Happy Living 101

Long ago I was a stay-at-home mom and military spouse. I loved being at home with my child, but there was definitely something missing. My husband deployed frequently, and I spent many days engaged solely in baby talk. My response? I signed up for my first continuing education class: a local college's Golf 101 course. It was just enough to get me out of the house and keep both my mind and my body active. I didn't know at the time how smart this move actually was.

Today many experts agree that there are two things that our minds need for happiness. One is acquiring or experiencing something new on a pretty regular basis. In other words, our minds grow restless pretty quickly if we don't entertain them with some kind of "newness."

The second key to keeping a happy brain is reaching goals. Our brains seem to enjoy working toward some goal or point in the future.

What do these two things have in common? They are both elements of continuing education.

If you feel frustrated, stuck, unhappy, or bored, then it might be worth your while to pursue a program that interests you. This doesn't have to be a time-consuming, expensive venture. There are plenty of just-for-fun programs that aren't life-interrupting pursuits. Whether you like to learn and work alone on a self-directed project, or you like to work with a group, you can find a course of study that is fulfilling. Be careful, though. It just might change your life!