DAY 310 - THE UNAVOIDABLE END...

Day 310

It took me 310 days to dare to talk about death. That's probably because it is not the first topic that comes to mind when you think about happiness.  But it is part of life and learning to cope with the idea of impermanence is necessary if you truly want to be happy.

Egyptians tend to avoid the topic at all costs.  You should go about your life pretending you're eternal.  But then, when you're confronted with someone getting sick to a point of no return, you don't know what to say and when someone dies, you don't know how to grieve.

When I first met my husband, I realized that not every one avoided the topic the way I did.  In his family, (he's Italian) when a close relative passes away, people will even bring their small children to the funeral home.   Italian children are confronted with death very early on.

These past few days, two people I know passed away.  On Friday, the best friend of one of my friends and tonight, the wife of one of my husband's close friends, a mother of two.  They were both young (41 and 42 years old) and full of life...  It seems so unfair for them to die at such a young age.  And I feel an atrocious pain when I think of those children. Why do such tragedies happen!

I believe that the only way to live through such grief is to have faith.  It doesn't take away the pain, but it can soothe it in times of despair. No matter the religion or set of beliefs, faith can help you see the bigger picture.  Most religions believe the soul lives on.

Catholics and Muslims believe in an afterlife.  For Buddhists, death is by no means the end of life. It is merely the end of the body we inhabit in this life, but our spirit still remain and reincarnate into a new body and new life.

We're on this planet only a short while...  And although it all seems so absurd at times, death is a reality we all have to face one day or another.  As someone once said, the only thing certain in life is death and taxes, and there is no way of avoiding it.

If that is the case, then the only thing we can do is try to make this life the best life possible.  With all the pain and joy it provides, with all the excitement and sorrow it gives, with all it brings and all it takes away.  Such is life... a constant circle of beginnings and endings.


This post is dedicated to the family and friends of Christine and Heather and to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one.  May you find strength and courage to go on.

DAY 309 - NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Day 308

Yesterday, I attended a conference on non-verbal communication or, as specialists call it, synergology.  Synergology was created by Philippe Turchet, a French psychologist, in 1995.  It aims at decoding body language in order to improve communication.  It is based on the fact that 55% of communication is non-verbal  (the tone of voice accounts for 43% and words for 7%).  Body language mirrors our emotions and, since it is unconscious, it never lies.

We are all able to decode obvious emotions.  You don't really need any type of training to see when someone is sad, surprised, disgusted, fearful, angry or happy.  The facial expressions and posture will speak for themselves.  However, there are micro-movements that were carefully analyzed by Turchet that can indicate that you are lying, trying to seduce, getting emotional,  etc.  It is through the analysis of every hand, arm, leg, facial movement (big or small), that the synergologist can decipher emotion.

Synergology is an extremely complex science that takes years to master.  But with the two hour-session I attended, I was able to get a glimpse of information.  Here are some of the things I discovered:

First, it is important to know that, according to synergology, the left side of the body is linked to emotions while the right side is linked to the rational mind.  Therefore, someone presenting the right side, tilting the head to the right or using the right hand is actually delivering a rational message while presenting the left side, tilting the head to the left or using the left hand means the speaker is delivering an emotional message.

I also leaned that if someone is:

Lying 

- She will blink more quickly.

- She will stare to the left to try to invent a story and feed the conversation.

- She will scratch his right nostril. (Apparently, when Clinton denied his affair with Monica Lewinski, he scratched his nose three times).

Interested in what you are saying

- She will listen with half-open lips.

- She will blink at a regular rhythm.

- On the other hand, someone who has a a fixed glare is not really listening to you.

Uncomfortable with you 

- She will tend to continuously clear her throat.

- She will have a nervous laugh.

Trying to seduce you

- Her head will slightly tilt to the left

- Her left eye will dilate.

- She will pass her hand on her hair.

Most of us could probably instinctively read body language.  However, sometimes we misjudge people's reactions.  For instance, I have noticed that one of my colleagues tends to clear her throat a lot around me, which I actually saw as a sign of irritation.  According to synergology, it's because I make her nervous.

Communication is at the basis of all relationships, so the better equipped we are, the better our relationships are going to be.  Non-verbal communication is not a magic wand, but it is another technique you can use to improve the way you relate to others.

