practice 'Happiness Manifesto' periodically

Somehow we suspect that the meaning of life is connected with the elusive thing we call “happiness.” The BBC experiment, described in my last post, reminded me of the wisest and funniest comedy group in the UK, Monty Python. Their film entitled “THE MEANING OF LIFE” concludes, after some very delirious contortions:

“Well, it’s nothing very special. . . Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in. . . “

[ Addendum ::: well, well, . . . you can keep your liver, and your thin mint wafer, because here’s that GALAXY SONG from the ‘Meaning of Life’ album, MCA Records 6121, in free downloadable MP3 and Real formats with granted permission, and complete lyrics.

(Do sing along! It should bring you cheer and happiness {ok, perhaps you would settle for a big universal perspective which diminishes your insignificant miseries . . . })]

On a previous post, I quoted Viktor Frankl, the psychiatrist who said, “Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.” On this post, I will append to that, “through deeds.”

So let’s be specific about such deeds. A lot of 43things, indirectly or directly, deal with this issue. People ultimately want to minimize suffering, and enhance their own lives, as well as the lives of others. So that’s the general idea, but without personal commitment to deeds, nothing will change.

What this implies is practice, hopefully daily practice. The BBC in the UK started an experiment in a challenged area 22 miles west of London. Six experts (read their happiness tips), from various fields such as psychology and economics, will work to improve the happiness of people in the Berkshire town of Slough.

On 15 November 2005, fifty volunteers were given the HAPPINESS MANIFESTO , which they must act upon as part of their daily lives. Subsequently, a team at 43things was established to follow along with this experiment. Please join us, and invite others as well.

Simply reading the Manifesto is not going to very helpful. An understanding must translate into a willingness to experiment, and hopefully something will develop daily in deeds, by way of joyful and focused actions.

Here’s a nicely capsulized PDF file to print out . Put it in a prominent place to inspire you to become a happier person. Cheers!

__[ For the record . . . ]

1. Get physical. Exercise for half an hour three times a week.
2. Count your blessings. At the end of each day, reflect on at least five things you’re grateful for.
3. Talk time. Have an hour-long uninterrupted conversation with your partner or closest friend each week.
4. Plant something. Even if it’s a window box or pot plant. Keep it alive!
5. Cut your TV viewing by half.
6. Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger. At least once each day.
7. Phone a friend. Make contact with at least one friend or relation you have not been in contact for a while and arrange to meet up.
8. Have a good laugh at least once a day.
9. Every day make sure you give yourself a treat. Take time to really enjoy this.
10. Daily kindness. Do an extra good turn for someone each day.
    

__[ Addendum . . . ]

A wiki has been established to summarize the findings from the perspective of Lifehacks (defined as: solutions to an everyday problem or frustration in the manner programmers have resolved their technical bugs)— in brief, techniques which have been experimentally validated . Since it is a wiki, you can personally share your own experience for the advancement of this technology.