What is a Happiness Makeover?

What is a Mind-Body-Spirit Happiness Makeover?

GOAL: To heal the past wounds and programming that lead to unhappiness and build an understanding of how to be happy no matter what. In other words to get the client to a "10" in wellness with mind, body and spirit and understand how they can sustain that feeling of being a "10" forever. The client will learn how to sustain their own happiness for the rest of their life, their happiness is no longer dependent on people, places, things, circumstances or their genetic predisposition for happiness.

TIME REQUIREMENT: 3 months, 1 hour/week, or anytime with a happiness challenge

The length of a MBS happiness makeover is three months. Every week for one hour the client will meet with Aymee for a formal coaching session. Yet calls in between the one week meetings are encouraged for times when the client is experiencing a happiness challenge. (A happiness challenge is a person, place, think, or circumstance that aims to create unhappiness for the client) Aymee accepts calls twenty four hours a day seven days a week for these happiness challenges.

FORMAT: Mind, Body, Spirit

Every other week Aymee will alternate between focusing on the mind and the spirit. Throughout the three months, the client agrees to terms about making their body happier which will be explained later.

MIND –POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY & OTHER WISDOM FROM SUSTAINABLE HAPPINESS EXPERTS

Training the mind is the focus during the coaching sessions. Aymee identifies the client's beliefs and thoughts that are leading them to be unhappy. Then Aymee uses scientifically proven techniques with the client to improve their happiness. She helps them develop a solid foundation to uphold their happiness no matter what person, place, thing or circumstance. She also teaches her clients different tools they can implement in order to deal with the every day happiness challenges. Aymee's focus during these sessions is to create a sense of Eudaimonic happiness through developing each clients understanding of their authenticity, strengths, meaning in life and sense of purpose.

BODY – NUTRITIONAL CLEANSING & EXERCISE

The client agrees to enter into a 90 day nutritional cleanse. This molecular cleanse cleans the body of toxicity on a molecular level and replenishes the body with what it requires for optimal functioning. Through this process the body's brain chemistry comes into balance. Depending on the need of the client, the program can be geared toward losing weight in addition to the releasing of toxins, optimal nourishment, and brain chemistry balance. The product line of ISAGENIX is used to achieve the goals of the body element to the program. The client agrees to perform at least 20 minutes of exercise on a daily basis.

SPIRIT – REIKI HEALINGS & REIKI ATTUNEMENTS

The client agrees to learn reiki as a self-healing system. Reiki is a form of spiritual healing and spiritual practice proposed for the treatment of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual diseases. Mikao Usui developed Reiki in early 20th century Japan, where he claimed to receive the ability of 'healing without energy depletion' after three weeks of fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama. Practitioners use a technique similar to the laying on of hands, in which they claim to be channels for energy ("Ki") guided by a universal spirit or spiritual nature ("Rei") — flowing through their palms to heal a person wherever they may need healing. The client will receive three reiki attunements where the client will enter 3 21-day energetic cleansing periods where the chakas of the system will be cleansed and as a result the client's self-awareness will increase and past traumas are healed.

Three steps to YOUR "Best Year Ever!"

Imagine you are waking up with a smile on your face feeling fresh and excited to start the day! The smell in the air is like a fresh meadow and the temperature outside is perfect. You say to yourself "Today is the happiest day of my life!" and then you jump up with your fist in the air and exclaim, "I AM HAPPY!" Then you are so exhilarated by your dreams of what gifts today may bring, you do it again, because it feels so good… You jump up with your fist exerting in the air toward the ceiling and you exclaim, "I AAAMMMM HHHHHHHAAAAAPPPPYYY!!!!!!"

WOW!

That feeling is possible! You absolutely can have that as the beginning of your day if you choose it. The only thing keeping you from what I just explained above if your decision to actually say to yourself "Today is the happiest day of my life." Everyday and it is your decision to jump up with your hand in the air exclaiming, "I AM HAPPY!"

Now it may seem weird and way to simple just to do this for your happiness. The happiness deep in your soul likes it simple in fact. I have studied sustainable happiness from a variety of worldly people and science so these happiness exercises are credible. Plus I have a thriving coaching practice in San Francisco where I teach sustainable happiness. For those skeptics, I am going to have to ask you, "Don't knock it till you try it." More than likely you are not happy anyway.

One of my mentors, Robert Mueller, PhD, < http://www.robertmuller.org/ > (Former Assistant Secretary General of the UN, Nobel Peace Prize nominee nineteen times) told me that he felt that happiness saved his life in a Nazi Death camp because he said to himself "Today is the happiest day of my life." Just by setting the intention that today is in fact the happiest day of your life it very well could be!