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DAY 308 - INSPIRATIONAL WEDNESDAY - MARIE CURIE

Day 308

Marie Curie (born Maria Sklodowskawas) was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland. She was the youngest of 5 children.  She received a general education in local schools and some scientific training from her father who was a high school maths and physics teacher.

Marie Curie was an exceptional student with an amazing memory. She often went without food and sleep to study. Her brilliant mind led her to Paris, where after working as a governess, she studied at the Sorbonne.

Struggling to learn in French, Marie threw herself into her studies, leading an ascetic life,  dedicating all her time to her studies. She went on to get a degree in Physics. She later got a degree in Math.

She met Pierre Curie in Paris.  He was head of the laboratory of Physics and Chemistry at the Sorbonne. He was a renowned Chemist.  He considered Marie to be a genius and instantly wanted to work with her. A year later, they were married.  The two would eventually become inseparable.

Pierre and Marie Curie spent most of their time together in their laboratory studying radioactive materials. Their research led to the discovery of radium, for which they were honoured with the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903.

In 1905, Pierre was killed in a road accident, leaving Marie to look after the laboratory and their two children.

In 1911 she was awarded a second nobel prize in Chemistry for the discovery of actinium and further studies on radium and polonium.

The onset of World War I in 1914 led Marie Curie to dedicate her time to the installation of X ray machines in hospitals. Marie understood that x ray machines could be very useful in the context of the war. By the end of the First World War, over one million soldiers had been examined by her X ray units.

After the war, her daughter Irene joined Marie Curie as an assistant at the laboratory. Curie Foundation was established in 1920 to work on medical applications for radium.

Marie Curie died in Haute Savoie on July 4, 1934. Her final illness was diagnosed as pernicious anemia, probably caused by overexposure to radiation.

Marie Curie pushed back many frontiers in science and, at the same time set a new bar for female academic and scientific achievement.  She is a true example of success. Being the one of the only women in a male dominated science world, she stood strong, working hard and following her passion, despite all the hostility, criticism and malicious rumours that flew around.  She was a pioneer for all women who in later years chose male dominated careers.

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."

"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child."

Marie Curie

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DAY 307 - TO FIGHT OR NOT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR BELIEFS, THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Day 307

A couple of days ago, I went out with an old high school friend.  Her and her husband founded an organization of artists that actively fight for social justice and environmental issues.  She is a real activist with profound beliefs and a real will to change society.

As we were having dinner and discussing various issues, I realized that her job requires her to always be angry -  angry at the governments,  at polluters, at the wealthy for accepting poverty, at elite for being elitist.  Her opinions have to be radical, otherwise she wouldn't be able to fight with conviction.

However, as much as I admire her in some way, I thought about the fact that she is somehow limited in her ideas.  She is caught in a ideological constraint that doesn't really allow her to venture out and think outside the box.  Every action that has a slightly "right wing" resonance needs to be destroyed!  Capitalism is the source of all evil, etc.

It actually made me understand why I have never really been an activist.  Although I strongly believe in social justice and equality, I'm not a radical.  I tend to try to analyze things in the most objective way possible.  It might sometimes mean sitting on the fence, which is not very productive.  But, the thing is,  I fear radical thinking.  I believe it can lead to fanaticism, which, in turn, can lead to violence and war...

I have to admit, however, that extremism is sometimes necessary for change... Women would have never gotten the right to vote, had they not strongly fought for it.  Many social changes required radical thinking and action.   I just feel that aggressing the enemy might not always be the way to build a healthier, happier and more peaceful society.

"Through violence, you may ‘solve’ one problem, but you sow the seeds for another."

"We must recognize that the suffering of one person or one nation is the suffering of humanity. That the happiness of one person or nation is the happiness of humanity."

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

The Dalai Lama

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DAY 306 - REVISITING "THE LITTLE PRINCE"

Day 306

Yesterday afternoon, along with my husband and children, I went to see a theatrical performance of the classical tale The Little Prince, written by Antoine de St-Exupery.  My friend Danielle, who fabulously played several of the characters in the play, had kindly invited us to go and watch it.


For those who have never read or heard about this tale, The Little Prince tells the story of the encounter between an airplane pilot who, because of mechanical problems lands in the Sahara Desert, and a little boy who comes from a distant planet, in search for the meaning of life.

