I know from my personal experience that I feel happier when I am aware of being grateful for what I already have in my life. And I feel good letting people know that I appreciate them and/or what they have done for me.
Well now a professor at Kent State has conducted a study that indicates writing letters that demonstrate our gratitude can improve our own happiness. And I thought writing thank you letters was just good manners--and for the "other guy". Now we have a selfish reason to write our thank yous!
Steven Toepfer, the prof, had students write letters thanking people for the positive influence they had provided. The students didn't write a lot of letters, just one every other week for six weeks. That's only 3 letters!
The ground rules were pretty simple, be positive, express appreciation and (no doubt the most challenging part) include some "insight and reflection, not venture into trivial waters"...in other words, they had to put some thought into it!
After writing the letters the students were surveyed to gauge their mood, feelings of happiness, gratitude and overall life satisfaction.
The study showed that happiness levels were higher after each letter. According to the professor, 75% of the students want to continue writing letters--even after the study ended.
Our "social network" is important--large or small is not the key. But having and maintaining a few significant relationships has great benefits. According to Toepfer these benefits are both psychological and physical!
This appears to agree with the information we learned earlier this month about happiness being "contagious" and the importance of social networks for our happiness!
Showing posts with label power of words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power of words. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Happiness and Social Networking
In yesterday's post I mentioned a study that talks about happiness being contagious and that our happiness is dependent upon the actions, behaviors and thoughts of others' as well as ourselves.
One of the points they were making was that social networks are a key component to a person's happiness. Social networks...hmmm...like having friends, perhaps? Does anyone really believe this is news?
For most of us, having a group of like-minded people with whom we can laugh, share ideas, be stimulated and challenged, and yes, even comiserate with is a very important element of being happy as an individual.
Social networking has a new meaning these days...there are lots of sites on the internet that are designed to help people bond with other, like-minded people. Blogging would be one example of course, but so are places like Twitter and Facebook.
So does networking online pass the contagion? Christakis wouldn't say for sure. I believe it does...not as powerful as flesh & blood communication or hearing someone's voice directed to you, but when you build a relationship with people that is positive and uplifting that can only be a good thing.
One of the points they were making was that social networks are a key component to a person's happiness. Social networks...hmmm...like having friends, perhaps? Does anyone really believe this is news?
For most of us, having a group of like-minded people with whom we can laugh, share ideas, be stimulated and challenged, and yes, even comiserate with is a very important element of being happy as an individual.
Social networking has a new meaning these days...there are lots of sites on the internet that are designed to help people bond with other, like-minded people. Blogging would be one example of course, but so are places like Twitter and Facebook.
So does networking online pass the contagion? Christakis wouldn't say for sure. I believe it does...not as powerful as flesh & blood communication or hearing someone's voice directed to you, but when you build a relationship with people that is positive and uplifting that can only be a good thing.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Listen to the Messages and Take Action
While we are contemplating the possibilities, it is also important to be open to the messages that we get from the Universe/Source /God /Infinite Intelligence...what you call it is not crucial.
These messages, if we listen, will tell us the step(s) that is in our best interest to take.
I've talked about this before, but it is worth repeating...
Sometimes this will come as a full-blown idea. Other times it will be a tiny step that may seem inconsequential.
The message may come when you are first waking up, in that foggy time between subconscious and consciousness. Or the message may come while you are relaxing in the shower or during meditation.
Or it may come in a physical form--you see or hear mention of the same thing repeatedly, say on the news, in the paper, in the mail, at the water cooler, in line at the store. Whenever we hear things repeatedly it deserves to be paid attention to. It may or may not be a message from the Universe, but if we don't hear it we won't know!
Another way to receive a message is that it may actually awaken you during the night...for example I have been woken up between 4:44 and 4:57 every morning for several weeks to use the bathroom. I believe that I am getting a message (that has nothing to do with the toilet!) My job is to be awake enough to write it down and then ACT UPON IT!
Positive thoughts and words are great...and they are a start...if and when we get the message and the impulse to act, then we must act. At that point the thoughts and words alone are not enough!
These messages, if we listen, will tell us the step(s) that is in our best interest to take.
I've talked about this before, but it is worth repeating...
