Week 13

*For explanation of The Happiness Experiment" go HERE .*


Last Week's Secrets:
Don't let your religious beliefs fade.
Do what you say you are going to do.


Secret #25
Don't be aggressive with your friends and family.


"Even if you are right, there is nothing to be gained from letting yourself become adversarial with your loved ones. Remember how much more important these people are to you than is the issue you are talking about."


It would be really nice to always be right. I know I'm not always right. Of course, I like to think I'm right SOMEtimes. But being right isn't THAT important. I would rather just end the argument. Don't get me wrong, I always try and get my point across and get my side of the story heard. I don't just give up. And it can be really hard to shut my mouth and genuinely listen to the other person's side of the story. But that is key. Be open to other's points of view and you may realize that neither is right or that the argument is actually really silly and not worth "being right".


Besides if you always have to be right, people may just stop talking to you just to avoid an argument. "Being right" may cost you friendships. Others don't want to be around you if they can't express their thoughts without being told they are wrong.


"Prevalent criticism within relationships reduces happiness up to one-third."


Secret #26
Root for the home team.


"Living with the ups and downs of your area's favorite sports team will help you feel a part of the community and show you how much you have in common with your neighbors."


Growing up in a small town really gave me a sense of rooting for the home team. Sports were huge. The whole town turned out for the games. When we would take a State Championship, everyone would meet the bus at one end of town and follow it all the way around town. Up and down all the streets honking and yelling. Then we stopped at the school in front of the gym and the whole team got the ring the Victory Bell. Everyone felt like they had a hand in the championship. When I first came to Reno, my sister was playing basketball for UNR. It was so much fun to go to all the games. It was great to have something in common with all those other fans. People from all walks of life came together to cheer for the home team.


"Rooting for a local sports team was found to have positive effects by providing a common interest with others in the community and increasing happiness by 4 percent."


Review:
Don't be aggressive with your friends and family.
Root for the home team.


I apologize for the lack of other posts besides this experiment. I know these posts are probably long and boring. I am going to try and get more pictures and updates of the family on here too. So don't give up on me. Keep coming back. Please.