Greetings!  

Last weekend, at the Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival, I saw the film, Happy. It is a feature-length documentary that takes viewers to India, Bhutan, Denmark, Brazil, Japan, and Southwest Louisiana to explore the mindsets, cultures and habits that lead to happiness.  

They also interview researchers in the growing fields of positive psychology and neuroscience who describe what they are learning about the ingredients for happiness.

The filmmakers have declared February 11 as World Happy Day and screenings of the film will take place around the globe. I recommend the film. Check out the website to find screenings in your area.  

Research findings suggest that we have anywhere from 20 - 60% control over our own happiness. What that means for me, not having been born with the happy gene, is that I must take conscious steps to cultivate happiness.

If the word happy bothers you, choose another word to focus on, like contentment, ease, well-being or aliveness.

The film concludes that we can take active steps to cultivate happiness, such as:

• Gratitude - Pay attention to the small things that you are grateful for each day
• Novelty - Try something new
• Community - Spend time with family, friends, spiritual communities and/or neighbors
• Flow - Find activities or work in which you are so engrossed that you lose track of time
• Optimism - Notice your perspective. If you catch yourself being pessimistic, try to turn your thinking around
• Mindfulness - Practice being in the present moment, rather than in the future or the past
• Generosity - Help others

Happiness is contagious. So if you live in more ease and aliveness, others around you will too.

To learn more about these and other ways to cultivate happiness, you can read one of the many books that have been written in recent years, watch the film, and work with a coach.*

One way I am going to up my happiness quotient this weekend is through pursuing novelty and community. You will find me in New Orleans at the Krewe du Vieux Mardi Gras parade with friends and family.  

What will you do to pursue happiness today?

Cheers,

Sue Schleifer 

*See resources below

Happy movie poster

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tee Mamou Mardi Gras

Julian Baggini  Is there a real you? 

Sampling of Books on Happiness 

  James Baraz & Shoshana Alexander, Awakening Joy: 10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness 

  Rick Foster & Greg Hicks, How We Choose To Be Happy  

  Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living  

  Marci Shimoff, Happy for No Reason

Have you been thinking about working with a life/career coach? The new year is a wonderful time to begin working with a coach. 

Give me a call to schedule a complimentary coaching consultation.   

Below are what some of my clients have said about the coaching experience.

"Since I first hired a coach I have been a happier person and a more successful businessman. My company has become much more successful, our employees have had the opportunity to grow to the fullest of their capabilities and everyone seems to enjoy each day of life much more than in the past."
President

I would love to be a resource to you too! Let's talk.