Camping makes me happy!
Our September book club pick was a departure from the norm for us. We read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, Or, Why I spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. Her words, not mine. We usually read fiction. I can’t say as I’m a fan of self-help books or non-fiction, but it was interesting to delve into the idea of being purposefully happy.
I mean, hey, who doesn’t want to be happy? Or happier, as the case may be. I didn’t finish it (which means I pay a $10 fine to the pot), but it was an awful lot of information to take in. It was a twelve month project for the author and each month she created a list of resolutions she wanted to work on. Daunting. Yes. Yet, it did raise some interesting questions. And I learned happiness according to Gretchen Rubin takes a lot of work. I’ll enjoy finishing this book, I found Rubin’s voice and style to be appealing and very easy to relate to.
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” Aristotle
This I know to be fact. However, sometimes it takes me a couple of think-throughs to realize I’m unhappy because of my own state of mind. It’s so easy and simple to set the blame elsewhere. On the state of the economy. Or the price of peas. But really, I’ve got to look at what’s happening with me to figure out why I might be ‘off’. You know, a little on the sour side.
“Act the way I want to feel.” One of Rubin’s Twelve Commandments
I actually found this advice to be helpful. If you want to be happy, act happy. And it makes sense, right? Smile more. What’s that saying? It’s the second best thing you can do with your lips. Be happy for someone else. Laugh. Watch The Big Bang Theory. That always works for me. Work at at.
Howard: Are you planning on kidnapping a woman?
Sheldon: Sarcasm?
Howard: Yes, but mixed with genuine concern.
I mean, come on, how can you not find that hysterical?
“There is no duty we underrate so much as the duty of being happy.” Robert Louis Stevenson
Five Little Things That Make Me Happy! Because it doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be mindful.
- Pretty flowers.
- Fresh peaches.
- Sitting around a backyard fire.
- Autumn leaves.
- Cuddled in a fuzzy blanket.
“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.” James Openheim
Oh, one more thing.
6. Chocolate Flavored Vodka. (As with all good things:best used in moderation.)
How about you? What five little things make you happy?
Interesting post Karyn! Thanks for sharing your info on Gretchen Rubin’s book. I might have to check that out. I go in spurts in what I like to read…sometimes romance, sometimes self help, true crime…it varies…and I’ll have to keep that in mind for the self help spurt!
Hi Christine! It’s one of those books that allows you to pick and choose what you get out of it. Very low pressure, which I like 😀
There’s chocolate flavored vodka??? I need to get to the liquor store more often! Now, I’m just thirsty. I like your list. Mine would be:
1. Finishing a good book
2. My kids’ jokes
3. Bright colors
4. Sit-down family meals
5. My pathetic animals begging for attention
There is indeed, Lisa! It’s even better than coconut flavored vodka 😀
I love your list and would add all them to my own, especially finishing a good book!
No aches from yesterday’s garden weeding makes me happy. Walking in the rain my granddaughter. Getting some words done on my current WIP. Simple things…I know.
Those are great things to add to the list, Nancy. And right about now, getting some work done on my WIP would indeed make me very happy!