Love to learn
Be open to new experiences as they can bring a fresh intensity and interest to your life. Train yourself to be more inquisitive. Don’t take anything at face value. Ask yourself, and others a myriad of questions. Be intrigued by the past, the present and the future....
Make people happy
It is hard to resist a smile. While smiling inanely and inappropriately is to be avoided, the science of facial expressions tells us that when face muscles are stimulated electrically to replicate different facial expressions, the subject reports feeling the emotions...
Make a connection
Technology connects us instantaneously with global events and the plight of others around the world. We can feel their pain but we can also experience joy at a distance. Writing at the time of the Royal Wedding in the UK, it is clear that people crave the opportunity...
Find Zest
Dictionary definitions: enthusiasm, energy, excitement, piquancy. Zest correlates highly with happiness. Realistically, you may have to spend a fair amount of time in dutiful activities. Commit as much time to the activities which make your energy surge. In fact, try...
Luxuriate in the best
There’s an irritating habit many people have. When good things are happening (a facial, a concert, a holiday) they waste time fretting about them ending too soon. Tell that voice in your head to shut up! Learn to luxuriate in the best moments with all your senses on...
Marvel at life
I remember as a child, out for a walk with my father, he picked a tiny flower and showed me what a completely perfect act of creation it was in every detail. Marvel at the beauty of the big stuff, a stunning rainbow, amazing architecture or your own success, but take...
Choose the movie
Without meaning to, we regularly run movies in our heads of what we don’t want to happen. The result: we scare ourselves stupid and our brain gets a signal that this is what we want and obliges with nerves and anxiety. Try this. Visualise yourself in the situation....
Amazing wish lists
Every year before Christmas, my family creates wish lists on a certain website. I can never think of anything I want so invented ‘The Amazing Wish List’. Ask people what they would love to have that doesn’t cost the earth. What you would like? Breakfast in bed? A day...
Have a beautiful day
Sometimes we can get a bit martyred. Our well-being is important. At regular intervals give yourself a special day. What would be the best and most beautiful day you could have? Would it be spent walking in the woods after a leisurely breakfast or whirling around on a...
Love past pleasures
We grow up awfully fast and forget some of the pleasures we enjoyed when younger. People just love to talk about how hard the old days were and what a struggle it all was. Be honest with yourself and look back on all the good times and the pleasant memories too. You...