ARTICLES & BLOG
Good Morning Routine
How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.
I like to embed practices into my morning routine that support, enhance and rejuvenate my happiness, wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual), positivity, energy and productivity.
The great thing is most of these only take 2-10 mins each and return much more for energy, attention, mindset and mood.
How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.
Good Morning Vietnam!
Good Morning Vietnam : https://youtu.be/6S8MV523ASA?si=X49lZrobtHgLKJ_s
If you watch this clip of Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam I am sure you will be smiling / laughing by the end of it. His character was in Vietnam to uplift morale which he did through comedy in a morning radio show at 6:00am.
Morning Routine
How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.
I like to embed practices into my morning routine that support, enhance and rejuvenate my happiness, wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual), positivity, energy and productivity.
The great thing is most of these only take 2-10 mins each and return much more for energy, attention, mindset and mood.
These include:
Review my personal mission statement and goals
Gratitude
Journaling (Gratitude, Intentions, Affirmations)
Breathwork
Meditation/Mindfulness
Prayer
Learning
Exercise
Sharing a positive quote on HLH Quote Group
Over the last 18months or so - using the habit development strategy shared in 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course I have added the following practices to my established morning routine:
High 5 Habit (Mel Robbins)
Reading a page of the Daily Stoic
Listening to favourite playlist while journaling and doing exercises
Extended morning Prayers
Breathwork exercises - 2 since Sep 2024 Retreat
Sharing prompts for Gratitude Group Practice (Not daily)
They each have a cue, action and reward.
Mylenation
Repetition is a key component to building habits, routines and skill. With deliberate repetition we ingrain the neural pathways. The neurons go through mylenation, a membrane/sheet thickens around the neurons. Thereby insulating and increasing the speed of signals between neurons. Similar to insulation on wires or think of it like super fast fibre optic broadband.
A great example of this is with a new evening routine with my mum.
Evening Routine - The power of prayer
My mum is in her mid-eighties, has Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia too. Dementia causes memory and cognitive issues.
Once 9th April 2025 the very first Unite for World Peace: Navkar Mahamantra Day Celebration was organised by a group called JITO.
Jain organisation from across the world took part to chant the universal Jain prayer for 24 hours across the different countries and time zones.
There were community gatherings to recite in person, online and all of it was streamed.
Due to mum’s conditions and mobility were we not able to attend these community gatherings.
Instead we just did the prayer ourselves at home just before going into bed to go to sleep. Having learnt this prayer as a young child, through much repetition and mylenation my mum was able to sing the prayers from memory. It is a 9 line universal prayer.
This has now become our evening ritual where each night we recite together before she goes to bed. Sometimes I lead, sometimes she does.
We have added a forgiveness prayer, the Kshmapna. I’m not sure if she had learnt this as a child. However she is learning it through daily repetition.
I use is as my way of asking for forgiveness in any issues looking after/interacting with mum that day.
It is a sweet ritual that I cherish allowing me to have a moment where I can be present, connected and ask for forgiveness with her. I know this will change as her condition deteriorates and she ages.
Celebrating 5 Years of the Happy Life Habits 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course.
June 1st marks 5 years since Happy Life Habits launched its unique life changing 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course. This was during the Covid19 pandemic and lockdowns where people were feeling anxiety and stress. Emotional and Mental wellbeing was being impacted negatively.
After learning to create videos, edit, subtitle we created in a really short time videos to support during Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) (same videos shared this MHAW). This including a live online workshop and the launch of the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course.
About 20 people joined that initial course. I am grateful to that initial set of trainees and those subsequently for their faith, support, participation and feedback on the course. I felt we made a positive difference and keep doing so by sharing these valuable skills, habits and way of thinking.
The first course some found overwhelming as I had tried to give it all to them - the live sessions, journal practice, accountability, daily Facebook practice and also thrown in a 21 Day Gratitude Challenge on a different platform. It was extreme immersion.
We learnt from the experience to break things down, take it step by step, introducing new things bit by bit and help establish the habit and the learning gently so that it sticks. We learnt that learning and sharing together was powerful.
With each iteration of the course we made amending to improve and enhance the course and experience.
Now the course is broken down to be more that 30 days to provide that extra support and deepen the learning.
We now have a really comprehensive, one of a kind training course:
The Happiness Journal (The 5 minute Journal)
the Journal Workshop to start using the journal
Daily accountability / feedback on entries.
Weekly sessions to share more on gratitude, further the practice, address questions and challenges with the practice, enhance the practice with suggested actions
The 30 Day Facebook Daily practice is now on WhatsApp and this activity is done separately from the 30 Day Journaling Habit Development as a post course addition.
Celebration session / Meal
If you are interested in developing these positive habits register on the waiting list.
From 1st June in the HLH Gratitude Practice Group (https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbhAgWJ5ZSR4lYlrOp08c7) we will start our 10 Day Practice which we will extend through the month as we will likely pause for the Summer.
London Festival Of Architecture - A Walk through Space and Time in Mill Hill
Happy Life Habits is proud to be part of the London Festival of Architecture
We have organised a free walk titled "A Walk through Space and Time in Mill Hill" on Sunday 8th June from 9:30am - 12:00pm
If you would like to join here is the link:
https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/event/a-walk-through-space-and-time-in-mill-hill/
Please note there are limited tickets so act fast to secure your ticket.
NO Yoga Retreat! - Early Bird finishes at the end of the week
We (Saijal Ladd and I) have purposefully chosen not to have yoga at our Luxury Self Renewal Retreat at The Vedanta, Lincolnshire, 7-9th November.
Except Laugher Yoga which we will do.
Not because we are against yoga, in fact yoga is part of my morning route in terms of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar).
There are many benefits to the practice and way of life for our wellbeing.
We have chosen not to have yoga as there are many retreats and opportunities that offer yoga.
We want to offer something different that you can experience and incorporate into you daily life to benefit your happiness, wellbeing, energy and productivity.
That's why at our retreat we offer opportunities to experience:
Breathwork
Meditation
Laugher Yoga
Grounding
Walks
Gratitude
Journaling
Mindfulness
Sound Bath
Time to connect, reflect and be
Attendees of Sep 2024 rated their experience 9/10
What is included?
* Mix of workshops, activities, energisers and relaxation
* Workshop sessions led by Shaileen and Saijal
* Sessions to practice breathwork, meditation/mindfulness, movement, gratitude, journaling, sound bath & more
* 2 nights in shared accommodation with en-suite. Eco-friendly mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets, guaranteeing a deep and restful sleep. Each room includes a welcome pack with body wash, shampoo, a vanity kit, lotions, and fluffy towels
* 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners - be nourished with wholesome, heart warming, vegetarian/vegan meals - no garlic/onion. Let us know of any allergies/dietary requirements
* Access to venue facilities (including our swimming pool and spa area with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, plus our 24-hour gym and games room) at designated times
* Refreshments station, with teas, coffees and hot drinks
* Walks in the beautiful grounds
* Relax & Connection time
* Various gifts worth £150+ including coaching session with each of Shaileen and Saijal
We also have pre-retreat and post-retreat session on zoom / in person and a Retreat Attendees WhatsApp group
Travel to and from the venue is not included - though lifts are often arranged with fellow attendees with a contribution to the fuel.
Register your interest, more info and FAQs at https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/retreat
Banana Tree Reward Offer
The Banana Tree Restaurants have a referral program.
Sign up using my link and you'll get £10 off and I'll get a £10 voucher after you have visited the restaurant. A win-win for all.
https://gifts.bananatree.co.uk/claim/Shaileen-Shah-1747675099
25 Reminders to help you lead with meaning - Intelligent Change
This aligns with what we have shared in this blog.
1. What you focus on grows. Choose carefully.
2. People with clear values don’t get lost.
3. Discipline is freedom.
4. What you build will outlast what you buy.
5. Comfort zones are beautiful places. But nothing grows there.
6. You will never regret being kind.
7. Energy is your most valuable currency. Spend it like it matters.
8. If you don’t know what to do, do one thing well.
9. Your attention is your power. Stop giving it away for free.
10. The fastest way to earn respect is to do what you said you would.
11. Creativity is not a mood. It’s a decision.
12. No one is coming to give you permission.
13. If you’re waiting to feel ready, you’ll be waiting forever.
14. A good idea means nothing without execution.
15. You become what you repeat.
16. Say no more often. It’s a skill.
17. If you don’t define success for yourself, someone else will.
18. Action beats overthinking. Every time.
19. Your calendar shows what you really value.
20. Surround yourself with people who raise your standards.
21. Your future is built in five-minute choices.
22. Great work comes from curiosity, not certainty.
23. Don’t waste your life proving your worth.
24. Simplicity scales. Complexity breaks.
25. You don’t get more time. You get to decide what to do with it.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
A Thousand Mile Journey Begins With The First Step...
