Thursday, December 20, 2012

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

So what's not to like in a book about happiness? Even better, Gretchen Rubin has done her homework, researching the idea of, philosophies about,  and scientific findings regarding happiness from a variety of disciplines across the ages. And she makes lists! Lists of Commandments (to be determined by each individual), lists of "Secrets of Adulthood," lists of resolutions for each month of her year long project, and summary lists of "Tips" at the end. She deals with relationships, money, health/exercise, play, work, goals, and attitude. She is personal in her take on everything but offers plenty for the reader to take away and make his/her own. She started a blog, offers an online Toolbox (www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com), and offers additional resources (discussion guide, starter kits, etc). I liked it a lot and may even undertake to re-read it and start my own project.