tag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:/blogs/blog-c59f4a9f-d7f7-41b9-939d-c23760423ea0?p=3Blog2023-10-16T10:57:16-04:00Mike Ferryfalsetag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930662018-05-02T20:00:00-04:002022-05-31T08:51:11-04:0010 Reasons Why You Should Attend My Christian Mindfulness Retreat In Ireland
<p>Did you know that I'm hosting my <strong>2020 Christian Mindfulness Retreat In Ireland</strong> next summer (<strong>June 30 - July 2</strong>)?<br></p>
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<p>Just imagine - you'll grow in your faith and learn lots of ways to <em>boost your creativity</em>, <em>practice mindfulness</em>, and train your brain to become <em>happier</em>. In addition, you'll be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. I know you'll be transformed by this retreat, and I can't wait to meet you!</p>
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<p>Perhaps you need some more reasons to join me in the Gweedore parish of County Donegal in July. I'll give you ten!</p>
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<p>1. <strong>You're stressed out. </strong>Aren't we all? It's hard to find peace in this crazy, hectic world of ours. At my retreat, you'll learn strategies to help you relax and achieve a sense of calm.</p>
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<p>2. <strong>You'll laugh. A lot. </strong>Have you ever heard of "laughter yoga?" It's a real thing, and we'll be using it as a way to get our creative juices flowing. Be prepared for lots of good humor at the <strong>2020 Christian Mindfulness Retreat In Ireland</strong>.</p>
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<p>3. <strong>You'll become a better parent. </strong>Parenting is stressful. I know, because my wife and I have five kids. When was the last time you had a break? Leave your kids with their grandparents and come to Ireland! Reconnect with your spouse and learn how teach your children habits that lead to deeper spirituality and lifelong happiness and success. <br></p>
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<p> 4. <strong>The beaches.</strong> This area is famous for its beaches. It includes several of Ireland's "Blue Flag" beaches, which are known for their safety, water quality, and cleanliness. You'll love taking long walks along the gorgeous coastline of Donegal. <strong> <br></strong></p>
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<p>5. <strong>The mountains. <br></strong>In addition to enjoying the sand and salty air of the beaches, you'll also be mesmerized by the mountains of this region. Errigal Mountain, part of the Derryveagh Mountain Range and the tallest peak in Donegal, dominates the skyline. You'll be blown away by the view at the top, if you choose to climb Errigal during your stay here. <br></p>
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<p>6. <strong>You need professional development or continuing education credit anyway. </strong>How many boring seminars or conferences have you attended to get the hours and points you need? This retreat is totally different. You'll learn lots of ways to <em>boost your creativity and productivity</em> in the workplace WHILE HAVING FUN in a beautiful, tranquil place. Remember to check with the powers-that-be in your organization to make sure that the <strong>2020 Christian Mindfulness Retreat In Ireland</strong> meets the necessary criteria for approval. I'll gladly furnish a course syllabus and certificate of completion if you need them.</p>
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<p>7. <strong>You need creative inspiration. </strong>Are you a writer, an artist, a musician, a songwriter, a poet, a journalist, or any other creative type? I'll bet you face the dreaded "writer's block" from time to time. Come to Ireland to learn how to <em>summon your creative muse</em>. Plus, you'll find all the inspiration you need in the natural scenery of the area. <br></p>
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<p>8. <strong>You love Star Wars</strong>. During your trip to Donegal, you can venture out along the famed Inishowen Peninsula to Malin Head, where part of <em>The Last Jedi </em>was filmed. Make sure that you give yourself a full day to make the most of this spectacular scenery. <br></p>
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<p>9. <strong>The weather. </strong>Many Irish people have told me, "You don't come here for the weather." However, I disagree. I crave the cool climate of Donegal during the summer months, which are oppressively hot in the southeastern United States where I live. Imagine wearing a sweatshirt in July - sounds great to me! </p>
<p>10. <strong>The music. </strong>Have you ever heard of <em>Enya</em>? She's from this area. So is <em>Clannad</em>. Famous Irish traditional group <em>Altan</em> hails from Gweedore as well. There must be something in the water! You can enjoy authentic Irish traditional music in several different places during your time in Donegal. <br></p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930652018-04-04T20:00:00-04:002022-05-13T08:43:20-04:00Can We Actually Get Smarter?
<p><em>This article originally appeared here: <a href="https://futurism.media/can-we-get-smarter" data-imported="1">https://futurism.media/can-we-get-smarter</a></em></p>
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<p>Do you remember how hard it was to learn how to tie your shoes? For many of us, our initial experience with shoe-tying is buried under a heavy pile of childhood memories. If you have young children, however, this challenge may be easier to recall. How does it go....the rabbit hops around the tree and through the hole? Something like that. <br><br></p>
<p>For a child who's trying to make sense of the world, this seemingly simple task can overwhelm and frustrate the senses. Over time, though, shoe-tying becomes less arduous. By the time we reach adulthood, we're able to multitask while tying our shoes in the morning. After years of practice, the process is automatic. Our brains know what to do without thinking about it. </p>
<p><span style="letter-spacing:0.01em">This is how the brain learns. With </span><strong style="font-size: 1.1rem; letter-spacing: 0.01em;">time</strong><span style="letter-spacing:0.01em"> and </span><strong style="font-size: 1.1rem; letter-spacing: 0.01em;">repetition</strong><span style="letter-spacing:0.01em">, the brain gets better at doing just about anything. Whether we're playing the violin, fielding ground balls, painting portraits, or solving complex math problems, </span><strong style="font-size: 1.1rem; letter-spacing: 0.01em;">our brains improve with practice</strong><span style="letter-spacing:0.01em">. Brain science has a name for this - </span><em style="font-size: 1.1rem; letter-spacing: 0.01em;">neuroplasticity</em><span style="letter-spacing:0.01em">. Basically, this means that our brains can strengthen based on our behavior. Our habits alter the capacity of the conscious brain. <br></span></p>
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<p>I think it's easier to understand<em> neuroplasticity</em> by imagining a popular hiking trail. This particular route gets lots of foot traffic throughout the year. It is clear of fallen trees and other debris. Hikers move swiftly along the trail without difficulty. </p>
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<p>Now picture a less popular hiking trail. It is overgrown with shrubs and branches. A hiker finds this trail more challenging, since he has to carefully maneuver around the impediments in his way. It takes much longer to travel on this path. </p>
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<p>Here's the connection. Information moves across the "hiking trails" of our brains. With time and repetition, these hiking trails (known as "neural pathways") become stronger. Every time you practice tying your shoes, for example, you hone the neural pathways involved in this activity. Practice makes your brain more efficient and capable of tasks that used to be impossible.</p>
<p>So, because of neuroplasticity, <strong>effort is more important than natural ability</strong>. Regardless of how talented (or not) you might be at birth, you can train your brain to make gains in any endeavor. The human brain gets smarter as it learns how to read, drive a car, fish, book plane tickets, cook lasagna, and shoot free throws. <strong>Also, we can boost creativity, critical thinking, and other intellectual abilities with practice.</strong> Isn't that amazing?</p>
<p>Neuroplasticity is at the heart of the work I do as a "mental conditioning" coach. I help parents and teens form habits for success in school and life. With practice, parents improve in many areas including communication, patience, flexibility, and optimism. Teens grow stronger in aspects such as self-discipline, managing conflict, perseverance, and emotional regulation. Every minute spent on developing these habits cultivates the neural pathways of success.</p>
<p>We got better at tying our shoes with practice. It wasn't easy when we started. Now, however, shoe-tying is an automatic task. Thanks to neuroplasticity, our brains can become more adept at doing anything if we devote enough time and repetition to the enterprise. This even applies to our intellectual abilities. The sky is the limit!</p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930642018-04-04T20:00:00-04:002022-05-17T01:34:07-04:007 Ways To Help Your Child Through A Divorce
<p><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">“What about the kids?”</span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">This question is often the most important concern on the minds of parents involved in a divorce. There’s a good reason for that. In many cases, divorce leads to dismal outcomes for children. From lower self-esteem and health problems to depression and anger issues, divorce can deal a heavy blow to kids. However, divorce doesn’t have to impact children this way. </span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Mental health experts claim that parents can make divorce easier on their kids by following certain guidelines. Some of these ideas include the following:</span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Never criticize your ex in front of your kids. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Regardless of how much suffering you’ve experienced, resist the temptation to put down your ex or your ex’s family. Children love both parents, and they also love both sets of grandparents, aunts, and uncles. If you insult your ex or your ex’s family, you’re creating more confusion and hurt for your child. Instead, try to think of something </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:italic; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">good</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap"> to say about your ex, even if it’s really hard.</span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Don’t try to buy your child’s affection.</span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap"> Sometimes parents will attempt to make their kids feel better by buying expensive clothes, gadgets, trips, and other items. While parents may think that this will help, it can end up backfiring. Spoiling a child only leads to more complications in school and elsewhere. Kids who are used to getting everything they want become less resilient and are more likely to struggle when the going gets tough. Make the most of your time together with enjoyable activities that don’t break the bank. </span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Have patience and show composure when dealing with your kids. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Remember that your kids are innocent victims of your separation. Despite your own frustrations and pain related to the divorce, do your best to avoid lashing out at the children. In addition, ensure that your kids know that they aren’t the cause of the divorce. Tell them how much you love them. The home situation will be different from now on, but your children will always enjoy the love and affection of their parents. </span></p>
