learning by heart: happiness challenge

This week I decided to do a happiness challenge. I read an article titled "The 9 Principles That People Who Feel Successful Say They Live By." This caught my eye because of the word "feel" in the title. In today's age, we are taught that success is many things, but rarely are the person's feelings about their live included in the definition. 

The article starts out with exactly the reason that I clicked on the article in the first place. They explain that success is an abstract concept that is extremely difficult to truly define AND achieve. 

I did not think about the fact that companies and such still base their thoughts and rewards on the traditional standard of what success is. This de-values the personal journey it takes for the individual to actually feel successful. 

There were many ways to live in order to feel successful, but the 2 that stood out to me the most were to suspend judgments and to develop resilience. I like the bit about suspending judgements because it is so very true. Spending time judging yourself or others for mistakes drains valuable energy that you can be using to push beyond in your life. Also, I loved that they said you must develop resilience. I loved this because a lot of people this this is a set that you must adopt when you fail at something. Instead, this is key to feeling successful in the final steps as well. You must surround yourself with a great support system so you know you can get through those rough patches and still feel successful. 

(Photo from Fickr.)

learning challenge: reading out loud

I read this week's stories out loud and it made me realize how quickly I normal skim through things. There actually have been a couple of weeks that I was so mentally exhausted, I chose to use an audiobook. I did not even think twice about it, but it really does help to have the words out loud as I go. I think this truly allowed me to build up the characters with my own tone while really focusing on the details. This also made stories just come timing as I read and ways that I cold change up the characters. I think that I am going to do this more often as I really don't see any disadvantages since I am home alone each time I work on my assignments.

(Photo from Pexels.)

learning challenge: coloring and happiness

I chose to read an article about attention for this week's learning challenge. I read an article by Dr. Kerry Petsinger titled, "People Who Love Coloring Are Happier And More Creative."  

I definitely knew about the fact that coloring decreases stress due to the overload of coloring books in Barnes and Noble. But, this article provided my some information as to why which I appreciated.

I didn't even think about how reading can aid in dexterity. You don't think about that much on a daily basis, but it's such a huge part of our lives and could always use improvement!

I want to try using coloring to increase focus for myself. I am going to try printing out some free coloring sheets to work on in-between assignments I do at home. I think this could both destress myself and improve focus and dexterity. 

(Photo from Flickr.)

learning challenge: empathy

I read an article called, "What Kids Wish Their Teacher Knew." It was about a teacher that gave her students the opportunity to fill out a piece of paper anonymously that read, "I wish my teacher Knew..."

I found this to be absolutely beautiful because it gave the teacher, as well as the world, the opportunity to truly see a real life example of the fact that every one has something that they are going through. I think the best way to start out practicing compassion is just to realize that this is the case. Once you realize this, it should help you practice kindness to all. You never know if anyone else has been kind to the person you are talking to and, on top of that, what they are dealing with when they go home. Once some trust is built up, you can have an intentional conversation with that person and just allow them the comfort to open up if they need to and feel the urge to do so to you. But, also keep in my that this person may be happy as can be at the moment. You just never know.

I have always been taught to love others and treat them as you want to be treated which has naturally led to my friends coming to me to talk. As a matter of fact, my friend just came to me the other day to talk to me about her struggle with depression and the fact that she hasn't gone to talk to someone about it. I had NO idea that she was feeling that way, but we have a mutual trust and comfort and she knows that I will not judge her for anything. This type of relationship saved her a lot of pain because now she knows she can talk to me and I am helping her get help by someone more qualified. 

This is just the most recent example I have encountered, but it happens quite often. Just treat others how you would like to be treated and love unconditionally. You never know what others are going through and you'll never find out until you give them a chance. 

(Photo by Roy.)