Filmmaker and founder of A Million Smiles, Mike Worsman has gone from suicidal teenager to global inspiration.

A Million Smiles is launching their biggest initiative to date – The Happiest Book and Photo Exhibition on Earth – a very bold and unique Crowd Funding Campaign that will create a world-record and world-first.
“We’re inviting people to be part of ‘The Largest and Happiest Photo Exhibition on Earth’ by buying one of our canvas prints – which capture stories and smiles from around the world – and asking their favourite café, shop of community centre to hang it” Worsman explains, “but the coolest ‘world-frst’ thing is we’re also building an app
allowing people to register the location of the prints they purchase so other people and travellers can search for and enjoy them, with the aim of soon having an exhibition of more than a million smiles that stretch across every country on Earth.”

A global conversation

From the Sri Lankan security guard he made famous, to producing the most popular video on Earth featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Worsman has initiated a global conversation about the importance of pursuing those things which truly make us happy – love, purpose, appreciation, family – as opposed to what we’re told makes us happy –
money, fame, possessions and power.

Launched in 2012, A Million Smiles inspires a world free from suicide, poverty and war, where adults smile as often as kids. To date, A Million Smiles has shared more than 10,000 photos, videos and stories that have reached an audience of more than 25 million people from every country on Earth, including around 10,000,000 in the US.

A subtle killer

Amidst this world of poverty, war and terror, much of which Mike has seen and experienced first hand through his travels, he says there is a subtler killer emerging. “Despite being wealthier and more ‘connected’ than ever, many of us are depressed and lonely, with most adults smiling less than 20 times a day while children manage 400!” Mike says, “With one death every 40 seconds worldwide, it is little wonder suicide continues to claim more lives than terrorist organisations – and I should know.”

Aged 14, Worsman remembers holding a knife to his wrist. A victim of sexual abuse, watching his parents struggle through a mid-life crisis, and forever grappling with a world that seemed to want him to be something he wasn’t, it was nearly all too much. “But there was always something that saved me – a belief that if my experience could
help others avoid feeling as I had, then all of my pain would be worth it” he recalls. “At the time I never imagined quitting my job, risking my life, selling my house and investing every ounce of my time and money to find a suitable long-term solution to this silent pandemic, but sometimes life really is stranger than fiction.”

Be a part of this initiative

To be part of bringing ‘The Happiest Book and Photo Exhibition on Earth’ to life visit this link and grab a reward for you, your business or loved one.

For further media information, interviews and photos contact Mike Worsman 0414 248 072 or email: mike@amillionsmilesmovie.com

‘We Are The Positive Psychology People’

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Millions of people around the world have children and manage to go about their daily lives without too much fuss. What was I doing wrong, what was I failing to see?

And every time I answered my own question I always came up with the same outcome – I was missing my village.

Living together

We’re not meant to live alone or detached. Life works best when we’re surrounded by others – working towards common goals. We’re more content, secure and fulfilled when we’re side by side, sharing the load. And it makes sense. Tasks are easier when there’s a community around you to help out, where you can ask for assistance right when you need it – not tomorrow, not next week or the following month – right then and there, when you need it the most.

Everything is easier with a village – cooking communal meals, cleaning up and children happily playing and learning together. And there’s no need to plan ahead for a special catch up with your sibling or bestie – you’ve probably been chatting all day long while going about your daily chores.

Yes I’m romanticising a little, but there’s beauty in collective living. And while living in a traditional village is unrealistic for the majority, there are ways we can reclaim the bits that matter, even in our modern times.

Live closer

While modern day villages are diverse and complex we need to return to a physical closeness to make it truly work. So if you have the chance or choice, move closer to your dearest. Being in the same street or suburb can make a world of difference. You can carpool, organise community cooking days to prepare meals for the week or have help nearby if you need someone to watch the kids for a tic.

And if you’re on your own, consider shacking up with others. It can be challenging to live with a crowd if you’re used to your own space but with the number of single person households on the rise (one in four Australian households) and loneliness figures also spiking, it’s important to give it a go. Social isolation is reported to be a greater health risk than even smoking or obesity so connecting with others is vital.

