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Monday, September 21, 2009

The game begins with week of Joy!

JOY - A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something exceptionally festive or satisfying.

I was feeling pretty smug.  I had this post completely written and scheduled for a 12:01 AM delivery when I decided to play around with a color setting ... and poof! It was gone in an instant.  I really have NO IDEA what happened.  I have to admit it is pretty funny to be starting a week of joy with this kind of frustration.  I suppose it is really quite perfect.  A lot of what we have is based solely on what we choose to feel.  I could spend the rest of the evening stomping around being annoyed and annoying or I can just get back to it.  After all, I am doing this because I enJOY it.

Welcome! As I think you know by now, my 12 month game is based loosely on Ben Franklin's weekly focus on each of his 13 virtues.  I have chosen virtues that I believe will encourage Everyday Bliss.  In addition to focusing on my virtues,  I will be coming up with "Bliss Initiatives" (color coded in purple for quick identification!) which are concrete things that you too can try,  if you want to play along with me.  However, because as Earl Nightingale says, "you become what you think about,"  even if you only follow along,  and never take on any of the bliss initiatives,  I expect some positive results.

I will start each week telling you what I plan to do,  end each week telling you what I actually did, and share my observations "from the field" in between.  I will explore each virtue in a number of different ways.  This week I wll be exploring and encouraging JOY this way:

  • Study - I will be poking around the internet, considering the Practice of Joy as a spiritual endeavor,  and reading the book "This is Your Brain on Joy" by Dr. Earl Henslin -- no recommendation yet I will let you know once I have read it!  To play along,  conduct your own study of JOY or click on the links I've provided to do what I am doing.
  • Carry a pocket charm - I fully expect that I will forget about this game as I navigate through my daily life.  I will carry this small totem around with me,  and as I happen upon it,  I will be reminded that I am focusing on JOY.  I found this small pewter stone with the word joy engraved on it but any small pocket sized item can work for you as long as you associate it with this project.   
  • Field work - Each day I will be doing at least one thing from Daphna Caperonis' terrific list of 50 ways to find Joy.  Click here, even if you have no plans to do anything from her list.  Just considering it is a joyous experience!
  • Get in the mood for Joy - I will watch this very short (less then 5 minutes!)  Finding Joy Movie which is a nice, meditative way to begin any JOY filled day.  If time during the week permits,  I will also watch one of these feature Films on Joy.
 Next Post: Observations from the Field

My 13 bliss virtues: joy, order, creativity, passion, whimsy, serenity, inquiry, community, romance, gratitude, moxie, humility, surprise

4 comments:

  1. May you find great joy and bliss...moment by moment this day! One of the best steps to take for your brain and heart health!
    With Respect,
    Dr. Earl R Henslin

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr. Henslin, thank you for taking time to visit my blog! I've just started the book... looking forward to what it has to offer! Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  3. UGh! I just found your blog! Why have you not updated it?

    More important - we both love The Man from Snowy River and I think most people have never seen it!

    Crazy Cosmos.....

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks, that was a really lovely video.

    ReplyDelete

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Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues

  • 1. TEMPERANCE - Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
  • 2. SILENCE - Speak not what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
  • 3. ORDER - Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
  • 4. RESOLUTION - Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
  • 5. FRUGALITY - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e. waste nothing.
  • 6. INDUSTRY - Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
  • 7. SINCERITY - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly.
  • 8. JUSTICE - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
  • 9. MODERATION - Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
  • 10. CLEANLINESS - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths or habitation.
  • 11. TRANQUILITY - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
  • 12. CHASTITY - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or to the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
  • 13. HUMILITY - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

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