So one good thing is that my parking meter was paid for me yesterday by a woman in a black fur hat before I was even able to get my own quarters together in the car.
Whether she was addled and put the money in the wrong meter or whether she was being a good Samaritan, I don't know. With my fervent "happiness project lens" I chose to dwell on the former and allow it to restore my faith in humanity that perfect strangers are capable of random acts of kindness toward each other. Political campaigns are meant to divide and conquer and that is exactly what has happened to us as a nation of people. That we can reach out and give to, see, understand the stranger - perhaps the stranger who can afford to wear a black fur hat that I can't is hopeful. We will need to reach out often and soon to those who disagree with us about economics, health care, gun rights, gender and racial equality - even as we protest those who will change policies.
In a perfect world I would have followed this woman into the diner where she seemed to meet a friend and pointed out she had made a mistake, but I did not want to disturb her social appointment.
I should have just to thank her and may have made a new friend.
"The Happiness Advantage" a positive psychology manifesto written by Shawn Achor of Harvard University speaks of seven principles that make positive thinking so powerful. I have paraphrased in my own words:
1) The positive brain has a biological advantage over the negative and we can retrain our brains to become more positive and productive.
2) How we experience the world is constantly changing according to our mindset. We can adjust our mindset to give us power over changing circumstances.
3) When we become stressed we often only see the negative, but if we can look for other possibilities we will often them.
4) In crisis and despair we can find paths to feeling better - happier - and that experience teaches us how to be happier in the event of future crisis.
5) Focusing on small accomplishable tasks keeps us from becoming overwhelmed and allows positivity to build.
6) Even when faced with lack of stamina, small changes done regularly can defeat other more defeating habits.
7) In response to stress isolation is a common response, but investing in relationships, friends, family and others keeps you connected and more positive and successful.
Recommendations to accomplish this are:
- Meditate: Rewire the brain and bring calm.
-Anticipation: Finding something to look forward to can raise endorphins.
-Give to Others: Committing five acts of kindness in a day can increase your sense of power and efficacy.
-Make Your Environment More Positive: Go for a walk, watch less television, get off social media.
-Exercise: A few times a week can boost your immune system and brain function
-Spend Money on Events not Stuff: Go do and see things, acquire memories not things - and journal about it!
-Practice something you are good at: Writing, drawing, swimming, listening to another, math - whatever you have a strength in can give you strength. Think of different ways to practice your skill each day.
Whether she was addled and put the money in the wrong meter or whether she was being a good Samaritan, I don't know. With my fervent "happiness project lens" I chose to dwell on the former and allow it to restore my faith in humanity that perfect strangers are capable of random acts of kindness toward each other. Political campaigns are meant to divide and conquer and that is exactly what has happened to us as a nation of people. That we can reach out and give to, see, understand the stranger - perhaps the stranger who can afford to wear a black fur hat that I can't is hopeful. We will need to reach out often and soon to those who disagree with us about economics, health care, gun rights, gender and racial equality - even as we protest those who will change policies.
In a perfect world I would have followed this woman into the diner where she seemed to meet a friend and pointed out she had made a mistake, but I did not want to disturb her social appointment.
I should have just to thank her and may have made a new friend.
"The Happiness Advantage" a positive psychology manifesto written by Shawn Achor of Harvard University speaks of seven principles that make positive thinking so powerful. I have paraphrased in my own words:
1) The positive brain has a biological advantage over the negative and we can retrain our brains to become more positive and productive.
2) How we experience the world is constantly changing according to our mindset. We can adjust our mindset to give us power over changing circumstances.
3) When we become stressed we often only see the negative, but if we can look for other possibilities we will often them.
4) In crisis and despair we can find paths to feeling better - happier - and that experience teaches us how to be happier in the event of future crisis.
5) Focusing on small accomplishable tasks keeps us from becoming overwhelmed and allows positivity to build.
6) Even when faced with lack of stamina, small changes done regularly can defeat other more defeating habits.
7) In response to stress isolation is a common response, but investing in relationships, friends, family and others keeps you connected and more positive and successful.
Recommendations to accomplish this are:
- Meditate: Rewire the brain and bring calm.
-Anticipation: Finding something to look forward to can raise endorphins.
-Give to Others: Committing five acts of kindness in a day can increase your sense of power and efficacy.
-Make Your Environment More Positive: Go for a walk, watch less television, get off social media.
-Exercise: A few times a week can boost your immune system and brain function
-Spend Money on Events not Stuff: Go do and see things, acquire memories not things - and journal about it!
-Practice something you are good at: Writing, drawing, swimming, listening to another, math - whatever you have a strength in can give you strength. Think of different ways to practice your skill each day.
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