Is you life too busy, boring or bland? If yes, read on, focus on self-renewal and energy management making your life beautiful by prioritising how you use your energy, time and attention to engage in activities that help you flourish, thrive, have zest and engagement to feel fully alive.
The year 1994 was a defining year in my life. I was just reflecting and realised that 2024 marks 30 years since I started my personal development and growth journey.
Is you life too busy, boring or bland? If yes, read on, focus on self-renewal and energy management making your life beautiful by prioritising how you use your energy, time and attention to engage in activities that help you flourish, thrive, have zest and engagement to feel fully alive.
The year 1994 was a defining year in my life. I was just reflecting and realised that 2024 marks 30 years since I started my personal development and growth journey. It was the year I also started my corporate IT career with a US based consulting firm by being proactive and creating my own luck. You can read more about it here: https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2023/08/01/work-ethic.
While working in Michigan, USA I was introduced to the classic and transformative The Seven Habits of Highly Effect People : Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr Stephen R. Covey. This had a profound impact on me. Around the same time while working in Chicago I flew back to London for a long weekend in November to attend with my family the legendary Tony Robbin’s 2nd ever UK Unleash The Power Weekend (UPW) Seminar. This is the one where on the first night you end up doing a fire walk over hot, smouldering coals.
The 7 Habits and the UPW experience were my first steps on a journey of self development and growth and of sharing with others what I was learning. One major learning has been to focus on Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal.
habit 7 Sharpen the saw : Principles of Balanced self-renewal
Covey says
“Habit 7 is taking time to sharpen the saw. It surrounds the other habits in the Seven Habits paradigm because it is the habit that makes the others possible.”
“It’s preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have - you. It’s renewing the four dimensions of your nature: physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional.”
“Taking time to sharpen the saw is a definite Quadrant II activity.”
“This is the single most powerful investment we can ever make in life - investment in ourselves, in the only instrument we have with which to deal with life and to contribute. We are the instruments of our own performance, and to be effective, we need to recognise the importance of taking time regularly to sharpen the saw in all four ways.”
Physical: Exercise, Nutrition, Stress Management
Metal: Reading, Visualising, Planning, Writing
Social/Emotional: Service, Empathy, Synergy, Intrinsic Security
Spiritual: Value Clarification and Commitment, Study and Meditation
The Self-Renewal Retreat
We have organised for end of September will share sessions on Self-Renewal and Energy Management. The Self Renewal was instilled from ideas from The Seven Habits of Highly Effect People : Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr Stephen R. Covey my first personal development book and start of my self development and growth journey. The Energy Management from my current book Arete by Brian Johnson and Heroic Coaching.
The focus on these themes have helped through out my journey and in particular in my current roles as a carer for my mum, family man, being of service in volunteer work for community organisation Young Jains and sharing through Happy Life Habits.
Acutely aware that Life is Short, I have habits, awareness and priority for how I use my Time (Planning, Priorities, Quadrant II), Energy ( Eat, Sleep, Move, Breathe) and Focus.
H.E.A.L.T.H =
Happy
energy
attention
life
time
habits
Progress on mastering these six, designing and crafting them into your awareness and every day routines will lead you to have a beautiful life.
Here is my very first blog article on Happy Habits for a Happy Life.
https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2019/1/15/happy-habits-for-happy-life-1
"The clocks may have gone forward one hour, we may have "lost" one hour. What's more important is how we use the hours we have left."
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker and Trainer
Recently I had a one week period of amazing experiences reminding me of how far I’ve come, my purpose and passion and the things that are important for Happiness, Health, Wellbeing and to flourish.
These were:
Thursday:
Last session of set of 5 of the Happy Life Habits Book Club with is working through the book Arete by Brian Johnson.. This was an engaging session with lots of insight sharing, differences made by applying the ideas and I left with good energy and motivation.
Friday:
Session 8 of my Every Day Happiness 10 week course with Mind in Enfield and Barnet. The topic was journaling. The attendees have been given course work for a few weeks to apply practices and it is wonderful to hear about them going for it, seeing the impact on their happiness score and observations of the what they experience.
Sunday:
We ran a in person Social Connection event with Young Jains, an organisation that has had a big impact on me and one that I have the opportunity to be of service to. A small group gathered, some familiar faces some meeting for the first time. We had deep and meaningful conversations that helped use connect and know each better. This was facilitated by some group questions such as “What is your favourite book and why?” to using various cards for one to one interaction. There was warmth, trust, open sharing and a strong sense of connection and belonging with like minded people. Social Connection is vital for our happiness, health and wellbeing.
The Social Connection continued with conversations continuing over a delicious vegetarian/vegan meal at Little Resham. Food for mind and the body. You can get a 5% discount at Little Resham if you mention Shaileen Happy Life Habits.
Wednesday:
On International Day of Happiness I had the opportunity to share a talk on The Science of Happiness. An opportunity due to relationship building and persistence. This was great as I was living my purpose and sharing my passion.
Thursday:
A colleague calling me at 12:40pm just as I was getting ready for lunch. He said he was stuck in traffic and if I could run an online taster session at 1pm, in 20mins. I said I would call him back in 2 minutes once I had check something. I called him back, said yes. Set up my computer, opened the slide deck and joined the online platform to share a session. It went well.
In the evening I ran the first of 3 Free Positive Grief sessions in the lead up to June’s Growing Around Grief : 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course.
Here are some of the comments in feedback:
“Thank you for the informative session. Hoping to use your methods to grow around the grief to support me”
“That was a really good reminder of all aspects of grief brought together. Love that you have brought all aspects in a positive way”
“Loved being part of this session.”
Why and How
I was able to do all this due to putting time and effort into learning content, developing skills, building relationships, handling set backs and having a gut feeling that it was the right thing to do . I have developed inner confidence in that I have deep trust in myself that I can handle whatever unfolds.
The beauty of this book club there is not set number of pages to read till the next session. You read what you can, apply what you want and when we meet share accordingly. This takes away the pressure of having to have reached a certain point or to keep up with everyone else. The sharing by all gives deeper and different perspective on ideas, inspires and motivates. A great opportunity to consistently focus on Learning and Growth, an aspect that is key for our happiness and health.
Details here of the next set of dates, if you would like to attend a session to see how it works get in touch:
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
Looking Forward and Creating Magic
Having things to look forward to has a positive impact on us. The holiday or the together that you have planned; you enjoy the anticipation leading up to the event sometimes more than the actual event. Looking forward also can fill us with hope. I’ve enjoyed planning things and having activities to look forward to, they have helped to navigate the turbulent experiences life gives us.
Self Care Retreat
Having things to look forward to has a positive impact on us. The holiday or the together that you have planned; you enjoy the anticipation leading up to the event sometimes more than the actual event. Looking forward also can fill us with hope. I’ve enjoyed planning things and having activities to look forward to, they have helped to navigate the turbulent experiences life gives us.
In December I worked on the Year Compass and the Mel Robbins Best Year planner that I have shared in the Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community. I filled out the planners, looking back on the last year and the plans for the forthcoming year. In addition to more corporate opportunities two I had added as dream/stretch goals were : (1) A retreat and (2) a TED Style talk.
I am excited that plans are progressing for both of these faster than anticipated. This is due to the power of goal setting visualisation, planning, nurturing relationships, taking action. In doing these I set my subconscious in motion and when the opportunities came or I created it was like magic.
In the supermarket after not being in direct touch for many years I bumped into good friend of mine, Saijal. We had served together as volunteers with the Young Jains community. We re-connected and later she reached out with an idea of doing a self care retreat together. I am looking forward to it, sharing our individual skills and experiences to offer great value to the attendees.
We are organising a 3 night / 4 day Self Care Retreat in the Autumn:
Invest in yourself at this self care retreat in a beautiful setting whilst connecting with like-minded people
The retreat offers yoga, breathwork, meditation, gratitude, journaling sessions as well as group life coaching workshops.
Share open discussions & conversations
Providing you with self care tools to be the best version of yourself to perform your various roles.
Get in touch to express interest for more details.
In relation to the TED Style talk, I have been booked for a private session for International Day of Happiness to share about Happiness. Do get in touch if you have any opportunities.
Happiness Boosters: A Shot of Positivity
In addition to the various workshops and talks for the corporate space, businesses, organisations and charities we are offering Happiness Boosters: A Shot of Positivity. BOOST Wellbeing, Productivity, Resilience & Positivity. A fun, interactive, small group, online / in person Happiness Booster that lifts the mood, energy & connection. Designed to support Mental, Emotional, Social Wellbeing & Positive Growth Mindsets. Scientific proven practices (e.g. Gratitude, Mindfulness, Kindness ).
