Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.
– Edwin Percy Whipple
"I choose to risk my significance, to live so that which came to me as seed goes to the next as blossom, and that which came to me as blossom, goes on as fruit."
– Dawna Markova
Albert Camus said happiness is "the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads." Norman Vincent Peale said happiness is "the warm glow of a heart at peace with itself." But the inimitable George Burns got to the heart of the matter when he said, "Happiness means getting up in the morning, and you can't wait to finish your breakfast. You can't wait to do your exercises. You can't wait to put on your clothes. You can't wait to get out – and you can't wait to come home, because the soup is hot."
But if we can't seem to remember that the soup is hot how do we get to happiness then? What if life seems boring or purposeless? At Pathways to Happiness, we agree with Ben Franklin's declaration: "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness," he said. "You have to catch it yourself."
A choice. Most of us believe in free will but only as a matter of theory. In reality, we live most of our lives as a matter of habit, with beliefs and responses that are largely based on old (and often negative) childhood patterns. What if we decided to consciously select a set of beliefs and behaviors that are more congruent with the adult we have become ... rather than the child we have been? What if we were to arbitrarily decide that the glass of our lives is half full, rather than half empty? What if we decided to be grateful for what we have, rather than bitter about what we have lost? Making that choice is one pathway to happiness.
A practice. In order to change life-long beliefs and attitudes, we have to put forth consistent and meaningful effort. To cultivate a new set of attitudes takes time, just like learning to play the piano, mastering yoga postures, or planting a garden. But research now shows conclusively that the choice we make to approach life either as an optimist or a pessimist can have a significant effect on our success, health, well-being and longevity.
A life-long habit. Just like eating well or exercising, the pursuit of happiness is not a one-time event: it is a life-long habit. To paraphrase author Barbara De Angelis, happiness (like love) "is a choice you make from moment to moment." Pathways to Happiness is a five-month course that will teach you a series of practices and behaviors on a weekly basis: practices having to do with mindfulness, gratitude, forgiveness and more. But it is up to you to "pursue happiness" by continuing to practice these behaviors with joy every day of your life.
A passionate journey. What do you love doing? If you want increased enthusiasm, vitality, and engagement, fill your life with what you love! What you love to do gives clues to your signature strengths, and knowing your signature strengths, will help you to find more ways to enjoy being yourself.
Being on purpose. Why are you here? What is the purpose of your life? Purpose is expressed in the way that you bring your gifts to every day of your life. When your gifts, your unique strengths, are used in service of something larger than yourself, your life has meaning and you feel great life satisfaction.
"When it comes to health and optimism, the jury is in. ... Pessimism is just as bad for human health as it is for rat health. It makes people more liable to die of heart disease once they have it as well as more likely to get cancer in the first place."
Dr. Susan Vaughan
To find out if Pathways to Happiness is for you, click here!
The next Pathways to Happiness course begins Sept 20, 2006. Prepare to embark on a wonderous journey toward happiness! See our Registration page for more information, call 301-587-1835 or email.