[Editorial published 5/7/08]
Hi Everybody,
Last week I was at my desk trying to think of what to write for this week's editorial and heard the most beautiful sound: my children laughing. My husband, son and daughter were playing together and having a ball. It got me thinking about happiness — an emotion which runs the gamut from brief euphoria to a persistent sense of well-being. This week, I'd like to share my thoughts on Happiness: what it is, how to have more of it and, most importantly, how to give this gift to our children.
Here is a wonderful definition: happiness is the capacity to enjoy what you have. That may be over-simplifying things, but I believe being able to find the joy in your current situation is the key to having all the other manifestations of happiness -— an optimistic, upbeat, can-do attitude toward life.
As I listened to my husband playing with the kids in the other room, I began to smile as I realized how contagious happiness can be. It was then that I hatched this simple plan: always be happy in front of the kids and see what happens. For the next few days, I tried to put a positive spin on situations that normally annoy me, and have tried to keep a smile on my face. [Continue here from the newsletter's "READ MORE" break.]
Two amazing things started to happen:
1) My children became more responsive and helpful. Instead of whining, they offered solutions. When I asked for help (in a pleasant tone) I could actually get it without too much prodding. My children behaved in ways that fed my sense of happiness even further which leads me to the second amazing thing...
2) I began to GENUINELY feel happier myself. As I tried to convince the kids that my errands, chores and problems were really adventures, games and puzzles, the day became less oppressive on a personal level. As a result, I was generally more tolerant and patient with the children leading to more responsive and helpful behavior...
I'm not saying that everything has been perfect — there were still a number of things which aggravated me, and the kids still had moments of stubborn defiance (sigh, if only my youngest were potty trained). What I did learn, however, was that this brief experiment was beginning to create a noticeable difference in the day for both my kids and me.
My resolution for the next month (and hopefully beyond), is to keep this new outlook onto my daily routine. I am going to practice this 'spin' technique verbally in front of the children and see if, at the end of the month, I have given myself and my family a greater sense of well-being.
I hope your week is filled with laughter,
Jill
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 January 2010 )
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