T h i s. W i l d. R i d e.

Human beings certainly gravitate to religion and it seems we all have an tendency to believe in some sort of karma. Your mind may require meaning. Studies show it's one of the key factors underlying happiness and motivation.

So what is meaning in life and what does research say about how we might be able to find it?

Stories

Studies have shown that stories are key to some of the most fundamental parts of our lives: increasing happiness, group solidarity and meaning in life.

Some research indicates that to have meaning in your life you must have a story. You need to reflect on how things could have been and why they turned out the way they did. Seeing that things had a direction and a purpose provides meaning.

Studies show that a good portion of the benefit from religion comes from the meaning it gives to life.

Looking back on our lives necessitates a narrative so it's not surprise that nostalgia increases feelings of meaning in life.

The stories we tell do reveal who we are.

The reason people commit suicide is because they don't live up to the standards of the stories they tell themselves.

Fundamentally, our brains may not be able to tell the difference between the real and the story.

But stories also distort the world. People who watch lots of TV are less accurate judges of reality. Fiction makes makes our perspective less accurate.

What's even more interesting is the truth may not matter. Feeling that you know yourself creates a strong sense of meaning in life -- whether or not you actually know yourself doesn't make a difference.

That may seem depressing but it also means that you can craft the stories in your life to build meaning and fulfillment.

Timothy Wilson, author of Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change, has talked about how the process of "story-editing" can help us improve our lives:

The idea is that if we want to change people's behaviors, we need to try to get inside their heads and understand how they see the world—the stories and narratives they tell themselves about who they are and why they do what they do.

So how can you decide what is really meaningful?

Your own regrets and the most common regrets of the dying might lead you in the right direction.

How can you shape the story?

Thinking about your funeral (morbid as it may sound) can help you envision the story you would like told about your life.

How do you make the story part of your life?

Be the story you tell yourself.

Again, Timothy Wilson:

...the "do good, be good" method. It capitalizes on the tried-and-true psychological principle that our attitudes and beliefs often follow from our behaviors, rather than precede them. As Kurt Vonnegut famously wrote, "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." People who do volunteer work, for example, often change their narratives of who they are, coming to view themselves as caring, helpful people. Well-designed studies have shown that teen girls who participate in community service programs do better in school and are less likely to become pregnant.

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Oh, too true...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 01:36:00 +0000

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h/t Eric Barker http://posterous.com/users/1gLmok0lHJD

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Ooooooo...good quote!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:37:00 +0000

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Rabbit Wisdom for today...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:14:00 +0000

thanks to my bunderful pal, Inge, for sending this to all of us.

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Watch 'Peace One Day' film...it's great!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 02:20:00 +0000

International Peace Day is September 21st! Follow on Twitter and FB to keep posted on exciting news. All available at their website...

http://peaceoneday.org/

I can't imagine any cause more worthy...except saving bunnies. ; )

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Wisdom for today...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:02:00 +0000

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Don't miss this class! Bunnies on a Budget coming up!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 02:07:00 +0000

Title: Workshop: Bunnies on a Budget

Location: Animal Shelter Community Room, 11361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Description: Information sharing: how to save money on rabbit care.
Time: 11:30-1:30
Date: Sunday, August 19, 2012
RSVP to losangelesrabbits@earthlink.net

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Alice's hoppiness...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Alice came to RabbitMatch.org with a bb gun wound that was extremely abscessed.

Inge, one of RM's super peeps, took her home while she convalesced.

Of course, then Inge couldn't part with her so she became part of Inge's family.

Oh, hoppines, may you never end! Now she's bonded with A Hunka' Burnin' LUV, Zoomie.

We love hoppy endings! It makes it all worthwhile... : )

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Went to see Shoji's choreography...lookin' good there, guy!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 07:34:00 +0000

We went to see Shoji debut his choreography talent tonight (he's in the middle in blue). Here are the ending shots. (taken by me...no professional here)

You did great, Shoji!!

Where there is perfection there is no story to tell. ~Ben Okri

www.thiswildride.blogspot.com

See the full gallery on Posterous

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The Archaeology News Network: Archaeologists uncover Mona Lisa's remains

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 06:18:00 +0000

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I love history!!!

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Fascinating Factoid!! How many people have ever lived on Earth?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 01:51:00 +0000

How many people have ever lived on Earth?

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including the number of people who have EVER been born...wow.

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Good Morning, Everybun...Is this the cutest pic or what!?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:24:00 +0000

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Photo: JD Hancock

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How do rabbits digest their food?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 22:12:00 +0000

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Phyllis, you did it again! Thanks for a good article. : )

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A house rabbit's guide to training humans

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Home » Articles » How to train a human: a Guide for House Rabbits

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How to train a human: a Guide for House Rabbits

Training your human can be time consuming and requires a lot of patience as obviously they aren't as intelligent as us. But, it needs to be done so the sooner you start the better. For the benefit of house rabbits everywhere, we've put together our list of rules which the humans should follow. You could try putting this on the fridge door or maybe on the TV screen...