Make new communities

Not everyone can or wants to live with their family or friends. If this is the case look at other ways to create a community that works for you. Get to know your neighbours – having a reliable person or family next door can be your saviour in times of need. It’s also lovely to talk about things you have in common such as your street and neighbourhood. You might be surprised by the connections you make.

I fantasise about the day when I can afford to start my own village and bring all of my favourite people together in the one location. It’s a dream my father has always voiced, coming from a small village in the mountains of southern Italy and knowing firsthand the virtues of a communal living. We would often make fun of his ideals but here I am now, longing for the same dream.

Live and breathe local

A recent back injury forced me to abandon driving for a while and turn to walking. Although it was a frustrating time, I found it liberating walking around my area and living local. It was a great way to slow down and keep things simple.

Our lives are complicated because we send our children to schools on the other side of the city, visit multiple shops to snap up items on special, spend hours waiting for the doctor and weekends chasing activities and playdates all over town.

But in the village, our food would be in our backyards, our school around the corner, our doctor a stone’s throw away and our family and friends right on our doorstep.

So go find your village – whatever it means for you. Build a community where you can gather the support you need while also caring for others.

About the author: Marina Barbaro is somewhat of a gypsy writer – roaming between projects and enjoying a spirited approach to the written word. Most recently she joined the team from a million smiles, where she will be sharing her extensive experiences travelling and living amongst different cultures. See more of her amazing work by following amillionsmilesmovie.com

The post Take me back to the village appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.

Benefits

Laughter is a physical activity which creates rhythmical contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of our respiratory systems. That’s a lot of good vibrations spreading throughout our bodies. And there are countless articles and studies verifying the powerful impact of laughter on our health. It’s not only a way to relieve physical tension and stress, it’s known to boost our immune system and release endorphins. These days you can even go to ‘Laughter Yoga’ if you want to take your merriment seriously.

Gigglefest

Laughter comes easier with others. A good show or funny article may get you chuckling but a decent belly laugh usually comes from being with others. Do you have friends and family who are guaranteed to tickle your funny bone? Make time to see them and give yourself the space and freedom to relax, hang out and giggle. Surround yourself with people and situations that are bound to elicit hearty laughter. It’s a great way to bond with others and strengthen relationships. Some activities are more likely to get the funny juices flowing so book yourself a night out to see a comedian, go bowling, dancing or anything that works for you.

Laugh at yourself

Take the photo in this article as inspiration – a group of women seeing a photo of themselves for the first time. Make a point of laughing at yourself by doing something new or silly. Or tell someone a story of something funny or embarrassing you did. The point isn’t to belittle yourself, instead laugh at the situation. It’s a great coping mechanism and will help put things in perspective.

Children – natural gigglers

If you’re still struggling to laugh – hang out with children. They are the best at playing, being silly and laughing all day and you will quickly find it to be infectious. Release your inhibitions and explore the world around you, taking delight in what you see. Only yesterday I was playing hide and seek with my children and within minutes we were all in a fit of giggles. At one point I walked into the bedroom looking for my son and there he was, perched dramatically on the mantelpiece, pretending to be an artwork. I burst out laughing at his attempt to be inconspicuous. He laughed too and then simply said, ‘Mum, did you just LOL?’ Knowing I was already halfway through this article I looked at him in surprise, then smiled and replied, ‘Yes, I did.’

And at that point I realised something. Perhaps the overuse of a simple acronym or abuse of the English language could be forgiven in this case – especially if the result is more people laughing and sharing happy moments.

So take the first step today. Start your day with a smile – it’s the gateway to laughter. Imagine what a million smiles could do if they turned into a million people laughing.

About the author: Marina Barbaro is somewhat of a gypsy writer – roaming between projects and enjoying a spirited approach to the written word. Most recently she joined the team from a million smiles, where she will be sharing her extensive experiences travelling and living amongst different cultures. See more of her amazing work by following amillionsmilesmovie.com

‘We Are The Positive Psychology People’

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BODY: When it comes to the number of ways you can greet someone – we’re spoilt for choice. From a tentative ‘hello?’ on the phone to a firm handshake, wide smile, nod of the head, wave of the hand, warm embrace or even a kiss – there’s a myriad of ways.

