I need a copy of this book. A photographer/artist named Zena Holloway has retold and illustrated Charles Kingsley’s Victorian fairy tale, The Water Babies, with the most enchanting photographic images of children and other beings under water: Zena Holloway’s The Water Babies. Lovely! I grew up on Jessie Wilcox Smith’s illustrations, but these are magical.
You can see many of the book’s pages here: The Water Babies.
This is my first post in a new feature here on “Serenity Now”: What Went Well Wednesdays. It is based on a positive psychology exercise also known as “Three Blessings.” You’re supposed to set aside a short time every night and write down three things that went well that day. They can be major or minor. Then you write down why they went well. One example goes something like this: “My husband brought me ice cream after work. Because (he loves me and he remembered how much I enjoy ice cream; or, I remembered to call him and ask him to stop at the store).” Ideally, one does it nightly. I may try that, but in this blog, it will appear once a week. So here goes!
What went well this week:
1. My family took turns making wonderful meals for everyone. Because I can’t cook right now and they are enthusiastic about learning to cook (and proud of their results!).
2. Our air-conditioning system was easily repaired after a weekend breakdown and the repair was minor and inexpensive. Because the repairman was competent, honest and professional.
3. A dear friend came by for a drop-in visit. Because she had been out of town and knew I had missed her company.
There! I feel great. I hope you’ll try this exercise!
Photo: Blue Apron.
I’ve been reading about the science of flourishing, much of which is based on work done in the field of “positive psychology.” The general idea is to focus on our strengths and build on them, rather than dwelling on our flaws and vulnerabilities.
One fruitful exercise is called “Three Blessings”, or “What Went Well.” Here’s how it goes:
“Every night for the next week, set aside ten minutes before you go to sleep. Write down three things that went well today and why they went well. You may use a journal or your computer to write about the events, but it is important that you have a physical record of what you wrote. The three things need not be earthshaking in importance (‘My husband picked up my favorite ice cream for dessert on the way home from work today’), but they can be important (‘My sister just gave birth to a healthy baby boy’). Next to each positive event, answer the question ‘Why did this happen?’ For example, if you wrote that your husband picked up ice cream, write ‘because my husband is really thoughtful sometimes’ or ‘because I remembered to call him from work and remind him to stop by the grocery store.’”
If you do this regularly, it is supposed to reduce depression and anxiety — and remind you to feel thankful, another key to happiness. So I’m going to try to do this on my blog, at least weekly, on “What Went Well Wednesdays.” Serenity now!
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 