness… Do you know how Read more about Proof that more money doesn’t equal more daily happiness[…]

What if…?

What if Iฬถ ฬถfฬถaฬถiฬถlฬถ I succeed? What if Iฬถ ฬถlฬถoฬถsฬถeฬถ I win? What if Iฬถ ฬถsฬถuฬถcฬถkฬถ I crush it? What if people dฬถoฬถnฬถ’ฬถtฬถ ฬถlฬถiฬถkฬถeฬถ love me? What if I’m tฬถoฬถoฬถ ฬถlฬถaฬถtฬถeฬถ perfectly on time? Today: Make sure your “what ifs” have the right ending. CONFIDENCE! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‘Š You got this! – Joel Absolute killer sunset last Read more about What if…?[…]

Set a date –> Make a change

This is one of my favorite stories… A buddy of mine, Kevin, was a successful lawyer years ago. Although his career was going well, he was miserable and stressed at his job. So, one day he set a calendar appointment exactly 1 year into the future labelled “Quit my job”. Throughout that year he experimented, Read more about Set a date –> Make a change[…]

Happiness is pretty simple

Happy Friday, beautiful souls! Just a quick reminder for todayโ€ฆ Happiness is not about having everything you want in life. Itโ€™s about wanting everything you already have. ๐Ÿก ๐Ÿ” ๐Ÿš— ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ โค๏ธ โ˜€๏ธ = ๐Ÿ˜€ Wishing you a great day out there, appreciating your awesome stuff in life. Cheers! – Joel **Update: A reader sent Read more about Happiness is pretty simple[…]

Ask Me Anything – Round 3 (Blogging and Writing Stuff)

Good morning! Here are the questions I got about writing and blogging, along with answers. For anyone out there that still has questions or wants to dig a lil deeper into something, Iโ€™m always open to chat and help wherever I can. Hit me up! ****** From Drew M: ย ย Iโ€™d love to know if you Read more about Ask Me Anything – Round 3 (Blogging and Writing Stuff)[…]

Friday celebration routine ๐Ÿฅณ

Happy Friday lovely people! What a great day to celebrate some of the fun things going on in our lives. What’s new with you? Here’s a few cool things going on in my world I’m celebrating… – this week we received an offer on one of our rental properties. And although it was the lowest Read more about Friday celebration routine ๐Ÿฅณ[…]

I wrote 1/30th of a book!

I usually don’t use this email list for self-promotion… but today I’m making an exception! I’m just really excited because I contributed to a fun new money book that is being released later this month… Wooohoo ๐Ÿฅณ It’s called: Money Mastermind About 30 money experts came together to write a book (I contributed 1 chapter Read more about I wrote 1/30th of a book![…]

A different perspective ๐Ÿšฒ

Last week I got my wife’s bike serviced… and while I was there, the shop attendants weren’t very nice to me… I know nothing about bikes, so they joked/laughed in Spanish under their breath, overcharged me (is $110 too much to pay for a bike service? ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ), and on top of all that they didn’t Read more about A different perspective ๐Ÿšฒ[…]

Mondays can be tough, BUT…

Mondays can be tough. Butโ€ฆ. – you get to set your pace ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™‚๏ธ – you choose the music ๐ŸŽต – you control your agenda ๐Ÿ“ – you own your attitude ๐Ÿง  – youโ€™re the boss of your work ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ป – all your problems are figeroutable โœ… – your friends and family have your back ๐Ÿ’ช Read more about Mondays can be tough, BUT…[…]

Reminder: 100 days until Valentines Day 2022

Happy Friday, beautiful souls! This is your annual reminder that starting tomorrow (Saturday Nov 6th) it’ll be exactly 100 days until Valentine’s Day 2022! So if you want to try making the most romantic (and FREE) Valentine’s Day gift of 100 love letters, tomorrow is the day to start. About ~15 people did it last Read more about Reminder: 100 days until Valentines Day 2022[…]

A thin veil between this world –> and the next.

