Ten Ways to be Happy Today
The Dali Lama and Desmond Tutu collaborated on
The Book of Joy, a recommended read for this topic. The book opens with this quote from the Dali, or is it Mr. Lama, or whatever, you know who I mean-
”I believe the purpose in life is to find happiness.”
Woop, there it is. I am on board. I mean who doesn’t want happiness in their life? Anyone…anyone?
And for more good news - our older years can be some of the happiest in our lives. This is according to the happiness experts. Yes, there are experts. Wouldn’t it be kinda cool to be a happiness expert?
Jonathan Rauch, American author, Yale alumni, and currently the senior fellow at the Brookings Institute wrote the best selling book, The Happiness Curve. The book describes our happiness over our lifetime to be shaped as a U shaped curve. I am now on the right side of the curve with my happiness on the rise. I would agree with the letter, and hope U do as well (did you see what I did there?)
Happiness is something we all desire, at any age. But it’s not always achievable. The topic is complex with many great sources of advice. But today we are going to keep it simple. If you need just a quick boost of happiness, try one of these science backed techniques. Need more of a boost, try a few.
Go for a walk. This is a great place to start.
Get outside in nature. Combine #1 and #2(if possible) for maximum results.
Call a friend. Don’t just text, tweet or like on FB. Make the call. Better yet, track down an old friend and contact them. Call for the freak out effect.
Be grateful. Reflect on something you can be grateful for - warm coffee, blue sky, loving family, supportive friend, and you are still breathing. We can always find something for which to be grateful.
Smile at a stranger. Caution, this can get weird. Maybe even say hello, or ask how is your day going so far. People like to receive kindness, and it feels good to give it.
Clean/declutter. You may be asking what is this doing here. It works. Feeling a sense of accomplishment can make us happy.
Make a To Do list. (declutter may be on the list) Feeling overwhelmed and anxious? Make the To Do list. Get it out of your brain and on to paper or a notes app on your phone.
Create something. Redirect your focus; feel a sense of accomplishment. Draw, paint, cook, write a note, start a journal. No expertise required.
Learn. I feel smarter when I learn. Smarter makes me happy. Podcast, book, article choose your poison. Not in the mood to learn…fine. Lose yourself in a good fiction book.
Laugh. Almost nothing is a quicker fix for happiness than laughter. Watch a quick vid. Think back to a funny experience. Laugh, or at least get to a big smile
Bonus - unplug. This may be in direct conflict with some of the above solutions that require your electronics. However, a digital detox is good for the brain and the soul. Clear the mind and reduce the stress.
Happiness is within our reach every day, and it often comes down to the little things we do.
Try one or a few today. I hope a little happiness comes your way.
Enjoy your day.
Just a little extra-
So… the story behind the smiley face. It was not Forest Gump, but you already knew that. The real story is even more interesting. I will give you the short version.
Harvey Ross Ball (pictured above), a graphic designer from Worcester Massachusetts, designed the iconic image in 1963. It was part of an in house morale boosting campaign for his client, State Mutual Insurance Company. He was paid $45 for the design.
The design went “viral” or the 60’s version of viral, making millions in royalties as the smiley face appeared on everything and continues to represent a happy feeling.
Yes, it appears on everything including my book. Three weeks before publishing, the thought crossed my mind that maybe the smiley face was trademarked - something my designer failed to mention. I was able to track down Harvey’s son, Charles Ball, a lawyer and keeper of the trademark (Harvey has passed). Within a few days Charlie gave me his blessing to use his father’s famous design for my book. Yes I want people to smile and be happy when they read my book (see #9 above).
References
Rauch, Jonathan. The Happiness Curve. Book published May 1, 2018
Discussion with Charles Ball, son of Harvey Ball, the designer of the smiley face
chatgbt. Yes, I used AI to assist in developing the list. Prompt was “15 science based ways to be happy today”. I chose my favorite 11.