This article is an extract of chapter #3 in Karl Moore’s best-selling book, ‘The 18 Rules of Happiness.’

“I will say yes to every favor, request, suggestion and invitation. I will swear to say yes where once I would say no.” – Danny Wallace

“No!” is a wonderful word.

It’s powerful, it’s universally understood, and it stops everything in its tracks. By saying no, you’re instantly slamming the door and holding it shut, ensuring nothing else gets through.

But how many of us say “No!” way too often?

You see, “No” really holds us back in life. It closes us off to many of life’s wonderful experiences, and causes us to resist what happens around us.

This article is an extract of chapter #2 in Karl Moore’s best-selling book, ‘The 18 Rules of Happiness.’

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” – Meister Eckhardt

We live in a fast-paced, microwave, drive-thru, Buy-It-Now society.

It’s a society that has forgotten to be truly grateful for the things around it. We only tend to be grateful for things when we no longer have them.

Think of the sense of relief you gain when you just get over an illness, and are so thankful that your turbulent tummy has now settled. Consider how appreciative you are when those tests come back clear. Or when the speeding camera doesn’t flash. Or when you finally find your lost child in the supermarket.

Manifesting is a natural and normal process but, since we have often been brought up to believe that achieving things requires time, patience and hard work, manifesting is a skill we need to develop. Like any other skill, it requires practice. Essentially, it is a mind-set, and we need to be thinking and feeling a certain way to get the manifesting process to work.

Be very specific
You need to have a clear image of what you intend to manifest. How does it look and feel, what is the experience of having it like? Try to visualize yourself in the position of receiving the abundance you desire. If you enjoy writing, then write a vivid description of what it is like. If you can paint or draw, then render an image of what you intend to manifest. Do whatever you need to do in order to get a clear, precise picture of what you intend.

There’s no denying that life in the twenty-first century is demanding. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things that need to be done: keep up with work or studies, spend time with family, earn enough money to pay the rent and buy necessities. With so many challenges to cope with, you may ask yourself, “Why should I expend any effort in giving?” or “I’m already scrambling to deal with all the demands and pressures on me. How will I find time and resources to give more?” or “No one gives to me, so why should I give to others?”