Happy Sunday! And happy Halloween! ๐Ÿ’€ Today begins Dรญa de los Muertos, a beautiful celebration of life and death. When you’re out tonight trick-or-treating and going to parties, take a quick moment to remember your lost loved ones. One day someone will be remembering you the way you are remembering them.   โ€œThere is no Read more about A thin veil between this world –> and the next.[…]

Ramming speed!

Today, I’m activating “Ramming Speed!” I’ll be attacking my to-do list head on, bashing through obstacles and challenges. Problem at work? Ramming speed! Angry client? Ramming speed! Bad traffic on the freeway? Ramming speed! (on second thoughts, maybe no ramming while driving is better) Wishing you all a STRONG day ahead. You are an unstoppable Read more about Ramming speed![…]

Tuesday Chooseday

What a lovely morning! Happy choo-choo chooseday! Today I’m choosing: โŒ Focus on pain โœ… Focus on gain! โŒ Complain about problems โœ… Celebrate my opportunities! โŒ Let the day happen โœ… MAKE my day happen! โŒ Listen to classical music โœ… It’s ROCK and ROLL time, baby! Wish you all a great day of Read more about Tuesday Chooseday[…]

How do you cheer yourself up?

A few weeks back I asked you guys “How do you cheer yourself up, snap out of a bad mood, and switch from negative to positive thinking?”… 7 brave soles responded, and here are the replies below! (and right at the very bottom, I’m adding a link to my personal massive list I’ve been building Read more about How do you cheer yourself up?[…]

Friday Celebrations ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ™Œ

3 things Iโ€™m celebrating this week: First off, my wife finished her first grad school class and got a score of… 100%!!! Yep, she’s awesome like that. ๐Ÿ† One of our real estate partnerships paid a huge dividend this month! Thank you bonkers real estate market! ๐Ÿค‘ Lastly, I found a new jacket. It was Read more about Friday Celebrations ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ™Œ[…]

Please excuse the bad language ๐Ÿคญ

unfuckwithable unยทfuckยทwithยทaยทble (adjective) When you are truly at peace and in touch with yourself, and nothing anyone says or does bothers you, and no negativity or drama can touch you. “Today, I’m feeling great and nobody will deter me from accomplishing my goals. I’m unfuckwithable.” ***** Sorry for the bad language!… But what a powerful Read more about Please excuse the bad language ๐Ÿคญ[…]

Coffee and Confidence

– Coffee โœ… – Confidence โœ… Thatโ€™s all you need to start attacking the day. Coffee in one hand, and confidence in the other (or inside you somewhere). Cheers to a kick ass day ahead! Joel ๐Ÿ’ช I brew my own coffee each morning, but most people don’t realize I brew my own confidence also.

Be someone’s rainbow this weekend ๐ŸŒฉ๐ŸŒˆ

Good morning and happy Saturday!! How ya’ll feeling out there? I read a really cool quote the other day — “be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud” Got me thinking… We all have the awesome ability to make a difference in someone else’s life. Most rainbows pop up unexpectedly, and instantly cheer people up. And Read more about Be someone’s rainbow this weekend ๐ŸŒฉ๐ŸŒˆ[…]

Sunday Contentment

conยทtent (noun) in a state of peaceful happiness. โ€œshe practiced gratitude and was content with lifeโ€ ***** Happy Sunday my friends! Today, we strive for contentment. And the two quickest ways to feel content are to a) count your blessings (big, small, and anything in between) and b) do good deeds for others (even if Read more about Sunday Contentment[…]

Fill up that cup โšก๏ธ๐Ÿ”‹

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s simple mechanics… If you’re giving out more energy than you are bringing in, you’ll be fully depleted. This weekend: get enough sleep โœ… limit cell phone time โœ… listen to music โœ… spend time outside โœ… breathe deeply โœ… appreciate & count your blessings โœ… be romantic Read more about Fill up that cup โšก๏ธ๐Ÿ”‹[…]

