{"id":1738,"date":"2011-12-07T16:26:01","date_gmt":"2011-12-07T16:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/prayables\/?p=1738"},"modified":"2011-12-07T20:11:43","modified_gmt":"2011-12-07T20:11:43","slug":"happiness-makers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/prayables\/2011\/12\/happiness-makers.html","title":{"rendered":"Happiness Makers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>You threw some coins in the Salvation Army kettle.\u00a0 You and your grocery cart stepped aside for the Mom behind you in line with her cranky kid. You spent a couple of hours with great-aunt Mildred shopping for brassieres. Good deeds. Random acts of kindness. Happiness makers.<\/p>\n

40% of your happiness comes from what you do<\/em>, rather than circumstances (10%), or even genetics (40%).\u00a0 When you’re doing nice things on purpose, either for yourself or others, you’re happier.<\/p>\n

Sonja is a happiness researcher and she looks at the scientific reasons for happiness. Not surprisingly, her findings determined that spirituality, and religion, make people happy.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all been told to count our blessings. And according to Sonja, gratitude is a great happiness booster. However, studies show that too much isn\u2019t always a good thing when it comes to being grateful. When people count their blessings too often, without changing up what they\u2019re grateful for, they don\u2019t receive the same happiness benefits as others who keep it fresh. Yes, even being grateful can become a chore.<\/p>\n

The next time you pray \u2013 mix it up. Take a break from your usual prayers. Try these prayer ideas:<\/p>\n

1. Delight in prayer poetry<\/a> or a video prayer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Praise God with song; reggae style<\/a>, rap<\/a> or rock<\/a> your Hallelujahs!<\/p>\n

3. Make a list of blessings to count that begin with the letter “A” one day, and “B” the next.<\/p>\n

Seek out the new and different in your worship. You’ll find you can make happiness happen.<\/p>\n

– Prayables<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Source: Sonya Lyubomirsky, Author of \u201cThe How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

READ MORE and enjoy these features from the Daily Prayable! <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2192 Daily Story<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2192 Daily Scripture<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2192 Daily Prayer
\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2192 Daily Video<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2192 Daily Joke<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2192 Daily Quote<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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