Wednesday, October 31, 2018

TREAT Yourself to Happiness

Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude." 
~ Dale Carnegie
American Businessman & Writer.
 (1888 - 1955)

According to Kira M. Newman, who writes for Greater Good, there are 6 Scientific Facts That Link Happiness with Good Health, including:

  • HAPPINESS PROTECTS YOUR HEART. 
  • HAPPINESS STRENGTHENS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. 
  • HAPPINESS COMBATS STRESS.
  • HAPPY PEOPLE HAVE FEWER ACHES AND PAINS.
  • HAPPINESS COMBATS DISEASE AND DISABILITY.
  • HAPPINESS LENGTHENS OUR LIVES.


With those happiness benefits in mind, here's how through your own actions you can treat yourself to times of happiness:

  • Make a list of no to low cost activities that bring you joy (joy is an enhancement of happiness), and pull three a week from a jar where you've placed these activities from your list, and schedule time for each of those treats of joy-filled happiness
  • Schedule a personal phone call with one of your best friends who is also happy. When you schedule it, it becomes a priority and there is less phone-tag, and more likely happy laughter and sharing
  • Drive a path of nature or beauty in your mind, and while staying focused on your journey, strive to see something new or light in spirit to treat yourself to some happy bonus time
  • Meditate about happiness and the thoughts, feelings, words and actions that create that sense for you
  • Decide you'll be happy in your words and actions at the beginning of the day, and then record your happiest moments, with gratitude, at the end of the day. Read the list from yesterday upon waking each day.
  • Smile, and watch who smiles back. The simple act of kindness begets much kindness

These, and other intentional focuses on happiness may not wipe away all heartache and concern, and yet with these, the heart can pump some energy, and our concerns may get complimented by ideas to combat those low points.

Since happiness has value, and little cost, there's few or no reasons not to treat yourself to a little this Halloween...and throughout the upcoming months!

Monday, October 29, 2018

The TRICK to Resting Happy Face

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."
~ Helen Keller
American Author.
(1880 - 1968)

 Very few people sit in silence and/or in a concentration mindset and have a happy look to their face. Rarely do you hear someone refer to someone's "Resting Happy Face" (RHF)!

While the preference is to provide tips and tools each month, with Halloween coming, here's a "trick" for you: press your tongue up on the roof of your mouth where your front teeth come out of your gum. This will lift the corners of your mouth to where you do not have a fake smile, rather a less off-putting, more approachable resting face. This is terrific for listening to others, meetings and even greeting trick-or-treaters who may or may not have on costumes!

Enjoy this rare "trick" for turning your frowning corners upside down this Halloween, or any time!