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Day 8 - Thoughts on Happiness

 Today went well.  I started out with a walk, but I didn't record the time or distance; it was at least a mile and about 2800 steps.  I got up and walked another 1000 steps every hour or so.  While I was out, I called Bonnie (my other friend in the neighborhood) because I was walking by her house, but she didn't answer.  I don't know if she's in town or not.  I did end up with over 10,000 points today.:)

I also browsed on YouTube for workout videos.  I found a few that look promising.  At this point, I want standing workouts because it's rather hard to get up and down on the floor.  One was a 12-minute standing ab workout, which I want to do to strengthen my core, something I always neglect.  I also pulled out some 5-lb weights and did quite a few lifts.  

I increased my water today, drinking half a large glass before my walk, then a full glass when I got back, and another glass later in addition to what I usually drink.  I don't want to overdo it all at once; otherwise, I'm in the bathroom constantly!

I left 11 weekly points from last week, which is fine.  Hopefully, I will have a noticeable increase in activity and earn a few treats this week.  This morning, I had a banana and oatmeal again for breakfast, brown rice and chicken stir fry for lunch, spaghetti and broccoli for dinner.  Snacks: bread, peanut butter, pretzels, cottage cheese and pineapple.  I still have several daily points left, plus earned at least 4 activity points.  

I did some reading and thinking about happiness today.  I realized that in the past, I thought wanting to be happy was actually selfish.  One interesting quote:

"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy."

                                                                            Robert Louis Stevenson

 Wow.  A duty to be happy.  Happiness helps the world so much more than misery.  

Another important point I read about today is that depression is caused by our thoughts.  I don't know about those that have physiological issues, but we have so much control over our emotions and thought life.  New thoughts lead to new emotions.  I'm pretty convinced that behind every episode of depression in my life lurks lies that I wrongly believe and think.  "The truth shall set you free."  And that includes from depression!

 

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