Open Challenge, The Happiness Advantage Starting April 1st

[The Albatross]

Okay so, a TED talk I viewed earler this year is an 13 minute or so clip. "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor. He says something profound which I really can agree with, "The lens with which your brian views the world, shapes your reality. If we can change the lens we can change your reality."

The video is worth a google and is entertaining but the thing I keyed into was the last few minutes of his talk which outlines 5 things which, if done every day for 21 days, can "open up the learning centers in your brain" and open your mind more toward opportunities. Sounded good to me.

Not sure if I can hotlink the video (our forum rules) and we don't have our media section anymore. But if you're interested or want the link start a conversation with me and I'll give you the "seed" of this idea. The claim is that our brians function more optimally if we endeavor to do 5 things for 21 days consistently:

1. Write down three new things you are grateful for each day.
2. Journal about a positive experience experience in the last 24 hours.
3. Exercise
4. Meditation
5. A random act of kindness.

Safe Now attempted it in her diary. I put it on my goal/challenge list but have not attempted it. But she and I, with Mercy and Into the Light (so far) are up to attempt it. Theory being, it can't hurt to try.

So, if anyone else is interested in participating, Deb encouraged me to start a thread, and maybe we can support eachother in the endeavor. It's here now, and perhaps will be a discussion thread after the 21 days to get feedback on what we experience. (?)

 

[The Albatross]

Update: Ms. Spock is up for the challenge too. (Want to make sure I don't forget or miss anyone.)

 

[The Albatross]

Dang, ya'll, really? This post is going to be a check in for the upcoming challenge. If nothing else it serves as a marker for those "when you are ready to attempt" goals or challenges. 42 views and no takers. Stay in your own heads y'all, and see what happens. It's been my personal experience that it's worth a risk to attempt new things. We don't know what we're capable of otherwise. But hey, it's your thing (do what you wanna do) (Obscure Isley Brothers song lyric quote.)

 

[The Albatross]

I'd like to think that the more healthier among us would be willing to attempt the challenge. But then I guess it's intensely personal. What do you all think you "have" to "lose"? Just curous, as I'm gonna take a run at this.

 

[Changing4Best]

I'm in to the best of my ability. I'll try it. I like the idea. And I am on here a lot.

 

[The Albatross]

Great Shiela glad to have you in with us.

 

[intothelight]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based upon the theory that our thoughts (or perception) cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. It is how we have interpreted past relationships, situations and events that drive our thoughts and how we perceive the present. Change how you think and change your life in the present.

CBT has proven most effective in the treatment of PTSD and increased studies of neuroplasticity are proving this scientifically. So changing the "way we think" is not pseudoscience and each exercise that a person engages in to change their thought processes to something more positive won't hurt. Remember, it our thoughts and our perceptions that provide the framework of our reality.

I can't really say whether or not this exercise will make a difference, but it sure can't hurt. Last year it was a simple exercise that made the most profound change in my recovery, so I am willing to give this a shot. Who knows what the benefits will be.

 

[KP the nut]

I'm in as well. I used to write daily in my journal, the positive things, even if it was a negative experience I would congratulate myself on dealing/managing the situation.

 

[The Albatross]

Yay KP, you are right about it sometimes being a difficult experience. At times it is not easy for me to see potive things either, but by doing it I'm hoping that I can continue to deal/manage and that the end result will be more comfortable.

So far that means we have 7, that is a solid support group for the challenge. We can share experiences here or our diaries or by personal conversation.

 

[intothelight]

Just a thought that we might want to keep the personal goals each day in our diary or a diary of some sort and post our overall impressions, reflections or feed back here.

Thoughts?

 

[The Albatross]

I may use this as a check in thread (to keep me accountable), but others may not want to do so. Diary entries are fine and if something more specific pops up we can use personal chat as needed to support each other. The idea is to reach out for support before abandoning the challenge by initiating communications with someone in the group. I need to get better at doing that as well.

 

[Tanishq]

Alby, I am doing something similar to this from last one month. It has been amazing. I have wrote it down in my diary. I think I have different approach, but sounds so much similar like this as you have posted it here. It covers up all 5 points.

If I have some questions, I will post them here.

Thank you for inviting me.