According to a recent scientific study that will be published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, there are five things people can do to makes their own lives happier. They include gratefulness, optimism, positivity, personal strength and kindness. Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky explained that, according to her findings, “A large portion of happiness is in our power to change.”

The scientists who have been studying happiness claim that people can make their lives happier by focusing on the following:

Gratefulness
How do you show gratitude? A letter of thanks, a phone call, a simple word of appreciation? It could be that the actual act of displaying gratitude towards someone who has helped you or made your life better in some way can be therapeutic. Of course a little appreciation can also do wonders for the recipient!

Optimism
The study showed that people who take an active approach to optimism – envisioning an ideal future and good things to come – start feeling happier now. Thinking optimistically can have a strong psychological benefit and bring a smile to your face.

Positivity
Everyone goes through good and bad times … the trick is to focus on the positive. Researchers have confirmed what we already knew. People who dwell on the best parts of life are generally happier than those who concentrate on the negative.

Personal Strength
What do you do well? It’s often been said that one of the keys to success is to do what you love. Understanding and using your personal strengths can also make you a happier person. Sharing those strengths with others will help spread the joy around.

Kindness
A simple act of kindness can go a long way. It will make the recipient happy, and in turn it will make you feel good. As the study shows, when we help others we also help ourselves. Read more about random acts of kindness.

Those are the five components to happiness presented by scientists at a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. At PeopleFinders, we would like to add one more essential element to happiness.

People
It’s a concept that has been posed many times: think back on the most important moment of your life. Were you alone, or with people you care about? While there are several things each of us can do to boost our own happiness, it’s the family and friends we share our lives with that make us truly happy.

We often hear from people who have found and reconnected with loved ones using our website. Their stories are always full of joy – people are happiest when surrounded by those they love. Find your personal keys to happiness, share them with your family and friends, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Researchers listened in on volunteers over a four-day period and recorded snippets of conversations. The recordings were categorized as either small talk or substantive exchanges, and people who regularly engaged in more serious chats with family and friends were the happiest.

When the study ended, researchers concluded that happier people spend up to 70% more time talking than unhappy people. They also determined that happy people enjoy two times as many substantial conversations. In the end, even the small talk seemed to help. Happier people also engaged in nearly 33% more chitchat.

At PeopleFinders, these results don’t surprise us. We’ve always believed that one of the true keys to happiness comes from spending time with family and friends. These are the people who share our secrets, rejoice in our successes and help us through difficult times. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping people find and reconnect with others. Our People Search service can help you find anyone, anywhere.

Results from the study will be detailed in an issue of Psychological Science. The overall point the article will make is that those who share more time with people they care about, and less time alone, tend to be the happiest. It just goes to show that happiness, as we’re fond of saying, is all about a connection.

If you’ve lost touch with people from your past who brought joy into your life, we can help you find them. Visit PeopleFinders.com to search for people and learn how to contact them today. Reconnect with the ones you love, bring more happiness into all your lives and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Marine Drive Apartments is a rent-controlled building with more than 600 units. For about a month it was the home of Benjamin Cooper. Although he claimed to be house-sitting for a friend, Cooper was not authorized to live in the apartment complex.

Cooper’s past was exposed by a tenant who ran a Sex Offender Search by Zip Code. The results included details about Cooper’s crime, and listed Marine Drive as his current address. After making this discovery, the shocked tenant turned to the Commissioner of Buffalo’s Municipal Housing Authority for help.

The Commissioner paid Cooper a visit, and told the man that he was trespassing. Cooper offered his explanation for being in the apartment, but when he was told the police had been called he made a hasty exit. Since then he is known to have relocated.

The discovery of a registered sex offender at Marine Drive Apartments caused a major uproar for the residents. Many have been very vocal about their dissatisfaction with the apartment manager not being aware that Cooper was living in the building. The manager contends that because Cooper was a guest of a renter, he had no way to know about the unsanctioned visitor.

