Delegate’s Story

After two years at University I decided that this route wasn’t the best one for me and so decided to leave. I was doing fine academically, but with no clear career path ahead of me I decided to do something different. Currently working at a Betting Shop I’m enjoying the responsibility of my new job and the social element.

In attending The Happiness Lab one of the sessions that I found very useful was the one on practicing acts of kindness. I wouldn’t say that I wasn’t a kind person but I don’t think that I was actively doing random acts of kindness for others. I didn’t spend every day looking to see who I could do something good for.

Some of the keys that have helped me develop a kinder approach to life have been those of reflecting each evening on the opportunities during the day which I have taken or missed to be kind and then resolving to act better the following day. What this has also helped me do is move through the day looking out for new ways to be kind.

I never really thought through what the impact on me would be after doing kind things for others. It seemed the right thing to do. What I have discovered is that I have better relationships, I am kinder to my self after being kinder to others, I am prouder of the person I am and more confident and sure of myself.

What is THL?

The Happiness Lab is a six week experiment that enables delegates to explore what psychologists, doctors and faith leaders say will make people happier.

Based on a series of fly-on-the-wall documentaries delegates follow twelve people as they explore the following disciplines.

The idea is that as we observe their journey space is created enabling us to engage in a conversation about our own happiness.

The themes of each episode are:
Episode 1: Focusing on gratitude and savoring
Episode 2: Practicing acts of kindness
Episode 3: Learning to forgive
Episode 4: Investing in friends and family
Episode 5: Looking after your body and soul
Episode 6: Developing coping strategies

This resource does not offer a prescriptive answer. Yes, professionals have pointed to indicators that could aid someone’s journey to their earthly “nirvana”, but the purpose of the course is to help delegates conduct their own experiments and come to their own conclusions. We operate on the belief that happiness comes from living well and that you live well when you exist as a spiritual person in a material age.

With regard to what outcomes those on the course and those hosting the course should be working for (or looking for), in our opinion it is that people are better equipped to flourish as they navigate their way through life.

 

 

The Sessions

1—Focusing on gratitude & savoring

The goal of this session is to learn the art of savoring – what it is; what its effects are; and how to begin to count our blessings by saying “thank you”..

 

2—Practicing acts of kindness

Understand what kindness looks like; think more deeply about how it is offered and received; and plan some acts of kindness.

 

3—Learning to forgive

Define forgiveness and its boundaries; understand some of the skills needed to develop forgiveness; and to begin to think about how to put it into practice personally.

 

4—Investing in family & friends

Understand and act on the fundamental importance of relationships; what makes for good relationships; what might prevent them?

 

5—Looking after your body & soul

How to understand ourselves as “whole beings” (body, mind, soul, spirit); describe the influences upon us; and to encourage each of us to take responsibility for our body and soul.

 

6—Developing coping strategies

To explore coping strategies for when life is difficult; to identify what options are available; consider which ones we already employ when life is difficult.

 

Connect

Together we can change our world for the better. Please click on the relevant link below and contribute your information.

 

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