Notes from the Happiness Webinar
Just thought I'd share!
God built a longing for happiness into our nature. He called us not only to be holy, but to be happy.
holiness -> wholeness -> happiness
Satan tries to steal our joy & peace and confuses us as to what will bring us happiness.
We can't be happy at all times, but we can be happy more.
Happiness is a mindset from right thinking, behaviors, choices, relationships. It can be learned & practiced. A recent study showed that our happiness comes from: 10% circumstances, 50% how we're "wired", 40% is up to us.
Skill #1
: Identify the lies we believe & let go of unrealistic expectations.
How we handle failure: we need to be willing to feel uncomfortable/awkward. Can't have success without failure.
The lie "I should be better than I am." Feeling good enough does not lead to lasting happiness. This is not God's standard. This causes us to be self-focused, self-centered, self-absorbed & self-concious, which leads to anxiety, disappointment, etc.
We need to stop beating ourselves up. Accept that we are a "frail, flawed, but fabulous" person. We can become transformed into the best version of ourselves that we can be.
Skill #2
: Learn how to deal with negative emotions & let go of them sooner. We need training to access what we need in order to tap into God's resources. Learn to externalize our negative emotions. Not "I am ____" but "I'm aware that I'm feeling ____". Then we become aware of a part of us that we can make decisions on. Our feelings/thoughts are not who we are.
Not always easy to let go of our negative emotions--do we want to get well? When you're in a negative emotion, practice the opposite virtue (i.e. loving enemies).
Gratitude also combats negative feelings. We can't be grateful for all things, but in all things. Look what we can be grateful for.
Skill #3
: Slow down. We often think that the more we produce, the better we are. Chronic busyness is a false sense of our own importance. Those who slow us down enrage us.
Slowing down helps us build a more meaningful, intentional life. God values us praciticing His presence vs. productivity.
Frantic doing has robbed us from our being. Decide to live life wisely, to make choices wisely.
We won't always "stay" in happiness; bad things will happen, but we're not going to wallow there as long.
Speak the truth to ourselves. Walking through & teaching ourselves the truth combats self-hatred. Self-hatred does not equal humility.
Negative emotions do have a purpose; we do need to pay attention to them. Live in the truth/reality, not denial/pretense.
God's principles work, even if you don't know that they are God's principles.
A feeling doesn't make something true.
God built a longing for happiness into our nature. He called us not only to be holy, but to be happy.
holiness -> wholeness -> happiness
Satan tries to steal our joy & peace and confuses us as to what will bring us happiness.
We can't be happy at all times, but we can be happy more.
Happiness is a mindset from right thinking, behaviors, choices, relationships. It can be learned & practiced. A recent study showed that our happiness comes from: 10% circumstances, 50% how we're "wired", 40% is up to us.
Skill #1
: Identify the lies we believe & let go of unrealistic expectations.
How we handle failure: we need to be willing to feel uncomfortable/awkward. Can't have success without failure.
The lie "I should be better than I am." Feeling good enough does not lead to lasting happiness. This is not God's standard. This causes us to be self-focused, self-centered, self-absorbed & self-concious, which leads to anxiety, disappointment, etc.
We need to stop beating ourselves up. Accept that we are a "frail, flawed, but fabulous" person. We can become transformed into the best version of ourselves that we can be.
Skill #2
: Learn how to deal with negative emotions & let go of them sooner. We need training to access what we need in order to tap into God's resources. Learn to externalize our negative emotions. Not "I am ____" but "I'm aware that I'm feeling ____". Then we become aware of a part of us that we can make decisions on. Our feelings/thoughts are not who we are.
Not always easy to let go of our negative emotions--do we want to get well? When you're in a negative emotion, practice the opposite virtue (i.e. loving enemies).
Gratitude also combats negative feelings. We can't be grateful for all things, but in all things. Look what we can be grateful for.
Skill #3
: Slow down. We often think that the more we produce, the better we are. Chronic busyness is a false sense of our own importance. Those who slow us down enrage us.
Slowing down helps us build a more meaningful, intentional life. God values us praciticing His presence vs. productivity.
Frantic doing has robbed us from our being. Decide to live life wisely, to make choices wisely.
We won't always "stay" in happiness; bad things will happen, but we're not going to wallow there as long.
Speak the truth to ourselves. Walking through & teaching ourselves the truth combats self-hatred. Self-hatred does not equal humility.
Negative emotions do have a purpose; we do need to pay attention to them. Live in the truth/reality, not denial/pretense.
God's principles work, even if you don't know that they are God's principles.
A feeling doesn't make something true.
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