<p><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><strong style="font-weight: normal;"> </strong></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">If possible, don’t uproot your kids. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Maintaining routines helps kids get through tough times. Taking your children away from their friends and familiar places and activities makes them more susceptible to mental anguish. Work with your ex to establish as much continuity as you can.</span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Forge strong relationships with your children, especially your teens. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">By improving your communication skills, you grow closer to your kids. Listening, giving and receiving constructive feedback, and resolving conflicts peacefully are skills you should try to develop. You want your children to know that your line of communication is always open and that they should feel comfortable coming to you for advice and guidance. By becoming more effective in expressing your views and respecting those of your child, you will strengthen the bond. </span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Incorporate happiness habits into your home life. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">A branch of psychology known as the “science of happiness” has revealed certain behaviors and ways of thinking that make us happier. By teaching and practicing happiness habits with your children, you get them on track for better lives while elevating your mood at the same time. For ideas on how to have a happier home, check out my </span><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="/happy-family" data-imported="1" data-link-type="page"><span style="color:#1155cc; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip:none; text-decoration-skip-ink:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">“Happy Family” Challenge</span></a><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:400; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">. </span></p>
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<p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Take care of yourself. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-caps:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap">Your kids need you now more than ever. Make sure you eat, sleep, and exercise well. Spend time with supportive friends and family members. Also, <a href="http://www.irishmindfulness.net" data-imported="1">mindfulness meditations</a></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-caps:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-variant-position:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap"> can help you manage your stress and find meaning during this traumatic period. If you become emotionally overwhelmed, realize that this is a completely normal outcome for many people. Be willing to reach out for assistance. There’s no shame in it! You may find peace by taking a vacation or <a href="http://www.irishmindfulness.net" data-imported="1">going on a retreat</a> that helps you clear your mind and see your situation from a different perspective. </span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:transparent; font-weight:bold; font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; text-decoration:none; vertical-align:baseline; white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930632018-03-09T19:00:00-05:002022-03-25T03:36:36-04:00Why Your Sports Team's Loss Is Bad For You
<p>We love our sports teams, but sometimes our passion can have a negative impact on us. <a href="https://unbalanced.media/why-your-sports-team-s-loss-is-bad-for-you" data-imported="1"> Here's an article I wrote</a> about the ways that your favorite team's loss is bad for you.</p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930622017-03-21T20:00:00-04:002022-05-19T05:10:53-04:005 Ways To Teach Happiness To Kids
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<p>If you're like most parents, you want your kids to find <em>happiness in life</em> more than anything else. Despite the craziness of growing up (chores, sports practices, piano recitals, science projects, sibling rivalry, and on and on.....) parents want their kids to have adulthoods of <em>meaning</em>, <em>purpose</em>, and <em>low stress</em>. Is there anything we can do to help our children achieve this dream, or do we have to hope that happiness will descend from the heavens?</p>
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<p>As it turns out, parents have a road map for guiding children towards emotional wellbeing. Over decades of research, the "science of happiness" has identified several habits that make happiness a more likely outcome for our kids. By teaching these happiness habits at home, we can help our children get on track for less stress, more resiliency, and more success at school and beyond.</p>
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<p>Here are five tips for teaching happiness to kids:</p>
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<p>1. <strong>Build a gratitude wall</strong>. Since gratitude makes us happier and healthier, it's a good idea to encourage kids to spend more time being grateful. Even if your kid is "wired to whine," he can get better at gratitude with practice. Try making a gratitude wall with Post-It notes. Every day, write down or draw a picture of two things for which you're grateful. Do this in the kitchen or another room where you spend a lot of time. This way you'll be reminded visually of the good things in your life, and you'll become more grateful as a result.</p>
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<p>2. <strong>Say "screens are dessert."</strong> Want your kids to be happy and healthy? Think S.A.D. - "screens are dessert." Research has shown that excessive screen time leads to an unsettled and less focused brain. Point out the connection between "diet" and health. Is it OK for your child to eat ice cream and brownies all the time? Of course not! We should think the same way about screen time. Encourage a healthy "main course" of reading and exercise, preferably outside.</p>
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<p>3. <strong>Bake cookies for a neighbor.</strong> Since kindness makes us happier and improves the quality of our social connections (an important predictor of emotional wellbeing), bake some cookies and bring them to a neighbor totally at random. Your kids (especially the younger ones) will love helping out in the kitchen. They will probably want to do this again and again, especially if they can sample some cookies along the way!</p>
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<p>4. <strong>Create something.</strong> People who spend a lot of time being creative tend to be happier and less stressed. Encourage your child to use her imagination to create short stories, skits with neighborhood kids, silly songs, and works of art. Building a fort in the woods is a wonderful way to bond with friends while being creative.</p>
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<p>5. <strong>Be curious.</strong> We're happier when we're learning new things and growing as people. Plus, the more you learn, the more creative you become. Pick a different state (or country) each week and learn as much as you can about it. You can include aspects of culture such as food, music, dance, and sports in meals and other family activities.</p>
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<p><em>Want to learn more ways to teach happiness habits, mindfulness, and creativity to your children while enjoying the rugged beauty of the west coast of Ireland? You would love my <a href="http://4morecreativity.com" data-imported="1">Creativity Retreat In Ireland</a>! It's the perfect way to become a better parent while treating yourself to a romantic getaway with your spouse. </em></p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930612017-03-01T19:00:00-05:002023-12-10T11:32:17-05:005 Fascinating Facts You Might Not Know About Ireland
<p>In honor of St. Patrick's Day, people around the world are celebrating their Irish heritage (or they're pretending to be Irish at the moment). Rivers are being dyed green, parades are filling city streets, and Irish music and dancing are entertaining the masses. To help you get in the spirit, I'd like to share some fascinating facts you may not know about Ireland. </p>
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<p>1. The highest mountain range in Ireland has the coolest name - Macgillycuddy's Reeks!</p>
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<p>2. There are no snakes in Ireland. Legend has it that St. Patrick drove them out of the country.</p>
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<p>3. Ireland's population before the potato famine of the 1840s was larger than the country's population is today (it was around 8 million back then, and it's around 5 million now).</p>
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<p>4. During the 16th century, a legendary female pirate named Grace O'Malley ran raids off the west coast of Ireland.</p>
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<p>5. My sixth grade students love learning about one of Ireland's most popular sports, Gaelic football. It is a blend of soccer, basketball, and rugby. Here's a video that shows you what the game looks like - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAbWrdB9XU" data-imported="1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAbWrdB9XU</a>. </p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930602017-02-09T19:00:00-05:002022-05-15T07:43:14-04:00Anxious Kid? How To Calm Your Child
<p>The classroom buzzes with tension on a test day. Many students handle the situation serenely, but others are absolutely freaking out. Nervous kids tend to trigger a chain reaction of anxiety, and sometimes even the calmest children can be drawn into the vortex of negative energy. </p>
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<p>If you're a teacher, you know what I'm talking about. Maybe you've experienced a similar situation as a parent of an anxious kid. Of course, we all feel stressed and overwhelmed at times. Perhaps you've had moments when your plate seems impossibly full with responsibilities, schedule demands, and chaos. Any parent of a young child has likely lived through this scenario!</p>
