Pam Stucky is amazing. She is an accomplished author, blogger and all around fun person. Check out her stuff at pamstucky.com or follow her on twitter @pamstucky. She asked me to answer some questions and I think ya'll will enjoy my answers. Okay bye. :P
Q: Three adjectives that describe you?
funny, compassionate, curious
Q: What are your passions in life?
> reading, writing, people, gaming, making a difference
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> Q: You do work with Sustainable Seattle [correct name?]. What is that, what is your involvement with it, and why?
> I am a board member of Sustainable Seattle because I believe that the only way to move forward is to focus on the needs and desires of people. Sustainability has an automatic connection to environmental concerns, but it misses the most important part of meeting our needs, meeting the needs of the people. We are an organization dedicated to collaboration, stewardship and social justice.
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> Q: Part of the Sustainable Seattle project is the Seattle Area Happiness Initiative. How is did happiness get bundled up with a sustainable city project?
Happiness is not just a feeling; it is a sense of wellness and true contentment. We as a society have never really looked at contentment and wellness as real goals. We are too concerned with material goods and "keeping up with the Jones's." This is why we have such a huge disparity between the rich and the poor. The rich think that if they got their next million they would finally be happy, but with that next million they are still unsatisfied.
Only through looking at happiness as a collection of different domains: psychological well being, material well being, community vitality, cultural vitality, health, governance, environmental quality, time balance and education can we get to a place that leads to real contentment.
Q: What are the elements of a happy life? What makes you happy? What can other people do to make themselves happier?
> A happy life is one that is first and foremost about building and maintaining healthy relationships. Relationship with others, our environment and the most neglected relationship, with ourselves.
What makes me happy is helping others live up to their potential. What makes me happy is knowing that I have been a part of something that helped others. What makes me happy is dancing, music, spending time doing nothing with people I care about.
First step in becoming happy is to choose to make your own happiness a priority in your life. Happiness is not a feeling, but a state of being.
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> Q: You are also an author. Tell us about your works, past, present, future. What are you working on most right now?
> I wouldn't call myself an author since I do not follow the number one rule of every writer I've ever read, "Not a day without writing." I am working on mostly a novel about a group of high school teens in a very atypical neighborhood based on my hometown. It is a story about what real friendship is all about and an experiment in writing without editing.
I'm only editing grammar, spelling and consistency. I'm letting the chapters and story flow in whatever shape it wants. I have chapters that involve gaming, love, homelessness, education reform, evil PTA's and a founding of a town. It is really fun and I'm writing it to prove to myself that a novel is something I can complete. I'm actually really enjoying the process and the characters are so much fun to write.
I'm at the point where I cannot just throw them around anymore. I have to sometimes stop myself from making a character say something that would not come out of their mouth, or if it does I write the reactions from the others to reflect the strangeness of what they just said. I'm having fun and that really is what writing is all about.
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> Q: Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
My stories come from my reading, my life, and my imagination. I've been making up stories and characters all my life. My brother and I used to play "choose your own adventure" stories when I was younger. He was the game master and their were no rules and most of the time I ended up getting squished by Grimlok the Transformer T-Rex.
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> Q: What one book do you wish you'd written, and why?
The one book that I wish I had written would most likely be "The Outsiders." The book is timeless because it deals with the fundamental question of humanity "What am I worth? Where do I belong? What really matters?" I must have read that book 30 times.
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> Q: Describe a favorite childhood memory.
> One day I was climbing a tree and I must have been 20 feet up easily. My mother was upset because I hadn't cleaned my room before I went outside. She was at the bottom of the tree yelling at me to come down right now. "Right now?" I said. "Now!" she said. So I jumped out of the tree.
Q: Music you're listening to these days?
Coheed and Cambria, Lapfox, Muse, Lady Gaga
Q: Hobbies, secret talents, goals, dreams?
Hobbies: gaming, reading, cooking,drawing, dancing and singing.
Secret talent? I can understand where almost anyone is coming from. I can see their intent even when I disagree with their actions.
Goal: To live a life worth living.
Dream: To live a life day to day that is meaningful, fun and never looking forward, but being fully present at this very moment.
