Category: Reck, Ross; Dr.

I came across an article by Frank Martela on cnbc.com which points out that Finland has been named the happiest country in the world by the World Happiness Report for the fifth year in a row. This begs the question, “What do the people in Finland do that makes them so happy?” As it turns out, it’s not what they do, it’s what they don’t do that matters. One of the things that Finns never do is compare themselves to their neighbors, “especially when it comes to material things and overt displays of wealth.” Mr. Martela offers the following happiness tip: “Focus more on what makes you happy and less on looking successful. The first step to true happiness is to set your own standards, instead of comparing yourself to others.” Comparison really is the thief of joy.

References:

• RossReck.com

I came across a story on Facebook about Jumbo, a Netherlands based supermarket chain. The company introduced a slow checkout line in some of its stores—referred to as a Kletskassa or “chat checkout”—when it discovered that some customers are not in a rush and would enjoy talking to the cashier while paying for their groceries. According to the story, this added personal touch is helping many people, especially the elderly, deal with loneliness. The move has proven so successful that Jumbo has installed slow checkout lines in 200 of its stores. Jumbo has also introduced a “chat corner” where local residents can gather for a cup of coffee and some conversation. This is a wonderful example of a business that’s concerned about making a difference in the lives of its customers.

I came across a story by Ryan Katz and Tara Boyle posted on npr.org that dealt with Stephanie Cole’s first day on her very first job as a teenager. It was the height of the Christmas shopping rush, and she was working as a retail clerk in a busy department store in Los Angeles during the 1960s. When a woman walked up to her cash register to purchase a Christmas tree ornament, Stephanie froze—she couldn’t remember how to operate her register. She was on the verge of tears when the woman looked at her kindly and said, “It’s all right. Take your time. I’m not in a hurry.” At this point, she felt a sense of relief an knew everything was going to be okay. She hasn’t forgotten that woman’s kindness after all these years and offers the following advice: “You know, you encounter somebody who’s . . . just having a bad day and…you can tell they’re in a bad place, you can say, ‘It’s okay. I’m not in a hurry. Take your time.’ And it always makes the situation better. Always, always.”

References:

• RossReck.com

I saw the following quote on Facebook, and I think it’s an excellent way to determine what kind of day you’ve had: “If you can lie down at night, knowing in your heart that you made someone’s day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.” It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day better—a smile, a kind word, a hug, a compliment or just listening to what another person has to say. If you do these simple but caring things, you’ll not only make the world a better place, but you’ll feel better about yourself and sleep better as well.

References:

• RossReck.com

“David R. Henson made a post to his blog that that grabbed my attention, and I would like to share part of it with you. “Studies show that spending time counting our blessings, keeping a gratitude journal, or writing letters of thanksgiving to our family, friends and mentors is one of the most reliable ways to lift our mood and transform our outlook on life…. The antidote to fear isn’t courage. The antidote to worry isn’t faith. The antidote to anxiety isn’t a devil-may-care attitude. Rather, the antidote, I believe, is gratitude. It’s thanksgiving. Something profound and transformative happens when we give thanks and live our lives in gratitude…. And if we make a lifelong practice of it, it fundamentally shifts the way we view the world.”” – Ross Reck

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• Originally Posted on November 22, 2022