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<p>Let me suggest a strategy for helping your child and yourself manage a stressful situation. This is a mindfulness activity I use in the classroom. I also share this with the attendees of my <a href="http://www.irishmindfulness.net" data-imported="1">Christian Mindfulness Retreat In Ireland. </a> </p>
<p>The next time you feel a great deal of stress or anxiety, close your eyes. Picture a television remote control. Pick it up, and "change the channel" to one of three channels you have created in your mind. Each channel represents something that is peaceful, meaningful, funny, supportive, or inspiring. Spend a few minutes watching this new channel. Allow yourself to be completely immersed in what you see and hear. In time, you will feel your mood completely change. Your mind will relax, allowing you to ace that test or conquer the challenge before you. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sometimes I ask my sixth grade students to share their "channels" with me and with each other. These may be real or imagined. Here's a brief sample of their responses:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Food Network</p>
<p>- The Beach Channel</p>
<p>- The Family And Friends Channel</p>
<p>- Playing With My Puppy</p>
<p>- ESPN</p>
<p>- The Mongolian Throat Singing Channel (seriously!)</p>
<p>- The Tranquility Channel</p>
<p>- The Baseball Channel</p>
<p>- Sunset In The Mountains</p>
<p>- The Skiing Channel</p>
<p>- Animal Planet</p>
<p>- The Rain Forest Channel</p>
<p>- Ending World Hunger</p>
<p>- The Prayer Channel</p>
<p>- The Channel Where UNC Loses All The Time (this is not one of my favorites....)</p>
<p>- A Time-Lapse Of Flowers Blooming In A Large Field</p>
<p>- Scoring The Winning Goal</p>
<p>- The Fishing Channel</p>
<p>- The Cookie Channel</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As you can see, there are many possible "channels" that bring us inner peace. If you try this activity with the kids in your life, I'd love to hear how it goes! Feel free to share your feedback and experiences with me on <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeFerry7" data-imported="1">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeferryauthor/" data-imported="1">Facebook</a>. </p>
<p> </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930592017-01-19T19:00:00-05:002018-07-28T03:09:16-04:005 Ways To Make Your Teen Happier
<p>Pimples. Hormonal changes. Emotional extremes. Argumentativeness. Romantic relationships. If you have an adolescent son or daughter, you may be living through these and other aspects of the teen years. It's a period of great upheaval, for kids <em>and</em> parents (not to mention the teachers who never escape the drama of middle and high school).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Adolescence has always been hard, but today's teens are having an especially difficult time. For a variety of reasons, teens are suffering from higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression than ever before. Consider this statistic:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- <strong>17%</strong> of high school students seriously consider suicide (<strong>22.4%</strong> of girls)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's unbelievable! Unfortunately, the trend continues into the college years:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- <strong>54%</strong> of college students have extreme anxiety</p>
<p>- <strong>30%</strong> of college students suffer from severe depression</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As parents, there are some strategies we can employ to help our teenage children endure this rough patch and emerge stronger in young adulthood. We can practice these "protective factors" at home to boost our kids' emotional immune systems. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Below are five ways to make teens happier and to promote long-term positive mental health. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. <strong>Have a consistent home or family routine. </strong>I know how tough this can be. My wife and I have four kids, and managing their sports schedules and social calendars seems harder than running a federal agency. If possible, try to have at least one family meal per week. You could also plan a family game night once a month and make it clear that <em>nothing</em> will take priority over it.</p>
<p>2. <strong>Promote healthy habits. </strong>Our physical health impacts our emotional health. Encourage plenty of exercise and a healthy diet. Sleep is often sacrificed due to homework and hanging out with friends, but it is an essential aspect of sound mental health. Do all you can to help your teen get at least eight or nine hours of sleep every night. </p>
<p>3. <strong>Practice spirituality</strong>. Teens are trying to figure out who they are and how they fit into the world. Spirituality offers emotional support and guidance, in addition to a sense of purpose. If your family actively practices religion, help your teen grow in the faith by attending services on a regular basis. Getting involved with your religious community's youth group strengthens social bonds and creates shared experiences that can sustain your teen in difficult times. </p>
<p>4. <strong>Boost confidence.</strong> Many teens suffer from negative self-esteem. This may result from poor body image, stressful social interactions, or feeling inadequate in some way. You can help your teen feel more confident by celebrating his or her victories, large and small. Show your teen that effort leads to results, and that he or she has to power to achieve success in a variety of areas. For more ideas, you can check out my <a href="http://happinessandinnovation.com/blog/what_teachers_really_want_for_teacher_appreciation_week/" data-imported="1">blog post on ways to develop a growth mindset in your child</a>. </p>
<p>5. <strong>Know what's going on</strong>. Monitor your teen's activities, both in the "real world" and online. Take a peek every now and then at your son or daughter's social media profiles. Invite your teen's friends to your house to hang out. Stay in touch with how your child is doing at school and beyond. Often, troubling emotional situations can be avoided by proactive and positive parenting. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hang in there, parents of teens! It's a wild and unpredictable ride, but it will be over before you know it. Your child will grow up and leave the nest (hopefully) with the tools needed for academic and personal success. With a great deal of patience and care, we can get our teens on track for stronger mental health in the present and down the road. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em> </em></p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930582017-01-10T19:00:00-05:002022-05-16T03:44:55-04:00A Risk-Free Fundraising Idea For Your Charity Or Nonprofit
<p>Whether feeding the hungry, sheltering homeless animals, or providing other valuable services, charities and nonprofits impact society in many ways. However, charities and nonprofits can't serve their communities without the funding that keeps them afloat. Are you affiliated with a charity or nonprofit that requires donations? If so, I have an idea that could help you raise money for your organization without spending a dime. </p>
<p>When charities and nonprofits host in-person fundraisers, they often spend so much on speakers, bands, food, and other costs that they barely break even. That's not the case with the project I have in mind. As a speaker and the author of <em>Teaching Happiness And Innovation</em>, I would like to collaborate with you to create a different kind of fundraising event.</p>
<p>Here's the process I suggest:</p>
<p>1. Reach out to your fans and supporters via social media, your website, and your email list. Say something like this: "If you're a parent, you're probably interested in helping your kids achieve happiness and success in school and life. Well, we have a way for you to learn how to do this while supporting our charity at the same time. We're excited to announce that Mike Ferry, internationally-known speaker and author of <em>Teaching Happiness And Innovation</em>, will be our featured speaker on (<em>choose a date and time</em>). Mike is a longtime middle school teacher and an expert in the science of happiness. His work has been featured in the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2015/05/08/how-to-teach-our-children-the-art-of-happiness/?utm_term=.ea17c48ad7be" data-imported="1">Washington Post</a>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/m-shannon-hernandez/teaching-students-happiness_b_6925460.html" data-imported="1">Huffington Post</a>, <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/1202/Crisco-and-cake-mix-Why-a-cop-bought-a-birthday-cake-for-this-shoplifter" data-imported="1">Christian Science Monitor</a>, <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Finance/JulietteFairley/robot-worker-millennial-job/2016/07/14/id/738589/" data-imported="1">Newsmax</a>, and on radio shows and podcast episodes around the world. He'll be talking about ways that parents can teach the art of happiness to their children."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. Now you can explain that my presentation will be a live <em>teleseminar </em>(like a webinar, but a phone presentation rather than streamed online). After registering and paying for the event on your website (or another method that works better for you), listeners will be given the phone number to call and access code to enter at the time of the presentation. We will agree on an admission cost for the speech, and we will split everything 50/50. This means you don't have to spend anything!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3. After my speech, listeners will have the chance to buy my book with a portion of the proceeds ($4 out of $16) benefiting your organization. You can have supporters order books through your website, charging $16 each. Then I can ship the purchased books to you. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. When the event is over, I can send you a PayPal invoice (or we can agree on an alternate means of payment). Here's a sample breakdown: </p>
<p> - We had 20 "attendees" at a cost of $20 per "ticket"</p>
<p> - 10 people bought copies of my book</p>
<p> - So, the invoice total would be <strong>$320</strong> plus tax (20 attendees x $10, and 10 books x $12)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My goal is to help you raise funds while boosting happiness in our world. I'm looking forward to working with you to do just that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If this strikes you as a good idea, please reach out to me. Contact me via <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeFerry7" data-imported="1">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeferryauthor/" data-imported="1">Facebook</a>, or <a href="/contact" data-imported="1" data-link-type="page">my contact page</a>. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930572016-12-13T19:00:00-05:002022-05-21T10:21:00-04:005 Tips For Getting A Raise
<p>Would you like a raise? Are you worried that your job might go to a robot someday? Do you want to lower your stress level and improve your happiness? </p>
