Posts from — September 2006

BBC NEWS
Path to true happiness ‘revealed’
Experts believe they have found the essential ingredients to make a person’s life happier.

In an unusual three-month experiment, six specialists from a variety of disciplines worked to improve the happiness levels of a typical UK town.

The experts tried and tested 10 simple measures in the quest for happiness.

They found successful strategies included nurturing a plant, smiling at strangers and cutting television viewing by a half.

A four-part observational documentary series, Making Slough Happy, beginning on BBC Two on Tuesday, follows the team and their progress.

We will begin to change the psychological climate of Slough
Dr Richard Stevens, one of the happiness experts

The happiness team includes psychologist Dr Richard Stevens, psychotherapist Brett Kahr, work place specialists Jessica Pryce-Jones and Philippa Chapman, social entrepreneur Andrew Mawson OBE and Richard Reeves, whose expertise spans philosophy, public policy and economics.

During the series, they take 50 volunteers from Slough, with the aim of planting the “seeds of happiness” amongst this core group who will then spread their cheer to others in a ripple effect.

Dr Stevens explained: “The volunteers will take their newfound skills and attitudes out into the community, and in this way we will begin to change the psychological climate of Slough.”

Based on best knowledge and research, the team came up with a 10-point plan for happiness.

The 10 steps to happiness

Plant something and nurture it
Count your blessings – at least five – at the end of each day
Take time to talk – have an hour-long conversation with a loved one each week
Phone a friend whom you have not spoken to for a while and arrange to meet up
Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it
Have a good laugh at least once a day
Get physical – exercise for half an hour three times a week
Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day
Cut your TV viewing by half
Spread some kindness – do a good turn for someone every day

The experts measured the happiness levels of the Slough volunteers before, during and after the end of the project to assess if their methods were effective.

Throughout their experiment, the expert team face the challenge of selling their science to a potentially sceptical public, unprepared for their unconventional approach – from dancing in a supermarket aisle, to a spot of graveyard therapy and tree hugging.

Making Slough Happy is broadcast on Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC Two, starting 15 November, 2005.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/4436482.stm

Published: 2005/11/15 07:40:07 GMT

© BBC MMV

My happiness depends on me.

— A Course in Miracles

“Kind words can be short and easy to
speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

– Mother Teresa

http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/pc/brain-universe.html

The bone marrow made it here safe and sound and at 9:30pm Connor’s transplant began. It is infused, much like a blood transfusion is given, over 3-4hours. Everything is going great so far and now the waiting for engraftment to begin. Thank you to everyone for your continued love and prayers.

All our love,

The Dunham’s

The greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising up every
time we fall.

– Confucius (551-479 BC) Chinese Philosopher

Benny Goodman-Get Happy
Benny Goodman-Sometimes I’m Happy
The Turtles-So Happy Together
Various-Put on a Happy Face
Various-Make Someone Happy
The Who-Happy Jack
Various-Oh Happy Day
REM-Shiny Happy People
Duke Ellington-Happy-Go-Lucky Local
Various-You’ve Made Me So Very Happy

Dear Family, Friends and Loved Ones,

Tomorrow, September 27th, a miracle will happen… a very conscious miracle. Connor will receive a donation of pure love, pure connection of heart from a 34 year-old woman from Europe we know little about in the form of her bone marrow. We do know that this young woman is willing to gift Connor with possibility. We all voice our gratitude!

Our happiness is our responsibility, even at times like this one when fear knocks.

“When fear knocked, faith answered, and no one was there.”
– Old English Proverb

The greatest gift we can give another is being accountable and responsible for our own joy. We call on a sense of knowing that all is well regardless of the circumstances. Seeing the magic in each precious present moment allows us to see beyond the limits of our circumstances and limiting beliefs and allows us to gain strength from the unexpected miracles that exist in even the most challenging times.

This journey has brought together a huge family of support. What we focus on expands, so let us join in showering love on all who have been and will be remotely or directly a part of Connor’s transplant tomorrow. See Connor’s body receiving this pure love in the form of bone marrow from an angel across the pond, and envision it being welcomed by Connor’s body for rapid rejuvenation and healing. Feel the joy this woman feels knowing she has done a noble thing. Imagine the courage of Steve and Alicia as they cradle Connor through this experience. Let time transform. Bless each caregiver, family, friend and stranger, that comes to assist them and to help care for Carson. Hold the hands of the grandma’s and grandpa’s who ache to see thier children and grandchildren walk this uncertain path. Celebrate the love and flow of resources present that will eventually carry this family home to Alaska to a house easily prepared to accommodate for Connor’s transitioning immune system. Trust the Mystery to offer faith, hope, and courage that we dance with and surrender to with grace whatever is meant to be for our highest and best. Together our compassion and connection grows as we experience community and as we walk together on this journey with Connor.

