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The Happiness Challenge: Let's get the new year off to a happy start!

12/31/2015

 
As I reflect on 2015, I see many blessings in my life:
  • a phenomenal teaching partner and inspiring students in my last year at St. Luke School
  • a poetry performance by a group of those former students who recited one of my poems
  • a bittersweet end to an eleven year life as a parent at Ascension School
  • a wonderful job opportunity that is more rewarding than I ever dreamed possible
  • countless moments of pride and joy with my sons (academically, personally, athletically)
  • fun outings and meaningful conversations with friends
  • memorable family gatherings
  • this website and the new relationships being built with WD PlatChal writers
  • the self-publication of a poetry chapbook and historical fiction novel
Yes.  I was blessed.  

But I have to admit that 2015 brought melancholic times as well:
  • Maybe it was all the endings that went hand-in-hand with the new beginnings? 
  • Maybe it was Dad’s brush with death and his present road to recovery? 
  • Maybe it was the daily stresses and time restraints that came with a busy life? 
  • Maybe it’s the disappointment of not maintaining the healthy lifestyle I started, especially when I was finally conquering my goals? 
Yes. I had melancholic times.

So, what’s in store for the upcoming year?  Well, I’ve never been one for resolutions, but I’ve been thinking a lot about a TED Talk I watched a short time ago that presented a 21-day approach to “creating lasting positive change.” I was unfamiliar with TED Talks until a fellow writer posted this on her blog.  I watched the full 12+ minute video, and there was something about the speaker, Shawn Achor, and information that made me smile. I jotted down his five daily tasks, and that was that.  I never went back to the list—until now.

You’ll notice a new tab on this website called “Happiness Challenge.”  For the first 21 days of January, I’m challenging myself to abide by Achor’s five daily tasks: 
  • List three gratitudes
  • Exercise
  • Meditate
  • Send a Random Act of Kindness email
  • Journal about one positive experience in the previous 24 hours 

This challenge is what I need to get back on track with happiness and health, which can’t help but have a ripple effect on my personal and professional lives, as well as my writing hobby.  What do you think?  Wanna join me?​​
Happy 2016!
As always, thanks for your support!
- Geralyn

(FYI: I’m thrilled that Traci was the recipient of my first giveaway, but her Ted Talk post was not the reason for her winning.  Thanks again, Traci!)
S.K. Lamont link
1/5/2016 07:41:05 pm

What a great way to begin 2016, I will have to save that TED talk link and take a look later. Thanks so much for sharing! I wish you a wonderful 2016!

Geralyn
1/5/2016 07:51:30 pm

I seem to be having a difficult time with the exercise part, but the rest of it has been a rewarding experience so far! Happy 2016! So much to look forward to!


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