For your morning smile and reflection...

According to recent research, people who are intentionally grateful for what they have report better sleep, fewer symptoms of illness, and more happiness. I could not agree more with these findings. Making the best of what we have, beats complaining about what we don’t have!

A guest speaker at one of TED TALKS, the American Canadian non-profit media organisation that posts international talks,  had Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk presenting in 2013 a talk about the gentle power of gratefulness, which had over nine million views on YOUTUBE! He is a known author and scholar who was also invited to many talk shows. The humble and charming delivery of his message and simple content are captivating.

All human beings seek happiness in one way or another, some succeed and many fail.  Searching the internet on the subject of “happiness” shows over 80 M results. Seeking happiness can indeed be difficult. Many researchers, authors and celebrities offer a long list of “to do’s”. I have found though that these lists, while being somewhat helpful, are not easy to follow. We seek “microwave” or instant solutions which are OK to warm up a cup of coffee, but inadequate for “doing life”. The best way to seek happiness is to focus on our family and friends, the needs of people we meet, our work, meeting new people, and doing the very best we can, whatever the task, will result in  happiness finding us.  

Does seeking happiness require us to be monks? No. As Brother David ended his talk with a simple but powerful question: Are you grateful because you are happy or happy because you are grateful? A great question to which I add, how can we achieve gratefulness? While I am sure there will be many “HOWTO’s”... here is one that has been a  heart changer for me. Keeping a daily Gratitude Journal with just simple recordings of things that have happened in my day that made me grateful. Simple and small things like helping somebody in need, giving up my turn in a grocery line-up for somebody with fewer items, calling a friend for encouragement or holding a door for an elderly person can be a good start for a change of attitude and leading to a change of heart. 

Small beginnings are powerful. Change can be achieved sometime suddenly or over night but small steps in the right direction with consistency are usually more effective. We do not need to reach our destination to celebrate. Our day-to-day small wins can contribute greatly to happiness on our life journey. Enjoy this day. 😊

W (410)