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.

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.

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.

Developing a business involves an incalculable amount of time, work and effort. It is not a venture that is entered into lightly; the desire to found a company stems from the pursuit of a dream and the need to carve your own niche in this world.

At PeopleFinders, we believe in people. We believe that family and friends are the most important part of life, and that it is the love, friendship and companionship of others that truly keep us going. That’s why PeopleFinders was created, and why we continue to do what we do.

PeopleFinders is dedicated to helping people find and reconnect with others. Now and then we receive emails from people who have used our services to reunite with someone they lost touch with years ago. These messages remind us of why we continuously endeavor to provide our customers with the most powerful people search tool available: we want to help you find anyone, anywhere.

We thought we’d take a moment to look back at some comments that made us smile, laugh or just stop for a moment and enjoy a sense of pride for our work. Like this message from our friend Will:

“I decided to join PeopleFinders to locate my old classmates. I was so thrilled when I started finding people. I had the daunting task of finding 455 people. Over a two month period, I was able to locate 413 classmates. Being able to cross-reference people who are associated with an individual really helped. Last month, we had a great reunion…”

Will finishes by saying that using PeopleFinders has been fun and rewarding. Thank you, Will, we’re glad we could help.

Most families share a bond that cannot be broken – at least not permanently. When we hear from someone who reunited with family members through PeopleFinders.com, it makes our day. Like this letter from Samuel:

“5 days ago I got onto this site to see if I could find my mom and my brother, and within minutes I found out where she was. Now, just today my mom contacted me, and after 23 years I am finally reunited with my mom, brother, uncle and two sisters I didn’t even know about. I encourage anyone that has lost communication with someone or never really met a family member to give this site 5 days the way I did and see the results this site can produce.”

Samuel enjoyed a family reunion that included siblings he never knew existed. We know that this meant everything to Samuel, and we were excited to play a small part.

We are proud that our services help people – and that some people use our websites to help others. Take Jeri from California, who goes by the nickname Sherlock. Jeri helped find “missing” classmates for a High School Reunion Committee, and then continued to help friends, other committees and complete strangers find their long lost loved ones. Read more about it in part two of this blog.

By the early 1950’s, Elvis had become a sensation. He had the total package: the look, the moves and the voice. People everywhere gathered together to hear his music, and share the thrill of his live performances.

The people who shared the experience of seeing Elvis, or spent time together listening to his songs and watching his movies, share a unique bond. They are permanently linked through their mutual adoration of the man who was affectionately known as “The King”.

Elvis released his first album in March of 1956. It was a smash hit; the album landed at the top of the charts for ten weeks. This accomplishment is made even more impressive by the fact that his was the first rock ‘n’ roll album to reach number one on the Billboard Charts.

Fans flocked to see Elvis live, where his gyrating method of dance sparked a wave of controversy, and earned him the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis” along with a slew of bad publicity. He was nearly banned from such prestigious television programs as The Ed Sullivan Show, but his ever-increasing popularity was enough to change most anyone’s mind. In 1956, Sullivan booked Elvis for three appearances. Elvis made several notorious televised appearances, which only helped to increase his status as a celebrity.

It seemed nothing could slow down this amazing career, not even a stint in the United States army. When Elvis returned, however, he spent most of his time making movies. Elvis the movie star left many of his fans clamoring for more music from their idol. They were given a taste of his songs in every new film, but the soundtracks didn’t fare nearly as well as his other work.

After several years of making movies, Elvis wanted to return to his roots. He starred in the NBC holiday special that would later be known as “The Elvis Comeback Special”. It worked. The show boasted more viewers than any other put out by the network that season. Elvis the rock ‘n’ roller was back.

From then on Elvis continued to record new music and play live shows. Tragically, the iconic singer passed away on August 16, 1977. Even after his passing the King continued to make waves. His song “Way Down” reached the top of the country music charts three days after he was pronounced dead.

So many people cherished Elvis, and shared the experience of listening to his music, going to his live shows and watching his movies together. Fans of Elvis share a special connection – a unity that stems from their love of this beloved performer.

If you’ve lost touch with friends who shared your love of Elvis, we can help. You can use our People Search service to find anyone that you’d like to reconnect with. All it takes is a name, old phone number, former address or most any other information you have, and you can see how to reach out to someone special so you can reminisce.

January 8, 1935 is the day of Elvis’ birth, and the perfect time to reconnect with the people who once celebrated his life and career with you. Happy birthday to the King, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

We’ve seen so many amazing events unfold over the year. We shared a collective feeling of bereavement at the loss of celebrities like Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett and Patrick Swayze.  These beloved entertainers brought so much joy into our lives, and their unfortunate passing reminds of us how important it is to hold the people that we care about close. We are constantly reminded of just how unpredictable life can be.

We were stunned by the startling tale of Jaycee Dugard, and couldn’t contain our excitement when she was finally reunited with her family. We marveled at how modern technology helped solve mysteries from long ago, like the man who murdered Rebecca Doisy being brought to justice after more than 30 years. We honored those whose lives were lost or changed forever on September 11. We cheered for the Good Samaritan who helped save a young boy from a raging fire. We watched with rapt attention as the saga of Tiger Woods unfolded before our eyes.

