Weekly: Do you mind?
We released a few new wallpapers last week that I'm excited to share with you! You can download them here—I highly suggest you choose the one that supports what you're trying to work on!
For example, if you're trying to remember to accept and honor your feelings, you might want to choose the Emotions set. And if you're trying to respond more mindfully to challenges, you might prefer the Setback wallpaper.
If you use them, tag us on social — nothing brings me more joy!
With love,
Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy
This Week
There's a famous story about the philosopher J. Krishnamurthi. He was giving a talk and suddenly said, "Do you want to know my secret?" The room went quiet, and he said, "Here's my secret: I don't mind what happens."
This, to me, is the essence of inner peace: not minding what happens. And while it might be the work of a lifetime to get to the state that Krishnamurthi describes, it's work we can start to do right now.
The next time that an external event disrupts your inner peace, you can use the following self-talk to help:
First, acknowledge and accept what you are feeling:
"It seems like this event has affected my inner peace. That's okay. That happens. I'm going to let myself feel whatever is coming up."
Then, once you have done so, pose this question:
"Would I like to continue being affected by this, or would I like to let it go?"
Start small, with life's regular ups and downs. The more you practice, the more you can apply it to bigger and bigger challenges.
More Tips and Tools
1. One setback can color your day — This week's animation.
2. Look for the need — This shift will make you more compassionate.
3. What to do when you're angry — It's like a wave.
4. Who are you — Defining your identity.
5. Don't wait for permission — Give yourself a green light.
Or listen to the podcast episodes (Apple, Spotify) from this week!
Community
What does contentment mean to you?
"Contentment to me is existing in a state of calm, where I don’t need or want anything more than I already have, and I can live peacefully."
"Contentment, for me, is to be at peace with my world. A feeling of wanting for nothing."
"to me it means being able to do what you want/love without letting the fear of being judged by others control you."
"Feeling at peace."
Inspiration
1. Walrus pup prescribed 24/7 cuddling (Washington Post) — Walruses, like humans, are very social: we all need cuddles.
2. The Dirty Secret of ‘Secret Family Recipes’ (Atlas Obscura) — The legendary chef Danny Meyer used to brag about his grandmother's potato salad. Then he found out it was the recipe printed on Hellman's mayonnaise.
3. A college football player knew his teammate donated plasma to afford school — he gave him his scholarship (CBS) — This week's New Happy Hero.
Before You Go
No spam, just joy.
