Researchers seek routes to happier life

[Sweet Freedom]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061126/ap_on_he_me/be_happy

As a motivational speaker and executive coach, Caroline Adams Miller knows a few things about using mental exercises to achieve goals. But last year, one exercise she was asked to try took her by surprise.

Every night, she was to think of three good things that happened that day and analyze why they occurred. That was supposed to increase her overall happiness.

"I thought it was too simple to be effective," said Miller, 44, of Bethesda. Md. "I went to Harvard. I'm used to things being complicated."

[Crowdance]

1. This is very interesting work.

Seligman's site has quite a few useful tests. I took the Brief Test on Strengths, and received a reminder that my inability to forgive and move on is a real hinderance to my own happiness. I need to work on that.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[LiberalEsto]

2. This reminds me of a recent UU service on gratitude

A member of our Unitarian Universalist congregation led a wonderful service about gratitude this past Sunday. One thing she stressed was that sitting down and making lists of the good things in your life can increase your overall level of happiness. She said cultivating an attitude of gratitude in one's life is a deeply fulfilling spiritual exercise.

This sermon gave me a major insight into my struggle with being unemployed since August. It helped me think of the free time as a gift that gave me the opportunity to re-edit and finish a book that had been put aside for two years. Now I feel much more confident about starting to send it out to agents and publishers.

[Sweet Freedom]

3. Good luck to you with your book project! /nt

[LiberalEsto]

4. Thank you

and bless you!

[I Have A Dream]

7. I just posted something similar about gratitude before reading your post.

I think that we're on to something. :)

[NJCher]

5. Dr. Martin Seligman

One of my all-time favorites and in fact, my absolute favorite, best author ever.

Thank you so much for posting this because now I see he has this extensive site that I can explore, participate, and enjoy.

I took the happiness and got a 4.54 and the gratitude and got an almost 100 per cent. Of course, everyone here would know that, since I so often write about my feelings of gratitude and thankfulness.

The article is fascinating, too. I'm going to try some of the ideas, like the three good things each day.

Big hug to you, Dist22Dem, for posting this! ((((((((((((hug)))))))))))




Cher

[I Have A Dream]

6. This is definitely worth a try. It is similar to gratitude, which I find...

is extremely effective in reference to helping to manifest what you want into your life.

Thanks for posting this, dist22dem.