More importantly than the actual setup, it is the metaphorical and philosophical way of telling the story that makes it so beautiful and inspiring.

The Little Prince talks about the importance of looking beneath the surface with the 'eyes of the heart' to find the truth. It is through the character of the the fox that this message is transmitted, when he tells the Prince: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye".

Throughout the tale, Saint-Exupéry is very critical of many of the characteristics of mankind. He claims that humans are too preoccupied with wealth, power, and technology, missing the important things in life -- beauty, love, and friendship. Because they do not invest the time in loving others and noticing the small wonders of the world (as they once did when they were children), people rush from place to place in search of something; but since they look for the wrong things, they are never happy with where they are and rush onward again.  It is a never ending treadmill on which we all sometimes feel caught.

What I find incredibly fascinating about this story is how both children and adults can relate to it at a different level and how the message is ageless, incredibly contemporary,  although it was written in 1943.

 It doesn't tell us anything new - we all know the role love, friendship and human connection should take in our lives - but it does remind us that sometimes we travel the world (both concretely and metaphorically) in search for happiness, only to find out it was right there within our reach all along.

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DAY 305 - BOOSTING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Day 305

It's been about three weeks now that, alternately, my students have been absent from class. In total, half the students of my class have had a cold or some other type of virus. My husband and best friend were sick last week.  My parents have been sick for the past seven days! Fall is truly the season when people are increasingly susceptible to catching the common cold which sometimes turns into an infection.  And when you're sick, you feel more tired, less productive and all around bad.

As I was talking to my parents yesterday afternoon, I thought it would be a good idea to do some research on ways to boost your immune system.  We all know about the great benefits of vitamin C, but what else can we do to prevent and fight viruses.

Obviously, sleeping well,  meditation, exercising and proper hygiene (washing your hands) are all essential in boosting the immune system.  But what about food?

While there is no single food that can do the trick, a combination of all the following foods can help in building you immune strength.

Garlic - Various studies have shown that garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It has been shown to stimulate the production of white blood cells, and can act as an antioxidant in the body.

Mushrooms - Mushrooms may be a potent weapon in warding off colds, flu, and other infections. Studies on animals have shown that mushrooms such as shitake, maitake and reishi have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-tumor effects.

Multi-coloured vegetables - Carotenoids such as beta carotene are important antioxidants that aid in immune system function. Carotenoids are present in bright yellow, orange and green vegetables. It’s important to get a variety of vegetables of different colors because various types of carotenoids are thought to work together to strengthen the body’s immune system.

Nuts especially almonds - These protein-packed have vitamins and minerals are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, and zinc. Studies have shown a link between eating nuts and health benefits such as lower risk of chronic disease.

green tea

Green tea - It is a great source of L-theanine, an amino acid that triggers the release of germ-fighting compounds from your T-cells. (Green tea also helps to boost your metabolism.)

Foods packed with vitamin C (red bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, citrus, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts) - Vitamin C has been proven to be the most potent vitamin to increase your body’s immunity.  It works by increasing the white blood cells as well as antibodies in your body.

Zinc (red meat, turkey, nuts, beans, whole-grain foods, seafood -especially oysters- and dairy products) This valuable mineral increases the production of white blood cells that fight infection.

Yogurt - Studies have shown that the live cultures in yogurt such as lactobacillus can protect the intestinal tract against gastro-intestinal illnesses and increase resistance to immune-related diseases such as infection and even cancer.

There are several spices that are also said to help boost the immune system, among which cinnamon, oregano, turmeric (found in curry powder), ginger, coriander, cumin and cayenne.

However, no matter what, in terms of nutrition, your best defence against catching a cold is staying hydrated and eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes protein, whole grains and, especially plenty of fruit and vegetables. By eating a diet that includes a variety of foods you are more likely to meet your vitamin and mineral needs, and that will contribute to your overall health — including a stronger immune system.




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DAY 304 - INSPIRATIONAL WEDNESDAY - DERRECK KAYONGO

Day 304

Derreck Kayongo went thorough a lot in in childhood. He was born in Uganda and left his homeland during the Idi Amin Dada era, escaping to Kenya with his family as a refugee.  He eventually moved to the United States.  He is now an American citizen.

