THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS? BE LIKE WINNIE THE POOH!
T
he secret to happiness may be taking inspiration from Winnie the Pooh. Harvard professor Sanjiv Chopra claims AA Milne’s lovable bear is ‘perhaps the single-most contented and wise creature ever imagined’. As the ‘master of Zen’ we could all learn something from the honeyloving creature’s perspective on life, Professor Chopra adds.
‘Perhaps the single-most contented and wise creature ever imagined is Winnie the Pooh. ‘There’s much we can all glean from Pooh’s implacable calm and goodwill,’ he adds.
Writing in the article ‘What Can We Learn From Winnie the Pooh - 3 Things you can do to be a happier you’, Professor Chopra said: ‘The master of Zen and the art of honey-tummy maintenance has forgotten more about being happy than most of us will ever learn. ‘In fact, he forgets nearly everything that isn’t related to one of his deep, loving friendships.
‘Winnie the Pooh brings more to bear on wisdom than the average bear and his wisdom can be garnered from the charming stories.’ Writing in Psychology Today, Professor Chopra argues we could all learn something from Pooh’s attitude during tough times. ‘Simply put, it’s this: Pooh bear chooses to put his challenges into perspective. ‘When reminded of something he has inadvertently mucked up, he will dismiss his mistake with a heartfelt apology,’ he said. To show Pooh’s loving nature, Professor Chopra quotes: ‘A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.’ ‘Like Pooh, when you are happy, you can’t help spreading joy to others,’ he writes. Professor Chopra - who co-wrote the article with the medical faculty associate dean Gina Vild - recommends people achieve Pooh-like happiness by:
● Watching inspiring TED talks like Dan Gilbert’s The Surprising Science of Happiness or Brene Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability
Getting lost in films that make you smile like Slumdog Millionaire, When Harry Met Sally or the Sound of Music Listening to stirring music such as Bon Jovi’s Hallelujah or the Beatles rendition of Across the Universe Engaging in ‘practical and fun’ exercises with family and friends to show them you love them.