Twenty years or more ago, we had the privilege of meeting, befriending and studying under a wonderful French physician, Christian Almayrac, who was in the U.S. on a twenty state speaking tour, billed as “Dr. Happiness.” He was sharing his very simple, yet very profound “game”– a healing and enlightening game– which he called “BeHappy.” For many of us, meeting Dr. Happiness, and playing his game, changed our lives, for the better, for the happier. We call it the Freedom Exercise, because Freedom (from un-love, from un-happiness) is what it does (and because “BeHappy” just sounds so damned corny!) It’s a basic in our lifestyle, and has been for many decades. Here it is:
The Law of Happiness:
1. Enjoying my happiness is the most important thing for me and for everybody else.
The Link:
2. I enjoy my happiness when I enjoy the thoughts I am thinking.
The Question:
3. Whenever necessary, or appropriate, I ask, Am I enjoying this thought, yes or no? If the answer is not an immediate and spontaneous yes, it’s a no.
The Action:
4. If the answer is yes (I’m enjoying my thoughts,) perfect. I’m enjoying my happiness. If the answer is no (I’m not enjoying my thoughts) then, in order to practice my happiness, I have two options:
a. drop the thought(s) I’m not enjoying and find or create a thought I enjoy more;
or
b. choose to enjoy the thought which a moment before I didn’t enjoy.
When I am enjoying my happiness, I am free.
When I’m not enjoying my happiness, I’m not free.
That’s why this is called The Freedom Exercise!
(With deep thanks and appreciation to Christian Almayrac, M.D., who first articulated this basic life game!)
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