What is it that makes you smile?

 “I have no special talent. I am passionately curious.”— Albert Einstein

Quotes like this make me smile because I can relate to being passionately curious. How about you? Are you curiously alive?

1. What we can learn from remaining curiously alive:

It's not about being the smartest, strongest, most beautiful person in the room.

It's the "anything is possible" or "what can I learn?" attitude that makes us alive. Curiosity is contagious and people are drawn to it.

For years I felt insecure, feeling I hadn't done enough with my life.  It was my pastor at the time who told me, "Kelli, I believe one of your spiritual gifts is leadership." Frankly, I was very surprised to hear these words. It was not how I felt about myself. 

It was his encouragement that spurred me into leadership positions in our church and ultimately to decide to begin my own business. I believed with God's help, I could do it.

Beginning my own business turned out to be a huge confidence builder. One I'd  never experienced before. There were many aspects of business, I knew absolutely nothing about...but, you know what, I dove right it and taught myself.

I was wowed by all I learned from formulating products, to marketing them. A whole new world was opened up to me.

Get curious and let it "Wow" you.

2. Listen to understand people instead of only waiting for your turn to speak:

I admit, I've been guilty of doing this and I'm not proud of it. At times, I get caught up in what I'm going to say. But, it's rude, and I'm working on changing and becoming a better listener. I recently read if you write down three things another person said after a conversation, it will help you focus on being a better listener.

True connection with others starts and stops with our ability to listen. If we're going to learn, we (I) must listen.

3. Proactively thank or genuinely compliment others daily

Letting others know they are appreciated can go a long way in making their day and in turn, making ours.

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone" E. G. Stern

What does it cost us to be kind and grateful? Research has shown that when we do something kind, our brains release oxytocin, the "hug hormone" that makes us feel really good. 

Here are a few ideas.

• Send a text encouraging someone in a situation they're facing.
• Thank someone for teaching you something you didn't know.
• Compliment someone on something they do well.
• Tell your Bestie "You're an awesome friend."
• Pay a genuine compliment such as "You're so thoughtful = smile words :-)"

I have a friend who sends cards through the mail just because (she's also a great listener). Few people send cards these days in our tech-laden world. This simple act lifts my spirits more than you can imagine and always makes me smile--thanks Joy F.

5. Stay away from complicated and embrace simplicity:

Owning less is better than organizing more, wouldn't you agree? We live in a country of abundance, where it's easy to accumulate stuff almost without being aware of it.

The more we own the more we have to maintain. I find the older I get, the less "Stuff" I want around me. In my 30's and 40's it seems we were accumulating and by the 50's and 60's we're decluttering.

I don't know about you, but when I clean and organize my closets, I feel a sense of relief and I'm happier. Having more space gives me a sense of peace.

Which of these decisions would most impact your life and make you smile?