"You Can Be Happy" by Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP

There was a wonderful article in the Tuesday Health Section of the Sarasota Herald Tribune today that gave some medical research on choosing happness!
It is not related to how much money we have or where we live. 
Dr, Anit Sood reports in "The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness" that we can cultivate practices that lead us to experience happiness. I agree. 
Here are some of the take home lessons and some of my personal favorites!

Back row, Zondra, Hank, Bridget Mary, Sean, Nancy, Danny and Katie
family vacation in 2014

Our minds are hard wired for doom and gloom. So I say, turn off the TV and electronics. Facebook will survive your absence! Don't watch cable news shows all day long
1. Start a Gratitude Journal: Make a list of 5 things you are grateful for each day,
 five people you love, 5 activities you enjoy! Spend time with your family, friends, loved ones.

Bridget Mary with brother Patrick

2. Re-program your thoughts-- focus on love, joy, goodness, kindness, healing forgiveness 
3. Practice kindness to others, do a good deed for a stranger, smile, call a friend
4. Breathe, pray, meditate, be still, go into the depths of your soul.
5. Lighten up - Relax, laugh, dance, sing, exercise, paint, listen to music, do something fun!
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
www.arcwp.org