10 More Reasons To Be Happy!

 End of day at the prettiest house
Work in progress

Acrylic on birch panel

5 x 7 inches

Barbara Muir © 2014

(There are many pretty houses in my

neighbourhood, but this one

is certainly one of the prettiest,

and it always cheers me up to see it.)

I've used the exercise 10 Reasons to be Happy which
I made up, but it may not be original, to great effect
with students.  At the start of a class I pick 10 people to
go the front and start a sentence with, "I'm happy
because", and then say why.  I explain that the
reason could be very small -- as in, "I'm happy
because there was enough salt for my eggs this
morning."  Invariably people who came to the front
said their reasons, and let the class clap for them,
got happier. It sounds like psychobabble magic,
but in fact it's the same principle as blogging and
showing work for artists, and as writing in a journal
and then reading it aloud to friends or people
a writing group.  It gives people a voice.

Voice in art and in the world matters.  Getting a
chance to think about what makes you happy,
shifts your focus to the positive, and as I've told
you before the former happiness teacher at Harvard
University, Shawn Achor, says that when we are
happy we think not only more creatively, but
better.  Hmmm.  So... Here goes.

1.

My husband Steven, seen here preparing

the plum pudding and espresso for Christmas

dinner dessert, (with great élan I might add

 because the heat and hydro had just come on in

the house 24 hours before after the ice storm.)

2.

 

Our children (left to right, Sam, Christopher and Megan 

Christopher's wife).

These three make me so happy.  They are funny,

kind, and generous -- wonderful people. 

3.

  

Our animals, Timbah, Fiona and Sally

4.  

Our extended family, who are far too many 

to show here, and who insisted no pictures.

5. Our friends who also insisted no pictures!

6. 

Nova Scotia, and our time, our friends and collectors there.

7. Good Health -- an incredible boon.

8.

Crocuses and Hyacinth (or a mystery plant)
in January -- not out yet, a taste of spring

9.

Cherries in January -- one of my 

favorite things to eat!

Shown here still in the bag and

asking -- where is a bowl please?

10.   

You! Thank you 

for everything!!!

Have a thinking-of-ten-reasons-to-be-happy day!