One of the problems I had with the book to begin with was that the woman who wrote it seemed to have everything but was whining about not being happy. What I've come to realize is that it's not that she wasn't happy - she just could've been happier.
Taken from her book, "[c]ontemporary research shows that happy people are more altruistic, more productive, more helpful, more likable, more creative, more resilient, more interested in others, friendlier, and healthier."
I am happy. My life is awesome. I am blessed beyond words in most areas of my life. But the moment you stop growing, you might as well start dying. I took the Authentic Happiness Inventory and got a 3.42 out of 5. See? Room for improvement.
Taken from her book, "[c]ontemporary research shows that happy people are more altruistic, more productive, more helpful, more likable, more creative, more resilient, more interested in others, friendlier, and healthier."
I am happy. My life is awesome. I am blessed beyond words in most areas of my life. But the moment you stop growing, you might as well start dying. I took the Authentic Happiness Inventory and got a 3.42 out of 5. See? Room for improvement.
Happiness is relative to the person. My life must seem amazing to some people. Other peoples' lives seem amazing to me. They might be miserable. That's the other thing- I've met plenty of people who I thought were happy who are miserable. And I tend to look miserable but am happy most times. It's all in my face. Guess I need to smile more.
It's important to keep in mind that I live in America and have a great job that pays me well, a roof over my head and food in my tummy (more than I should have at times) with wonderful friends and family. I am not in the middle east where if I were raped I could be killed by my father nor am I an orphan in Africa who is being kidnapped to slave away in the diamond mines. I am safe and more blessed than most of the world.
It's important to keep in mind that I live in America and have a great job that pays me well, a roof over my head and food in my tummy (more than I should have at times) with wonderful friends and family. I am not in the middle east where if I were raped I could be killed by my father nor am I an orphan in Africa who is being kidnapped to slave away in the diamond mines. I am safe and more blessed than most of the world.
The author says to be happy 4 things need to happen:
- First: To be happier, you have to think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth.
- Second: 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.
- Third: The days are long, but the years are short.
- Fourth: You’re not happy unless you think you’re happy.
- Boost energy.
- Remember love..
- Contemplate the heavens.
- Live frugally.
- Keep a contented heart.
- Make time for friends.
- Be serious about leisure.
- Pursue a passion.
- Learn to let go.
- Get rid of fear.
- Be thankful.
- Focus on family.
I am least happy when I am exhausted and/or dwelling on bad things that have happened in my past which happens WAY more than I want.
This is from Gretchen's blog: "A few days ago, I observed
that it’s often easier for me to do something every day than to do it
some days. I post to my blog six days a week. I take notes every day. I
write in my one-sentence journal every day. Many people have told me that they find it easier to exercise when they exercise every day. If I try to do something four days a week, I spend a lot of time
arguing with myself about whether today is the day, or tomorrow, or the
next day; did the week start on Sunday or Monday; etc.If you do something every day, you tend to fall into a routine, and
routine has a bad reputation... some routine activities
also bring happiness.The things you do every day take on a certain beauty, and provide a kind of invisible architecture to daily life."
I need to make this blog a routine without coming off as whiny.
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