Cup of Joe Joe Caruso

‘Happy’ thoughts is time well spent

How did three thousand people make themselves happier in just 60 seconds?

With this simple exercise: They were asked to make a list of the things they enjoyed. They were encouraged to write their list as fast as they could, since they only had one minute to complete the assignment.

When they were done, nearly 98 percent said that they felt happier. The reason the exercise is so effective is simple — happiness is actually a by-product of appreciation.

You see, while they were making a list of what they enjoyed, their focus increased their level of appreciation, which made them happier.

It seems that happiness isn’t determined by what we have — it’s determined by how much we appreciate what we have.

I, for one, think the real credit for this study should go to Julie Andrews.

After all she’s been telling us this message for years. It’s in the lyrics to one of the songs from Mary Poppins: When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things — and then I don’t feel so bad.”

It’s always amazes me how some of the most important messages in life are right under our noses all the time. You too?

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