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MSNBC on 5 keys to happiness!


Amaze
Frail
Sacred

Is this what it feels like to be old?  My daughter-in-law asked the question...not of us but of the universe in general.  She is the mother of a new baby plus 4 other children,in her middle thirties, and a professional.  She is not old...she is just a busy woman doing a lot every day.

As for feeling old...I can't say what that feels like.  Everyone needs to answer that question if they feel they must.  This morning msnbc.msn.com posted an article about happiness and how you find it for yourself.  We all know that happiness is a frail emotion that can be crumpled with the raise of an eyebrow.  But it can be invoked MSNBC says. How?  Information from MSNBC "5 things that make you happier":
  • Be grateful. Cicero said Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.  I think he could have added It is the key to wellness and happiness.
  • Be optimistic.  "...visualize an ideal future...and describe the image in a journal entry."
  • Count your blessings.  "People who practice writing down three good things that have happened to them every week show significant boosts in happiness, studies have found."
  • Use your strengths.  Have a good sense of humor?  Learn a new joke!  Remember if it makes you laugh that is good enough...nothing is sacred!
  • Commit acts of kindness. "It turns out helping others also helps ourselves." 


Consciously doing these things are effective ways to find true happiness in your life...lighten your burden, your attitude, your pain...it truly is simple.  At least I have found it to be so in my life.  You might give it a try.

b
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Comments

  1. aspiemomMarch 3, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    Great suggestions! I think journaling your blessings is a great idea. I keep saying I'll do it. I'll start tomorrow.

    Excellent use of those words and ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just someoneMarch 4, 2010 at 4:48 AM

    That was a nice piece! good advice too

    ReplyDelete
  3. ThomGMarch 4, 2010 at 4:51 AM

    words to live by, as I search mightily for some happiness and meaning in my own life.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Andy SewinaMarch 4, 2010 at 3:50 PM

    Phew, nicely! happiness... bring it on!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. one more believerMarch 4, 2010 at 4:38 PM

    excellent post b...happiness is fleeting yet everything....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tumblewords:March 4, 2010 at 9:35 PM

    Good post and great reminders!

    ReplyDelete
  7. GigglesMarch 4, 2010 at 9:36 PM

    Thanks for popping by my blog. I agree one hundred percent! Happiness is a choice. Looking beyond yourself is fruitless!!! Gratitude and sense
    of humor are imperative.

    Peace Giggles

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jay ThurstonMarch 5, 2010 at 5:37 AM

    Inspirational! Great advice, and nice way to utilize the words! I only saw "sacred" the first time through.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tim RempMarch 5, 2010 at 6:25 AM

    Very well written.

    -Tim
    My 3ww:
    http://timremp.blogspot.com/2010/03/old-world-were.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Crybbe666March 5, 2010 at 9:31 AM

    Hi, glad I popped in. Thanks for an uplifting start to my morning. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. bMarch 6, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    Thank you all for stopping by. I just thought these were wonderful points of encouragement. Best of all they are all doable!

    Jay, if you will notice in the "use your strengths" I said that if telling the joke make you laugh that was good enough. Nothing is "sacred"!

    Have a good one everybody.

    g

    ReplyDelete

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