Note — This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to “ChristyB” who will be receiving a copy of Gretchen Rubin’s “The Happiness Project.”
Today is day four of Giveaway Week, and I am giving away a copy of 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.
This newly released trade paperback of Rubin’s wildly popular book, (it’s currently number one in a number of markets, including airport bookstores!) is a perfect addition to the library of anyone who is interested in how deliberately made choices can lead to a happier life. I read this book when it was first published and have since lent it out to a couple different people, and happily it was always returned. In fact, I think it’s time for a re-read.
To enter to win this book, write something in the comments section about one deliberate thing you do that helps you feel happier.
Click HERE to enter Monday’s giveaway of Annie Leonard’s The Story of Stuff.
Click HERE to enter Tuesday’s giveaway of Dave Wann’s The New Normal: An Agenda for Responsible Living.
Click HERE to enter Wednesday’s giveaway of Natalie McNeal’s The Frugalista Files: How One Woman Got Out of Debt Without Giving Up the Fabulous Life.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
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One deliberate thing I do that makes me happy is to regularly have a cup of tea. I think tea is such a soothing drink, and it always gives me that time I need to just relax and recharge.
I remind myself that I have a choice today, to be happy, or to wish to be happy. I think today I will just be happy!
Beautiful weather makes me feel happier, but of course I don’t have any control over that. I just make certain that I get out in it when it arrives — so that’s what I’m off to do today!
One think that make me happier always, is maintaining my “Savings Dairy”. I got to this idea when I started keep track of day-to-day expenses in a budget planner so that I may introspect on our expense paradigms . But then at the end of the month, it was not that rewarding to re-view all impulsive expenses. To counter this, I started a “Saving Dairy”. Now, I log all savings that I did, by doing online research, or making homemade stuff etc. I cannot measure, how rewarding this is. Plus, this activity fuels other good activities, like curbing impulsive buys, making healthy eating choices (Subway Vs Restaurant), looking for deals and so on.
I love to “plan”… I am a day dreamer. I use to control that habit earlier thinking that if I do not execute anything, I should not plan it. But later I realized planning (as in imagining) a getaway can be so much fun than a real life experience. If I have to do a nagging task, like cleaning/dusting etc, I imagine I am in a hotel room in Florida and its spring all over and there is lovely weather outside (in the midst of severe winter) and start planning a Florida vacation all together. This instantly lifts up my mood and makes me happy!
As a person suffering from multiple chronic conditions, this sounds like a must read for me.
This book is definitely on my list of reads. One thing that makes me incredibly happy is having a great cup of coffee in a favorite coffee mug I purchased from someone on Etsy and sitting in silence every morning. It’s the only silence I’ll enjoy until the following morning!
Listening to books on tape is one thing that I do most days that makes me happy.
I need this more than I can say!
I have an axiety disorder that has caused a couple of other problems in my life. I’m striving to use cognitive therapy (instead of medicine) to change my behavior and the way I see the world. I’m trying to be much more optimistic and enjoy my day rather than constantly feeling like I have to get things done. I think this book would help me on my path to success. It’s a long road but I’m committed to improving myself and my life. I love your blog! : )
I began going to my local Barnes & Noble bookstore to keep from going home at night & vegging out. I have made a number of friends there. I deliberately meet them on Friday nights to socialize and crochet. This makes me happy!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your give-away. I really enjoy your blog.
Beverley
Overall I think I am happy, but I need to learn to FEEL HAPPY. Doesn’t make sense, I know. I would love to read this book.
I run. It clears my head and gives me an endorphin boost. Plus it helps me see the positive in my body. You can constantly add and achieve goals with running.
Deliberate action for happiness? Take the 11-year old black lab to the shore of Lake Erie and throw a stick. No happiness like a big dog running on the beach.
My gratitude journal every night helps me focus on the good things!
I attend a Sunday afternoon yin yoga class with an amazingly inspirational teacher. The time for myself, combined with the deeply relaxing stretches of the class, energizing aromatherapy, soothing music, and educational tips from the instructor about mirror neurons and letting your body set its own pace leave me feeling joyful and uplifted – the perfect end to my weekend.
I knit teddy bears for charity.
I always try to stop and keep myself form taking anything personally and forgive the other person, whatever the problem.
This has saved me countless stress, worry, resentment, etc, allowing me to move past many a slight large and small and be happy even during the rough times.
It is especially helpful since I’m a high school teacher! I don’t take a student, parent, administrator, etc actions or words personally. I realize a lot of what we say or do to each other has nothing to do with the person we are currently directing it at, and even then, it still has more to do with the person saying/doing than you. Take criticism and see if you can use it but don’t take it as a personal attack. You woke up late, the coffee was bad, the roads are blocked, and you forgot your lunch. The world isn’t out to get you, you just need to take a deep breath and start fresh from there.
I have a notebook in which I list items that I get for free (samples, trial packages, etc.) and how much they would cost if I purchased them. When I feel that my childcare isn’t making a significant difference in our finances I look at that and the few hundred dollars extra that I “make” each month.
I do Zumba! I just started going and I feel like a complete dork because I don’t have much rhythm- but I really don’t care because it’s fun and makes exercising more bearable.
I do a page in my scrapbook. I spend quite a bit of time making it special. I feel like a child at the end of the day when I present it to my family for inspection. I love all the oohs and ahhs I get from them.
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