Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

bene — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:33:03 -0000

Oh, that amount to soo much! I love nature and it makes me happy to talk a walk in the forrest or by the sea. I also like taking walks in the rain and having no care in the world. It makes me blissfully happy when the raindrops meet my face and iI hear the wind in the trees. I keep my home tidy and cosy, I eat comforting food-what beats sausages and mash? I dance and sing loudly in the living room. I only interact with people who I like and that makes me happy. I read a lot, mostly classics and I write. Being creative makes me happy and so do bold colours . I have profound conversations with friends. I listen to classical music, so soothing and uplifting, like Handels Sonatas. In short music, literature, friends, food ,art and yoga makes me happy.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

alligator_kate — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 11:51:39 -0000

Dancemeditation is a practice developed acclaimed dancer and dance teacher Dunya Diane McPherson. Here's what she says about it:
"Dancemeditation is a unique, integrated movement meditation system for healing self-discovery. It approaches dance as a meditation and meditation as a dance. Both are an entwined opportunity to explore the relationships between self-&-other, self-&-cosmos, self-with-Self and self-to-the Divine Eternal. By encouraging receptivity, creativity and present-ness, Dancemeditation cultivates our inherent ability to heal and self-regulate."

It combines Eastern (Yogic and Sufi) and Western (Martha Grahm, somatics, etc.) traditions and modalities, and is basically a continuous inquiry into the wisdom of the body. It has really made a huge difference in my life. I am much more in tune with myself, my body is stronger, my posture is better, I am more confident and more at peace with myself than ever before, as well more detached from my own anxieties. I can laugh at myself more, and dig myself out of holes faster. (a. Kate)

Dunya's website is: www.dancemeditation.org

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Cindy — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:21:25 -0000

Dance meditation? Sound like something I could love. Can you tell me more about it? Thanks and hugs
c

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

angie — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:47:28 -0000

Wow, was this question ever timely! You've heard about people who are genetically pre-disposed to depression? Well, I'm their evil twin-the person hardwired for positivity. I've been called "relentlessly cheerful" and "professionally perky" but even people like me have to work at it (I compare it to Michael Jordan and basketall-even though he was gifted at birth, he still had to work hard at it.) For me, it's the work of putting in "what works for me" every day. Is it reading, journaling, rest, talking with friends, volunteering (maybe all of the above during the hard times!)
The work is finding out "what works for me" and committing the time and energy to make it part of my life.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

alligator_kate — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:03:06 -0000

be silly with the dogs. Spend time in nature. Write. Eat real food. Dancemeditation.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

alligator_kate — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:59:29 -0000

this is a great idea! Thanks for sharing it. I am going to give it a try.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

andrea — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:59:16 -0000

to promote my own happiness, I dig in my garden, plant things in soil, eat veggies and fruit from my yard, bake with my children, cook with my children, invest in really good ingredients (spend a little extra on some really, really good olive oil), take the time to be kind to strangers (you never know what kind of day they could be having), do a favour for someone, laugh with a friend, read a really interesting article or begin a new book, breath really "oceany" air, snuggle with my husband, doodle (how I love pen on paper) and the list could go on and on...there are so many things that I do to promote happiness but I am always looking for new ideas!

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Traci — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:35:06 -0000

Oh, how I can relate to the hungry brain syndrome. But I wouldn't say that indulging my curiosity is something I do to secure my day's happiness. As I writer, I want to know about EVERYTHING, and sometimes learning gets me into serious trouble on the mental health front, because I'm often curious about terrible things (war, hunger, abuse, all the big ones). Those are not the good days. But, then again, sometimes I am curious about what on earth a platypuss (sp?) really is, and so I find out. Again. That one never quite sticks with me.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Keiko — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:22:01 -0000

Yoga after work. I know I could practice at home, but there's something about letting go of my mind and being led through the series of postures in a room full of sweaty, focused people that I just love. After a day at the computer, my body loves nothing more than to stretch out and be physically challenged.