Book this for you team, Department, Clients, Networking / Community / Charity Group
Team building, Wellbeing Days, Mental Health Days. Offsites, Ice Breaker, Orientations, Retreats, Conferences
For each referral you give that leads to a booking we will reward you with the option of: A Happiness Journal or 10% off Happy Life Habits Training courses/workshops or 45 min 1:2:1 coaching session.
Happiness Boosters: A Shot of Positivity. BOOST Wellbeing, Productivity, Resilience & Positivity.
Social Connection - International Day of Happiness
Many a time we have shared the importance of social connection and positive relationships for our happiness and wellbeing. Our Social Connection offering comes together for a meal, conversation and celebration. Last year we gathered in Autumn for Diwali/ Thanksgiving. Our next one is in March for International Day of Happiness.
Join the HLH Social Connection WhatsApp Group if interested.
HLH Book Club
In the 2 book club sessions we have had interesting conversations. Each of us is reading the Arete book at our own pace. We are coming together and sharing our insights, application and seeking perspectives and clarity. It is a great learning opportunity. Some recent information on Brain Health highlighted the benefits of continuous learning, social connection, nutrition and movement for good brain health and to reduce chances of Dementia,
One conversation has been on the Viktor Frank quote:
“BETWEEN STIMULUS AND RESPONSE THERE IS A SPACE.
IN THAT SPACE LIES OUR FREEDOM AND POWER TO CHOOSE OUR RESPONSE.
IN THOSE CHOICES LIES OUR GROWTH AND OUR FREEDOM (HAPPINESS)”
One has been what do we do to create that space to choose our response and another what does it mean by Freedom? Send your answers on a postcard or join the Book Club!
We have also looked at Energy from the Energy, Work and Love triplet. Choosing something we can commit to do, as a small change between one Book Club session and the next in order to put the theory into action. Various actions chosen such as : more walking, less sweets, no biscuits or fizzy drinks for 10 of the 14 days, going to bed earlier and drinking more water. We share our experiences at the next session and choose another small action to commit to for the next 2 weeks.
Happy Life Habits Book Club
Happy Life Habits 21 Day Challenge: Reverence
Before the pandemic and lockdowns started in 2020 I had hosted a 21 Day challenge. It helped me very much during this period that I continued to host a further 4 in subsequent months on themes of gratitude, kindness, simple living and mindfulness.
21 Day challenges are a great way to get new perspectives, shift mindset, develop discipline, consistency, learn, connect and grow.
I am hosting another free 21 Day Challenge on the theme of Reverence starting at the end of Feb and running till International Day of Happiness on March 20.
To join the challenge and receive the daily challenge emails click here :
https://www.kindspring.org/challenge/join/2239/
In addition this time we have a HLH Challenge WhatsApp Group where details of zoom catch ups during the challenge period will be shared.
Join the Happy Life Habits Challenge WhatsApp group for potential zoom sessions during the challenge.
Here is an example of one of the daily emails.
To join the challenge and receive the daily challenge emails click here :
30 Day Gratitude & Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course for Growing Around Grief
In recent months we have experienced grief with anniversary of the death of my father, death of my father in law and other death anniversaries and losses. Gratitude and Journaling helps big time.
We have adapted our core 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course to offer support for Growing around Grief. The live zoom sessions will have activities and exercises related to growing around grief plus opportunity to share and support each other.
The Positive Grief Talk will be part of this offering.
Dates are being finalised, you can join waiting list.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
End Of Year Review 2023
Review 2023
At various points in the year I take a moment to review the preceding time period and what is forthcoming. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
My chosen highlights for 2023
Here are the themes for my chosen personal and professional highlights for 2023 with a brief example. Details on these continue in the blog article.
Commitments, Learning & Habits-
The projects and roles I have committed to I have delivered on. What has helped is consistency, focus, intention & creativity. I have worked from my strengths, stretched, stepped out of my comfort zone, attempted new ideas, used a growth mindset, been resourceful and drawn upon my various past experiences.
Social Connection and Celebration - Various birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated including milestone ones.
Rest & Renewal - much needed overdue holiday break in Kenya with Masai Mara Balloon Safari, forest walks and relaxation at the beach
Community Service & Volunteering - Mental Health Awareness Week digital support and masterclass on Anxiety
Achievements & Creative Innovation - Becoming a certified Heroic Performance Coach from 300 Day coaching program
Review 2023
At various points in the year I take a moment to review the preceding time period and what is forthcoming. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
Here is review from 2021, 2022 and mid year 2023.
My chosen highlights for 2023
Here are my chosen personal and professional highlights for 2023. Details on these continue in the article.
Commitments, Learning & Habits -
The projects and roles I have committed to I have delivered on. What has helped is consistency, focus, intention & creativity. I have worked from my strengths, stretched, stepped out of my comfort zone, attempted new ideas, used a growth mindset, been resourceful and drawn upon my various past experiences.
A daily focus on learning, self care / renewal, mission statement review, setting intentions, gratitude, journaling, meditation, exercise, nutrition, virtue cultivation, planning, reflection, developing new positive habits have been the bedrock to allow the successes, opportunities, deal with the challenges and be resilient.
Social Connection and Celebration
Various birthdays and anniversaries celebrated including milestone ones.
Happy Life Habits lunches to celebrate 3 years of 30 Day Gratitude & Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course and second annual Thanksgiving Lunch.
Catch up and get togethers.
Rest & Renewal - much needed overdue holiday break in Kenya with Masai Mara Balloon Safari (Bucket List), forest walks and relaxation at the beach
Community Service & Volunteering
Pure Soul exhibition
Young Jains NEC
Focus on Forgiveness digital offering
Mental Health Awareness Week digital support and masterclass on Anxiety
Workshops for World Values Day - What Values would you die for?
Achievements & Creative Innovation
Becoming a certified Heroic Performance Coach from 300 Day coaching program
Being a Heroic Ambassador
Join the SoulBrite Winning Wellbeing team - taking part in LinkedIn Lives
Launch of Inner Compass - Program for deeper clarity on your life, time, energy and focus
Move to Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community with various subgroups
Dedicated Mental Health group with Master Class on Anxiety and daily support / sharing for Mental Health Awareness Week
Daily sharing of Positive quote in Daily Quote group - to start the day with a positive
Publishing Every Day Happiness Book
Mind In Enfield & Barnet asking us to design and deliver a 10 week course on Happiness in addition to the Gratitude for Wellbeing Workshop.
Happy Life Habits Community Facebook Group - Each week on various days sharing of a question that promotes happiness and wellbeing
Purely digital/online daily offering for Jain Festival of Forgiveness
This was shared at the 6 month review blog in June https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2023/08/01/work-ethic-e585y
___________________________________________________
The year started with a key note presentation for an HR conference in Athens.
We launched a new program Inner Compass and continued with the Master Mind Program.
Took part in 2 podcasts : People on Purpose and Estrella of Happiness - Within You.
Delivered two 3 hour workshops on Gratitude for Wellbeing for the charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet and supported Mental Health Awareness Week on the theme of anxiety sharing resources daily in a dedicated WhatsApp group and Master Class on Anxiety.
Our flag ship 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course celebrated it’s 3rd year. We positively impacted trainees when we ran the course in March and a last minute decision for June. June was opened as free gifted refresher to previous attendees.
We celebrated completion of the June course and three year anniversary for the first time with an in person celebration dinner (which was open invite for all Happy Life Habits Community members) at the restaurant Little Resham. We shared delicious, vegan food, conversations and connected deeper with the use of the gratitude cards.
_________________________________
In addition to those shared above here are some more Happy Life Habits and personal highlights
Got Oshwal Connect New Years Honours List Award for the Mental Health and Wellbeing work
Organised a virtual surprise for my friend Priti who was celebrating her 50th Birthday. We had an Inner Compass/Master Mind session scheduled on her birthday. At the end of the session she was surprised on return from break out room when many of her friends and family had joined. We all shared memories and qualities that we saw in her. Awesome part was that in addition it to being a complete surprise we recorded the sharing and she now has that a gift to look upon and savour the memories.
We celebrated my wife Harshna’s 50th too with various get togethers. There were various milestone birthdays and anniversaries we were able to take part in celebrating, connection and creating memories.
Met up with a few university friends from 30 years ago
Ran Daily Facebook part of 30 Day course in November for past course attendees and also had annual Thanksgiving Lunch
My son finished his first year at University, passed his driving test and I’m just beaming with pride at his maturity and cultivation of virtues. The first time we went for driving practice in the family car after he had already been having lessons I was a little cautious. Watching him do all the safety checks and drive diligently the cautiousness went away and I feel really safe when he is driving.
Rest & Renewal
We had an awesome Summer break in Kenya, our first since Covid and lockdowns. Time spent with different family members for parts such as trip to Nanyuki near the foothills for Mount Kenya where the Equator is. A memorable experience was a trek to swim in waterfall lagoon at Ngare Ndare Forest. This was followed with a Masai Mara safari and ended with a whole family trip to the Mombasa including the South coast beach.