<p> </p>
<p>By <em>boosting your creativity, </em>you make yourself more valuable on the job. This is even more important now, since 47% of jobs might be automated within the next 20 years. Creativity also lowers your stress, giving you more energy and making you healthier as well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Am I telling you that you can actually become more creative? Yes! While you may think that creativity is an innate ability you either do or don't have, research suggests otherwise. We can train our brains to improve in many different ways, including creativity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Creativity has never been more important than it is at the present moment. We face challenges in commerce, medicine, public policy, ethics, education, and many other fields. Creative people will bring us to a brighter future. Plus, creativity can help individuals who feel "stuck" and less happy than they did in previous years. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Below are five simple things anyone can do to boost creativity. These ideas come from my <a href="http://4morecreativity.com" data-imported="1">Creativity Retreat In Ireland</a>. At this event, I help people boost their creativity while practicing mindfulness and happiness habits on the gorgeous coast of County Donegal, Ireland. This retreat benefits parents at home, in the workplace, and beyond. While I can't promise that you'll get a raise, I know that these tips will lighten your mood and get those creative juices flowing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. <strong>Read more.</strong> Treat yourself to at least 15 minutes of pleasure reading every day. The more we read, the more we learn. The more we learn, the more creative we become. Reading also exercises our imagination and lowers our stress.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. <strong>Laugh! </strong>Laughter is great for your health. It's been shown to improve your heart health, immune system, and energy level. Plus, laughter can boost creativity by elevating your dopamine levels and getting your brain into a more relaxed state of being. Check out a funny video on YouTube, read some jokes, or think back to a hilarious memory to get into a humorous mood. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>3. <strong>Go for a walk</strong>. Research shows that walking can make us more creative. Resist the urge to multitask, though. Leave the phone at home or at your desk and just enjoy the opportunity to get some exercise while your brain is making new connections and breakthroughs. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. <strong>Avoid processed foods</strong>. Diets rich in processed foods are associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, and an unhappy mind can't be creative. Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables to make your brain relaxed and ready to create.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. <strong>Listen to music</strong>. When we hear music, our brains enter "mind-wandering mode." During this time, it's much easier for us to think critically and creatively. The effect is even stronger if you play a musical instrument. Albert Einstein once said that he was able to do his best thinking after playing his violin for a few minutes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930562016-09-07T20:00:00-04:002017-02-10T03:29:14-05:005 Ways Tai Chi Can Help Children
<h1> </h1>
<p><em>Many thanks to Marcus Clarke for providing this fascinating guest blog post. Marcus regularly blogs at <a href="http://www.psysci.co/" data-imported="1">psysci</a>, a psychology and science blog that examines the latest research and explains how findings can impact and improve people’s lives. I've included some of these ideas in <a href="http://www.happinessandinnovation.com/courses/the_parents_guide_to_surviving_adolescence/" data-imported="1">my online course, "The Parent's Guide To Surviving Adolescence."</a><br></em></p>
<p>--</p>
<p>Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that integrates physical postures, slow body movements, and breathing and awareness exercises in order to train mental clarity and physical calm.</p>
<p>While the pervasive stereotype of Tai Chi is the image of aged Chinese monks practicing yogic poses in brightly coloured robes, recently scientists have done studies demonstrating that Tai Chi has numerous health benefits for all people and can benefit any age group – including <a href="http://www.psysci.co/tai-chi-shown-to-improve-self-esteem-in-adolescents/" data-imported="1">children</a>.</p>
<p>Here are five recent studies demonstrating the benefits of Tai Chi for kids:</p>
<h2>1. Children Become Able to Benefit from Tai Chi in Secondary School</h2>
<p>One would think that a physical activity as advanced as Tai Chi could not be performed at a young age. However, <a href="http://www.jpedhc.org/article/S0891-5245(05)00109-4/abstract" data-imported="1">a study</a> of children in grades 7-9 provided support for the idea that even children as young as age 11 can benefit from Tai Chi.</p>
<p>The reason for this is that children of the secondary school age are at a place of cognitive transition, moving from “concrete operational thinking” to “formal operational thinking,” according to the stages of development identified by Jean Piaget. What this means is that children of this age are just developing the ability to understand abstract concepts like the future, and to imagine themselves in a future time.</p>
<p>The development of these new intellectual abilities means that secondary school children are just beginning to experience the internally-generated feelings of stress and anxiety for which Tai Chi can be beneficial. It also means that they have become capable of performing the abstract mental exercises related to Tai Chi, such as studying koans.</p>
<h2>2. Tai Chi Can Benefit Children with Severe Learning Disabilities</h2>
<p>In many children with special needs, symptoms can include hyperactivity, lack of concentration, difficulty maintaining and focusing attention, as well as muscular tension. It is believed that in many learning disabilities, physical symptoms such as restlessness and heightened arousal co-occur with mental or emotional symptoms such as anxiety and mania.</p>
<p>This co-occurrence of mental and physical symptoms is why Tai Chi might be an effective treatment for children with severe learning disabilities. Tai Chi combines focus on the mind with focus on the body, and can help practitioners discover ways that attending to the body can calm the mind.</p>
<p>While <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859204000154" data-imported="1">some psychology studies</a> have investigated this connection, more research is required to establish a firm link between Tai Chi and improvements in children with severe learning disabilities.</p>
<h2>3. Tai Chi May Improve Attention Deficits Occurring in ADHD</h2>
<p>The most common way to combat the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHD) is pharmacological treatment with drugs such as Ritalin. The prescription and use of Ritalin is a matter of some controversy, however, and alternative methods of treating ADHD are important to investigate.</p>
<p><a href="http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00013/full" data-imported="1">One study</a> tested healthy adolescents for ADHD indicators before, during and after a 15-week introductory Tai Chi course. Results demonstrated that the students who had been performing Tai Chi during the 15 weeks reported improved abilities to pay attention relative to the students who had not been doing Tai Chi.</p>
<h2>4. The Vestibular Sensations of Tai Chi May Decrease Nightmares</h2>
<p>Children can sometimes be affected by recurring night terrors or nightmares. In many of these dreams, a vestibular (balance-oriented) sensation occurs, such as a feeling of falling.</p>
<p>Tai Chi involves a large component of balance training, and so it is very intriguing to consider the possibility that there might be a connection between Tai Chi and vestibular sensations in dreams. <a href="http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1997-42967-015" data-imported="1">One study</a> showed that a population of college-age women who did Tai Chi reported decreased nightmares compared to a similar population who did stretching exercises that did not contain vestibular stimulation.</p>
<h2>5. Children Hoping to Benefit from Tai Chi Must Do It Often</h2>
<p>While several studies demonstrate that children may benefit from performing Tai Chi, it is important to note that these benefits do not come about without consistent effort.</p>
<p><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smi.2435/abstract" data-imported="1">A study</a> done on secondary school students (with an average age of 13 years old) did not find that Tai Chi had any significant benefits on levels of stress or anxiety, despite the Tai Chi sessions being well-attended. The authors of the study conjectured that this was because students only performed Tai Chi once a week for 10 weeks, and results might not have shown until later.</p>
<p>Tai Chi can definitely improve longevity, but that doesn’t mean it should only be performed by elderly people. With sustained effort and the right attitude, the practice of Tai Chi holds benefits for all, including children.</p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930552016-05-15T20:00:00-04:002021-06-19T02:04:04-04:00Fiddlin' Across America
<p>Last summer, the six members of the Ferry family did something truly crazy. We drove our 2003 Honda Odyssey nearly 7,000 miles from Richmond to Seattle and home again. Needless to say, it was a very loud minivan.</p>
<p>Along the way we saw some of the most beautiful vistas our country has to offer. Many of these were in the seven National Parks we visited: Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, Wind Cave, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Shenandoah. We planned to hit several more before returning to Virginia, but our transmission died in Boise. What was supposed to be a relaxing week's drive became a three-day sprint so that we could get back in time for school. </p>
<p>I had my violin with me, since I planned to play at our cousin's wedding (the reason for our epic journey). Somehow I got the notion that it would be fun to play fiddle tunes and American favorites with these famous sites in the background. Jenny agreed to film my performances, and they became the "Fiddlin' Across America" series on my YouTube channel.</p>
<p>In honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service's founding, here are the videos we shot in the parks we enjoyed during our journey.</p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
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<p> </p>
<p></p>
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<p></p>
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<p></p>
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<p></p>
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<p></p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930542016-05-11T20:00:00-04:002021-12-14T15:46:25-05:00Want More Energy In The Kitchen? Teach Happiness!