And I’m sure we’ve all experienced first-hand the joy of a beautiful greeting – you know the kind, when someone looks at you, really looks at you, and offers you a genuine smile or says your name in a purposeful way. A heartfelt welcome can really transform your day.

But yet despite all of this, something is slipping away from us. A worrying global trend is slowly taking hold, particularly in Western cultures. Loneliness is claimed to be the next big health issue of our times – a greater health risk than even smoking or obesity according to research by the Brigham Young University in the US.

It’s not good news. But there is a happy flip side. We can, anyone can, turn this around. All it takes is the commitment to say hello.

Brighten up someone’s day

It’s a beautiful thing to have someone greet you warmly and snap you out of your lost lonely thoughts. It reminds you of your connection to the people and places around you and subconsciously reaffirms you are not alone. The value in greeting and acknowledging each other is increasingly vital as we trend towards single living and increased use of technology.

Some argue that online social forums help combat loneliness but research suggests the substitution of virtual hook ups over real connections is making the problem far worse. I’d be a wealthy woman if I earnt a dollar every time social media made me feel like I was missing out on something – like everyone else on the planet was having more fun.

It’s free!

Sometimes the problems of the world can seem insurmountable. You feel like you need boundless energy or millions of dollars to make the world a better place. But the best remedy for loneliness is a smile, a hug or even a simple hello. Offering a genuine human connection is a precious gift – what more can you do for someone than show you care? Yes, it’s that simple and hey, it’s free!

So make a start today. And not just your inner circle, say hi to a stranger on the bus or in the street. An unexpected greeting can be even more powerful and surprising. Sure, some people may feel a little uncomfortable with your gesture because we’ve been told not to talk to strangers for so long. But some people will love it and if they don’t, feel confident they will go away and think about that moment you shared. Hopefully, they’ll come to realise it’s a good thing.

It’s contagious

When I first met my partner, one of the things that caught my eye was the way he greeted others. We were studying together and every time he entered the classroom he made the effort to greet and acknowledge everyone in the room. It impressed me deeply and I loved watching the ritual and witnessing the effect of one simple greeting spreading goodwill throughout the class.

People like to feel included and part of something. I know I’m always uncomfortable in a group until I’ve been introduced or acknowledged. Being greeted and feeling welcomed instantly puts me at ease. So don’t underestimate its value. Make the effort to do it more often and watch the effects. You’ll be surprised by the difference it makes and it will be an instant boost to your own happiness.

So get your greet on and welcome the world. It’s amazing the impact and influence you can have with no need for money and zero planning. Be spontaneous. Metaphorically stick your head out of the window and smile.

About the author: Marina Barbaro is somewhat of a gypsy writer – roaming between projects and enjoying a spirited approach to the written word. Most recently she joined the team from a million smiles, where she will be sharing her extensive experiences travelling and living amongst different cultures. See more of her amazing work by following amillionsmilesmovie.com

‘We Are The Positive Psychology People’

The post How to Say Hello appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.

What makes you happy?  A random fellow traveller asked me this question when we recently crossed paths in Myanmar.    It was a question I have asked myself at regular intervals throughout my life, sometimes by volition and sometimes not.

CBT

The question certainly arose involuntarily when I suffered stress related anxiety attacks in my late twenties. My answer was to launch myself into my career, sport, modern Western psychology (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), various ancient Indo spiritual practices and ‘new age’ philosophies.  All contributed in varying degrees to my well being.

Drugs

The question arose again in my early forties with full blown depression.  Having attained a solid personal and social support network and a certain amount of professional and financial success, I found myself having to manage my ‘happiness’ with prescribed drugs.

After many years of stability, I had no sooner concluded that ‘there is no more to life than physical existence and that the human being is only a bio-chemical entity’[i]  when I was whacked again by another bout of depression.  Not keen to up my dosage, I was again drawn to trying various alternative remedies (elimination diet, dietary supplements, various forms of energy healing etc).