The "I AM HAPPY!" exercise came from my mentorship with a Swami named Jinendra < http://jinendra.org/ > who's job title is Messenger of Sustainable Happiness. Jinendra's focus in sustainable happiness is on the physiological effect so when you jump up with your fist in the air saying "I am Happy!" then you will feel a very "happy" sensation in your body thus preparing you to experience a deep happiness that day. Also creating this level of zest is supported by the positive psychology movement because they say that zest as a strength is highly related with happiness.

Stop thinking happiness is out there in a person, place, thing or circumstance and start taking responsibility for your happiness and you will therefore in deed have the best year ever!

First we need to achieve happiness in ourselves and then the best year ever can be our experience. In 2005, a study from the University of California in Davis compiled all of the empirically demonstrated benefits of what a happiness experiences in life: more money, deeper love, greater success, optimal health, and greater sense of fulfillment. Achievement of happiness in your life consistently is what brings all of the things that you think comprise your best year ever.

So when you are inspired for to create your new years resolutions, allow yourself to choose happiness < http://happinessclub.com/pages/decision.html > in every moment and watch all of the benefits follow. Thanks to the happiness club who supplies a certificate for us to sign to actually make that decision to take responsibility for your happiness.

It starts with three steps every morning:

1) Choose happiness

2) Say to yourself, "Today is the happiest day of my life."

3) Zestfully jump up and exert your fist in the air exclaiming "IIII AAMMM HHHAAAPPPYY!"

I guaruntee happiness for the rest of your life with my 3 month MIND, BODY, & SPIRIT Happiness Makeover!

It turns out that my 3 month MIND-BODY-SPIRIT Sustainable Happiness program has been getting unprecedented results! At this point, the longest my teaching has been able to sustain someone's happiness is one year and three months! I know this because I have a research team following my clients to see exactly how long I can say I can sustain someone's happiness. At this point, Positive Psychology researchers can not sustain happiness for longer than three months so my work is getting unprecedented results! If you sign up for this program, and follow my leadership, you will have unwavering happiness for the rest of your life! No matter what! No matter if you are going through a divorce, having a bad day at work or whatever! Yes! I am guaranteeing your happiness for the rest of your life or your money back! I know it sounds too good to be true, look at my testimonials! This is not a joke. I have a spiritual calling to help millions of people live happier lives and it turns out I found the formula to accomplish it! Email me for a free consultation.

latest testimonial....

Happiness Coaching showed me that the answer to every question is always right here in my heart! I am attuned to the singing in my heart, my happiness, and now feel the subtle yet rich nuances in my life that I might have before ignored. Aymee has committed her life to the pursuit of happiness for all and I am infinitely wiser from my work with her. I recommend Aymee's Happiness Coaching to everyone who feels they have a purpose driven life; happiness is where it's at.

Daniel Levin, Consultant

latest testimonial, I am really feeling a sense of fulfillment...

As a happiness coach, Aymee Coget gets to the root of problems and works with the client to deal with the identified problems directly, head on, and get through it, by giving them skills and tools that will help them throughout their lives.

Working with Aymee won't just go into talking about the past, being sad about it, no progress, but being completely proactive in doing something about it, happiness is the goal and she won't accept anything less. As she stresses, life is now, it is whatever you make it out to be, the choice is yours, and she gives her clients the confidence to look within themselves to make a change and take control of their lives.

Each session with Aymee begins with her asking where you are now, and what challenges have recently come up, then she goes right into it, by clearly and directly addressing the problems, all the while with you, not talking at you, but guiding you along with real life tools to deal with the problems. I have been surprised at times at how quickly Aymee gets to the core of a problem, dismantles it, and has such confidence in me doing the same because she is with me 100% of the way, not just talking at me, but actually walking through various scenarios and how these tools would be applied. I absolutely recommend Aymee's Happiness coaching to everyone, no matter what problems arise, I have complete confidence that Aymee has the tools, optimism, and cheerful smile to handle it.

- Anonymous

REAL happiness during the holidays

I am so excited, I just can't hide it! A few people in my coaching practice have started to mention how they are concerned about their happiness during the holidays. This made me think, hey! If they are feeling this then so are many others! To combat this world wide angst around the holidays, I am offering a one time only teleseminar series on how you can be happy during the holidays no matter what your circumstances!



In the seminar that is easily a phone call away, you will learn the real fundamentals of happiness and how to be happy in the highest of family drama or even unwanted break-ups. I will also teach you tools from the new science of happiness, positive psychology, we can employ which will boost our happiness at any given time. If you are experiencing that angst yourself of if you know someone, imagine what it would be like if you had a deep inner contentment that offered you a real sense of holiday 'cheer'!