<p>While at a media conference in New York, I had the chance to meet a cooking blogger named Alma Schneider. She wanted to know if I could put together a guest blog post showing how gratitude can lead to more energy in the kitchen. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here it is: <a href="http://takebackthekitchen.com/want-more-energy-in-the-kitchen-teach-happiness/" data-imported="1">http://takebackthekitchen.com/want-more-energy-in-the-kitchen-teach-happiness/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bon appetit!</p>
<p> </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930532016-05-01T20:00:00-04:002021-06-29T06:59:51-04:00What Teachers Really Want For Teacher Appreciation Week
<p>Every year, students bring in baked goods, gift cards, handmade notes, and other presents during Teacher Appreciation Week. Keep them coming - teachers love that stuff! However, there's a FREE gift that teachers really want their students to carry with them into the classroom during Teacher Appreciation Week and the rest of the year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's called the <em>growth mindset</em>. Students with a growth mindset will embrace challenges, persist when the going gets tough, value effort above natural ability, and achieve more in school and life. If the whole classroom were filled with growth mindset kids, teachers could move mountains every day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wouldn't it be great if parents could help their kids develop the growth mindset? Well, it's possible!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Here are five tips for giving your kids a growth mindset:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>- Avoid using words like "smart" and "talented." It may be hard to break this habit at first, but try to find a different way to praise your child. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Show your kid that effort leads to success. Did she bring home a stellar report card? Tell her that her grades come from her hard work and discipline, not her natural ability.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Tell your kids that there are few "overnight" success stories. Whether you're talking about an athlete, a musician, a politician, or another type of celebrity, focus on the fact that he probably had to work for a long time before reaching the pinnacle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Embrace struggle. Is your child having difficulty in a subject at school? Praise her for persevering. Let her know that self-discipline and grit will take her far in life (much further than the actual grade she receives in school).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Celebrate victories, no matter how small. Did your son's baseball team have an exciting come from behind victory? Did your daughter master a difficult dance routine? Did your kid do well on a test after preparing for it for weeks? Take the time to celebrate success. If we feel that our effort leads to positive results, we're more likely to try hard in the future.</p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930522016-02-16T19:00:00-05:002020-10-19T03:41:36-04:00Why Boredom Is Bad For You And Your Kids
<p>"I'm bored!"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How often do you hear that as a parent? How often do you say it, even to yourself? Our hectic lives have not banished boredom from the face of the planet. Whether it's at school, at work, or in other environments, boredom lingers and presents many threats to our health and happiness.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For example, people prone to boredom are more likely to engage in addictive behaviors such as <strong>binge eating and drinking</strong>, <strong>gambling</strong>, and other compulsions. In addition, boredom is associated with <strong>unsafe driving habits</strong>. Bored drivers tend to drive at higher speeds and are slower to react to unexpected hazards. They also are more likely to drift over the center line into oncoming traffic. Finally, boredom has a <strong>negative impact on kids</strong>. Bored students are <strong>less able to learn and remember</strong> information, and bored teens are 50% more likely to experiment with <strong>smoking, drinking, and illegal drugs</strong>. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fear not, however, because we can eradicate boredom by practicing habits of happiness and creativity. Dopamine-producing behaviors such as gratitude, kindness, and walking change our brain chemistry and make us more engaged. Being creative is another way to inject enthusiasm into an otherwise mundane situation (check out my "<a href="http://www.happinessandinnovation.com/blog/10_ways_to_boost_creativity/" data-imported="1">10 Ways To Boost Creativity</a>" blog post for ideas). You can also fight boredom by learning something new and interesting. Have you ever heard of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAbWrdB9XU" data-imported="1">Gaelic football</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtvG9XDtjv4" data-imported="1">cheese rolling</a>? Start there! A curious person who loves daydreaming, reading, and thinking will never suffer from the plague of boredom. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930512016-02-01T19:00:00-05:002018-07-28T03:13:10-04:0010 Ways To Boost Creativity
<p>Creativity is a path to happiness. It also is an essential aspect of innovation. As kids many of us are naturally creative. Unfortunately, our creativity tends to be eliminated as we enter school. </p>
<p>The good news is that <strong>we can reclaim our creativity</strong>. In addition, <strong>we can help our kids preserve and develop their creative capacity</strong>.</p>
<p>Here are ten (hopefully fun) activities that can boost your creativity. Using each group of words, compose a short story, skit, poem, song, movie, dance, etc. Let your mind roam free. If this becomes hilarious and a bit chaotic, so be it! Maybe you could try this exercise the next time you need an icebreaker in the office, the classroom, or anywhere else. Plus, you might learn a thing or two by looking up the meanings of any people, places, or things you don't know about. The more we learn, the more creative we can be! By the way, if you enjoy these creativity activities, you'll love my <a href="http://4morecreativity.com" data-imported="1">Creativity Retreat In Ireland</a>!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Submarine</em></p>
<p><em>Giraffe</em></p>
<p><em>Tampa </em></p>
<p><em>Violin</em></p>
<p><em>Superman</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>James Bond</em></p>
<p><em>Walla Walla, Washington</em></p>
<p><em>Skunk<br></em></p>
<p><em>Hula hoop</em></p>
<p><em>Nutella</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Onion rings</em></p>
<p><em>Portland</em></p>
<p><em>Candles</em></p>
<p><em>Chincilla</em></p>
<p><em>Millard Fillmore</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Tuba</em></p>
<p><em>Vatican City</em></p>
<p><em>Thin Mints</em></p>
<p><em>Al Capone</em></p>
<p><em>Poker</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Golf cart</em></p>
<p><em>Beard</em></p>
<p><em>Mars</em></p>
<p><em>Guinea pig</em></p>
<p><em>Ronald Reagan</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Oak tree</em></p>
<p><em>Porsche</em></p>
<p><em>Suitcase</em></p>
<p><em>Lebron James</em></p>
<p><em>Aardvark</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Pufferfish</em></p>
<p><em>Sphinx</em></p>
<p><em>Popcorn</em></p>
<p><em>Babe Ruth</em></p>
<p><em>Glockenspiel</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Walrus</em></p>
<p><em>U2</em></p>
<p><em>Sled</em></p>
<p><em>Kabbadi </em></p>
<p><em>Napoleon</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Molars</em></p>
<p><em>Ottawa</em></p>
<p><em>Silk Road</em></p>
<p><em>Flip flop</em></p>
<p><em>Olaf</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Louis Armstrong</em></p>
<p><em>Iguana</em></p>
<p><em>Starbucks</em></p>
<p><em>Columbus Zoo</em></p>
<p><em>Hello Kitty pencil</em></p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930502016-01-13T19:00:00-05:002016-01-14T07:39:07-05:00Can Being Busy Make Us Less Productive?
