Happy Happy Joy Joy

If you want 2 be happy, then Let it go

If you want to be happy, then let it go!  I am talking about things that have pulled you under, hurt like the dickens, and weighed you down.  Yes, I am talking about those things people have said  or done to hurt you.  LET IT GO!  I'm also talking about offences they have done to your children, pain they have inflicted because they are just mean... I say, "Let it go!"  I am talking about the things that keep you up at night, the things that keep you addicted to numb the pain, and all other things you can think of.  Just let it go!

Yesterday, I spent my birthday crying over something someone had said, who severely misjudged me.  I was innocent of all the allegations they were making against me, but they had determined otherwise, and set out to defame, spew guile, and to just plain hurt me.  I thought we were friends, which was another hurt that beset me, because obviously this person did not like me, one little bit.  I cried until my eyes were red and swollen.  I could barely breathe, I was so stuffed up from crying.  I was a sad mess, and to make it even worse, all this happened on my birthday.

That afternoon, I logged on to Facebook and read from a friends page, that had posted the best possible quote, that helped lift my spirits, and help me to realize just how unimportant this hurtful situation was in my life.  This is what the quote said:

"So many of us make a great fuss over matters of small consequence.  We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another, and go on his way."  This quote was written by Gordon B. Hinckley, in a talk he gave called, "Slow to Anger."  I read this talk and it helped me so much, that I wanted to include the link to help others.  Here is is: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/slow-to-anger?lang=eng

Isn't it amazing how something so small as a short quote can completely straighten out what you have been worrying over, and shedding far too many tears about?  I have to say that it took a lot of what someone else did to offend me, but I made the choice to let it trouble me as it did.  After reading this message the thought came into my mind, which is another famous quote, as of the past few years, and something that my little grand daugher sings all the time, and this is...."LET IT GO!"

I understand the atonement of Jesus Christ, and know that we don't have to suffer like we all do, because we can give away to Christ, our pains, and sorrows, afflictions, and torments.  He has already suffered them for us and we just have to Let it go and He will make up the rest.  It is true.  After I let it go, I cannot tell you how much peace I felt.  My burden was lifted and I was able to look around and see the things of life that truly matter, and make me happy.

I hope this short story will help you to understand that if you want to be happy, then let it go!

https://youtu.be/MD5bFCDfySc

P.S.  I found the greatest talk that helps all of us to understand the full extent of the Atonement Jesus Christ made for us.  It is a talk written by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and it is called "Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ."  I encourage everyone, everywhere to read this, and be able to fully understand what His Atonement can do for you to be happy again.

If you want to be happy, then spend time with your family

It is a proven fact, if you really want to be happy, then take time, and spend it with your family.  It is a simple truth.  Building those relationships within the bonds of your family can make it or break family relationships and bonds. So I would like to suggest 10 things you can do to with your family, that builds unity, love and respect.

1.  Have dinner together, around the table.

2.  Have a chat!

3.  Have family council.

4.  Read together.

5.  Hug each other, every single day!

6.   Forgive each other daily, then forget about 

      what you forgave.

7.   Take time to listen, without interrupting.

8.   Laugh and cry together. 

9.   Be thankful and use your words of gratitude.

10.  Be kind. 

I could go on and share more of my thoughts, but the next step would be for you to think about why each of these ten things were listed.  What difference would they make in a family? What needs do they fulfill in each family member?  Then think about taking away each of these things, and how would it affect your family relationships?

If you want to be happy, then spend time with your family, building the relationships that will endure the test of time, trials, hurts, heartaches, pain and grief.  Build character in your children by teaching them values through your own example as parents.  Love, love, love your children, they simply grow up way too fast, and when their grown, they'll come back with their own little kiddies, to love you and do all those things you did for them.  One big happy family.... and it's never too late to start.

Hokey Pokey Addiction

If anyone knows me, they know that I love the Hokey Pokey, so when I found this fabulous quote, I knew I needed to add it to my happy blog.  If you don't already know, the Hokey Pokey was a song and dance that just made you happy doing it.  It goes like this...

"You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out,
You put your right foot in and you shake it all about...
You do the hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around,
Thats what it's all about!"

The song doesn't end there, and in fact it goes on with more verses shaking your body and turning yourself around, and jumping in and jumping out.  Oh I have great memories doing the Hokey Pokey at  some Family Christmas Parties when I was a little girl.  I don't remember very much about those parties, but I do remember doing the Hokey Pokey.  I also remember that my Grandmother use to ask, after the dance ended, "Does anyone want to do it again?"  All the grand kids would cheer and yell, "YES!"  I don't remember how many times we did this dance over and over, but I remember it snowing outside, but because we were shaking it inside, I was sweating.  I remember my Uncle Leo, really getting into this dance, and the smile on my own Grandpa's face, as he watched everyone buy him doing the dance.

