I began to read the book by Gretchen Rubin this week(www.happiness-project.com) I have heard her book compared to Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat pray love and even the Dali Lama
She says in her book that "According to research, in the determination of a person's level of happiness, genetics account for about 50 percent, life circumstances, such as age,gender,ethnicity, marital status, income,health, occupation and religious affiliation, account for about 10 to 20 percent; and the remainder is a product of how a person thinks and acts.In other words, people have an inborn disposition that 's set within a certain range, but they can boost themselves to the top of their happiness range by their actions."
What is happiness?
In the book the author focus's on different subjects for 12 months. Marriage, Parenthood, Friends
then Eternity and Attitude and then Work Play Passion Energy Money.
All things we may wonder if they give us happiness.
She talks about how Sleep and getting enough of it are important to adding to your happiness.
She talks about how exercise which we all know is also important to adding to your happiness.
She begins to unclutter her home, closets etc..
IN another book entitled Happy for No Reason 7 steps to being happy from the inside out by Marci Shimoff
The author talks about the Myth of I'll-Be-Happy-When
I'll be happy when I have the perfect mte
I'll be happy when I have a better job
I'll be happy when I have a baby or another baby
I'll be happy when the kids are in school.
I'll be happy when I get more recognition or appreciation
I'll be happy when I can retire.
and the popular I'll be happy when I lose weight
No matter how many I'll be happy when you reach it it's never quite enough.
This author also talks about Hormones playing a part in Happiness.( i found this very interesting)
Both authors talk about Passion as finding happiness. I always say I have a lot of creative passion and if I could sell things on Etsy I would be happy.... is that really true? I don't know but I do know that Passion is important in life and I don't mean passion in bed. "When we learn to say a deep, passionate yes to the things that really matter, then peace begins to settle onto our lives like golden sunlight sifting to a forest floor." Thomas Kinkaide, artist
the book Happy for No Reason has been quizzes in it and there is one about Passion I am going to copy it here for you to see...
1. On a piece of paper list at least 10 things that will make your life and work ideal. Complete the sentence When my life is ideal, I am______________example when my life is idea, I am inspiring others with my love of writing.
2. Now think of 4 people you know who are not passionate about what they're doing in their lives. what do they talk about? Where is their attention focused? How do they treat the people they spend time with? List at least 5 behaviors you notice in these people. Do you see any of these behaviors in yourself? Can you see how any of these behaviors might sabotage your ability to live a purposeful and happy life?
3. List 5 things you can do in the coming week to start changing these behaviors and begin aligning your life with the things you wrote down in step 1 so you can live the passionate happy life you deserve.
Finally I decide The Dalai Lama is the one to listen to when it comes to Happiness His book The Art of Happiness is a handbook for living. What does he say about Happiness:
He speaks about inner worth and innercontentment- if your not happy with who and what you have become you wont' ever be happy.
So what have I learned about Happiness from the Happiness project, Happy for No reason and the art of happiness...
I have learned that happiness has many components.It seems to involve a inner discipline. Kindness, tolerance and forgiveness are important when trying to be happy. Some level of spirituality is a must.
Nurturing ourselves, by fresh foods, exercise and meditation or rest are important too.
If your interested in this subject and recording your own progress in finding happiness try the link www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com or borrow or buy the books listed above.
Gretchen Rubin even has a page on facebook.
So HURRY and find your own HAPPINESS or maybe you already HAVE and in that case HELP a friend.
So stay tuned for the next letter it is letter I- for island getaways
2 comments:
Happiness is so much easier than unhappiness. Being unhappy takes so much work -- scowling, yelling, complaining, discontent, and so many negative activities. To be happy you just relax, smile, and enjoy life. Happiness is a choice and it's how I chosen to live.
Some good advice in this post.
Lee
You are only as happy as you make yourself out to be, someone told me a long time back. And I can't but agree whole heartedly.
~ Rayna
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