This leap towards sustaining your own happiness during the holidays is really a new idea because usually we look to people, places and things for our happiness because that was what we were taught. It was not until psychology shifted its attention to focus on what is good about us that we even knew we could cultivate that happiness if we knew exactly what to do. The trouble is where do we find this information?



We can go to the nearest book store and find all of the latest books on happiness written by academic researchers. We could meditate on a mountain in the Himalayas. We could sit on Harvard's Happiness class via the internet. We could do endless research looking for the real answers about happiness.



OR….



you could pick up the phone for two hours a week for four weeks.



Trust me, I take people from feeling miserable to experiencing a happiness they never thought possible and this could be you!



I am going to divulge some of my most powerful techniques so you can rest assured you will see results, real happiness this holiday season. However it takes a big leap of faith because you will be taking responsibility for your own happiness and not looking for it elsewhere. Have you noticed that putting the responsibility of your happiness on some one, place or thing does not lead to true happiness? No one person, place or thing knows exactly what you need for your own sustainable happiness.



What do I mean anyway, when I say 'sustainable happiness' this is a type of happiness that positive psychologists refer to as eudaimonic happiness.



Eudaimonic is broken down in Greek/ Latin terms



Eu = good

daimon = spirit

ic = nature of

Nature of a good spirit

This type of happiness really feels like an unwavering inner contentment that has three major tenets: authenticity, knowing and using your strengths and feeling a sense of meaning and purpose.



Can any person place of thing tell you if you are being authentic, using your strengths or feeling a sense of meaning or purpose? No way! Only you can… so this means you have no other choice to than to teach yourself how to achieve this happiness.



Please try something new this holiday season, learn how to be happy instead of expecting it is going to be a gift you unwrap this holiday season.



Register here for the teleseminar series called "Sustainable Happiness Secrets for the Holidays"

http://makemehappyteleseminar.eventbrite.com/

Latest Testimonial - Wow! I'm Blushing again

After hearing a radio interview featuring Aymee Coget that really intrigued me, I decided to become a client. What caught my attention was her statement about “incubating happiness” and that she could help people create sustainable happiness for themselves. If you make a commitment to do all the things Aymee says and you also tune into her energy frequency, you will find yourself shifting perspectives and learning how to take charge of your own happiness in a very powerful way. In fact, it’s the only truly effective way to go generating your own happiness if you want long term results. Aymee’s enthusiastic and positive outlook is infectious and her bright spirit is deeply rooted in gratitude. As she helps you to come back to your own inner light and authenticity, you will experience a delightful slow and steady burn . . . one that is meant for you to honor and celebrate and of course . . . to pass on to others. Thank you Aymee for your wonderful work!

Rachelle Lamb

President

Mindful Communication

Sustainable Happiness gets Noticed!

I am now blogging for Yahoo! Health! Check out my article there now!

AND

I am working with People Jam, an LA-based company that promotes coaches and experts. Yeah! I am their resident Happiness Expert! Visit www.peoplejam.com.

AND

I co-host a LIVE CALL-IN internet radio show with Dr. Bob Nozik, another sustainable happiness expert. The show is called "Make Me Happy!" and airs every Friday at Happy Hour from 4-5 pm PT. We interview other sustainable happiness experts and more! Visit www.adviceradio.com to listen to the show or the podcast if you miss the live taping. The call-in number is 800-405-6425.

AND

Stay tuned! My videos will be featured at a new Internet TV station called The Manifest Station, which is a station devoted to the Enlightenment of others and features Neal Donald Walsh, Deepak Chopra and David Lynch!

AND FINALLY...

Keep your eyes and ears open for my upcoming teleseminar series on "REAL happiness for the holidays!" Anyone in the world can attend!

Latest Testimonial - Wow! I'm Blushing...

Aymee must be another word for "angel," which to me means a messenger of divine truth. My intuition alerted me when I received an emailed petition to get more happiness on TV, originated by Aymee, a complete stranger to me at that time. I signed the petition, clicked on the link to her website, and got chills when she spoke of her work. She even LOOKED like an angel! I immediately contacted her and set up a phone meeting. The conversation evolved into her telling me about a nutritional program, Isagenix, with which one of her clients experienced dramatic results in conjunction with her work with Aymee. THAT WAS IT! My intuition "zinged" me again, and a little while later, thanks to her follow up, I started that program.