To help soothe concerned residents, the woman who allowed Benjamin Cooper stay in her apartment was asked to move out. The management team now plans to review reports from an official sex offender registry twice a month to prevent something like this from ever happening again. For some long-term occupants, even this isn’t enough.

Benjamin Cooper was discovered living at Marine Drive Apartments after a resident ran a sex offender search. People all over the United States use this type of service to find useful information, such as what type of crime an offender committed. You can order a full report that includes names, addresses, physical descriptions and more by running a registered sex offender search by name, zip code or city.

Make sure you have all the facts you need to make informed decisions and protect your family, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Phillip Garrido brought the young girls that he fathered with Jaycee Dugard to the UC campus in Berkeley on August 24. While there, he met a police officer named Lisa Campbell who asked him to return for a meeting the next day. Campbell was suspicious of his unusual behavior, and noted that the girls should have been in school.

Later that night, Officer Campbell ordered a Comprehensive Background Check and discovered something disturbing. Phillip Garrido was a registered sex offender who was still required to check in with a parole officer.

The following day Campbell brought a colleague, Officer Allison Jacobs, to the meeting with Phillip Garrido. When he left, the women called Garrido’s parole officer to report his actions and ask about his daughters. They were stunned to be told that he did not have any children.

Based on this call, the parole officer set up a meeting with Garrido, which led to an investigation and arrest. Since then, Phillip and Nancy Garrido have been held in custody awaiting a trial. The prosecution intends to prove that Phillip Garrido is a highly manipulative individual who brain-washed Jaycee Dugard, but his public defender, Susan Gellman, hopes to prove otherwise.

Gellman’s plan is to state that Phillip Garrido suffers from severe mental illness. She will insist that he did not have the capacity to realize that he was doing wrong and he should be treated as a patient, not a criminal.

One of the points Gellman is expected to emphasize is that Garrido claims to have communicated with angels who live underground for many years. He proclaimed that these angels frequently spoke to him at night and even self-published a manifesto about their conversations, which he personally delivered to the FBI a few days before he was arrested.

Whether or not this defense will hold up in court remains to be seen. The prosecution asserts that since Garrido and his wife lived a somewhat normal life while detaining Jaycee Dugard in a backyard shanty for so long, their actions must have been calculated. They are also expected to point out that Garrido had plans in place to hide Dugard and the children if the police or unexpected visitors ever arrived.

We’ll be watching closely as the trial against Phillip and Nancy Garrido begins. Our hopes are with Jaycee Dugard and her family, and that the end of this hearing will bring them peace and comfort.

Read more about the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard

Read about how Jaycee Dugard became free

In December, 2009, an earth-shattering accusation was made against the doctor. A young patient told her mother that Bradley had abused her during a recent appointment. The mother contacted local authorities immediately. Her disturbing claim led to an intense investigation.

Later that month, Dr. Earl Bradley was arrested. His office, known as BayBees Pediatrics, was searched thoroughly. The results were shocking.

Investigators found video footage that was said to show Earl Bradley molesting young children during examinations. The abuse allegedly went on while unsuspecting parents waited in a nearby lobby. Several of the victims were recorded multiple times, and they ranged from a few years to just a few months old.

When he was first arrested, Dr. Bradley faced 33 felony counts. Since then, more families have stepped forward to report instances of abuse. The charges against Bradley quickly shot up to 471. He has been indicted on every count.

If convicted, Earl Bradley is expected to receive a sentence of life in prison. The signs and toys that were well-known landmarks of his practice have already been removed following a request from Attorney General Beau Biden, who hopes this will be a “small step in helping the Lewes community begin the healing process.”

Biden will prosecute the case against Bradley, and says that he is feeling great about his expected results. The pain and suffering the victims and their families must deal with may never end, but justice in this case could lend a small amount of healing. Our sympathy goes out to everyone who was harmed by the doctor’s atrocious deeds.

One of the biggest fears any family can face comes in the form of a child molester. That’s why it is so important to be informed about registered sex offenders who may live near your home or child’s school. PeopleFinders offers a Sex Offender Search that allows you to find registered offenders by name, city or zip code. The search will show you a physical description of the offender, what type of crime was committed and other useful information. Use it to learn more and help keep your family safe.

