The Happiness Project

So I mentioned way back when that I read the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  To say I have become obsessed with it and the work it has done is an understatement.  As weird as it sounds it has made such an amazing impact on my life and I want to share that with you!

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I want to start with the number one thing I took away from the book.  If someone had told me to do this before I probably would have laughed.  In general I struggle with the idea that our thoughts can change our moods and body.  But after reading this book I have changed my ways! So what is it I am talking about? Telling yourself you are happy.  When you tell yourself that you are happy you in return become happy.  I know weird.  But I swear it works.  I can be driving to the elementary school at 7:45 a.m. and think "I am happy" and immediately my mood changes and when I walk into that classroom I am happy. I challenge all of you to try this.  I haven't always been the happiest person.  But realizing that I can tell myself to do it has made the world of difference to me.  I love being happy and I love it when it shows to others. The other big thing I took away from this book is that you need to find things that make you happy.  Not only this, but you don't always have to find happiness where others find happiness.  For example: I find no happiness going out and partying.  Not my thing at all.  Yet that is the thing to do in college and my friends don't always get why I don't like parties. On the other hand, I am the most happy when I am sitting on my back porch at home, glass of wine in hand, and conversations with my family going on.  Or sitting by the pool and reading a great book.  Both of these scenarios SCREAM happiness to me. This means I need to seek these things out.  And even though others may find them lame, I can be happy in what I am doing.   If you need some inspiration or a new outlook on life you need to read this book.  Even if you don't think you need any of that, you need to read this book.  Now I even want to go back and re read the book to gain even more inspiration!