Thursday, 16 January 2014

Happiness Project: mid-January progress

It is halfway to the end of January and an ideal time to do a Happiness Project progress check!

My resolutions for this month (and subsequent ones to follow) is to:

  • Smile even when no one is around to see it 
  • Speak up because my voice is soft and low 
  • Always say hello ~ be the first to break the ice

Smiling more has been the most noticeable difference.  I've caught myself many times during the day when I least suspect it - such as cooking lunch or using the computer - with a face that lacked expression.  What a waste.  It had felt like my face preferred not to be content.  In those moments I have forced myself to smile and quite soon my mood would be lifted!


Speaking up has been a gradual improvement; perhaps because my daily interactions don't always extend far.  I have been more or less hiding from the cold and racing to find a job.  My dad has always been a proponent for me to talk louder and our conversations have gotten better with less "huhs?"  Sometimes I force myself to read out loud.  It hinders my speed but hearing expression thru a character adds focus and enjoyment to the processes.

It is no surprise that work goes hand-in-hand with daily interactions and without it opportunities to say "hello" diminish.  Interestingly, in the last week and a half all the emails and cover letters I've sent have begun with hello!  On top of which - this was not intentional - I may be saying "hello" far more frequently this month if I am hired as a waiter for a restaurant that I will hopefully hear back from.

I feel fundamentally happier and it has a lot to do with my attitude.  Anybody can make a resolution - resolving to do something - but not everyone can do it.  I have begun to rethink tasks and ambitions as challenges.


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