<p><strong>"Beware the barrenness of a busy life." - Socrates</strong></p>
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<p><strong></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>As we identify and teach habits related to emotional well-being, it's important to think about the negative impact of busyness on our brains, moods, and output. Thanks to modern technology, we can fill our plates with endless projects and diversions. But should we? </p>
<p>If productivity is our goal, we should think twice before embracing multitasking. <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/254840" data-imported="1">Recent research</a> has revealed that multi-tasking can actually make us less productive. By changing course while in the middle of completing one task, we ensure that it will take longer to finish both objectives; in fact, <strong>the time required increases by 25%</strong>. <br></p>
<p>Busyness also impedes our ability to maintain calm and contented brains and emotional states. Brain scans have demonstrated that extreme multitasking leads to lower brain density in the <em>anterior cingulate cortex</em> (ACC), a region that helps us focus and concentrate. In other words, being busy wires our brains to become more agitated, anxious, and unsettled. </p>
<p>Despite the downsides of multitasking, many of us feel drawn to do it anyway. Why is that? Researchers at the University of Chicago suggest that part of the answer may be something known as "idleness aversion." Since we see full schedules as emblematic of success, we may be too frightened to relax. Whether or not we realize it, we are compelled to work harder than is necessary.</p>
<p>As Socrates said, a busy life leads to barrenness. Since our objective is to create lives of joy and meaning, let's find ways to practice happiness habits while avoiding incessant activity. </p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Source: <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/254840" data-imported="1">http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/254840</a></em></p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930492015-12-17T19:00:00-05:002015-12-18T04:17:10-05:00Kind Kids Will Create A Safer, Healthier Future
<p>As you may know, teaching kindness is one of the best ways to guide our kids towards happier lives. New research is showing that kindness has many other benefits as well.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/kind_kids_lead_to_healthier_communities" data-imported="1">this new study</a>, children who show a high degree of "pro-social behavior" (cooperation, helpfulness, empathy, etc.) go on to have better educational outcomes and job prospects. Such kids will also be less likely to have legal problems and mental illness as they grow up. This research adds to the growing body of evidence linking kindness with emotional well-being and success in life.</p>
<p> By teaching kindness to the kids in our lives, we'll help them become happier people. We'll also be doing our part to create a safer, more prosperous, and more sustainable future. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930482015-09-26T20:00:00-04:002015-10-12T05:19:36-04:00Teaching Gratitude
<p>This article originally appeared here - <a href="http://ripplekindness.org/creating-a-happier-classroom-with-gratitude/" data-imported="1">http://ripplekindness.org/creating-a-happier-classroom-with-gratitude/</a></p>
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<p>Several years ago I had the opportunity to attend an education conference in San Francisco, CA. While I was there, I learned many exciting findings from the "science of happiness." That weekend revolutionized my perspectives related to teaching and parenting. Since then I have been on a quest to create a happier classroom and to help other teachers do the same thing.</p>
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<p>One lesson I learned at the conference pertains to the relationship between happiness and success. As recent research has shown, success does not always lead to happiness. Many of us know this from experience. For example, landing a highly coveted job and buying your dream home may not necessarily result in a blissful state. On the other hand, people who are happy tend to find success in school, at work, and in every domain in life.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Grateful people tend to be happier, whether they are adults or kids. When we express gratitude, our brains release dopamine, the chemical known as the "happiness neurotransmitter." The more time we spend being grateful, the happier we are. So, if we can help kids become more grateful, they will be happier and more successful in the short run and down the road.<br> <br> With this in mind, I start many of my sixth grade history classes with brief "moments of gratitude." I ask students to spend a few minutes drawing pictures of anything for which they are grateful. Wandering around the room, I encounter illustrations of dogs, cake, family gatherings, and other sources of delight. My hope is that gratitude will become habitual for my students, who will be happier as a result. In turn, greater happiness will make success more likely in the kids’ academic and personal lives.</p>
<p><br> Here are more ways to teach gratitude in the classroom:</p>
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<p>- When a student is celebrating a birthday, have the other kids make a list of reasons why they are grateful for the birthday girl or boy. </p>
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<p>- If the skies are clear, talk about how grateful you are that the day is so beautiful. On a rainy day, proclaim that you are grateful for precipitation because our food chain depends on it.</p>
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<p>- Begin class with the lights turned off. After awhile, turn them on. Discuss how grateful we should be to have electricity in our lives. </p>
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<p>- We are fortunate that we have the ability to calm our minds when we feel anxious or stressed. You may want to use the <a href="http://www.happinessandinnovation.com/blog/the_mindfulness_bell" data-imported="1">"Mindfulness Bell"</a> in your classroom to help students relax before a test. </p>
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<p>- After returning from a holiday, go around the room and invite everyone share one positive experience that happened while you were away.</p>
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<p>- How lucky are we to have antibiotics and other modern medicines? Work this into conversation when kids return to school from absences due to illness.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>- Give extra credit when students list three things they are grateful for on their test papers. </p>
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<p> While many of us may be "wired to whine," we can train our brains to become grateful. As in other areas of life, practice makes perfect. By teaching gratitude we will direct our students towards better mental health, stronger academic performance, and adulthoods of meaning and fulfillment. </p>
<p> </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930472015-07-13T20:00:00-04:002015-10-12T05:17:33-04:0010 Ways To Teach Kindness To Kids
<p>This article originally appeared here - <a href="http://www.jbfsaleblog.com/10-ways-to-teach-kindness-to-our-kids/" data-imported="1">http://www.jbfsaleblog.com/10-ways-to-teach-kindness-to-our-kids/</a></p>
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<p> </p>
<p>We all want our kids to find happiness in life. Thanks to the "science of happiness," research has identified several habits that make lifelong happiness more likely to occur. Kindness is one of them.</p>
<p>Kindness is a cost-free way to improve your emotional well-being. Plus, it doesn't require a prescription! When we are kind, our brains experience an infusion of dopamine, the "happiness neurotransmitter." The more kindness and compassion we display for others, the happier we become. Plus, kindness will make our world a safer and more sustainable place for our children and future generations. </p>
<p>For many of us, kindness may not be an innate attribute. That's okay, because we can get better at it with practice. Here is a list of ways that we can teach kindness to our kids.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. <strong>Model kindness.</strong> Our kids are always paying attention to our actions, whether or not we realize it. When interacting with other people, try your best to use a kind tone. </p>
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<p>2. <strong>Give a generous tip.</strong> If you're eating out with the kids, leave a tip that is more than expected. Explain that the server will appreciate being rewarded for a job well done.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3. <strong>Bake cookies for a neighbor. </strong>Kids will enjoy baking the goodies and seeing the smiles on the receiving end. Doing this will also lead to a stronger social connection, one of the most important predictors of happiness.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. <strong>Develop empathy. </strong>We are more likely to show compassion if we have a better understanding of other people's perspectives and experiences. Discuss the ways that characters from your favorite books and movies might have different opinions based on their unique backgrounds and situations. When your kids are studying history in school, encourage them to try to understand major events from as many viewpoints as possible. You can do this with current events as well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. <strong>Write a note of appreciation.</strong> Leave a kind message for the housekeeper at your hotel on the notepad by the bed. Have your kids add their own words of gratitude.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>6. <strong>Serve others. </strong>Clean up trash at the park, gather athletic gear for needy kids, or serve food at a food kitchen as a family. Faith communities often have family service projects. If not, you could help get the ball rolling. For more ideas, try the <a href="http://www.handsonnetwork.org/" data-imported="1">HandsOn Network.</a> </p>
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<p>7. <strong>Make a micro-loan.</strong> Lend money to an entrepreneur in a developing country (or even your own) through <a href="http://www.kiva.org" data-imported="1">Kiva</a>. You can select the country, loan amount, and see the actual person who will receive your money. It feels great to know that your small investment is changing the lives of individuals and communities. Plus, your kids will improve their understanding of geography and global economics.</p>
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<p>8. <strong>Send a homemade card to Grandma and Grandpa. </strong>It could be to celebrate a birthday, holiday, or for no particular reason at all. Most kids enjoy the arts and crafts elements of these projects, and grandparents love to receive them. Talk about the warm fuzzy feeling they'll have when Grandma calls to say "thank you."</p>
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<p>9. <strong>Go green</strong>. Reduce, reuse, and recycle when possible. Discuss our role in the ecosystem. Explain that our actions have an impact on other living beings, and that some of these consequences may be felt for generations. When we care about what happens beyond our immediate circumstances, we are more compelled to act with kindness towards others.</p>
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<p>10. <strong>Follow the leaders</strong>. Learn about historical figures famous for their devotion to the common good. Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. are excellent places to start. Talk about ways that you could bring their philosophies and actions into your own lives. </p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930462015-04-14T20:00:00-04:002015-04-15T04:45:08-04:00Globally Curious?