Then came yoga…

I had been practising hatha yoga for a number of years by then – drawn to the activity primarily to maintain strength and flexibility in my aging body.  As I had previously noticed in my sporting days, I came out of physical activity with a greater sense of well being and had some inkling then of the benefit of taking time out, albeit in a non-mindful way.   In the depths of my most recent ‘downer’, I attended one particular yoga class that focused more heavily on breath, or on what is called ‘prana’ in the yoga tradition,’ chi’ or ‘qui’ in more eastern traditions or ‘spiritus’ in Latin.  The immediate positive impact of this class motivated me to learn more and to subsequently undertake a yoga teacher training course.  My yoga journey also motivated me to contact the ‘random fellow traveller’ I met in Myanmar, the talented Australian film maker, Mike Worsman.   Together we created the following short video ‘A cure for the chaos’, which looks at how we can remedy our crazy, busy modern lives.

One of my yoga text books referred to Gerard Blitz, who both founded the organisation I worked in for twenty years and who is also accredited for introducing hatha yoga to Europe.  In later life, he is quoted as saying “It’s not holidays that are important, but holidays of the spirit, the state of internal freedom”.  In our video, Mike Worsman and I encourage ‘holidays of the spirit’ – time out to focus on our body, our breath and our thoughts and perhaps find a mechanism to maintain happiness whilst working towards a ‘state of internal freedom’.

About the author:  Louise Hewitt worked in travel management for many years before completing and Executive MBA (UNSW/Sydney University).  She has also worked in the not-for-profit and arts sectors and now studies yoga in all its forms.

[i] Eknath Easwaran, 1985 in his Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita

‘We Are The Positive Psychology People’

The post “What Makes You Happy?” appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.

Discussing emotions amongst a panel of scientists, the Dalai was asked how he maintained such a happy outlook and if in fact he ever got angry or sad.

“I am (a) normal human being, I think we (all) feel anger, otherwise I would appear in space, like an angel,” laughed His Holiness in response.

Dr Wallace, a leading Buddhist Scholar who has traveled extensively with the Dalai, said he had often comforted His Holiness and even held him weeping in his arms.

The Dalai said that all emotions, even anger, sadness and fear, can all be a positive and lead to greater happiness if we approach them in the right way – with compassion.

“I think sadness, with valid reasons, that’s good. That may bring enthusiasm to overcome that thing which is causing sadness,” he said.

“If sadness can bring that kind of enthusiasm and determination then that sadness is good.”

There are a growing number of reality TV shows that support this idea. When it comes to ‘positive’ anger, the former Tibetan leader said this can be a powerful driving force in helping us to show compassion to those we care for enough to confront about their problems.

“When you have sincere concern for other’s wellbeing and that being (is) going in the wrong direction, and out of a genuine sense of concern for that person and the circumstances (don’t allow for) any other alternative,sometimes you may need a little sort of harsh word or sometimes you may even need some sort of little harsh physical action in order to care.”

“In that short moment you need some sort of anger or ferocity necessary in order to carry the harsh word or harsh physical action, so that kind of anger is positive, because (it is) motivated by compassion.” 

“So there are many variety (of emotions), fear (can be) positive or negative, desire (can be) positive or negative … that is from a Buddhist viewpoint, you have to judge.”

 “We can not say all emotions are the same for every person or in every case.”

Raised by an uneducated farming mother who was illiterate, Lhamo Döndrub (or Thondup) as he was born, said understanding how our emotions affect us is one of the keys to happiness.

He said another thing was to learn how to limit the intensity of our ‘negative’ emotions and see a situation for what it really is – from every perspective.

“I think from (a) Buddhist view point most of the emotions which disturb our mind are based or related with (having a) wrong perception.”

“So I think (the) simple way to explain this is that there’s gap, appearance and reality, so most of the emotion which increases disturbances – these emotions in most cases are spontaneous – so these emotions are based on appearances.” 

“On the level of appearances they are using most of these distracting emotions because they need some kind of independent, absolute kind of target or object.”

