Jared Akers

How to Develop Good Communication Skills (accidentally on purpose)

by Jared Akers

In a recent job interview I was asked “what are you best at?” My answer was communicating, inspiring, and remaining calm under pressure. The next question was, “how much time do you spend doing those things in your current position?” My answer… hmm, well, at first I said none but then changed it to maybe 10%. After which I shifted in my seat, gave my real serious look and said, “Here’s the deal… I wake up each morning and remind myself I’m here to be of service to others; and that I can be of service regardless of my job title.” Also known as—I’m an optimist and make the best out of any situation—speech. It became obvious I wasn’t currently in a position—professionally—to excel at what I do best. Since then I’ve been thinking about something…

How did I develop good communication skills?

The answer: getting to know myself and practice.

[Read more…]

Peace Love and Happiness: Finding Inner Peace and Accepting Love = Happiness

by Jared Akers

What does peace, love, and happiness mean to you? I think of the sixties—or was that sex, drugs, and rock and roll?—and the idea that love can end war and violence.

Is love really all we need?

If it’s that simple, we need to start with love for ourselves; until we accomplish that, nothing will change. By developing self-acceptance, understanding, empathy, and love for self, we’re better able to practice those very attributes in our relationships with others.

First a Little about Relationships

Does everyone really have a soul mate? It seems that everyone is searching for that one special person that will make their life complete. Then we’ll truly find happiness right?

Hollywood has made it hard for people to live up to the expectations of the fairytale relationship. I’m not a pessimist, just a realist. [Read more…]

He Knows Just How Much We Can Bear

by Jared Akers

NOTE: I wrote this article on July 11th, 2010 prior to Goodbye for now, Dad

I remember the surgeon saying, “it’s not good, it is cancer and most likely originated in the lungs…” meaning it has metastasized throughout his body. “All we can do now is pray the Lord has mercy and he doesn’t suffer long.” The following 10 days felt as if I was watching a sad movie. On July 6th my father passed away.

This morning in the shower I was thinking about the moment I heard the surgeon tell us the bad news. It was as if I left my body and God pulled me beside him, with his arm around me, and we have been watching this entire thing together. Then the words came to my consciousness, “it’s OK Jared, I’ll take care of him.” And I wept… no, I wailed. I wailed till I couldn’t catch my breath and wondered if the neighbors could hear me. In that moment I felt the presence of God more than I have in a long time. The term “more will be revealed later” become a personal experience. [Read more…]

How To Find Happiness

by Jared Akers

Hello, I’m Jared Akers, welcome to How to Be Happy: Happiness for the Practical Mind. If you’re interested in finding happiness in life regardless of your circumstances, I encourage you to sign up anywhere on this site and download my free eBook How To Be Happy Now: Finding Happiness in Everyday Living.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
-Ghandi

Curious about how to find happiness or how to be happy? I’ll tell you the BIGGEST SECRET about finding happiness, right here, right now for FREE. Ready?

You can’t “find” happiness. Happiness finds you. Happiness is a by-product of living a life which is in line with the highest ideals you have for yourself.

Want to know more? I can show you how to get there! The best place to start is with my free eBook, How to Be Happy Now: Finding Happiness in Everyday Living.

Subscribe to updates and you’ll get a free copy, available immediately.

Everyone seems to think the key to life is finding happiness. If finding happiness is the key to life, then what’s beyond the door that it opens? The real key is finding happiness IN your life, regardless of your circumstances. [Read more…]

Matching Calamity with Serenity: Spiritual Training and Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos

by Jared Akers

NOTE: I wrote this article on June 27th, 2010 prior to Goodbye for now, Dad

As many of you know, I’ve been through some shyt in my life. Of which I have come out on the other side full of inner-peace and happiness. Thus the tag line matching calamity with serenity: the ability to maintain inner-peace and serenity regardless of life’s circumstances.

This is where the rubber hits the road.

June 26th, 1:30 P.M.
I’m sitting next to my mother on a small couch as we wait for the surgeon. We’ve arranged the chairs in a semi-circle with my aunt, uncle, wife, and mother facing the empty chair where the surgeon will sit. Where he will explain the results of a biopsy they did of a lump on my fathers neck. I already know the results. The day before they found 5 tumors in his brain. Cancer. Logic tells me that’s not where it originated.

The surgeon comes in and sits down, he starts to explain the bad news. I watch his lips move and hear his voice and understand what he’s saying, but I’m not in my own body anymore. I’ve seen this movie before, it’s a sad one. Yet for some reason, no tears seem to come. I hear my mother say, “it’s in God’s hands now.” I think to myself, “it’s always been in God’s hands.” The thought brings some peace to my heart in the moment. I love my mother so much. We’re so alike. After the surgeon leaves I hear “it’s OK to break down now” as everyone else seems to let go of their emotions. I just sit there, watching… I’ve seen this movie before. [Read more…]