Be Happy...Gain Tranquility

Kathryn Roethel wrote an article about Fred Luskin and Carol Pertofsky, professors at Stanford University who teach tranquility in a class on how to be happy. There are consistently more applicants than spaces – that caught my attention. They began offering the course in 2007 after 4 students committed suicide the previous year. They found that most answers to the problem targeted those people who were already courting disaster. They wanted to come at the problem from a prevention perspective; one that avoided crisis and catastrophe.

One important message the instructors hope to convey is that racking up accomplishments won't necessarily lead to fulfillment, writes Roethel.

"Achieving the most for yourself doesn't lead to the kind of happiness you think it will," Luskin told a student who questioned how she could reconcile her desire for a balanced life with the expectations that, at Stanford, you need to be "the best."
He added that people who are in the best position for happiness are the ones who have strong relationships, and "interconnected webs" of people on whom they can depend for fun and support.

An expectation of happiness on campus, Pertofsky said, can make it even more painful for struggling students who feel as if they're the only ones who aren't thriving.

"In this culture of excellence, it takes a lot to admit when you're hurting," she said.

Luskin’s simple definition of happiness is “wanting what you have” and stress is “wanting something to be different.”

Below are five techniques Luskin teaches for reducing stress and increasing happiness.
-- Keep a daily gratitude journal, listing items for which you feel grateful.
-- Perform a meditation practice, or simply a few minutes of deep breathing and quiet reflection on something that made you happy. Consider what you can do to achieve that happiness again.
-- Make a habit of sharing the highlights of your day with someone close to you.
-- Practice forgiveness routinely.
-- Construct a list of all activities and experiences that relax and rejuvenate you. Use items from this list to manage your daily stress.

This week think about your state of happiness. Rate it on a scale of 1-10.
What is your definition of happiness?
How are your expectations creating obstacles to your happiness?
Who is your happiness person/people? Tell them so. Spend some time.
It takes a lot to admit you’re hurting…ask for what you need. Speak the truth in love.

Please share your thoughts, practices, challenges with us. Let’s make 2012 a year of greater happiness, contentment, love, faith, and giving. YES we CAN!

I would be honored to help you increase your happiness quotient. Call or e-mail at beth.madigan@cox.net or 602.626.8036
Blessings,
Beth