Live The Life You Dream Of…

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

I am sure most of you have seen some coverage of the World Cup – I have definitely been enjoying watching the games

It is interesting seeing the ways the football teams celebrate their goals and I thought I would remind everyone to be sharing their goals and successes too!

It is extremely easy to get caught up in your everyday and not take the time out to:

1. Realise what you have achieved and

2. To celebrate these achievements.

It is important to do both and often. You are achieving more than you realise. Think through your last week and write down everything you have accomplished.

In personal terms, this could be the new recipe you tried which was a success; a new exercise regime you embarked on or quality time you spent with your partner or children.

In business terms, it could be the new blog site you created; the new client you gained or the follow-up calls you managed to make.

You are constantly achieving without necessarily taking the time to appreciate these achievements. Once you do know what your achievements are for the week, then start celebrating them! This could be by celebrating your business achievements on a Friday night with a glass of wine, or celebrating personal success with a family day out.  Remember to celebrate all your smaller steps towards your ultimate vision or dream and see it draw closer into your life.

So take some time out to see what you have achieved and I look forward to your ‘celebration stories’.

Bindi x