In response to his past, Kayongo has been devoting his life to causes related to human condition throughout the world.   For such reasons,  he has worked for several organizations, amongst which Amnesty International, American Friends Service Committee and CARE International.

His latest social initiative was to found the Global Soap Project.  As Kayongo was staying in a Philadelphia Hotel, he noticed that the cleaning crew was throwing out barely used soap.  He decided to create a Non-Profit Organization that recycles that partly used soap and makes new soap out of it.  This soap is then shipped to African refugee camps where there is an incredible need for sanitation.  Two million children die every year from respiratory diseases and diarrhea.  Kayongo believes that those two illnesses could greatly be diminished by increased sanitation. This year,  Derreck Kayongo was named one of CNN's top 10 heroes.

Two aspects of Kayongo's story inspired me.  First, because he rose from former refugee to philanthropist and entrepreneur, which is an achievement it itself.  But also, for the fact that he didn't only have a creative idea that was both environmentally friendly and helpful to people in need, but that he actually put it into action.  Many have ideas... few have the determination and perseverance to make it happen.

If you are interested, here is the link to the CNN video:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/06/16/cnnheroes.kayongo.cnn

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DAY 303 - LET'S GET ESOTERIC... THE BODY'S SEVEN CHAKRAS

Day 303

In Sanscrit, chakra means 'energy wheel'. The seven main chakras are said to be the energy centers by which energy enters and flows through the body.  The chakras, located along the midline of the body, begin at the base of the spine and go up to the head.  Each chakra is associated to a specific part of the body and a specific emotion.   Each Chakra is also associated to a vibration, a sound and a color.

According to this ancient belief, when blocks accumulate in the Chakras, a disruption in the flow of energy results and creates an imbalance, which in turn, can cause physical and mental problems. Here is a list of the seven chakras:

1. Root Chakra

Color: Red

Location: Base of spine in tailbone area.

Psychological function: Survival , vitality, reality, grounding, security, support and stability.

Physical dysfunction: Anemia, Fatigue, Obesity, Constipation, Colds.

2. Sacral Chakra

Color: Orange

Location: Lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel.

Psychological function: Feelings, emotions, intimacy, sensuality, confidence, sociability, pleasure and sexuality.

Physical dysfunction: Impotence, frigidity, ovaries, uterine problems, eating disorders, drug use, depression, allergies and asthma.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra

Color: Yellow

Location: Upper abdomen in the stomach area

Psychological function: Personal power, will, knowledge, self-confidence, wit, laughter, humor, optimism, self-control and curiosity.

Physical dysfunction: Ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, constipation, nervousness and poor memory.

4. Heart Chakra

Color: Green

Location: Center of chest just above the heart.

Psychological function: Love, joy, inner peace, relationships, compassion, guilt, forgiveness and harmony.

Physical dysfunction: High blood pressure, passiveness, lethargy, asthma, immune system, breathing difficulties, heart problems and chest pain.

5. Throat Chakra

Color: Blue

Location: Throat.

Psychological function: Communication, speech, trust, creative expression, self-expression of feelings, the truth.

Physical dysfunction: Thyroid, flu, infections, itching, sores, hyperactivity, melancholy, hormonal problems, PMS, mood swings.

6. Third Eye Chakra

Color: Indigo

Location: Forehead between the eyes.

Psychological function: Intuition, invention, psychic abilities, self realization, imagination, wisdom, ability to think and make decisions.

Physical dysfunction: Headaches, migraines, earaches, nightmares, sleep disorders, fear, anxiety and equilibrium imbalances.

7. Crown Chakra

Color: Violet

Location: The very top of the head.

Psychological function: Knowingness, wisdom, inspiration, charisma, awareness and higher self.

Physiological dysfunctions: Mental illness, confusion, bacteria, warts, skin rashes and eczema.

All right, so now is your chakras are out of balance, what can be done to fix it?

First, there are specialists who work on reestablishing the energy flow in the body: reiki masters, acupuncturists, acupressurists, etc.  However, you can also reenergize your chakra centers by focusing on the following areas:

Thoughts - Thoughts have an impact on the body.  By having positive thoughts and feelings, you increase the flow of good energy.

Food - Balance your chakras daily by eating foods that contain each of the seven color energies.