The 76-year-old said that with anger, for example, people often feel they are a victim and need someone or something else to point the finger at.

He said that reality is often overlooked in many situations where intense emotions arise – if a partner cheats for example, naturally the victim feels hurt and angry at their partner and the person they were with, when in reality chances are there was much more to it, and if we see past what appears black and white, there is an area of grey that can calm our emotions.

“When anger develops it needs some kind of target, something absolute and independent, so when that target is a little bit shaky then the intensity of anger also retreats a little bit, that’s very clear.” 

“So if we have this target that (we think) is independent and absolute and we actually investigate and then answer, you will find – no (there is more to it).” 

“So the grasping feeling (that something must be) independent (or) absolute, is ignorance.”

Having been forced into exile in India following the Tibetan uprising in 1959, the Dalai is someone who could house a lot of anger, but as he explains this would have isolated him further.

“Anger and hatred bring a sort of fear because anger develops a clear attitude where your self is distanced from others, so then there’s distrust, suspicion (and) that brings more fear and deep inside some unruly feeling.” 

“Altruistic attitude brings (people) together, so through that way there’s no basis of fear.”

At just two years old he was selected as the rebirth of the 13th Dalai Lama and at 15 was formally recognised as the 14th Dalai Lama.

Before taking up the distinctive position he said he enjoyed a fun and free childhood that he continues to recall on still, and he urges others not to forget the simple joys they experienced as a kid.

“When we’re grown up … supposedly we gain more experience and become more wise, but then sometimes we a little bit neglect these basic human values.” 

“We pay too much attention to our intelligence and then more ambitions. I think we really need to pay more attention (to the fact that) while our education, knowledge and experience increase, the basic human values must catch up, that’s my fundamental belief.” 

“In order to develop these fundamental human values individuals and religion are very limited, (because their beliefs) can not be universal. So I use what you call the secular way to promote these things – not through prayer, not through meditation, but through events and through education.” 

“Generally people don’t have adequate education about the value of warm-heartedness, so we do not pay attention about that, we consider that a religious matter.” 

“Basically we all have the same sort of potential (and) experience, but we need to nurture these things.”

” The intelligence side, the brain side, we rapidly develop, but the warm- heartedness stays dormant, and that is something we seriously need to think about.”

About the author: Mike Worsman is an Australian journalist and filmmaker, who founded A Million Smiles – an organisation sharing stories about people, places and ideas that can inspire people to find and pursue what makes them smile. See more about the project and his time in Afghanistan via amillionsmilesmovie.com

The post Dalai Lama’s secrets to happiness appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.

It’s called the silly season for good reason. Long shopping lists. Busy roads. Congested shops. Party after party. Piles of gifts. Stress. Cold sweats and panicked purchases. We’ve not only turned silly, we’ve lost our way.

But don’t feel bad. It’s too easy to get caught up in the material and consumer age of million dollar campaigns and clever marketing tactics used to convince us to give up our hard earned dosh. Before you know it you’ve spent your Christmas bonus (and possibly amassed some debt) and all you have to show for it is a whole lotta landfill.

So what’s a merry maker to do? The key is to keep it simple. Buy modest or practical gifts or make your own. Craft is cool at the moment so make the most of the DIY trend. It also shows you care because you’ve spent the time to consider and craft a personal gift. But to really boost your happiness levels the best thing you can do this festive season is to CONNECT – with people, nature and most importantly, yourself.

Connect with people

“If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

Mother Teresa

Being together is what this time of year is about. Whether you’re with family, friends or even a bunch of strangers, the value of a collective is profound. Take the time to talk and listen to each other and remember to embrace those who may be facing the festive season alone. Everyone needs and deserves to be happy and if we can offer some companionship or let a little positivity rub off onto someone who’s struggling, what a beautiful gift it would be.

Connect with nature

“The earth has its music for those who will listen.”

George Santayana

Spend an afternoon on a forest walk, swimming in the ocean, barefoot on grass or just looking up at the sky and you will soon be soothed and amazed by the wonder of nature. Let it be your tonic and reconnect with the beauty and mystery of Mother Nature. She’s got your back.

