Happy...YES

10 Positive Psychology Studies to Change Your View of Happiness

WRITTEN by JOSHUA BECKER · 

"People wait all week for Friday, all year for summer, all life for happiness."

In An Introduction to Positive Psychology, Dr. William Compton describes positive psychology as seeking "to make normal life more fulfilling." It utilizes the scientific method (hypothesis, prediction, study, research, analysis) to understand the positive and emotionally fulfilling aspects of human behavior. It is the study of what actions, pursuits, and motivations best contribute to the good life.

I enjoy reading positive psychology. The more I discover, the more I am reminded that happiness is rarely found in material possessions or worldly pursuits. Our most fulfilled lives are discovered living for greater causes.

These pursuits are available to us regardless of our heritage, background, or socioeconomic standing. They are freely available to anyone who chooses to dedicate their lives to them.

10 Positive Psychology Studies to Change Your View of Happiness

1. From Wealth to Well-being?| Harvard Business School, 2009. While there does appear to be some correlation between happiness and income when basic needs are not yet met, people tend to overestimate the influence of wealth on happiness by 100%. Money does not lead to nearly as much happiness as people think it will.

2. Buying Experiences, not Possessions, Leads to Greater Happiness | San Francisco State University, 2009. The study demonstrates that experiential purchases, such as a meal out or theater tickets, result in increased greater well-being than material possessions. These experiences tend to satisfy higher order needs, specifically the need for social connectedness and vitality—a feeling of being alive.

3. The Science of Gratitude| University of Pennsylvania, 2005. One of the greatest contributing factors to overall happiness in life is how much gratitude we show. And a noticeable difference can be experienced with as little as three expressions each day ("Thank you for…").

4. Trust, Morality, and Oxytocin. Claremont Graduate University, 2011. Based on research findings, psychologists believe humanity's trust, empathy, and morality increase as their levels of oxytocin increase. Neuroeconomist Paul Zak explains the simple act of eight hugs a day can increase internal oxytocin levels and result in a happier you and a better world.

5. For a Better Day, Smile.| Michigan State University, 2011. People who smile as a result of cultivating positive thoughts can significantly and immediately improve their mood. Simply put, one easy way to improve your mood right now is to recall pleasant memories—and smile because of it.

6. The Dynamic Spread of Happiness | University of California, San Diego, 2008. In this significant study, people who were surrounded by happy people were more likely to become happy in the future. So if you want to discover more happiness in your life, make a point to surround yourself with joyful people.

7. Kindness Counts | University of British Columbia, 2012. In this study conducted at an elementary school, students who performed kind acts experienced significantly higher increases in peer acceptance. In other words, people who are kind to others are more well-liked. This contributes to their own personal popularity as they help other people.

8. People who Exercise on Work Days are Happier | University of Bristol, 2008. People's moods significantly improve after exercising. They are also more productive and equipped to manage stress in their workday.

9. Is Volunteering a Public Health Intervention? | University of Exeter Medical School, 2013. Evidence suggests volunteering benefits mental health and even, survival. Donating time to causes you believe in not only improves well-being and overall life satisfaction, it is also linked to decreased depression and a lower risk of dying early.

10. Spending Money on Others Promotes Happiness  | University of California Berkeley, 2008. This study suggests that how people spend their money may be at least as important as how much money they earn. Specifically, spending more of one's income on others results in greater happiness. So go ahead, be generous. You'll be glad you did.

Playtime

Enjoying some playtime outside when we can ;)

Mall Adventures

Nana's gifted money was burning a hole in their pockets…so off to the mall we go!  Love my crazies who are willing to venture out to the mall the day after Christmas :)  The girls are thrilled with their new BuildaBears for sure.  Thanks Nana!

Excellent Reminder

I Can’t Be Everyone’s Chick-Fil-A Sauce

Written by Amy Weatherly

A couple of friends and I went and grabbed lunch at Chick-Fil-A a couple of weeks ago. It was delightful. We spent roughly $20 a piece, and our kids ran in and out of the play area barefoot and stinky and begged us for ice cream, to which we responded “not until you finish your nuggets,” to which they responded with a whine, and then ran off again like a bolt of crazy energy. One friend had to climb into the play tubes a few times to save her 22-month-old, but it was still worth every penny. Every. Single. One. Even though we were all wearing stretchy workout pants and headbands to hide our greasy hair, the staff still refilled our sweet tea. With a smile. And extra ice. And nobody stared when our kids screamed and squealed and acted like tiny fools. And everyone said “My pleasure,” even when they had to sweep the mess of crumbs off the tile floor that our precious tyrants left behind. 

I just love that place. The only way they could make it better, in my opinion, is to add babysitters, but I won’t push too hard for that. I’ll leave that one alone. Because, I dunno. Maybe that’s a lot to ask of an establishment that sells $6 spicy chicken sandwiches out of paper bags and plastic trays. Maybe. Or maybe I’ll write a letter, I don’t know. I need to mull that decision over.

So anyway, we are eating. And I look at the half-eaten dipping sauces spread out on the table before us. I have Chick-Fil-A sauce, because, let’s be honest, it’s the best. Someone else has Polynesian, and someone else has good ole, classic ketchup. 

And I laughed because how could everyone not like the Chick-Fil-A sauce? I mean, seriously. It reminded me that everyone is different, and everyone chooses differently, and what everyone needs varies. So I probably shouldn’t take it so personally when someone doesn’t like me, when someone doesn’t want to be my best friend, when I feel left out or excluded. I mean, I can’t do it. I can’t be everyone’s Chick-Fil-A sauce. And neither can you.

For some people, you are going to be too salty, and for others, you are going to be too sweet. For some, you will be too bold, and for others, you won’t have enough flavor. You will be too much and not enough for some people’s taste buds to handle and that is OK. 

That is so okay. God didn’t make you to be loved by everyone. He didn’t make you to be one-size-fits-all and generic and boring. He did not send you to this earth so that you could please all the people. He did not create you to be popular or to be invited to all the parties or to be included in every group text. He made you to love Him, and to follow Him, and to carry out His very specific purpose by being your very own distinct flavor. 

Your flavor won’t be for everyone. Take a deep breath and learn to be okay with that. 

And the next time the devil tries to attack you, or make you stumble over the vicious lie that you are less than, or insecure, or like something is wrong with who you are, because you are feeling rejected, or alone, or unliked, repeat these words. Scream them if you must: I CAN’T BE EVERYONE’S CHIC-FIL-A SAUCE. And then just keep on running the race God has set out before you. Run it hard. Run it good. Run it long. And run it in your very own style.

This article originally appeared on In & Out Beauty by Amy

That's A Wrap

We finished out Christmas Day at Dad's house.  Goodies shared all around :)  We all have felt overly blessed and loved on this whole season!!

2005 Pic

Lori just sent over this one from 2005!  Long time friends and many many stories since then ;)

SO Many Pics

SO many pics and people we loved on during Christmas this year.  Here are just a few of the favorites from Christmas Day.  Lots of love shared all around. Fabulous memories made and as you can see…LOTS of HAPPINESS!!