My body, mind and spirit transformed dramatically on so many levels just through using Isagenix, but there was still some hurdle I couldn't identify. Aymee, no doubt sensing it was time to deliver her next message to profoundly impact my life, called one day to touch base. When I shared with her this sense of a blockage, she emphatically suggested I "JUST DO IT!" meaning receive her coaching. She said assisting in the release of "blocks" was her specialty. Honestly, I figured I owed it to HER, since she'd been instrumental in sharing what had had such great impact on the improvement of my life in so many ways. So...I said yes! "Oh ye of little faith" comes to mind. How could I have doubted how impactful this work would be? She'd already delivered a "message" of such HUGE impact! Thank God for her persistence!

Through her firm and loving guidance, and...oh my GOD, her REIKI work, I experienced phenomenal release and empowerment. Clarity came to me through visions during and after our Reiki attunements, and profound symbolic dreams left me feeling not just happiness, but pure unadulterated JOY! It's as if she sowed seeds in my subconscious, that continue to germinate in new and beautiful ways...even now that our weekly sessions are done. The work keeps on blessing me.

My life will never be the same, and I am so much further along in my path to achieving the greatness for which I always knew I was destined. Shackles have been removed, and my heart smiles with gratitude every day. Words cannot do justice in describing the impact Aymee's appearance into my life has had. She is a true conduit of divine inspiration for me. And...after reading about angels in Wikipedia...I'm relatively convinced she really is an angel, whether she knows it or not!

Aymee, thank you for ASKING me to do your coaching program. You're truly an instrument of peace and so much more in my life.

With sincerest gratitude,

Karolynn Davis

In November this video will accompany my new blog on yahoo!

Good news! I was asked to blog for yahoo health on Sustainable Happiness! The video above was produced by a fantastic company named Capessa. This company gathers footage of women who have overcome a challenge and can now teach a lesson. They supply content for yahoo health so this video will accompany my new blog in the Mind & Mood section on yahoo starting in November! YEAH!!!!

If you want to view more videos where I give one minute lessons on happiness then visit video.google.com and search 'aymee coget'

Let me know what you think!

Canada beats U.S. in global happiness index

Canada beats U.S. in global happiness index

Updated Mon. Sep. 3 2007 7:29 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

We might be worried about how our loonie is doing, or our vanishing manufacturing sector, but overall Canada is doing well on the global "happiness index" created by a European academic.

Ruut Veenhoven, who created the World Database of Happiness in 1999, now lists 95 countries in his intricately crafted tables.

Canada has a score of 7.6 on the index, compared to the United States' 7.4 score. We're ninth overall in the world, and the U.S. is down at 17th place.

The top rated countries are: Denmark (8.2) and Switzerland (8.1), followed by Colombia, Austria, Iceland, Finland, Australia, Sweden, and then Canada.

Tanzania, by contrast, received a score of only 3.2.

Veenhoven says all countries in the top group scored closely, with the differences small.

"All these countries in the top are Western and they're rich," Veenhoven told CTV.ca in a phone interview from Rotterdam. "They're democratic, and they have a lot of gender equality and are fairly tolerant."

Veenhoven says his work is motivated by a desire to promote happiness. To do that, he needs to define happiness and learn what makes people happy.

"My definition of happiness is how much you like the life you live. That's something you know. And that's something you can measure by asking people, and of course you must do that in a systematic way," he said.

So Veenhoven bases much of his study on anonymous questionnaires. But self-reporting can be notoriously inaccurate; for example, drug addicts, by their own measure, would likely say they are always happy. So the index also uses more measures. For Veenhover's research, the three major factors contributing to happiness are:

1. The quality of society at large -- the main focus of Veenhover's research.

2. The quality of the organizations where we work -- how good your employer is for you, and how nice school is for your children.

3. Personal choices and variations. "Some people make more out of life than others," Veenhoven says.

While the scores for the top-ranking nations were tight, Veenhoven says there are some big differences. Adequate social programs, for example, lead to happiness, though not absolutely. Veenhoven found that citizens are no more satisfied in welfare states than in purer free-market economies.

"In the beginning, I didn't believe my eyes,'' said Veenhoven of his data. "Icelanders are just as happy as Swedes, yet their country spends half what Sweden does (per capita) on social welfare,'' he said.

Typically, people are happier when they have choices.

"In Saudi Arabia, they're very rich but choice is rather limited and as a result, people are less happy than equally rich countries," Veenhoven says.

The freedom factor

Individualistic cultures, such as Canada, bring about more satisfaction than collectivistic cultures, such as Japan, which received a score of 6.2, tied with Uzbekistan. Veenhoven believes lack of freedom of choice is the biggest factor. While Japanese culture is becoming a more individualistic society, it isn't there yet.

"Freedom of choice is particularly relevant. If we get stuck in a way of life that makes us unhappy and then we have a way out, we can leave an unhappy marriage. Divorce is no fun but you can get out. And you can also leave unsatisfying jobs. In collectivistic cultures, it's less possible."