Connect with yourself

“The dreamers are the saviours of the world.”

James Allen

Take a moment to nurture yourself in ways which don’t require you to buy new shoes, luxurious perfumes or the latest gadgets. Spoil yourself with a spot of daydreaming to really nurture your soul. Dare to fantasise about the future and remind yourself of what’s important and how you want to live your life. Visualisations can be a powerful way to comfort and motivate.

So go forth, be merry, be bright and by all means be silly. But be the kind of silly which makes you laugh, smile and feel connected to the world around you. It’s the gift of the season.

About the author: Marina Barbaro is somewhat of a gypsy writer – roaming between projects and enjoying a spirited approach to the written word. Most recently she joined the team from a million smiles, where she will be sharing her extensive experiences travelling and living amongst different cultures. See more of her amazing work by following amillionsmilesmovie.com

The post One (simple) rule for the silly season appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.

When I told people I was going to Sri Lanka and Dubai, no one seemed to blink, but when I decided to add a week in Afghanistan onto the end of my trip, people began looking at me like I was mad.

As someone who travels the world in search of stories that can inspire people to find and pursue what makes them smile, I guess my decision just didn’t seem make sense to many.

“Why put yourself at such risk? The way you travel, with all that camera equipment, it’s suicide. What can you possibly learn about happiness in such a place?” people said.

While declining security had made it ‘the most deadly country on Earth for foreigners in 2014’, something was calling me to Afghanistan, and as a journalist and filmmaker who had forged a beautiful life and career out of following my heart no matter what, I wasn’t going to die wondering.

“If the world wanted me dead, it would find an easier way,” I’d tell people. Plus I knew the universe was sending me there for some reason, and I was about to find out why.

It was 60 degrees Celsius and I had spent all day photographing in the desert, so when I couldn’t find a taxi and a man in an ‘uber-like’ car pulled up and asked me if I needed a lift, I said sure.

Jumping in the car, I’d barely told him the address of my hostel, when he began asking where I was from and where I was going. I told him I was from Australia and was heading to Afghanistan the following day.

“I’m a member of the Taliban,” he said, as if it were like telling me he was an accountant.

My muscles tightened as I planned my escape. “What!!!” I replied.

“It’s OK,” he said, “I’m no killer.”

“All males in my village are forced to join the Taliban once they are 16. Actually, I am still forced to go back and train with them for one month every year. Otherwise they will kill my family,” he said.

“The worst thing is, my boys are getting older and soon they will have to join too. It is my greatest fear – that they will become killers. Because you know, as soon as that happens, you are killing yourself. Your soul slowly dies.”

As I asked him how he planned to stop his boys from becoming killers, I had no idea what I was about to hear, and for fifteen minutes I sat there with my mouth wide open.

“One day while I was out in the garden I heard some cries from beyond our property,” he said.

“They got louder and more frequent, so I began searching for the source, only to find, hidden away under a bush, was a US soldier with a severe bullet wound to his leg.”

“He was shaking with fear as he begged ‘I have a family, I have a family, please don’t kill me, I have children’.”

“What could I do? If I didn’t kill him I risked my family and I being killed too.”

“As I stood there listening to him pleading for his life, I knew what I must do. See, I had always taught my boys that what’s right isn’t always what’s easy, and no matter what, no one can make you do anything you don’t want to do, not even the Taliban.”

“So I looked around to see if anyone had been listening, and quickly lifted the man over my shoulder and took him to the spare room in our house where my wife attended to his wounds to try and stop the bleeding.”

“You see, for many years I had been trying to teach my boys that there is an alternative to the hate and vengeance that fuels war. So, while the decision to save this man put us all at risk, I knew that a new reality could only be forged by those brave enough to lead a life of compassion, love and understanding.”

“Despite our best efforts to stop the bleeding, the man was dying. He pleaded with us to take him to a nearby US base. ‘I’m dead if you don’t’ he said.”

“Despite the risks, my children needed to see how human beings could and should behave, so I called a friend who had a car, and prayed we could trust him with our secret.”

