Hello my fellow fallible human.
Welcome to the Harmonious Mind,
A time to slow down and calm your nervous system.
I'm Tanya McIntyre,
Your Mindfulness Mentor.
The Harmonious Mind offers a series of short insights to gently guide you to a more balanced life of peace and serenity.
Listen to this the way you would listen to music with an open mind and curiosity.
There's nothing to do,
Nowhere to go,
Just relax.
Today we'll explore eight factors that can contribute to better mental health.
Over the years,
Multi-billion dollar industries were created to serve this elusive and subjective thing called happiness.
We're told that happiness is the goal and we're inundated with messages telling us to buy something or take something to look better and feel better because looking better and feeling better apparently leads to happiness.
Duke University conducted a study on happiness that revealed some pretty interesting points.
Happiness is generally a temporary experience that's dependent on circumstances and situations.
For example,
We might be happy when we're having an ice cream cone but not so happy if the scoop falls off the cone.
The Duke University study came up with eight factors of happiness.
I actually prefer to call them factors of contentment because they encourage us to foster effective skills to cope with the challenges of life in healthier ways.
Eight factors of happiness.
Number one,
Nursing a grudge can be a contributing factor to depression.
Our mental health can be better served when we can accept an apology never received and forgive someone who isn't sorry.
Number two,
Preoccupation with past failures and mistakes can lead to depression.
Your mental health can be better served when you stay in the present moment and be thankful for every breath you take.
Number three,
Ruminating on things you can't change is a time and energy.
Focus on what you can change and what you can control.
Number four,
During stressful times it's tempting to become withdrawn and reclusive.
Try to stay involved and active every day.
Number five,
Everyone is dealing with life's sorrow and misfortune at some time.
Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal.
Number six,
All you need is love.
How many songs have been written to express this sentiment?
Cultivate love in your life.
Stop keeping the company of people who don't cultivate love in their lives.
Number seven,
There's a gap between expectation and ability.
That gap can sometimes equal feelings of inadequacy.
Keep your expectations realistic and stop exposing yourself to images and messages that are not attainable.
Number eight,
Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test that measures happiness.
We are conditioned to be better,
Look better,
Perform better,
Wear better clothes,
Make more money,
Win win win at any cost.
It's exhausting to feed that ego.
Instead stay focused on self-care to counteract traits of egoism.
Focus on love,
Compassion,
Humor and loyalty in your life.
And always remember the benefits of having unconditional acceptance for yourself,
For others,
And for life.
Just by the fact that you're alive you can acknowledge that there's no valid reason why you can't fully accept yourself.
The complexity of self can't even be evaluated.
There's a tremendous emotional advantage to accepting yourself unconditionally.
Unconditional self-acceptance is not an excuse for self-serving inconsiderate behavior.
Living in a social group you accept that your acts have consequences.
Regardless of what you do however you remain a unique,
Complex,
Fallible human who's in a constant state of change.
You can also acknowledge that for these reasons of uniqueness,
Complexity,
And change you cannot validly rate your totality,
Your personhood,
Or yourself.
Traits and behaviors can be evaluated,
Measured,
And improved using the approach of what's within my control.
Unconditional acceptance for ourselves,
For others,
And for life.
It can be a long bridge to cross I know.
I have to work on it every day taking little steps,
Keeping the end in sight.
So it is a daily thing to remain consistent and persistent in our efforts.
Thank you so much for being here with me.
I hope these insights offer you some comfort and serenity.
Please join me for upcoming explorations of the harmonious mind.
Until then may your coffee,
Your heart,
And your patience be strong.
My name is Tanya McIntyre,
Your mindfulness mentor.
May the force of mindfulness be with you always and remember you are the force.
