Rocks in the Dryer

This Emotional Life

via www.youtube.com

I stumbled upon this documentary two nights ago (while late night folding mountains of laundry).  In the one part of the 3 part series of which I saw, there were so many insights that have stuck with me. "Rethinking Happiness" is an exploration of what makes us happy (it's part 3 and the only I have watched so far).  Was it obviously interesting that people who have suffered intense tragedy are those who are best equipped to find the most happiness in their lives?

Earlier in the day, before watching, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself about some behavioral struggles I am having with my 7 year old.  In the midst of nearly spiraling into a downward slope of self-pity I caught myself and thought:  I need to experience something really bad so that I can better appreciate how good I have it.

A rather morbid wish on my part.  

When I watched the documentary, the interview with a wheel chair bound man (due to accidental injury) and a man who was a tortured POW for 8 years struck me most.  Neither of these men wish their life was without the tragedy.  It was the tragedy and suffering that made them who they are.  Their tragedies have enabled them to appreciate what they have. 

The wheelchair bound man can honestly be happy each day that he can move his arms.  His life has lead him to this ability and he knows it, he finds true happiness in that.  I found it so profound that most of us try to avoid discomfort, let alone tragedy at any cost, while many who have suffered so greatly wouldn't trade in the experience for what they gaine.

Instead of wishing and waiting for something horrific to happen to me so that I might appreciate my beautiful life - I sought out a few little nuggets that might lend a helping hand and cheery disposition.  Here is where I landed:  { via the Happiness Project }

Secrets of Adulthood

• The best reading is re-reading.
• Outer order contributes to inner calm.
• The opposite of a great truth is also true.
• You manage what you measure.
• By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.
• People don’t notice your mistakes and flaws as much as you think.
• It's nice to have plenty of money.
• Most decisions don't require extensive research.
• Try not to let yourself get too hungry.
• Even if you think they're fake, it's nice to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day.
• If you can't find something, clean up.
• The days are long, but the years are short.
• Someplace, keep an empty shelf.
• Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.
• It's okay to ask for help.
• You can choose what you do; you can't choose what you LIKE to do.
• Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.
• What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.
• You don't have to be good at everything.
• Soap and water removes most stains.
• It's important to be nice to EVERYONE.
• You know as much as most people.
• Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.
• Eat better, eat less, exercise more.
• What's fun for other people may not be fun for you--and vice versa.
• People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.
• Houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.
• If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.
• No deposit, no return.

ahhhhh, I feel much better now. Off to watch the last two episodes and move forward on the road to true discovered "happiness".

• The best reading is re-reading.
• Outer order contributes to inner calm.
• The opposite of a great truth is also true.
• You manage what you measure.
• By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.
• People don’t notice your mistakes and flaws as much as you think.
• It's nice to have plenty of money.
• Most decisions don't require extensive research.
• Try not to let yourself get too hungry.
• Even if you think they're fake, it's nice to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day.
• If you can't find something, clean up.
• The days are long, but the years are short.
• Someplace, keep an empty shelf.
• Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.
• It's okay to ask for help.
• You can choose what you do; you can't choose what you LIKE to do.
• Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.
• What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.
• You don't have to be good at everything.
• Soap and water removes most stains.
• It's important to be nice to EVERYONE.
• You know as much as most people.
• Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.
• Eat better, eat less, exercise more.
• What's fun for other people may not be fun for you--and vice versa.
• People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.
• Houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.
• If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.
• No deposit, no return.

Make One Little Change Today

I will attach a link to a video in a second, but let me explain.  Little D. loves to watch non-fiction, science and nature type television programming.  We learn a lot.  (we also learn a lot about Viagra, it is clear these shows are not "targeted" for 6 year-olds by nature of the advertisers)

This week we got cozy on the sofa to watch "Time Warp" - one of his favorites, and quite frankly I do find it rather entertaining.  The Time Warp guys, if you don't know, have super duper video cameras and have developed an entire show of shooting every day things and then slowing the footage down to extra slow mo so you can see what really happens in a blink.  We have seen lots of very nifty stuff (Dog sneezing, chain saw juggling, bubble blowing and popping, fire, bullets shooting)  But what we saw most recently was rather disturbing.

The viewing of this footage has resulted in a new rule in our house and everyone is happy to comply.  When you flush, put the seat cover down.  

I found a clip of the Time Warp Toilet Flush on the Discovery Channel website - it doesn't do justice to the complete coverage seen on the show, it still makes a bit of a point.  (to just put it out there . . .  when you flush a toilet the swirling of the "water" creates an aerosol reaction that causes a mist of "water" to spray up and out into the room and onto whatever surfaces are near . . . and surprisingly not near)

All this time I thought the lid was purely decorative - now I know better . . . function, function, function.  You might want to implement this rule - weather or not you care to see the evidence . . .  one little change in behavior can make a difference . . . eeeewwwwww.