“We got the soldier into the back and drove him to the base, but just as we were approaching I stopped the car. ‘What will they think of me, a member of the Taliban arriving with a wounded US soldier? They’ll kill me,’ I said, ‘I can’t go on’.”

“He told me I would be safe, that ‘the military and my family would be forever grateful’. ‘Trust me’ he said.”

“The idea of trust was something that could solve so many of the problems we faced, for with it we might begin talking about the issues we all face, rather than trying to solve everything with violence.”

“Ultimately I told myself that I needed to believe in the world that I wanted and so ‘trust’ was a given.”

“Some weeks later we received a letter that the man had survived and would be headed home shortly to see his family.”

I was speechless. “Wow!” I said. “And what did this experience teach you about happiness?” I asked.

“I guess it just shows that no matter what, we must live life by those rules that make us happy, because if we don’t, we can’t very well expect others to.”
*Please note that I have shortened this story and avoided using specific details so as to not put his life at risk.

About the author: Mike Worsman is an Australian journalist and filmmaker, who founded A Million Smiles – an organisation sharing stories about people, places and ideas that can inspire people to find and pursue what makes them smile. See more about the project and his time in Afghanistan via amillionsmilesmovie.com

The post “I’m a member of the Taliban,” he said. appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.

Do you moan and put them off until the job is completely out of hand and ten times harder? While you may not be able to elevate your chores to a ‘fun’ activity any time soon, you can (believe it or not) focus on making them a beautiful thing.

Mindfulness

We’ve all heard about mindfulness right? It’s the art of being still and attentive to the moment. It’s a therapeutic technique where you train your mind to be present and calmly aware of your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Any research into relaxation, health and happiness will quickly point you towards the path of mindfulness. While its roots are in Buddhist practise, mindfulness has been used by modern psychologist to help reduce stress, anxiety, depression and addiction.

While the most common practise of mindfulness involves closing your eyes and meditating, there are different ways you can achieve this state. So why not engage in a form of mindfulness while going about your daily tasks?

Jobs such as washing the dishes, sweeping, dusting or folding clothes can be calming activities. Hard to believe? If you think about it there’s a rhythmic repetition to many household routines which can be soothing if you allow yourself to relax. Remember Mr Miyagi? If you’ve seen The Karate Kid (the original version) you’ll know exactly what I mean – the martial arts master teaches his student both discipline and mindfulness by making him paint the fence, wax the car and sand the floor.

By focussing your attention on just one thing and slowing down your busy mind, you may discover a way to turn the horror of cleaning into a moment of purity and relaxed awareness.

Sharing the load

There’s something wholesome about sitting next to someone and sharing in a simple task. Whether it’s shelling peanuts, fishing or knitting a blanket – there’s peace and virtue in that moment you share with another person. Perhaps you’re sitting in silence, talking feverishly or laughing at some joke? Sharing the load makes life easier and working together creates a bond – and a happy one at that.

I always feel honoured when my Nonna invites me to share her work. Over the years we’ve peeled and pulped tomatoes together, rolled out strands of fresh pasta, pickled vegetables and blessed the dough before covering it to sleep and then rise. Every time I’ve taken part in these daily rituals I feel like I’m being taught about my heritage – learning more about my Nonna and getting a glimpse into another world and time. After all, she’s carried the same rituals and chores throughout her life from her beginnings in a small rural Italian village.

And what I’ve learnt is that she doesn’t seem to carry the same resentment towards chores that many others do in our modern world. There’s an acceptance, diligence and pride in attending to the house, the cooking, and in turn, the family.

Family rituals

Working with a partner is lovely but when the whole family comes together – it’s magic. I’ve been part of many family working bees and even though we’re all there to get the job done, there’s a buzz in the air as we join together in our single task. Sitting in a circle around a tub of tomatoes is a shared experience and before long we’re talking, laughing and creating a memory that we’ll look back on for years to come.

