You threw some coins in the Salvation Army kettle. You and your grocery cart stepped aside for the Mom behind you in line with her cranky kid. You spent a couple of hours with great-aunt Mildred shopping for brassieres. Good deeds. Random acts of kindness. Happiness makers.
40% of your happiness comes from what you do, rather than circumstances (10%), or even genetics (40%). When you’re doing nice things on purpose, either for yourself or others, you’re happier.
Sonja is a happiness researcher and she looks at the scientific reasons for happiness. Not surprisingly, her findings determined that spirituality, and religion, make people happy.
We’ve all been told to count our blessings. And according to Sonja, gratitude is a great happiness booster. However, studies show that too much isn’t always a good thing when it comes to being grateful. When people count their blessings too often, without changing up what they’re grateful for, they don’t receive the same happiness benefits as others who keep it fresh. Yes, even being grateful can become a chore.
The next time you pray – mix it up. Take a break from your usual prayers. Try these prayer ideas:
1. Delight in prayer poetry or a video prayer.
2. Praise God with song; reggae style, rap or rock your Hallelujahs!
3. Make a list of blessings to count that begin with the letter “A” one day, and “B” the next.
Seek out the new and different in your worship. You’ll find you can make happiness happen.
Source: Sonya Lyubomirsky, Author of “The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want”
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posted December 16, 2011 at 2:04 am
Thanks for sharing your story Carol. Love the image of a happy God watching your kindness! Blessings and Peace, Susan D. (Prayables Publisher)
posted December 15, 2011 at 8:47 pm
I was recently on line in a store-people behind me waiting too. A man with two young daughters had paid for some items but had one in his hand that I guess was last-minute or forgotten. I asked the people behind me if they would mind if I let the man go before me-one of the girls was crying and I’m sure the faster they got out of the store, the better! Fortunately, the people behind me agreed. The man was very thankful which made me glad I had done that. Sometimes doing something simple like that can be a real help to someone, and I believe that God sees us treating strangers kindly and it makes Him happy too!