Plan A Happy Life

Today, we’re going to help you learn how to laugh at yourself by laughing at us...with us. We share some of our most embarrassing moments, have a good laugh and then figure out if there is anything we can or should learn from our blooper reel.

We talk about falling down, peeing our pants, getting turned down by Justin Bieber and embarrassing old videos.

Remember you don’t always have to be/look “cool”! So take those cringey moments and turn them into memories that you can look back and laugh at.

Why do we get embarrassed?

According to researchers, most of the embarrassments that are encountered by people include instances of tripping and falling, spilling drinks, ripping pants, stalling cars, having one's private thoughts or feelings disclosed, accidental flatulence or belching, receiving undesired attention, and forgetting the names of others.

Fear of judgement - We oftentimes feel that people are walking around judging our every move and that can be really paralyzing.

“Embarrassment is considered one of the self-conscious emotions, quite at ease in the company of guilt, shame, and pride.” – Dr. Mary Lamia – Psychology Today article

We hope that we made you laugh!

xo Steph & Kayla

**Cue the confetti and the happy music**

We finally get to announce that Stephanie wrote a book! YAY! And of course... it's called Plan a Happy LifeTM: Define your passion, nurture your creativity and take hold of your dreams.

Plan a Happy Life includes strategies, systems, and methods for getting organized, prioritizing what's most important to you, and living intentionally. Here you'll find great ideas for:

• Celebrating the ordinary (dance party in the kitchen, anyone?)
• Discovering new ways to serve others (that will fit into a busy schedule)
• Finding your happy even on the tougher days
• Making the most effective lists (hint: it involves stickers)
• Filling your life with gratitude
• Controlling your calendar so you can live each day fully--and colorfully! (a step-by-step guide)
• And much more happy planning (seriously, you have to plan fun in your life!)

Make the most of your most valuable resource--time--and have a blast doing it with Plan a Happy Life.

It's officially releasing on August 25th and is available for pre-order NOW! Find out where you can buy it now below.

AMAZON

BOOKS A MILLION

BARNES & NOBLE

CHRISTIANBOOK.COM

APPLE BOOKS

We hope you add this book to your collection and are able to use it as a tool to help Plan a Happy Life!

xo Stephanie & Kayla

During these uncertain times (COVID-19) it is easy to feel down and have a pessimistic attitude. BUT it is truly possible to change your outlook and choose the happy side! It may not change the challenges we face but the way we face them and how we choose to tackle them.

These 3 incredible people who have lived before us are the epitome of optimism... in unfortunate - even tragic - situations. Their words are wise and true.

NELSON MANDELA - South Africa’s first black president, Nobel Peace prize winner and anti-Apartheid icon. Spent 27 years in prison.

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” – Nelson Mandela

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” – Nelson Mandela

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela

“When people are determined they can overcome anything.” – Nelson Mandela

ANNE FRANK – Diary of a Young Girl – She started her diary at the age of 13 while hiding from the Germans during WWII. She hid for 2 years, writing all the while until she and her family were found and sent to Auschwitz...the infamous concentration/death camp. She died before she was 16. Her father, Otto, survived and published her diary.

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” – Anne Frank

“I've found that there is always some beauty left -- in nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself; these can all help you.” – Anne Frank

“I can’t imagine how anyone can say: ‘I’m weak’, and then remain so. After all, if you know it, why not fight against it, why not try to train your character?” – Anne Frank

“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.” – Anne Frank

HELEN KELLER – Author, activist and lecturer – Helen was left deaf, blind and mute as a result of an unknown illness at the age of 19 months. Her lifelong instructor and eventual companion, Anne Sullivan, taught Helen to communicate by spelling words with her hands, using sign language. Helen couldn’t see, so she had to feel the hands of the person communicating with her. The process was really difficult for her and as she recalls, she became extremely frustrated because she didn’t even know the words existed.

On January 22, 1916, Keller and Sullivan traveled to the small town in Wisconsin to deliver a lecture at the Mabel Tainter Memorial Building. Details of her talk were provided in the weekly Dunn County News on January 22, 1916:

A message of optimism, of hope, of good cheer, and of loving service was brought to Menomonie Saturday—a message that will linger long with those fortunate enough to have received it.

When part of the account was reprinted in the January 20, 2016 edition of the paper under the heading "From the Files", the column compiler added

According to those who attended, Helen Keller spoke of the joy that life gave her. She was thankful for the abilities that she did possess and stated that the most productive pleasures she had were curiosity and imagination. Keller also spoke of the joy of service and the happiness that came from doing things for others ... Keller imparted that "helping your fellow men were one's only excuse for being in this world and in the doing of things to help one's fellows lay the secret of lasting happiness." She also told of the joys of loving work and accomplishment and the happiness of achievement. Although the entire lecture lasted only a little over an hour, the lecture had a profound impact on the audience.

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." – Helen Keller

"I take happiness very seriously. It is a creed, a philosophy and an objective." – Helen Keller

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope." – Helen Keller

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows." – Helen Keller

"Many of us delude ourselves with the thought that if we could stand in the lot of our more fortunate neighbor, we could live better, happier and more useful lives...It is my experience that unless we can succeed in our present position, we could not succeed in any other." – Helen Keller

“True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy...

Today, we have a VERY special guest...Tyler Rahmatulla, Stephanie’s son and Kayla’s brother!

Tyler is a husband, father of 3 boys (and another one on the way), and former professional baseball player. He played all through his childhood in to his adult years – from Mater Dei High School, UCLA and ultimately playing for the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league teams. In this episode, he talks with us about the life of a collegiate and professional athlete and how it demands a mental toughness in order to be successful.

Throughout Tyler’s baseball career he worked with some incredibly wise mentors, coaches and fellow athletes. Along the way he learned lessons of “mental toughness” that he put to use on the field and continues to implement in his daily life today.

Among those mentors was Ken Ravizza, a sport psychologist, who played a major role in changing Tyler’s mental game for the better. He consulted with countless athletes and helped them reach peak performance - all starting with their mind.

“Destructive little voices in your head are often fueled by destructive emotions. Try to turn off your emotions and think logically”- Ken Ravizza

Some topics we cover:

• Confidence vs conceit
• Preparation / planning
• Control the controllables
• Being Present

Tyler also hosts a podcast: The Brushback Baseball Podcast

It covers all things baseball, baseball, and more baseball. Tyler and co-host David Klein (avid Dodgers fan, stat memorizer, and semi-pro baseball historian) are at opposite ends of the baseball spectrum but use this dialog to share each unique perspective. They aim to share weekly discussions of MLB news, life/mindset of a ballplayer, the business side of baseball and interviews with players, coaches, and everybody in between.

You can find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, & Instagram.

Tyler's Instgram

And because we can... A proud mom and little sister moment: Check out Tyler's home run mentioned in the episode here & here.

xo Stephanie & Kayla

Let's be real... how is "social distancing" going? If we are honest, we are struggling over here. Finding things to keep busy while productive; relax but not waste too much time. It's been tough!

This pandemic is unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime. How can we remain positive yet realistic? So many uncertainties but we will get through this and come out stronger on the other side!

WE GOT THIS!