Toning and sounds - you can vocally make sounds to vibrate at the same frequency as various organs in your body. Regular toning can help keep our body’s organs functioning properly.

Meditation  and breathing - Since thought is an energy form you can stimulate your chakra centers through meditation, visualization or breathing energy into your various chakra centers.  Adding the color intention will give additional power to the meditation.

I'm not sure I believe in everything that pertains to chakras... All the sites I consulted seemed so esoteric and I have always been a little bit of the  skeptical type!  However, it does intrigue me enough to make me want to continue exploring the topic and maybe discover another way to my wellbeing!

And how about you?  Do you think chakras are energy centers?

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DAY 302 - AFTER THE ARAB SPRING, THE WESTERN AUTUMN

Day 302

Last Saturday, I received an e-mail from a Dutch friend.  He wrote me that he was on his way to the "Occupy" demonstration in Amsterdam.   All through the weekend, there were demonstrations worldwide, in Japan, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, etc.  Last night, hundreds of people camped outside the Stock Exchange right here in Montreal.  I guess after the Arab Spring comes the Western Autumn.

In general, I always feel like I can see both sides of the coin.  However, I must admit that, in some cases, such as this one, I just can't.  I don't understand how people who proclaim their Christian Devotion, which is the case of many anti-protest Americans, would disagree with the fact that having people die of starvation and live in poverty while others swim in billions of dollars, is simply unacceptable in our modern society.  Anyway, isn't greed one of the seven deadly sins???

As I was watching CNN last weekend, I couldn't believe how ridiculous some of the comments were.  Many of the anti-protesters see the Occupy Wall Street Movement as a Communist movement, as an anti-American, anti-freedom, and anti-church movement.  Within the movement, you could probably find some people who belong to these groups.  However, it is far from being the majority.  Wanting a society where everyone can have a decent standard of living, have access to education and healthcare and have a job is not being a communist, or anti-church.  It is valuing the life and wellbeing of every  human being!

I think it is about time the Western World, which is supposedly so civilized, starts taking real action to help the less fortunate.   

Anyway, I don't know what astrologers are saying about the alignment of planets this year, but politically speaking, many countries have gone to the streets to try to implement changes.  And it is happening simultaneously in different parts of the world.  It's as though people have understood that to better their lives and be happier, they can't count on governments anymore, they need to go to the streets and make it happen themselves!

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DAY 301 - WHO ARE YOU?

DAY 301

So, every book about happiness tells you that to be happy you need to go beyond yourself, by giving to others, maybe by volunteering your time.

I must confess: volunteer work (in the classical sense of the word) is not something I have been inclined to do in my life.  Sure, I have volunteered my time for my children by actively being involved in their activities (for instance, when they were doing skating shows and the organization needed volunteer parents to help out).  But besides that, I can't say I've been out there volunteering for a cause I believe in.

I have been telling myself that I should do it!  But then again, I wonder!  Maybe my way of giving to others is different.  Maybe, this blog (which is done on a voluntary basis and takes up a lot of my time), my teaching, the book club I organized are all ways I have used to go beyond myself!  Maybe, there isn't only one way of doing things.

The problem with having a list of things you SHOULD do in order to be happy is that it does not take into consideration your individual personality.  Before trying to transform yourself to be happier, you need to know yourself and to accept who you are.

When we had our last book club meeting, one of my friends asked everyone if the fact that she wanted to go out and party at the age of 50 was a sign of immaturity.  Perhaps, she said, she should grow up and stop looking for excitement!  Of course, my first question to her was: "Does it make you happy?"

All preconceived notions we have of what "we should do", and "how we should act", make us become critical towards ourselves and question our choices.

But isn't that kind of reflection counter-productive.  If the objective is trying to increase happiness, why not start by knowing and accepting who you are.  If my friend feels happy going out to party, who says she shouldn't?

That doesn't mean you should give in to your addictive personality, just because "that's the way you are", or that you should never try to improve yourself.  It just means that you need to START with who you are and build from there.  It means that all your choices have to take into account and respect your strengths and weaknesses!