Throughout the year, one thing that we’ve found holds true for everyone is that it’s all about a connection. Technology continues to advance, stories break that astound and provoke us, but in the end the most important thing is always the people who share our lives.

Thank you for giving us an outstanding 2009, and allowing us to help you find and connect with family, friends, classmates and anyone else who touched your life. We look forward to an exceptional and fulfilling 2010. Have a happy New Year, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

Holiday Shopping
Gift giving is fun and rewarding, but holiday shopping can hold several hazards. Here are a few tips to help give you a safer experience:
•    Take a friend with you – there is always safety in numbers
•    Never leave valuables where they can be seen in your car
•    Keep your keys in your hand when walking to your vehicle; get in quickly and lock the doors right away
•    When shopping online, only give your credit card information to reputable sources
•    Before you make a purchase from an individual, run a background report on the seller
•    Don’t leave empty boxes outside of your house – they can show criminals what you have waiting inside

Decorations
Holiday decorations can brighten any home of office, but every year hundreds of homes are accidentally set on fire. Follow a few simple precautions to help avoid disaster:
•    Unplug your holiday lights at night, or when they will be unattended for a long period of time
•    If you have a tree, keep it well watered to make it more fire-resistant
•    Candles make beautiful decorations, but they should never be placed near flammable objects or in areas where they may be easily knocked over
•    Keep working smoke detectors in your home, and don’t forget fresh batteries

Socializing
December is packed with social occasions: parties, work events, outings with friends. Before you go out, take a moment to think about safety:
•    Never let your beverage out of your sight; it only takes a moment for someone to slip something in a drink
•    Meet someone new while you were out? Learn more about them before accepting a holiday date by running a Stud Or Dud report
•    Plan ahead to have a safe trip home; never drink and drive

Got your own holiday safety tips? Leave us a comment and share your ideas on how to keep safe and secure during this special time of year. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

People’s list contains more than 25 intriguing individuals – some people were listed as couples (like Barack and Michelle Obama), and others were clumped into larger groups (like the Kardashian sisters). Every winner was given their own title, such as “The Power Pair” for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, or “The Departing Diva” for Oprah Winfrey.

A few celebrities will find themselves in this issue for an entirely different reason; this year the magazine features a “Men in the Doghouse” list. The inductees include: Chris Brown, Jon Gosselin, Kanye West, David Letterman and Tiger Woods.

At PeopleFinders, we reviewed the “Most Intriguing of 2009” list with great interest and amusement. We were reminded of the stories that shocked us, like the harrowing story of Jaycee Dugard or the tragic departure of Michael Jackson. We also couldn’t help but smile at the success of new entertainers like Lady Gaga, and old favorites like Sandra Bullock.

Of course celebrities aren’t the only people who fascinate us. The people who make the biggest impact on our lives are the ones we call our friends and family. These are the people who are around when we need someone to talk, laugh and cry with us, or even to share encouraging thoughts during difficult times.

Through the years we welcome so many intriguing people into our lives. Relatives, friends, classmates, neighbors … we build up our own personal cast of characters. So many meaningful people share their lives with us, but time has a funny way of separating even the closest of friends.

Our world moves at such a fast pace that it can be easy to lose track of anyone. But no matter how much time passes, you’ll always remember the people who intrigued you the most. PeopleFinders is here to help you reconnect with people who were once the biggest newsmakers in your world.

PeopleFinders will help you find anyone, anywhere. Start your own People Search Membership, and prepare to embark on a truly rewarding adventure – a trip down memory lane filled with exciting people from your past. You’ll find yourself remembering why these are the people who have earned a spot on your own most intriguing list.

You can check out the new issue of People Magazine on December 18, and read more about fascinating headline-makers and celebrities. Check out PeopleFinders.com anytime you want to learn how to find and reconnect with unforgettable people like your best friend from high school, an old military buddy or the cousin who got married and moved around too often to keep track.

Have fun creating your own list of intriguing individuals, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders People Search blog.

At PeopleFinders, we love the feelings of community and sharing that accompany each December. During the holiday season people devote a little more time to simply being with relatives and friends, something we encourage all year long! To help get into the holiday spirit we thought we’d mention a few of the lesser-known reasons to celebrate this December:

Hi Neighbor Month

It’s just as simple as it sounds – the last month of the year is a time when people are encouraged to say hello and get to know their neighbors. Start with a friendly wave or a good morning and who knows, you may be starting a brand new friendship.

December 16: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

What better way to celebrate than with chocolate? On December 16 people are encouraged to get adventurous with their favorite treat and try anything they want dipped in chocolate.

December 21: Look On The Bright Side Day

Although December is known as the holiday season, it can be a difficult month. Shorter days, colder weather, stressful schedules and more can be a bit overwhelming. December 21 is all about taking a moment to stop your hectic day and focus on the positive side of life.

Write A Friend Month

When was the last time you sat down and wrote an old-fashioned letter? Just imagine how much it would mean to get one from someone you care about. This December, take a little time to write a letter to a friend.

At PeopleFinders we want to help you share this special time of year with anyone who has touched your life. We’re offering some incredible end-of-year specials to help you find people and stay connected with the friends and family who brighten your holiday season. Click here to see our incredible holiday specials.

Whatever you celebrate, PeopleFinders wishes you a very safe and happy holiday season. Thank you for reading the People Search blog.