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Flow 5/8/2011 Issue 9
 Flow is based on Sustainable Seattle's Happiness Initiative and is inspired by Vinyasa, which means one leading to another. Flow gives small, but important steps that can improve one's contentment amongst all nine domains of happiness. Flow is a weekly jolt of inspiration, pragmatism and a collection of local events that will raise our happiness. This month of May we are taking a look at some simple actions we can take to get our mental health on a better path. First before we get started, this month is not meant to replace professional psychological advice nor should it be used as a substitute for seeking assistance for serious problems such as depression. Psychological Well Being Issue 9 This week we are going to look at two techniques to help our mental health. They could not be further apart if I tried, but they both get to the same place, calmness amongst our chosen stress filled lives. One of the best ways to bring peace to one’s own mind is to help another better their own situation. I’m talking about volunteering and how giving of yourself and bringing happiness or sustenance to another gives you the same sense of contentment. Some of the best ways to find a volunteer opportunity is to make a list of your skills, interests and passions. There is a great need for skilled volunteers in numerous non profits that includes: bookkeeping, administration, phone banking, grant writing as well as the best type of volunteers—the do what needs to be done folks. Secondly, we still spend most of our waking time at the workplace so let’s look at a few more things we can do on the job to be productive and still be happy. One of the most underestimated way to unplug at work is to use your lunch breaks and other breaks to get away from your desk or place of work. Making a healthy lunch the night before and then eating it away from your work area will really give you some separation and a chance to think of other things besides work for the duration of the lunch. Another quick tip is to make sure to talk to your co-workers when good things are happening at the workplace. It gets very easy to just turn to coworkers in a crisis or when you need something. By spending time talking about successes and triumphs you can spread some happiness and build up those relationships. Nathan Jackson Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: This week’s book recommendation is: PLAN B 4.0 by Lester R. Brown | Flow Suggests: 5/8-5/14 2011 Psychological Well Being, Community, Cultural Vitality Tuesday, May 10, 2011 7-8:30pm Environmental Thursday, May 12, 2011 9am-5pm Cultural, Material, Community Friday, May 13, 2011 | 7:30 – 9:30pm | |
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Flow 5/1/2011 Issue 8
Flow is based on Sustainable Seattle's Happiness Initiative and is inspired by Vinyasa, which means one leading to another. Flow gives small, but important steps that can improve one's contentment amongst all nine domains of happiness. Flow is a weekly jolt of inspiration, pragmatism and a collection of local events that will raise our happiness. This month of May we are taking a look at some simple actions we can take to get our mental health on a better path. First before we get started, this month is not meant to replace professional psychological advice nor should it be used as a substitute for seeking assistance for serious problems such as depression. Psychological Well Being Issue 8 I’m a huge believer in taking actions to affect our attitude. We sometimes get so caught up in our minds that we do not make significant changes, but wallow in our emotional problems. We are going to be looking at actions that can help change our emotional states from the outside in. Use the mornings as a time for yourself. Set the alarm fifteen minutes early and enjoy the silence of the home while eating a healthy breakfast, exercising or meditating. Make lunch for the next day in the evening and when eating said lunch get out of the workplace whenever possible. Find a place of beauty and calm, or a place filled with people whichever makes you happier. Never cram food in your mouth while you sit at your desk. Make connecting with friends a priority. Nothing beats face to face interactions no matter how “busy” we claim to be. We need to make that choice to spend time with people we care about. Choose to read, write, draw, or dance as a way to not only be creative, but also to be active. Active minds are more resilient. This week slow things down and take time to appreciate all the things in your life that are going quite well. Health, employment, love of family or friends, safety, all these things we take for granted. Choose this week to pay attention. Lastly, and I can’t recommend this enough, is to keep a very safe, secure journal. Journaling allows us to get things out of our heads, explore ideas, and reconnect with ourselves. There are only three rules to journaling: never let anyone else see it, write consistently about whatever pops into your head, and NEVER let anyone else see it. Journaling is raw thoughts that do not need to go through our usual filters of society. It is extremely important that others do not see these thoughts as we are nowhere close to that amount of honesty in our relationships. This journal is for us to reflect and think and organize, not to show and tell. I would also recommend not to do this online or in the form of a blog. Once something is out in the ether of the internet, it cannot be withdrawn. Nathan Jackson Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: This week’s book recommendation is: Pocket Sudoku by Will Shortz | Flow Suggests: 5/1-5/7 2011 Environmental, Psychological Well Being, Community Monday, May 2, 2011 4:45-7pm  Environmental, Community Tuesday, May 3, 2011 9am-5pm  Environmental, Cultural, Material Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm  | |
