So, here we’re all sitting at home – what are you doing? I have decided to take the Yale Happiness course online.  I’m taking it partially for fun, partially to keep me busy and partially to “enhance” my coaching and supervision.

By the way, I am done with my supervision course and studying for my exam in Mid-May.  This is very exciting and I am really very pleased, and this gives me lots of positive anticipation, which is part of happiness, too.

What does not make you happy (nor sad, really):

·      Doing a good job, getting good grades (marks)

·      Money and things, once your general basic needs are met (see Maslow)

Sorry, but stuff and the accumulation thereof seems to have a negative correlation to happiness.  So, don’t do all that online shopping and you don’t need to miss the malls, they don’t help you be happy, anyway.

What does make you happier?

·      Meaningful work (this we can discuss at a later point)

·      Gratefulness, savoring and expectation of a positive future

·      Genes (50%) and intentional effort for positive attitude/actions (40%)

So, where do we focus, at least for now?  Let’s focus on what can be changed:  on efforts in the direction of gratefulness, savoring, and a positive hopeful future.

Gratefulness:  Ask yourself every evening this:  what am I thankful for now and for today?  I’m grateful for a warm house on a cold day, for my family being home and safe, for time to get out and move…

Savoring:  At every meal, take time to enjoy it and see what you can get out of it.  While baking bread, knitting those socks, reading that book, working in the garden take time to stop and enjoy the work that is being done and the progress you are making.  During your walk outdoors, take time to enjoy the sounds, smells, sights, the way the wind blows on your face.  Savor the purring of your cat and the smile of your dog.  Savor the voice of a friend online, or a spouse at home, and the laughter of children.  Savor it all.  Enjoy your moments, and maybe even write these and what you are grateful for in a COVID-19 journal- for later.

Anticipate a positive future:  What are you looking forward to?  For example, I am looking forward to my supervision exam in May, whether online, or not, I am looking forward to it, and to celebrating success.  I am also looking forward to some things in the summer and early fall, Lord willing they happen.  Finally, I am very much looking forward to an end to this time of isolation and seeing family and friends once again.