Michael

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day in the fine state of Rhode Island. The last several days had brought heavy rains and wind combined with low temperatures. I, fortunately, was in Europe where the weather was more spring like. But today, the temperature was in the 60’s (Fahrenheit) and the skies were very blue.

My office doesn’t have a window to the outside, but I kept getting up and looking at the sun and sky. I had numerous excuses to get out of my office so I could gaze outside. As the hours crept by, I became increasingly convinced that everyone should leave early because a day like this deserved to be experienced outdoors.

I continually said to anyone that would listen, how nice it was outside and wouldn’t it be fantastic to leave early. Around 3:30, I began to see small groups of people leaving the office and not returning. As it got closer to 4:00 p.m. more people were quickly exiting the building. I started to shut down my computer and made a commitment to leave at 4:15 p.m. A few minutes before I was packed to leave, my administrative assistant yelled out that we appeared to be the only ones left in our area. I laughed quietly as she didn’t see me loading my computer in my bag.

I was one of the last to leave before our regularly scheduled end of day. But, I like to think that I was the one that planted the seed of leaving early. It was not a huge effort, but a slight nudge towards a destination that people were already leaning towards. And yes, it was worth it! No guilt. No regrets.

Michael

Gretchen Reubin wrote a nice post listing seven tips to be happier in the next hour in her blog called The Happiness Project. The seven tips she lists are:

1. Boost your energy
2. Reach out to friends
3. Rid yourself of a nagging task
4. Create a calmer environment
5. Lay the groundwork for some future fun
6. Do a good deed
7. Act happy

I have done all of these at one time or another and actually regularly practice most of them. They can be quite effective in picking up your level of happiness in a short amount of time. I practice boosting your energy, reaching out to friends and acting happy the most out of the seven.

I like lists like these that offer easy, practical and quick ways to change your mood or level of happiness. I would add to Gretchen’s seven ideas with:

1. Work on a favorite hobby
2. Pursue or practice one of your passions (mine is photography)
3. Watch a movie or read a favorite book (preferably something uplifting or a comedy)

What things do you do or practice that can quickly make you happier?

Michael

I’m back in the U.S. after a week long trip to Finland and Germany. The flight home today was about 10 hours. I was beginning to get a little stir crazy in the cramped economy seat. I usually like to get up and walk around for few minutes several times during a long trip. I make sure I have plenty to do; book to read, games to play, my laptop, watch a movie and etc. Sometimes I even sleep. Usually not for long though.

I definitely love to travel, but I also really love to come home. It is such a great feeling to get back into your own personal space. You know the feeling after you’ve had your shoes on all day. You get home, take off the shoes and your feet just start smiling. There’s just something about that. It really feels great. Well, that’s what it feels like for me to come home. I can relax. I feel a sense of freedom and security.

I think one of the best things about coming home is sleeping in your own bed. That’s a really fantastic feeling! Sometimes I wonder if I travel so much just so I can enjoy coming home. Probably not, but you get my point.

People that know me really well are surprised when they hear how much I travel because they know how much I like “home.” What I’ve learned to do over the years is make sure that home is where I am at the time. So, I usually bring a few extra things with me to make the hotel feel a little more like home. It’s a good temporary solution until I really get back home.

Have a great day!

Michael

One of my favorite things to do is try different foods and go to new restaurants. It brings out the explorer/adventurer in me. Sometimes I will try new places without getting any recommendations. But really, it’s the joy of discovering new tastes and flavor combinations that I find quite appealing. The world we live in has an almost infinite variety of foods and food combinations to savor or sample. I have a long way to go before I experience all of them.

In the past I was quite rigid in my food preferences, but over the years as I have traveled extensively, my palette has expanded. I very rarely go somewhere that I can’t find something that I like or would like to try. It really is a sense of freedom to not have to stick to a particular food all the time.

Tonight’s dinner in Leipzig was at a very nice restaurant called Escados Steak House. It’s located on the southern end of the town center in the basement of the Deutsche Bank building. I highly recommend it. The food quality is excellent as is the service. The atmosphere is cozy and casual. I had some tapas dishes; shrimp, croquettes more shrimp in conjunction with a nice wine and garlic bread. Oh, did I mention I like shrimp or prawns. As I was with some colleagues from work, the evening was filled with some good stories and lots of laughter. Great combination; friends, good food, laughter, and drinks.

Michael

Spring is upon us. Well, most of us. It depends on where you live doesn’t it? I’m definitely experiencing spring while I’m in Germany this week. It’s probably my favorite season. Picking a favorite one is a difficult because I enjoy each season for vastly different reasons. I’m rarely affected negatively by the seasons or weather. I enjoy them for what they are at the time.

The spring season gives me a sense of freedom and opening up. Days are becoming longer. The months and weeks of winter are over now. Winter is great for introspection, relaxation and renewal. Spring is about changing gears and taking all of that stored up energy from the winter and expressing it outwardly again. It’s about growth and starting anew.