Many memories and wonderful experiences created. In particular the Masai Mara trip where on one particular day we set off before sunrise to watch the sunrise from a Balloon Safari (Bucket List) over the Masai Mara plains. An amazing experience followed by a bush breakfast. We did safari the whole day with a delicious picnic lunch inside the Mara where zebras were our backdrop. in In that one day we saw all of the Big Five : Elephants, Rhino (rare), Leopard (rare), Lions and Buffalo. More than 12 hours later we ended the day after the afternoon safari with a sunset sundowners.
Community Service & volunteering
As Happy Life Habits we supported for free Mental Health Awareness Week in May. The theme was anxiety. We shared daily videos, articles and quotes on a dedicated HLH Mental Health WhatsApp Group. An anxiety masterclass was shared.
Late February I was invited to join the Pure Soul team that was delivering 2 weekends of community events as SOAS university as part of the Pure Soul exhibition related to the Jain faith. I joined the team to assist with this project and draw upon my experiences for projects and leadership roles in Young Jains and SCVP as well as those gained from Happy Life Habits. I helped provide support, guidance, communication, create and coordinate a volunteer team. As Young Jains we delivered a workshop on Radical Forgiveness. Priti and I played the MC roles of the Sunday afternoon.
I rejoined the Young Jains NEC (non executive committee) at the end of July to aid the organisation which is facing various challenges.
Within the first few days against the odds I proposed an idea to deliver an digital offering for the Jain forgiveness festival of Paryushan at the start of September. Leading up to the festival, during and after we had a dedicated Focus on Forgiveness WhatsApp group. Each day we shared in English articles, quotes, songs, poems and awareness actions. For four evenings we delivered live online reflection sessions.
On World Values Day in October we offered 2 workshops: What Values would you die for? . One had no attendees despite registrations. This was disappointing. The second session was well received by those who attended. A strong reminder that our role is to show up, do our duty and understand that the results/outcomes are not in our hand.
List of articles shared in 2023
Here are links to articles shared this year.
INNER CHEERLEADER INSTEAD OF INNER CRITIC
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2023 : 15TH - 21ST MAY: THEME ANXIETY
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: ANXIETY RESOURCES
A STRONG WORK ETHIC - WORKING 9 TO ...
Many thanks for your support, encouragement and engagement during the last year. We look forward to continuing to serve you in the new year.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
A Strong Work Ethic - Working 9 to ...
Strong Work Ethic
With Labour day celebrated this weekend in the USA I reflect on some of my work experiences and work ethic.
Observing a strong Work Ethic in my early years
I grew up observing a strong work ethic. Hearing about how my grandfathers emigrated from India to East Africa in their early teens for the want of a better life and opportunities. They faced many hardships and challenges in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community. They went into business at a young age. It was part of the cultural blood. Higher academic education was less of a priority at that time.
My father and his brothers were running business in Kenya while in their teens, being trained and taking over from my grandfather. Then having to restart in a different city before taking the step to emigrate to London in the early 70s and going through the same hardships and challenges of being in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community with the added aspect of cold, wet, raining miserable weather for seasons of the year.
My mother followed 6 months later on her own travelling with 3 young children, the oldest 7 and the youngest, me only 1 years old. Imagine how the airflight was then going through luggage control to get and carry the luggage with a 1 year old in her arms. The cold of the December month and are then a quite racist environment - very distance from the now diverse, accepting, aware and cosmopolitan nation the UK is.
My working career - early days
In my youth I polished shoes and washed cars for family members to earn a little bit of money. Helped my brothers on their paper round. Worked in the holidays and some weekends in my uncle’s news agent shop as well as in another uncle’s jean shop. Mid teens around GCSEs (‘O’ Levels) and ‘A’ levels I had my first Saturday job. I would go to Oxford Street, London to work in Olympus Sport at Selfridges. Did the Christmas season there too.
Strong Work Ethic
Observing a strong Work Ethic in my early years
I grew up observing a strong work ethic. Hearing about how my grandfathers emigrated from India to East Africa in their early teens for the want of a better life and opportunities. They faced many hardships and challenges in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community. They went into business at a young age. It was part of the cultural blood. Higher academic education was less of a priority at that time.
My father and his brothers were running business in Kenya while in their teens, being trained and taking over from my grandfather. Then having to restart in a different city before taking the step to emigrate to London in the early 70s and going through the same hardships and challenges of being in a new country, culture, language and at the time not much of a community with the added aspect of cold, wet, raining miserable weather for seasons of the year.
My mother followed 6 months later on her own travelling with 3 young children, the oldest 7 and the youngest, me only 1 years old. Imagine how the airflight was then going through luggage control to get and carry the luggage with a 1 year old in her arms. The cold of the December month and are then a quite racist environment - very distance from the now diverse, accepting, aware and cosmopolitan nation the UK is.
In those early years I hardly saw my dad as he would leave to go to work as a sales assistant before I was awake and return after I was asleep. I do recall my mum taking on various jobs such as sewing and stitching. Dad did various sales / retail related jobs and was very good at it becoming the manager of the store.
Later he would join the John Lewis Partnership on recommendation of his younger brother. I remember we would visit him on Oxford Street and feeling pride seeing him in action serving customers. He would joyfully introduce us to all his work colleagues.
Mum continued to do various jobs, raise the children, run the household and when I was 7 she went to evening classes to learn skills such as typing. This lead to her getting part-time and full time office related employment.
These observations of work ethic has an influence on me.
My working career - early days
In my youth I polished shoes and washed cars for family members to earn a little bit of money. Helped my brothers on their paper round. Worked in the holidays and some weekends in my uncle’s news agent shop as well as in another uncle’s jean shop. Mid teens around GCSEs (‘O’ Levels) and ‘A’ levels I had my first Saturday job. I would go to Oxford Street, London to work in Olympus Sport at Selfridges. Did the Christmas season there too.
After ‘A’ levels I worked on the famous Bond Street in a Moss Bros clothing store. Often going to Mayfair and Park Lane to deliver tailored cloths to customers or take to tailors to make alterations. Just realised that playing Monopoly helped me become familiar with these places.
During the holidays of the university years I worked Marks & Spencers during the summer, Christmas and Easter. My first summer I was holding 2 jobs at the same time. The Marks and Spencer retail job and also as a steward at Wembley Stadium and Arena. This was really memorable as Prince, Madonna and The Rolling Stones played their gigs.
After my Masters I graduated into a recession hit work environment finding it very difficult to get an IT job. That first Christmas I worked at the retails store Next in the morning and Argos in the afternoon, observing the madness during the sales.
Sometimes you have to make your own luck and opportunities
The recession made it difficult to get employment. You did not get employment as you had no relevant work experience. How do you get the relevant work experience if you did not get opportunities?
Sometimes you have to make your own luck and opportunities. My brother shared a snippet from a computing journal that a US based consultancy was going to set in Europe including in London. The article the the company name: Cambridge Technology Partners (CTP) and that it was based in Richmond and perhaps the name of a manager as part of a quote. Armed with this information before the time of the internet or Google search I proactively called the phone directory service with the company name and area based to get a phone number. Calling the number I said I had seen the article and was interested in joining the company. I was asked to send my C.V. This lead to an interview and subsequently a job offer where I become the 6th or so UK employee of the firm.
The IT Career
I travelled to Cambridge, Massachusetts near Boston for a few weeks of orientation training. The next few years as junior consultant I learnt lots, worked many long hours, developed skills, travelled within the UK and US for projects with household FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies like: BT, Unilever, Prudential, Norwich Union Health Care and Disney Consumer Products. One of the main things I learnt was that the life of a travelling consultant living out of hotels without home food, family, friends, routines was not the life for me, especially after becoming newly married.
I moved into financial technology working for Schroders and thereafter becoming a contractor for a few years with long dry spells. Working on projects for United Bank of Kuwait, Equitas (Lloyds of London insurer) before joining Greenwich NatWest. I joined Greenwich NatWest as very soon after Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) announced it was taking over NatWest. I witnessed redundancies, fear, confusion and lots of uncertainty. As the various systems from the merger were integrated I worked on those projects for Finance Technology moving from being a contractor to an employee. Going from a developer to senior developer to technical team lead/project manager. Some projects were very demanding and involved working for long hours for an extended period of time.
I experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress during the financial crisis on 2008 and thereafter. Leaving RBS in 2016 through redundancy the next chapter of my career begins.
During all of this I actively volunteered for community groups and took on roles in the Jain faith based charities : Young Jains and SCVP. This further helped my development, growth, skill set, leadership, organising and public speaking skills and confidence.
