Anyone who works with young children knows that they live in the moment. When they are happy, all they know is that they’re happy RIGHT NOW. So how do you teach the difference between short-term and long-term happiness to someone who lives in the moment? Beyond grasping the concept of long-term happiness, how do you teach the value of long-term happiness? Continue reading
Congressman Tim Ryan has been a force for the support of mindfulness in our military and schools and now he is expanding that support with the Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act. The act, co-sponsored by Congressman Dave Loebsack, Congressman Tom Petri and Congressman Matt Cartwright, amends the Elementary Education and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to allow funding for teacher and principal training and professional development to be used for social and emotional learning programming. “I have already seen what … Continue reading
Happiness has many entry points. Some are simple, like appreciation, and others, like forgiveness are more complex. By exploring different facets of happiness, you blast open your capacity for greater joy. Even when facing challenging times, you will discover your portals to inner happiness. Today, let’s look at the letter “F” covering fun, focus and forgiveness. Continue reading
In order for mediation to work, participants need to know they are there by choice. The rules need to be clear and the disputants need to agree whole-heartedly to follow them before they begin laying out the problem and negotiating a solution. It is my role as facilitator not only to lead the disputants through the process, but also to model for them along the way, remaining calm, patient, fully present, and non-judgmental. Continue reading
“If there’s one thing we cannot say enough to our nation’s educators, it is THANK YOU.” – President Barack Obama Today, May 7, 2013, is Teacher Appreciation Day. At Project Happiness, we are so grateful to all of the teachers that work with Project Happiness! They are the backbone of all of our programs and they teach us so much about how we can improve the work that we do. Without our teachers, it would not be possible to have … Continue reading
“Having a more positive general outlook on life was associated with improved sleep quality.” Continue reading
Originally published in the Huffington Post – April 23, 2013 Happiness can be found everywhere, if you know how to look. By spending some time focusing on the ways happiness can show up in your life, you train your brain to see more of it. By increasing your “happiness vocabulary” your capacity for happiness expands. Here are a few ways to tap into your happiness now, using the letter “E.” Enthusiasm Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. — Ralph … Continue reading
Originally published in the Huffington Post – April 16, 2013 “If you’re not stressed, you’re not working hard enough.” More and more this mantra seems to be woven into our cultural dialogue. Stress may be considered the new “normal,” but it doesn’t have to be that way. Simple shifts in attitude and practices can yield big benefits. April is National Stress Awareness Month, which gives us the opportunity to look at both negative trends and some signs of hope. Here’s … Continue reading
In early 2013, I was invited by Rachel Allen, Professor of Humanities and Coordinator of Valencia’s Peace and Justice Initiative, to participate in the College’s 5-day annual Justice and Peace Initiative, from January 28 – February 1, 2013. During the visit, I had the honor and priviledge of engaging and speaking with faculty and students at three of Valencia College’s campuses in Orlando, Florida. At the East Campus, I joined the College Professors and students in the Opening Festivities for … Continue reading
Originally published in the Huffington Post – March 14, 2013 Happiness comes in many forms. The more we reflect on happiness, the more we will notice it in day-to-day life. The more focusing on happiness becomes a daily habit, the faster we train our neural pathways to make happiness our default setting. Sound good? Here are three ways to increase your happiness now, all starting with the letter D. Delight Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for … Continue reading
