Rethinking My Happiness Commandments

I’ve finally had the opportunity to read The Happiness Project. I’m a long time reader of the blog, so it was pretty exciting to read the book. Back at the beginning of 2010 I wrote some happiness commandments of my own, and I think it’s about time to rework them. When I go back and read the original list, they’re all still pretty relevant. In fact, there is only one I would get rid of. I'm adding a few, including Be Dee. Like the author, who’s first commandment is to Be Gretchen, I need to remind myself to be who I am, and that although I might want to like something (or thing I should like something), doesn’t mean I will like it. 

My Updated Happiness Commandments

• Be Dee
• Do Something
• Look Good, Feel Good
• Never Stop Learning
• Act how you want to feel
• Healthiness is Happiness
• Do it now, Don’t wait
• Change leads to Growth
• Spread joy, Knowledge and Love
• Be Grateful
• First things First
• Get Out There
• You Get One Life - This is it!

 Do Something is a big one for me. I always seem to have lots to do, but I get little accomplished. I procrastinate (which ties into Do It Now, Don’t Wait) and do nothing - or at least nothing useful - and things don’t get done. Which makes me feel awful and guilty. Do Something reminds me that if I’m going to waste time, by lets say watching the first two seasons of Cougar Town for the bazillionth time, I better be doing something useful at the same time. And that when I’m feeling bored, I should do something. Something is always better then nothing. 

So, anyway, that’s my happiness boosting efforts for today. Are you working on your happiness? Why not make some commandments of your own!

Cultivate Some Growth

Recently, I've been feeling kind of listless. Like I haven't been getting anything done, and just don't have the motivation to hop to it. It got me thinking about my Happiness Project, and more so about cultivating an atmosphere of growth. The best way to get myself out of this down place is to bring a little more growth into my life. The question is, how?

Ten Things I could do Today to Cultivate an Atmosphere of Growth

1. Clear my desk                                         6. Practice Something from my Ten Silly Things List

2. Tend my Garden                                     7. Plan an Outing

3. Read a Book                                            8. Write

4. Edit & Post Some Photos                  9. Go for a Walk

5. Clean out my closet and                         10. Try a New Recipe

  donate unwanted clothes

How will you grow today?

 

Welcome to 2010!

It's not only a new year, it's a new decade. Welcome to 2010! I love the new year. Everything seems so fresh and so clear. It's a perfect time to set some new goals, make some changes. Even if I don't stick to them, it always feels good at the time. All warm and fuzzy like. or whatever.

As usual, I have big plans. Big, grand, life altering plans. What it all boils down to though, is that I want to be happy. Sounds so simple, doesn't it? But I find myself feeling unhappy much of the time. The problem is that we have a hard time figuring out what is actually going to make us happy in the long run. We think we know, but we're often wrong. I've been reading a lot over at the Happiness Project, so I think I have a pretty good start on making 2010 the happiest year possible.

To get ready for my year of happiness, I've already been hard at work. I've compiled a list of commandments or whatever to guide me on my way. Things to keep in mind when I'm having a hard time with this whole happy thing. (Want to write your own commandments? I found these 6 tips to be immensely helpful)

My Happiness Commandments or Whatever

• Act how you want to feel
• Look good, Feel Good
• Healthiness is Happiness
• Do it Now, Don't wait
  
• Change Leads to Growth
  
• Do Something
  
• Never Stop Learning
• We are what we repeatedly do

This is the first step in my journey. I've got far to go, but there are no limits. And that makes me happy just thinking about it.

What are your goals, dreams and aspirations for the new year?

How to Cultivate an Atmosphere of Growth

from How to Make Yourself Happier. at the Happiness Project:

"How do you cultivate an atmosphere of growth? You can fix something broken; clean something up; help someone who’s in trouble; make something; help someone move forward; learn something new; start something; plan and execute something. Having a place in your life where you are “growing” will make you feel much happier – plus these kinds of activities tend to foster other happiness-boosting actions, like spending time with people, making new friends, anticipating something fun, trying something new and challenging, etc."