7 posts tagged “happiness”

I tried a knitting class several years ago, but gave up pretty quickly. Tonight was my second class of my second try at figuring it out. I like the teacher and feel that I'm getting the hang of it. I realized today that's probably because of Sudoku.

I have a co-worker who loves Sudoku and tried forever to get me to try it. I just saw the jumble of numbers and figured I would never figure it out. Numbers and me are not a good mix. But, she keep patiently prodding, even starting me out weekly on the kid's version. So I started working on them. Just the kid's one for a while. Generally I was frustrated.

Then I started getting them. So I started trying the "regular" puzzle starting with one star and working my way to being able to do the entire week. I even bought a book and worked my way through to "difficult."

I have to say that I've been pretty proud of myself for trying and tackling the challenge head on. I think that's why I'm having more patience with myself and this knitting thing. I figure if I can overcome my numbers phobia, surely I can do this.

I had dinner with an old friend tonight. We've always been forthright with each other. We talk openly about depression and faith and other topics I wouldn't dare so deeply venture into with anyone else.

Tonight he shared a piece of his past with me. A private, painful part of his life. In that moment all the puzzle pieces snapped together and everything about him made perfect sense.

I thanked him for telling me.  I'm honored that my friendship is worthy of his trust.

 If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.   -- Andy Rooney

 Happiness is never stopping to think if you are.  

— Palmer Sondreal

The Happiness Project

http://www.happiness-project.com/happ...

The Happiness ProjectI'm working on a book, THE HAPPINESS PROJECT--a memoir about the year I spent test-driving every principle, tip, theory, and scientific study I could find, whether from Aristotle or St. Therese or Martin Seligman or Oprah. THE HAPPINESS PROJECT will gather these rules for living and report on what works and what doesn’t. On this daily blog, I recount some of my adventures and insights as I grapple with the challenge of being happier. THE HAPPINESS PROJECT will hit the shelves in late 2009 (HarperCollins).

I've added the Happiness Project to my Google Reader, because hey, who couldn't use more happiness in their lives, right?

Her instructions for Friday were to "make a list."

One thing I’ve noticed with my own Happiness Project is the power of making all sorts of lists. I’ve become zealous about keeping a to-do list. I've listed my ever-growing Secrets of Adulthood in the left column. I check my resolutions chart daily (email me at grubin {at} gretchenrubin {dotcom} if you’d like to see them).

Making these lists keeps me focused on my priorities. Reading the list over and over keeps my priorities uppermost in my mind. And it’s surprisingly FUN to do.

I’ve noticed all sorts of interesting approaches to these kinds of lists. A to-do list is the most common kind, but a list can be so much more. It can be a statement of philosophy, or a collection of favorites, or set of life instructions. A humble list can be an important instrument of self-examination.

also very satisfying to make lists of favorites: favorite movies, favorite books, favorite traditions, favorite songs. You can also put a twist on it, to make it more interesting.

For example, I’m making a list of my favorite transcendent scenes from movies, moments where I felt a big jolt of pleasure at seeing someone perform some exceptionally kind or generous act -- just because it gives me so much pleasure to call these scenes to mind.

Making a list is a way of figuring out your core ideas—about goals, about memories, about a subject that interests you.

Funny how I recently posted about that list making thing. But you know what? I am all about trying new things (*cough*cough), so I am going to try a list thing after all (guess I need to drop the list "thing" attitude first, right?). I do enjoy the "year end" list of favorites. This year I could totally do a "Things That Sucked" list too!

I am going to start today with an easy list -- places I'd like to visit (to be seen in another post).