The 2014 Happiness Calendar below came to my email in-box as a free blog post to promote the book The Serious Pursuit of Happiness by Henry S. Miller, a motivational speaker and consultant. I did not write it. But I like the concept of a monthly focus on emotional wellness. Mr. Miller proposes a strategy of daily goal setting; but even if we only attend to each of the monthly themes once or twice during that month–that could still take us a long way on the road to happiness and inner peace. I offer it to you, my readers, to take from it what you will.
The 2014 Happiness Calendar
By Henry S. Miller, Author of The Serious Pursuit of Happiness
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| MorgueFile.com |
Amp
up the amount of happiness in your life each and every month of the
year by intentionally focusing on 12 strategies that the science of
happiness and well being has proven can increase your feelings of
happiness and satisfaction. Even better: know that, if you add these
actions to your life, your feelings of increased positive emotion can
last for days, weeks, and even months!
up the amount of happiness in your life each and every month of the
year by intentionally focusing on 12 strategies that the science of
happiness and well being has proven can increase your feelings of
happiness and satisfaction. Even better: know that, if you add these
actions to your life, your feelings of increased positive emotion can
last for days, weeks, and even months!
If
this is the year you decide to get serious about adding happiness that
lasts to your life, here are 12 happiness strategies for 2014 and
suggestions to make them work for you:
this is the year you decide to get serious about adding happiness that
lasts to your life, here are 12 happiness strategies for 2014 and
suggestions to make them work for you:
January: A Month of Hope and Plans
The
beginning of the year is traditionally about new years’ resolutions.
This year, write one positive goal you have for the coming year down on
your calendar each morning of each day of January. Also write your plan
to make it a reality. Then, resolve that you will intentionally invest
your time and energy to work on your resolutions during the year and to
live a happier life by implementing these 12 happiness strategies – one
each month.
beginning of the year is traditionally about new years’ resolutions.
This year, write one positive goal you have for the coming year down on
your calendar each morning of each day of January. Also write your plan
to make it a reality. Then, resolve that you will intentionally invest
your time and energy to work on your resolutions during the year and to
live a happier life by implementing these 12 happiness strategies – one
each month.
February: A Month of Gratitude
Gratitude
is the antidote to greed, envy, and jealously. We feel much happier
when we are being grateful for what we have, rather than envious of what
we don’t. Remember, no one has everything! This month, each night
before going to bed, take a daily gratitude inventory. Write down three
things you are grateful for about your life – your relationships, your
work, your character, your family, your country, the world around you,
your life.
is the antidote to greed, envy, and jealously. We feel much happier
when we are being grateful for what we have, rather than envious of what
we don’t. Remember, no one has everything! This month, each night
before going to bed, take a daily gratitude inventory. Write down three
things you are grateful for about your life – your relationships, your
work, your character, your family, your country, the world around you,
your life.
March: A Month of Kindness
Plato
said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” And,
if you look around, it’s still true today. This month, find one
opportunity each and every day to perform some kind act for someone else
– even the simplest act of holding a door open for another will do.
And, each day, after your act of kindness, enjoy the feeling that, for
at least one shining moment, you are the personification of all that is
good about the human race.
said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” And,
if you look around, it’s still true today. This month, find one
opportunity each and every day to perform some kind act for someone else
– even the simplest act of holding a door open for another will do.
And, each day, after your act of kindness, enjoy the feeling that, for
at least one shining moment, you are the personification of all that is
good about the human race.
April: A Month of Optimism
Each
day this month, be more conscious of your negative thoughts – if you
have any. And every time you do, immediately “dispute” it by
intentionally replacing the negative thought with a positive one. Do
this each time you think a negative thought for a month, and notice how
your thinking might change.
day this month, be more conscious of your negative thoughts – if you
have any. And every time you do, immediately “dispute” it by
intentionally replacing the negative thought with a positive one. Do
this each time you think a negative thought for a month, and notice how
your thinking might change.
