• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

April 15, 2011 by Wendy Irene Leave a Comment

 

A couple of weeks ago when visiting Oprah’s website, I was on the lookout for new book recommendations, and came across the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The title really grabbed me so I did a quick search to find out more. Don’t you love Google for that?!
 

The Happiness Project was born one day when author, Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany on the city bus, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Rubin, wife and Mother to 2 young girls, wondered was she making the most of her life? She decided to dedicate 1 year to testing out ancient wisdom, lessons from modern culture and scientific research on happiness. Throughout the year Rubin makes many discoveries on how to unlock happiness within her.
 

To guide her project Rubin formulates twelve commandments, starting with “Be Gretchen.” In addition, she creates a list of “Secrets to Adulthood”, one example being “people don’t notice your mistakes as much as you think.” Coming back to this wisdom helps Rubin accomplish her resolutions. Each month Rubin focuses on a new resolution, ending the last month in a culmination of all her resolutions for the year.
 

This book was funny, wise, and very real at the same time. The years do go by incredibly fast so what are you waiting for? Choose happiness now! Reading this book you will come to understand through Rubin’s personal examples that happiness can be achieved here and now. It may not always be the easier choice; in fact, often “it is easy to be heavy; hard to be light.” Wouldn’t you agree all great things are worth the effort?
 

From the book:
p. 23 Buddhist saying “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
 

p. 156 “I learned another reason not to say critical things about other people: “spontaneous trait transference.” Studies show that because of this psychological phenomenon, people unintentionally transfer to me the traits I ascribe to other people…What I say about other people sticks to me- even when I talk to someone who already knows me. So I do well to say only good things.”

—

The Happiness Project was not only inspiring, it was motivating. When you see the changes made in Gretchen Rubin’s life, you become excited to test drive some of the wisdom in your own life. Rubin also has a popular daily blog where she encourages others to start their own Happiness Project and provides readers with tools on how to start. After reading The Happiness Project, I walked away from the book with the feeling of personal growth, which in and of itself creates happiness.
 

Today’s Question-
What is one thing in life you want yourself to like, but really you don’t? Trying to like it takes away from living your truth.
 

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Uncategorized

About Wendy Irene

Wendy Irene is a Reiki Master, Meditation Guide, Yoga Teacher, Tree Hugger and Foodie with a passion for holistic wellness. She helps people awaken their joy and tap into their intuition. Wendy is the Founder of GiveLoveCreateHappiness.com

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ModernMom TV

Featured

20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

After seeing and holding the newest member of our family … [Read More...] about 20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

How to Break Your Water at Home When Pregnant

How to Break Your Water at Home When Pregnant

Fix-a-Broken-Slab-of-Marble

How to Fix a Broken Slab of Marble

Meals That Pair With Corn on the Cob

Meals That Pair With Corn on the Cob

cold sore and fever blister remedies

Cold Sore and Fever Blister Remedies

Post-Pregnancy Headaches

Post-Pregnancy Headaches

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

stop a new piercing from itching

How to Stop a New Piercing From Itching

Cures & Remedies for Head Lice

Cures & Remedies for Head Lice

Signs of PMS or Pregnancy

Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

How to Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.