Vampires really do exist! They walk among us everyday. It's likely that you call at least one "a friend". Though most are aware of the consequences of their activities, some, amazingly, are unaware of their predilection. We are not talking about the fictional, blood-sucking kind, but people whom knowingly, or otherwise, consistently take happy situations and "suck the joy right out of 'em". People whom, not because of concerns about safety or well-being, not because they are privy to some information unknown to others, and not always through actual action (occasionally by omission), after any encounter, leave their victims "drained" of the joy they felt before. They bite anywhere they can, and employ techniques as varied as their numbers. For those seeking to protect their happiness, joy and the resultant smiles, the ability to identify "joy vampires" and take preventive measures is crucial.

Who and what is "THE FERTILIZER"?

Any success in warding off "joy vampires" begins with and requires acceptance of the following basic principles:

The responsibility for your HAPPINESS, JOY, and SMILES is yours.

HAPPINESS, JOY, and SMILES originate from within.

HAPPINESS, JOY, and SMILES are not easily created, nor maintained.

HAPPINESS, JOY, and SMILES are unlimited, self-sustaining, and renewable.

HAPPINESS, JOY, and SMILES are courageous, respectful, and resourceful.

The presence of HAPPINESS, JOY, and SMILES is a condition and cannot be objectified.

HAPPINESS, JOY, and SMILES do not respond in kind to attackers.

Vampire Recognition Tips

They are rarely pure-bred. Most employ a combination of techniques similtaneously.
---There is no room for improvement of their position on an issue. He or she, or their leaders, have done all the thinking. To experience HJS others should "just follow directions".
---My limitations are your limitations. Having decided that there is cap on the HJS available in his or her life, these practitioners intrude into the lives of others with the sole intent of restricting, to the same level, others' opportunities for experiencing HJS.
---Schedule worshipers. He or she expresses dismay when others experience HJS at a point in time other than that he or she has scheduled.
---Their efforts must always be acknowledged. That another has found HJS is not reward enough. His or her effort or guidance toward that end must be publicly acknowledged and/or given some credit.
---Values style over substance. Knows how your HJS should look in any situation. If it does not, then he or she makes any variation an issue of grave concern.
---"It Takes Two" tripper. If circumstances have diminished, or taken, his or her HJS, causing he or she to "start trippin'", he or she refuses to travel alone. He or she insists that a "true friend" would "trip" also.
---HJS is a limited commodity. Believes any HJS realizeded by others comes at his or her expense, and therefore should not be encouraged.
---But, what about .... Identifies and then accentuates even the most minute flaw in any situation; contending that said flaw should be cause for immediate concern.


Vampire Defense Strategies
How do you defend against "joy vampires" and protect your happiness, joy and smiles? Share your methods here. We will continue to share our ideas and place the best we receive below.

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---Early in life, I was a joiner. I felt happiness lay in belonging to and climbing to the top of organizations. As I've grown older, I have almost gone totally in the opposite direction. Having concluded that most organizations protect themselves and their leadership first, with my happiness running a distant second, I now choose to assist and financially support organizations when I agree with specific goals, objectives, and activities, yet I seldom join them. Consequently, I have not pledged support for organization positions with which I do agree and do not feel the need to confront organization doctrine or leadership because of my disagreement. I'm happy, they're happy.