This isn't technically a happy experience, but it is a thought on Happiness based on a meditation yesterday. I was looking for books on happiness at the church library and came across this book by Marsha Sinetar, Living Happily Ever After: Thrive on Change, Triumph over Adversity. I have not yet read it, but she made an interesting point in her introduction.
We tend to think of Happily Ever After is something for children's stories and as a adults that it is not real. However, It is possible to have Happily Ever After, when we view things the right way.
It was always a little troubling that Happily Ever After always stopped at the resolution to a problem and then nothing else happened. But perhaps it was a Happily Ever After because the characters learned to work together to solve problems together.
The Happiness Project has actually been a good way to demonstrate this and move me toward Happily Ever After. By focusing on the good things and looking for them, it certainly makes things seem like they are going well.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Happiness Project: Week 2
The week has not gone as well as week one. I did not come up with 3 good things the last few days and I only did my 20 minute meditation once. And now, I am going to turn that 20 minute meditation into my blog post (the first and only for the week).
I spent 20 minutes looking at my walking stick in the corner of my Sanctuary (I have debated on what to call that little room. Meditation space sounded wrong, because I don't just use it for meditation. I read and sit and relax there too. I went back to Sanctuary). The walking stick is nothing special. It's just a crepe myrtle branch that someone trimmed and threw in the woods behind my house. I tied a amethyst to the top of it. I have only used it once on my walk. But every time I see it I think about life as a journey.
Mine has been interesting, but in some ways weird. I suppose it seems weird because I just kinda went with the flow for a long time and never really considered who I am or what I wanted. I am glad I know now, even if some dreams are impossible at this point. It is a much happier existence to be on the journey you are wanting than one you settle on or are led on.
Participating in the Happiness Project has really been for the most part about looking forward for me, rather than back. I am not sure why, but I have always been plagued by mistakes and missed opportunity and spend a lot of time wishing things were different rather than working on moving forward to the right path.
I spent 20 minutes looking at my walking stick in the corner of my Sanctuary (I have debated on what to call that little room. Meditation space sounded wrong, because I don't just use it for meditation. I read and sit and relax there too. I went back to Sanctuary). The walking stick is nothing special. It's just a crepe myrtle branch that someone trimmed and threw in the woods behind my house. I tied a amethyst to the top of it. I have only used it once on my walk. But every time I see it I think about life as a journey.
Mine has been interesting, but in some ways weird. I suppose it seems weird because I just kinda went with the flow for a long time and never really considered who I am or what I wanted. I am glad I know now, even if some dreams are impossible at this point. It is a much happier existence to be on the journey you are wanting than one you settle on or are led on.
Participating in the Happiness Project has really been for the most part about looking forward for me, rather than back. I am not sure why, but I have always been plagued by mistakes and missed opportunity and spend a lot of time wishing things were different rather than working on moving forward to the right path.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Still Going...Week 2 Day 2
3 Good Things:
Setup the fish tank in my meditation space.
Napping on the couch with the boys.
Picked tomatoes and herbs from my container garden.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
Meditate:
Breath in, Breath out,
Exercise:
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
I helped a friend look for a car today.
Better than Before
The last few years have been rough and I have been depressed and moody a lot of the time. I did not realize how much better I was doing until yesterday.
A friend called and asked me to do something with her and I went. She has been depressed lately with her job and feeling isolated.
I did not realize I was doing better until I was able to be there for someone else. It was kind of an odd situation for me. Normally I try to just be there for people, but I felt like I should talk about my experience.
I had this odd feeling that I was not carrying my side of the conversation, but I also felt like I was talking too much.
Regardless of how I felt about the exchange, I realized that I am on an upswing. I am looking on the more positive side of things. I am making progress and I am looking forward to the future whatever it may hold.
A friend called and asked me to do something with her and I went. She has been depressed lately with her job and feeling isolated.
I did not realize I was doing better until I was able to be there for someone else. It was kind of an odd situation for me. Normally I try to just be there for people, but I felt like I should talk about my experience.
I had this odd feeling that I was not carrying my side of the conversation, but I also felt like I was talking too much.
Regardless of how I felt about the exchange, I realized that I am on an upswing. I am looking on the more positive side of things. I am making progress and I am looking forward to the future whatever it may hold.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Week 2 of Happiness: Day 1
3 Good Things:
Not sure if it is age or what but my oldest boy (Tigger-cat) has been very affectionate lately and hanging out with the rest of us.
I got to be there for someone who needed me tonight, even if I didn't feel like I was very helpful.
I had some yummy coconut macaroon ice cream.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
http://cartierobert.blogspot.com/2012/07/better-before.html
Meditate:
Breath in, Breath out,
Exercise:
I did 10 minutes of walking today.
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
Not sure if it is age or what but my oldest boy (Tigger-cat) has been very affectionate lately and hanging out with the rest of us.
I got to be there for someone who needed me tonight, even if I didn't feel like I was very helpful.
I had some yummy coconut macaroon ice cream.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
http://cartierobert.blogspot.com/2012/07/better-before.html
Meditate:
Breath in, Breath out,
Exercise:
I did 10 minutes of walking today.
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The Happiness Project: Week 1 Day 7
I have been keeping up with my 3 Good Things on the Facebook event page.
3 Good Things:
I moved the cats into the office and took over the small "bedroom" as my meditation space.
I got a cool new shopping bag from Harrys.
We've gotten lots of rain.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
Meditate:
Exercise:
I did 10 minutes of walking today.
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
This one is really hard when you work all day and then come straight home. I have made an intentional effort to be nice to my coworkers and make them feel like they are doing a good job this week...even if they aren't.
