Did You S.M.I.L.E. Today?

I wrote this post about a month ago at HubPages. That time, it got published and ran for around a month. Unfortunately, there are sites and directories that apparently prohibit commercial use. Thus, just recently, said post got "unpublished" due to "links to prohibited sites." Oh well, I just might as well publish it here. ^_^ My site is now four months old. 

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On a daily basis, I attend a small community group at a webinar called Branding the World Daily (daily 11am EST). It has become part of my daily activities for over three months now. In fact, it helped me a lot in starting out with my own self-hosted site. Yup, my site is also three months old today! Yey! ^_^

One of the lessons we learned at TE-Therapy was S.M.I.L.E. (Simply Maintain Integrity, Limit Excuses). That's pretty cool really. It helped me a lot in starting out my own email series. You see, I've had it in mind for awhile, but haven't really taken action. I'm glad I did too. In case you want to find out more about it, it's called "Keeping Up with Rain." Check it out for details --> It's Raining Gifts...Don't Miss Out!

Moving on, I've learned not only to come up with my own email series, but I've also come up with my own meaning for S.M.I.L.E. That is exactly what I'm sharing here today.

• S-hare a smile

Why not brighten someone else's day today? Smile and make someone feel better.

• M-ake a difference

We are but ordinary folks, but we can make a difference in our own little way. Support a worthy cause, join a campaign to help protect Planet Earth, and many more. Every little act can be huge when you put them together.

• I-nspire others

"People may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carl W. Buechner. Wouldn't it be great to be a person everyone wants to hang out with because you uplift their spirits?It's more fun to have a positive attitude. It's healthy too.

• L-ove love love

This does not pertain only to romantic love. Love yourself, love what you do, love the person that you've become. On top of that, love your family, friends, co-workers. Love the environment and everything else around you. They say love makes the world go round. Perhaps we just need to share more love to make this planet a better place.

• E-xtend help

Extend help if and when you can. It would be great to be able to share one's blessings with others. Just as you've received help, it would be nice to pay it forward. Besides, you have to admit it feels good to know you've helped someone.

So now, I ask again... Did you S.M.I.L.E. today? It's not too late. ^_^

Plight of a Newbie

I really don't know why I set up this blog. I guess it's just another one of those random acts that suddenly occurred to me. Does that even make sense? I don't know but here I am groping on what to write about. It will come to me I suppose. I don't even know if I have anything interesting to share at all. I'm new to blogging so I consider this as a journey into the unknown. After all, we all try to learn something new in life, right? It can't be that bad and I'm pretty sure I can learn fast. I hope to be able to share more in the days to come. So here's to an adventure that's about to begin.............

Ok, so I've now posted my first blog, then an idea occurred to me. I want to know more about blogging so I surfed around for more ideas. I came across this article from weblog.about.com about determining whether blogging is right for you. So let's see what we'll learn and find out.

You Enjoy Spending Time Surfing the Web

Come to think of it, I do enjoy surfing the web or I wouldn't have thought of starting a blog in the first place. I've done a lot of researching and reading on the web in the past. I continue to do so now even though I'm on break from my graduate studies. Plus, I do spend a lot of time on my social networking site, facebook. I thought I might as well put that to good use.

You Like to Write

I've kept a journal all these years. I always have one around. It makes for good reading during boring days. I suppose blogging is the same, except that my thoughts aren't my own and that a lot of people out there can read them. I don't mind sharing my ideas and opinion about matters once in a while.

You're Passionate About Your Blog's Topic

Well, I am blogging about random thoughts, so I guess that qualifies. I'm just starting out and I do know that I need to learn a lot more stuff to be a successful blogger. That's a good start, right? After all, I'm passionate about what I write.

You Can Commit to Blogging

I am in between regular employment at the moment, so I guess I do have the time for blogging. I thought I might as well do something good with the time I have on hand. Writing is a good way to pass one's time. After all, I have dreams of being a writer of children's books.

You're Comfortable Publicizing Your Thoughts, Opinions and Ideas

Now this is something I'm working on. Well pretty much everyone has an idea, thought, or opinion about something, right? Some of us may be vocal about them or not. Whether we write it or vocalize it, to me it's the same thing. Blogging would be my way of "talking to myself" -- out loud -- if there is such a thing!

You're Not Afraid of Technology and You Are Willing to Learn

So definitely true for me. I wouldn't embark on this journey if I'm not willing to learn. Admittedly, there are lots that need to be learned. I'm taking baby steps towards learning them all. One at a time, I'm sure I'll get there.

You're Willing to Take Risks

Well, I'm here so I guess this means I've taken the initial step. Eventually, I hope to add more and enhance my blog site and connect with more people and make more friends in the process.

I guess that's just about it. Reading through my post, I'd say I think I'm on the right track with this blogging thing. I just need the self-discipline and self-motivation to pull through. So here's to another blogging day.. and to more blog posts to come.. Have fun!