TED Talk - Happiness

Earlier today I posted a TED talk on FB about happiness, challenging anyone to join me for 21 days beginning this Wednesday, January 10th.

Several years ago I created a gratitude book to get through a very dark time in my life. When I was diagnosed with cancer I had a mentor, someone who walked in similar shoes. Sometimes we know our mentor or have some connection to our mentor. Sometimes we don't. And later, we become a mentor for another. I remember my mentors and thank them for their strength. The first time I was a mentor was to a beautiful woman. We chatted on the phone, via email, and social medial. We became friends and even met in person even though we lived a time zone apart. Then one day just before Thanksgiving she stepped in front of a train. I will never know why. The first few pages of my gratitude book was filled with simple things: Sampson, yoga, mountains, memories. I remember staring at the blank pages trying to come up with three words once the obvious things I was thankful for had been written. I wrote that I was grateful for snow in 20 different ways just to come up with three words a day. But as time passed, it got easier. And at some point I could fill a page with words and sentences and paragraphs. Eventually, I got through this time and have turned to my gratitude book several times since. I found this simple tool immensely helpful.

In this TED Talk, Shawn Anchor challenges us to be better humans. To live in a world of happiness. Beginning this Wednesday, I will share my 21-day journey. Please join, whether vicariously through me or on your own.

Here's the specifics:

• Each day write three words of gratitude for the day, either in the morning for the day ahead or in the evening for the things you were grateful for that day.
• Write one journal entry of a positive experience for the day.
• Find 10 to 20 minutes each day to exercise, whether that is a walk, yoga class, or all-out workout
• Meditate for 5 to 10 minutes a day, increasing to 20 to 30 minutes a day. Use an app on your cell phone or combine the meditation with a morning walk (exercise and meditation)
• Complete one random -- or conscious -- act of kindness everyday. Shawn Anchor proposes writing a thank you note via email or social media to someone in your social circle. I believe you can practice a random act of kindness almost anywhere. But, if it's easier, write a thank you to someone you know. 

What you'll need: 

• Journal
• Pen
• A list of people to thank in your social circle
• Install a meditation app on your phone

Spend tomorrow gathering supplies and let's get ready to find happiness in the simplicity and beauty of life. 

To happiness...