The Happiness Project

Last week one of the books I finished reading on my multiple bus trips was Gretchen Rubin's "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."  With a title and subtitle like that, how could I not love it?

Actually, I really did enjoy Rubin's book.

I liked the ideas it gave me about being happier.

But mostly, I liked these two things:  the first of her "twelve commandments" - "Be Gretchen."

And this, one of Rubin's "Secrets of Adulthood" - "What's fun for other people may not be fun for you - and vice versa."

I need those reminders to be myself.

And particularly I needed to hear that it's okay to be me, even when me doesn't seem to be in sync with the rest of the world around me.

I needed that reminder that it's okay that I really don't like some of the things it seems like everyone around me loves.

After finishing the book, I'm reminded to keep making choices that inspire happiness.  To keep making daily 5 lists.  To try new things.  To do the things I really love.  To notice all the little things that bring a smile or laughter to my day.

And sometimes, even when I don't love things, to do them because people around me do love them, and their happiness helps make me happy too.