Happiness

It's been a little while since I last blogged. The time has flown by and usually I would be spending my time at home, safe in my little cocoon, however apart from dealing with a few rough fibro days I have been fairly busy (for me anyway).

I decided to take the bull by the horns and look into a free business course in Bristol. I went on an hour long introduction to enterprise. I wanted to do this because not being able to work full/part time is a struggle, so having some sort income as well as a distraction is needed. Also something that I can do in my own time, to do when I am feeling ok and leave when I am not, is one of the only solutions I can think of. So the idea of setting up my own business is something I am going to consider. The course will run for 8 weeks and cover a range of subjects within the business world. Plus the main point it is free! What is not to love. I just need to hope my brain and body are up for working properly on those days. I am hopefully going to do the course in the summer and if I feel it is not for me, then at least I will have gained some useful knowledge along the way.

The other thing I have done recently is take part in a scheme called The Happiness Project. It is in Bristol and again free (although a small voluntary donation is asked for). I had never heard of this until I saw a flyer in my local GP. The fact that it said it was a happiness project intrigued me, plus I am all for self development. There are 10 courses of various subjects that can make us happy. The first one I went on was Gratitude. It was really interesting and helps to reinforce many thoughts and feelings around the particular course subject. We spent the first hour working through what happiness, and then gratitude, could/can mean to us. We also discussed in pairs what we recently have been grateful for. After that we were taught how to create a note book by Japanese book binding and then to decorate it. The objective of this notebook is to take it away with you and write down 3 things every day that we are grateful for.
Admittedly on the day I was having a fairly rubbish fibro day, however I was still able to most of what was required of me and feel not only happier in myself that I had managed to get there and do the course, however also to learn more about gratitude and be able to apply it more to my life.

The whole project both works on psychology and art, which is a great combination and can often go hand in hand with many things in life.
I think this a wonderful scheme and even though I have only attended one so far (I have signed up to the other 9), I would highly recommend it to anyone. After all if one of the main objectives is to get Bristol being a happier place, I am all for it!!

On a last note, my 3 things I am grateful for today:

• Being surrounded by my little cocoon (my flat) in life and feel safe and loved
• Having the energy and internet/electrical means to write this 
• Hearing the bird song outside, this always puts me in a good mood!