A wonderful book and on-line resource for parents and non-parents alike is called The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin. The so-called project that Rubin undertook was to see if and how she could become happier over the course of one year. She began by setting specific measurable goals in different areas of her life such as in her marriage, her work, and her parenting. Next she started making concrete changes which give the reader some ideas and tools. What is delightful about this book is that it is well written, funny, and doesn’t feel preachy even though it easily could. The fact that this book and others on the same topic are now bestsellers says something about just how universal is the desire to be happier.
For those of you who have already read How’s Your Family Really Doing? 10 Keys to a Happy Loving Family, this is the perfect book for anyone wanting to work on Key #8, “Seeing the Positive”. Rubin describes some of the research that reveals how happiness does not come from selfishly trying to meet our own individual needs. Greater happiness instead arises from things like having good relationships with others, from practicing how to be more loving and generous, and from finding concrete ways to give back to the world.
Even though I am an avid reader, it is challenging to find the time to read all the great books collecting dust on the shelves let alone trying to take the steps to build my happiness quotient.If you are currently too busy or overwhelmed even to think about reading another great book, you can enjoy Rubin’s writing by checking out her blog. Or simply take one minute, click on the link that follows and watch The Years Are Short. This short and sweet video reminded me of how important it is to treasure each moment and to remember how to see the world through the eyes of a child once again.
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