MS Progressive Types: Living with Happiness

The Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin has a blog, The Happiness Project, meant to help all of us. Look at the left sidebar for her twelve commandments and scroll down for lists of tips. One of her recent projects was writing a book on happiness.

Every Wednesday is tip day for Gretchen when she posts a list of tips that lead to a better day, with a different focus each Wednesday. One day she wrote 13 tips for a lousy day. I know, I know. A chronic illness hardly compares to a lousy day, but when I read these I was touched by the relevance. Most of them fit right into my life, and I bet some will work for you, too. Tip number 11 on the list is "Write it down." What a good idea -- write about your thoughts, problems, and accomplishments in a sharepost here on Health Central.

This list also reminds us to look at our other identities. Here our common identity is as an MSer, but we have to remember we are also mothers, friends and sweethearts. Some of us are writers, crafters, artists, programmers, advocates and any of a number of other things. MS should not make us forget who we were, still are and can be.

Gretchen's list reminds us to stay in contact. There is a tendency to isolate ourselves during and after the diagnosis, just when human contact becomes more important than ever. This tip is important for the happiness of anyone with a chronic condition. Be grateful.

If this isn't enough, Gretchen has created a happiness project toolbox. Her toolbox is a fun way to track your resolutions, keep lists, collect favorite inspiring quotations and more.  Try it out!

The Pursuit of Happiness

Here's something else to think about. Dr. George Vaillant, director of a 72-year Harvard study on aging, ran across some interesting insights on happiness over the course of the study. He saw people strive for fame, and in the process, learn that it is not perfection but dirty laundry that symbolizes a perfect life.

In his The Pursuit of Happiness video, Vaillant highlights important things about happiness learned along life's journey. First, "Happiness isn't about 'me.'" The person whose goal is to be happy, misses the point.

"Happiness depends on what you can give, not what you can get". ~ Gandhi

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion." ~ Dalai Lama

Dr. Vaillant also said "Enjoy where you are now." He ended the video with "Happiness is playing and working and loving, and loving is most important. Happiness is love...full stop."

My Progresses MS does not stop me from playing and working and loving. I can still choose to be happy. What about you?  I would like to hear your thoughts.

Notes and Links:
*quote from end of Password Plus with Alan Ludden on GSN
Gretchen' Rubin's The Happiness Project
Read the entire text of Michael B. Gerber's "My Story. My Symptoms. My Sorrows. My Successes. My MS."

Dr. George Vaillant's Pursuit of Happiness video