How to Know When You're Happy

Dear Patients & Friends,

One of the biggest sources of stress during the holiday season is the overwhelming exposure to consumer commercialism. There is a constant bombardment of advertisements urging us to spend money for ourselves or others.

In my life coaching and stress management sessions with patients, it's not uncommon for me to hear people telling me that the Holiday Season brings up sadness for them. This feeling is rooted in their belief that they don't have enough money, love, rewarding work, time for themselves, close friends, etc.

My Experience in Europe Lives On

Last spring I made my first trip to Europe, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I had an amazing "ah ha" experience while standing next to a church that was over 1000 years old! I was thinking about how rough life must've been for people - like my ancestors - when this church was being built.

All of a sudden I had this amazing insightful flash that came to me in these words, "Dude, you're a peasant, descended from a long line of peasants". I thought about the quality of their material lives, where nothing "extra" - money, health, love, safety, nice home, etc. - was guaranteed.

I then had this deep, profound sense of contentment. I felt my years of complaining about how much I was lacking, melt away, like ice turning into water under a hot sun. I truly felt thankful for all that I did have and I realized that I was living a privileged life, even with all of the hard times that I've endured.

Socrates on Happiness

Even Socrates, who lived a very frugal and simple life, loved to go to the community market. When his students asked about this, he replied, "I love to go and see all the things I am happy without."

You know you're happy when you're exposed to the extravagant prosperity and beauty that we have in the Bay Area, and you're content with what you have and not yearning for anything more.

There's nothing wrong with daydreaming and acknowledging about "having more", as long as you're firmly grounded in the realization that you also already have plenty. I encourage you to go about this Holiday practicing the virtues of, Acceptance and Gratitude.

Simple Way to Be Thankful

Take a few gentle full breathes, and briefly first focus your mind on all that you do not have. Make a list in your mind of all that you don't have WITHOUT going into any detail about each item.

Continue to breathe gently, and now focus your awareness on all that you do have in the present moment, including your clothes, food, your body and whatever location you find yourself in. Make a list in your mind of all that you actually do have WITHOUT going into any detail about each item.

Finally, while being aware of your breathing, simply say to yourself, "I'm thankful for all that I do have in this moment". It's that simple.

By accepting what you don't have and by being grateful for what you do have, you'll begin the process of shifting your mind to regularly thinking that you are "rich in the moment."

Please use this Holiday Season to practice the remembrance that you already have more than most other people in the world.

True,
Dr. Mark

Announcements

Save the Year - 2018

Lots of patients have asked me over the years to put together an in-depth program to help them become physically healthier, mentally happier and spiritually holier.

In addition to my private coaching sessions and workshops in the office in 2018, I'll (finally!) be offering a yearlong program called the, Happiness Mastermind Team.

I'll be spending time this winter completing the Curriculum and other details, like how often we'll meet and how to make this life changing information accessible to people with busy schedules. The program will start in March, 2018.

If you want to know more about how this program will literally transform your life, contact me and we'll talk in order to find out if you're a good candidate for this type of personal growth work. There will be a limit of ten people on the Mastermind Team.

I've spent over four decades studying and organizing the principles and practices that are guaranteed to help you move your life in the right direction. I'm excited to be offering this practical wisdom to all of you!