"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer At our core, authentic happiness is what we are all seeking. It’s what we strive for as human beings. Sometimes, in our fast-paced lives, the pursuit of joy can take a backseat. But it’s so important that we don’t allow this to happen. In a recent “Little Gems of Wisdom & FUN,” I talked about the strategies of happy people—how the

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.” -Eckhart Tolle Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer We often hear things like "be present" or "live in the moment". But, what does this really mean? And why is it so important? Happiness and joy originate in the present moment... from the inside, not out. Remember, you are always only physically living in the present moment. It’s the only time that truly exists. Everything else is either a memory or

“Taking off the mask is not losing yourself... it’s finding yourself.” -Unknown Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Halloween is just around the corner, so the topic of costumes is a favorite! We love to have fun pretending to be someone or something that we aren’t. But, the real treat is found when we remove our "costumes" and discover the beauty of who we truly are! More than a decade ago, when I took a new path to finding more authentic happiness, I realized

“Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” — Buddha Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer What do you expect when you wake up each morning? Do you wake up expecting and believing that today is the best day of your life? Do you wake up with gratitude on your mind for what you already have? Do you set a tone for your day with "thanks in advance" for what you desire? Do you specifically focus on a day full of LOVE and FUN integrated int

“Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” -Roy T. Bennett Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Every word you share and every action you take carries more power than you realize. Your influence doesn’t end with the person standing in front of you... it ripples outward to an entire network of people you may never even meet. (Actually, around 1,000 to be precise!) Extraordinary research shows that our

“The doorway to your highest potential opens the instant you believe it exists.” -unknown Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer This world is not what it seems. In fact, the world works in a completely different way than we think it does. According to Neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, in her book How Emotions are Made, Secret Life of the Brain, "You construct your environment in which you live, your reality.” The ability to grasp this concept changes and deepen

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” -Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer No matter your current situation... no matter what stage of life you are in... it’s never too late to have a life of pure joy. You are worthy and capable of all the amazing things that you can imagine! It's just a matter of knowing it is ALL possible. So, what is the secret to creating a magical life from where

“The distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” -Albert Einstein Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Do you ever feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Or, feel like time is slipping by too quickly? What if there were another way to experience time? Albert Einstein completely changed our understanding of time. His theory of relativity showed that time isn't the fixed, universal thing we tend to imagine it is.

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” -Dolly Parton Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer We are taught at a very young age to love others. We are told often that we should love everyone, help others, and give often. We’ve learned to do this in many ways: we give of our time, our money, our resources, our skills, our talents and through random acts of kindness. This is all a wonderful, very important, and highly effective way to to help others thrive, as w

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” -Carl Jung Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer As you tap into your power to create, it is so important to recognize how special and brilliant you truly are. You must see your magnificence and completely accept the "real you.” Why? Because the intensity of love that you feel for yourself is the foundation required to create the life of your dreams. Know who you really are and embrace your differences.

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response." -Viktor E. Frankl Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Mark Victor Hanson was quoted as saying, "Focused mind power is one of the strongest forces on earth." This is not simply a motivational platitude, but a profound truth. It is grounded in both scientific evidence and the real-world experiences. The brain's plasticity allows it to adapt and rewire itself based

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." -Buddha Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Have you ever noticed how easy it is to cheer others on? Whether you're celebrating a friend's success, cheering on your favorite team, lifting up a coworker, or offering words of encouragement to your child, most of us are natural-born cheerleaders. But how often do we offer that same unwavering support to ourselves? Here’s th

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” -Marcel Proust Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Want a fast-pass to experiencing life in an entirely new, beautiful way? The first step is simple... pay attention! Sometimes we may start to feel that our days are similar. But, this simply isn't the case. Each day is different, it's brand new, and it brings a miracle (or multiple miracles) all of its own! It's just a

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” -W.B. Yeats Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer How was it possible for a multi-ton piece of metal to fly in the sky? How was it possible for a horseless carriage to move by itself? How was it possible for us to speak to someone halfway around the world instantly? How was it possible to breathe under water or explore the vacuum of space? The everyday amazing advances in techno

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” -Joseph Campbell Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer What does it really mean to “go with the flow”? We all know the feeling. Life feels lighter. You’re smiling more, laughing more, and everything seems to fall into place effortlessly. You feel energized, clear-minded, calm, and connected. Even the people around you seem happier and more loving. And then there are the moments when

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one." -Dolly Parton Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Sometimes everyone just needs a reminder that YOU are the narrator of your life. Every moment, you choose the plot. So, it's time you ask yourself this very important question. What story are you writing? More importantly, is it one that you love? You are immensely powerful! You have this amazing faculty called your imagination. It gives you t

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant." -Albert Einstein Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer So often we think that the world and the way it works is so complicated. But, truthfully, it is just the opposite... it’s really quite simple. We just need to understand how it works and use that knowledge to our advantage. When we listen to our gut, our intuition, we are being guided by our heart to make the best decisions for

“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” -John Dryden Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer We are creatures of habit. Research shows that 40% to 60% of our day is based on routine activity that we carry forward to the next day, again and again. So, in essence, these habits become our life. The secret to a successful and happy life is to simply choose the habits that will propel us to greater heights and work in our favor. Just think of the common phra

"Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming." -Mandy Hale Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer Patience is a funny thing. It works differently than you might imagine, and it is VERY powerful. Although we often think of "waiting" when we visualize patience, it can actually speed up the process and help you reach your goals even faster! When you've truly committed to remaining patient, it keeps everything you’re doing flowing smoothly and

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” ~Edward Abbey Little Gems of Wisdom & Fun from Mary Lynn Ziemer There's a deep, primal connection between humans and the natural world. Our ancestors roamed forests, climbed mountains, and marveled at starlit skies. In today's fast-paced world, finding solace in nature has become more than just a leisure activity; it's a form of therapy. Nature therapy, also known as eco-therapy or green therapy, is a practice