1. Don't disturb us when we're sleeping. Never, ever, ever - unless the house is burning down

2. When we want cuddles, we'll come and ask. Just cos we're cute doesn't mean we want to be cuddled 24-7

3. Mealtimes must be strictly adhered to. No excuses

4. Change our litter tray more often than you clean your toilet. Seriously - we're a lot cleaner than you

5. Just open the bag of hay and let us help ourselves. We don't care about the mess and neither should you

6. Jumping on the bed is a much better way of waking you up than an alarm clock. Admit it

7. When we sit and stare at you, we're trying to tell you something. At least make the effort to think what it might be

8. We're addicted to cables and therefore can't be blamed for any accidental damage. Sorry about that

9. The sofa belongs to us just as much as it belongs to you. Try not to sit on us please

10. When we roll on our backs, this is not an invitation to tickle our tummies. Or to start acting like the paparazzi

11. If something's in our way, we're going to nibble it. No if's, but's or why's

12. Like a man's garden shed, our den is sacrosanct so enter at your peril

13. If we bite you, there's a good reason. Try and think what it might be and adjust your behaviour accordingly

14. We might cling to you when you take us to the vets but that's only because you're the lesser of two evils. Don't flatter yourselves

15. Don't eat chocolate and biscuits in our presence. It's like torture, we want it so much

16. We know you're all individuals, have different personalities and like different things. Kindly return the favour

17. If you have to clip our nails or whatever, do it as quickly as possible and then pretend it never happened. The loss of dignity is major

18. When we turn our backs on you, get the message. Talk to the butt cos the face ain't listening

19. Don't call us out of our den unless there's a really, really good reason. Like a visit from the Queen, or food

20. And finally... when we give you our trust, it's for life. It's the best gift you'll ever get and you know it

So, encourage your humans to follow these rules and you shouldn't have too many problems. The slower ones might take a while but a gentle nip keeps them on the right track and reminds them that bunny knows best. Good luck, fellow house rabbits and remember - it's a bunny world, the humans just live in it!

See Also

How to train a human: part 3 - Snuggles and Cuddles
How to train a human: part 5 - Refresher Training
How to train a human: part 6 - Etiquette

External Links

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Page last updated: 29 March 2012

Page first published:

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there's more!! http://www.bunnyhugga.com/training-your-human.html#

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True Friendship defined...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Download full size (65 KB)

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the Chocolate Museum in Brugge!! Ooooo, YUM.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:09:00 +0000

the Chocolate Museum in Brugge

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It's that time again!!! Don't miss the fun...or the YUM!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 01:52:00 +0000

Los Angeles Rabbit Foundation

Annual Yard Sale Bunny Benefit

Saturday, July 21 (10-3)

2499 Barrington Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90064

(corner of Barrington & Pearl)

Donations accepted at this location 4-9 the evening before or by special arrangement: 310-713-2478.

Find great deals for you and your bunnies.

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One Hungry Little Mouse!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:58:00 +0000

One Hungry Little Mouse!

The extraordinary scene was captured by photography student Casey Gutteridge

At the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire. The 19-year-old,

From Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, who was photographing the leopard

For a course project, was astounded By the mouse's Behaviour.

He said: 'I have no idea where the mouse came from - he just appeared

In the enclosure after the keeper had dropped in the meat for the leopard.

He didn't take any notice of the leopard, just went straight over to the meat

And started feeding himself.'
'But the leopard was pretty surprised - she bent down and sniffed

The mouse and flinched a bit like she was scared. In the meantime

The mouse just carried on eating like nothing had happened.

But even a gentle shove does not deter the little creature from getting his fill...

'It was amazing, even the keeper who had thrown the meat into the enclosure

Was shocked - he said he'd never seen anything like it before.'
Project owner Jackie James added: 'It was so funny to see - Sheena

Batted the mouse a couple of times to try to get it away from her food.'

But the determined little thing took no notice and just carried on.'

Sheena was brought in to the Santago Rare Leopard Project from a

UK zoo when she was just four months old. She is one of 14 big cats

In the private collection started by Jackie 's late husband Peter in 1989.

The African Leopard can be found in the continent's forests,

Grasslands, savannas, and rainforests.

....so the mouse continued to eat the leopard's lunch and show the leopard

Who was the boss. Just proves no one can push you around without your permission.

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I love this quote...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:06:00 +0000

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Routine can be good!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:38:00 +0000

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