And the rewards that come from these moments and chores are bliss. Whether it’s eating food from your own garden, knowing you’ve cooked something from scratch or the lovely feeling of a clean house – you can take pleasure in knowing you’ve worked hard and earned the reward. It’s important to enjoy this moment and recognise your smaller achievements as they will motivate you to appreciate them more.

So let go of your chore dread, get your Zen on and get back to your roots. Clean the house like you’re cleansing your very soul and enjoy the mental, physical and spiritual rewards that will flow on.

About the author: Marina Barbaro is somewhat of a gypsy writer – roaming between projects and enjoying a spirited approach to the written word. Most recently she joined the team from a million smiles, where she will be sharing her extensive experiences travelling and living amongst different cultures. See more of her amazing work by following amillionsmilesmovie.com

‘We Are The Positive Psychology People’

The post Turn your chores into a beautiful thing appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.

A moral tale

Have you heard the story of the fisherman and the businessman? It’s a parable I’ve heard many times over the years. Its origins are uncertain but what is clear is that it’s a universal tale with a simple but poignant message.

For those who haven’t come across it yet, let me tell you in a nutshell. So there’s a fisherman (no surprise) and a businessman (you’re getting the hang of it) who meet on an island.

The fisherman tells the businessman about his idyllic lifestyle. He starts the day by catching just enough fish to feed his family and then retires for the afternoon to relax and spend time with his loved ones. The businessman tries to convince the fisherman to catch more fish so he can sell them and save up to buy a bigger boat, then a fleet and so on until he is the wealthy director of a successful company.

The fisherman is attentive but questions what it will achieve. At this point the businessman declares that after years of toil the fisherman will finally be in a position to retire to a nice spot by the beach where he can fish, relax and spend time with his friends and family.

We’re back where we started. Absurd right? And yet many of us are caught up playing this game in our modern societies.

The road to happiness

It’s a lovely cyclical tale which reflects upon how we often strive for success and contentment despite happiness being available in our present. It reminds us that if we are attuned, we can find happiness right on our doorsteps.

Happiness can be gained from many simple pleasures – a stroll on the beach, walking barefoot over freshly cut grass, laughing with friends, eating a favourite meal or meeting new people.

Yet somehow our obsession with wealth and success seems to have taken over. The need for material possessions makes us work harder and earn more so we can buy more. A new car, a bigger house, more stuff to put in the bigger house, and so on and so on.

In some cases it may be our modern lifestyle blocking us from achieving peace and happiness in the here and now.

Keep it simple

In moments of stress and distraction it can be hard to remember what’s really important. Why not take the time to write a simple list of the things that make you happy as well as some of the immaterial goals you wish to achieve?

Stick your list up somewhere prominent so that it will remind you on a daily basis of what’s essential. Perhaps you prefer visual cues and if that’s the case go your creative hardest using photos or illustrations to keep you focussed.

Millions of dollars are spent each year by big business on catalogues and commercials designed to make us crave the material must haves. There’s so much to desire and it’s hard not to be dazzled by the plethora of new shiny things on offer – those gadgets you never knew you needed (we’ve all fallen prey at some point but I won’t share my list here). Suffice to say it’s no wonder we forget what we really need.

So why not compete with the advertising companies by making up your own marketing collateral. Have an equally dazzling list of inspiring moments to keep you on track. Everyone is different but I’m picturing nature walks, more time spent writing, dinner with friends, dancing, reading a good book, playing games with the kids, driving through the hills and swinging in a hammock. What’s on your list?

Don’t wait for tomorrow

Slow down now and remember the simple pleasures in life. Stay true to yourself and forge your own happy path, just like the fisherman.

You can read the full story here – this version set in Brazil and is recounted by Paul Coelho. But a search of ‘the fisherman and the businessman’ will bring up many examples of this classic tale.

About the author: Marina Barbaro is somewhat of a gypsy writer – roaming between projects and enjoying a spirited approach to the written word. Most recently she joined the team from a million smiles, where she will be sharing her extensive experiences travelling and living amongst different cultures. See more of her amazing work by following amillionsmilesmovie.com

‘We Are The Positive Psychology People’

The post Happiness – If Only it Were That Simple appeared first on The Positive Psychology People.