All Change
All of these varied work and volunteer experiences contributed to :
Understand what is important to me
Clarity on my values and way of working
That I wanted flexibility and control in the work I do
What my strengths are
How I want to contribute and serve
Whatever you do, do you best and give your best
In a way I semi-retired, choosing on how I use my (limited) time. It led to some time exploring various options before training in the Science of Happiness. This leading to starting Happy Life Habits were I combine my interests in : Personal Development, The Science of Happiness and Spirituality to positively impact Happiness and Wellbeing Levels.
I have a portfolio career where I have been a workshop facilitator for NCS The Challenge ( National Citizen Service) and exam invigilator for school exams.
Currently the portfolio career involves:
Carer for mum who is elderly, has Parkinson’s and Dementia
Speaker, Trainer and Coach with Happy Life Habits
Heroic Ambassador and Life Coach with Heroic Public Benefit Corporation
Author for Bookboon
Workshop and Course facilitator for the charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet
Wellbeing Coach with SoulBrite
Non Executive Committee Member at Young Jains
To balance or harmonise work, personal life and community work requires me to be proactive, have plans with priority and flexibility and be organised and really work my habits/routines/protocols for energy, self care, focus and productivity. The Heroic training has helped with this.
What has been your journey? What has helped?
Are you happy with your work?
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
6 month Review 2023
Review
At various points in the year I look taking a moment to a review of the preceding time period. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too. This year I have had the mid year review in mind, thought about it in my head, made notes but not been able to write up and share till now.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course Celebration Dinner at Little Resham
Review
At various points in the year I take a moment to a review of the preceding time period and what is forthcoming. This is often at the end of the year with the Looking Back, Looking Forward workshop, the middle of the year and sometimes ad hoc too. This year I have had the mid year review in mind, thought about it in my head, made notes but not been able to write up and share till now.
Like journaling, writing and sharing the review helps me celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, see growth and gratefully acknowledge the opportunities.
Here is review from 2021 and 2022.
2023: 6 month review Highlights
The year started with a key note presentation for an HR conference in Athens.
We launched a new program Inner Compass and continued with the Master Mind Program.
Took part in 2 podcasts : People on Purpose and Estrella of Happiness - Within You.
Delivered two 3 hour workshops on Gratitude for Wellbeing for the charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet and supported Mental Health Awareness Week on the theme of anxiety sharing resources daily in a dedicated WhatsApp group and Master Class on Anxiety.
Our flag ship 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course celebrated it’s 3rd year. We positively impacted trainees when we ran the course in March and a last minute decision for June. June was opened as free gifted refresher to previous attendees.
We celebrated completion of the June course and three year anniversary for the first time with an in person celebration dinner (which was open invite for all Happy Life Habits Community members) at the restaurant Little Resham. We shared delicious, vegan food, conversations and connected deeper with the use of the gratitude cards.
Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course Celebration Dinner
We have a discount available at Little Resham for Happy Life Habits members. Be on the WhatsApp Community Group and email mailing list to show proof you are member of Happy Life Habits Community.
Little Resham discount code for Happy Life Habits members
Regular positive focus
The Happy Life Habits Community on Facebook now has regular weekly questions to help focus on positivity, happiness, optimism and hope.
These include :
A check on how happy you currently are at this moment
What small wins can you celebrate from the week?
What did you learn?
What good things happened to you?
What are you grateful for?
Come join us in the group and share your thoughts.
We have set up a Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community Group. This is the main way to stay informed of Happy Life Habits activities followed by the email mailing list.
To start the day with a positive focus we have a HLH Daily Quote Group.
Daily Quote, Question or Reflection. Max 1 a day, 4-7 days a week. A regular dose of positivity, happiness and meaning to help counter the world's negative bias.
I became an author! The ebook is “Every Day Happiness”.
I joined SoulBrite as a Wellness Coach, part of a team delivering wellbeing workshops into companies.
I am a hero and so can you be
I completed the 300 Day Heroic Coach to be a certified Heroic Performance Coach and also an Ambassador. This is a great personal development program and platform. Something for everyone who wants to learn, grow, change and make a positive impact. I really like the theory and practice delivered in short videos. audio are written format along with live training calls. You can check out the impact of the Heroic materials here in this research done by the Happiness Researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky and get free access to book summaries and great content.
The Heroic training has helped me focus on three areas:
Energy
Work
Love
With each of these areas I define 3 elements:
Identity
Virtues
Targets
Who I am or want to be in each area, my Heroic best self. How I want to show up to be that Heroic best self and the daily things I need to do to show up as best Heroic self. These are reviewed and committed to daily as part of morning routine.
I have got immersed again in voluntary roles for Jain faith based community groups and projects.
looking forward
Some of the the future plans and activities are:
Supporting World Values Day with some workshops
Continuing Gratitude Wellbeing Workshops for Mind In Enfield and Barnet. They have asked me to design and deliver a 10 week course in the Autumn.
30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course and Thanksgiving Dinner.
Reading 1 book a month - inspired by the book Limitless by Jim Kwik
Keep focus on Energy, Work and Love.
Keep sharing what I learn and making a positive impact.
Shaileen Shah - Happiness Coach, Speaker, Trainer and Author
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Every Day Happiness
In addition to being a coach, speaker and trainer, I am now also an author of the ebook, “Every Day Happiness”.
‘Every Day Happiness’ provides understanding, tools and habits we can utilise to navigate a world with rising uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. This increase makes more demands on our Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Wellbeing. Everyday Happiness is a nonfiction book written for professionals, business owners, leaders and managers reminding them to choose to put Happiness and Positive Emotions at the heart of everything they do. Thereby they will have better happiness, mental and emotional wellbeing, productivity and life satisfaction in all areas of their life.
In addition to being a coach, speaker and trainer, I am now also an author of the ebook, “Every Day Happiness”.
I had not planned to write a book yet. The opportunity was presented and I chose to take it.
I've shared as much as possible both of science of happiness and actual ways to apply in order for the reader to choose to have Every Day Happiness. Every Day!
I hope it provides the reader real benefit. More so when they apply the ideas. That's where the magic is.
‘Every Day Happiness’ provides understanding, tools and habits we can utilise to navigate a world with rising uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. This increase makes more demands on our Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Wellbeing. Everyday Happiness is a nonfiction book written for professionals, business owners, leaders and managers reminding them to choose to put Happiness and Positive Emotions at the heart of everything they do. Thereby they will have better happiness, mental and emotional wellbeing, productivity and life satisfaction in all areas of their life.
The Contents are:
What is Happiness?
How Happy Are You?
What Makes You Happy?
What Makes You Unhappy?
What Do We Mean by Happiness?
You Cannot Make Everyone Happy: The Fable of the Father, Son and Donkey
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Why is Happiness Important?
The Science of Happiness
The Negativity Bias
How Does Happiness Help?
What Can We Do?
The World Happiness Index and Report
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
The Happiness Chemicals – Daily D.O.S.E
The Happy Chemicals
The Daily D.O.S.E
What did I learn? What will I do?
How to Increase Happiness
Models and Frameworks for Happiness
Which Model to Use?
What did I learn? What will I do?
Mindfulness Meditation
What is Mindfulness?
Benefits of Mindfulness
Practicing Mindfulness
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Kindness
Kindness and Compassion
Benefits of Kindness
Practicing Kindness
Self Compassion
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Gratitude
Gratitude and Blessings
Benefits of Gratitude
Practicing Gratitude
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Journaling
The Magic of Journaling
Benefits of Journaling
Types of Journaling
What Did I Learn? What Will I Do?
Happy Life Habits: How to Structure an Every Day Happiness Day
What Do We Include in an Every Day Happiness Day
Habits
The Investment Banker and the Fisherman
Do You Choose to be Happy?
Support
Quotes & Key Messages
Happy Life Habits is available for corporate talks, workshops and training.
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Mental Health Awareness Week: Anxiety Resources
The Week of Mental Health Awareness is ending. Mental Health is ongoing. We need to put in effort and practice to maintain good Mental Health and Mental Fitness.
Included in this blog article is the recording of the Anxiety Master Class sharing a concept from the Bollywood film The 3 Idiots, suggestions on dealing with exam/test anxiety/stress and actual scientific backed practices to help cope with anxiety. We are also sharing the resources such as videos, articles and pdfs shared during Mental Health Awareness Week.
To live life fully, develop skills and habits for positivity, happiness, resilience and productivity
Happy Life Habits provides 1 to 1 coaching, group coaching, workshops, training and regular learning sessions and programs such as Master Mind Group, Inner Compass the 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course. All with science, practices and information to help you go from Theory to Practice to Mastery.
The Week of Mental Health Awareness is ending. Mental Health is ongoing. We need to put in effort and practice to maintain good Mental Health and Mental Fitness.
