Happiness as Science - Eight Natural Steps
Posted by: Derek in Be 1 of The 3 Wise Men, Lungs for Life, Bliss In Your Life, Cancer Fighters, Heart Health, Be The Vibrant WomanHappiness can be as elusive a state to be in, as depression can be to get out off. We know it when we see it in others: a laughing couple, a tender holding of hands between an elderly couple, a child on a swing in the park,Within our own lives, it can be obvious as well: a meeting with a long unseen loved one, almost any time with a grand child, a sense of achievement at completing a task, the praise of one we respect, the smile of a loved one.
How to maintain that state is unlikely over a lifetime given inevitable tragedies ahead no matter how carefully we and our loved ones live. But some research has been done by University of California psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky and others. They found that we would all be happy if we followed what we learned in Sunday school or kindergarten:
-COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
-PRACTICE ACTS OF KINDNESS
-SAVOR LIFE’S JOYS
-THANK A MENTOR
-LEARN TO FORGIVE
-INVEST TIME AND ENERGY IN FRIENDS AND FAMILY
-TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
-DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH STRESS AND HARDSHIPS.
We will discuss each of these elements that science has found exists among those who live longest and report highest rates of personal inner happiness. We can find ourselves wiping our brow, sweating, with grand children at their school or getting them some urgent thing they need and you were there. Receive because you have earned, as I have done, your Best Grandpa Ever award and look at it and whistle while you work, and realize that science can predict some pretty predictable things that is so good to know.
For when the crabby lady cackles, you somehow can really sense she may not have practiced these eight great ways to be happy. And so we will gather around the fire here again shortly, and talk some more on this. The words stand so well, I thought they should be savored, in case my additional words on this may take it away.
When I was first rising (I was a mail boy at HQ) I found I could remember all the eight names of the vice presidents on the floor below the Chairman and and President. Their names followed when I stepped off the elevator and thought MEBSMBSM.
So, each day you prepare to step off your elevator and face the bosses, make them think you are clever by saying all names as your circle that floor. Here you recall CPSTLITD.
So, for now, we will say CPST,
LITD. As easy as Tigger and Pooh. Here is to a satisfying, happy life.
Derek Dashwood
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