Greetings Friends

Long story short, the popularity of the word happiness persists and as a matter of fact is on an upswing if anything. There are of course, "happy meals" from McDonalds, happiness the promise of drinking a Coke, and happiness in countless book names and article titles.

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As you will see in this newsletter, I can and have been talking "happiness" as well as the next person. However, I make an important distinction between happiness and joy, love, and peace. I think happiness is a general term that indicates that you feel good. Joy, love, and peace are emotions -- pure physical measurable sensations you experience in your body. According to Attitude Reconstruction there are simple things you can do to reliably produce these three emotions and create more of what you're truly seeking -- happiness.

 

In this newsletter I'm going to give you Attitude Reconstruction's take on

happiness. 

First, there is a great article in Inc. Magazine that Minda Zetlin wrote after interviewing me.                

1. Do things to keep in touch with who you truly are.

What can you do? Write down two things you appreciate about yourself every day for a week and at the end of the week, read your list out loud. Stop beating yourself up. Identify the demeaning chatter you repeatedly tell yourself, and interrupt it whenever you hear yourself thinking it. Substitute a contradiction that affirms who you are, such as I'm whole and complete or I'm doing the best I can.

2.    Do things for others.

Give without wanting or expecting anything in return. Offer to assist a work mate who has too much to do. Cook a meal for a friend or acquaintance who just had surgery. Help a friend carry a heavy load. Give strangers or loved ones an appreciation. 

3.  Do something you love or do a new activity.

If singing, dancing, playing music, painting, surfing, or yoga bring you joy, do that. Or learn a new skill. Join an exercise class, learn to cook, pick up a musical instrument and take some lessons. Mastering some new endeavor feels really good. 

4.  Do reach out to a friend.

Think of a fun activity and make a date to do something you both enjoy. Go to a museum. Go on a hike. Fix a meal. Plan and take a road trip together. 

5.  Do things for the planet and universe.

Volunteer to help out a non-profit organization with a mission you believe in. Assist in executing a fund-raiser. Or spend some time writing or voicing all the things you are grateful for. Go to an area recovering from a natural disaster and help out. 

6.  Do things for your environment.

Connect to where you live. Participate in a beach or community clean up. Garden. Recycle your old electronics. Get rid of unused items in your closet and give them to an organization in need. 

7.   Do express your love or appreciation to a loved one.

Whether it's a parent, child, relative, or friend, write a card, call on the phone, or send a text conveying to them what you appreciate about them. Write a poem. Give a small token or some flowers.

                                    Watercolor by Tom Hoerber

Check out some Attitude Reconstruction articles on a variety of topics 

Check out some recent Attitude Reconstruction podcasts and radio interviews