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Be Happy in LIFE Inspiration - April 2005

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome to our second edition of Be Happy in LIFE newsletter. We have received wonderful responses about the newsletter and we're happy it motivated you to look for love and happiness.

Finding the courage to dream is like deciding to go to an exotic destination. Now that you know where you are going, it's time to choose the path. It is overwhelming to stand at the junction of life, when you know where you want to be, but still not sure which one of the endless options to choose. It's scary, but exciting.

For some people, the dream has created the path by itself and the journey has already begun. For these people, dreaming alone has already energized them. They are more focused and empowered to go forward towards the future. They've entered the magic zone, where things just happen "by themselves".

At our house, about a year ago, Gal worked very hard on setting a goal regarding the activities with the kids. It was very hard to set a goal that involved others. After 4 days, he eventually wrote "It is 4pm on Wednesday. We are in the kitchen with the kids, preparing afternoon tea together". That same day, he went to pick up the girls from school and kindy. Eden, our 15 year-old daughter, stood at the entrance to the dining area and declared "Today, I'm in the mood for making muffins". Not long after, we saw a beautiful sight - Eden and Noff, our 3 year-old daughter, giggling and dipping their fingers in muffin mixture. Gal hadn't talk to either of them about it and I'd had no chance to say anything before they came in. This was the first in a series of "spookables" and we now live happily in the magic zone.

Indeed, it starts looking like the universe conspires for the success of those who dream.

For others, making the wish list has been frustrating. The scary unknown was stronger than the vision of the dream. Yes, it was very nice playing fairy tales and magic, but how do I get there?

This always brings me to one of my favorite books, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. We climb high mountains and cross deserts in search of things that are in our back yard all the time.

The first step to getting your goal is to start moving. "Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there", said Will Rogers. You see, in the fast-paced world of expanding knowledge and amazing technology, if you're not moving forward, you're moving backward. The world does not wait for us in sympathy, to just stop feeling sorry for ourselves, or sort out our excuses. Every day we procrastinate increases the gap, and tomorrow we'll have to run faster in order to catch up.

How many times in your life have you thought "How on Earth am I going to do this"? The answer is in the question. You need to do something.

I remember thinking this many times, when I felt small and overwhelmed. I'm only 1.5m tall, so it's very easy for me to feel small... So I look at the situation and say to myself "OK, this is what I have, and this is what I'll win with". During my final Math exams, when I spent too much time looking at a problem, not knowing exactly how to tackle it, my teacher always said "Copy the question onto the answer sheet. If you still don't get the answer, at least you'll get some credit for restating the facts". Most of the times, copying the question made the difference for me, and when it didn't, I got some credit for writing it down. Life is just the same - when we can't find the solution, acknowledging the facts gets us part of the way to our goal.

Sometimes, when I play Solitaire, I look at all the cards on the table, and I can't find a way to win the game. I check once, twice and even three times, but get stuck in my mind. So then I move one card, just one card, and everything starts to happen.

Many people have asked us over the years "How do you manage the logistic operation of moving countries, with your children and all your stuff?" Well, we followed 4 rules:

Know where you're going
Believe you can get there "one step at a time"
Acknowledge the facts - recognize what you have to work with
Roll up your sleeves and get moving - do the one things that can be done right now

With these rules engraved in our philosophy of life, it is much easier to start moving to another country, continent or even into a better place inside ourselves.

Please pass this newsletter to anyone you would like to offer the honor of sharing the road with you and Until next time have a safe and joyful journey.

Be happy in life!
Ronit

Unwritten
– Natasha Bedingfield

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions