4 Ms of Happiness

[Guest guest]

Docs:

Here is an excerpt from another newsletter I receive from Marci

Shimoff to take you into the weekend.

Lyndon McGill, D.C.

EvolvHealth Wellness Advisory Council Member

Salem, Oregon

www.SalemSpineClinic.com

www.EvolvingDaily.com

Dear Friend,

Last week, I started watching the new season of my favorite

show—Dancing with the Stars. I’m completely

mesmerized!

This show has a special place in my heart, as my dad and I

watched it together during the last few months of his life. (My

dad was a great dancer in his day, and I remember learning how

to dance when I was 7 years old by standing on his feet.)

At 91, he was fading fast and not alert to most things, but when

Dancing with the Stars would come on TV, he would sit

up with a big smile on his face and his eyes would light up with

joy. We’d watch it together laughing and feeling the love.

Clearly, we aren’t the only ones who get a big hit of joy

watching the show. 24 million other viewers tune in on Monday

nights for their fix, as well. Why?

Because this show is all about happiness. The music, the

energy, the exhilarated expressions on the contestants’

faces—this energy is contagious, and we, as viewers, catch it.

When I look at the show’s phenomenon from the standpoint of what

I know about happiness, it makes a lot of sense. Dancing with

the Stars incorporates what I call “The 4 M’s of

Happiness.” Both the pros and the stars use these

four main ingredients of happiness, and you and I feel them when

we watch.

Here they are:

1. Mindset: The pros and the stars consciously

and consistently choose thoughts and feelings of optimism,

positivity, gratitude, and appreciation. They know that a

high-energy mindset translates into a great performance.

2. Meaning: The

dancers feel inspired by what they are doing. They’re focused

on something that’s purposeful and meaningful to them. They

always speak about the joy that they experience being on the

show.

3. Movement:

Moving the body is good medicine. It produces big doses of

happiness chemicals, and counteracts the stress chemicals that

produce doubt, fear, and insecurity.

4. Membership:

All the dancers and all of us watching are part of a

like-hearted group of people. Feeling connected to others,

having good relationships, and experiencing a sense of belonging

are all fundamental to living in a state of happiness.

You and I can use the exact same

principles to expand our happiness no matter what’s going on in

our lives.

Try the 4 Ms of Happiness

on for size:

Mindset: Check out your mindset. Are you

staying optimistic and positive? Are you bringing gratitude

into your life regularly? Try setting an alarm on your cell

phone (a nice musical one) to schedule “thank you moments” into

your day.

Meaning: What gives you meaning? Are you

doing something every day that inspires you, helps you feel on

purpose? Fill in this sentence: “My life feels meaningful when

I __________,” and incorporate that activity into your life on a

regular basis.

Movement: Are you moving your body? Stand up

right now and stretch. Go outside and get some fresh air a few

times during your day. Dance a little (or at least shake your

body) while you’re out there.

Membership: Are you a member of something?

Connect with people who share your values. Consider joining a

group of like-hearted people – perhaps volunteer at an animal

shelter or take an improv class or join a hiking club.

Though you may not get called upon to kick up your heels in

front of millions of weekly viewers, when you start minding your

4 Ms, you’ll definitely create more opportunities to smile,

enjoy and be happy for no reason.

Please share with me on Facebook

your experience with the 4 M’s-- and tell me who you’re rooting

for on this season of Dancing with the Stars.

Off to put on my dancing shoes!

With love for no reason and every reason,

Marci