Very Happy Phil

In society today I feel relaxed about acting like an idiot in public …if I’m entertaining a young child!
i have observed most men doing similar and i know im not alone in this. And I am not alone in thinking this. Keith Johnstone (author ‘Impro’) states that people are all innately creative and spontaneous, but self-censor in order to appear sane and safe.

“We all act in predictable ways to fit in with society and avoid looking crazy”
Andy Gibson, Mindapples.org
http://mindapples.org/2008/07/20/acting-sane/

I’ll will tell you a little story; I read a research article that said they found kids as young as 3 years old starting to ‘self sensor’ their emotions to fit in e.g. if they did well they didn’t want to look too happy if their friends didn’t do well. It is all downhill from there are we all grow older and get further and further away from our core being, core personality and our core joy and spontaneous ness

I will give you an example; I saw an example of this on a great TV programme called ‘the secret millionare’ where millionaire do some good with their money (unfortunately only about 1% of their wealth). On one programme a man was so happy upon being given a cheque for £11k the band secretary said ‘I feel like screaming’ …but he didn’t. In another programme upon being given a cheque for £12k the ‘farm for boys’ owner said ‘I feel like giving you a hug…’ but he didn’t. I was sad at the last one. The Millionaire Carl just walked away after exchanging a hand shake. Isn’t it sad that we live in a society country where joy and hugs are suppressed! Because people fear they will look crazy or feel uncomfortable and unconfident to express themselves. Have you ever received or given out ‘free hugs’ ? Go for it. Stretch ourselves. Seize the day. Young kids are more free with their emotions and more spontaneously with their hugs and slowly we stop doing it as we grow older.

Here are a few of my favourite quotes which inspire me;

“We are all crazy”
- UK’s Top Sport Mind Coach and Psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters

“Everyone’s got a personality disorder”
Psychiatric Nurse

"Happy people accept themselves…happy people trust themselves. Happy people are "real" people…. more natural, self-assured, and at ease in social situations. They generally deal with others in a straightforward and candid manner. They tend to be uninhibited, spontaneous, and expressive. They are not afraid to share themselves, nor are they unduly concerned about people's reactions to them. Happy people are more concerned with being themselves than being anything else.
-Michael W. Fordyce, Ph.D. 'Human Happiness; Its Nature and Its Attainment'

“Self acceptance is the key to happiness”
-Dr Robert Holden, Author ‘Happiness NOW!’

"The pressures to be something other than what we honestly feel we are, are enormous. Usually, we compromise ourselves because we think it is more important to "be pleasing" than pleasing ourselves. Or, perhaps at a deeper, psychological level, we have a deep seated fear that "If people ever knew what I really feel, they'd never accept me." The more artificial your personality becomes, the more artificial your relationships with others are. Just be yourself. Trust that there are people somewhere who will really like you for what you really, honestly, are, who will like you just for you. And, trust that being yourself is the most efficient way to find them."
-Michael W. Fordyce, Ph.D. 'Human Happiness; Its Nature and Its Attainment'

Have a CRAZY happy week!

Keep positive!
Phil McNally
Author & Happiness Expert

Remember,
“Be yourself. Happy people are happy and comfortable with themselves. Happy people are crazy! We all are”

– Phil McNally, Author & Happiness Expert

PS I am excited to announce an exclusive workshop for men and women is happening in September in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow!

Would you like to live with more passion, less fear, more love, more purpose and more self awareness?!
In a rare opportunity to experience a great personal development workshop and two gifted presenters and trainers Bennie Naude and Nicola Kurk (and me!). £45 for one day! Limited places left. Email me today for special deal and more info

PPS Help me! Forward this email to anyone you know in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow! Thanks

PSS Crazy, non Crazy, Positive and Non Positive feedback welcome; “Very Good phil - power of positive thinking.”
Sam Hiley
JPMorgan Asset Management”

PPPS Be yourself. More info read;
http://www.veryhappyphil.com/content/be-yourself

Sign up for FREE happiness boosters every Monday on website

PSPS Do you remember last weeks lesson?

© Phil McNally 2009