When I think about Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee, Sr., what is top of mind is learning from the time I was first introduced to Shaklee that he was a man far ahead of his time. That includes the way he influenced both physical and mental health for so many people.
I have written about Dr. Shaklee on my different social media sites numerous times but a quick search just showed me that I have not dedicated an article to him here on the blog.
I would like to write more about Dr. Shaklee and the Shaklee story. That will take an article or two or three, and it is because Shaklee has impacted my life and my family’s life in such a positive way. Over 42 years ago, when my husband and I decided to live a more natural life and try to eliminate at least as much of the chemical exposure in our life that we were able to do ourselves, we chose Shaklee to help with that.
Dr. Shaklee
To offer a little history, Dr. Shaklee was a sickly child and became very interested in learning all he could about nature and healing himself. One of the most famous things he said was, “Nature can give you everything you want as long as you read the signs.”
In addition to being passionate about health and nutrition and how the body could build and maintain health, Dr. Shaklee was also a great thinker and advocate for having a positive, happy mindset.
He believed that our state of mind – our thoughts – greatly impacts our life and our health. And he wrote a lot about it.
Today I want to share his 10 Rules for Happiness and Contentment because what he wrote back in 1951 stands tall today in 2024.
There is so much stress and anxiety that adults are challenged with every single day, and now stats show that children are affected in a continuously growing way as well.
Life is busy and hard and we don’t always stop to think about how what exactly we think about all the things that come before us makes a difference.
We don’t always have something like these 10 Rules to read and study and implement in our lives.
If this can help just a few people I am so happy to share it. I do think it could help many people who are willing to give it a chance.
Rules for a Happy Life
These rules are from his book, “THOUGHTSMANSHIP: 10 Rules for Happiness and Contentment.”
1. “… Happiness is a state of mind; therefore, it depends entirely upon the thoughts you produce. You wouldn’t know whether you were happy or not if you didn’t think about it. So make sure that you THINK about the happiness you know CAN be yours … “ACTIVATE YOUR THOUGHTS, AND YOU ACTIVATE YOUR LIFE.”
2. “… In building a happy, contented life, you must GIVE happiness to others. No one living unto himself will ever be contented with his lot. Your happiness is reflected upon you through the service you give to others…”
3. “Happiness is an attribute of love; therefore, you can never be happy until you give your love to others. Let your emotion of love gladden the heart of someone and see what an ample supply of happiness is reflected upon you…
“SOW THE SEEDS OF HAPPINESS IN OTHERS, AND YOU WILL REAP A JOYFUL HARVEST.”
4. “Live in the joyful NOW. Plan for a happy future, but make sure that you develop the habit of enjoying the present. Your future happiness depends upon the thoughts you produce today. There is no time like the PLEASANT one. You cannot alter the happenings of yesterday, so why allow worry over them to destroy the happiness of today? Never allow the past to defeat the present…”
5. “What are those roadblocks that are preventing you from traveling the happiness-highway? They are fear, worry, anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, prejudice, selfishness, and criticism of others… All may be removed through the use of THOUGHTSMANSHIP, for what you think, you do. Start THINKING your way to a happier, more contented life.”
6. “Never think of an unpleasant thing you do not want to happen, for your thoughts direct the expression of your life. Build a thought-pattern that will guide you in the expression of happiness…”
7. “Happiness is the reward of creative thought, so, if you want to be happy, set about creating happiness. …Stop living life haphazardly. Start planning for happiness and contentment.”
8. “…Start thinking of some pleasant incident in your life, and see how quickly you will feel an emotion of happiness…Unpleasant incidents in your life are in the past, so let them stay there…”
9. “Happiness and contentment come from doing, not from wishful thinking… Every tomorrow will bear the imprint of today’s thoughts…”
10. “Live each hour of this day to the full. You haven’t a moment of time to call your own, but you are privileged to use each moment as it passes by. No clock will ever again strike this hour… THINK, then, of the happiness you may produce for this moment, for
WHAT YOU THINK, YOU LOOK;
WHAT YOU THINK, YOU DO;
WHAT YOU THINK, YOU ARE.
We are so fortunate that the current owner of Shaklee has embraced and maintained the philosophies, science, products and business that Dr. Shaklee started.
In 2006, Dr. Shaklee’s Thoughtmanship booklet was reissued in a special 50th Anniversary limited edition. Below, excerpts from owner and CEO Roger Barnett’s foreword:
“In so many ways, our founder was ahead of his time. A pioneer and innovator in natural nutritional supplements and products, Dr. Shaklee also understood the power of thought to shape and guide our progress towards the future. He fully grasped that happiness and success are conscious creations, driven by positive thoughts. And he taught millions to empower themselves to live better, more fulfilling lives through this insight.”
I am just so proud and extremely thankful to have Shaklee in my life. I believe 100% that my good health is due to being powered by Shaklee. I have used the nutrition products for over 42 years and have abundant energy, feel strong and healthy, and at 62 years old have managed to avoid ever taking daily medications.
Keeping a healthy mindset is important but also very challenging in the world today. There are huge distractions and a lot of things that can add to stress, anxiety, negative thinking, fatigue, and more. It’s daily work to remember we have power over our thoughts and it’s very empowering when act on thoughts like Dr. Shaklee shared with us.
Physical health is important. A healthy mind and healthy thoughts are equally important to live a life of happiness and contentment.
If you would like to discuss anything written here on the blog, please get in touch!