Saturday, September 20, 2008
 
SIX HAPPINESS TIPS
Can you imagine, I didn't have anything that I wanted to post today - no memories, no movie reviews, no recipes and no complaints!

This was the time to go to my "Idea Folder."

Girasoles para los amigos  / Sunflowers for the friends
Girasoles para los amigos / Sunflowers for the friends by Claudio.Ar - Hermes - Back on line :), on Flickr CC BY-NC-SA

I found this article written by Tai Ben-Shahar who is an author and lecturer at Harvard University. He teaches a course at Harvard on "Positive Psychology" and a course on "The Psychology of Leadership."

After rereading it, I can see why I saved it.

Six Happiness Tips

Advice from Tal Ben-Shahar:
1. Give yourself permission to be human. When we accept emotions — such as fear, sadness, or anxiety — as natural, we are more likely to overcome them. Rejecting our emotions, positive or negative, leads to frustration and unhappiness.

2. Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable. When this is not feasible, make sure you have happiness boosters, moments throughout the week that provide you with both pleasure and meaning.

3. Keep in mind that happiness is mostly dependent on our state of mind, not on our status or the state of our bank account. Barring extreme circumstances, our level of well being is determined by what we choose to focus on (the full or the empty part of the glass) and by our interpretation of external events. For example, do we view failure as catastrophic, or do we see it as a learning opportunity?

4. Simplify! We are, generally, too busy, trying to squeeze in more and more activities into less and less time. Quantity influences quality, and we compromise on our happiness by trying to do too much.

5. Remember the mind-body connection. What we do — or don't do — with our bodies influences our mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.

6. Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature to a smile.



Comments:
That's all very good advice, especially #6!
 
I am happy that I found your blog to read.
It always bring a smile to my face when I visit here.

Bear((( )))
 
Hi Millie, I would like to thank you for this beautiful blog. It makes us all think. I would like to add the word ATTITUDE to go with Gratitude. 90% of all our situations is Attitude. The way we look,react, and handle the situation.

If we change the way we look at things the things we look at WILL CHANGE!
This Blog is like a self improvement lesson.
Thank you again,
Nanci
 
Hi Millie,
What a great blog, I'll have to comeback and read it often. It sure is a great reminder of what life's all about.
 
Millie, I really needed this as I have tried not to watch the news on a daily basis, and yet, continue to do so as it ties my stomach in knots. I knew all these tips in the back of my mind, but your blog helped them slog their way to the front!
 
Really like these thoughts, Millie. Thanks for sharing them here. I've finally gotten up a new post, but so much I've wanted to write about these weeks.
 
Millie, It was meant for me to read this. Needed it.
My sister went in for knee replacement 10 days ago and staph set in. I attended her funeral in Michigan a week ago today.
 
Thank you for giving those tips a review. Some of us have never read them before.
 
Thanks to all my fellow bloggers who left such sincere comments about my "Six Happiness Tips."

You showed your gratitude and that made me feel "happy."
 
These are great!!!! I have friends (via his newsletter) with a gentleman in Cleveland who calls himself The Executive Happiness Coach. I wrote him about how an article he wrote helped me. He wrote back and a correspondence began and I wound up telling him my story. I will be meeting him and his wife soon when I attend one of his workshops. AND he's asked me to help edit his latest book.

Happiness takes practice and we all need all the help we can get!!!
 
Post a Comment


HOME
Powered by Blogger