First, I have a confession to make:
I’m a reformed news junkie: The New York Times, CNN, the local newspaper and anything else I could squeeze into the cracks of my all-too-busy life.
The news made me feel knowledgeable, easy to converse with, fairly interesting and a bit of an intellectual snob.
The other thing it made me was sad. Very sad.
All day long I’d flash back on something I’d read or watched, and I’d feel my body spiral downward to the dark place where problems reside. I would feel powerless, scared and alone.
One day I made the choice to get happy.
Yup, you got it!
Puppy videos, the paraplegic veteran crossing the finish line, the guy paying the coffee tab for the twelve cars behind him, the homeless person befriended; all things that communicated aliveness, hope, love and gratitude.
No, I didn’t give up the news altogether, but now I’m now on a restricted diet of all things depressing, I mean newsworthy. I know what I need to know to stay on top of the issues, and I do. But not a thing more.
Change your focus, change your mind.
Change your mind, change your mood.
There are, in fact, many studies that conclude that looking at cute pictures greatly improves our focus. (One of my all time favorite website for psychological studies and information is PsyBlog.)
In the past six months, I’ve discovered that I’m more pleasant to be around after I’ve watched a child celebrate her final chemo treatment, than I was watching a group of politicians be disrespectful, insulting and condescending to one another.
I’m more encouraging, uplifting and impactful when I watch an eleven year old belt her sweet lungs out in song, than I was when I was on top of what company had laid off how many people.
I’ve discovered that when I watch someone do something nice for someone else, it makes me feel more engaged in life; it opens my heart, puts a smile on my face, and makes me feel an expanded spirit of generosity. And appreciation.
Best of all it makes me happy and since happiness is contagious, it makes those around me happy too! (Psst…. anger, fear, and a lot of other emotions are contagious too!)
In an instant I can change my mood from ‘dark’ to ‘light’, from ‘no’ to ‘yes’, from ‘sad’ to ‘glad’. You can too!
Here are a few of my go-to sites for quick inspiration and a hit of happiness. Check them out. Smile. You, too, have your go-to happy-in-an-instant things; photos of your family, your favorite vacation spot, something on your bucket list.
Please share them in the comments below. We really want to know what makes a positive difference in your life!
Please share in the comment section below — we’d love to learn from you.
Remember to like this article and follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and all your other favorite sites. nancy@theleadershipincubator.com
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Nancy D. Solomon, MA Psych is the CEO and Founder of The Leadership Incubator where she helps leaders identify, address and resolve people problems before they become profit problems so everyone can focus on what they were hired to do-- INNOVATE AND DRIVE GROWTH.
Known as The Impact Expert, she is a main stage speaker, expert trainer and veteran coach who helps leaders solve key issues related to leadership development, employee engagement, and advancing women.
Nancy has made a difference for such companies as Microsoft, Target, Acura, Westin, Nordstrom & ADP as well as with many passionate individuals.