Warning: I bailed on the "fun graphs." Here is the Geek Report on the Everyday Bliss Game

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HIATUS - a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc

OK. This post is taking FOREVER because I keep hoping for some kind of Eureka Moment. After nine months of keeping my weekly scores, I thought some sort of epiphany was awaiting me. Truth is I wanted some sort of proof that my experiment was working.  What ever that really means! 


Each week I give myself a "gut check" of sorts and then give myself a grade on my 10 point scale. I've been doing this since I started my game and have secretly been convinced that this vaguely scientific approach would prove a dramatic increase in Bliss.  If I tally the numbers from each cycle through the virtues I do get an increase in the overall number but each and every Virtue is behaving in unique ways.


My romance score has decreased even as I am able to call on more romantic ideas then ever before. Moxie is the only virtue that has followed a consistant upward trend but seeing that makes me a bit worried for the week upcoming! After scoring an 8 how much further can I go? It seems inevitable that I won't be able to keep the momentum indefinitely.


(Formatting be damned! I'm posting this chart in a GIANT size so you can actually read the numbers if you are interested. I hope it isn't too annoying!)

The Score Sheet

I'm starting to see the value in Ben Franklin's single point system. When he evaluated all his virtues, on a daily and not just weekly basis, he gave himself a "mark" if he caught himself not following the virtue. His game was to arrive at a point in time when he would be "mark free" entirely and therefore arrive at "virtuous living."  Not that he ever attained or really expected to do so... in time however he had fewer blemishes on his daily record so he could feel he was making progress in his pursuit.


My system is inherently flawed. "Gut Checks" have no scientific basis. They are at the effect of my changing mood and can vary widely just based on how well I ate prior to making the determination. (When I'm NOT hungry I tend to be more generous towards myself!) Ben's system is really a lot more scientific because one could determine if gratitude was there or not -- in fact an astute observer could make the determination -- but making a evaluation of "how much" gratitude requires measurement tools just not available to human beings at this time.


Bottom line, what I have been doing has been entertaining, for me at least, but really doesn't measure what participating in my Everyday Bliss project has done for me. I  do plan to finish out the year doing my gut check evaluations at the conclusion of each week but instead of believing it is any way a scientific tally I will use them as the amusing side note they are... for even if my scores ARE quite arbitrary I am still curious to see if I can ever feel good enough about my weekly participation to award a perfect 10!!


I think I'll also start a Ben Franklin style daily review.  But I'll save that discussion for another time!


SO did my quasi-statistical ramblings bore you to tears? I promise I'll be back to regular style posts tomorrow!! Thanks for sticking with me! 

Next Post: Musings on Faith

My 13 bliss virtues are 

joy, order, creativity, passion, whimsy, serenity, inquiry, community, 

romance, gratitude, moxie, humility, and surprise.



This week it is Hiatus week and after that

 the series begins again with Joy.