Field Guide to Happiness (1 of 5 free samples)

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COPYRIGHT
Field Guide to Happiness by Barbara Ann Kipfer. Copyright 2008 by Barbara Ann Kipfer.
All Rights Reserved. Sharing not permitted.

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FIELD GUIDE TO HAPPINESS
Finding Happiness in its Natural Habitat

Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD


DEDICATION
http://www.dailylit.com/books/field-guide-to-happiness/dedication

INTRODUCTION
http://www.dailylit.com/books/field-guide-to-happiness/introduction


PART 1: LISTS

This section of the book touches on the use of lists for keeping track of wishes and things one is happy or grateful for--and discusses the importance of the little things in life, the details. Lists can be soothing, funny, a balm to the cluttered, ever-moving mind. Lists make us think and sharpen our minds.

1) LIST OF THINGS YOU WERE HAPPY ABOUT YESTERDAY

Uh-oh, you say. You can't even remember what you wore yesterday? So, dig a little deeper and try to come up with a list of ten things you were happy about yesterday. Let's stay away from no-brainers or short entries like "sleep" or "getting paid," and go for some things you felt, experienced, or saw. We are talking things that were more like Aha! moments and details you paid attention to. Were there any moments of pure awareness? Any times when you were in a groove or flow? What favorite thing did you do that you would like to do again?

fresh flowers in the lobby of an office
a rerun of your favorite TV show when you're too tired to read
the greeting from your pet when you've been away all day
making it through the green light
getting the last copy of the newspaper from the store
a bathroom when you need it
the luxury of a shower
a worth-the-money meal
smooth travel
standing in front of a fan

Scientists have alerted us to the mirror neurons in our brains that fire up when we see actions performed. We feel, experience, and even understand things happening around us and to other people through the mirror neuron mechanism. This helps us learn by understanding ourselves through the actions of others--a very powerful experience that is essential to human growth. What things did you experience this way? Did you see two people kiss on a TV show and feel happy seeing that?

Make your list poetic, thought-provoking, or reflective of your own personal growth. Challenge yourself to write something that you will enjoy reading again in one year, five years, and even ten years from now.

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