Don't Worry. Be Happy

Are you happy? That's what Oprah asked this week and the results may surprise you. This 5 question quiz opened my eyes. Give it a try:

1 = Not at all true
4 = Moderately True
7 = Absolutely True

1. In most ways, my life is close to ideal.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2. The conditions of my life are excellent.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

3. I am satisfied with my life.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

4. So far I have gotten the important things I want in life.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

5. If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Then score yourself.Lower then 15, you are not happy and have a bit of inner work to do. Higher than 31, you are blissfully content - beyond content. Even, uber content. In between, depends where you fall. I scored a 29 earlier today then a 31 when I retook the test thinking about vacation...so I guess that means I'm mostly content. I suspect this is true for all of us - we are mostly content most of the time but have our down moments.

Oprah's expert hit the nail on the head, at least with me, with his explanation of happiness:

Dr. Holden says the key to being happy is overcoming "destination addiction," which he defines as "living in the not-now."

"It's always about tomorrow, so you're chasing 'more,' 'next' and 'there,'" he says. "You promise yourself that when you get there, you'll be happy. And I promise you, you won't, because you'll always set another destination to go for."

The benefits for our families are enormous if we can all pull this off. As parents, we'll really be in the moment with our kids. And, for our kids, we'll help them be more in the moment and help them stop the madness of being too forward thinking all the time.

I'm planning on living in the moment more starting tomorrow - when I go on vacation. I have a bit more on my "to do" list to clear up...hey - at least I am honest!

Here are two tricks that always work for me. First, you could endlessly humMcFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" song. Or, if that doesn't work, pull out all the stops with this:



Yes. It is true. I don't just run on the treadmill - I totally boogie down blasting everything from Bon Jovi to Ashley Tisdale...and loving every minute of it!

Here's to a week of dancing, laughing, and not posting! Be back soon...ish.

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