Included in this blog article is the recording of the Anxiety Master Class sharing a concept from the Bollywood film The 3 Idiots, suggestions on dealing with exam/test anxiety/stress and actual scientific backed practices to help cope with anxiety. We are also sharing the resources such as videos, articles and pdfs shared during Mental Health Awareness Week.
To live life fully, develop skills and habits for positivity, happiness, resilience and productivity
Happy Life Habits provides 1 to 1 coaching, group coaching, workshops, training and regular learning sessions and programs such as Master Mind Group, Inner Compass the 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course. All with science, practices and information to help you go from Theory to Practice to Mastery.
Here is the Happy Life Habits Anxiety Master Class
Happy Life Habits Daily Mental Health Video Series
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
3 is The Magic Number
Three is a magic number. Many good things come in 3s and it is small enough for our brains to work with.
I had put a request out on LinkedIn and Facebook. I am working on a blog article related to things in 3s such as:
Mind, Body and Spirit
Heaven, Earth, Hell
Past, Present, Future
Gas, Liquid, Solid
Creator, Maintainer, Destroyer
or 3 positive words such as
Enthusiastic, Inspiring and Encouraging
Any 3s that come to mind for you that I may be able to include in the article?
What 3 virtues would you like to be remembered for?
What are 3 items of clothing that give you joy?
Three is a magic number. Remember De La Soul singing that? If you do you are from the best generation!
Watch and listen to this video by De La Soul on The Magic Number, if you remember it, turn it up, smile and sing along. If it is new to you - still do the same before reading on.
Many good things come in 3s. It is small enough for our brains to work with. This is published as we come towards the month three of the year. Published on “30/03/2023” - (how many 3s?) around 3:33pm.
I had put a request out on LinkedIn and Facebook. I am working on a blog article related to things in 3s such as:
Mind, Body and Spirit
Heaven, Earth, Hell
Past, Present, Future
Gas, Liquid, Solid
Creator, Maintainer, Destroyer
or 3 positive words such as
Enthusiastic, Inspiring and Encouraging
Any 3s that come to mind for you that I may be able to include in the article?
Here are responses…which resonate with you? What would you add?
Happy Life Habits embodies these sets of 3:
Which 3 interest you? Let me know.
The 3 domains for personal development, science of happiness and spirituality I actively nurture and continue learn in by committing to a 300 day coaching program, writing, speaking and running workshops and training; and being involved in community groups (including faith based).
What 3 virtues would you like to be remembered for?
At a recent prayer meeting for a friend who was very much part of one of the communities we belong to and who we had been on holiday with; when speeches were given by family, friends and community members; I was reminded of these 3 things which contribute to our happiness.
Connection - Our friend, Mr K, was very much about connection and relationships. Studies such as the 85 year Harvard study led by Robert Waldinger have shown that these help us life long, healthy and happy lives. His friends of more than 67 years shared how Mr K encouraged them to buy a house on the same street he was on when a house came up for sale. In this way Mr K has many of his close friends and families living on the same street over 6 or more homes.
Kindness and sharing - When Mr K went to Wembley, more that 30 mins from where he lived, to get the famous, delicious crispy bhajias from Maru Bhajia House he would order extra portions and deliver these goodies to his friends.
Service and helping make memorable experiences - we heard many stories of his contribution to service and in creating memorable experiences. Examples where writing a diary/journal for each of his daughters, helping people have a memorable experience of Madeira by taking them to places and activities which he had already done many times before.
What 3 virtues would you like to be remembered for?
For me its : Enthusiastic, Inspiring and Encouraging
Bucket List of 3
Growing up I had a bucket list or goals list with many items. Some achieved some drifted away and some still to pursue. As I learnt more about the science of happiness where the research showed that experiences rather than material things adds to our happiness my focus has shifted to experiences.
Before it was to own a Ferrari. Now it is to rent a Ferrari for a weekend or a week.
To swim with the dolphins - preferably somewhere exotic
To do a hot air balloon ride over a scenic area
One of these is planned for this year. Have you any experience of the above 3? Any suggestions or advice?
What 3 things are on your bucket list?
Triple Dipping
I was reminded of the triple dipping of a positive experience:
The planning, the anticipation, the looking forward to
The actual experience unfolding, the moment to moment joy
The savouring in the future of the past experience, reliving and retelling the experience.
A bit more about savouring in this blog article BACK TO THE FUTURE: CREATING MEMORIES TO SAVOUR.
What is an experience you can savour?
3 Jackets / Coats for the seasons of Autumn, Winter and Spring
I highly encourage investing in 3 good quality coats or jackets for the different seasons. I have one for Winter, Autumn, Spring (Rain) - each is well made, comfortable, functional, a joy to wear and feel plus having plenty of pockets for hats, gloves, pens, phone etc.
What are 3 items of clothing that give you joy?
Gratitude to the power of 3
In our gratitude workshops and gratitude journaling training we share Robert Emmons insight about Gratitude to the power of 3. Gratitude has the power to :
Heal
Help us when we feel deflated / down, to energise us
Give us Hope for the future
3 good things
A popular happiness practice that I have as part of my daily routine is the 3 Good Things practice. It is one of the 5 positive psychology based practices in the Happiness Journal ( The 5 Minute Journal) that we supply, use and teach how to use. The practice counters the negative bias that is in the world by purposefully finding 3 good things that happened in the day. A focus on positivity, optimism and goodness. In the last week or so many good things happened. I’ll share 3 here.
Was on the receiving end of The Gratitude Letter Activity that we do in the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course. Heard stories of others experiences and how they have adapted which is creating ripples further a field.
Celebrated International Day of Happiness with two Happiness Booster sessions where we used the gratitude cards. Great energising session combined with a wonderful sense of connection with familiar faces and strangers.
A focused, uplifting and knowledge sharing Master Mind Group Session where we continued to share with other the practices we are doing and the impact they are making. Plus shared the Law of the Garbage Truck. The story was shared to the Happy Life Habits Community and a member messaged to share their personal experience of applying the ideas from the story when they had been in an accident.
In addition to reading this blog article …What 3 good things happened to you this week?
The Happy Life Habits Pay it Forward Fund
Enables those who currently at this moment in time not be able to financially take part in the Happy Life Habits services to do so. It has been contributed to by generous people who believe in the services that Happy Life Habits provides.
During the last year we have been able to support 3 people.
Giving the Happiness Journal to a course attendee let them continue their practice one year after they had completed the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course.
Provided partial funding to two people of the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course.
Get in touch if you would like to pay it forward or if you would like to use the funds.
3 ways of staying connected to Happy Life Habits
We will be less active on social media using WhatsApp Community, email mailing list and sessions (virtual and in person) to enhance connection, community and coaching.
Join the new WhatsApp Community group that replaces the HLH Broadcast list. Stay informed about Happy Life Habits activities plus add value information such as events, offers, articles, videos, quotes plus dedicated HLH groups. Positively Impacting Happiness and Wellbeing Levels to go from theory to practice to mastery.
Average 2 messages a week.
Join the WhatsApp Happy Life Habits Community at https://chat.whatsapp.com/FJ4vetMGbEIEd2hH5BRfU2
Only admins will be able to see your name, number and message. No other members of the community will be able to contact you.
Join the HLH mailing list - see bottom of this page.
Attend a HLH session: talk, workshop, training course - virtual or in person.
3 ways of helping Happy Life Habits positively impacting happiness and wellbeing levels
Join a training course, workshop or service
Let people at your workplace, company, organisation, community group : HR, wellbeing officers and leaders know that Happy Life Habits can do talks, workshops and training that make a difference.
Help others know about HLH who may benefit from what we offer. You could help them positively change their life.
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Inner Cheerleader instead of Inner Critic
Inner Cheerleader instead of Inner Critic
2, 4, 6 8 Who Do We Appreciate?
Do you sometimes amaze yourself?
We often succumb to the inner critic we all have who tells us we can't do it, we not worthy, we are not good enough, it's going to fail etc.
I believe we have an Inner Cheerleader too.
Inner Cheerleader instead of Inner Critic
2, 4, 6 8 Who Do We Appreciate?
Do you sometimes amaze yourself?
We often succumb to the inner critic we all have who tells us we can't do it, we not worthy, we are not good enough, it's going to fail etc.
I believe we have an Inner Cheerleader too. I amazed myself yesterday. I went for a walk and chose to listen to the People on Purpose podcast by David Roberts which released the episode I am in on 1st Feb. We had recorded it end of last year so I had forgotten some of what we have covered.
It's bloody brilliant if I humbly say so myself, so rich in content, David has asked questions which give breadth and depth covering so much in 60 mins about life, happiness, wellbeing, stress, work life balance, habits, routines, practices, planning, my journey, personal development, science of happiness and spirituality.
