May 2012, one week after finalising the A-Z Challenge and I must admit I am sad, it was so much fun and I do believe that my approach with the ABC  Happiness Guide was a good theme.

The organisers did think of all of us who did manage to reach the Z and issued this badge, pretty cool right?

And since this is a reflection some of the things I thought might be interesting:

Top 3 posts

K - Kiss Passionately, Keep Looking Forward 

L - Laugh, Love, Learn to Let go

X - Xerox your Smiling Face 

Top 3 comments per post

L - Laugh, Love, Learn to Let go

E - Exercise daily, Eat fresh foods 

T - Take power naps, Talk wisely 

My favourite 3 posts, strangely enough the ABC ones

A - Accept your reality 

B - Be present, Be bold 

C - Create something exciting 

April 2012 was the best month ever in the life span of my blog with 4.357 hits plus 32 new followers, wow! I am so humbled by your presence, comments, support and constant care, THANK YOU!

And to end my ABC Happiness Guide in one overview

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and enjoy life and have a cup of tea or coffee together with a nice piece of cake, it helps!

Challenge at the end, I cannot believe this! I had fun and you?

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Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.
Therefore the wise embrace the one
And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.
Therefore the ancients say,”Yield and overcome.”
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,
And all things will come to you.
By Lao Tsu

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Some time ago I shared with you some of my sunset shots made in our last year holiday in Lanzarote, and I see no harm in remembering the wonderful time we had!

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Let me not mar that perfect Dream
by Emily Dickinson

Let me not mar that perfect Dream
By an Auroral stain
But so adjust my daily Night
That it will come again.

Not when we know,
the Power accosts --
The Garment of Surprise
Was all our timid Mother wore At Home
-- in Paradise.

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And to have the adequate music to go, let's rock!

 

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Studies show that 20 minutes of sleep in the afternoon provides more rest than 20 minutes more sleep in the morning (though the last two hours of morning sleep have special benefits of their own). The body seems to be designed for this, as most people’s bodies naturally become more tired in the afternoon, about 8 hours after we wake up.

 Many experts advise to keep the nap between 15 and 30 minutes, as sleeping longer gets you into deeper stages of sleep, from which it’s more difficult to awaken. Also, longer naps can make it more difficult to fall asleep at night, especially if your sleep deficit is relatively small.

 As there are pros and cons to each length of sleep, you may want to let your schedule decide: if you only have 15 minutes to spare, take them! If you only have 5 minutes to spare, just close your eyes; even a brief rest has the benefit of reducing stress and helping you relax a little, which can give you more energy to complete the tasks of your day.

 Some tips for more effective napping and sleep at night:
 - Avoid caffeine after 3pm.
- If you don’t want to nap a long time, set an alarm.
- If you don’t have time for a power nap, or don’t feel comfortable napping during the day, try meditation; it gives your body a rest and produces slower brain waves similar to sleep.

Got you sleepy already? :) For more try here

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Some pictures I found on Pinterest, simply enjoy them and maybe at the end you will smile :)

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 This must be paradise for me, read a lovely book, enjoy the music, relax in my favourite armchair and simply let your mind wonder.

   

 Come and join me, now I am in the mood of a good book, any ideas?

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And now it is time for my challenge, this is it! Can you be still? I know I cannot at all times, I am so often restless, always feeling like a yo-yo, always moving. But try, even for a minute :)

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I do not play an instrument but from time to time I like to paint, actually draw, I love to do things in creyon. Sometime ago I went to a painting class in Bad Homburg and had lots of fun. Below some of my works from then!

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She is Naila, Peter's dog which is now our dog. She is my beautiful little darling and I truly feel blessed in having her in my life. I am grateful that she exists and that she loves me unconditionally.

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No comments needed

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Once upon a time my goal was to have some yoga lessons and try to see if it fits me. Sadly, I have to recognise that I was not able to fullfill lesson E, exercise daily and I gave up yoga even if it did make me feel better, I was able to focus and relax (sounds strange but it does make sense!).

Maybe by writing this post I will regain the motivation and the drive to restart my lessons, what do you think?

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Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.
-- Oprah Winfrey

By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.
-- Lao Tzu

Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go.
-- Oprah Winfrey

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
-- Lao Tzu

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No need to explain do I?

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You know how the world wide web is? Almost infinite and from time to time you can simply get lost around its pages.

And look what I found here

Your life isn’t a great big failure if you’ve teeny areas of comfort: yes, to grow you sometimes have to do that which scares senseless, but some comfort zones you’ll need, as you prepare and launch for the big stretch.
You don’t need to make one big leap all at once out an imaginary zone. Push yourself everyday.
They don’t really exist, it’s all in your head. True.
Breathe, and give yourself permission to take it at your speed, get into the flow baby!
You always can stretch further than you may think, try it every now and then.
Know why you are stuck in a zone, change or reframe that first.
Minimise personal risk.



True? For sure! Curious what I will find by chance next time I'll just go searching around and being a busy body :)

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Your passion is in you somewhere. Remember it or find it. Then turn your passion into action. Find the road that leads to success with your passion. You can do it! When you combine passion with skill and contribution, success is not far behind. Find and ignite your passion today!

What I would suggest is a list based on some simple questions:

What makes you giddy with excitement?

What breaks your heart?

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

What makes you feel like you’ve contributed?

Somehow I know that if you truly answer at least one question, you will be amazed of the answer! Try :) 

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Today is your free hug day, I would like to thank all of my followers and readers for their constant support and enthusiasm!

This post is dedicated to you, yes, you reading this now. Thank you!

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