Happiness vs gratitide

From the "Science for Raising Happy Kids"

Researchers have found that people who practice gratitude feel considerably happier (25%) than those in a control group; they are more joyful, enthusiastic, interested, and determined.

Grateful people not only feel good, but they act good, so to speak; their joy and enthusiasm is palpable to others. Studies show that people who have been taught to practice being appreciative offer more emotional support to other people. Grateful people are more likely to be both kind and helpful. And the spouses and friends of gratitude practicers report increases in energy, excitement, and attentiveness.

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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sodsnodds/3240756069/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3240756069_35f735fc8e_o.jpg" width="400" height="438" alt="2009_01_31_happiness_vs_gratitide" border="0"/></a><br /><p sytle="font-size: 0.8em;" >Doodle by <a href="http://leesvoice.blogspot.com">Lee</a>. The code for <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/01/happiness-vs-gratitide.html">this doodle</a> and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/">Doodles</a>.</p>

Sigh

Here's the code the doodle above.

Here's the code for the doodle above.

Happiness vs friendships

From the "Science for Raising Happy Kids"

The upshot of 50 years of happiness research is that the quantity and quality of a person’s social connections—friendships, relationships with family members, closeness to neighbors, etc.—is so closely related to well-being and personal happiness the two can practically be equated. People with many friendships are less likely to experience sadness, loneliness, low self-esteem, and problems with eating and sleeping.

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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sodsnodds/3231721039/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3231721039_41d34a00a8_o.jpg" width="400" height="438" alt="2009_01_28_happiness_vs_friendships" border="0" /></a><br /><p sytle="font-size: 0.8em;" >Doodle by <a href="http://leesvoice.blogspot.com">Lee</a>. The code for <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/01/happiness-vs-friendships.html">this doodle</a> and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/">Doodles</a>.</p>

New mom bliss

What are the ingredients for your bliss? How often to you take advantage of them when they present themselves? Do you give yourself permission to relax? If not, who do you think is going to give it to you?

Add this doodle to your blog (after reading the Terms and Conditions of Use), by copying and pasting the code below:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sodsnodds/3221858917/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3221858917_a7479526d1_o.jpg" width="400" height="437" alt="2009_01_23_new_mom_bliss" border="0" /></a><br /><p sytle="font-size: 0.8em;" >Doodle by <a href="http://leesvoice.blogspot.com">Lee</a>. The code for <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-mom-bliss.html">this doodle</a> and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/">Doodles</a>.</p>

It's an honour just to be nominated

I was excited to discover that Brigindo, nominated this blog for an Inspiration Award!

I've complied with the rules of the nomination over here.

Relax

Vivian Quiring once said:

"Saying you don't have time to revitalize is like saying you don't have time to get gas because you're too busy driving."

Or as Sydney J. Harris put it:

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."

[h/t: Bliss Notes]

So what are you waiting for? Make time to relax!

Add this doodle to your blog (after reading the Terms and Conditions of Use), by copying and pasting the code below:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sodsnodds/3185149545/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/3185149545_8d401bd651_o.jpg" width="400" height="402" alt="2009_01_10_too_busy_driving" border="0" /></a><br /><p sytle="font-size: 0.8em;" >Doodle by <a href="http://leesvoice.blogspot.com">Lee</a>. The code for <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/01/relax.html">this doodle</a> and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/">Doodles</a>.</p>

Do you play to your strengths?

It seems like a simple enough question. Let's look at a definition of strength:

strength - forte: an asset of special worth or utility; "cooking is his forte"

Many people translate that into "something you are good at doing." Not so, says Marcus Buckingham.

"—just because you're good at something doesn't mean it's a strength. If what you're doing completes you, it's a strength. If it depletes you, it's actually a weakness."

Something to think about.

Add this doodle to your blog (after reading the Terms and Conditions of Use), by copying and pasting the code below:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sodsnodds/3162629257/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3162629257_217c71663e_o.jpg" width="400" height="352" alt="2009_01_03_strengths" border="0" /></a><br /><p sytle="font-size: 0.8em;" >Doodle by <a href="http://leesvoice.blogspot.com">Lee</a>. The code for <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/01/do-you-play-to-your-strengths.html">this doodle</a> and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at <a href="http://leesdoodles.blogspot.com/">Doodles</a>.</p>