Happiness Challenge Round 3 - Starting June 1

[Changing4Best]

The author of THE HAPPINESS ADVANTAGE (Shawn Achor) recommends that when you are working to correct something that makes you UNhappy, to start with small manageable things. Take for instance a messy desk or a cluttered room, start with a foot wide circle or square of space, unclutter it and then the next day just work to keep it uncluttered. The the following day, try to expand that space by another foot or so, still keeping that original space uncluttered while day by day you add some more space to it.

He also said that when you take from the clutter, to place things in files or wherever they should go in the room or house and work at keeping them in that spot too. He says that in this manner, in a month or so, if you work at it for maybe 15 minutes a day, you will arrive at your goal. (If it is a whole house, it would probably take longer, of course). His book focuses on work and work related things, so he was not talking about a whole house, nor dealing with family members who add to clutter. So in that last instance, Gretchen Rubin, in her book called HAPPIER AT HOME, recommends involving the whole family and getting their agreement to help.

 

[Changing4Best]

(If it is a whole house, it would probably take longer, of course). His book focuses on work and work related things, so he was not talking about a whole house, nor dealing with family members who add to clutter. So in that last instance, Gretchen Rubin, in her book called HAPPIER AT HOME, recommends involving the whole family and getting their agreement to help.

However, she strongly cautions against nagging. Instead she knows that the only one she can change is herself, so she politely suggests things that her family could do that would make her happier and asks for help, but if her family does not cooperate, she sets the best example she can, and leads hoping that her family will follow. She says that nagging does not work, is counter-productive and just causes a lot more upset for herself and her family.

 

[ms spock]

I am grateful that I threw a couple of things out this morning.
I am grateful that I got up and left the house.
I am grateful that I rang a couple of people last night and talked.

I did ring a couple of people last night and tried to connect with them. I feel overwhelmed a lot of the time at the moment and I am finding this very difficult. I feel like I have wasted my life. But I did connect with two people last night. It is disconcerting to not know who I am.

Exercise: A Dip in the Ocean this morning.

Meditation: About 30 minutes.

A Random Act of Kindness: to be completed

 

[Whitneys story]

Wow we are into week 2! Thank you Shiela for posting the goodies. I seem to be overbooked. But I knew that starting.

Random act: I generally leave a larger tip as some I eat with think wait staff make more than minimimum wage.

Have an outstanding week everyone!

 

[The Albatross]

Noticing some more expansiveness, and a better ability to shift/adapt to new situations as they present themselves. Progress, I'll take it.

Am I any "happier?" Eh, not particularly... but I do seem to be a bit more "accepting" of people/situations/emotions as they change or occur (even my own... except for political current events.)

 

[Changing4Best]

This is under Shawn Achor's (THE HAPPINESS ADVANTAGE's) section of his book entitled:

"Post Traumatic Growth"

"People's ability to find the path up rests largely on how they conceive of the cards they have been dealt, ... the people who can most successfully get themselves up off the mat are those who define themselves not by what has happened to them, but by what they can make out of what has happened. These are the people who actually use adversity to find the path forward. They speak of not just 'bouncing back,' but of 'bouncing forward.'".

ALSO:

He says that "Common sense is not common action" And further explains this by saying, "In life knowledge is only part of the battle. Without action, knowledge is often meaningless.".

So he came up with "The 20 Second Rule".

This is to make the actions you want to do that will be beneficial to you within 20 seconds reach. Do things like wear your gym cloths to bed, place your sneakers right next to your bed; put the guitar in a guitar stand next to your couch instead of in the closet inside its case..... This way, since you know that exercise helps you get going and feel better throughout the day, and being able to play your guitar makes you feel good about yourself (not to mention that it is a great thing to mention on dates) you can jump start yourself into happier frames of mind by also placing obstacles between yourself and those things that are too easy. (Hide the TV remote at least 20 seconds from the TV! Instead, place that book which you have been meaning to read right next to the couch...).

 

[ms spock]

I am grateful that I reached out and people responded.
I am grateful that I spent a day with people.
I am grateful that I managed to cook a meal.

I am struggling but trying to think things through. I am trying to work things through.

Exercise no

Meditation yes

Random Act of kindness- spent time with a woman who told me she didn't want to be on her own.

 

[ms spock]

1. I am grateful for the fact I am finding things to feel grateful each day.
I am grateful for this challenge.
I am grateful that I have a friend to watch a DVD with today.

2. I spent from 8am yesterday until 10 pm yesterday with people. It was hard at times but it was a big change for me. The suicidal ideation is still here but not as bad as the two weeks before last.

3. Exercise- not yet

4. Meditation. Yes

5. Random act of kindness yes spoke to an artist.

 

[Changing4Best]

"You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!".
Psalm 128:2
New Living Translation of the Bible.

 

[Changing4Best]

"... don't sin by letting anger control you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil". Ephesians 4:26 New Living Translation of the Bible.

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
- Buddha

 

[Whitneys story]

A little inspiration for Team 21, were singing it now. Enjoy

[DLMURL]http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=g-logo-xit&v=35tczLdFKmc[/DLMURL]

 

[Changing4Best]

THE HAPPY SONG

If you're happy and you know it
clap your hands
CLAP clap-clap
If you're happy and you know it
clap your hands
CLAP clap-clap
If you're happy and you know it
and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it
clap your hands
CLAP clap-clap.

If you're happy and you know it
stomp your feet
STOMP stomp-stomp
If you're happy and you know it
stomp your feet
STOMP stomp-stomp
If you're happy and you know it
and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it
stomp your feet
STOMP stomp-stomp....

How young were you when you learned this one?