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DAY 300 - INSPIRATIONAL WEDNESDAY: HELLEN KELLER AND THE MIRACLE WORKER

Day 300

"Once I knew only darkness and stillness... my life was without past or future... but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living."  Hellen Keller

Hellen Keller and Anne Sullivan

I remember being fascinated by the story of Hellen Keller when I was young.  I read the book and watched the film several times.  I was amazed by this woman's incredible story. And recently, my daughters watched the film "The Miracle Worker" about her life with the same fascination.

Hellen Adams Keller was born a healthy child on June 27, 1880. At the age of 19 months, she was stricken with a severe illness, which left her blind and deaf.

From that moment on, Hellen was imprisoned in a world of darkness and silence.  Unable to communicate, she became wild and unruly with little real understanding of the world around her.

When Hellen was six, her parents found her a teacher named Anne Sullivan. Anne herself had been blind, but had had an operation and had regained her sight. She understood what Helen was feeling. 

 She was trying to teach Helen the signs for the letters of the alphabet. She would "spell" the words in Helen's hand, trying to breakthrough to her.

And then, it happened.  One day Anne led Hellen to the water pump and pumped water on her hand. She spelled the letters W-A-T-E-R as the water ran over Hellen's hand. She did this over and over again. At last it dawned on Hellen that the word "water" meant the water, which she felt pouring over her hand. This opened up a whole new world for her. She ran everywhere asking Anne the name of different things and Anne would spell the words in her hand. This was the key, which unlocked the world for her.

After Hellen's miraculous breakthrough at the well pump, she proved so gifted that she soon learned the fingertip alphabet and shortly afterward she learned how to write. By the end of August, in six short months, she knew 625 words.

Hellen Keller

By age 10, Hellen had mastered Braille as well as the manual alphabet and even learned to use the typewriter. By the time she was 16, Helen could speak well enough to go to preparatory school and to college. In 1904 she was graduated "cum laude" from Radcliffe College. Anne Sullivan, her  teacher stayed with her through those years, interpreting lectures and class discussions to her.

Hellen Keller dedicated her life to improving the conditions of the blind and the deaf-blind around the world, lecturing in more than 25 countries on the five major continents. Wherever she appeared, she brought new courage to millions of people.

Her teacher, Anne Sullivan, is remembered as "the Miracle Worker" for her lifetime dedication, patience and love to a child who was trapped in a world of silence and darkness.

Throughout her life, Hellen Keller showed courage, determination, generosity and wisdom.  She defied the laws of nature by proving that without eyes to see or ears to hear, one could spread love, kindness,  hope and live a happy life!

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."

"No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it."

"It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving their fellow men, the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui."

Hellen Keller

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DAY 299 - IS LESS REALLY BETTER?

Day 299


My husband and I have been talking a lot about moving lately.  Our kids are getting older; we don't have a basement; we don't have a yard and we feel like we need more space.    Our apartment is far from being small (it's about 1300 square feet), but, for some reason, we're starting to feel tight in it.  Is it because we both grew up in a house in the suburbs?  Is it because society tells us that bigger is better?

The problem is we love our neighbourhood. We love it that we can walk everywhere. We have many friends who live close by. We know the butcher, the grocer, the fish store owner.  If we move, we lose this feeling of community... but we gain space and tranquility (we live in the city and we would probably move into a more residential area). Moving would mean having to take the car even to go get milk.  So, it's a real dilemma!

Last night, I stumbled upon a TED Talk by Graham Hill.  First, he challenges us to remember that very often, when we travel, whether we stay in a hotel room or in a tent, we experience "the joys of less".  We are forced to pack lightly and live in smaller spaces. According to him, these experiences demonstrate that we can find happiness away from all the "stuff" we tend to accumulate and from the bigger spaces.

Graham believes that we can tap into the joy of simplicity in our daily lives. In his TED Talk, he offers advice based on three principles: lessen debt, reduce environmental footprint, and avoid unnecessary stress. Watching that talk made me think about the insatiable desire our society tends to have for more and the strong belief we might have that more is better.

Maybe increased happiness comes from simplifying your life, by being minimalistic.  Maybe, we have it all wrong!  Maybe less is really better!

What is your opinion on the topic?  Do you believe less is better?

Here is a link to that TED talk.

http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness.html

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DAY 298 - TWEET, TWEET, TWEET

DAY 298

More and more, technology is being used by scientists to  study happiness.  The latest research, published last Friday in the Science Journal, used the social network Twitter to take the pulse of world happiness.

