I think a lot about what makes a good life, what makes people happy and fulfilled. Tom Bartlett just brought this great summary to my attention. Contrary to what the media and advertisers would have us believe happiness is definitely not related to the amount of money or stuff we have. As a wise man once said to me “Ask yourself where do you spend your money and where do you spend your time? that will tell you where your priorities lie.”
Connect
With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
Be active
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a phsyical activity you enjoy and one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take notice
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
Keep learning
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
Give
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
Well said! Amen.
This is from research done by the New Economics Foundation whose motto is Economics as if People and the Planet Matter. They are an interesting bunch. This report has actually been noticed by the mainstream too, I am looking at it in relation to a EU funded community project in Scotland at the moment.
Hi Mary, yes I link to their website at the top. They are as an organisation presumably much inspired by EF Schumacher who’s seminal book “Small is Beautiful” was subtitled “Economics as if People Mattered”
Such a nice article! I always ponder just how short life is and so many people are rushing through it without really seeing the joy and thrills of life only because they are running at such a fast pace that joy and peace are nothing more than a blurr in their rear view mirror! Thanx again Jim
Very well said! Something for all of us to think and take action about in this so called busy world.
All very true, though a healthy relationship with the natural world must not be ignored or underestimated.
The construct of modern life can be so debilitating to our wellbeing. I see it all the time, and I feel it too.
I often work with grumpy teens, corporate groups, kids with special educational needs, and the effect is always assured – We tune back into nature and we are rewarded for it.
… and this bloody spooncarving lark! It’s just fantastic. A chance to connect with nature at a very intimate level. The more you give to it, the more you get in return.
I gave a lot this week, and I got a blister on my thumb in return!