I especially like sitting outside during the day and feeling the sun on my skin. It’s the best time of year for that; not too cold and not too hot. I like taking walks through forests and wooded parks. There is a certain scent that is associated with spring to me. I know it when I smell it, but it’s hard to describe.

I’m heading back to the east coast later this week. It’s not quite spring yet, but I’m thankful that I got a preview while I was in Germany.

Michael

West of the Leipzig, Germany Marriott are three 10-story buildings that are abandoned and must have been for years. As you can see from the photos, they have been turned into a fine example of urban art.

The artwork is on a type of canvas that is draped over all four sides of these buildings. Each building’s art cover is slightly different. There are literally hundreds of images on each and it would take quite some time to see them all. The photo on the left was the view from my hotel window. In the morning, the sunrise hits the building and all the colors come to life.

I don’t know what prompted the original decision to do this, but effectively it turned a potential urban eye-sore into a three block work of art. It’s a fantastic example of creative innovation and what a community committed to solving a problem can do.

The model that Leipzig has employed could be an inspiration for other cities trying to resolve similar challenges. The other amazing thing is that I couldn’t see any graffiti anywhere on these buildings. That’s a testament to the townspeople and their respect for this project.

Michael

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude. – William James

I’ve written about this topic before, but I feel it is so vitally important that it deserved another discussion. William James sums it up beautifully. When you master this one skill, there really is nothing external that can affect you anymore.

Before I began using this technique, my life was completely out of my control. External events determined my mood and emotional well-being. I felt powerless and helpless since I was not in control of my own destiny. Life was something that happened to me and not something that I made happen.

It shouldn’t take one long to see examples of how attitude shapes lives. Just observe people that you meet every day. You’ll see many are not really having fun and believe that the world is a difficult place, while others that are involved in extraordinary, challenging and stressful times are living fulfilled, happy, stimulating and fun lives.

So, look for the positive aspect of every situation. Find the diamond among the chunks of coal. See problems as challenges. Learn to laugh at yourself. Don’t take things too serious. Work on being okay with where you are while keeping your eye on where you want to be. Enjoy the journey. Laugh a lot. Laugh some more.

The majority of my decisions at this time in my life are based on one question; “Am I going to have fun doing this?” This question has transformed my life. When I get challenged (i.e. I have to do something or my choices are limited), I turn it into something more fun. I call it my instant attitude adjustment.

Try these techniques for awhile until they become habit. You won’t regret it.

Michael

Happiness Now is a book written by Dr. Robert Holden in 1999. He was a guest on The Oprah Show on April 11th, 2007. Dr. Holden is a psychologist, bestselling author and the director/founder of The Happiness Project. He has also developed an 8 week happiness program called “Happiness Now” that was featured on a BBC documentary in 1996.

Dr. Holden says that “It is never too late to be happy.” I definitely agree and it is one of the guiding principles to the formation of Cloud9000. Nat, the blogging team and I will continue to find and report on innovative, unique, versatile and diverse ways to be happier. You’ll never know what will work for yourself until you try it.

We feel it is an exciting time to be alive and the best time to be as happy as you possibly can. You definitely deserve to be happier NOW.

[Thanks to my Mom for seeing Dr. Holden on Oprah and letting me know about him.]

Have a great day.

Michael

I ate at a wonderful seafood only restaurant in Helsinki, Finland tonight called Fishmarket. The creativity of the chef was amazing. Three of us had the 5 course meal. Salmon with avocado, bouillabaisse, cod with octopus, cheese, and banana with peanut. A nice white wine complimented our meal.

I’m always amazed at the creativity of chefs that can combine flavors and textures that I would never have thought to bring together. It really is art!

Trying new food dishes is a great way to open ourselves to trying new things. The point is not whether you like it or not, but that you stretched and tried something new. You’ll be surprised at what you will find appealing. I think it’s important to consistently do things that are uncomfortable, new or unique. As we keep ourselves comfortable with change, we tend to grow internally and widen our palette of experience.

So get out of the house, try something new and possibly discover new passions to pursue and enjoy.

Michael

I found a very interesting program called Laughter Yoga. Dr. Madan Kataria started the movement/program 11 years ago to promote the medical and healing benefits of laughter. He recommends combining different types of laughter to get the most benefit. According to the website:

Anyone can laugh without reason – Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises and yoga breathing to give you the health benefits of hearty laughter. Laughter exercises almost always lead to real laughter, especially when practiced in a group.

Researchers have found that laughter can increase the immune response system, release endorphins in the brain, fill the lungs and body with oxygen, exercise the abdominal muscles and lungs, reduce stress, helps your blood vessels, and is good for the heart. Apparently fake laughter has a number of the benefits of real laughter. It seems that fake laughter generally leads to real laughter.

Have you practiced laughing today? If not, what are you waiting for?

Michael