« Perfect Mess, Perfect Day |Home| Only One Elvis »
Happy Strategies
By karen | March 30, 2007
The band R.E.M. has a song that can always, always bring a smile to my face and make me laugh. You may have heard it before. The chorus goes like this….
Shiny, Happy people laughing
And more…
Put it in your hands
Take it; take it
There’s no time to cry
Happy, Happy
Put it in your heart
Where tomorrow shines
Gold and Silver shine”
They actually sing this song on “Sesame Street” about Furry, Happy monsters instead of people and just like me my kids hear it and they laugh and laugh. That song comes on the radio or the T.V. and my whole family gets into a better mood.
And that is a wonderful tool that we can use to create our best life.
Back in the day, Tony Robbins used to talk about “pattern interrupts”, just little things that you do to interrupt a pattern of negative associations. It is probably still a part of his training but he’s not quite at the same level of popularity that he was back in the 1990’s (wasn’t he everywhere back then?). But gathering some tools that you can use to change your thoughts when they start heading in the wrong direction can really be beneficial to help you get back on track.
The fact of the matter is that your thoughts create more thoughts of the same kind. So often if you start thinking negative thoughts it is easy to spiral and it can quickly get out of control. So why not gather some tools together that can stop the negative spiral and get you back into a happy and productive line of thinking so you can spiral in the direction you want your life to go.
In “the Secret” Bob Proctor says you can change your mood instantly. He says to “put on some happy music” or “think about a baby, one that you love”. Those are both great strategies and of course the “Shiny, Happy People” song fits into that suggestion perfectly.
But we are all individuals. As I have said many times what works for me may not work for you. So why not figure out say 10 or 12 (or more!) strategies that are specific to you so that you can change your mood or a spiral of negative thinking instantly. Not every strategy will work every time so gather together an arsenal, find as many things as you can and if one doesn’t work move on to the next one until your thoughts are back on the happy and empowered track.
It can be anything. Be creative. Maybe it is looking at some beautiful art, or looking at old photos or scrapbooks, maybe it is heading to the gym for a great workout or planning a wonderful meal for your family or a date with your spouse. Sometimes movies are a great ticket. I know my husband can watch Jim Carrey saying “Thatisthics” in “Fun with Dick and Jane” and he laughs and laughs and laughs. The point is whatever will bring you back to that happy and empowered place in your own thoughts. Make sure that you have some instant and easy strategies also for the times when you just can’t take the time. Just practicing Gratitude can be an instant and easy strategy that takes just a few minutes of thought and nothing else.
What will change your mood for the better? It doesn’t matter what it is. It just matters that you can access it.
Gather your happy arsenal together, the things that can instantly bring you joy and change your mood for the better and then you will be able to better control your own mind and maintain your emotions at a higher level.
When you are in an empowered state you can create the life of your dreams. Develop your own happy strategies to keep you empowered.
_______________________________________________
The Premier edition of the Living by Design Blog Carnival (No. 1) has included this post. You can read all of the articles at Ananga-Living By Design.
I especially enjoyed the post How to LOVE doing housework, in 3 simple steps mostly because doing housework that way is something that I often do and that new realization serves me well.
______________________________________________________
This article is included in the Happiness Carnival located at Think Happy Thoughts
Popularity: 3% [?]
Topics: Personal Development, Living the Power, Deliberate Creation, Real Life |
March 31st, 2007 at 9:29 am
This is really good advice Karen. I love that song
!
I know i always play certain “special” parts of the secret or a motivational .mp3, but i have to come up with something that doesn’t require an iPod!. Thanks for sharing this very useful advice.
March 31st, 2007 at 9:46 am
This is a great reminder, Karen. I have a radio show on Sundays on a local college station, and each of my shows has a theme - so I play music related to that theme. This song is one I end up playing a lot because “Shiny, Happy People” fits into many genres! Thanks for the reminder to laugh!!
March 31st, 2007 at 9:53 am
Alan,
I’m so happy that others love that silly song too!
yes it always makes me laugh! And of course that is the point!
Thanks for stopping by!
March 31st, 2007 at 9:54 am
Jodee,
You seem to be a very busy woman!
I’m glad you were reminded to laugh. Every day needs a good, strong dose of laughter!
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Great post, Karen. It’s always great to have a lot of tools to help stay on track. For me, the most powerful thing about gathering together a bunch of “happy strategies” was the realization that sometimes I might face a situation that no amount of “happy stickering” will make right.
Just realizing that I DON’T have to keep trying to make that particular situation better was so empowering - I can reach into my bag of happy stuff, and think about something totally different that will tweak my emotions downstream. And taking that first step back in the right direction is often all it takes!
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Thanks Belle! I know that it is very liberating to know that I can just “let go” and think of something completely different and turn my boat around back into the flow. Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful comment!
I thought you sounded like a kindred spirit and when I checked out your site I see that you are! I’m excited to see more so I’ll check it out further!
April 12th, 2007 at 3:44 am
Karen,
Thanks for submitting this excellent post to the Living by Design Blog carnival - I enjoyed reading it and love your upbeat and accessible presentation of the power of changing your mood.
I’ll be linking to your words of wisdom when the carnival goes out this Sunday.
Please submit again
with best wishes
Ananga
April 12th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Thanks Ananga! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the premier presentation of the carnival!
July 29th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I have often found that finding ways to interrupt a negative spiral to be an incredible powerful tool. A point I’d add is the best time to find these is before you need them. Once in a downward spiral it can become a real challange to get out, especially if you are unprepared.
October 1st, 2007 at 2:58 pm
[…] 1. Wendy Piersall from eMoms at Home with You Don’t Have to Be a Jerk to Enjoy a Big Ego. 2. Lyman Reed from Creating a Better Life with Here’s What’s Working. 3. Karen Lynch at Live the Power with Happy Strategies. 4. Steve Olson at Steve-Olson.com with How to Break a Negative Thought Pattern. 5. Terry Starbucker at Ramblings From a Glass Half Full with Weddings and Butterflies. […]
December 24th, 2007 at 10:19 am
[…] Sharing my Happy Strategies! […]
March 25th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
[…] So while I don’t quite know what to do about this motivation thing, I do know that I love the music I already put together and I’ll stick with “No Rain” by Blind Melon (seems to be on every play list) , “Shiny, Happy People” by REM (Happy Strategies–makes me laugh) , and as I mentioned before, “Kryptonite” by 2 Doors Down. And of course there’s more, about 1000 more on my Itunes. […]