Here are the show notes:
For this episode, David is joined by Shaileen Shah who is a happiness coach. He is the founder of Happy Life Habits. A business that helps people, communities, and companies to be happier, kinder, and more effective, and to respond in a meaningful way to the challenges that life and indeed wider society throws at us on a daily basis. Shaileen shares his own learning journey. Explaining how he explored the science of happiness and sharing some of these experiments and the results. Shaileen explains how to develop habits that naturally release the happy chemicals and flush away the stress chemicals. Something that automatically makes you feel happier as well as benefiting your health and improving the balance in your life.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Shaileen´s approach is informed by scientific studies into happiness as well as by cultural practices. Doing the things that naturally release the happy chemicals in your body is powerful. Hedonic happiness is fleeting. Eudaimonic happiness goes far deeper. Pro-social practices contribute massively to happiness. Acknowledge negative emotions like anger, but don't dwell on them. You have to actively counter society's negative bias. Shaileen shares several ways to do this. Connection with others is really important. Be aware of what you have achieved in the past year. It can be used as fuel to take you further. Take stock 4 or 5 times a year. Life is short, make the absolute most of it.
BEST MOMENTS
‘With that timeout, I revisited and really looked at the things which were important to me, I reflected, I looked at my values again,’ ‘Happiness is not just a fleeting emotion, it's bigger than that.’ ‘There is flex in my planning, if an opportunity comes along, which I hadn't planned for, but it feels right … I say yes to this’
It is 60 mins, take 10 minutes and listen today, if you like what you hear listen to another 10 today or tomorrow and repeat. (use link in original post or one shared in comments)
What's your Inner Cheerleader cheering you on about?
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Gratitude is my Super Power
Gratitude is my superpower. When I am immersed in the feeling of gratitude I come alive, have hope, optimism, see some many possibilities, am creative and very productive. My whole energy is different - feel very positive, connected and grounded.
Gratitude is my Superpower
7 THINGS THAT AFFECT YOUR VIBRATORY FREQUENCY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF QUANTUM PHYSICS
What are your Superpowers?
Thanksgiving
Inner Compass Good Life
Outstanding Black Friday Offer
Gratitude is my SuperPower
7 THINGS THAT AFFECT YOUR VIBRATORY FREQUENCY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF QUANTUM PHYSICS
What are your Superpowers?
Thanksgiving
Inner Compass Good Life
Outstanding Black Friday Offer
Gratitude is my Superpower
Gratitude is my superpower. When I am immersed in the feeling of gratitude I come alive, have hope, optimism, see some many possibilities, am creative and very productive. My whole energy is different - feel very positive, connected and grounded. The sense of bouyancy and levity where feet a firmly on ground, grounded yet at the same time head and heart are in the skies.
Gratitude vibrates at 540 Mhz frequency - this is the same as joy. Peace and Love sit on either side. Fear is at around 100, Depression at 50 and Enlightenment 700+.
If everything is energy and the law of attraction works on energy frequencies it makes sense for us to cultivate higher energy states on a more regular basis. This is beneficial to our health and happiness.
Gratitude vibrates at 540 MHz. Being grateful falls on the same level as love — it is one of the highest vibrational frequencies you can be at. The more time you can spend in gratitude and love, the more your body’s frequency raises and the healthier your body becomes.
https://www.moravianmanorcommunities.org/practicing-daily-gratitude-to-enhance-health
Gratitude has the ability to heal, feel less deflated and give us hope. It amplifies the good in our life, rescues us and helps us feel connected.
Depression is sadness with not hope
Tal Ben-Shahar - Happiness Teacher
While writing this blog article my friend Nilpa sent me this:
7 THINGS THAT AFFECT YOUR VIBRATORY FREQUENCY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF QUANTUM PHYSICS.
Vibration in quantum physics means that everything is energy. We are beings vibrate at certain frequencies. Each vibration is equivalent to a feeling and in the "vibrational" world, there are only two kinds of vibrations, positive and negative. Any feeling causes you to emit a vibration that can be positive or negative.
1– Thoughts
Every thought emits a frequency towards the Universe and that frequency returns towards the origin, so in the case, if you have negative thoughts, of discouragement, sadness, anger, fear, all that returns to you. That is why it is so important that you take care of the quality of your thoughts and learn to cultivate more positive thoughts.
2– The Companies.
The people around you directly influence your vibration frequency. If you surround yourself with happy, positive, determined people, you will also enter that vibration, now if you surround yourself with complaining, cursing and pessimistic people, be careful! Well, they may be decreasing your frequency and, as a consequence, preventing you from making the Law of Attraction work in your favor.
3– The Music.
The music is very powerful. If you only listen to music that talks about death, betrayal, sadness, abandonment, all of that will interfere with what you vibrate to. Pay attention to the lyrics of the music you listen to, it may be lowering your vibration frequency. And remember: you attract into your life exactly what you vibrate to.
4– The things you see.
When you watch programs that address misfortunes, death, betrayals, etc. your brain accepts that as a reality and releases a whole chemistry in your body, causing your vibration frequency to be affected. See things that do you good and help you vibrate at a higher frequency.
5– The Environment.
Whether at home or at work, if you spend much of your time in a disorganized and dirty environment, this will also affect your vibrational frequency. Improve what is around you, organize and clean your environment. Show the Universe that you are fit to receive much more. Take care of what you already have!
6 – The Word.
If you use to complain or speak ill of things and people, this affects your vibration frequency. To keep your frequency high it is essential that you eliminate the habit of claiming, complaining and speaking ill of others. So avoid making dramas and victimizing yourself. Assume your Responsibility for the choices of your Life!
7– Gratitude.
Gratitude positively affects your vibrational frequency. That is a habit that you should incorporate right now into your life. Begin to be thankful for everything, for the good things and those that you consider not good, be thankful for all the experiences you have lived. Gratitude opens the doors for good things to flow positively in your life.
What are your Superpowers?
Gratitude is in my top 5 of Virtues in Action Character strengths. If you would like to know yours you can find out here. The new Happy Life Habits Inner Compass Good Life program has a session on Strengths. When you identify your strengths and values then proceed to work from them you have your super powers.
Through working from my superpowers and knowing the benefits of gratitude, Happy Life Habits offers your some opportunities to develop your superpowers, skills and cultivate the virtue of gratitude.
Thanksgiving
ThanksGiving gives us an opportunity to count our blessings and consider what we are grateful for.
Gratitude can help shift our mood, amplify the good we already have and give hope to a better future.
Gratitude is a habit of the heart. We recognise, acknowledge and reflect upon the gifts and blessing that we already have in our lives. We develop an abundance mindset as opposed to a scarcity mindset.
Happy Life Habits is hosting a Thanksgiving event giving an opportunity to explore grateful living using gratitude cards, to reflect, play and connect. These cards were gifted to Happy Life Habits by our friend Ashik Shah. Thank you Ashik for this gift (and others you have given). Looking forward to putting them to good use and sharing gratitude.
Gratitude Cards offer both playful and deep questions, inviting you to tune into life's abundance and the transformative possibilities of grateful living.
There are 5 themes :
Perspective - enhancing the capacity to see life anew - e.g. When was the last time you took a leap of faith?
Wonder - awakening to the beauty and magic of life - e.g. In what way is life inviting you to embrace uncertainty right now?
Sufficiency - noticing and savouring life’s abundance - e.g. Describe a role model in your life who demonstrates contentment
Connection - holding and nurturing our interdependence - e.g. What is something you can do today for your future self?
Healing - restoring ourselves, one another, and the world - e.g. What is one way you make a difference to your community?
As a group and in small groups we will explore some of these themes using the cards.
Inner Compass Good Life
This is a new program we are launching. Program for deeper clarity on your Life, Time, Energy & Focus. It will help you review the last year, make plans for the next year, identify your strengths, create a personal mission statement, recognise what’s important to you and refine your self image. Guided step and actions to make small positive changes that have a big impact.
These have helped guide me and I look forward to sharing them with you.
This program is for you if you need a refocus, refresh, clarity on time, energy and focus to live a fulfilled life.
We are launching with an special introductory launch price to work with a small group of people committed to making positive changes in their life. Starting now.
Happy Life Habits Black Friday Offer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Her Majesty The Queen 1926 - 2022 Happy Life Habits : Positive Grief : The Dash
I share this poem, The Dash, in the Happy Life Habits Positive Grief talks along with some science of what grief does to the brain, ways to cope with grief and help others.
The poem is short yet very powerful, timely and reflective.
Photo image from Bournemouth Echo
I share this poem, The Dash, in the Happy Life Habits Positive Grief talks along with some science of what grief does to the brain, ways to cope with grief and help others.
The poem is short yet very powerful, timely and reflective.
THE DASH.. BY LINDA ELLIS
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.
To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash??
