My New Happy: My Favorite Books - The Happiness Project

Friday, September 12, 2014

My Favorite Books - The Happiness Project


I think most of us want to be happy - I know I do.  It's a worthwhile goal that I strive for every day.  This is one of my favorite quotes from John Lennon:

When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down 'happy'.  They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life.

I was in an airport bookstore when I first picked up The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  I was hooked by the blurb on the back cover, because it sounded a lot like me. I'm not an unhappy person - I've got a supportive husband, two awesome kids, a comfortable home, a fulfilling business, and good health.  But I definitely could be happier.

For me, this book wasn't a step by step guide to achieving happiness.  A lot of Ms. Rubin's suggestions were pretty basic stuff that we've all heard a million times.  But it did force me to be more mindful of my happiness, and to set up a "Happiness Project" of my own.  

The author's sense of humor, research and presentation of positive psychology, and use of philosophy made the book very enjoyable - just reading it made me smile!

Although I didn't follow every suggestion in The Happiness Project, it did inspire me to look for more happiness in my every day life - and who couldn't use more of that?  

22 comments:

  1. I have heard great things about this book. I want to read it even more, now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Playing with my family and friends makes me most happy. I also love a juicy book...thank you for the suggestion. Redbox has a movie that might make you smile called Moms' Night out about a blogger mommy like you...grab a friend and give this chick flick a gander. Let me know what you think...forwarning, it's cheesy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard of the movie but haven't seen it yet. I'll definitely give it a try!

      Delete
  3. This is the second review I've read of it that actually made me think it might really be a good book for me.
    And you and I seem to think alike a lot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We definitely think alike. I think you'd really enjoy the book.

      Delete
  4. Oh my goodness, Lana! I loved this book as well, and keep it my nightstand - I even bought it in an airport bookstore as well! It was sort of a pre-step in my journey towards beginning to blog!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great book! Have you read her second one? It's called Happier At Home. I liked that one a lot, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I got that book as a gift a while back & loved it... so I recommend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love getting books as gifts - especially when I enjoy them!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Yay! I guess we need to read her second one now - see above comment!

      Delete
  8. I'm adding this to my reading list! I can use more happiness in my life!

    Jill
    dousedinpink.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always looking for as much happiness as I can get!

      Delete
  9. I agree with you--everyone needs a little more happiness in their life!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I read that book too! You're right, it's all about being mindful of happiness. I think I need to read it again actually. And great quote by John Lennon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - you gotta love John Lennon! I need to read it again too.

      Delete
  11. I hadn't heard of this book before! I'll have to check it out!

    ReplyDelete

Reading your comments is one of the best parts of blogging! I read and appreciate them all!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...