Happiness Increase of White Plains
A  Happiness Strategies Development Group
 

An associate and myself are in the process of creating a weekly Happiness Self-Help Group. The group has not yet begun meeting, however, some of the material we intend to use is presented below with the hope that others might decide to use it for either a happiness self-help group or happiness club.
 

Mission Statement

The Average level of happiness in the United States is 69 percent. At any given time, 25 percent of the population is mildly depressed. Research has shown that it is possible to increase one’s level of happiness by 25 percent in as few as 2 to 10 weeks using a variety of methods. Research has also shown that many benefits accrue to individuals as they become happier. Happiness Increase of White Plains is a free, open membership, peer-run, strategies development group designed to help participants become substantially happier. Our methods and techniques are based on research in psychology, and the findings of over 3,000 published studies in happiness.

While members are provided many opportunities to take part in our meetings, active participation is not mandatory, and individuals are welcome to simply listen and learn from what others say. As a group, we informally agree with Aristotle’s description of happiness as the highest good, and everyone’s main purpose in life. Accordingly, we also encourage and facilitate the formation of Happiness Increase groups in other communities.
 

Guidelines and Policies

Meeting Structure and Schedule

7:00 Social Time

7:30 Selection of meeting moderator by Group Leader
Reading of Happiness Increase purpose statement – member
Names go around
Reading of Principles of Happiness Increase – member
Reading of description of select principle – member
Interpretation go around on select principle

7:40 Reading of Happiness Limiters
Reading of description of select Limiter – member
Interpretation go around on select Limiter

7:50 Reading of Happiness Strategies – member
Reading of description of select strategy – member
Interpretation go around on select strategy

8:00 Reading of Happiness Techniques – member
Reading of description of select technique – member
Interpretation go around on select technique

8:10 Reading of Happiness Benefits – member
Reading of description of select technique – member
Interpretation go around on select technique

8:20 Individual work and progress go around and discussion

8:40 Reading of Group Expansion Statement
Reports on expansion progress and discussion
General announcements

8:45 Open discussion

9:00 Meeting Ends – coffee club arrangements
 

Principles of Happiness Increase

1. Happiness is our main goal and purpose
2. Happiness is the highest good
3. Happiness is increased by increasing the emotion, and mood, of happiness, and decreasing unpleasant emotions and moods
4. Emotions are choices
5. Level of Happiness is a choice
6. The more intelligent effort we make to increase our happiness, the happier we will become
7. Helping others to become happier will increase our happiness
 

Happiness Limiters and Responses

Emotions:

Fear – assuredness, courage
Sadness – satisfaction
Anger – acceptance, cool headedness
Disgust – love, understanding, appreciation
Surprise - wisdom


Qualities:

Ignorance about the nature of happiness – reading, meetings
Undervaluing Happiness – knowledge of benefits, repetition
Insufficient work on Happiness – meetings, conversations
Distractions to happiness - attentiveness
Con-hedonic desires – evaluation, self control
Illusory needs – evaluation

Situations:

Work
Leisure
Socializing
Time alone

Happiness Increase Strategies

Happiness Increase Techniques