...The Headline Read: “Scientifically Proven Ways to be
Happy!”
Have you ever
been drawn in by an enticing title like the one above? If so did you find
yourself feeling disappointed once you realized it was just another one of
those articles promising you the “Secrets
of Happiness” that in the end just seemed too easy to be true? If you were
hoping the “secret to happiness” is going to finally be revealed in this short
article either then you can stop reading now because it is not. The truth just
may be that happiness probably cannot be “achieved” through a simple formulary
such as:
- Just take these vitamins and minerals three times a day and you’ll be happy once and for all!
- Hang upside down for 20 minutes every other day and the increased blood flow to your brain will help you achieve true happiness.
- Download this simple app on your phone and it will direct you along your life long journey to happiness.
- Revisit your past and think about all of the bad stuff that has ever happened to you and then simply let it all go and you will finally achieve happiness and a positive outlook
If only it was
that basic. Do not be discouraged, however, because happiness is less of
something that a person can “achieve” and more like a path you can strive to
travel on. Perhaps you already feel that you are one of the happy people out
there and if so please spread the joy because there are a lot more people out
there who could use a little bit of what you have. For everyone else who has
their share of ups and downs along the road to life, a good place to start to
learn about happiness is by following the old saying “you must learn to walk
before you can run” Therefore, instead of talking about how to be happy, why
not start with something that easier and work forward from there. Before we can
be happy, it starts with learning to be content:
Content – adjective -
1. Mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are
2. Assenting to or willing to accept circumstances…
For Group
Discussion: What does it mean to be content in life?
1 – Satisfaction:
What is one or more aspect of your life that you are satisfied with at least
for now? (Think about things in your life that you can appreciate just as they
are for today) Some examples below:
- Ø I don’t hate my job and it at least it pays the bills
- Ø I am in decent shape for someone my age.
- Ø My car is old but it gets me where I need to go
- Ø My family has problems like anyone else’s does but we do have a lot of love and support for one another
Come up with one or two
of your own examples and then discuss as a group
2 – Acceptance:
What is one thing that you have accepted in your life so now you are able to
move forward in a positive way? (Example below – finish the following sentence)
- I am at peace with the fact that I cannot change….
3 – Sharing
Group Wisdom –
Discuss: What are some of
your personal secrets for happiness that work for you?
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