Stories of child molestation are terrifying and sickening. They are made even worse when the perpetrator is a trusted adult. Get the knowledge you need to protect your loved ones, listen to your children if they say they were harmed by any adult, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Read our article about What Should Be Done With Sexual Offenders

Read our article about New Laws For California Sex Offenders

Read about Oprah’s Interview With Real Sexual Offenders

Witnesses to the crash noticed the plane was flying unusually low, but said it did not appear to be out of control. The plane’s gas tank was full, and it erupted into a massive fireball after striking the side of the building. Plumes of thick, dark smoke billowed into sky, and debris continued to rain down from the building long after the collision.

When it happened, no one was sure why. People speculated that it was an accident or terrorist attack, but the truth was soon uncovered. Joseph Stack was the pilot, and according to officials, the crash was intentional.

Stack was enraged because two businesses he founded were shut down by the State Franchise Tax Board. He wanted revenge, and left a long note on his website that included comments such as “Violence not only is the answer, it is the only answer” and “Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.”

Before heading to the airport, Stack set his own house on fire. His wife and daughter had to be rescued from the flames. Stack never filed a flight plan, but that didn’t raise suspicions since he was flying under Visual Flight Rules, a law that allows pilots to fly freely in premium weather conditions.

In the aftermath of the crash, one person from the IRS building was not accounted for, and two others were hospitalized. Amazingly, no other serious injuries have been reported. Workers said the impact of the plane felt like a bomb exploded in the building, and people scrambled to find safety. One small group had no way out other than to break a window and climb onto a concrete ledge.

As emergency crews arrived, they rescued people who weren’t able to evacuate the building, tended to injuries and helped soothe the terrified victims who were trying to make sense of their horrifying ordeal. Crews worked feverishly to extinguish the flames, and two F-16 fighter aircraft were deployed to patrol the area as a precautionary measure.
At PeopleFinders, when we hear about such a heartbreaking event, our thoughts go in one direction: people. It is impossible to watch a scene like today’s plane crash in Austin and not feel deep emotions. You fear for those who were put in danger, and hope they will be safe. You can’t help but think about the people who had loved ones inside the building, and the uncertainty they must have felt when the news broke.

Family and friends are the most cherished part of all our lives. That’s why PeopleFinders is dedicated to helping you find and reconnect with family, friends and anyone you’ve been missing. A tragic moment like today’s plane crash in Austin reminds us of just how important people are; and that you never know what could happen to any of us.

Hold your loves ones close tonight, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Family, friends and strangers – you can brighten anyone’s day with a random act of kindness. Your good deed may have an even greater impact when it is completely unexpected. There are many things you can do to celebrate and participate in this day that is designed to make people happy.

Compliment people. It’s usually impossible to hold back a smile when someone says something nice about you, so take some initiative and make positive comments to people throughout the day. It will give them a nice boost, and make you feel good in return.

Surprise someone. You can leave surprises for people all day long; put extra money in a parking meter, bring a street vendor a cup of coffee, pay the bridge toll for the car behind you. The recipients of your surprises may never know your identity, but they will feel great knowing that someone they’ve never met took the time to do something kind.

Leave gifts. Take small gifts to friends, family, coworkers or anyone else you interact with regularly. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just a little something to let them know that you’re thinking of them. An unexpected present is guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Reconnect. The kindest thing anyone can do is to make time for another person. February 17 is a great day to reach out to family and friends that you’ve lost touch with over the years. Find people from your past and reestablish a cherished relationship.

Send a note. It always feels wonderful to receive a letter or email from someone you care about, so why not share that joy on Random Acts of Kindness Day. Take a few minutes to write to anyone whose day you’d like to brighten.

