April 2021 Newsletter
Happy Days
I was listening to Pharrell Williams’ song “HAPPY” this morning (okay, I admit I was hollering along and bouncing as I was slicing strawberries for my oatmeal). I paused long enough to really listen to the words because it made me wonder – what makes people happy? Here are some of the lyrics:
“Here come bad news talking this and that (Yeah)
Well give me all you got, don't hold back (Yeah)
Well I should probably warn you I'll be just fine (Yeah)
No offence to you don't waste your time
Here's why…because I’m happy…”
So, why is it that some folks always seem to be happy and other just aren’t? I did a little reading and found the consensus boils down to this: It’s the simple things that matter most for a happy life. Make happiness a habit that is within your control. Be a victor, not a victim of your situation.
I’d like to share with you the fundamentals of happiness put forth by Catherine A. Sanderson, author of Science of Happiness. She is known as “The Happiness Professor.”
1. Make little changes in your daily routine, such as getting more sleep, exercising, getting out into nature, and meditating. (Hmmm, seems like we’ve talked about this before, right?)
2. Read more books. Read books to learn—research suggests that lifelong learners remain healthy and engaged, and live long lives. Read books as an escape from your everyday life, Read books—it will make you happy. (Yes, please!)
3. Find your right fit or match, both personally and professionally. If you love what you do and who you are with, you’ll position yourself for personal happiness and professional success. (See, money isn’t everything!)
4. Be grateful. Sanderson suggested two specific activities to help foster a greater sense of gratitude. First, keep a daily gratitude journal. Second, pay a “gratitude visit” to someone from your past who has had a significant impact on your life, and let them know how you feel. (Remember, as my mother used to say, there’s always something to be thankful for.)
5. Smile more—even if you don’t feel like it. Research shows that the simple act of smiling can trick your brain into a happier state. (Unless you are taking family photos and are forced to sit for what feels like hours with that fool cheesy grin plastered across your face in which case all bets are off – ha!)
6. Relish simple, everyday moments. Appreciating life’s small moments, such as a beautiful, sunny day, green shoots sprouting from the ground, and skipping rocks at the beach, teaches you to be more grateful for what you have, especially during moments of stress and angst. (Outside again – yes.)
7. Perform random acts of kindness. Do good deeds. Volunteer. Be charitable. Shop for someone else. Numerous studies have shown that you can help yourself by doing good for others. (Our charity, Magdalene House donations maybe?)
8. Spend money on experiences versus things. Studies have shown that buying an object—a car, handbag, or kitchen gadget—can quickly lead to buyer’s remorse. On the other hand, investing in experiences—a concert, a camping trip, music lessons—leads to greater happiness. Experiences create “happiness residue,” and our perceptions of them often get better over time. (Okay, this one is hard to do right now, but soon, I hope.)
9. Avoid comparisons. Whatever you may think of someone else’s life, particularly as viewed through the phony, filtered lens of social media, it’s almost certainly messier than you imagine. It’s easier to embrace, and learn to love, your own imperfections, if you don’t conjure up myths about how perfect everyone else’s lives seem. (Another reason to take a Facebook furlough.)
10. Build and maintain close relationships. According to Sanderson, having a small number of tight, meaningful relationships is one of the highest predictors of happiness. (That’s what we are here for!)
Are you getting the idea? No matter what life throws at us, we can adapt and thrive. It is all a matter of perspective.
Until next time:
“Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth…
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you…”
- Sue
