I was doing some research this week for another project I’m working on and I found a great article.
It was from Inc. magazine (look at me dating myself!), or website I guess I should say.
The article was about something called “Joy Conditioning.”
It begins by saying, “We live in anxious times. Tariffs come and go. Both the climate and the political situation just keep getting more volatile. Experts insist AI is set to revolutionize, well, nearly everything soon.
To move forward, entrepreneurs need to find the emotional intelligence to regulate their anxiety. One neuroscientist has a simple suggestion, and you’re going to enjoy it.”
The neuroscientist is NYU’s Wendy Suzuki who says there is something you can do about anxiety. ‘Look for ways to dial up the joy.’”
Joy Conditioning is about actively looking for positive emotions.
I have seen many memes and “positive thoughts” that urge us to make our own happiness and I firmly believe in this. Too many of us wait for someone or something to make us happy. Myself included at times.
How about we switch gears and make our own happiness?
Dr. Suzuki tells a story about a terrific neck massage she got once. The therapist used a lavender scented oil while giving the massage. Today Dr. Suzuki carries around a small bottle of lavender and when she needs some joy in her life she pulls it out, takes a sniff and she’s filled with that happy memory.
How can we make our own happiness?
First we can look back at our own memories. Think back to a past Christmas, either when you were a child or when your children were young. Remember what it felt like when you or they would race downstairs or into the living room and discover that Santa had come?
Maybe it’s a memory of meeting your spouse or when your children were born. Remember that feeling? Maybe it was when you got your first home run in Little League or you won the championship when you were in high school. Maybe you won a Spelling Bee back in the day. Remember that feeling?
Think back. Feel it. Really FEEL IT! Oh that was so nice wasn’t it?
Now there can be a tendency to say, “Yeah but those days are gone.” Or, maybe your special person is no longer with us. I completely understand. However, instead of focusing on the loss, maybe be grateful that you had that time or that experience.
Listening to music is one way to manufacture happiness. I love listening to music from the 70s. Specifically 1975 or 1976. Why? I was young. I was strong. Nothing hurt and the world was filled with possibilities. It was a happy time.
I especially love listening to Christmas music this time of the year. And listening to a choir sing in harmony always brings a smile to my face.
What works for you?
Ever do a nice thing for someone who needs it? Not only does it make them happy, it can also make you feel good too.
I think I’m going to work on that this holiday season. Look for ways that can make you happy. I have a feeling that if we make this our goal everyday we might be surprised by the opportunities we find.
I read once that we find what we consciously focus on. If we are focused on negativity and bad news that’s what we’ll see. However if we look for the good in the world and positive, happy news… wouldn’t the same concept have to hold true?
This Christmas, look for happiness in the world. In your world or your circle of friends. Enjoy it. You deserve it.
Then share it everywhere you go.
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