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, but you don’t have to wait. You can make every day an opportunity to do something thoughtful and out-of-the-blue for the people who share your life, or even for someone you’ve never met. Get out there and pay it forward, bask in the joy that comes from sharing a simple act of kindness and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

People are terrified by the thought of sexual offenders. Primarily due to the ghastly deeds these criminals might commit, and partially because there is no easy way to identify a potential offender. It may seem like the type of predator who would willingly abuse another human being, especially a child, should have an obvious “look”, but the truth is even scarier. You can’t tell what another person is capable of doing just by looking.

Oprah interviewed four men who sexually abused children. She held a frank discussion with them in which she tried to understand why and how they perpetrated such destructive crimes. Her interview was direct, brutally honest and horrifying. In the end, Oprah created a list of four things everyone should know about child molesters:

Child molesters usually know their victims
It is a nightmare scenario for parents: a stranger grabs their child and drives to an unknown destination. We’ve all seen stories like this on the nightly news, and wonder what can be done to keep children safe. While this is a serious concern that must be addressed, an even greater possibility exists that a potential abuser already knows your kids.

Adults who watch over or educate children. A friend you’ve known for years. Even a relative. An untold number of families have been devastated by a sexual offender who was thought of as a trusted friend or loved one. The men Oprah interviewed were close to their victims long before the abuse began.

Child molesters watch for vulnerable children
Sexual predators seek out easy targets to victimize. They watch for children who are angry at their parents, unhappy with their home lives and in need of a strong adult presence. Once they find a susceptible child, the predators move in and attempt to establish a bond of trust and mutual respect. This bond allows them to take advantage of a child who doesn’t know how to react to the sexual abuse.

Child molesters manipulate their victims
The sexual offenders who spoke to Oprah confessed that they used techniques to convince their victims that the molestation was a pleasant experience, or that the children were to blame for any inappropriate behavior. They claimed to spend a long time “grooming” their victims by slowly establishing a rapport while eliminating all personal and physical boundaries. All their time and efforts were designed to give them complete control over a helpless individual.

There is hope
Oprah’s interview takes viewers through a whirlwind of emotions – from disgust and anger to disbelief and shock. Her final goal, however, was to let people know there are ways to protect your children.

First and foremost, watch your children closely. Give them the time, love and attention they need so they do not look for these qualities elsewhere. Next, keep a close eye on anyone who spends time with your children.

According to a Psychotherapist who participated in the interviews, parents should watch for tell-tale signs of potential child molesters. Some of the common indicators are seen in an adult who: spends more time with kids than other adults; regularly shares personal information with children; frequently buys gifts for young kids; or habitually tickles or wrestles with young people. In general, be wary of any adult who pays an unusual amount of attention to your children.

Another important lesson for parents is to take warnings from your children seriously. One sexual offender said that his victim told her parents about the abuse she was enduring, but he was able to convince them he was innocent. He stated that parents should believe stories of abuse, and that children “don’t lie about that stuff.”

A final method parents can use to protect their children is to stay informed about sexual offenders who live near their home, school or work. Adults can order a Sex Offender Report, which lists offenders living in any city or zip code in the United States. The report displays essential information such as an offender’s name, address, physical description and details about their crime.

Parents who are concerned about someone who spends time with their children can also order a Criminal Records Report to see if the person has any offenses on file. A potential child molester may have a criminal history that you need to know about, because when it comes to your children there is no such thing as being too cautious.

Oprah’s two-hour conversation with the child molesters is available online. Watch it to learn more about the thought process and practices of convicted sexual offenders; take every precaution possible to keep your family safe and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Read more about “What should be done with sexual offenders”

Read more about “New laws for California sex offenders”

The origin of this holiday may be a mystery – there are multiple stories about how Valentine’s Day began – but one thing is certain: it is one of the most celebrated days of the years and a great time to reconnect with the important people from your past…

Missing Your Old Flame?
They say it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. Some people have added to this and discovered that it can be better still to rekindle an old love that was once lost. Now and then you hear stories about two star-crossed lovers reconnecting after decades apart. It could be that some people were just meant to be together – even if it takes many years to realize that fact.

