This experiment touched, moved and inspired me

Do you know people who seem to be grumpy every day? When my colleague Claire sent me this video the simplicity of its message moved me. It is absolutely worth a few moments of your time in order to experience a wonderful source of happiness, even for the grumpiest of souls.

Most people go through life as a passenger. They feel they don’t have control over their life because they think they are helpless when things happen ‘to’ them. They react, often angry or feeling directionless – rather than making a considered response.

Many people who appear ‘unhappy’ are often playing the ‘blame game’; that is it is everybody else’s fault that they have the life they have. With the simple antidote of being grateful, how they experience those same circumstances could be vastly altered … for the better.

Lesson one “Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – unknown. Some of the poorest nations in the world are considered the happiest. According to the World Happiness Index. 

Lesson two “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognising and appreciating what we do have.”– Frederick Keonig.

In our western cultures we have somehow established that to have ‘things’ means that we will be happier.

We also have a notion that someday everything will be perfect, that the absence of problems and difficulties will mean that ‘everything will be fine’ – in fact, the reverse is true. When we give generously of ourselves – our time and listening – our general sense of wellbeing is improved (and sustainable over time). According to the New Economics Foundation.

Lesson three “A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.” — Helen Keller. If life was perfect and we had no bad times we would be less able to appreciate good times. In fact, when people toil together to overcome adversity, the shared experience also improves our overall wellbeing.

Seth Godin recently wrote this blog:

The loneliness epidemic

The next time you feel lonely, disconnected or unappreciated, consider that unlike many other maladies, this one hits everyone. And unlike other challenges, this one is easily overcome by realising that you can cure the problem by connecting, appreciating and leading.

The minute we realise that the person sitting next to us needs us (and our tribe, our forward motion and the value we create), we’re able to extinguish their aloneness as well as ours.

When you shine a light, both of you can see better.

When you meet someone who seems to be predisposed to being ‘grumpy’, give them some extra appreciation – and maybe your gratitude will be infectious.Have fun – and I look forward to hearing how you go.

Naomi Simson has received many accolades and awards for the business she founded, RedBalloon.com.au, including the 2011 Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year – Industry.