12 Things Happy People Do Differently

[zoom-zoom]

Yeah, I certainly didn't think you were insinuating that the list was a cure, either. I think at least 90% of that list is spot on, too.

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, no, I didn't read your post that way either, Crankin. Although I would tend to classify "pessimism" as a symptom (aka hopelessness, in DSM terms), not a cause.

[goldfinch]

There are worthwhile tips in the article but did she really have to say:

No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it.

Sometimes I get so sick of girlie talk.

[indysteel]

There are worthwhile tips in the article but did she really have to say:

No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it.

Sometimes I get so sick of girlie talk.

Agreed. That's pretty stupid.

[Crankin]

Yeah, I don't like that girlie talk, either.
But then, of course, I've been told that I "think like a man."
OK.

[zoom-zoom]

There are worthwhile tips in the article but did she really have to say:

No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it.

Sometimes I get so sick of girlie talk.

Ha, I particularly hate the term "diva." Diva is what we used to call spoiled, obnoxious, self-centered b*tches or drag queens. I don't particularly ever want to have that moniker attached to me simply because I am a strong and active female.

[shootingstar]

Words of advice, as just that: advice.

Talk is easy ....for the poster of that blog article link that started this thread.

Sure, I cultivate optimism, at times, I think because I numb myself for some very drastic/sad things that have happened in past 12 months.

For myself, a better route is not to pretend or think I will be continuously optimistic, just to be at peace and more contemplative. This is good enough for me, because I can move to the "happier" state or just allow myself to feel sad.

[zoom-zoom]

I didn't take the spirituality bit to necessarily equal religion, per se. I pretty much fall into the secular humanist pigeon-hole and my hubby is an atheist. My definition of spirituality is more the strength I draw from myself, those around me, and the power of nature and Science. Not a deity.

[GLC1968]

I didn't take the spirituality bit to necessarily equal religion, per se. I pretty much fall into the secular humanist pigeon-hole and my hubby is an atheist. My definition of spirituality is more the strength I draw from myself, those around me, and the power of nature and Science. Not a deity.

This, exactly.

Though I probably would qualify as an atheist, I just choose not to label my beliefs.

[indysteel]

This, exactly.

Though I probably would qualify as an atheist, I just choose not to label my beliefs.

Me, too.

I'm sorry some of you took issue to all or part of the blog post. I didn't post it because I think there's only one set of habits/characteristics that make somebody happy. I just thought it offered some food for thought. As someone who has spent a number of years in therapy and relearned certain thought patterns and behaviors that have helped me be more consistently happy, I read some things in the post that resonated with me so I thought I'd share. In a nutshell, what I've learned is that happiness typically does not spring from passivity. Rather, it springs largely from conscious choices we make and habits we follow. Choices about what we tell ourselves about ourselves, about how we connect with others and the world around us, about whether we engage in things that are meaningful to us, and about how well we take care of our bodies and spirits (even if you don't believe in a god). This is just from my own experience, limited it may be. Of course, YMMV.