Happiness FormulaH = S + C + V

H = Enduring level of happinessS = Set range of happiness (genetics)

Happiness thermostatC = Circumstances of your life Money, Marriage, Social life, Bad

events, Age, Health, Education, Climate, Race, Gender, Religion.

V = Factors under your voluntary control

What makes you do, what you do?The Power of our Habits

Graphic from the book “Power of Habit”

Managing Emotions

•Does thought create emotion or does emotion drive thought?

•Past/Future: Thought Emotion•Present: Emotion Thought•PTC: Present Time Consciousness

What Are Emotions?

Emotions are the by-product of your Thoughts andThoughts are the by-product of your Emotions

• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.

• Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.

• Hold your breath for a count of seven.

• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.

• This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

4-7-8- Breathing

What Went Well Today- Exercise

Woke up early and had time to read on the deck with the dogs

Got that project with Dr. Eric finally completed

Got to a great exercise class today after work

Talked to my brother Martin, who I haven’t spoken to in awhile, for a few minutes

Had time to work on science project for my son, which he really appreciated

Had a cup of tea and great conversation with my wife about our upcoming vacation!

Pick and Write down 3 things that went well today

Understanding StressGAP-General Adaptive Process

Awareness-Alarm-Adaptation-Exhaustion-Death

Not all Stress is Bad? Eustress

Benefits of MeditationPhysiologically

• Increase Immune System• Decrease Cholesterol• Aids in Weight Loss• Reduce need for Medical Care

Psychologically• Builds Self-confidence• Improves Relationships• Helps in quitting smoking• Increase Creativity

Emotionally• Helps living in the Present• Creates deeper relationships• Provides piece of mind and happiness• Increased acceptance of oneself

Practice of MeditationThoughts will occur. As we sit and focus on our

breathing we notice when they come and then direct our attention back to our breathing. Eventually there is space between the thoughts.

We are not "trying" to achieve anything in meditation. We simply sit and breathe. This "relaxation response" helps our autonomic nervous system function at it's optimum. It puts us in a state of ease. In this state we can heal and grow.

Your practice will grow as you do. You can't do it wrong- all your practice time pays off in benefits- keep exercising those Peace Muscles!

The Happy MachineWe are absolutely “hard-wired” to want

to feel goodThe question is HOW do we go about

this?The belief that kids can rely on

shortcuts to happiness, joy, comfort and ecstasy, rather than be entitled to these feelings by the exercise of personal strengths and virtues, leads to legions of kids who in the middle of great wealth are starving morally

Ask yourself a question? The right one!

How can I feel good?(pleasures)

OrWhat is a good life?

(gratifications)

Remember feeling good is a by-product of doing something good,

not a motive in and of itself.