Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Take a Break: Create a Three Blessings Journal/Space


As the holiday seasons seems to be descending upon us at a rapid rate, and Thanksgiving just two weeks away, what better time to prepare for the day we give thanks by learning about the Tree Blessings Practice.

 Martin Seligman, the father of the positive psychology movement, suggests practicing the “Three Blessings” exercise to increase happiness. "Every night for the next week, set aside ten minutes before you go to sleep.  Write down three things that went well today and why they went well. You may use a journal or your computer to write about the events, but it is important that you have a physical record of what you wrote.  Next to each positive event, answer the question "Why did this happen?"

Today’s take a break includes the following:
• Learn more about the Three Blessings Exercise by watching Seligman’s video

• Figure out a space in your home where you can sit for 10 minutes to work on this exercise. You might want to make this a calm space, with plenty of light, flowers, comfortable chair or whatever else that strikes your fancy. It could be in your bedroom or another place in the house or yard.

• Collect pens, pencils, and all sorts of other inspiring items to encourage you to make this Blessings journal unique to you. Try not to use an electronic device for this project as handwriting switches on a different part of the brain that engages the brain more deeply than typing. The act of writing helps to clarify your thoughts and remember things better.

• Tonight, just before you go to bed, write down three blessings that occurred during the day. These can be as simple as seeing a beautiful flower. This practice helps you to reorient your brain to think positively instead of focusing on the negative aspects, which our brains have a natural tendency to do. 

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