Spirituality can lead to happiness, though again, it's not a hard and fast rule. Veenhoven found that nations in which citizens are religious are typically slightly happier. For example, previous research in the U.S. has shown that religious individuals are happier than non-religious individuals.

"That's not reproduced in Denmark and the Netherlands," he says. "So it's not a universal pattern that people are happier than when they're members of the church and when they're religious."

He says that if you look closer at the relationship between happiness and religion in the U.S., the strongest correlation is with membership of church and church attendance, not so much with religious practices such as praying.

"So I think it's typically the social effects of church that accounts for the greater happiness."

The growing field of happiness

Veenhoven believes that happiness measures are catching on, and he is now one of many academics who try to gauge the health of a nation by its happiness score.

Recently, the OECD (Organization of Economic Ccooperation and Development) held a conference called "Is happiness measurable and what do those measures mean for policy?" looking at the determinants of happiness and the methodology issues in satisfaction measurement. Veenhoven was one of the participants.

He notes that organizations like the OECD are now thinking beyond the traditional measures of GNP and economic growth, and looking more at individuals and what makes them satisfied.

"Increasingly, there's an interest in happiness," he says. "It's just the beginning."

---

TOP NATIONS (Top 14 out of 95)

· DENMARK 8.2 (rank 1)

· SWITZERLAND 8.1 (tied, rank 2-3)

· COLOMBIA 8,1 (rank 2-3)

· AUSTRIA 8.,0 (rank 4)

· ICELAND 7.8 (rank 5)

· FINLAND 7.7 (tied, rank 6-8)

· AUSTRALIA 7.7 (rank 6-8)

· SWEDEN 7.7 (rank 6-8)

· CANADA 7.6 (tied, rank 9-14)

· GUATEMALA 7.6 (rank 9-14)

· IRELAND 7.6 (rank 9-14)

· LUXEMBOURG 7.6 (rank 9-14)

· MEXICO 7.6 (rank 9-14)

· NORWAY 7.6 (rank 9-14)

(The U.S.A. has a rating of 7.4, with an overall rank of 17)

BOTTOM 5 NATIONS

· ARMENIA 3.7 (rank 91)

· UKRAINE 3.6 (rank 92)

· MOLDOVA 3.5 (rank 92)

· ZIMBABWE 3.3 (rank 94)

· TANZANIA 3.2 (rank 95)

Smile Meditation

This is from www.smilemeditation.com

TRIORIGIN
SMILE MEDITATION

This world is a wonder world. The whole world is perfect harmony itself; therefore, this world is entirely full of wonders. As Existence Spirit, perfect itself creates whole this world; this world is perfect world and becomes a wonder world from the beginning.


Smile is the essence of Life. It is the greatest wonder of this world. It is the manifestation of the Existence Spirit to this real world. There was smile within Existence Spirit from the beginning of this world, so it could finally create Triorigin and Neutro in order to create the entire wonderful and orderly world. At the moment of Neutro birth of Triorigin, the latent smile of Existence Spirit start being realized practically for the first time in this world. This world is therefore a smile world and we all are wonder and smile together.

Smile is one of the most important and practical channels to achievement of harmony and perfection; life with a smile.

We could exist thanks to this smile. I AM SMILING, SO I EXIST. YOU ARE SMILING, SO YOU EXIST. WE ARE SMILING, SO WE EXIST ALL TOGETHER.


Smile meditation allows a person to comprehend that every living creatures is initially a smiling creature. It leads a person to be aware of his original smilic nature and see smile in every object of this world, in every moment of time, in any situation.

Smile meditation based on the comprehensive fundamental theory of Triorigin, allows the meditating person not only to improve his health and life quality but also to actively influence the present and future of his or her family, working team and society in general.

It has high potential in treatment of various forms of dependence; from tobacco, alcohol, drugs etc. It leads to ultimate perfection state where Neutro consciousness exists, which includes Neutro mentality, Neutro spirit, Neutro emotions such as Neutrolized happiness, delightfulness and satisfaction, etc.

It is so easy, comfortable and fast to get into the common channel to obtain eternal Origin Smile that everybody can join in this smile meditation to upgrade his or her life quality and to change his or her suffering life to smile life

WE ARE SMILING, SO WE EXIST.
(Prof. Park Jae Woo, in his lecture on Smile Meditation)

I give FREE CONSULTATIONS!

How many of you know an happiness expert? Probably not very many of you! This is why I am giving you an opportunity to ask me the tough questions of your own personalized happiness challenges. One step closer to sustainable happiness...