So many people have a story about ‘the one that got away’, and wish there was something they could do. Maybe there is – if true love was meant to be, it can wait for longer than you might think. Maybe it’s time to reunite with that long lost flame who still burns brightly in your mind.

Family Lasts A Lifetime
Your family – these are the people who are linked to you forever. They may share a last name, similar features or familiar quirky traits, but more importantly they share a bond that remains strong no matter how much time passes, or how far apart they get.

Family members lose touch for many reasons. It can be due to an old argument, because people move so often that it becomes impossible to keep up, or hundreds of other scenarios. Whatever the cause, one fact remains: family ties can be bound back together.

Friendships Were Built To Last
It’s unfortunate, but friendships sometimes fade away over time. Work schedules get hectic, new families require large amounts of time, people move far away…

Our true friends are the people we cherish, and the people we can reconnect with no matter how much time has gone by. When you get together with an old friend, you usually notice something extraordinary: it seems like no time has passed at all. Why spend another day missing someone you proudly call your friend? After all, if you’re thinking of them, chances are they’re also thinking of you.

Valentine’s Day is a reason to celebrate more than the love between two people – it is a time to celebrate the devotion you feel towards every person who has touched your life. So many people lose through the years, but the simple truth is that some people are worth finding all over again.

If you have someone that you’d like to reconnect with this Valentine’s Day – an old flame, family member or a dear friend – you can find them again with help from PeopleFinders. Start with a People Search, and get the information you need to reach out to everyone who will always hold a special place in your heart.

Visit PeopleFinders, create your own happy ending and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Logo in favor of Jessica's Law.

A new ruling by the California Supreme Court may make it very difficult for registered sexual offenders to find housing. The “residency restrictions” ruling states that sexual offenders cannot live within 2,000 feet of parks, schools, or any other location where children regularly assemble.

The Court’s decision is based on Jessica’s Law – a law that got started in Florida in 2005. Jessica’s Law is named after Jessica Lunsford, a young girl who was raped and murdered by a John Couey. During Couey’s trial, the public discovered that he had a prior conviction as a sexual offender. People were incensed that a previous offender had been set free and was able to commit this heinous crime.

Lawmakers reacted by creating Jessica’s Law, which was intended to ensure that nothing like the Jessica Lunsford tragedy could ever happen again. The law officially passed in 2006, allowing newly convicted offenders to be subjected to residency restrictions.

California’s highest Court turned in a 5 to 2 decision in favor of residency restrictions for sexual offenders who were convicted before the existence of Jessica’s Law. The Court also heard from four registered offenders who opposed this ruling. The four claimed that the law is unfair, and that it would make it difficult, if not impossible, for previous offenders to find housing.

One of the arguments against residency restrictions is that sexual offenses cover a wide array of crimes. Two of the offenders who participated in the California Supreme Court hearing were convicted of acts that did not involve assaulting children. The Court, however, determined that their ruling was the best way to protect children and prevent parolees from committing additional crimes.

Others who oppose the Court’s ruling claim that it may actually put children in danger. Their argument is that the law will force offenders to become homeless, which could in turn lead to them committing more crimes. Opponents believe that society will be safer if offenders have a permanent residence … where they can be easily monitored.

Those who favor residency restrictions suggest that the law will create a safer society, especially for children. There are nearly 7,000 paroled offenders in California who are actively tracked with GPS devices. These devices help parole agents monitor how close the offender is to any school, daycare center or park.

The debate about residency restrictions is not likely to end anytime soon. Offenders are allowed to challenge the ruling, if they claim that it makes finding a residence impossible. Opponents of the ruling are likely to try to revive the case in the hopes of having the decision overturned.

For now, however, sexual offenders in California will face residency restrictions. This is a topic that affects people all over the United States. If you are concerned about the possibility of sexual offenders living near your home or children’s school, you can get the information you need to help keep your family safe. A Sex Offender Search allows you to look for offenders in your city, and will show you their names, addresses, physical descriptions and more.

So what do you think? Is this ruling fair? Should there be another option for previous offenders? Leave us a comment to share your thoughts, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Read about what may be done with sexual offenders in America.