In my September 20th blog I quoted Barry Schwartz, who said, "the secret to happiness is low expectations."
Recently I watched a TED lecture by David Steindl-Rast, and thought maybe the secret to happiness is more positive. David's words were motivating and inspiring, so I wanted to share them with you. He said that all of us, as human beings, have one thing in common, no matter who we are, where we live, or what we have; we all want to be happy. He says there is a connection between gratefulness and happiness. Happiness isn't about the abundance you have. "Happiness doesn't make us grateful, gratefulness makes us happy."
What is gratefulness? According to the dictionary it is, "warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful." David Steindl-Rast says that when you experience something valuable to you that is given to you as a gift, gratefulness spontaneously rises and this brings about happiness.
What is the most valuable thing that is given to everyone, everyday? Moments. "The key to happiness is living gratefully. Becoming aware that every moment is a gift to you. The moment and all it's opportunity is the gift within the gift given to everyone everyday." We must be grateful for the moments we are given, because we never know how many more we will have. When times are difficult we need to learn to rise to the occasion and find the opportunities that are presented to us. Use these difficult times as a challenge to rise to that opportunity.
David says, "the method to harness this, to live gratefully, it's simple. It is what we were taught as children when crossing the street. Stop, Look, Go!"
Don't miss opportunities that are given to you as gifts in every moment. Find time to stop, get quiet, wait, think, and review what is going on, and then when you do, look around, go, and be grateful.
If you want to see the whole lecture by David Steindl-Rast click on the following link and watch it for yourself.
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful.html?utm_source=email&source=email&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ios-share
Just remember to Stop, Look, and Go.
Recently I watched a TED lecture by David Steindl-Rast, and thought maybe the secret to happiness is more positive. David's words were motivating and inspiring, so I wanted to share them with you. He said that all of us, as human beings, have one thing in common, no matter who we are, where we live, or what we have; we all want to be happy. He says there is a connection between gratefulness and happiness. Happiness isn't about the abundance you have. "Happiness doesn't make us grateful, gratefulness makes us happy."
What is gratefulness? According to the dictionary it is, "warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful." David Steindl-Rast says that when you experience something valuable to you that is given to you as a gift, gratefulness spontaneously rises and this brings about happiness.
What is the most valuable thing that is given to everyone, everyday? Moments. "The key to happiness is living gratefully. Becoming aware that every moment is a gift to you. The moment and all it's opportunity is the gift within the gift given to everyone everyday." We must be grateful for the moments we are given, because we never know how many more we will have. When times are difficult we need to learn to rise to the occasion and find the opportunities that are presented to us. Use these difficult times as a challenge to rise to that opportunity.
David says, "the method to harness this, to live gratefully, it's simple. It is what we were taught as children when crossing the street. Stop, Look, Go!"
Don't miss opportunities that are given to you as gifts in every moment. Find time to stop, get quiet, wait, think, and review what is going on, and then when you do, look around, go, and be grateful.
If you want to see the whole lecture by David Steindl-Rast click on the following link and watch it for yourself.
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful.html?utm_source=email&source=email&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ios-share
Just remember to Stop, Look, and Go.
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