Happiness in the Bedroom

I was interviewed for the role of happiness in dating, relationships and sex on personal life media by an amazing woman, Alissa Kriteman, check it out! We talk about passion, loverships, and the break up formula! http://www.personallifemedia.com/podcasts/just-for-women/episode008-aymee-coget-happiness-expert.html

Role of Positive Psychology in Coaching

Thank you so much to Margaret Greenberg who wrote the following article in the Positive Psychology daily news on May 14th, 2007. I find it well articulated and easy to understand how the science of happiness, positive psychology, is used in coaching methodology Coaching is one aspect of my business so for those interested in entering a coaching relationship with me , continue reading to gain a greater understanding of how I use positive psychology with my clients.

Positive Psychology and Coaching

There are two common types of research:

• Outcome research which asks, “Does it work?” and
• Process research which asks, “How does it work and why?”

Many clients want to know: What are the benefits of doing this particular exercise or assignment? And those who are footing the coaching bill in large corporations want to know there will be a return on their investment. Following are some specific examples of how I see Positive Psychology intersecting with the coaching profession.

• In coaching, we “acknowledge” and “champion” the client – a core coaching skill. In Positive Psychology, we examine studies on the positive effects of what is called Active Constructive Responding (ACR) and Catherine Freemire’s 3A model (Acknowledge, Amplify and Apply).
• In coaching, we “separate interpretations”. In Positive Psychology, we are exposed to common Thinking Traps discovered by Aaron Beck, the father of cognitive therapy.
• In coaching, we “change geography” and use the body to deepen the client’s experience. In Positive Psychology, we are drawn to the work of Riff and Singer that explores the interconnectedness of the mind and body (or what we call somatic) on human wellness.
• In coaching, we often introduce our clients to journaling and visualization exercises like “Future Self”. In Positive Psychology, we examine the evidence behind exercises like Best Possible Self (BPS) that prove the benefits to health and overall well-being, and Bandura’s research in visualizing success scenarios.
• In coaching, we work with our clients to set goals in their life, like the “Walk the Talk” exercise, and develop plans to achieve the goals. In Positive Psychology, we explore goal theory and studies like King’s that show setting goals produces self-efficacy and promotes well-being.
• In coaching, we help clients notice and overcome their “gremlin” conversations. In Positive Psychology, we study resiliency, optimism, and disputing or reframing techniques such as the ABCDE model (Adversity, Beliefs, Consequences, Dispute, Energy).
• In coaching, we work with clients on process by amplifying both “up and down the tube” experiences. In Positive Psychology, we explore the benefits Bryant has found in savoring and examine the three temporal forms.
• In coaching, we help clients uncover and/or clarify their life purpose and core values to serve as “stabilizing rudders” for living a fulfilling life. In Positive Psychology, we learn why purpose and values are so important to creating meaning in one’s life through the work of Baumeister and Vohs.

Positive Psychology has a lot to offer the coaching profession to broaden the coach’s knowledge and provide empirical evidence for why coaching works. By bringing more science to the discipline, coaching will avoid the “fad trap” and will have the staying power of other helping professions.

[1] Whitworth, L., Kimsey-House, H. & Sandahl, P. (2007). Co-Active Coaching, 2nd edition. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Publishing.

[2] Kauffman, C. (2005). De-mystifying research: an introduction for coaches. In Coaching Research Symposium. Eds: Stein, Campone & Page. Washington, DC: International Coach Federation publisher.

What the heck is Happiness?!

It is crucial we define happiness. The literature mostly defines happiness as subjective well-being (SWB), psychological well-being (PWB) and/or positive affect (PA). (Diener, et al., 1999) Researchers are realizing that subjective and psychological well-being are more multidimensional than just happiness, so SWB is being defined as having the following components: joy, elation, contentment, ecstasy, pride, happiness and affection. (Diener, et al. 1999) Or it is said to have the three main characteristics: “life satisfaction, the presence of positive mood, and the absence of negative mood, together often summarized as happiness.” (Ryan & Deci, 2001 p. 144)“The characteristics related to positive affect include confidence, optimism, and self-efficacy; likability and positive construal of others; sociability, activity, and energy; prosocial behavior, immunity and physical well being; effective coping with challenge and stress; originality and flexibility.” (Lyubomirsky, King & Diener, 2005, p. 804) In brief, happiness can be understood as a frequent experience of positive emotions. (Lyubromirsky, et al., 2005)

Beyond defining happiness, it is also crucial to understand the different types of happiness: hedonic, eudaimonic, and chaironic. The following definitions of hedonic and eudaimonic happiness are by Maltby, Day and Barber (2005) yet are influenced by the work of Keyes, et., (2002), Ryan & Deci (2001) and Waterman (1993).

