Spiritual Steps to Happiness
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Host: Counselor Toolbox Podcast
CEUs/OPD/CPDs are available for this presentation at https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/953/c/ for clinicians in the US and https://australia.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/953/c/ for clinicians in Australia.
Objectives
~ Acceptance, honesty and awareness can help people live happier lives
~ We must first become aware of what is going on within and around us
~ Then we must get honest about what we need and can do
~ Finally we have to accept the dialectics of hardships with successes, happiness with pain and control with powerlessness.
Awareness (Mindfulness)
~ Why this logically makes sense that it could improve happiness and reduce distress
~ Awareness helps us:
~ become aware of ourselves
~ improve our connectedness
~ improve our focus on those things important in a rich and meaningful life
~ keep from being led astray
~ make deliberate decisions guided by mind and logic, instead of emotions and instincts
~ be a good judge of character
~ avoid mistakes
Awareness
~ What the Bible Says
~ 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
~ Proverbs 20:5 The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
~ Throughout the bible people are aware of God’s miracles and actively seek Him out with optimism and faith.
7 Days of Awareness
~ Day 1: Learn Mindfulness Meditation
~ At least at each meal become aware of your feelings, thoughts and physical sensations and needs.
~ What do you do differently as a result of this awareness?
~ How does this awareness impact your day?
~ Day 2: Awareness of those around you
~ Review the temperament sorter and/or enneagrams to better understand yourself and see how you compliment other people Activity Sheet
7 Days of Awareness
~ Day 3: Humility
~ Being aware of what you are and are not capable of and willing to ask for help or lower the bar
~ Being grateful for other people’s contributions (great kids)
~ Day 4: Head-Heart-Gut Honesty
~ Logic-Love-Fear: Identify 3 big decisions you have made that you ended up regretting. Identify 3 big decisions you have made that you are very satisfied with.
~ Day 5: Gratitude
~ Become aware of the supports, and resources available to help you live a rich and meaningful life.
~ Which do you already have?
7 Days of Awareness
~ Day 6: My Mark
~ How have you impacted the yourself, the earth, other people?
~ How could you?
7 Days of Awareness
~ Day 7: Tame the Monkey
~ Monkey mind happens when we are focused or “aware” of too many things at once.
~ Practice being aware of what you are doing in the moment.
~ Watching television
~ Driving
~ Writing a report
~ When your mind starts to wander bring it back without judgement. (note it if you must)
Honesty
~ Why this logically makes sense that it could improve happiness and reduce distress
~ When people are honest with themselves about what they need and want, they can better attend to those issues
~ When people are honest with others they are more likely to get their needs met, and do not have to keep track of lies
~ Activity: Consequences of Dishonesty
~ Emotional
~ Mental
~ Physical
~ Social
Honesty
~ What the Bible Says
~ 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the wor