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Greetings,
Welcome to 2009 and Happy New Year! As we step
into the New Year, I can't help but feel the excitement
and anticipation of change in the air! There's
something about that numerical shift from one year to
the next that gives a sense of fresh possibilities. It
feels like we can start anew, attain the things we want
THIS year, as well as be healthier, happier, get more
organized and have more fun. Basically, whatever
we've been wanting to do, have or be - seems within
our grasp NOW with the start of the New Year!
Actually, we don't need the change of one year to the
next to start anew. The opportunity to change, shift, or
create whatever we desire is ever present day to day
and even moment to moment. But, as the New Year
traditionally and symbolically offers the promise of
change, I'd like to explore it from the perspective of the
final Happiness Tool - Tool #6: Multi-Dimensional
Living - from the book What Happy People
Know
by
Dan Baker, Ph.D and Cameron Stauth. Ready, set,
Happy New Year!
Feel free to revisit the first five
tools from my previous newsletters: Tool #1, Appreciation; Tool #2, Choice; Tool #3, Personal Power; Tool #4: Lead with Your Strengths.;Tool #5: The Power of Language and
Stories.
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Happiness Tool #6: Multi-Dimensional Living
Is your life in balance? Dan Baker, Ph.D and Cameron
Stauth, authors of the
book What Happy People Know, contend that
most
people's lives include three main components:
relationships, purpose and health. Happiness, Baker
and Stauth say, comes from multi-dimensional living
in which these three areas are in balance.
Unfortunately, many of us put all our energy into just
one area, leaving the others to languish.
For example, some people may be spending much of
their time, energy and emotions on their "job" yet not
be
feeling much joy from it. Perhaps they are using it to
keep safely away from the emotional investment of
relationships. Perhaps they have a different career
passion,
but don't know how to follow it. Whatever the case, the
lack of focus on other important life areas -
relationships and health - creates an
imbalance that prevents multi-dimensional living and
true happiness.
So, is your life out of balance? The following exercise
will help you find out.
1) Start by giving yourself some 'quiet time." Take 5-10
minutes to focus on your breath and simply relax.
Click here for soothing
relaxation tips.
2) Bring your attention to important relationships in
your life: significant other, parents, children, friends,
co-workers, self. Notice how you feel as you reflect
upon each relationship. Do you feel a sense of joy,
ease, and/or comfort? Or do you feel uneasy,
uncomfortable, and/or unhappy?
3) Now, ask yourself how many relationships give you
a sense of joy and happiness and how many don't. If
the majority of your relationships fall in the "don't"
category, the relationship area of your life may be out
of balance and need more of your attention.
Remember the "Laws of Attraction" - what
you focus on is what you attract. This means that if you
are not focused on cultivating healthy, loving
relationships, including one with yourself, they are
likely to fall by the wayside.
4) Follow the same steps with your "purpose" (for
many people, this is work-related) and with your
health. Again, notice how you feel. When it comes to
your chosen profession, do you feel satisfied, proud,
enthusiastic? Or do you feel stuck and unfulfilled? As
you reflect on your health, are you worried, tired,
frustrated? Or do you feel grateful for a strong, healthy
body?
If your feelings are positive ones, chances are you've
achieved a healthy equilibrium in these areas. If
feelings are negative, think of them as helpful
indicators pointing to the areas of your life that need
more attention.
As the new year progresses, take time now and then
to reflect on the most important areas in your life -
relationships, purpose and health. Pay attention to
your feelings in that moment. As your unconscious
mind illuminates your truth, welcome these
feelings as a
guidance system that indicates your level of
multi-dimensional living. . . and points the way to a
happy, healthier 2009. Read more about creating a happy, healthy
life.
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Warmly,
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