We all want to be happy, don’t we? We tell our children and grandchildren to follow their passion and be happy – until they decide to major in English literature and we ask WHY?
To help us in our pursuit of happiness, One Community Health has designated October as Gorge Happiness Month to promote healthier communities.
Because happiness shouldn’t just be a goal in our lives because – well, it makes us happy. It also makes us healthier. It has been shown that happier people have better overall health and live longer than their less happy peers.
A means to that end is to practice “The Daily 3”: three habits that foster happiness – Three Gratitudes, Acts of Kindness and Moments of Silence.
Three Gratitudes: Find time each day to list three things for which you are thankful. These may be as simple as “I didn’t have to get up in the middle of the night!”, or your church family who helps you when needed.
Acts of Kindness: It can be as simple as opening a door for a stranger or saying thank you to a cashier. Or you can be more involved and find a new volunteer opportunity such as driving for Meals-on-Wheels once a week.
Moments of Silence: Sit silently for just five minutes per day. (But you have to stay awake. Your midday nap doesn’t count!) Turn off all your electronic devices and feed the animals so they won’t bother you. Now just sit and observe the thoughts in your head, the sounds you hear around you or other sensations that come and go.
Besides “The Daily 3”, during Gorge Happiness Month there are daily suggestions of a good deed to try which I will start mentioning this week. See if you can accomplish all 31.
Monday (1st) Compliment a Stranger
Tuesday (2nd) Get someone to do “The Daily 3” happiness habits
Wednesday (3rd) Introduce two people
If you are interested in learning more about Gorge Happiness Month, you can visit www.gorgehappiness.org.
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“Across the Political Divide” is a facilitated conversation scheduled during Gorge Happiness Month to look at the differences among various political perspectives, how to value them and gain a better understanding so we can live together as friends. It is hosted by the Wasco County GOP but is 100% non-partisan; and all political persuasions are encouraged to attend. It will be held on Monday, October 1st from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at The Dalles/Wasco County Library
And now a couple events at the Center you might be interested in.
“Let’s Talk: Conversations about Things that Matter” on Friday, October 5th at 11:00
The topic will be “Independent, Safe or None of the Above”. How do we find the balance between staying as independent as possible and being safe – before someone decides for us?
“Lectures for the Curious” on Wednesday, October 3rd at 11:00. Wasco County Clerk Lisa Gambee and her Chief Deputy, David McGaughey will be discussing the election process and how they work to ensure the elections are fair and accurate. And remember, Tuesday, October 16th is the last day to register; and on Wednesday, October 17th ballots will be mailed and will have to be returned by election day, November 6th.
The American politician from Minnesota who sought the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination challenging Lyndon B. Johnson on an anti-Vietnam War platform was Eugene McCarthy. (I received correct answers from Minnesotan Sandy Haechrel, Jeanne Pesicka and Tom Early who is Eugene McCarthy’s second cousin, but more importantly is this week’s winner of a free quilt raffle ticket.)
During one of those casual breakfast table conversations with my wife, this science fiction western television series popped up out of the blue. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the television series that ran on CBS for four seasons from 1965 to 1969 and told the story of two Secret Service agents: the fearless and handsome James West, and Artemus Gordon: a brilliant gadgeteer and master of disguise, whose mission was to protect President Grant and the United States from dangerous threats? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send your answer with a replica of the Wanderer, a luxury train equipped with everything from a stable car to a laboratory.
Well it’s been another week trying to remember the days long ago when I use to be “cool”. Until we meet again, make your future as big as your past.
“That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!” Calvin and Hobbes
