Tuesday, March 30, 2010

~ BREATHE DEEPLY..and gaze upon that which GOD has made.~



treid@encouragement-wired.com

happiness is largely determined by genetics, health and other factors mostly outside of our control. But recent research suggests people actually can take charge of their own happiness and boost it through certain practices. "The billion-dollar question is, is it possible to become happier?" said psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California, Riverside. CA "Despite the finding that happiness is partially genetically determined, and despite the finding that life situations have a smaller influence on our happiness than we think they do, we argue that still a large portion of happiness is in our power to change."

HERE ARE FIVE THINGS that research has shown can improve happiness:

1. Be grateful - Some study participants were asked to write letters of gratitude to people who had helped them in some way. The study found that these people reported a lasting increase in happiness - over weeks and even months - after implementing the habit. What's even more surprising: Sending the letter is not necessary. Even when people wrote letters but never delivered them to the addressee, they still reported feeling better afterwards.

2. Be optimistic - Another practice that seems to help is optimistic thinking. Study participants were asked to visualize an ideal future - for example, living with a loving and supportive partner, or finding a job that was fulfilling - and describe the image in a journal entry. After doing this for a few weeks, these people too reported increased feelings of well-being.

3. 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. It seems the act of focusing on the positive helps people remember reasons to be glad.

4. Use your strengths - Another study asked people to identify their greatest strengths, and then to try to use these strengths in new ways. For example, someone who says they have a good sense of humor could try telling jokes to lighten up business meetings or cheer up sad friends. This habit, too, seems to heighten happiness.

5. Commit acts of kindness - It turns out helping others also helps ourselves. People who donate time or money to charity, or who altruistically assist people in need, report improvements in their own happiness.




5 comments:

Anonymous said...

All these things do make me happier!!
Certain surroundings like birds singing on a warm summer day & the smell of fresh mowed grass!!
Happy Tuesday!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Thanks Marilyn, yes I agree. LOTS of things make me happier.
I would love to hear from anyone else who chooses...to add to this list...of what makes you happy or happier.

I KNOW SINGING THE OLD HYMNS at I grew up with makes me deliriously happy. ~LISTENING TO
GOSPEL music turned up really loud...makes me happy.

Going to ANTIQUE SHOWS really makes me happy too...it is amazing how it does.
Just the very site of all that "history" involved in those lovely things we see at the shows, etc. makes my heart SING.

Friends and family...my granddaugther makes me SO VERY happy when she has a chance to visit.....she is such a joy to be around.

The love and devotion of my sweet husband makes me happy.

The love of MY GOD simply overwhelms me a times.

Rose

Cashon&Co said...

This is the best thing I"ve seen in a LONG, LONG time. First that picture is BREATHTAKING...can you imagine what it must of looked like in Person? You're right. ... that alone is God Himself!
Also, I love the "happy list' ...I am good at being grateful, counting my blessings, and commiting acts of kindness, I should do the other two more often, but i do consider myself a happy person. These are traits I hope to pass on to my boys. Especially in this world we live in where people are so superficial and selfish....that can all be taken away from you in an instant, I don't want them to ever forget to be grateful for what we have and to treat everyone with equality and compassion. :)

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Cashon&Co~ Good for you mom....you are on the right path then.
Kids (these days ) pretty much take for granted that which they have...if they have never gone hungy or without.
I did when I was a kid...and so am GRATEFUL everyday for what I have and what God has allowed me to accomplish. I too am generous with friends and family...and even perfect strangers...when my HEART tells me it is necessary.
And you are SO RIGHT ...it can all be taken away from us in a heartbeat !
I had a wonderful, and lucrative career as a Portrait Photographer...and in the height of my career...Fibromyalgia appeared in all parts of my body..and I had to give up my business and retire at the age of 58....it was DEVESTATING to me at the time. ~ But GOD has taught me patience thru this......and it is a true blessing now... as I LOVE my free time and my husband and I both enjoy being retired.

I don't know who took that Mountain Range image...wish I did...it was sent thru one of my share groups...but gosh, I would like to have taken it..and seen that with my own eyes.

I appreciate your KIND words and wish you GOD'S BLESSING ...in raising your sons. NOT an easy jobs !
We raised three girls and helped raise 3 grandkids...after moving here to Texas...and they all have turned out to be a joy to us. Even the grandkids are grown and on their own now.
I do have to say, I don't like not having them around anymore. But so far, all are still in the State of Texas.
Rose

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Marilyn, yes fresh mowed grass in the Spring is so wonderful ....and we have birds that like to get us up really early around here too.
But my favorite are our sweet little turtle doves who have a nest AGAIN in our arbor and soon there will be little ones.
Thanks for dropping by again dear lady.

Love, Rose