For two years, professor Michael Macy and graduate student Scott Golden monitored the emotions of 2.4 million people in 84 countries, including Canada, through the analysis of 500 million tweets.

To get a picture of the global mood, the scientists measured the use of 1000 words indicating positive mood such as "happy", "fantastic", "super" and negative ones, such as "afraid," "mad," and "panic".

They found that positive attitude peaks first thing in the morning, but slowly dips throughout the day, before rising again in the evening and peaking again right before bedtime!    Basically, being in bed seems to be where happiness lives (the further away you get from your mattress and comforter, the unhappiest you are and as you get closer again to it, you become happier again!!!! )  The mood swing was the same on the weekends as during the week.  Therefore, the dip in happiness is not caused by the fact that people are at work.

They also found that people are happier on the weekend.  As for the time of year, it seems like we are more content from December to late June, when days gradually lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere.

Bad news, even if it happens to a complete stranger, brings Twitter users down.  The lowest points in the last two years were:  the death of Osama bin Laden, the earthquake in Japan, the London riots in August, the 10th anniversary of the September 11th  attacks and the death of Amy Winehouse.

Emotional highs, as tracked on Twitter, were the Christmas and New Year holidays, followed by Valentines Day, Thanksgiving and Easter. The wedding of Britain’s Prince William to Kate Middleton was a bright spot, comparable to Easter and Father’s Day.

Those brief posts also showed that Twitter users prefer bacon to sausage and Cheerios to Frosted Flakes.

Well, the thing is, I prefer sausage to bacon and I like neither Cheerios nor Frosted Flakes.  But then again, I have never used Twitter.  So, maybe this research is only representative of a portion of society and cannot be used as a general happiness trend. As a matter of fact, come to think about it, I also tend to wake up grumpy, with my mood improving as the day wears on!

And what about you?  What do you think about this study?

If you like this post, pass it along.  To receive posts as they're being published, you can either send me an e-mail at alina500daystohappiness@hotmail.com or join the facebook group:  500daystohappiness.

DAY 297 - INSPIRATIONAL WEDNESDAY: JOAN OF ARC

Day 297

Joan of Arc, nicknamed " The Maid of Orléans" was born in the East of France in 1412.  She came from a peasant family.  At the age of 13, she claimed to have heard voices telling her that her divine mission was to save France from English Invaders and lead Charles VII to coronation.

Joan of Arc

At the time, France and England were in the middle of the 100 years war.  And an English victory that took place in 1415 under King Henry V of England had left the country weak and divided. Under Charles de Ponthieu, the French were without direction and without a real leader.

When Joan of Arc came to the court, she overwhelmed Charles with her passion and conviction. It is quite remarkable that this 17 year old peasant girl was, as a consequence, given control over an army and allowed to lead them into battle. Within a year Joan of Arc had led the French army to victories at Orleans, Patay and Troyes.

For her bravery and determination, Joan of Arc and her family were granted nobility status, which meant a great deal at the time.  She also gained respect by the army soldiers who perceived her as a mythical figure. Her victories on the battlefield would also allow her to lead Charles VII to coronation on July 17, 1429.

This triumph would be short-lived.  In 1430, she was captured by the Burgundians, sold to the English and tried by an ecclesiastical court for witchcraft.  During her trial, she defended herself with simplicity and courage.  Nevertheless, she was convicted and burned at the stake.  She was 19 years old.

Around 25 years later, Joan’s family petitioned Pope Callistus III to reconsider the charges against Joan.
The Pope found, in 1456, that she was innocent of the charges against her and declared her a martyr.   Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920. She is, along with St. Denis, St. Martin of Tours, St. Louis IX, and St. Theresa of Lisieux, one of the patron saints of France.

Many aspects of Joan of Arc's life are admirable.  That is probably why many poets, writers and painters have created pieces of art inspired by her life.    But what I personally find impressive is not only her courage and determination, but also the fact that she followed her convictions and faith without ever getting sidetracked by the fact that she was a YOUNG WOMAN born in a POOR family.

