Quick Catchup

Hi again. Not sure how many of you got my last email, it seems to have been picked up by spam filters (maybe it was too short) but if you did and were wondering how I did in the competition, I didn't get through to the 2nd round. Not that it means the journey is over - I learnt heaps in just going for it, have posted a you-tube message about it at www.crystalsquest.com - the blog - and have decided on the 2 people I'd most like to see go through, and maybe even end up working with them. Now I'm live on you-tube, I'm madly searching for a video camera but meanwhile my boyfriend's digital cam is almost permanent at my place!

If you're wondering what on earth I'm talking about, I entered for a reality TV show at www.nextinternetmillionaire.com, but had less than 2 days to get votes. Despite that, I managed to get 259 people to support me which is both mammoth and humbling, and I'm very grateful to have got that much.

No news on the work front, but as winter and the bad weather sets in down here in Australia it's getting harder to do the travelling. I'm working on a few things to get me out, but meanwhile just having to plug along. I do have some holidays booked in which I'm very much looking forward to, and hoping to get some serious work done online during them...

Thoughts to Share

And from my experience going for it with the competition, action brings it's own reward! Taking action in the face of fear gives you freedom from that fear, as you grow beyond it and decide to risk the consequences. The bigger the fear, the bigger the growth and the sense of freedom you get. That's why it's such a buzz taking risks!!!. Crystal

Article:

I was reading an article in today's Sunday Telegraph, in the "Body & Soul" section today, which talked about how having possessions doesn't necessarily bring happiness, and the happiest suburbs in Australia also happen to be lower on the socio-economic scale, with more affluent suburbs ranking lower. The author they quoted was talking about how the route to happiness obviously lies in accepting what you have, instead of trying to keep up with the Jones's. It got me thinking. I disagree.

To start with, happiness and contentment are not the same thing, and I believe he was talking about contentment more than happiness. That means, of course, that his conclusion is not necessarily true. I am wholeheartedly convinced that you can have happiness WITHOUT having contentment. My own personal experience has taught me that. The quote above and my comments are directly related to it. When I'm immersed in taking action towards a goal, I'm actively fighting discontent, definitely NOT accepting the status quo, but I'm absolutely, blissfully happy. I have a purpose. Purpose, passion, action and gratitude, I believe, are the ingredients of happiness. Acceptance doesn't really fit in there anywhere.

I'd rather be happy than content, any day! How about you?

Giveaways/Recommendations/Contests

I'm leaving this in as a regular feature, although I don't know which option I'll be doing each issue.

This issue, having been researching for nextinternetmillionaire.com, I've found a few marketing resources, so I'll be doing both giveaway and recommendation!

First, there's a cool site with tons of free stuff I found, on all kinds of different topics, although mostly on Internet Marketing. Some of the articles and packages on offer cover various non-IM areas though. Worth checking out, especially since it's not going to cost you anything.

http://www.myfreegiveaway.com

Second, this is a recommendation. If you follow the teachings of The Secret you'll love this one - they're seriously HOT on You-Tube. It's powerful stuff, and I've bought my own package (it cost virtually nothing compared to what I hope to get from it) and am working on my own mini "Secret" motivational movie - you'll see it at the blog on www.crystalsquest.com when I'm done and I'll send a quick email to everyone to let you know. Oh, and there's a competition on it (so I actually did all 3 this issue!) with $5,000 US up for grabs. Have fun!

http://tinyurl.com/3362vt

Best Wishes,