I recently read an article about ‘the happiness formula’. Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania devised a formula for calculating happiness and found that ‘voluntary control’ had a high value. By voluntary control he meant not genetic capacity to be happy and not circumstance. This proved for him that people can learn to be happier and that wealth & health plays a less important role in happiness than might have been perceived.
He found that factors such as learning to be grateful for what we have and sitting down in the evenings listing all the things which went well with the day led to people achieving greater happiness.
I love articles like this as they provide a scientific base for what I do everyday and what results myself and my students get from meditation.
Yes being grateful can lead to greater happiness. Being grateful proves that you are looking positively at life. You are enjoying the flowers, the smiles, nature. If you can value your day and be grateful for what has gone on and what is around you; this in turn increases the likelihood of more things coming into your life, for which to be grateful for.
A really good way to bring a little gratitude into your life and therefore happiness is to write three things daily for which you were grateful for that day – it can be the simplest thing or a major achievement. This will help you to live in the moment, bring happiness to your everyday and generally live a little lighter and with more fun:)
What are you grateful for today? I am grateful for the wonderful blue of the sea, which I can look out at; my kitchen which I lovingly finished cleaning earlier today and my tea break which I’ll take after this is posted.
I hope you can find your three things to be grateful for too! Please post them and enjoy your moments!
Bindi x
Happiness Formula article was in The Independent on Sunday 20th June 2010
The passing away of my cousin this week has reinstated how precious and fragile life is.
Although he was only 44 years old, Samir led a very full and happy life. He was born inMombasa and one of his life-long ambitions was to move to England. I remember how when I used to visit over the summer, he would want to talk about all things English. He fulfilled this dream just two years ago by moving to London and will leave the world aware that his kids will have a better education – which was something which he valued and wanted to provide for them.
So life is precious and fragile – make the most of all your days; so however long or short your whole life is, you know that your days have been well-spent and without regrets.
Many people have ambitions which they want to fulfil in their lives but never get around to it. If there is anything you want to achieve in your life, do not wait until a later stage…start the process now and before you know it one of your ambitions will be achieved.
Bindi x
Hello Everyone,
I can hardly believe it is nearly November. Today is my husband Jay’s and my 2nd year wedding anniversary; we’ve had a day of half work and half play and a weekend of celebration! The days are really drawing in now and it is getting colder and I have been thinking of goals…as I do when the year is starting to end. I have my life coaching workshop on goal setting this Sat if anyone is interested in attending. It will be 4 hours of information on goals, how to set them effectively and attain them. So if you want to start getting some focus for 2010 and make that difference then give me a call.
I also have my teleworkshop scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10am UK time and 6am Eastern time for my American followers. I know it is early but you get a recording if you cannot make it so please do register. The topic is ‘Balance in Your Life’ and I will be working through techniques of bringing some balance into your life and how you can juggle those balls without feeling overwhelmed.
For either workshop, e-mail bindi@anamaya.net or give me a call on +(44)1273 302 350
Have a lovely evening everyone,
Bindi x
The last few days have been strange with all the news of Michael Jackson. I have tried not to read and believe everything, but the snippets I have processed all seem to lead to the ‘fact’ that he had a lack of self-esteem. It is difficult to believe that someone so larger than life, such an icon and hero to so many people would have a lack of self-esteem. But it is a topic I have been working on a lot this past month and in particular ways to boost confidence in people. Everyone in some moment or point in their life would have had some self-doubt or lack of confidence, however small, but it is the ability to work through this and boost yourself up which will ultimately ensure your success.
The first step to building your confidence is to know you are living to your true values. What are your values? I don’t mean the ones you have inherited from your parents, from society or from your teachers, I mean the ones which are truly yours. If you feel great when you have no fixed plans, then you value freedom. If you feel great when reaching out to people, then you value connection. Knowing your values and living according to them is the first step in having true confidence in yourself.
The next step to building up your confidence is to believe in yourself, your abilities and in your success. Focus on your results and achievements and let go of the limiting or restrictive beliefs you may be holding on to. These are most probably from your childhood and do not have a place in the ‘adult you’. It would have been easy for Michael Jackson to continuously think back to his childhood and all the wrongs, but his determination to be successful is what won. He definitely had a lack of self-belief but I think the next step really boosted his success.
Build your confidence immensely by getting feedback from people about how well you’re doing. He obviously got this from his fans; but we can all get this same confidence by people around us. Why do clients like dealing with you? What results do they get? Know how people value you and in turn this will increase the vaule you have of yourself.
The final step I want to discuss here is to surround yourself with positive people. We all know someone who drains us of our energy or who is negative. Try to stay away from these people, or limit the time you spend with them. Instead surround yourself with positive people and see your confidence grow! With that final note, I’d like you to all join my facebook page, where I am posting positive and inspirational quotations and I’d like you to post yours too!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brighton-United-Kingdom/Bindi-Shah-Life-Coaching-Ayurveda-Meditation/63492401104?ref=ts
Thanks a lot for reading the comments and will connect with you again soon,
Bindi x
Hello! It’s another beautiful day here as I write this overlooking the sea. I am going to finish my day soon to do my yoga routine and then go and meditate on the beach! I have been preparing my workshop for Saturday: ‘Learn to Relax’ and looking forward to teaching the participants to relax and start enjoying themselves in life without the anxiety and worry. Most of what we worry about will never happen, so why waste precious moments and sometimes hours or even days on things which will never occur.
I hope I am growing in this relaxed attitude myself. The more relaxed you can be, the better focused you’ll be in getting things done. When opportunities come along, you’ll know to take them rather than missing them due to your mind being full of worry instead of clarity. How wonderful to have such a clear mind that you never doubt yourself – you never doubt your abilities or decisions and can make decisions and act on them rather than procrastinating. Wouldn’t that be great? Start by practising some relaxation tehniques such as deep breathing or deep relaxation and very soon – probably sooner than you think- your mind will be clear, relaxed and focused.
Have a wonderful day,
Bindi x
Come along and celebrate International Women’s Day with me:
Where? Newhaven Enterprise Centre, Denton Island, Newhaven
When? Wednesday 11th March 2009 6-8pm
There will be a variety of stalls by local business women, free offers and light refreshments will be served. I can’t wait to see you there! I’m holding a draw with a free meditation class as the prize!!
International Women’s Day is 8th March so why not make the day special for the woman in your life?
Cook her breakfast/lunch/dinner, or all three!
Buy her flowers as a thank you to her for being in your life.
Give her a pamper session, anything from running a hot bath for her to booking her in for a massage.
Have a wonderful day with her!!
Bindi x
Just wanted you to quickly know I am on Twitter now!! Still trying to work it all out, but my id is bindishah if anyone wants to follow me!!
Bindi x
Hello Everyone,
For all of you who are coming to my blog from the newsletter. Welcome!! Please feel free to add any comments you want on the posts. I am looking forward to reading about your values and your own journeys to discovering and attaining them.
Have a lovely day,
Live the life you dream of….
Bindi x
Hello all,
I am adding the blog to my website soon as the news update, so I can add and remind you of upcoming courses faster!
I hope that you have been meditating and thinking about all the benefits of your dream to get to it faster. It really does work! I’d like to hear from any of you who have tried it. I am also hear for any questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to contact me.
I’ll end the post today with another great way to manifest into your life. Be grateful for everything which comes your way! The more you are grateful for what you are receiving, the more you will receive.
Take care and I can’t wait to get some comments!
Hello!
I have started my blog! I hope you enjoy the posts…
Bindi…
