Cultivating Happiness

I read a magazine article about cultivating happiness that I thought was interesting. The idea is that you can train yourself to be a positive thinker, which allegedly is all you need to be happy. (What? Not fancy shoes and cappuccinos?) The author suggested ways to "hone happiness skills." And I paraphrase:

1. Make positive thinking a regular part of your schedule and recognize your own role in making good things happen. Interesting...
   
1. Before bed write down three things that went really well during the day. Then write why that good thing happened.
2. Savor a beautiful day
1. Pick a date within the next two weeks to design a perfect day and to carry it out. Use "savoring" techniques like sharing it with another person, keeping souvenirs and losing killjoy thinking.
3. Gratitude visit
1. Write a letter to a person about why they are meaningful to you and then visit them to tell them about your gratitude.

While I think the third one is rather sappy, I will try the first and the second. Let's see, three things that went well yesterday...

1. I got a cute haircut. That happened because I did research the night before to find a picture of exactly the type of hair style I wanted and I asked my friends for their opinions on what would be flattering. It also happened because I went to Resolutions 2008 and received a hair cut and make up application gift certificate from Charles Ifergen. Very nice!
2. I went to a job interview in the far-flung suburbs. That happened because I had the new hair style and make up which gave me the confidence to face people who would judge me up and down and all around. The interview did go well despite transportation tangles! Boy was I happy to get home.
3. Later that night, my mother and I went to a swish Mexican restaurant and had delicious quesadillas with mushrooms and guacamole, and margaritas. We were celebrating the successful completion of the job interview. Yay! Lots of fun.

So after that exercise do I feel more positive about my life? Perhaps. I guess one has to stick with it for a while to see if it works. As for a perfect day - I know that involves breakfast (cafe au lait and raspberry scone) at Bombon Cafe sitting under an umbrella. It also involves reading in the park or playing at the beach. Hopefully fun times with friends or boyfriend. Lots to think about with this one. Do let me know if you have any thoughts.