The 2016 Happiness Project Online Book Club

Gretchen Rubin didn’t write her book because she was unhappy, and I didn’t start reading The Happiness Project for that reason either.  However, I find appealing the idea of intentionally studying happiness and identifying ways to increase it.  I had browsed and skimmed the book earlier, but I started reading it in earnest when a group of colleagues where I taught decided to choose an alternative to negativity.  We got together once a week and shared books, videoclips, music–anything we found that might help us to increase our contentment, our gratitude–our happiness.

I decided to read this book as it was written, one month at a time, focusing as she did on one aspect at a time. By the end, I was more convinced than ever that sharing a project like this makes it even better.

Since several of my Facebook friends have indicated you too might like to go along on this year-long experience, I’ll share a few suggestions and then I’ll ask you to participate via comments here as much or as little as you’d like.  If we end up needing a better venue to share, though, we’ll figure that out as we go along.  Some of you may have some good ideas.

First step: Buy the book and start reading. Don’t skip over “Getting Started” and head straight to “January: Boost Energy.” I especially encourage you to look at Gretchen’s “Twelve Commandments” and “Secrets of Adulthood” (10-11). Note that #1 is Be Gretchen.  Please note that YOU should not try to be Gretchen (unless you really are named Gretchen). The point is to discover what works for YOU.

You might want to keep a notebook for this project and leave some space to guild your commandments and secrets lists.  If you prefer technology to pen and paper, try setting up a free journal at penzu.com. As we get started, please share any tips you have to make this project (a. effective and (b. fun.

I’m happy to have lots of my people from all over who will be taking part. I think you’ll like each other.

Tentatively, I’ll be posting on Mondays and Thursdays, adding links to Gretchen Rubin’s blog and to other pertinent books, sites, songs, or video.  I encourage you to add comments any time.  If you want to guest post sometime, let me know.

Go ahead and start reading and be watching for Thursday’s post as we begin boosting energy in January.