The Psychology of Happiness

Did you know that at Harvard, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, the most popular and successful course teaches you how to learn to be happier?

 The Positive Psychology class taught by Ben Shahar attracts 1400 students per semester and 20% of Harvard graduates take this elective course.   

According to Ben Shahar, the class - which focuses on happiness, self-esteem and motivation - gives students the tools to succeed and face life with more joy. This 35-year-old teacher, considered by some to be "the happiness guru", highlights in his class 14 key tips for improving the quality of our personal status and contributing to a positive life:

Tip 1. *Thank God for everything you have*:  Write down 10 things you have in your life that give you happiness. Focus on the good things!

Tip 2. *Practice physical activity* Experts say exercising helps improve mood. 30 minutes of exercise is the best antidote against sadness and stress.

Tip 3. *Breakfast:* Some people miss breakfast for lack of time or not to get fat. Studies show that breakfast gives you energy, helps you think and perform your activities successfully.

Tip 4. *Be Assertive*: Ask what you want and say what you think. Being assertive helps improve your self-esteem. Being left and remaining silent creates sadness and hopelessness.

Tip 5. *Spend your money on experiences*..a study found that 75% of people felt happier when they invested their money in travel, courses and classes; While only the rest said they felt happier when buying things.

Tip 6. *Face your challenges*: Studies show that the more you postpone something, the more anxiety and tension you generate. Write short weekly lists of tasks and complete them.

Tip 7. *Put everywhere nice memories, phrases and photos of your loved ones*: Fill your fridge, your computer, your desk, your room, YOUR LIFE of beautiful memories.

Tip 8. *Always greet and be nice to other people*: More than 100 inquiries state that just smiling changes the mood.

Tip 9. *Wear comfortable shoes*: If your feet hurt you, you become moody, says Dr. Keinth Wapner, President of the American Orthopaedics Association.

Tip 10. *Take care of your posture*: Walk straight with your shoulders slightly backwards and the front view helps to maintain a good mood.

Tip 11. *Listen to music* (Praise God): It is proven that listening to music awakens you to sing, this will make your life happy.

Tip 12. *What you eat has an impact on your mood*:- Do not skip meals, eat lightly every 3 to 4 hours and keep glucose levels stable.- Avoid excess white flour and sugar.- Eat everything! Healthy- Vary your food.

Tip 13. *Take care of yourself and feel attractive*:70% of people say they feel happier when they think they look good.

Tip 14. *Fervently believe in God*: With him nothing is impossible! 

Happiness is like a remote control, we lose it every time, we go crazy looking for it and many times without knowing it, we are sitting on top of it .

Release your Ego

An engineer in a car manufacturing company designs a world class car.            

The owner is impressed with the outcome and praised him a lot. 

While trying to bring out the car from the manufacturing area to the showroom, they realised that the car is 2 inches taller than the entrance. 

The engineer felt bad that he didn't notice this one before creating the car. 

The owner was amazed on how to take it outside of the manufacturing area. 

The painter said that they can bring out the car and there will be a few scratches on top of the car which could be touched up later on. 

The engineer said that they can break the entrance, take the car out, and later re-do it. 

The owner was not convinced with any ideas and felt like it is a bad sign to break or scratch. 

A Watchman was observing all the drama & slowly approached the owner.  He wanted to give an idea if they had no problem. 

They wondered what this guy would tell them that the experts could not give. 

The watchman said "The car is only a few inches taller than the entrance so, Simply release the air in the tyre, the height of the car will sink and can be easily taken out"... 

Everyone clapped!!! 

Don't analyse the problems only from an expert point of view alone. 

There is always a layman's outlook that gives an alternate solution at a given point of time... 

Life issues are also the same.... 

Think Simple...

Do Simple and Live Simple Because Originally we are Happy Souls..

Release Some Air (Ego), and Adjust The Height (Attitude).

I've Learned.......

                     ... Make sure you read all  the way down to the last  sentence.

I've  learned ... That  the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly  person.

 

I've  learned ....  That when you're in love, it shows.  

 

I've  learned ....  That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!'  makes my day.

 

I've  learned ....  That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the  most peaceful feelings in the  world.

 

I've  learned ....  That being kind is more important than being  right. 

 

I've  learned ....  That you should never say no to a gift from a child. 

 

I've  learned ....  That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the  strength to help him in some other way.  

 

I've  learned ....  That no matter how serious your life requires you to be,  everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.  

 

I've  learned ....  That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a  heart to understand.

 

I've  learned ....  That simple walks with my father around the block on summer  nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an  adult.

 

I've  learned ....  That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets  to the end, the faster it goes.

 

I've  learned ....  That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask  for.

 

I've  learned ....  That money doesn't buy class.

 

I've  learned ....  That it's those small daily happenings that make life so  spectacular.

 

I've  learned ....  That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be  appreciated and loved.

 

I've  learned ....  That to ignore the facts does not change the  facts. 

 

I've  learned ....  That love, not time, heals all  wounds.

 

I've  learned ....  That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. 

 

I've  learned ...  That life is tough, but I'm tougher.  

 

I've  learned ....  That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the  ones you miss.

 

I've  learned ....  That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock  elsewhere.

 

I've  learned ....  That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one  more time before she passed away.

 

I've  learned ....  That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because  tomorrow he may have to eat them.

 

I've  learned .....  That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your  looks.

 

I've  learned .....  That when your newly born grandchild holds your little  finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for  life.

 

I've  learned ....  That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all  the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing