I discovered this video via Chris Brogan’s blog. His post is titled “The Beauty of Collaboration.” I’ve titled mine the JOY of collaboration because I think that successful collaborations do create joy – both from the sense of accomplishment they help create (50% of respondents to yesterday’s poll cited a sense of accomplishment as the root of their good mood) and from the simple act of cooperating with others in the pursuit of a common goal.
There is something poignantly striking about people coming together to create something – particularly when there’s no motive beyond the act of creation. Maybe I’m overly sensitive, but I’m often moved to tears by these types of projects. Watching videos like the Do-Re-Mi dance performance at Belgium’s Central Station or the Continue reading
I’m taking a step back this morning to ask a simple question: What goes into a good mood?
There are many ways to trigger a good mood – long walks in the woods, dinner with friends, uplifting movies, surprise kindnesses, and so on – but what’s at the root of a good mood? What is it about these activities that makes you feel happy? What basic, human need is satisfied by watching a sunset or getting a pat on the back from your boss that sends your endorphins – and your good mood – soaring?
I have my own theories, of course, but I’m more interested in what you think.
I just wrote and rewrote the first line of this post a half dozen times.
That’s my own perfectionist getting in the way of getting things done. Perfect(ly ironic).
Sometimes, in order to do the thing you want to do, you need to just get out there and do it. It’s too easy to hold back because you’re not going to be able to do it perfectly. You can easily come up with a dozen excuses to procrastinate, or to give up all together. Don’t. Stop your mind from thinking about reasons to stop moving forward. Forget looking before you leap, and just jump. Close your eyes if you need to. Yell if you have to – make it the battle cry of a warrior.
In my experience, joy often springs from accomplishments. The trouble is, you can’t accomplish anything if you don’t start anything.
I’ve held off on many projects because I’m waiting for the circumstances to be “perfect.” Dumb. First of all, there’s no such thing as perfect. Perfect is just Continue reading
A Friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of Nature.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882) US poet & essayist
I have been very lucky in my life to have made many friends. Although some have moved in and out of my life over the years, the warmth we share always seems to remain – easily rekindled at our next meeting.
Life moves so fast, it’s easy to lose touch with friends. I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to letting things slide. With all the demands on our time, it’s easy for friendships to slip further and further down the priority list. It seems to me that each chance meeting I have starts with the words, “Oh my gosh! It’s been forever! I’ve been so busy. How have you been?” and ends with the unfulfilled promise of a cup of coffee.
No one’s to blame. It’s the nature of things. Everyone is busy. Everyone has their own lives to lead. That’s why I’m so grateful for Continue reading
Endorphins – we hear about how great they are, but just what are they?
I looked it up. Turns out they are opiates produced in the brain which act as natural painkillers. Nice! Even nicer is the fact that you can produce them on demand by participating in physical exercise or even just thinking happy thoughts. Have you ever heard of a “runner’s high?”Endorphins. How about women who go happily through labor and delivery without painkillers? Endorphins. And, have you ever heard a yogi talk about reaching a state of bliss during meditation? Endorphins again.
This morning, I could have used a heaping bowl full of endorphins before I even crawled out of bed. Continue reading
Welcome to my “down and dirty” Good Mood Gig Campaign blog. I’m so happy you decided to stop by.
I’ll be blogging here for the next thirty days – until the end of the phase one voting for the SAM-e Good Mood Gig Talent Search. I hope you’ll stick around to share the journey, and – even better – the conversation.
In this very first post, I’d like to share my number one, favorite way of putting myself in a good mood. Are you ready? Here it is:
