Happiness
Shawn Achor became known for teaching a course on Happiness at Harvard. He has since explored the subject in great detail. He works with many businesses focusing on workplace happiness and production. But his ideas work very well for our personal lives. He has many practical suggestions. Here are a few:
Choose the most valuable reality
Shortly after we moved here, I was so sad. My reality was:
- I missed my children and their families.
- I didn't even have a girlfriend I could call to go to lunch
- I missed my hairdresser
- I missed our local library
- I missed the studio where I did yoga
I became desperate to feel better, so I followed an exercise Shawn Achor recommended in his book. I wrote down my current reality as I was thinking it. I sat and just let my thoughts and pen flow -- poured it all out, wrote it all down.
The next direction was to think of another reality regarding the same situation. So I thought and wrote.
The next direction was to think and write about a third reality. It seemed so difficult, but I did it. I read and reread my writings and thought about them a lot.
Eventually my reality of choice became :
- we live in a beautiful place
- we could drive 30 minutes and get to a beach
- there were kind, loving people in our community
- I had a brand new bicycle to ride
- we have a chance to try many outdoor activities
- we had a whole new house to decorate
- we have a beautiful space for overnight guests
It was not a quick transition, but a gradual experiencing of this reality. Still real, just different. When I am stuck, I forget this. The exercise of writing down three realities and then purposefully choosing the best reality really helped me begin to adjust.
Value of a ratio of 3 positives to 1 negative
The most valuable reality has a ratio of positive to negative interactions of at least 3:1. He recommends intentionally adding at least three positive when we are experiencing a negative, even if it is a small gesture, like smiling and speaking to strangers, putting flowers on the table, sending a nice e-mail. Research has shown that the most productive work teams actually have a positive to negative ratio of 6:1. Why do we need so many positives? Because our brains hang onto the negatives. I can easily recall some of the negative things that have been said to me by loved ones and colleagues. So, I use this technique when those memories come to the forefront. Instead of dwelling on them, I think of three positives from loved ones, teachers or colleagues.
And in my daily life, if I have a "down day", I create three positives to help balance it out. Steve and I have had a little joke about it. If one of us says something negative, we need to say three positives. Good technique!
CBS Sunday Morning Show "Suns"
This might be my favorite show. The feature stories are well done and on such a positive note, never sensationalized. And the best part is the story ends with a beautiful picture of the sun flashed on the screen, always different, always beautiful.
This is the ceramic sun I painted when I found out we were moving. It hangs in my bright, sunny kitchen.
Third Chakra
Chakra is a Sanskrit word that is used to describe energy centers in the body. It is a fascinating study that helps us understand ourselves and begin to create balance and healing. The third chakra is at the navel center of the body. It is our source of power. The photo above is one of the circles included in the following kit: Chakra Balancing by Anodea Judith. I use these visuals as a focus during some of my meditation and yoga practices. Energy and power from the sun!
Frisbee
My grandson was playing with an "indoor Frisbee". My daughter-in-law suggested that I might want to look at it and make one. So, to ravelry.com I went. I found a simple crochet pattern and here it is, all bright and sunny. It works really well and is great for indoors.
In My Corner Today
Kindle Paperwhite
I just replaced my first edition Kindle. I love this new paperwhite, the best for beach reading and tucking into my purse to read on the go. It has a touch screen, nice adjustable light, highlighting and note taking, dictionary and skeleton. And the best feature is a 3g setting. I can sit on the beach, decide to read a book and download it immediately--heaven.
Spinning Forward by Terri Dulong was my beach read. Set on an island in Florida, the main character opens a yarn shop. It is one of a series of six and I have already read the second book, Casting About.
Before Happiness by Shawn Achor, 2013
This book is chock full of practical ideas to increase your chance of happiness. I have read it three times and highly recommend it.
My Sunshine Frisbee. It will be a big brother gift to accompany a baby gift.
Frisbee Fun, free crochet pattern on www.ravelry.com