3 Good Things:
I moved the cats into the office and took over the small "bedroom" as my meditation space.
I got a cool new shopping bag from Harrys.
We've gotten lots of rain.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
Meditate:
Exercise:
I did 10 minutes of walking today.
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
This one is really hard when you work all day and then come straight home. I have made an intentional effort to be nice to my coworkers and make them feel like they are doing a good job this week...even if they aren't.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Happiness Project: Week 1 Day 4
3 Good Things:
My friend has agreed to coffee tomorrow.
Playing fetch with Pogi...makes him happy.
Eating vegetables I grew myself.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/carlton-robert-harrington/the-past-through-rose-colored-glasses/10151924744100022
Meditate:
Last night I meditated on my time in the Philippines....the happy times at least. I am going to blog about it today.
Exercise:
I did my 20 minutes of walking today.
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
Once I realized my coworkers were all in a bad mood, I stopped trying to help them, so they wouldn't get more irritated....does that count?
Guess I need to work on this some.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Happiness Project: Week 1 Day 3
3 Good Things:
I had one of my favorites for lunch! Sauteed String Beans.
I got my monthly free piece of chocolate from Godiva. It was a red velvet truffle!!!!
I got to nap on the couch with my boys.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present: n/a
Meditate: n/a
Exercise: n/a
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
I let everyone off the elevator before I got off.
I asked a lady with a child if she wanted to go in front of me in line.
I invited a friend who sounded like she needs to talk to coffee.
I called my parents.
I had one of my favorites for lunch! Sauteed String Beans.
I got my monthly free piece of chocolate from Godiva. It was a red velvet truffle!!!!
I got to nap on the couch with my boys.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present: n/a
Meditate: n/a
Exercise: n/a
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness:
I let everyone off the elevator before I got off.
I asked a lady with a child if she wanted to go in front of me in line.
I invited a friend who sounded like she needs to talk to coffee.
I called my parents.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
The Happiness Project: Day 2
3 Good Things:
I finished one sewing project.
I am watching a movie I haven't seen tonight. Usually Saturdays are reruns.
I'm cuddlin' with the pug.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
I posted my first one in Facebook Notes today. https://www.facebook.com/notes/carlton-robert-harrington/the-happiness-project-week-1-day-2-a-positive-experience/10151916299835022
Meditate:
Last night I gave it a try as I laid down for bed. I thought it would be a good time because normally when I lay down to bed I start wishing for all the things I want to change to magically be different. I have to get past the idea that I can WISH for things to change. So, I started meditating on the Gulf of Mexico. The clear water of Panama City Beach is one of my favorite bodies of water. (I haven't been since the BP oil spill). Of course, when you are out of practice as I am, things began to leak in that were vaguely related to my time down there. I kept trying to goi back to sitting on the white sands and staring at the clear green waters. They remind me of light colored jade.
Exercise: n/a
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness: n/a
I finished one sewing project.
I am watching a movie I haven't seen tonight. Usually Saturdays are reruns.
I'm cuddlin' with the pug.
Blog about one positive experience, past or present:
I posted my first one in Facebook Notes today. https://www.facebook.com/notes/carlton-robert-harrington/the-happiness-project-week-1-day-2-a-positive-experience/10151916299835022
Meditate:
Last night I gave it a try as I laid down for bed. I thought it would be a good time because normally when I lay down to bed I start wishing for all the things I want to change to magically be different. I have to get past the idea that I can WISH for things to change. So, I started meditating on the Gulf of Mexico. The clear water of Panama City Beach is one of my favorite bodies of water. (I haven't been since the BP oil spill). Of course, when you are out of practice as I am, things began to leak in that were vaguely related to my time down there. I kept trying to goi back to sitting on the white sands and staring at the clear green waters. They remind me of light colored jade.
Exercise: n/a
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness: n/a
Friday, July 6, 2012
The Happiness Project: Late Start
It's really the end of the week, but it is my first day on this journey. I am going to try a blog all my efforts to hold myself accountable and if anyone cares they can ask me why I haven't posted along the way,
Friday's 3 Good Things:
1. Surprise! One of my coworkers brought in grits and biscuits.
2. Work is done for another week.
3. I started The Happiness Project.
Tomorrow I will be starting work on the other weekly objectives:
Blog about one positive experience, past or present. Write for 20 minutes, three times a week.
Meditate for 5 minutes, every day; just concentrate on breathing in and out. Meditate on something positive for 20 minutes, 3 times a week.
Exercise I walk everyday at work for about a mile. I am going to try and start walking on the Big Creek Greenway on Saturdays.
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness.
I have this practice where I write things on my bathroom mirror to inspire me. I will have to write these 5 things on it so I consciously try to do them everyday.
"God dwells in you as you." Eat, Pray, Love
Friday's 3 Good Things:
1. Surprise! One of my coworkers brought in grits and biscuits.
2. Work is done for another week.
3. I started The Happiness Project.
Tomorrow I will be starting work on the other weekly objectives:
Blog about one positive experience, past or present. Write for 20 minutes, three times a week.
Meditate for 5 minutes, every day; just concentrate on breathing in and out. Meditate on something positive for 20 minutes, 3 times a week.
Exercise I walk everyday at work for about a mile. I am going to try and start walking on the Big Creek Greenway on Saturdays.
Do 5 conscious acts of kindness.
I have this practice where I write things on my bathroom mirror to inspire me. I will have to write these 5 things on it so I consciously try to do them everyday.
"God dwells in you as you." Eat, Pray, Love
The Happiness Project
Make This Look Awesome...: The Happiness Project
I am going to try this and blog here about my success and failures. It's a good idea and timely to boot.
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