If you want to be happy, during the holiday season, I would highly recommend you download a copy of the Hokey Pokey, and dance with your kids.  Everyone will love it and you will be doing one of the greatest things to make yourself and other happy, and that is spending fun time with family, and making a memory that will last for a lifetime.

So if you have not figured out yet the links to the Hokey Pokey, here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_P9PU5FcMQ

Thanksgiving invitation template (Free!)

I am posting this freebie printable invitation on several of my blogs, so more of you can find it and be able to use it for your Thanksgiving dinner invitation.  Feel free to use it and enjoy. If you go to my other blog at here, you should be able to find my other invitation that I created a few years back that was so popular.  I really have no idea just how many people use what I create and give away but it would be a nice little experiment if you would just post a tiny and short message as how you are going to use it and what your thoughts are about Thanksgiving. I found this adorable Turkey here:

 I have a second little freebie/gift that I wanted to share too.  It is a door hanger, that has a wonderful message on it.  Read the message and then spend some time pondering how it impacts you. This isn't to make you feel guilty about anything, but more so to help remind you to become aware of those around you.  Thanksgiving is a time of year when we can reflect on those blessings we have been given, and show our gratitude for the goodness of God in blessing our lives.

So why am I blogging about this on a "HAPPY" blog?  It is because there is a secret that needs to be let out of the bag.  I have actually written a book about it that is now out and selling all over the place.  It is short, but has a great message.  It's illustrated, so it isn't boring.  I hope if you have a chance to get your hands on a copy (or make yourselves take the chance to get one) that you will apply the principles and learn the secret of being happy.  My book is the name of this blog "If you want to be happy give something away." I am practicing what I preach and I am giving away to you these little gifts.  I hope you will enjoy them and drop me a note to say "HI!"  By the way, I am selling my book on Amazon and if you decide to get yourselves a copy, be sure to buy it from Discoveryshops, which is my store. Just type in the Amazon search bar, "If you want to be happy give something away" and click below the where it gives you a variety of sellers of my book.  Please pick mine!  It would certainly make me Happy if you did.  ha, ha. Enjoy!  Kathleen Gauger

Ok, I know it, two songs in a row in the very same day..... OH NO... I guess you will just have to enjoy them and smile, smile, smile. I LOVE THIS SONG!!! Hope you do too!

The Launching of my new book!

Today is a momentous occasion in my life.  After 3 long years of waiting, my book "If you want to be happy, give something away," launched today!  I am truly excited and happy and know that once the message in the book gets around, many will want it for their own.    I want to share with you the press release that was sent out today from my publisher:

Lehi author features the importance of sharing

Published January 20, 2014 | By Chuck Raagas

LEHI, Utah — “If you want to be happy, give something away” is a social issues book that teaches children the art of giving. Author Kathleen Gauger exemplifies that sharing is a major key in bringing joy in everyone’s life.

The Christmas season is normally a joyous occasion, but not for Old Gentleman Gray. He was sad and lonely and had lost hope of ever feeling differently. It was Christmas Eve when he was visited by a beautiful, heavenly messenger who filled him with warmth and joy as she shared with him the secret of how to be happy.

The effect that this experience had on Old Gentleman Gray not only changed him, but was also felt throughout the village, right down to the tiniest of birdies who twittered, as if they could say, “If you want to be happy, give something away.”

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Gauger is an author of children’s books, and a contributing writer for family focused websites. She is also an accomplished graphic design artist, with her talents and skills featured on several popular blogs. She lives in Lehi, Utah, with her husband Dennis, has 5 married children and 13 grandchildren.

Posted in Author Press Releases

Now you know the reason behind this blog.  I have had a passion about serving others, and know from many years of experience that when we give away to others, we become as happy as those we serve.  It's a chain reaction that I want to pass on.  My book is about this very message, told in a sweet story, that is heartwarming, wholesome and is truth!  It is my message to share with the world that can really help individuals and families who struggle with challenges in life, and teach them the secret of being happy. 

The main character in this book struggled for a whole year, was sad and lonely until one day when he was about to give up, like many of us do, the secret of how to be happy was shared with him, by someone very special.  This message, lifted him to the point that he pulled himself out of his misery and rejoined life, by preparing for Christmas.  As he did so, he was given opportunities to implement this secret of happiness, and when he did, it not only lifted him, but so many others as a ripple effect was felt throughout his entire village. 

And even the little birdies twittered as if they could say, "Like old Gentleman Gray, on a Christmas day, if you want to be happy, give something away."

I hope you will take the opportunity to get your hands on one of my books, and read it and implement it's message into your own life.  If you do, you too will find a renewed sence of happiness and joy come into your life, as you focus outward, instead of inward. 

You can purchase my book from me, the author, on Amazon.  Purchase it at "Discovery Shops," and spread the word.  Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main/ref=olp_merch_rating_2?ie=UTF8&asin=1625100728&isAmazonFulfilled=0&seller=A3810YE0RZDT4F