Friday, April 22, 2011
Flow Issue 7
| Flow is based on Sustainable Seattle's Happiness Initiative and is inspired by Vinyasa, which means one leading to another. Flow gives small, but important steps that can improve one's contentment amongst all nine domains of happiness. Flow is a weekly jolt of inspiration, pragmatism and a collection of local events that will raise our happiness. Psychological Well Being Issue 7 This week we are taking a look at some simple actions we can take to get our mental health on a better path. First before we get started, this week is obviously not meant to replace professional psychological advice nor should it be used as a substitute for seeking assistance for serious problems such as depression. Please consult professional counselors as they will have the tools and experience to help with the individual needs of their clients. Why are we not happy even when to the outside world we look as if we have the dream alive and well? Many times it is simply that we have bought into the idea that material wealth is the same as mental health. We know this is not true in our hearts. Firstly, diet is one of the best indicators of psychological well being. Eating a balanced diet and getting the nutrients we need on a daily basis sets up our minds to function properly. First step to feeling better mentally is to check on your physical nutritional needs. Secondly, our body and our mind are connected. Lack of adequate exercise is a major cause and contributor to mental malaise. Simple exercises such as walking for fifteen to twenty minutes a day can be a good place to start. Our minds need to be used in order to feel good. One of the best ways to occupy our minds is through games. Puzzles such as Sudoko, crosswords, word finds, video games, and card games have been shown to not only stave off mental erosion, but also to heighten brain function. Lastly for this week is the power of healthy relationships. We as a social animal need connection. Healthy relationships are based on: mutual respect, affection, trust, shared goals, or other positive attributes are hugely important to our overall mental health. Interestingly enough, relationships can be meaningful whether they originate in workplaces, families, or friendships. Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: This week’s book recommendation is: The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Dr. Howard Cutler | Flow Suggests: 4/24-4/30 2011 Environmental, Psychological Well Being Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7-9pm  Cultural, Environmental Wednesday, April 27, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm  Cultural, Material Well Being Thursday, April 28, 2011 7:30pm  | |
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Friday, March 25, 2011
The Flow Campaign 3/27 Issue 3
3/27-4/2/2011 Issue 3
| Cultural Vitality The definition of culture is: “the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.” Cultural Vitality is the idea that culture that is uplifting, positive or informative needs to be experienced and sought out. First we are looking at an event that explores the never ending quest for equality and fair treatment. Dan Savage and his husband Terry Miller started a Youtube page called “It’s Gets Better.” This page called on people to record their struggles with homophobia, discouragement and discrimination. This week Savage and Miller give a talk at Town Hall discussing the impacts of this work. Sculpture/painter Humaira Abid presents a solo exhibition exploring the multi-faceted meanings of the color red. Red is the color of celebration, sexuality and passion in many areas especially south east Asia. Abid explores traditional Pakistani painting and weaves in her own unique style that reflects her own style and observations about motherhood and fertility. The Global Citizen Journey is a project that sends people around the globe in order to aid and assist others in the peace process. This week the practitioners and workers from the Liberia campaign share their stories, art and photographs of their work. The gathering will also look at historical decisions by policy makers, political leaders and how that intensifies and complicates lasting peace. Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: This week’s book recommendation is: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn To sign up for the weekly newsletter please click here. | Dan Savage Culture, Community Tuesday, March 29, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm  Red: Sculpture and Painting Culture March 27, 2011-April 30,2011 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM  Global Citizen Journey Community, Culture Wednesday March 30, 2011 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | |
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