Happiness Adds and Multiples as you Divide it with Others

Valentine’s Day is a favourite holiday of mine; I think mostly because growing up my parents  made a point of showing their love for their children on Valentine’s Day. This in turn, has made this holiday about showing love for family and friends, in addition to that special someone. So whether you’re single or spoken for, I encourage you to share your love…and hopefully happiness today.

My lovely friend Christy, has shown me the love by giving me the opportunity to guest blog today. I thought I would share my review of a book I read recently called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. This should tie in nicely with my heart-themed post – with love and happiness being so closely connected.

The Happiness Project

This book was a happy affirmation of the abundance of good in life. It created an environment for reflection on various elements of life – love, work, and play. I was notably drawn to the following statement several times: the days are long, but the years are short. This statement, for me, is a reminder to appreciate – people, moments, and feelings – yet in the same breath, a coping mechanism – to fail, to hurt and to heal. As an enticement to delve into this worthwhile read, here is a compilation of items for reflection that caught my attention:

“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.” ~ William Butler Yeats

Love:

•  Vulnerability is the new strength
• Long-term happiness requires you to give up something that brings happiness in the short term
•  If I can enjoy the present, I don’t need to count on the happiness that is (or isn’t) waiting for me in the future
•  “The best way out it always through” ~ Robert Frost 

Work:

• It’s okay to ask for help
• If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough
• If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly
•  If your willing to take the blame, people will give you responsibility

Play:

• Realize, experientially, that life is way too short NOT to follow your passion
• I grieve for my limitations, but my passions give me such joy
• Find happiness in circumstances of poverty as well as in circumstances of plenty
• If I wanted to find happiness, I have to carry happiness with me 

I recently met a new friend, and long story short; it is the brevity of life that motivates her. I found the significance of this statement overwhelming at our first meeting. However, this sentiment remained with me, and The Happiness Project, in a kind, less overwhelming way, brings the brevity of life home for me. I have a greater appreciation for my new friend’s motivation.

I would love to know your thoughts if you’ve read this book…or if any of my musings attracted you to read the book…

Have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

xo