The Happiness Project

 

   It is with much excitement that I finally finished and get to discuss a New York Times bestselling novel, The Happiness Project. Author, Gretchen Rubin, is an average type of gal with a good job, healthy family, and loving husband. Although her life may appear perfect on the outside, she admits that she yearns to become a happier person and recognizes that she is not living her life to it's fullest. Gretchen introduces her journey to happiness in noticing her every day routine and how she began taking things for granted. She states that in doing so, "I had a sudden realization: I was wasting my life." 

That was the day she decided to set up a list of personal resolutions for each month of the year. Starting with January, Gretchen recognizes her faults, insecurities, likes, and dislikes in a journey to ultimate happiness and self discovery. What makes this book a fantastic read is just how raw and down to earth Gretchen is. She is every average American, male or female, who is content with their lives, but thrive for extra excitement and overall happiness. In her journey to "Be Gretchen", she discovers that happiness is not an object, or having everything that you ever wanted, It's a state of mind.

"You are not happy unless you think you are happy."

The entire book is a warehouse of positive ideas and inspirational quotes.  A few fun quotes that stuck with me was ,"It is by spending oneself, that one becomes rich" and "One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy; one of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself." Gretchen didn't need to change her entire life to be happy, she just recognized what made her happy, and ran with it. I highly recommend this easy read to anyone looking to enhance their happiness, look on the bright side of life, and try something different for a change.

Here's how she did it:
(keep in mind, every happiness project is different)

January BOOST ENERGY (vitality)
*Go to sleep earlier
*Exercise better
*Toss, restore, organize
*Act more energetic

February REMEMBER LOVE (marriage)
* Quit nagging
*Don't expect praise or appreciation
*Fight right
*No dumping
*Give proofs of love

March AIM HIGHER (work)
*Launch a blog
*Enjoy the fun of failure
*Ask for help
*Work smart
*Enjoy now

April LIGHTEN UP (parenthood)
*Sing in the morning
*Acknowledge the reality of peoples feelings
*Be a treasure house of happy memories
*Take time for projects

May  BE SERIOUS ABOUT PLAY (leisure)
*Find more fun
*Take time to be silly
*Go off the path
*Start a collection

June MAKE TIME FOR FRIENDS (friendship)
*Remember birthdays
*Be generous
*Show up
*Don't gossip
*Make three new friends

July BUY SOME HAPPINESS (money)
*Indulge in a modest splurge
*Buy needful things
*Spend out
*Give something up

August CONTEMPLATE THE HEAVENS (eternity)
*Read memoirs
*Keep a gratitude notebook
*Imitate a spiritual master

September PURSUE A PASSION (books)
*Write a novel
*Make time
*Forget about results
*Master a new technology

October PAY ATTENTION (mindfulness)
*Meditate on koans
*Examine true rules
*Stimulate the mind in new ways
*Keep a food diary

November KEEP A CONTENDED HEART (attitude)
*Laugh out loud
*Use good manners
*Give positive reviews
*Find an area of refuge

December BOOT CAMP PERFECT (practice what you've preached)

Interested in starting your own happiness project?
Check out Gretchen's' toolbox to get started
www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com