POM New Year, Hard Hat Happiness Tips!

I am often reminded returning to a practical, basic approach and simplicity works best. So I thought I would keep this post simple, and short and remind myself and maybe you too of some happiness tips.
 I have been making chocolate chip macadamia biscuits for years now - for over 28 years! I got the recipe from my friend Lou, while working at Royal Talbot and have been baking them for all sorts of occasions. I have made them to feed the Neonatal ICU nurses while the twins were in hospital and raise funds for Bosco Sevana, school fetes, toy libraries, and POM.
For many years I included a Happiness Tips sticker in the biscuits (pictured above). Maybe you have one on a fridge, notice board or diary. I often see them around and it makes me happy to be reminded they continue to remind us all of helpful things. I noticed one on our Toyota truck door the other day!
I heard a wonderful story from my niece's boyfriend Nick, while we were away. We gave Nick some POM biscuits and he remarked, somewhat disappointedly, that they did not have the sticker. He told me how much he liked the sticker and had stuck it on his work hard hat. He works on building sites as an electrician and enjoys the fact that the sticker often gets attention and is useful too! He told me when someone comes up to complain about this of that he simply points to his hat - 'Complain less, Appreciate More'! Or when someone is grumpy his hat sticker is a reminder to 'frown less, smile more'! 
So, thank you Nick for the reminder - I am going to reintroduce the Happiness Tips stickers with the biscuits. Who knows where they will end up! 
A few more helpful good old favourite slogans I have going around in my New Year head include...

• It is like this now! What is my wisest response? (It is never wise to blame, or criticise others or ourselves, as tempting as it is to succumb to this unhelpful habit.  
• It is forgiveness, kindness and compassion to all, including ourselves, that will heal past wounds.
• Less worry about myself and more concern about how I can benefit others and be a positive, kind force in the world, is what will bring me true happiness!
• It is more important to be kind than.....cool, smart, or even right. 
• I have no need to compare myself to others - as better or worse. We are all different and unique and comparing ourselves as better or worse  erodes our sense of self esteem and makes us unhappy.
• Play a straight bat! I am trying to be mindful of being honest and kind in all situations and not be tempted to manipulate or give someone an impression that is different from the truth
• Be the change I want to see
• Practicing Gratitude brings me both instant and long lasting happiness. New Year is a great time to start a daily gratitude practice :))

I have not forgotten about sharing some of the practical insights on mindfulness from Lama Marut and the book "The Neuroscience of Mindfulness'. These will be coming up in future blogs.
My heartfelt love, appreciation and gratitude to you all. 
​Kind Regards 
Maree xx