<p>Interested in how many people were born today? How about the amount of money spent on obesity-related issues in the US? Or maybe the number of emails that have been sent today around the world?</p>
<p>You can find all of these statistics and many more at this site: <a href="http://www.worldometers.info/" data-imported="1">http://www.worldometers.info/</a>. What a treasure trove of fascinating discussion starters for the social studies classroom! My students stumbled across the page and were instantly transfixed. Of course, you can share this with your own children as well. We become more grateful for our blessings and curious about the world when we have easy access to this kind of information. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930452015-03-15T20:00:00-04:002021-12-14T15:47:16-05:00How History Can Make Us More Grateful
<p>The headlines are, and will always be, disastrous. If you spend five minutes reading a newspaper or watching a newscast, you might be tempted to believe that the Earth is seconds away from total destruction. Surely things have never been this bad, right?</p>
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<p>Actually, things have never been this <strong>good</strong>. Check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo" data-imported="1">video from Hans Rosling</a>, a British statistician who is able to bring numbers to life. Rosling shows how the past 200 years have elevated us to new heights of life expectancy and wealth. We have never lived longer or earned more. In addition, we have never had this much food to eat. Babies are surviving their first years of life at a much higher percentage than at any other time in our planet's history. Communication and transportation have never been easier or faster. Of course, we do have major problems that will demand solutions over time. Yet, human beings are a far cry from the "nasty, brutish, and short" lifetimes that we used to have in previous centuries. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>History can teach us many lessons. One of these is that we should be grateful for modernity. Despite its faults, life in the contemporary world is vastly better than it used to be. We will be happier people if we learn how far we have come and express gratitude for our progress. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930442015-02-08T19:00:00-05:002015-02-09T02:49:13-05:00Want safe drivers? Teach empathy.
<p>While Jenny and I may think that driving is light years away for our kids, that visit to the DMV will be here before we know it. What can we be doing now to prepare them to be the safest drivers possible?</p>
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<p>A <a href="http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/motr/analysis-of-social-cognition-predicts-dangerous-drivers.html" data-imported="1">new study out of the Czech Republic</a> suggests that empathy is related to driver safety. People who have greater concern for the well-being of others are more likely to be safer drivers than those who are self-focused. The researchers, whose work is published in the journal <em>Neurolmage</em>, showed that safe drivers had more brain activity in the superior temporal sulcus, a region associated with empathy.</p>
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<p>We have no control over the weather, potholes, or other driving conditions. Yet, we can improve safety on the roads by teaching our kids the importance of considering the viewpoints of others. In the classroom - literature, history, social studies, etc. - and at home, we can produce incident-free future roadway travel by teaching empathy.</p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930432015-01-14T19:00:00-05:002015-01-15T07:05:11-05:00The Mindfulness Bell
<p>All of us need ways to manage the stress we face in our lives. Here is a helpful tool - <a href="http://www.mindfulnessdc.org/bell/" data-imported="1">the mindfulness bell</a>. I like to use it in my middle school history classes. For the duration of the sound of the bell, try to focus your thoughts only on your breathing. Perhaps you could count your breaths or zero in on the sensation of air coming into and leaving from your body. </p>
<p>This may be a challenge at first. It certainly was (and still is) for me! Foreign thoughts try to force themselves into my consciousness. Yet, the more I practice, the better I get at focusing my attention on my breathing. </p>
<p>When you have mastered this task, try to maintain your focused attention for ever longer periods of time. You will probably find that this relaxes your brain and body, lowering your stress level and improving your ability to think in depth. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930422014-11-09T19:00:00-05:002021-09-10T16:00:26-04:00Isaac Newton's Relaxed Brain
<p>The story is legendary. Sir Isaac Newton, father of modern physics, discovered the law of gravity after being pelted by a falling apple. He was at his family's farm in the English countryside, fleeing Oxford due to an outbreak of the plague. For eighteen months, Newton had the freedom to let his mind wander. Unencumbered by an academic schedule, Newton received no emails or text messages. He did not update his Facebook status. He attracted no new followers on Twitter. Rather, in a tranquil rural environment, Isaac Newton passed the time by thinking. In addition to working out the law of gravity, Newton also made advances in the study of light and the understanding of mathematics. All the while, his imagination was his primary companion.</p>
<p>What can we learn from Newton's example? In order for breakthroughs to take place, we need to give our brains time to relax and make connections in stress-free settings. Life in the first world in the 21st century is loud, active, and reactionary. These conditions make us more productive, but they may hinder the type of thinking that will give us the Big Ideas of commerce, medicine, and public policy. For our kids' benefit, we have to help them strike a balance between preserving imagination and existing in our multi-tasking-obsessed contemporary world.</p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930412014-10-15T20:00:00-04:002017-09-20T04:15:15-04:00Teenage Girls, Stress, and Depression
<p>Adolescent girls are at greater risk for depression than their male counterparts. A <a href="http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/teenage-girls-are-exposed-to-more-stressors-that-increase-depression-risk.html" data-imported="1">new study</a> suggests that interpersonal stress is an important contributor to this sad reality. Teenage girls tend to harbor negative thoughts more frequently than teenage boys when experiencing stressful encounters with others. In addition, according to the authors of this study, girls face more of these situations than boys. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why do girls have such a high rate of interpersonal stressors? While the authors claim that more research needs to be done in this area, they conclude that "developing more effective ways of responding to these stressors may be beneficial for adolescents, especially girls.” In other words, we need to help girls (and boys) find better strategies for managing stress. </p>
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<p>By teaching the skills of happiness (growth mindset, perseverance, gratitude, etc.), we will put kids on the path towards lifelong well-being and success. We will also give them tools they need to navigate the stressful waters of adolescence, minimizing the likelihood that they will suffer from the darkness of depression. </p>
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<p><em>If you think your teen or pre-teen would benefit from learning stress management techniques, you may want to check out <a href="http://www.happinessandinnovation.com/courses/success_training_for_teens/" data-imported="1">"Success Training For Teens."</a> This is my coaching program that helps teens build <strong>self-confidence</strong>, <strong>resilience</strong>, <strong>optimism</strong>, <strong>mindfulness</strong>, and many other habits leading to <strong>success in school and life</strong>. </em></p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930402014-09-22T20:00:00-04:002014-09-23T12:55:32-04:00Mindset: Fixed vs. Growth
<p>Here's an <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/" data-imported="1">infographic</a> laying out the differences between the fixed and growth mindsets as described by Carol Dweck. Her book, <em>Mindset: The New Psychology of Success</em>, has had a significant impact throughout our culture. It was also very helpful to me as I wrote my book. Dweck's ideas can change your mind in myriad ways. Adopting a growth mindset at school and everywhere else will, without a doubt, bring happiness and success to our kids. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930392014-09-20T20:00:00-04:002014-09-21T06:09:28-04:00Music and Big Ideas
<p>Our kids need to learn how to develop their creative sensibilities in order to design the safer, more prosperous, and more sustainable future we want for them. It turns out that music facilitates this process. By listening to music, our brains enter what is known as "mind-wandering mode." When a mind is free to wander, it is more likely to generate connections between concepts that are not previously linked. This is how "Big Ideas" are born.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So, in addition to making us feel good, music can make us more innovative. Check out this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/24/music-creative_n_5511501.html?&ir=Education&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000023" data-imported="1">article</a> for more information. </p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930382014-09-03T20:00:00-04:002014-09-04T01:19:37-04:00Our Kids Can Get Smarter
<p>The central concept of the <em>growth mindset</em> is the idea that we can improve over time, even with regards to our intellectual abilities. In other words, we can become smarter with practice. What a beautiful message to communicate to our kids! It doesn't matter how gifted you are (or not) at birth, because our thoughts and behaviors can shape our brains. Whether we are at school, at home, or anywhere else, our brains get stronger and more capable if we guide them that way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hey, if it worked for Albert Einstein, it can work for us! Here's a <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/how-smart-can-we-get.html" data-imported="1">video from a NOVA episode</a> that discusses Einstein's brain in addition to other related ideas. I started showing it to my students last year, and they have loved it. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930372014-08-20T20:00:00-04:002014-08-21T06:45:05-04:00Struggle and Happiness
<p>How we view struggle has a great deal to do with our happiness. If we see struggle as a natural part of the learning process, we are more likely to embrace it. We will carry on through difficulty and achieve success in school, in work, and everywhere else. On the other hand, if struggle represents weakness, a lack of intelligence, or some other negative trait that we believe we have, it will have unhealthy impacts. </p>
<p>We should teach our kids to consider struggle as an opportunity to reach our potential. It makes us stronger as people and drives us to greater accomplishments. Perhaps we can learn from Japan. Here's a <a href="http://n.pr/1fIBgDN" data-imported="1">report</a> discussing how the Japanese view struggle. I found this perspective fascinating, and I included it in my book. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930362014-07-23T20:00:00-04:002022-02-11T01:54:43-05:00How To Have A Happy Workplace
<p>Back in January of last year, <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3004595/secrets-americas-happiest-companies" data-imported="1">CareerBliss</a> released its list of America's 50 happiest companies. What factors make a happy workplace? One is related to the growth mindset. When people are able to improve over time they are much happier and less likely to experience burnout. If employees move around among various projects and tasks, the work will be fresh and interesting. Getting stuck in the rut of the status quo leads to boredom and unhappiness. Another facet of a happy company involves purpose. An employee who feels that her labor has a meaningful impact on others finds the job much more fulfilling. </p>
<p>By learning the skills of happiness and innovation, our kids will design rewarding careers. They might be able to teach us a thing or two as well. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930352014-07-20T20:00:00-04:002014-07-21T05:41:15-04:00Why Do We Work So Hard?
