the happiness project - moraine park technical...
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The Happiness ProjectKarla J. Donohue, MSE
Counselor, MPTC
The Happiness Project
Based on the book by Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin – An Introduction to the Happiness Project
30 Second Spot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg_N594Bcvk&feature=relmfu
Brief Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5rpNEmqPdM
Today Show Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNL34_oGWp4&feature=relmfu
The Biggest Myth -- It’s Selfish and Self-Centered To Try to Be Happier
Studies show happier people are more likely to help other people, are more interested in social problems, do more volunteer work, and contribute more to charity. They’re also less preoccupied with their personal problems.
Less-happy people are more apt to be defensive, isolated, self-absorbed, and unfortunately, their negative moods are catching (technical name: emotional contagion).
What Little Things Make You Happy?
Make a quick list with your small group
Write a list on paper
Share your list with the larger group
Now, we have a big list of happiness boosters!
The Monthly Challenges January – Boost Energy
February – Remember Love
March – Aim Higher
April – Lighten Up
May – Be Serious About Play
June – Make Time For Friends
July – Buy Some Happiness
August – Contemplate The Heavens
September – Pursue A Passion
October – Pay Attention
November – Keep A Contented Heart
December – Boot Camp Perfect
January - Boost Energy
Go to sleep earlier
Exercise better
Toss, restore, organize
Tackle a nagging task
Act more energetic
February – Remember Love
Quit Nagging
Don’t expect praise or appreciation
Fight right
No dumping
Give proofs of love
March – Aim Higher
Launch a Blog
Enjoy the fun of failure
Ask for help
Work smart
Enjoy now
April – Lighten Up
Sing in the morning
Acknowledge the reality of people’s feelings
Be a treasure house of happy memories
Take time for projects
May – Be Serious About Play
Find more fun
Take time to be silly
Go off the path
Start a collection
June – Make Time For Friends
Remember birthdays
Be generous
Show up
Don’t gossip
Make three new friends
July – Buy Some Happiness
Indulge in a modest splurge
Buy needful things
Spend out
Give something up
August – Contemplate The Heavens
Read memoirs of catastrophe
Keep a gratitude notebook
“It is easy to be heavy, hard to be light.”
Imitate a spiritual master
September – Pursue A Passion
Write a novel
Make time
Forget about results
Master a new technology
October – Pay Attention
Meditate on koans
Examine true rules
Stimulate the mind in new ways
Keep a food diary
November – Keep a Contented Heart
Laugh out loud
Use good manners
Give positive reviews
Find an area of refuge
December – Boot Camp Perfect
Aim for perfection even though you will not make it!
Develop a list of Mood Boosting strategies
Make bad days a “Good Bad Day.”
Secrets of Adulthood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kUuzB9s1jU&feature=relmfu
Small Group Activity
In a small group, discuss five ideas that you have learned about what you would like to use to start your own happiness project.