5 November, 2024

Habits of the Happy

by | 4 May, 2016 | 0 comments

By Jim Tune

Do you have habits you swear by? A daily routine you adhere to that you”re confident boosts your productivity or well-being? I have a hard time making certain disciplines stick.

05_Tune_JNIn his autobiography, Ben Franklin famously outlined a daily routine to ensure productivity, efficiency, and “moral perfection.”

The mornings began with a question: “What good shall I do this day?” The early morning hours (between 5 and 7 a.m.) consisted of rising, washing, and reciting a morning liturgy containing a now-famous prayer he had written: “O powerful Goodness! Bountiful Father! Merciful Guide! Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. . . . Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me.”

Franklin would then eat breakfast and “continue that day”s business.” Four hours of work would follow between 8 a.m. and noon. From noon until 1 p.m., Franklin would read, look over his accounts, and eat. The next four hours would find him back at work.

Evenings were also disciplined, but pleasant. The hours of 6 through 10 p.m. allowed Franklin an opportunity to, in his own words, “Put things in their places. Supper. Music or diversion, or conversation. Examination of the day.” Bedtime usually came after reflecting on the question, “What good have I done today?” Then, hopefully, Franklin would enjoy six to seven hours of sleep. A good day.

Each week was devoted to a singular virtue. His efforts would be applied to cultivating moderation, temperance, cleanliness, or some similar noble characteristic. He figured that if he could maintain his devotion to one virtue for an entire week, it would become a habit that would lead to complete reformation requiring only periodic bouts of moral maintenance thereafter. Franklin was certainly productive, but his moral reformation was admittedly less successful!

In her fun book The Happiness Project, author Gretchen Rubin attempts to organize and implement a yearlong project designed to increase productivity, family life, health, and ultimately, happiness. To boost energy, Rubin dedicated the month of January to the formation of better sleeping habits and exercise. February included these marital goals: quit nagging, don”t expect praise or appreciation, and fight right. Other months focused on parenthood, friendship, mindfulness, etc. Rubin was less intense than Franklin. Her days were not scheduled to the last hour. She gave the entire month of May to leisure, or getting “serious about play.”

Did her efforts work? Did she achieve a system for happiness? In Rubin”s case, she discovered contentment as she simply began to appreciate and amplify the happiness that already existed in her life.

I don”t know if Franklin”s “rule of life” made him any happier, however both Franklin and Rubin turned their system into some very good books! Both reminded me of the words of the preacher in Ecclesiastes 2:24: “I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God” (New Living Translation).

Maybe it”s just that simple””the things we need for happiness are already in our grasp””found in the mundane rather than the spectacular. I shouldn”t need a system to realize that.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

November 10 Study | I Pledge Allegiance

God’s people should be crystal clear about their allegiance. They play to an audience of one. So they must be very careful of other allegiances. For the believers in the seven churches, that meant coming out from the pagan influences of the culture.

November 10 | Discovery Questions

These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Battle is the Lord’s” (Revelation 17:1-2, 6, 18; 18:1-10), by Mark Scott.

Rescued

Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.

Reasons to Be Grateful

Let’s honor God in this season as we give thanks for our blessings, as we celebrate our salvation, and as we take the gospel to the world.

Follow Us