I always stop to say hi to kitties on the sidewalk, and if you ask my boyfriend, we can't walk anywhere without me stopping to notice and enjoy some tiny bit of nature.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Connie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:18:52 -0000

I get online. I take care of my cats who I love tremendously. I make my little apt. cozy. I read something good. I enjoy many cups of tea, faves are Constant Comment w/ chai and Lady Grey. I also watch news and some interesting TV at night. Some days I walk with a friend or go to my favorite bookstore.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Get Togetha — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:17:20 -0000

Happiness is a choice and life is a gift. The mere fact that my heart pumps blood into my veins is proof that I'm am truly blessed.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Luciaf — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:14:53 -0000

I make a beautiful breakfast. Sliced strawberries just so, a leaf of basil over the omelette. My husband laughs at me, my toddler picks the leaf off with a crunchy nose...but doesn't matter how rushed the day is. I start it with a beautiful breakfast. Feels good to know I've done at least one beautiful thing that day and just looking at it gives me joy.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Luciaf — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:10:52 -0000

What a simple and great way to shift your perspective and also create an opportunity for happiness for someone else. I'm totally gonna copy, dude, gonna copy...!

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Karryn Ransom — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:35:50 -0000

"We each have today. And a choice as to how we shall live it." - Sarah Ban Breathnach

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Karryn Ransom — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:34:03 -0000

I am grateful for your insight today, Susie. This week my husband is in Africa and our two little girls are on the island with their grandparents. I am missing them all terribly - but reading your thoughts about how you can be far away when you're right beside someone has helped me to re-frame my missing them into a deep connection - and a reminder to be present with them when we are all together. That is where the happiness is.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Lynda — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:29:57 -0000

Katie, I have to agree with you..those fleeting moments become so special!

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Karryn Ransom — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:27:12 -0000

I am waiting for my DVD to arrive so that I can begin my day with some "Rhimba" dance fusion. I will likely have a wee audience while I do this in the living room. I can feel the giggles already! Thank you for reminding me that fitness can be hysterical - the more you laugh, the better you feel!

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Lynda — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:26:35 -0000

To promote my own happiness I like to link what I love to do with what I "have" to do each day......not always possible but I try really hard. Reading/learning makes me so happy so I try to read from journals that are directly related to my field each day...I also teach at a university that makes me happy! My children are the purest form of happiness for me so I stay connected and talk with them each day:-) For some reason I've fallen away from daily exercise (right now I'm substituting eating/non-exercise) for not charging..I've haven't charged anything since January so I'm dealing with the stress of it all:-)I do know that happiness is a choice, so when I'm not happy I think to myself "why I am choosing this for myself?"

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Scott — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:21:06 -0000

I spend time with my family. We like to change it up, try to throw in surprises for our selves and our four year old son. I'll scoop him early from daycare to work on a garden project like a pond we're working on. Lots of fun, relaxing and creative. We laugh a lot. Hiking, canoeing, walking in nature is really good for me.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Carrie McCarthy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:17:37 -0000

Love your choice of music. In my youth I secretly wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer!

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Beth C. — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:16:15 -0000

I am so glad that you asked this question because it really highlighted for me that I am not doing enough to promote my own happiness these days. The one little thing I've been doing consistently lately is reading your daily blog and actually using it as a prompt for a quick writing exercise every day. I am trying to motivate to go back to hot yoga classes because I found that it had a supremely calming, relaxing and happiness inducing effect on me.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Danielle LaPorte — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:15:43 -0000

I'm always amazed at your honesty and clarity. If anyone can strategize some balance for themselves and make it happen, you can.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Danielle LaPorte — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:12:48 -0000

I'm with you on the compliments. I've made it a practice. It's so great to see someone light right up when you say, "great hair cut." or "you're so polite." Carrie just mentioned yesterday that she told some guy at the grocery store that he looked great (in his bateau shirt and scarf) and he said, "gee thanks, you made my day." One word kindly spoken...

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Danielle LaPorte — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:07:27 -0000

I try to do this. You've inspired me to DO IT. A tip to myself and everyone else: get a bunch of cards/post cards and keep them handy. You need to create a gratitude "system". Thanks, Debbie.

Re: What do you do to promote your own happiness?

Vanessa Rae — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:27:53 -0000

As I've gotten older I've begun to ask myself if I'm really enjoying what I'm doing at the moment, the company that I'm sharing, how I spend my "me time" and personally define what "family time" is for us. It's liberating when you realize that just because it's something you've always done, doesn't mean it's the best thing for you... and of course giving lots of hugs and kisses to my family.