Resources for Positive Grief : https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/positive-grief
and The Dash video is here
Saw this great post on LinkedIn by Ian West which shares some of the Queen’s Dash.
Just to put the history of Her Majesty's passing into context, and shut up the minority of trolls who seem to be in their 'so what' grumpy moods...
Elizabeth II was born less than 23 years after the Wright brothers carried out the first ever powered flight. Four of Queen Victoria's children were still alive when she was born. The last one of them died in 1944 when Elizabeth was already 18.
She lived for more than a third of the entire age of the United States (1776) - a nation which is only 246 years old. And well over half the age of Canada (1867), and all but 25 years of the nation of Australia (1901).
She became Queen at the age of just 25, when Stalin and Truman were also in post, just 7 years after the end of WWII.
Her first Prime Minister was born in 1874. Yes, the 1800s!!!
Her last PM was born only two years before her Silver Jubilee in 1975 - so her first and last PMs were born over 100 years apart!
She was already 51 when she celebrated that first Jubilee in 1977.
Ruling in her own right (with no regent, like Louis XIV had for 13 years), she was the longest reigning monarch in World history, no matter what Wikipedia says. In my book, Regencies don't really count as "doing the job" - you don't really 'rule' when you're only 4 years old, like he was!
She lived through three kings herself before she even took the throne - George V, Edward VIII, and her father George VI
She saw the jet age arrive, the birth of electronic computing, and the space age - all before she was 35 years old.
She ruled for 70 years at the age of 96, more than 35 years after the age at which most people retire.
Her reign is over 7% of the entire history of Britain since William the Conqueror took the crown - 956 years ago - and that's considering that we've had 41 monarchs in that time. So, on a pro-rata basis, each reign would only be 23 years. So, she's done the equivalent of over three tours of duty.
So, yeah, she certainly *was* Great Britain and everything that we've seen and grown up with. She was with us through, literally, all we've ever known in living memory.
Her selfless service to this country was simply astonishing, when she could have 'retired' from the job decades ago and enjoyed some well-deserved rest.
She is now a huge part of British history herself, there is no 'was' about it anymore. She *is* and will remain an integral component of this country, having overseen an amazing Elizabethan Age.
I am glad to have lived in her reign, and witnessed it, in spite of the country's broken heart.
As she said herself "Grief is the price we pay for love."
Rest in Peace Ma'am with your beloved Philip.
Your duty has been done ... multiple times over.
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day.
We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
These include the 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course and the monthly MasterMind Group sessions
Great investments that produce outstanding results - guaranteed!
The Happiness Journal used by Tim Ferris, Emma Watson and Shaileen Shah (pretty much every day for the last 6.5 years) is a great starter tool to shift your mood and develop morning routines. For a DIY option the journal is available for £27 (£30 inc p&p in UK, international please enquire. Order 2 or more journals at £25 each).
This is a perfect, unique and life changing gift that can be gifted for:
teachers at the end of the year as a thank you
Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings
graduations, new job
staff / employees
In fact it has been well received as a corporate gift by staff, clients and suppliers when given by my clients. (Enquire for bulk orders and add value workshops). A journal workshop and 30 Day gratitude & journal habit immersion training course (running for the last 2 years) are also available.
Contact Shaileen@HappyLifeHabits.co.uk for any enquiries.
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Back to the Future: Creating memories to Savour
The word savour (savor in American English) is an interesting word, it is a verb. It has at least 2 meanings in the dictionary:
To fully enjoy the taste or smell of something
To fully enjoy a time or experience
Back to the Future The Musical
The word savour (savor in American English) is an interesting word, it is a verb. It has at least 2 meanings in the dictionary:
To fully enjoy the taste or smell of something
To fully enjoy a time or experience
I feel the first definition is limited to taste and smell when I feel it should be all the senses. Another definition I feel encompasses the sentiment better :
to enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible
This extends to one more which is the one we will use in this article:
attempt to fully feel, enjoy, and extend our positive experiences
The practice of savouring leads to more happiness. We can savour all three tenses of time: Past, Present and Future. I have enjoyed this practice. I share a few examples here.
Savouring the Past
Recently I enjoyed reminiscing about a convention that I co-led 20 years ago for Young Jains, a faith organisation I volunteer for. The experience 20 years ago was amazing, creative, high energy and innovative with wonderful team work. Individually I enjoyed seeing some photos, reading a souvenir magazine and listening to music from the event. We hosted a 20 Year catch up and some people who had attended 20 years ago joined sharing their experiences and memories. This led to a feel good energy, re-living the positive experiences and memories and a sense of community and connection. A benefit of savouring the past positive experiences is you get to live them again and create new memories.
Another example is Facebook popping up a memory from 2018 when we took part in a volunteering programme in India with the Jain school that we are part of. It brought back many good memories and associated with it good feelings.
What is a past experience that you savour?
Savouring the Future
I enjoy planning for the future, having events and activities scheduled in the diary to look forward to. These may be a holiday, trip away, catch-up with family/friends, visit to theatre etc. The anticipation and looking forward to generating positive emotions and good feelings as much as the actual event. An example of this is booking tickets for the Back To the Future musical months in advance of chosen visit date. Back To the Future is a classic film I grew up with so we are already onto a winner. Again looking forward to the actual day with much enthusiasm was wonderful. The musical did not disappoint; great sets, acting, humour, music and a De Lorean. It was a shared experience with my family. We created a memory that we can relish and savour in the future.
What is a future experience you can schedule to later savour?
Savouring in the Present
A key to savouring the past or the future is to be fully present in the present. To be mindful, engaged in the moment, aware and enjoy it. Some examples I have experienced are:
A few years ago I took part in a retreat where the meal at lunch time was in silence. I ate mindfully, chewing slowly, observing and enjoying each bite and chew. Savouring the taste, experience and textures.
During a full packed day with my wife visiting London we enjoyed St Paul’s Cathedral with a tour, boat trip on the Thames, lovely vegan meal, Mama Mia the Musical with a walk across Waterloo bridge at night time. Each of those moments I experienced being in the moment, enjoying it and not thinking about the experience before or coming after. This led to deeper enjoyment of each moment.
Ways to Savour
Journaling
The Happiness Journal (the 5 minute journal) we supply and use in the Happy Life Habits 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course helps capture some savouring across the past, present and future with sections on gratitude, what would make today great and what was amazing about today.
Facebook memories
Capture memories in Facebook on your timeline and enjoy savouring when Facebook pops up the memory on it’s anniversary
Google Photos
Capture your digital photos and store them in google photos letting it pop up the memories on your phone. I enjoyed seeing memories from 14 years ago.
Create memories to savour
Book, schedule experiences and activities. Even better if you can book them with someone else to create shared memories.
Take photos / videos. My son recently turned 18. A great idea would have been to take a photo of him on each birthday and capture it in an album. Likewise for anniversaries.
Happy Life Habits events, talks, workshops and training are a great opportunity to create positive memories and emotions. The waiting list for the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course is open.
We enjoy celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and World Days… see below.
Happy Life Habits us supporting World Values Day 20th October
Have a Great Day
There goes another day of your life. How did you live it?
What did you choose?
Happy Life Habits is celebrating the following upcoming World Days.
World Mindfulness Day : Monday 12th September
World Gratitude Day (Also International Day of Peace) : Wednesday 21st September
Shaileen Shah's Birthday : Monday 26th September
World Values Day : Thursday 20th October
World Kindness Day : Sunday 13th November
We hold dear Mindfulness, Gratitude, Kindness, Values and Birthdays as reminders of the things important in our life and essential for our happiness, wellbeing and a good life. An opportunity to celebrate, reflect, re-enforce and connect.
If you would like a passionate, enthusiastic, inspiring and encouraging talk or workshop on these topics during the World Day or the week the World Day falls in then look no further than Happy Life Habits. This is what we believe in and live by : Positively Impacting Happiness and Wellbeing Levels (every day)!
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day.
We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
These include the 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course and the monthly MasterMind Group sessions
Great investments that produce outstanding results - guaranteed!
The Happiness Journal used by Tim Ferris, Emma Watson and Shaileen Shah (pretty much every day for the last 6.5 years) is a great starter tool to shift your mood and develop morning routines. For a DIY option the journal is available for £27 (£30 inc p&p in UK, international please enquire. Order 2 or more journals at £25 each).
This is a perfect, unique and life changing gift that can be gifted for:
teachers at the end of the year as a thank you
Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings
graduations, new job
staff / employees
In fact it has been well received as a corporate gift by staff, clients and suppliers when given by my clients. (Enquire for bulk orders and add value workshops). A journal workshop and 30 Day gratitude & journal habit immersion training course (running for the last 2 years) are also available.
Contact Shaileen@HappyLifeHabits.co.uk for any enquiries.
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.