Sometimes this will come as a full-blown idea. Other times it will be a tiny step that may seem inconsequential.
The message may come when you are first waking up, in that foggy time between subconscious and consciousness. Or the message may come while you are relaxing in the shower or during meditation.
Or it may come in a physical form--you see or hear mention of the same thing repeatedly, say on the news, in the paper, in the mail, at the water cooler, in line at the store. Whenever we hear things repeatedly it deserves to be paid attention to. It may or may not be a message from the Universe, but if we don't hear it we won't know!
Another way to receive a message is that it may actually awaken you during the night...for example I have been woken up between 4:44 and 4:57 every morning for several weeks to use the bathroom. I believe that I am getting a message (that has nothing to do with the toilet!) My job is to be awake enough to write it down and then ACT UPON IT!
Positive thoughts and words are great...and they are a start...if and when we get the message and the impulse to act, then we must act. At that point the thoughts and words alone are not enough!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Keeping a Positive Mind
Remaining positive in challenging times can be, well, challenging!
It seems that it should be easy to be positive about money when you have it, think that you have energy and health when you do, and believe that people are good when you are treated well.
On the other hand, if you are faced with loss of home or job, an illness or debilitating injury, or if someone has stolen something of value from you or been just plain mean, it can be much more difficult to keep that positive attitude.
Affirmations are one of tools to help you in this challenge. When you are facing the challenges that life brings--and we all face them, perhaps to different degrees or in different areas--that is when we need to be positive the most.
What area is challenging you the most right now? Is it money? Is it health? Are you lonely? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you in pain? Feeling under appreciated?
Whatever it is, write an affirmation about it. Choose one item. The one that seems the "biggest" right now, the most stressful. What would you like to be feeling about that situation? What would feel good? And what can you actually believe right now, as a starting point?
For example, let's say you have a serious illness or injury (which I hope is not the case.) It might be too much to affirm "I have perfect health". Try a small step rather than a giant leap. For example, "I am open to healing for my body". Write that on a card or sticky note. Write it several times and put it up where you will see it.
And listen to your words when you talk to other people. I'm not telling you to lie to people about your condition, but be aware that when you speak of your illness in a negative way it will not facilitate your healing.
For example, I recently hurt my shoulder, as you may have heard. I caught myself referring to "my bad shoulder". I decided to change that right away. My shoulder is not "bad". My shoulder is in the process of healing and regaining strength and flexibility. When I think about it that way, it helps me to be gentle with myself and it, to do the things that I need to in order to facilitate the healing. By changing my words, I change my attitude which in turn changes my actions which affects my healing.
It seems that it should be easy to be positive about money when you have it, think that you have energy and health when you do, and believe that people are good when you are treated well.
On the other hand, if you are faced with loss of home or job, an illness or debilitating injury, or if someone has stolen something of value from you or been just plain mean, it can be much more difficult to keep that positive attitude.
Affirmations are one of tools to help you in this challenge. When you are facing the challenges that life brings--and we all face them, perhaps to different degrees or in different areas--that is when we need to be positive the most.
What area is challenging you the most right now? Is it money? Is it health? Are you lonely? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you in pain? Feeling under appreciated?
Whatever it is, write an affirmation about it. Choose one item. The one that seems the "biggest" right now, the most stressful. What would you like to be feeling about that situation? What would feel good? And what can you actually believe right now, as a starting point?
For example, let's say you have a serious illness or injury (which I hope is not the case.) It might be too much to affirm "I have perfect health". Try a small step rather than a giant leap. For example, "I am open to healing for my body". Write that on a card or sticky note. Write it several times and put it up where you will see it.
And listen to your words when you talk to other people. I'm not telling you to lie to people about your condition, but be aware that when you speak of your illness in a negative way it will not facilitate your healing.
For example, I recently hurt my shoulder, as you may have heard. I caught myself referring to "my bad shoulder". I decided to change that right away. My shoulder is not "bad". My shoulder is in the process of healing and regaining strength and flexibility. When I think about it that way, it helps me to be gentle with myself and it, to do the things that I need to in order to facilitate the healing. By changing my words, I change my attitude which in turn changes my actions which affects my healing.
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