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Clear Pathways Coachng Newsletter, 4/9/10

Dear Friends: Welcome to Clear Pathways Coaching monthly newsletter. Who doesn’t want to be happy? Yet, do you believe happiness is just beyond your reach? That you have to deserve it? Tal Ben Shahar is the professor who taught the course in Happiness at Harvard. His course had the highest attendance in Harvard’s history. Below are his Six Steps to Happiness. So let’s give up the chase and make the choice. Choose happiness!
Warmly,
Lillian

To read this newsletter on-line go to: http://www.clearpathwayscoaching.com

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In this issue:
Quote of the Month
The Main Thing
Humor Your Stress

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln

THE MAIN THING:
Tal Ben-Shahar’s 6 tips for happiness:
• 1. Give yourself permission to be human. When we accept emotions — such as fear, sadness, or anxiety — as natural, we are more likely to overcome them. Rejecting our emotions, positive or negative, leads to frustration and unhappiness.

• 2. Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable. When this is not feasible, make sure you have happiness boosters, moments throughout the week that provide you with both pleasure and meaning.

• 3. Keep in mind that happiness is mostly dependent on our state of mind, not on our status or the state of our bank account. Barring extreme circumstances, our level of well being is determined by what we choose to focus on (the full or the empty part of the glass) and by our interpretation of external events. For example, do we view failure as catastrophic, or do we see it as a learning opportunity?

• 4. Simplify! We are, generally, too busy, trying to squeeze in more and more activities into less and less time. Quantity influences quality, and we compromise on our happiness by trying to do too much.

• 5. Remember the mind-body connection. What we do — or don't do — with our bodies influences our mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.

• 6. Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature to a smile.

~~~

Note: It is impossible to have gratitude and be depressed.

HUMOR YOUR STRESS: A little “Holy Humor”

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."

BEING THANKFUL
A Rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, 'So your mother says your prayers for you each night? That's very commendable. What does she say?' The little boy replied, 'Thank God he's in bed!'

SAY A PRAYER
Little Ricky and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Ricky received his plate, he started eating right away. 'Ricky! Please wait until we say our prayer.' said his mother. 'I don't need to,' the boy replied, 'Of course, you do,' his mother insisted. 'We always say a prayer before eating at our house.' 'That's at our house,' Ricky explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!'

LOT'S WIFE; The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

He who laughs, lasts.

Lillian Mills, B.S., M.Ed., C.L.C.
Professional Life Coach
You may send comments, suggestions, or a contribution to
lillian@clearpathwayscoaching.com.

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