In episode 6 of the Happier podcast, we talked about “Power Hour”: For one hour, once a week, tackle nagging items on your to-do list (go to the hardware store to buy a special lightbulb, take shoes to be repaired, etc.). Power Hour is a way to schedule time for one-time, non-recurring tasks. For me, if something is on the calendar, it happens. Otherwise, I find, something that can happen at any time often happens at no time.
In later episode 277, we talked about a twist to the idea, with “Empower Hour”—for one hour, once a week, tackle items that allow you to put your values into the world.
One hour might not sound like much, but it’s manageable and realistic, and it’s surprising how much a person can get done in one hour.
If the idea intrigues you, you might schedule an “Empower Hour” for Giving Tuesday, the day following Cyber Monday. In my recent article, I explore ideas for using an “Empower Hour.”
Onward,
5 Things Making Me Happy
I’m always trying to identify new healthy treats and everyday luxuries—often, I find, I can dramatically increase my enjoyment of something simply by labeling it as a “treat” or a “luxury.” I’ve just found a new one, an airport luxury: airport leisureliness. I used to feel sheepish about arriving at the airport with so much time to spare, but now I realize that my freedom from hurry and worry is the luxury of leisureliness.
Word alert! I read about the word “cloffice,” which is used to describe an office made from a closet. My office used to be a storage unit, but I’m not sure how to make a portmanteau word from that combination. I considered making a “cludio” by turning a closet into a home podcast studio, but decided not to.
My one-word theme for 2023 is “Wave,” and I’ve adopted Hokusai’s beautiful The Great Wave off Kanagawa as my visual reminder of the theme. All year, I’ve been on the look-out to see this great artwork out in the world. I spot it everywhere, but this astonishing little video, where paint transforms into Legos, is one of my favorite examples.
I enjoyed reading this fun article, “9 recipes inspired by famous literary meals.” I’ve read all nine books discussed, but I haven’t tried all nine recipes—which probably reflects the fact that I love to read, and “taste” is my most neglected sense. (Want to discover your most neglected sense? The short, free quiz is here.)
I love to look at miniatures, and one of my favorite scents is the warm, rich smell of gingerbread. So on a recent visit to the wonderful Museum of the City of New York, I was delighted to inspect the masterpieces of the annual “Great Borough Bake-Off.” More than twenty gorgeous New York City-inspired gingerbread creations, each so imaginative and intricate. One of our family traditions is making graham-cracker houses each year (much easier than using gingerbread), so I take a particular interest in this art form. I think my favorite was the gingerbread Met Cloisters.