HAPPINESS HELPERS

HAPPINESS HELPERS Five Ways to Be More Positive

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by Brad Aronson

Studies show that when we see the positive more often, we’re happier and kinder to ourselves and to those around us. Luckily, we’re not locked into one way of viewing the world. We can choose to see things in a more positive fashion. Here are some steps we can take to teach ourselves to look for the positive more often. Eventually, the brain can get into the habit of doing this without any prodding. Compliment at least one person every day. Maybe we can begin the day by sending a short email or text telling someone why we appreciate them. Besides reshaping how we see the world, we might make someone’s day.

Keep a gratitude journal. Every night, write down three things to be grateful for. Researchers have found that people that regularly keep track of what they’re grateful for are happier. We can also have a nightly family discussion about what happened that day that we’re thankful for.

Perform a daily act of kindness. When we perform a kind act every day, we start noticing other opportunities to be kind, creating a cycle of positivity in our minds. Think small—a thankyou note or letting someone cut in front of us in traffic.

Be mindful of who and what we expose ourselves to.

The people we spend time with and what we watch, listen to and read all send messages to our brain that influence how we see the world.

Train the brain for positivity. Here is a simple 10-minute exercise that can train the mind to think differently:

• Get a pen and paper. Take only three seconds to look around the room and remember everything that’s red. Then take only a few seconds to write a list of everything you remember that’s red. Finish this step before continuing.

• Now write down everything that is blue. Chances are that like most people, we won’t remember the blue things nearly as well because we weren’t looking for them. We see what we look for, and that’s as much an asset as a shortcoming.

Training the brain to be more positive takes time, but it’s a priceless opportunity to change our perspective and become happier.

Brad Aronson, a tech entrepreneur and investor, is the author of HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time. Connect at BradAronson.com.

Three-Step, One-Minute Mind and Body Reset

by Judi Weaver

Close your eyes and give yourself What does this space feel like? What is the one full minute. This can be done temperature? Is it warm and soft or cool anywhere, but allow yourself to be and refreshing? undisturbed (extending a bathroom break Now inhale and breathe deeply and is a great option). what do you smell? Allow the scents to to be. Let your mind sink into seeing that gently waft through the air and mingle Step One: Take a deep breath, inhaling for with the images of your favorite special the count of three. Hold for three. Then and peaceful place. Take a moment to exhale for the count of three. Repeat this truly be in this space, allowing for all breathing technique three times. Then your senses to be in this moment—see, return to normal breathing. hear, smell, taste and touch. Relish the Step Two: Remain with your eyes closed there in your picture-perfect, peaceful, and imagine your favorite peaceful place magical place. joy of being completely present and place and being in your incredibly special Step Three: Take a deep, cleansing inhale and sacred space. Allow your mind to of breath, then exhale. Say thank you for wander deeply into that space and take this amazing visit and slowly open your time to look all around you. What do you eyes, where you return refreshed and ready see on your left and on your right? What is to move forward. behind you and above you? What do you When one is stressed or experiencing see? Where are you? strain, tension and emotional unrest, a

What does the environment look like? significant change happens to one’s breathMountains? Water? Fields? Flowers? Are ing pattern, which is generally increased you alone? Are there any animals around to a fast-shallow pace. This automatic you? What does it sound like? Allow your response hinders the amount of oxygen mind to focus on what you are hearing? that the brain is receiving, which can easily Whispering winds, trickling water, or inhibit reactions and the decision-making perhaps crashing waves at the shoreline? processes in that moment. Rev. Judi Weaver

By allowing yourself to concentrate on your breathing, you are naturally slowing the process, resetting your physical body, and allowing for more oxygen to replenish areas as needed. Taking a minute to concentrate on your breathing and then focusing on your beautiful, peaceful place provides for a complete internal and external reset.

This mind and body reset, along with the increased oxygen, allows for greater insight and amazing possibilities for those that are waiting for your return. You are welcome to visit as often as you like and make changes to your picture-perfect destination at any time.

Rev. Judi Weaver is an ordained minister, channel and international professional certified healer with 25 years of experience. She is also a published author and the founder of Heart 4 Souls, a nonprofit dedicated to spiritual development. For more information or to connect with her, visit SpiritualServices. online. See listing, page 38.