May: A Month of Friendship
Close
relationships are one of the longest-lasting of happiness-increasing
strategies. But, sometimes, we take our friends for granted – or are
“too busy” to see them. This month, at least one time per week, reach
out to a friend and arrange to spend time with them. This can be as
simple as a walk, a meal, coffee, drinks – whatever you choose. But find
the time to visit with your friends face-to-face this month.
relationships are one of the longest-lasting of happiness-increasing
strategies. But, sometimes, we take our friends for granted – or are
“too busy” to see them. This month, at least one time per week, reach
out to a friend and arrange to spend time with them. This can be as
simple as a walk, a meal, coffee, drinks – whatever you choose. But find
the time to visit with your friends face-to-face this month.
June: A Month of Love
Traditionally,
June is a month of weddings – and love is all around us. Each day this
month, call, write, or email someone you love or care deeply about – one
per day – and tell them how much they mean to you – and how happy you
are that they are a part of your life – even if you haven’t been the
best communicator up to now. Notice reactions – yours and theirs.
June is a month of weddings – and love is all around us. Each day this
month, call, write, or email someone you love or care deeply about – one
per day – and tell them how much they mean to you – and how happy you
are that they are a part of your life – even if you haven’t been the
best communicator up to now. Notice reactions – yours and theirs.
July: A Month of Spirituality
Studies
have proven that people who have spirituality in their lives – whether
it’s their own secular belief system, their own faith, or some organized
religion – are happier. We don’t know if it’s because of the fellowship
of a caring group of like-thinking folks, or the spiritual beliefs
themselves. This month, make a conscious effort to spend some moments
each day – perhaps during lunch – repeating to yourself at least one
“prayer” or belief you hold.
have proven that people who have spirituality in their lives – whether
it’s their own secular belief system, their own faith, or some organized
religion – are happier. We don’t know if it’s because of the fellowship
of a caring group of like-thinking folks, or the spiritual beliefs
themselves. This month, make a conscious effort to spend some moments
each day – perhaps during lunch – repeating to yourself at least one
“prayer” or belief you hold.
August: A Month of Health, Fitness, Skill
Summer
is a great time to focus on increasing your health and fitness – and on
using your skills and abilities to their max. This month, begin some
daily fitness regimen (check with your doctor first if needed) – even if
it’s only walking. In addition, make a list of your top skills,
talents, and abilities and assess if you are using them to their
fullest. If not, take one step per day to begin doing so.
is a great time to focus on increasing your health and fitness – and on
using your skills and abilities to their max. This month, begin some
daily fitness regimen (check with your doctor first if needed) – even if
it’s only walking. In addition, make a list of your top skills,
talents, and abilities and assess if you are using them to their
fullest. If not, take one step per day to begin doing so.
September: A Month of Contribution
Making
a meaningful contribution to make the planet a better place is one of
the longest-lasting, happiness-increasing strategies known. What are you
contributing? This month is your chance to decide what difference you’d
like to make in the world. Spend a few minutes each day at lunchtime
and write down ideas about how you can make a positive difference in the
world. At the end of the month, decide on a plan of action – and begin!
The world needs you and your contribution!
a meaningful contribution to make the planet a better place is one of
the longest-lasting, happiness-increasing strategies known. What are you
contributing? This month is your chance to decide what difference you’d
like to make in the world. Spend a few minutes each day at lunchtime
and write down ideas about how you can make a positive difference in the
world. At the end of the month, decide on a plan of action – and begin!
The world needs you and your contribution!
October: A Month of Savoring
Fall
is a season to enjoy the changing foliage in many parts of the world.
Consciously spend at least five minutes each day focusing your attention
exclusively on something of beauty outside – changing leaves, trees,
clouds, sky – something. Five minutes of complete attention to savor the
beauty of life around you – each day, every day.
is a season to enjoy the changing foliage in many parts of the world.
Consciously spend at least five minutes each day focusing your attention
exclusively on something of beauty outside – changing leaves, trees,
clouds, sky – something. Five minutes of complete attention to savor the
beauty of life around you – each day, every day.
