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.