By the SoHaPP Team
Starting this November, Habits for Happiness is again bringing intriguing workshops and thought-provoking book reads over the next five months. Experience the power of gratitude; enjoy laughter therapy; jump into a forest bath; show kindness to our land; get children moving vigorously. This is for everyone, so come have wide ranging discussions with us on significant books (25 percent off at The Sequel over these five months) associated with each habit, helping us reach better wellbeing.
The SoHaPP Initiative builds within us stronger characteristics of being grateful, positive, mindful, kind and active. These five traits enhance relationships between people, the greatest predictor for long term happiness. How best can one do that? Spend every day for 30 days straight focusing on just one habit, for the next five months. It doesn’t have to be much. Make a mental note of helping someone out each day; an additional act of kindness more than what is typical for you. Share just one more smile with another or remind yourself to be thankful for what you have, each and every day for a month. Change your subconscious a bit every day, and the ripple effect will be enormous. With the right focus, you can be a different person; our brains can make it so.
For each month there will be two separate sessions on a Saturday for workshops, one from 10 until 11:30 a.m., and then from 2 until 3:30 p.m. All of our book reads are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Enumclaw Library, except Carol Decker’s “Unshattered” which is at Green River College – Enumclaw campus.
All five habits were highlighted in last December’s workshop, which can be seen on Enumclaw City TV under Videos, City Events, 2017. Decker gave an amazing presentation on the power of positivity, as well as showing the importance for strengthening the other four habits. It’s a must see. Decker is starting us off on Nov. 3 with her presenting ‘Perpetually Grateful’ at Green River College. The book read on Nov. 29 will be Decker’s “Unshattered: Overcoming Tragedy and Choosing a Beautiful Life”, and she will be present to share thoughts.
On Dec. 8, Sue Z. Hart will lead us in ‘Laughter Therapy’ at the Enumclaw Library. Such an unusual experience for most of us, but those who have done it give high praise. Are you curious enough to try? Our book read on Dec. 12 is “Flourish” by Martin Seligman, who is commonly known as the founder of Positive Psychology.
Another quite different workshop on Jan. 12 will be ‘Forest Bathing’ lead by Michael Stein-Ross and Julie Hepp, two certified instructors of Shinrin-Yoku, a traditional Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature by mindfully using all five senses. We are exploring different locations, so check our web site for final details. Our book read on Jan. 9 will be “The Book of Joy” by Desmond Tutu and the Dali Lama. These two gentlemen won’t personally attend, but our discussions on their teachings will be most enlightening.
When was the last time you did something kind to the environment, without expecting a reward? On Feb. 2, come to Boise Creek and ‘Pull Invasives and Plant Natives’ led by Bernie McKinney. Along the Foothills Trail by SR410, there are efforts to improve the habitat of this wonderful recreational resource, beautify the land and help fish thrive. Open to the young and old, build an ethic of land stewardship. Our book read on Feb. 13 is “An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny” by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski, which shows how one small act of kindness changed lives.
For March the focus is children, with fun activities that are truly ‘Active’ and involving significant movement. Adults, come with kids and learn what easily arranged actions can lead to long term health for our youngsters. This will be on March 2 at various City Parks. Again, check our web site for final details. The book read will be March 13 on “Keep Moving: And Other Truths About Living Well Longer” by Dick Van Dyke, who is living proof that the longer you live life, the better it gets. The book is very entertaining, inspirational and uplifting, and will have you smiling for days.
Please join us for a SoHaPP celebration at The Claw on March 29. Go to www.sohapp.org for the science supporting the benefits of these five habits. Join the initiative, as it’s free and there’s no sign up – just show up. Your mental health and well being will change for the better, forever.
