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Dear Friends of Balancing Act,
What's "happiness"? Each of us has a different definition, and bookstore shelves are lined with self-help books that claim to steer us toward that elusive shiny state. This month, though, seekers received some research-based insights into the subject with the release of Flourish. In it, the man who brought us the landmark work Authentic Happiness hands us a five-pillar foundation for a state larger than happiness alone: well-being. Speaking of happiness, I found plenty at the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor Conference in Orlando this month. I'm sharing a few below, as well as my own insights on the value of humor in the aging process. And finally, speaking of aging, do you know how old that spaghetti sauce in your refrigerator is? Do you care? Check out this month's column to figure out where you stand on the subject of expiration toleration. Pat
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Are You Flourishing?....
 There's more to well-being than happiness, according to Martin E.P. Seligman's new book Flourish.
In addition to positive emotion (happiness), well-being requires engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment - aka PERMA. The founding director of the Positive Psychology Center at U Penn, Seligman makes it clear that the goal of the increasingly popular positive psychology movement is not simply to increase positive mood but to increase human flourishing in all its aspects. The book offers several proven exercises for increasing well-being. One simple one, the "What-Went-Well Exercise," involves taking ten minutes at bedtime to write down three things that went well that day, then answering the question "What did this happen?" He predicts that doing the exercise faithfully for a week will result in a more positive mood ...and addiction to the exercise! My personal take on how Flourish affirms the positive aging movement appears in this month's online column for The Transition Network.
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Humor Nuggets from AATH
 There was humor and laughter aplenty at the annual conference of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor this month in Orlando.
Here are a few tips to put more humor in your life at home and at work.
- From stress management humorist Kay Frances: Put some "humor nooners" in your life by intentionally scheduling fun breaks in the day. One possibility: go outside, hold up your cell phone and laugh uproariously. No matter that the phone is turned off.
- From humor researcher Paul McGhee, Ph.D.: Try punning. Never mind that your friends may roll your eyes at your puns. They help create a positive frame of mind, and you'll perform better at work.
- From researcher Stephen Sultanoff, Ph.D.: We actually DO laugh on the inside sometimes, and it's a good thing. "Inside laughter" lifts our spirits and readjusts our perspective and counteracts negative thinking. So laugh on the inside all you want - it counts!
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Humor Can Boost Positive Aging
No matter what the nature of the loss, humor can play an important part in changing our perspective and in taking a break from the grieving that goes with it.
That includes not only the loss of loved ones and of jobs but also the losses that come with aging.
It makes sense to build your humor muscle, so it's ready when we need it. I've passed along some thoughts on how to do this in a column for The Transition Network.
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Leash Law No. 28: No-Guilt Return Policy
Unless it's a budget-breaker, don't beat yourself up over unreturned items unless you also fail to donate them to charity. This is particularly true if you're too busy to stand in the return line because you're working so many hours. Your act of charity can assist both you and a person who's less fortunate or not well enough to have an adequate source of income. A double bonus.
Ths is one of 74 leash laws offered in "The Dog Ate My Planner: Tales and Tips from an Overbooked Life."
Copyright 2011 Pat Snyder |
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PAT'S FEATURED
IN
COLLECTIVE FOR WOMEN
MAGAZINE
The Spring issue of Collective for Women Magazine, a publication of The Women's Book, includes an article on Pat and her work founding the Central Ohio Chapter of The Transition Network (TTN).
The focus of this Collective issue is on "Reinvention" - a fitting theme for TTN, which is a NYC-based non-profit that supports the personal growth and development of professional women over 50.
Check out the magazine online. The article about Pat is on page 40.
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COACH YOUR OWN CAREER
Pat will be sharing self-coaching techniques that public sector managers can use to coach their own careers during a workshop May 19 at the Ohio State University Fawcett Center.
The workshop is part of the MAPS (Management Advancement for the Public Service) program of the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.
She's available to tailor self-coaching programs to other groups and organizations and can be contacted through her website.
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LIFE BALANCE
PRESENTATIONS!!
Pat's taking bookings now for life balance speeches and workshops, writing workshops, and laughter programs, all described on her website.
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