November: A Month of Forgiveness
Forgiveness
is a powerful, although a slightly more complicated, happiness
strategy. We forgive others to make us feel better. This month, examine
your life and see if there are any lingering resentments you are holding
on to that are holding you back from joy. If so, do two things: First,
write the apology letter you would have liked to have received from the
person who has wronged you. Second, rise above your desire for revenge,
and write your letter of forgiveness to them. No need to mail it, just
recall the hurt or violation, write about your feelings. End the letter
with your statement of forgiveness. Just this simple act of writing a
forgiveness letter can often grant you freedom from your negative
thoughts and give you increased happiness.
is a powerful, although a slightly more complicated, happiness
strategy. We forgive others to make us feel better. This month, examine
your life and see if there are any lingering resentments you are holding
on to that are holding you back from joy. If so, do two things: First,
write the apology letter you would have liked to have received from the
person who has wronged you. Second, rise above your desire for revenge,
and write your letter of forgiveness to them. No need to mail it, just
recall the hurt or violation, write about your feelings. End the letter
with your statement of forgiveness. Just this simple act of writing a
forgiveness letter can often grant you freedom from your negative
thoughts and give you increased happiness.
December: A Month of Generosity
The
end of the year is a time for giving – a time to donate your time, your
money if you can, your skills, your positive energy, your attention –
to others to help make their life a little better. Each day, find one
opportunity to give something of yourself to help another – and notice
your feelings.
end of the year is a time for giving – a time to donate your time, your
money if you can, your skills, your positive energy, your attention –
to others to help make their life a little better. Each day, find one
opportunity to give something of yourself to help another – and notice
your feelings.
In Conclusion
For
the best results, remind yourself of each month’s happiness strategy by
adding these topics to your calendar – every day of each month. Then,
each day of the year, find creative ways to act on these strategies –
and enjoy your reactions and your increased feelings of happiness.
You’ll notice that these feelings will last far longer than the
happiness you feel from just partaking of the pleasures of life – and
will be more meaningful to you.
the best results, remind yourself of each month’s happiness strategy by
adding these topics to your calendar – every day of each month. Then,
each day of the year, find creative ways to act on these strategies –
and enjoy your reactions and your increased feelings of happiness.
You’ll notice that these feelings will last far longer than the
happiness you feel from just partaking of the pleasures of life – and
will be more meaningful to you.
No
matter what your situation, remain hopeful about increasing your
happiness. The truth is that no one is ever out of the game when it
comes to living a happier and more fulfilling life! As the months of
this year unfold, continue all of the 12 strategies that work best for
you. If you do, a year of happiness can be yours.
matter what your situation, remain hopeful about increasing your
happiness. The truth is that no one is ever out of the game when it
comes to living a happier and more fulfilling life! As the months of
this year unfold, continue all of the 12 strategies that work best for
you. If you do, a year of happiness can be yours.
About Henry S. Miller
Henry S. Miller is the author of The Serious Pursuit of Happiness: Everything You Need to Know to Flourish and Thrive, and Inspiration for the Pursuit of Happiness: Wisdom to Guide your Journey to a Better Life.
He is also the creator of the online membership program Get SERIOUS
About Your Happiness: 20 Transformational Tools for Turbulent Times. As
President of The Henry Miller Group (www.millergroup.com),
he is a speaker, trainer, and consultant helping organizations improve
engagement, performance, and productivity specifically by increasing
employee well being. In prior careers, Henry was a Senior Consultant for
the Tom Peters Company training and coaching senior management teams
worldwide in leadership and his initial career in corporate America was
with IBM.
He is also the creator of the online membership program Get SERIOUS
About Your Happiness: 20 Transformational Tools for Turbulent Times. As
President of The Henry Miller Group (www.millergroup.com),
he is a speaker, trainer, and consultant helping organizations improve
engagement, performance, and productivity specifically by increasing
employee well being. In prior careers, Henry was a Senior Consultant for
the Tom Peters Company training and coaching senior management teams
worldwide in leadership and his initial career in corporate America was
with IBM.