“Hedonic well-being (happiness), is the relatively shorter term evaluation of present day subjective well bring (happiness) as a balance within positive and negative affect, pleasure attainment and pain avoidance and eudaimonic well being is the longer term psychological well-being resulting from the engagement with individual development and existential challenges within life, meaning, and self- reflection.” (p. 3)

In a review of hedonic and eudaimonic happiness, Ryan and Deci (2001) point out that hedonic happiness originated in the 4^th century BC, a Greek philosopher, Aristippus, “ . . . taught that the goal of life is to experience the maximum amount of pleasure, and that happiness is the totality of one’s hedonic moments.” (p. 143) Ryan and Deci (2001) point out Kubovy (1999) articulation that “. . . psychologists who have adopted the hedonic view have tended to focus on a broad conception of hedonism that includes the preferences and pleasures of the mind as well as the body.” (p. 144) Deiner et al (1998) broadened hedonic happiness by introducing the attainment of goals or valued outcomes in different realms. For instance, if we get a bouquet of flowers, from a secret admirer we have a pleasurable sensation for a few moments. This type of happiness if fleeting and is derived from external sources. There is no concept of spirituality in hedonic happiness.

Eudaimonic happiness is the focus of this study. Many philosophers, religious leaders, and visionaries of the East and West, have “denigrated happiness per se as a principal criterion of well-being.” (Ryan & Deci, 2001) Ryan and Deci (2001) point out that Aristotle even considered “hedonic happiness to be a vulgar ideal, making human slavish followers of desires. He posited, instead, that true happiness is found in the expression of virtue- that is, in doing what is worth doing.” (p. 145)

Eu- daimon- ic. The etymology of eu in Latin or Greek means, good or well and the daimon or spirit is a key component of Aristotelian thinking, and is consequently valued in the PP field. The ic of the word means “having the nature of”. In other words, eudaimonic means to have the nature of a good spirit. Ryan and Deci, (2001) cite “Waterman (1993) stated that, whereas happiness is hedonically defined, the eudaimonic conception of well-being calls upon people to live in accordance with their daimon, or true self. Psychological Well- Being comes into play with eudaimonic happiness. PWB is made up of six constructs autonomy, personal growth, self-acceptance, life purpose, mastery, and positive relatedness. (Ryff & Singer, 1998) Ryff and Singer (1998) empirically demonstrated all six are connected with eudaimonic living and have a positive effect on physiological systems related to immunological functioning and promotes health.

There have been some key factors associated with eudaemonic happiness: character strengths, meaningfulness, and authenticity. Seligman (2002) has connected eudaimonic happiness with what he calls the “good life” which is achieved when you “… use your signature strengths to obtain abundant gratification, in the main realms of one’s life.” (p. 262) Seligman (2002) also indicates authenticity as an essential component of eudaimonic happiness. Authenticity will be discussed in greater length in a forthcoming part of the literature review. Yet, here it is to say that in order for one to achieve a feeling of eudaimonic happiness, one must be able to be true to one’s own character and fundamental nature of virtues. (Linley & Joseph, 2004)

In 1998 there came the clashing of the differing types of happiness, Ryan and Deci (2001) bring to light that Ryff and Singer (1998) challenged “. . . SWB (hedonic happiness) models of well being as being of limed scope where positive functioning concerned, and specifically that SWB is often a fallible indictor of healthy living. In turn, Diener et al (1998) retorted that Ryff and Siner’s eudaimonic criteria lets experts define well-bring, whereas SWB research allows people t researcher what makes their life good.” (p. 146) Ryan & Deci (2001) bring in the well-being work of Rogers (1963) in which his stance of being a fully functioning human being is more than attaining desires.

Surely you know 1 out of 3 billion unhappy people!

During a talk in Australia in 2006, the founder of Positive Psychology says, “3 billion people - don't feel good most of the time, they're not in a good mood, they don't giggle a lot and they don't smile.”

Can you believe this?

Everyone knows someone who is suffering… please alert them that happiness coaching is available to them. Many people do not know that they have another option besides therapy and anti-depressants.

Put your hand on your heart, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Visualize that one person you know who is not happy.

If you truly care about this person, you will tell them that this is an option to end their suffering and actually experience happiness sustainably!

888- PATH 2 HAPPY (888-728-4242)

SUMMER SPECIAL GOING ON NOW

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Sustainable Happiness = Environmental Sustainability

By now most of you have seen the documentary called Inconvenient Truth about global warming or at least heard the message that if we do not change our behavior now, then we are doomed. Simply speaking, if we are not sustainable then we die.

