The Happiness Project

A few years ago I noticed this book had been published about the same time I noticed Eat, Pray, Love. I wanted to read both of them, but after reading Eat, Pray Love I was a little worried that it would be another woman's selfish search for "inner peace" or whatever it was called in that book. Finally this last year I picked up the Happiness Project and I am so glad that I did. It has taken me about 6 months to read...or so. But it has given me a lot to think about and I hope to eventually pick it up again and instead of just reading the book I want to work my way through the book.

Gretchen Rubin (the author) is already a happy person. She is married to a nice man and has two daughters, she wasn't searching for some lost happiness that she gave up when she married or had her kids, she was simply wanting to be happier and make sure she remained that way in the years to come living life to the fullest. As she did her research, made her resolutions (not goals-goals are something you reach and resolution is something you continue working and striving for) and implemented both she realized that happiness came when we focused on others. During the year of her project she had a lot of different areas of focus from Boosting Energy to Remember Love to Contemplating the Heavens. Through the whole project she tried to always "stay true to Gretchen" meaning that she didn't want to develop habits or resolutions that she wouldn't enjoy or make her happy, for example in the Contemplating the Heavens chapter she was encouraged to meditate but she knew that it would have driven her nuts and she would have hated ever minute of thus creating an unhappy Gretchen.

I am excited to eventually revisit this book, hopefully making a project year for myself. Mine probably wouldn't be as intense-but I like the thought of focusing on something new each month. Although this book is all about her experience it will be easy to apply the chapters and ideas in my own life staying true to Angela instead of Gretchen. It is worth a read, or a skim at least. I will admit that there were times when I read this book thinking "if was reading the Ensign or The Book of Mormon I bet it would have the same results (maybe even better)." It is a good book, thoughtful and encouraging and realistic. Also in the back is a list of books Rubin used in researching for her project and book. I can't wait to read some of those.

Take a look for yourself...and then go read the Ensign.

Quote: The Year is over, and I really am happier. After all my research, I found out what I knew all along: I could change my life without changing my life. When I made the effort to reach out for them, I found that the ruby slippers had been on my feet all along; the bluebird was singing outside my kitchen window.

GRADE: B