National โ€œDo Something Niceโ€ Day ๐Ÿ˜‡

Woohoo! It’s National Do Something Nice Day! Here are 3 things you can do that takes less than 5 minutes, and will absolutely make someoneโ€™s dayโ€ฆ Think of the last small business you bought from or ate at โ€”-> and leave them a nice Yelp review. Positive feedback means the world to small bus owners. Read more about National โ€œDo Something Niceโ€ Day ๐Ÿ˜‡[…]

Ways to cheer yourself up

101 Ways to Cheer Yourself Up and Be Happy!

Hereโ€™s a list of 101 ways to cheer yourself up! Some of them are a little weird, but bear with me — there are some really fun ones in hereโ€ฆ Try them out and let me know what you think! And remember, we all have tough days and go through weird moods. Itโ€™s natural. But Read more about 101 Ways to Cheer Yourself Up and Be Happy![…]

Spending my Sunday minutes…

There are 1,440 minutes inside today. About 480 of those will be spent sleeping… So that leaves us about 960 minutes to do all our other stuff. Today, I’m gonna spend my 960 minutes: – Reading and relaxing โœ… – Cooking delicious meals with my wife and friends โœ… – Laughing and joking around โœ… Read more about Spending my Sunday minutes…[…]

It’s Friday! Lettuce celebrate ๐Ÿฅฌ

Happy Friday, and happy 1st of the month! My wife and I like to celebrate every 1st of the month… It’s a tradition we started many years ago to cheers our wins, acknowledge our blessings, and share celebrations with others. Here’s a few cool things going on in our world last month: My rockstar wife Read more about It’s Friday! Lettuce celebrate ๐Ÿฅฌ[…]

Let your tiny little thoughts grow… ๐ŸŒฑ

I don’t feel very creative this morning. Some days I wake up and have zero motivation. But here’s the thing… If I force myself to just think of 1 teeny tiny little positive thing, it kicks off a snowball of positivity that gets me out of my funk. For example:ย  Right now I’m looking around Read more about Let your tiny little thoughts grow… ๐ŸŒฑ[…]

Put your brain on Airplane Mode โœˆ๏ธ

Happy Sunday everyone! What a beautiful morning! Today, I’m living life in airplane mode… Not just on my cell phone, but airplane mode for my mind! This means… muting excess noise and drama entering my life rebuilding boundaries focusing on family/friends and what’s truly important, without distractions silencing work problems that can be solved tomorrow Read more about Put your brain on Airplane Mode โœˆ๏ธ[…]

Mix up your ingredients ๐Ÿ‘

โ€You carry all the ingredients to turn your experience into joy. Mix them.โ€ – Hafiz ***** Good morning happy people! It’s true… You carry all the stuff necessary… Inside your brain are positive thoughts, inside your heart is happiness, inside your muscles is energy, etc. Now you just gotta mix up all the ingredients and Read more about Mix up your ingredients ๐Ÿ‘[…]

Marriage Advice Quotes – From 27 Real Couples…

Good morning everyone! LOVE is in the air. ๐Ÿ’• Here are the results from the marriage advice survey this week. 27 couples ranging from 6 years all the way up to 50 years happily married. Thank you to everyone who participated. Here we go!โ€ฆ ***** Marriage Advice Quotes: โ€œFriendship, Communication & Honestyโ€ – Yvonne & Read more about Marriage Advice Quotes – From 27 Real Couples…[…]

Just because Iโ€™m wandering, it doesnโ€™t mean that Iโ€™m lost

Sometimes Iโ€™ll ask my wife what our plans are for the weekend and sheโ€™ll sayโ€ฆ โ€Weโ€™re on the no-plan planโ€ It means we have no set commitments and can do whatever we want. I love weekends like this. We can be spontaneous, follow curiosities and do whatever we want in the moment. Also reminds me Read more about Just because Iโ€™m wandering, it doesnโ€™t mean that Iโ€™m lost[…]

There are always bright sides…

Yesterday, our hot water heater broke. It sucks because we only got it last year and they’re charging us to come out and fix it, even though it’s under warranty. In the meantime, we have cold showers… ๐Ÿฅถ BUT, here is why I’m in a good mood and feeling extremely lucky: Anytime something breaks in Read more about There are always bright sides…[…]