Happiness

Joys of flying solo . . .!

by carmenlund on January 30, 2011

Several years ago, I was determined the to go to the movies by myself. It sounds ridiculous that this was a big event for me, but it took me lots of courage to be out in public alone. I was sure I would see people I knew. Would they think I had no friends? How embarrassing that would be?

Nevertheless, I was committed to “trying to go it alone,” just this one time. The theatre I chose was 30 miles away from home which greatly reduced my chances to run into anyone I knew. I bought my ticket, bulked up on candy and popcorn and took a seat in the darkest part of the theatre. I not only survived being alone that first time, but I surprised myself, I loved it. I was free at last!

No longer would I have to wait for others to accompany me. If someone wanted to join me, great, but I was now able to explore by myself. My world expanded since that first “solo trip.” Since that time, I have done lots of things by alone. I have dined, attended concerts and lectures, traveled and explored unfamiliar places alone and even moved to places where I knew no one.

In addition to enjoying these events, I discovered that it was easy to meet people who I never would have encountered if I were with friends.

Now I have a choice to fly solo or in formation. Both scenarios are fun and exciting. I no longer limit my possibilities. I am free to be myself, alone or with others!

What about you?
Have you limited yourself in any way?
What would be the advantage to you if you expanded your experiences?Is there something you would like to try, but have not yet found the courage to do so?

I am including a wonderful short video about ways to be alone which I found wonderful. Enjoy!





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Want a happier life? . . .

by carmenlund on September 6, 2010

My formal education taught me to be successful in my work but failed to teach me what else I needed to add to enjoy real “success” to my life.

After creating a wonderful career as an international artist/teacher and promoter of creativity, I kept looking for ways to design a “successful” life outside of my work.

My career was meaningful and provided the income to raise my three children, but it was not enough. I wanted more in my life.

Through a great deal of searching, I learned that the “more” in my life, or in anyone else’s, is not to be measured by the “stuff” piled up as a result of a career, but rather, by the quality of my life which includes such things as health, learning, relationships etc.

Along the way, I came across Nick Marks, a statistician and founder of London’s Center for Well Being. His life work has been in gathering evidence as to what makes human beings happy. I was intrigued by what he had discovered about happiness and felt you might be also find his research of value and interest.

The result of Marks global work is the Happy Planet Index. The Index gives five steps to make anyone’s life more worthwhile.

In his survey which included people from around the world, he found that the number one thing every human wants is happiness and well being for themselves, loved ones and friends. (Money, although nice, has been shown not to significantly increase happiness.)

To live a happier life, Marks advises us that we need to let go of fear and focus on solutions rather than focus on the problems.

If your education failed to teach you how to be successful in your life outside your career, you might want to take a look at the Happy Planet Index. In it, you will learn what five positive actions you can take each day to increase your well being.

To learn about the five steps in the Index and way in which to implement the steps in your life:

-Click on pink and green image shown in this post
-The image will open up and you can click on Full Screen to enlarge
-To go forward to the next step, click on the images of the postcards at the bottom of the screen
-When you wish to close out the images and return to the post, hover over the top of the screen and click on the “X”

After looking at the Index, what did you discover?

-Are you taking these five steps daily?

-Are there other ways you might add to the steps you are taking?

-List ways you might begin to do to increase your well being.

To learn more about Nic Marks and his work on well being for human beings and our planet, I have included a recent Marks” video.





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