How to be Happier?

[David Smith]

This is my first post in this forum so allow me to introduce myself. My name is David Smith Ph. D. I am a Clinical Psychologist and live in Southern California.
I am typing this with one hand because my other hand (left) was broken in a bike crash 2 weeks ago. What a fun ride! And now I get to learn to type with one hand. Not bad if you ask me. I never really liked my left hand...it always seems to get me in trouble.

You may be wondering "is this guy nuts" or "just optimistic and kinda fun"
I will accept both thank you.

The nuts part is: I plan on giving out free advice to those who become my friend and are on my forums/blog.

The just optimistic and kinda fun part: I have fun doing it and am positive if a soul out there uses something I offer for free and benefit I feel good. Fare trade?

Happy idea: My attitude no matter what happens is my choice. Where will your attitude get you if you fly off your bike and break your hand?
It won't fix it, but it will make it a lot more fun! Plus you won't have the added stress caused my negative moods.

Let's start a conversation: Anyone have any experience similar to mine? How did your attitude effect your mood? Were you able to think on the positive?

[coLLege kid07]

The way I see it is...everything happens for a reason. So if I happened to fall off a bike and break my hand..then well it was supposed to happen lol Even if the lesson is just to be more aware when riding my bike, then well I'll take the positive off of that =).This belief really relieves stress when you take something negative and see it as an opportunity to grow and make it a positive.

Nevertheless I'm still kind of skeptical when it comes to that belief; It doesn't necessarly apply to unexpected occurances. However if you look at it at a way that the unexpected occurances really have a deeper meaning to them, then I guess this belief really works. (Death in the family could help you learn how to charish life, could help you learn to live in the moment and not hold onto the past ect.)

ah.ha. I got it. Everything happens for a reason because it is happening. In other words you should be feeling pain because you are feeling pain. Not sure if that makes sence but it's all about living in the moment. Well atleast I helped myself =)

Oh and nice name by the way. ^I'm a david

[Angela]

Hi, David... I haven't flown off my bike lately, literally or metaphorically ... but welcome! I'll be your friend anyway, and you can give lots of advice!

I hope you have a very fun time here, giving and taking, ebbing and flowing, healing and helping others to heal.

Lots of love,
Angela

[David Smith]

Thank you David and Angela for your response.

One thing is for sure. Everyone I meet with daily has something they want to improve. What are some areas you want to improve? Maybe I can offer advice that will be helpful for you.

I know there may be 100 things, but pick one that has wide interest to get more people some needed help too. Please take it where you want I will check back soon

Have a wonderful night!

[JMonkey]

Welcome to the forum David.

I once broke my hand by falling on it (with a 6ft 5 guy on my back) I remember feeling very happy, however I wouldn't put this down to an optimistic attitude, but perhaps the two pills the nurse gave me

Honestly though, I was pampered by my girlfriend at the time and so that was the silver lining. There is always a silver lining.

Hope to hear more from you.

Jon

[Peek]

Due to a serie of unfortunate events, my happiness has gone to a quite simpel level:
Every morning that I get out of my bed without mentionable pain is the start of a happy day. (99 out of 100 is the resent score) Getting into bed every evening knowing that the people I care for a still living well is the end of a happy day.
What happens inbetween is inrelevant to my happiness.

O, and most of the time, I just decide it is going to be a good day.

[MattFYF]

Hey! Welcome to the forums! I've never fallen off my bike before and broke anything in the process, but I remember an experience I had when I was first learned to ride my bike.

I was on a bike without training wheels, a normal bike, all ready to ride it down the street where I live. Trouble is, nobody taught me how to stop. So I started to pedal, and everybody began to cheer me on - "Go Matt! Go! " I'm pedaling, I'll excited, I keep going faster and faster when I realize I don't know how to break. Not wanting to fall and crash, I drove myself right into a sticker bush and escaped the incident with only minor battle scars.

[z1freeride]

The other day I day I was getting really frustrated while driving because of all the traffic and construction.

I then thought to myself, "I am just thankful to have this car. Imagine walking everywhere." Immediately, I felt so much better about my drive.

[pianoperformer]

Hmm, well. I went blind. That may possibly be thought of as a significant event in one's life. It's all subjective. But hey I was four years old. I don't think I really cared.

Speaking of bike stories, though...when I was 9, that brain tumor came back. They used radiation this time, and I was only in the hospital for a day or two. so I got out, and decided I wanted a bike.

So I got one. With training wheels, because I had never learned how to ride one, lol. And the bike was too big for the training wheels.

So we went out to this parking lot for me to try it out. It was going great, when I started turning around on this hill, and toppled right over, the day after that operation!

Luckily, my knee got the brunt of the unfortunate accident, that incidentally hurt more than the operation. I never tried that one again.

Oh, I actually did. But I never fell over again like that. And then I realized I just couldn't balance, so gave up the dream of riding a bike.