<p>A recent Business Insider <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-people-work-too-much-2014-7" data-imported="1">article</a> discusses something that plagues many of us. We're working too hard and not devoting enough attention to enjoying our lives. "Overearning" - toiling excessively to accumulate resources we don't really need - is widespread. Is this phenomenon attributable to habits our ancestors developed over time, as the article suggests? I think that's part of it, but our cultural addiction to <em>stuff</em> is another factor. </p>
<p>Of course, we need to impart the value of hard work to our kids. Otherwise, they'll never be able to provide their needs for survival. But we also need to teach the values of happiness and encourage lives of balance and purpose. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930342014-06-26T20:00:00-04:002014-06-27T04:18:32-04:00Promote Design Thinking
<p>As best-selling author Daniel Pink points out in <em>A Whole New Mind</em>, design thinking is imperative these days. Modern technology and cheap labor abroad drive manufacturing costs to the floor. Low price, therefore, isn't the only way for products and services to stand out from the crowd. Instead, people make buying decisions based on how something makes them feel. </p>
<p>Design is important because it engages our emotions. Our kids should be made aware of this. They can learn how to become design thinkers by paying attention to the little things that connect us to our experiences. </p>
<p>This summer, I'm trying to encourage design thinking with my own kids by asking questions like these:</p>
<p>What do you like about this _________ (book, movie, restaurant, hotel, etc.)? How could it be improved? What kind of person would enjoy it? Can you think of anything that would help win more fans for it?</p>
<p>I've enjoyed the conversations that have resulted from these questions. Hopefully you'll have a positive experience as well!</p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930332014-06-23T20:00:00-04:002014-06-24T09:16:24-04:00Creativity = happiness
<p>A <a href="http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/forget-tortured-artist-stereotype-creativity-breeds-happiness-748" data-imported="1">recent study</a> from UNC-Greensboro links creative behavior with happiness. The more time we spend engaging in creative pursuits, the happier we're likely to be. This is great news. The path to a brighter future must be paved with creative thinking. Encouraging kids to develop their creative abilities will be an easy sell if it also makes them happy! </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930322014-06-15T20:00:00-04:002022-05-16T03:50:17-04:00The Importance of Involved Dads
<p>A <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-dedicated-dads/372516/" data-imported="1">recent article</a> in The Atlantic magazine outlines the benefits children receive when their fathers are actively involved in their lives. Kids of dedicated dads have better problem-solving skills, are more creative, and they learn more and perform better in school. Let's make every day Father's Day! </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930312014-05-20T20:00:00-04:002014-05-21T06:29:18-04:00Purpose May Improve Longevity
<p>Having a sense of purpose in life makes us happier. It can also make us live longer and avoid serious health problems as we age. Check it out: <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276893.php" data-imported="1">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276893.php</a></p>
<p>The earlier we teach kids how to live with purpose, the healthier they will be. </p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930302014-05-12T20:00:00-04:002022-04-27T02:06:59-04:00Illuminating Kid Inventor
<p>Kids are capable of changing the world when they are still kids. Check out this story about a girl who is making a difference in the lives of others by creating head lamps powered by body heat. This shows the value of teaching curiosity, purpose, and kindness. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/teen-inventors-bright-idea-may-light-world-n103601" data-imported="1">http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/teen-inventors-bright-idea-may-light-world-n103601</a></p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930292014-05-05T20:00:00-04:002014-05-16T04:52:06-04:00Does An Expensive College Education Make You Happier?
<p>According to today's <a href="http://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report" data-imported="1">Marketplace Morning Report</a>, the answer is no. Findings show that graduates of exclusive colleges and universities are not significantly happier than peers from less prestigious institutions. Those who were happier later in life had close relationships with "inspiring, supportive professors or mentors" during their college years. Considering the staggering cost of higher education these days, we need to rethink its importance. Maybe there's a better way to help people acquire skills they would gain at the university level while increasing their happiness and protecting their bank accounts. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930282014-04-28T20:00:00-04:002021-12-14T15:47:40-05:00Emotions and Group Dynamics
<p>In groups, the people who express their emotions most vigorously are likely to spread their feelings to others. This is related to "mirror neurons," which I have just learned about after reading <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Jun/14/happiness-learned-karpinski/" data-imported="1">this article</a>. Whether in the office, the classroom, or any other social setting, we are likely to be influenced by the most expressive emotions that surround us. So, as teachers and parents, we want positive emotions to dominate our environments. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930272013-12-16T19:00:00-05:002021-12-27T10:56:23-05:00Mountain Mamas
<p>You might be interested in visiting the Mountain Mamas website during this holiday shopping season. Founded by a group of creative working parents in Utah, the Mountain Mamas site features lots of handcrafted jewelry, scarves, luggage tags, and other items. Proceeds from sales support charities like UNICEF, Livestrong, and other fine groups. Thanks to my loving wife for telling me about it!</p>
<p>Check it out! <a title="Mountain Mamas!" href="http://mountainmamas.net/Scripts/PublicSite/?template=About" data-imported="1">http://mountainmamas.net/Scripts/PublicSite/?template=About</a></p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930262013-09-29T20:00:00-04:002013-09-30T03:15:54-04:00Happiness
<p>My efforts to promote happiness in the history classroom were featured in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Here's the link: <a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/relationships/parenting/life-notes-teach-your-child-happiness-habits/article_37e1c2c6-54f3-5b32-8ebe-9582e72bf9a5.html" data-imported="1">http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/relationships/parenting/life-notes-teach-your-child-happiness-habits/article_37e1c2c6-54f3-5b32-8ebe-9582e72bf9a5.html</a></p>
<p>Happiness is a critical element of success, and I hope that we can encourage all children to maximize it. </p>
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Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930252013-05-12T20:00:00-04:002022-05-11T01:27:05-04:00What I'm Working On
<p>I hope to have a bit more time to record and perform when summer comes to town. "Peppermint and Rainbows," "You Don't Need A Reason To Dance Right Now," and "Do You See Your Shadow?" are some of the tunes I hope to complete ASAP. Another song, "Notable Beards Of History," needs some research. I'm accepting suggestions at the moment for famous facial hair to include in that one. </p>
<p>Happy May!</p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930242013-04-28T20:00:00-04:002013-04-29T03:22:04-04:00Art in the real world
<p>Here's an NPR report on how poets survive in the real world. Interesting stuff for creative types.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/177986761/from-dissections-to-depositions-poets-second-jobs" data-imported="1">http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/177986761/from-dissections-to-depositions-poets-second-jobs</a></p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930232013-03-08T19:00:00-05:002013-03-09T11:04:38-05:00March
<p>Ah, a fine time of year! Summer's on the way, but college basketball's pinnacle awaits. Should be fun!</p>
<p>I recorded a song in honor of Chapel Hill. You can see the video on the Images page. </p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930222013-02-28T19:00:00-05:002013-03-01T01:40:53-05:00We're live!
<p>It's taken a fair amount of troubleshooting, but I'm ready to roll out the new site. It will evolve over time, no doubt! Let the fun commence!</p>
Mike Ferrytag:happinessandinnovation.com,2005:Post/61930212013-02-20T19:00:00-05:002022-05-23T08:49:09-04:00Updated site - welcome!
<p>Well, I'm almost ready to unveil the new happinessandinnovation.com. I'm excited about it, and I'm ready to get started on the next phase of my musical life.</p>
Mike Ferry