Did you see the three part documentary series “Making Australia Happy” on ABC TV recently? The documentary showed a group of everyday Sydney people who had volunteered to undertake a series of exercises over a period of couple of months with the aim being to find out whether it was possible for them to live happier and more fulfilling lives. Each person in the group undertook a series of activities such as meditation, granting forgiveness towards people who had done them harm in the past, community and family activity, developing a focus on positive outcomes and a range of other activities within the scope of positive psychology.
During each episode the members of the group undertook a questionnaire to measure their degree of happiness, and it was quite clear that the activities were having an impact on the outcome. The third and final episode in this series showed a major difference in the level of happiness, after undertaking the activities.
Next year there will be a follow-up series to assess whether the benefits gained from these activities will have a sustaining benefit, or whether these people will fall back into their own life patterns and levels of happiness.
What do you think? Do you think it is possible to improve your level of happiness?
To find more information about this topic checkout the website is http://makingaustraliahappy.abc.net.au
If you missed the series you are welcome to contact me and borrow a DVD. Watching this show with your family and friends would be a valuable way to spend some time with your friends and family during the holiday period… especially if you talk about the topics after watching the show, and you might like to try out some of the exercises.
If you have any questions please contact malcolm – malcolm@communicat.com.au
Malcolm