Events do not make us happy. Happiness comes in large part by the perspective that we take to life -- through the application of a mindset. This presentation explores the ways in which a person\'s mindset frames one\'s approach to life. Our mindset is a central determinant not only of our propensity toward happiness, but also our ability to develop all aspects of ourselves.

1. The Happiness Project The First Church of Salem, Unitarian Workshop III: MINDSET A Key to Cultivating a Good Life

4. Happiness is about Cultivating and Appreciating A Good Life

5. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my “best self” 1 Appreciate new attendees and make them feel wanted

6. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my best self 1 2 Reflecting on My Actions Make new attendees feel welcome

7. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my best self 1 2 Appreciate : What is good about… this moment? Cultivate : How can I continue to improve? Reflecting & Appreciation

8. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my best self 1 2 Reflecting on My Actions Welcome new attendees Appreciate : There are some interesting people here Cultivate : I’m nervous; but it’s about them, not me…

9. Three Areas of A Good Life Work/ Contribution Health/ Self-Care Love/ Relationships A Good Life

10. Happiness is Work/ Contribution Health/ Self-Care Love/ Relationships Cultivation & Appreciation in Each Domain

17. CULTIVATING THE PRACTICE OF SELF-CULTIVATION Reflecting upon and Developing Your MINDSET Cultivating my best self Appreciation Reflection for Cultivation

23. Ability See, I think of my ability as a fixed lump of coal in my head. It’s innate. Or God given, or sump’n like that. There’s nuffin’ I can do ‘bout it! Joe Fixedhead Thick shell around encased “ability-as-thing”

24. Growth Mindset Ability is not a fixed thing; it is a set of skills that can be and must be developed

32. Critical Feedback and the Growth Mindset

34. Ability Joe Fixedhead Criticism and Critical Feedback Joe, I think that the diagram you made may need a few changes.

35. Joe Fixedhead Criticism and Critical Feedback WAH!!! YOU DON’T LIKE MY CHARTS. YOU DON’T LIKE ME. WAH!!! DON’T YOU KNOW THAT I AM MY DIAGRAMS?

36. Incrementally Improving Irma TAKE TWO Irma, I think that the diagram you made may need a few changes. Hmm… What can I learn from this? Esteemed Boss

38. Does this baby have the ability to do mathematics?

39. Does this baby have the ability to do mathematics? Of course not. This child will need to put forth a lot of effort and activity to learn how to add, subtract, do algebra, etc.

40. But, all things being equal, this baby…. may be more (or less) predisposed to develop mathematical skills in the future … … than this baby

41. Regardless of their dispositions , they can both learn math, and will have to exert effort to do so. All skills develop over time.

43. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my “best self” 1 Make a pretty napkin

44. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my best self 1 2 Reflecting on My Actions Make a pretty napkin

45. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my best self 1 2 Appreciate : What is good about my napkin? { It stands up; It looks like a fan } Cultivate : How can I make it just a tiny bit better? { Make it tighter next time } Reflecting & Appreciation

46. The Happiness Process Everyday Life Cultivating my best self 1 2 Reflecting on My Actions Welcome new attendees Appreciate : There are some interesting people here Cultivate : I’m nervous; but it’s about them, not me…

47. Cultivating my best self Appreciate the Moment Take the Next (Baby?) Step Happiness as Appreciation and Cultivation

48. GOAL STATE Look at how far I have to go! How overwhelming! I’ll never get there! Never, never, never! I’m a failure… How Not To Cultivate a Self Don’t judge yourself simply in comparison to where you want to be…

49. Yes, it’s important to know where you’re going… GOAL STATE

50. But don’t judge yourself on how far you’ve got to go, but instead on how far you have come. GOAL STATE Just last week I needed help just to stay on my feet!

51. Mindfulness: Appreciate the present. GOAL STATE I have farther to go, but I appreciate where I am.

52. Mindfulness: Cultivate the future. GOAL STATE I’ve got my eye on the NEXT STEP

53. Some Cultural Illustrations: American Self-Esteem vs. Chinese Self-Cultivation

58. Development of “ Hao-Xue-Xin ” (China) “ Heart and Mind for Wanting to Learn ” Jin Li, Brown University College Students: What is Learning? USA CHINA Need for Self-Perfection/ Spiritual Power .15 .79 Information/Facts/Skills/ Understanding .95 .32

60. The Point of this Cultural Analysis … is NOT to say: the Chinese are happier than the Americans It is simply to say: Effort and Reflection Bring Development What values determine your developmental path? … Identify them … cultivate them, … and appreciate the moment and the movement..