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying."
 Joan of Arc

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DAY 296 - FIGHTING THE WINTER BLUES

Day 296

With winter rapidly approaching, the days are growing shorter and the light growing dimmer. For some people, this often equates to increased fatigue; as it is the case for my friend Alexandra.  As we were walking together this morning, she told me she had been feeling tired.  Then, she looked up to the sky and told me that the grey of the past few days probably haven't helped.  "Maybe I should go to a tanning salon", she said jokingly.

Like many other people, Alexandra suffers from a mild case of Seasonal Affective Disorder (a type of depression that primarily occurs in the winter but often starts in the fall) and is related to changes in the amount of daylight.  There is, of course, a scientific explanation to this.  Your mood is influenced by serotonin levels, which increase when you’re exposed to sunlight.  In winter, there is less light, so your body produces less serotonin, thus potentially making you feel fatigued and sometimes depressed.

Since winter is unavoidable, one needs to find ways to prevent the winter blues.  I come from a warm Mediterranean country and I really believe I wasn't made for winter.  Since the weather has gotten a bit cooler, my hands and feet are constantly cold. And I hate feeling cold. So, one of the things I know I need to do is to keep warm by dressing up appropriately (no more mini skirts in winter for me!) and turning up the heaters in my house. (Although it's not that easy to do since my husband is always hot!)

Here are other things I usually do to keep on smiling throughout the winter:

- Eat warm food - there is nothing better than soups and stews to comfort you in winter.

- Exercise, exercise, exercise - when you exercise you always feel much better.

- Go outside - there isn't much light, but it's important to get some of the natural light that's available (noon time is apparently the best).

- Keep socializing - in winter it seems harder to find the courage to get out of your house, but it's as essential to connect with people in the winter as it is in the summer.

- Keep your house well lit and let the sunshine in - if you can't get outside, at least make sure your house is full of light!

- Meditate on happy thoughts - take time to focus on something that makes you happy!

- Buy a natural daylight lamp and put it on your desk at work.

- Plan little excursions and trips - if you can afford to go down south in the winter, it is the best way to go get a little boost of serotonin production.  If not, plan activities or weekends that you can look forward to.

- Take vitamin D - because of the lack of sun in winter, in the northern hemisphere, we could all potentially become deficient in vitamin D.

Most of all, don't worry, summer will eventually come back.  Winter won't last forever... THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

And what do you do to keep the winter blues at bay?

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DAY 295 - CONNECTING WITH STRANGERS

Day 295

This semester, I am blessed with a very special group of students.  The first day I met them, I knew it was going to be a great bunch.  It rarely happens, but I can honestly say that each and every student has only brought positive energy to the class.

Specialists in education will tell you, every group has a negative leader, a rotten apple that could potentially infect the class... my group doesn't.

On Friday, they spontaneously organized a collective lunch to celebrate the departure of two of my students who have found jobs.  Although it is the objective of the class and those two students were rejoicing in some way, there were a lot of tears shed.  Human connection is a very beautiful and special reality to witness...

Apple pie made by my student!

My three Latin American students (two men and a woman) displayed their talents by playing and singing beautiful engaging spanish songs.   My Russian student brought caviar to serve as an appetizer.  One of my French Canadian students prepared an apple pie and a sugar pie.

Another of my students, a professional singer, very well know in Morocco, who has decided to change her career and lifestyle for her son's sake sang a song, dedicating it to me.  She has now found a job in a bank and wanted to take the time to thank me before leaving.  I was genuinely touched by her gesture.

I didn't know these people four weeks ago.  They were all strangers to me.  And they did not know each other.  Yet, seeing them singing, laughing and talking with each other on Friday, one would have sworn they were old friends.  Sharing their life stories in an English communication class has brought them very close to each other.

 I don't know how many of them will keep in touch.  I don't know how many of them I will see again  after the course is over.  But it doesn't really matter.  Connecting with people adds to your wellbeing, whether these people remain in your life for a long time or they are just passers by.  They can sometimes have a profound impact in your life. 

I am fortunate and grateful to have the opportunity to connect with people, through my teaching, on a regular basis.  But I also choose to be open enough to these new encounters.  Because I know, in the end, that it can only enrich my life.

If you like this post, pass it along.  To receive posts as they're being published, you can either send me an e-mail at alina500daystohappiness@hotmail.com or join the facebook group:  500daystohappiness.