Happiness Point

Happiness seekers, gather here.

The point of life is happiness.

-The Dalai Lama

You want it, you keep searching, you hope it arrives soon, reach for it, plot your journey to it, crave it like a drug....

     Happiness

How do you get it?

• Make a to-do list?
• Plan?
• Determine goals?
• Strategize?

But then...

All the pieces of the puzzle just don't fit.

Guess What?

Happiness is a decision!

It is not having everything perfect, hunky dory, tip top or excellent.  

Happiness is accepting life the way it is, and making the best of circumstances.

You have to turn your cant's into cans

and 

your dreams into plans.

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.

-Henry Ward Beecher

We all have our own list of common things that are done often and bring us happiness. What are some of the common things you do for your happiness?   We often have many ordinary days filled with happiness because of these common things and this really is the point of life.  The "happy" days of celebrations and parties are not as common so we must savor the ordinary days.

Choosing to be happy is also good for health.  It starts with better decisions on what to eat, how much sleep we need, whether fitness can be squeezed into a busy day and learning about the science of happiness.  It has the domino effect.  You become more productive, which leads to many happiness boosting activities.

Happiness is a choice.

Choose to educate yourself in life changing concepts by learning about positive psychology or  take The Happiness Journey class which teaches the science of happiness using research from new data.  Make changes to reduce the negative influences and create a new happy path.
   

Learn how to be happier.  

  

The Happiness Journey class is fun, easy to understand, and turns information learned into lasting changes.  

The concepts you've mastered will help you become the best version of 

you. happier.

There are classes starting soon and they will be a live, interactive webinar form of learning for 4 weeks. 

If you are interested or have questions 

contact Becky Wilbur 

or 

sign up

 at The Happiness Journey class-Hapacus 

you. happier

Starving for Wisdom

Drowning in information but starving for wisdom.

-Tony Robbins

What is the difference between information and wisdom?

Do we need information before we find wisdom?

Information contains details, facts, figures, data, advice, news, particulars, the scoop and the inside story.  

Information comes to us from many sources-books, TV, Facebook, Twitter, magazines, newspapers, mail, and conversation.  

It is an endless stream.  

It is loud.

Wisdom has common sense, intelligence, rationale, soundness, good judgment and usually involves learning and a sense of soundness.

• The origin of the word wisdom is Old English (wise-dom)
• wise=wit, knowledge, see
• dom=decree, judgment   

What is wisdom and where does it come from?  

It is a body of knowledge that develops within us.

Wisdom is an inner sense of knowing. 

It is quiet.

Information is necessary to have wisdom.  Information can be communicated and received in countless ways.  Information does not have to be true, it can be uncertain, it is not proof.

Sometimes information leads to wisdom.  

But information OVERLOAD can attack our lives and take away our wisdom.

Where do you think your best information comes from?

You know, the information that leads to wisdom you learn along the road of life...

Think about this.

Filters need to be constructed on the information highway so you are not drowning in information.  Be wise about what information you let into your life.

  

If you are starving for wisdom look inside yourself. 

Find your logic.

Use your intelligence.

Cultivate your common sense.

Sit in silence.

See what you need to know.

Nostalgia

nos·tal·gi·a 

1. A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past.

In Modesto, California there is a whole month of celebrating the movie, American Graffiti. Every weekend in June, there are car shows, music entertainment and many special events.  Friday there was a parade with over 1000 classic cars lead by George Lucas, moviemaker, who was the Grand Marshal.  All weekend long there was cruising, car shows, and music which will continue every weekend at a different venue.  

What attracts us to these times?  

Why do we feel so excited by the sight of muscle cars, rock out to a song from our youth or feel happy when we look at photo albums?  

Nostalgia is present everywhere.

Recently at a college graduation I overheard a student in a cap and gown remark, "Now it's real life, I wish I had"  and we can fill in the blank with what is important to us.

Kindergarteners can't wait to play on the big playground but when they are in sixth grade they fondly remember the special attention they received as a wee one.

Parents do this a lot, thinking about how when little Susie or Sam was oh so cute.

When we are young we wish we were older, 

and then we long for the "good old days" as we age.

Reminiscing and reflecting on our past can increase our happiness. 

Increased positive emotions, escaping from the present and generating pleasure are some of the many benefits of a positive reminiscence that are listed in Chapter 4 of The Happiness Journey. 

This textbook is from a class on happiness based on research and science and explains that when you reminisce you are "better able to resist stress and enjoy".

Savoring the past can be a good way to celebrate with loved ones, friends, co-workers or anyone.  

Many of the movies today are remakes of old ones.  

Recording artists put their own spin on new versions of favorite songs from the past.

Vintage furniture is new again.

We like the familiar knowing.  

It gives us a good feeling.  

Sharing experiences is fun.

There will be many reunions this summer.  

Family reunions, high school reunions, military war buddy reunions, and other reunions.  

These reunions will be nostalgic.  

There will be a longing for times long ago or maybe even yesterday.

  

Savor today so you can reminisce tomorrow.

Please contact me if you are interested in studying the science of happiness based on cutting edge research so you can learn new concepts which lead to... 

you. happier.

beckywilbur@yahoo.com or https://www.hapacus.com

To Do and the Not To Do List

To do lists are important.  

A lot of things are accomplished because of them.

How long is your to do list?  

Do you have categories on your list for Now, Soon, Later or Important?

Have you EVER gotten everything done on your list?
What about the trick of doing something and then write it on the list and cross it out?

If something keeps getting skipped on the to do list does that mean it doesn't need to be done?  

Every Wednesday, the Happiness Whisperer page on Facebook celebrates Anti-procrastination day.  It is a day to pick something you have been ignoring or put off and just get it done.  Recently on an anti-procrastination day I called the dentist and made an appointment.  It had been on my list for over a year, maybe longer.  The Wednesday before that I had it on my FOR SURE I AM DOING THIS list, but did not get the call made.
 
By having one day a week devoted to anti-procrastination I whittle away the things I have a hard time getting done for one reason or another.

So here are some new list ideas.
The Leftover List, the Do It Someday List, and drum roll please,  the Not To Do List!
Imagine all the time wasters and boring things we could list on it or even delegate to someone else.

• Do not go window shopping.
• Do not read every email, some can be deleted without opening.
• Do not waste mental energy worrying.  It won't  change anything.
• Do not spend more than _____minutes on Facebook.
• Do not open junk mail.  
• Do not check out so many library books that you cannot possibly read them all. (working on this)

The Not To Do could be crucial to keeping you on track.

It could help you become smart about your choices.

It could organize your time management.  

Imagine the freedom.

Do not waste time on unimportant things.

Make a list or two.

Check something off.

Or not.