How to Live a Long and Happy Life – Secrets from a 105 Year Old Woman

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We all want to know how to live a long and happy life. I am always fascinated when I see someone in their 90s or 100s who seem so vibrant and has learned the secrets of how to live a long and happy life. THAT gets my attention. WHAT is their secret? While watching The Ellen Show today, 105 year old Edythe Kirchmaier tells all. Just that morning she was getting her driver’s license renewed. She was completely vibrant. May she celebrate many more wonderful birthdays. She is a hero to all of us showing what we can have. Her secrets to a long and happy life are simple.

How to Live a Long and Happy Life – Secrets from a 105 Year Old Woman

  • Be happy.
  • Think positive.
  • Don’t worry. If you can’t do anything about it, don’t let it bother you.

Thank you, Edythe Kirchmaier, for sharing your secrets with us. You are a true inspiration. I also would like to add one more thing about Edythe Kirchmaier and that is that she is a giver. She has volunteered for years with Direct Relief.

I know some of us may read that list and think, “Oh, if it were only that simple.” Sometimes it sure seems that some people are born with the happy gene while others of us are born with the worry gene. Some of it may be learned behaviors. Some of it may be the fact that we never learned healthy attitudes. So for those of us who may struggle with these attitudes, let’s list some simple steps that we can take each day to help us more easily adopt this new attitudes.

Be a Leading Lady Action Steps for a Long and Happy Life

  • Laugh more.
  • Watch funny movies and shows.
  • Read funny books.
  • Spend time with people who are funny and full of joy.
  • Say no to negative thoughts. Become conscious of them. Stop them. And replace them with a positive thought.
  • Realize that worrying never added a single day to anyone’s life. If you cannot do anything about it, you must let it go. When it comes to mind. Stop, drop, and replace. Do not let what is worrying you become your focus. Not only will it not add years to your life, but can take years from your life.

The more we take these simple action steps, the happier we will be, and the easier it will be. Start where you are do something every day that makes you happier. Write a few simple things down on a yellow sticky and keep it where you will see it daily, or even better several times a day or all day. It is easy to fall into old habits if we do not do something to remind ourselves of the new behavior or new attitude that we want to embrace. Make happiness your new habit.

How to Live a Long and Happy Life

What are your secrets to living a long and happy life? Is there anything you would add to her list?

I Love Pope Francis I And I Am Not Even Catholic

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I must admit that I did not get it all at first. Every time a television show was interrupted to watch for smoke I did not get it and was a little annoyed. But that quickly changed as began to let my annoyance fade to curiosity and from curiosity to love.

As I sat watching, I began to realize the importance of what was about to happen to all of the people there waiting and watching, not to mention the people that were probably watching from their homes. This was a monumental moment for Catholics. It is the person that they would be looking to for guidance and direction, a person they revere.

As the smoke billowed out and the bells rang, the people cheered.

It took about two minutes to fall in love with the humbleness and sincerity of this man. I have never seen or felt such warmth and sincerity from a Pope. He immediately won the hearts of Catholics and even many non-Catholics.

Because he felt real. He felt like one of us. And he find kind and sincere. What wonderful qualities for a Pope to have, or for any leader or person to have. He spoke to the hearts of the people.

As a woman on the journey to find and grow the leading lady in myself, I am always watching the people and leaders that move me. There is something to learn from everyone, and I cannot wait to see and hear more from Pope Francis I. He is going to be one to watch. I hope that he is all that he seems to be and that he does good things.

And for now, I leave you with this…
live-from-your-heart
Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people’s souls. -Melody Beattie

What was your initial reaction to Pope Francis I?

The “I’m Rockin’ It” Giveaway

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Prize: “I’m Rockin’ It” Creative Retouch for one image of yours!

Every woman should have a picture that she loves of herself, a picture that makes her go, “Wow! That’s ME!” Find or take that picture today. -Topaz

And I want to help one lucky winner have that image!

Most of the pictures that we have of ourselves are snapshots, and that is great that we have those, but they are usually far off from the look of a professional image. That is where the “I’m Rockin’ It!” Giveaway comes in. I will use some of the same editing tools and secrets that professional photographers use to give your snapshot some professional pizzazz.

Digital snapshots have what we call a digital haze to them making them very flat, and often with a very cool tint to them. The  lighting is also sometimes not flattering, and these photo issues are not necessarily a true to life reflection of who we are. I will professionally edit your snapshot for you with the same tools that I would use for a client…even a light airbrushing for that professional portrait look!

Here are some examples of an image straight out of the camera and the professionally retouched version:

file891251766196-web-0before file891251766196-webafter
file2661251775881-web-0before file2661251775881-web-2after
file181249263916-web-0before file181249263916-web2after

So get that snapshot ready that you love but would love to see it professionally processed with a little extra pop and enter this month’s contest!

Photo Guidelines for the Winner:

  • Must be an image of which you own the rights.
  • Must not be a professionally taken image.
  • Must be only you in the image, no one else.
  • An image that is of reasonable beginning quality is best. My recommendations would be no low light and no flash images. A natural, indirect light is the best lighting for a portrait, places like a porch, entryway, car, or open shade.
  • The winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 72 hours. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, another winner will be chosen.

How to enter: 

  1. Subscribe to the Be a Leading Lady E-mail List. All subscriptions must be confirmed by responding to the e-mail that you receive after you subscribe. (required to enter)
  2. After you subscribe and confirm your subscription, additional entries may be made by EACH comment that you make on articles between 3/4/13 – 3/28/13. (optional for additional chances to win)
  3. Spread the word to all of your friends, post on your pages and blogs and encourage them to subscribe! For every 100 new subscribers, I will be choosing an additional winner for an “I’m Rockin’ It” Creative Retouch! So tell your friends, the more entries, the more chances to win!

 


 

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years Giveaway – Winner Announced

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A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life by Donald Miller

Thank you so much to all who commented and entered! It is so wonderful getting to know you!

I used a random number generator to select the winner, and our winner is…

Fay

Congratulations, Fay! Check your e-mail! I can’t wait to hear how you love this book! It has completely changed the way I think about my life, and it’s been about three years since I read it.  

Contest sponsored by:

Be a Leading Lady

The Compliment Guys – Super Heroes Show Acts of Kindness

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The Compliment Guys – Super Heroes Show Acts of Kindness

If you only watch one video this year, this one should be it!

I talk about acts of kindness a lot, sometimes as a reminder to myself and sometimes to remind others. It is good for everyone, both the giver and the receiver. I love what The Compliment Guys are doing! They are indeed super heroes!

I have often thought how cool it would be to have all of my Christmas shopping and prep work done early and be able to go out during this stressful time and do acts of kindness for all of the tired and stressed shoppers. I have yet to have that year. I am usually one of the tired shoppers with way more to do than I have time to do. But even though I may not be up for a whole day out of spreading cheer, there is always the opportunity to do small acts of kindness. Even I smile and a hello can make someone’s day a little brighter. Or to let someone go in front of you, or hold a door, or any other small gesture of kindness. And we are all a little better for having been part of that moment, both the giver and the receiver.

acts-of-kindness

Thank you to The Compliment Guys and for all that you are doing! I can only imagine the ripple effect from your acts of kindness!

Let’s all remember to put on that super cape from time to time…

I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world. -Curly Girl Design

Share your ideas for acts of kindness.