Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happiness Project

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. ~Mark Twain

I have NOT forgotten about sharing my "Happiness Project" journey with you. While I have been trudging through the week - I have been researching how I plan to embark on this happiness project.

One of the ideas that the book with the name-sake  "Happiness Project" recommends is to actually create your own 10 commandments. A personal code of honor. Hmm.. that actually sounds a little daunting, but I decided to take a stab at it.

I want to encourage you to do the same. Create your own little personal commandments.

Okay - let's get to it:

Nicole's 10 Commandments:

1. Do NOT allow anyone to steal my JOY.

2. Roll with the punches.

3. Instead of fleeing, plant my feet firmly in the ground and stand tall in times of trouble.

4. Practice Compassion.

5. Take responsibility for your mistakes.

6. Stop being lazy.

7. Stop trying to control others - control the one person you have complete responsibility for - myself.

8. Express, don't repress.

9. Create. Smile. Breathe. Love. Trust.

10. Turn to the original 10 commandments and God for true guidance.

Sooo... 

That's all I've got.

Now, I need to make a list of items that truly bring me happiness (that I already practice.) Then I need to schedule these items into my weekly schedule:

Things I currently have in my life that makes me happy:

1. Writing

2. Photography

3. Learning

4. Movement (Dance)

5. Meditation

6. Prayer

7. Reading

8. Music

9. Exploring

10. Service

What I think I will do daily - is break down one commandment and one "happy" item and figure out how it applies to my life.

If any of you want to join me on this journey - there is one book I need you to pick up from the Library or buy it!

I am reading: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

Gretchen shares her personal 12 commandments (I went with 10..) Here they are:

Be Gretchen.


Let it go.

Act the way I want to feel.

Do it now.

Be polite and be fair.

Enjoy the process.

Spend out.

Identify the problem.

Lighten up.

Do what ought to be done.

No calculation.

There is only love.

The ones I need to consider, I have made them bold.

That's it! So if you really want to be apart of my little Happiness Project - and try a few of the tips I am learning, simply let me know! Later, perhaps I will pop up a little linky tool and we can follow each others progress. This is not a blog hop - but a community pulling together to put a little joy back in the day!

The only tasks you have right now is - 1. Buy the book. (or check it out from the library, OR just follow along here.) 2. Make a list (as long as you want.. but preferably under 15) of your personal Commandments. 3. Make a list (only 10) of things you currently do that bring you happiness.

Let's just start there. It's all about being self- aware.

Here's to happier days!

3 comments:

Jen Has A Pen said...

So many of the things that make you happy also make me happy (minus reading). :-)

I think this is a really great thing for you to take on with all the exterior stressors you have to deal with. I hope it makes a difference in your life.

I need to write my own commandments. I think that would be HARD!

Anonymous said...

I think it is quite a lovely idea for you to engage in this Happiness Project. We all need to do that from time to time as the world around us seems to be pulling us in many directions, often not the one we want to go into. Good for you and all the best!

LBDDiaries said...

Well wow. I came to visit from Lady Blogger's Tea Party and got more than I bargained for - inspiration and a challenge to develop more happiness! I'm so glad I stopped by and am off to order the book and join you in this.

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