Here is Alicia’s current ,and oh so inspiring update.
Breathe in this sacred miracle and know you are an essential part.

XXOO,
Rhonda

9/26/06

From Alicia and the Dunham family…

Hello to all,

Back in July when we found out Connor was going to need a bone marrow transplant and September seemed to be an eternity away. And now here we sit in our hospital room only hours from one of the biggest moments of our life.

Connor checked into Childrens Hospital Monday the 18th and was started on fluids to make sure he was fully hydrated for radiation Tuesday morning. We had to go the University of Washington to receive radiation and since he was feeling good Steve and I were able to drive him. I didn’t think it was going to be as hard as it was for me to start this next phase but as they sedated him to start the procedure I was in a whirlwind of emotions. I was crying both tears of joy and anxiety knowing that there was no turning back once the radiation began. Connor did great! He had a total of 8 sessions over 4 days. Since he is so small they had to sedate him each time to ensure he would not move. This meant no eating or drinking from 3am till about 4pm and although Connor was not to happy about this, he did wonderful. We were warned that the radiation would make him tired and not want to eat and that he would probably need to be started on I.V. nutrition by the start of the weekend. Well here we are Tuesday and even though he is not as active as he was just days ago, he still wants to go for walks, plays basketball and has even been able to maintain his weight well enough to not need I.V. nutrition yet. The doctors are impressed every morning at how well he is doing. Today is a rest day with no major events planned and the transplant still on schedule for sometime Wednesday. No one can tell us what to expect after the transplant because everyone’s timeline of events are different but the doctors expect that the marrow will start to engraft 10-20 days after transplant.

The rest of us are doing well and are all adjusting to hospital living. Steve took the first week of hospital “duty” and enjoyed spending the extra time one on one with Connor while he has been feeling good. This week is my turn. I think one of the most difficult things for me while Connor is in the hospital is finding balance between being with him, spending time with Carson and finding time for myself without feeling guilty about where I am at. I know that Carson is surrounded by love no matter where he so it makes it a little easier when I am at the hospital for long hours. Carson had his 9 month well baby check up yesterday and passed with flying colors. He weights 22.7 lbs and is 30 inches tall. He learned how to wave bye-bye this week and is working on getting a few more teeth.

I was recently asked “What is the most important thing you have learned so far in this adventure?” It is hard for me to answer this question with just one thing because this whole experience has changed me so much in many ways. I have questioned every aspect of my life since we have been here and have become a better person because of it. Children are amazing! I see this everyday, and even though I would never wish for any family to have to experience this, I do think you should spend sometime with a child who has cancer and see how they look at life. They live in the moment and know how to embrace everything that life has to offer. It will truly teach you that on a daily basis we don’t take enough time to enjoy life. As adults we get caught up in work, money, and material possessions and forget to take pleasure in all the wonderful things that surround us. Everyday I see how wonderful God is and without being forced to turn to him in this time of need I don’t think I would have truly experienced His splendor.

I am not sure what time Connor’s transplant will be on Wednesday but I ask that you hold us close to your hearts, lift him up in prayer, and take a few minutes to enjoy what life has to offer as we all take this next big step.

All our love,
The Dunham’s
Steve, Alicia, Connor and Carson

Alicia R. Dunham

5130 40th Ave NE

Seattle WA 98105

206-838-0888 Seattle Home

907-232-4629 Alicia Cell

907-232-1206 Steve Cell

www.thestatus.com ID:Dunham- Password:unique-book

http://www.connordunham.com

Everybody can be great. because anybody can serve.

You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.
You don’t have to make your subject and verb
agree to serve.

You only need a heart full of grace.
A soul generated by love.

~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ~

Rhonda: I am back from a retreat weekend, a few days with amazing women devoted to the power of shared leadership, authentic communication, and self-appreciation to make an important difference in the world. I have shared treasured time with ’souls generated by love’ and ‘hearts full of grace.’ I am happy.

Have fun and visit this delightful reminder…

http://www.eightprinciples.com/?fr=vertban