I heard a lecture by an MIT professor who confessed that his colleagues at MIT who are climatologists told him that unless 80% of the world’s population drastically changes their behavior, we were doomed! All of the planetary resources will be used up and we will be living in a world filled with toxic air and water even more than we are now!

Sounds pretty doom and gloomy doesn’t it? And you wonder why a happiness expert would be talking about this and it is because

YOUR HAPPINESS PLAYS A ROLE IN SUSTAINING OUR ENVIRONMENT.

Numerous studies have proven that we live in an energetic flow of the universe that is influenced by our thoughts, beliefs and actions. So may I go as far to say that corruption, greed, dominance, competition and aggression have brought us to where we are at now?

Happiness brings inner contentment, kindness, optimism, gratitude, laughter, having fun, good health and helping others. What makes us stop thinking that our “positive affect” stops with only other human beings? It doesn’t.

Your happiness affects ALL life on Earth.

Imagine if the planet was populated with happy people, do you think there would be disregard for our environment? Do you think people would litter or pollute on purpose? Probably not. Happy people are optimistic and hopeful about the future so their actions are in line with their beliefs.

Please when you are inspired to change the light bulbs in your home or only have one car, or you convert your car to bio-diesel, or if you recycle, be happy. You can be happy knowing that you are making a difference with your actions and on top of that you are a making a positive energetic influence into our environment. Have you heard the expression, “Do it with a smile!” That would apply here.

The country of Bhutan who enacted Gross National Happiness, opposed to Gross National Product, is the most sustainable country on the planet. I think they may be on to something here… happiness equals sustainable. Can I venture far enough to say that?

Imagine paradise on Earth. Is the population happy? YES! and it starts with you.

Happiness is a Choice. Choose Happiness. Choose Sustainability.

Saucy, Sassy, Smart, yet Soft

There has been a bit of a buzz around the feminine quality of “softness.” What does this mean? Subjectively it could mean an array of things!

Her demeanor is soft.

She has a softness about her.

Her softness is alluring.

How can she be so soft when the world is so hard?

Speaking from the gender perspective, when the feminine value of soft has been lost in our masculine value dominated society, women have had to acquire a sense of “hard” to achieve the same level success. Thus loosing touch with their innate feminine quality of being soft.

As a professional woman, I as well had to learn how to develop the hard side to be successful. Although, in the last week a few people have reminded me of the importance of being soft. So now, I am consciously committed to holding onto my authentic feminine sense of soft. Whatever that may mean to you and for me, I am sure it will develop over time as I have more experience in my true femininity… Remember, authenticity is essential for sustainable happiness.

OMG! I am being considered for the Oprah Show on Happiness!

Dear Oprah!

I was so happy to hear you are doing a show on happiness and helping others be happy! Ten years ago, I devoted my entire life to helping millions of people live happier lives! I feel that it is my spiritual calling in life and I am happy to tell you why I am an essential guest for your show about happiness.

Over the course of the last ten years, I have been crafting a formula that helps people live happier lives at the same time as pursuing my PhD in organizational psychology with an emphasis in leadership and positive psychology. I have mastered a technique to teach people how to take leadership of their happiness and they learn how to achieve sustainable happiness! It has worked miracles for people!

Besides being an expert in the topic of happiness I am also a happy person! There are three types of happiness and the one that I live with on a daily basis is called chaironic happiness. The definition of happiness is about being good -- being at peace with self, with others and with God of the cosmos. It is based on developing our innermost being and core values. It can be called spiritual or transcendental happiness, because we can experience it even when we are on death bed or suffering from terminal cancer or in the midst of adversity. It is the kind of happiness experienced by Zen masters and individuals with peak experiences.

I have taken my happiness education and my personal experience and have overcome the “happiness challenges” in my life: being fat, ugly, poor and divorced. I have overcome these challenges stronger, happier, and more confident than ever!

In order for me to accomplish my goal of helping millions of people live happier lives, I have been pursuing media for the past three years. I have written several TV shows in entertaining formats with the mission in mind. I am currently on the brink of my TV career while my agents in LA and NYC are talking to networks and producers about me hosting a happiness makeover show!

I have written happiness articles for the United Nations and Bhutan Times (home of Gross National Happiness) about how we need happiness taught at the educational and governmental levels. Fortunately this is just starting now with Harvard having the first happiness class in 2006 and the first world map of happiness being published in 2006 as well. I have large scale plans on the implementation of happiness all over our world and I would love your help in achieving this colossal goal!

I am on the second round of edits on my first book called Wake Up & Smile: Your Guide to Sustainable Happiness and I plan to finish my dissertation research about how I can be the most effective authentic and transparent leader of happiness.

Thank you for your consideration.