One of the people who influenced me gave me a lesson on happiness. The lesson is as active and alive in my life today as it was the day he gave it to me.Â
His lesson was simple: He said, “Ray, do you want to be happy?”Â
I answered, “Of course I want to be happy?”
He said, “If you really want to be happy, fall in love with someone or something every day.”
It really works! Fall in love each day with someone or something.
Our minds work just like our other muscles, and evidence suggests that taking regular breaks helps fuel productivity and creativity. Our brains will stop registering a sight, sound or feeling if that same stimulus is constant over time or remains unchanged. To prevent overload, take a short break to refresh your mind when you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed or distracted. Make sure to leave your phone and any other work-related devices at your desk . Try going for a five-minute walk outside and just enjoying the fresh air.Â
Dark, leafy greens such as spinach and kale are rich in folate, providing 33% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). This nutrient is linked to a decrease in negative moods and depression because it helps produce dopamine in the brain. One 2012 study found that middle-aged people who consumed the most folate had a lower risk of depression symptoms than those who ate the least.
“Dealing” With a Difficult Person
Visualize the person with whom you’re having difficulty as a perfect, enlightened being radiating a pure, tranquil light, says Sluyter. But she’s stuck in an eggshell, and all the actions you find difficult or problematic are just this person trying to peck away at that shell. Now visualize yourself gently helping to peel away that shell so she can become her best, enlightened self. Next time you see that individual, you’ll frame your relationship in this new context.
Brighten Up Your Life with Flowers, Indoors and Out
A team of Harvard researchers found that keeping fresh flowers at home does wonders in keeping away anxiety and negative moods. People in the study also felt more compassionate toward others and they felt a boost of energy and enthusiasm at work.
Write Reminders –Â Are you forgetful first thing in the morning? If so, jot down important morning tasks the night before, and place the list somewhere visible. For instance, you could write reminders on a dry erase board that sticks to your refrigerator. You could also scribble encouraging quotes or mantras on the board to get some positive vibes going.
Here are a few of the good things I witnessed or experienced today:
We’re another day closer to victory. I shy away from the naysayers, depressing, and “what if” folks. Bring on the music. Let’s dance. Life is good and getting better.
The little things are priceless treasures to me. They brighten my day. I hope your day is filled to overflowing with the little things that make life worth living.
Grateful for all the above.
If you’d like to share the good things you’ve witnessed on my blog, Email me (ray.brese@gmail.com) a short list (1 to 5 things. Â I’ll post and attribute them to you in the way you choose to be acknowledged (e.g., anonymous, name, Word Press blog (etc.).
A Feel Good Strategy
In Mental Subtraction of Positive Events, you call to mind a certain positive event—the birth of a child, a career achievement, a special trip—and think of all the circumstances that made it possible. How could things have turned out differently? Just taking a moment to imagine this alternate reality creates a favorable comparison, where suddenly our life looks quite good.
Here’s a personal feel good hack. I enjoy my morning coffee almost as much as I enjoy my morning shower. I make my coffee the night before. When I wake up I ask Alexa (Amazon Echo device) to “Turn on Coffee.” I hear the coffee maker click on. I hear the drip, drip, drip of coffee, and sixty seconds later the wonderful aroma of a dark roast makes it way to me while I lie on my yoga mat doing crunches. That’s a tough place to drink coffee, but my anticipation switch clicked on. Cheers!
