Secret Link Between Money And Happiness Revealed!

LIFE LESSON

This Tuesday, January 23rd is #NationalPenmanshipDay, and to mark the occasion, I thought I’d share a story from my childhood. The first poor grade I ever received was from Mrs. Ring in the fourth grade. I received a “D” for my penmanship, which she deemed, “borderline illegible.” Chastened, I vowed to improve my technique. A lesson I took away from that experience is that even the best message is useless unless it can be effectively communicated.

As a writer, I strive to align my words with my audience and purpose. Honoring regionalisms, industry buzzwords, historic nomenclature—all of these things are central to being heard by those you wish to reach. In a broader sense, I’ve been thinking a lot about the words we use when speaking with and about each other.

Words bring with them an awesome power. They can diminish, marginalize or incite. They can also include, honor and uplift. Make sure that your words build rather than destroy. Learn to be aware of the impact they have on people who may not be within your immediate circle of friends. Understand that we all wish to be seen, heard and understood.

Through being intentional and mindful about the words you use, you will magnify their impact.

LIFE HACK

Technically, this life hack could also qualify as a TREAT topic, because giving genuine compliments costs you zero dollars. Celebrate #NationalComplimentDay on Wednesday by showering other people with sincere praise — it will do BOTH of you good.

Complimenting someone benefits both the recipient and the person giving the praise. Think of compliments as a verbal hug (P.S. Did you know that hugging helps both the hugger and the huggee?). It’s true. For proof, keep reading.

According to Michelle Rozen, PhD, “Every time you receive a genuine compliment, it triggers the same area in the brain as receiving cash. It’s the reward system, and it’s like getting $100 bucks. With so much stress, burnout, and mental exhaustion today, we can create real change when we realize the power of compliments.”

Giving compliments demonstrates care and compassion for others and can be motivating. Once you communicate their good actions to them, they’re going to repeat that behavior in order to feel that pleasure you triggered in the reward system in the brain.

Pretty dope, eh?

TREAT

Happy Sunday! Get ready for some joy, because January 21-27 is #NationalHuntforHappiness Week. To get the most out of the next seven days, you may wish to download one of these FREE scavenger hunt mobile apps. The apps listed in the article refer to their team-building uses, but they could also easily be applied to family games, or just a neat way to explore. Options include:

? Treasure hunts

? History journeys

? Gaming and art options

By the way, the fastest way to shift your mood is to smile.

When our brains feel happy, endorphins are produced and neuronal signals are transmitted to your facial muscles to trigger a smile. This is the start of the positive feedback loop of happiness. When our smiling muscles contract, they fire a signal back to the brain, stimulating our reward system, further increasing our level of happy hormones, or endorphins.

In short, when our brain feels happy, we smile; when we smile, our brain feels happier. Click here to learn more about how you can boost your happiness levels!

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An author, media consultant, life coach and speaker, Molly Cantrell-Kraig has been recognized as one of CNN’s Visionary Women, been profiled by both the Christian Science Monitor and the Shriver Report. Cantrell-Kraig has also been interviewed on the Women’s Media Center and the BBC, speaking on such topics as women, independence, gender roles and life transitions. From her beginnings as a single mother on welfare, Cantrell-Kraig is a self-described work in progress whose focus is on helping others achieve their goals by sharing her own experiences.