About twice a year I receive an unsolicited, free book in the mail. I'm not talking about textbooks, cause I get PLENTY of those. I'm talking regular, nonfiction paperback books on some subject of some interest to someone, but usually trash to me. I'm not sure why this occurs. Maybe it's because I am a professor, I occasionally publish book reviews, or because I'm on some "Nerd" distribution list. But whatever the reason, I receive random books through the mail. I quickly turn around and sell them for $5 to our book buyer and have myself a delicious cafeteria lunch compliments of some generous benefactor.
Last week I received such a book. Only this time the subject interested me. It was called "The Happiness Project." It is about a very successful attorney turned author and her year long project to become happier. Each month she tackled a different part of her life (physical energy, marriage, friendships, job, etc) to improve. She went into the project not unhappy, but knowing she had built up bad habits in each area which were making her less than completely happy.
Michael and I teach Happiness 101. It is a curriculum we deliver primarily to churches, although we have presented to professional audiences as well. So I was very familiar with the strategies in the book, with the author's techniques, and with her research. But I was also very inspired by her story and by the intentional method she used to go about changing her life for the better.
So today, October 3, I began my happiness project. My SECOND goal for the day (after eating a good breakfast even if it meant being late to work) is to retire this blog.
My niece got me interested in blogging and she does an excellent job keeping us updated about her life and her family through almost daily blogging. I thought I would and could do the same. What great intentions I had! But the blog has turned into another dreaded activity that makes it as far as the to do list, then just hangs over my head as a cloud of guilt. The heaviness I feel from not blogging is one of the factors that makes me less happy than I could be. And blogging was something I chose to begin. So it only makes sense, I can choose to quit it.
So with great enthusiasm and relief, I post my LAST blog. To my TWO followers, thank you for your comments over the last several months. They were much appreciated. But I suppose you won't miss my periodic ramblings about Travis, Eva, and Michael. Especially since one of my two fans is actually a stranger to me!
So good bye cyber guilt! My blogging days are OVER!
WOW!!! I feel happier already! Now for the THIRD goal on my list.... clean out that closet!
Last week I received such a book. Only this time the subject interested me. It was called "The Happiness Project." It is about a very successful attorney turned author and her year long project to become happier. Each month she tackled a different part of her life (physical energy, marriage, friendships, job, etc) to improve. She went into the project not unhappy, but knowing she had built up bad habits in each area which were making her less than completely happy.
Michael and I teach Happiness 101. It is a curriculum we deliver primarily to churches, although we have presented to professional audiences as well. So I was very familiar with the strategies in the book, with the author's techniques, and with her research. But I was also very inspired by her story and by the intentional method she used to go about changing her life for the better.
So today, October 3, I began my happiness project. My SECOND goal for the day (after eating a good breakfast even if it meant being late to work) is to retire this blog.
My niece got me interested in blogging and she does an excellent job keeping us updated about her life and her family through almost daily blogging. I thought I would and could do the same. What great intentions I had! But the blog has turned into another dreaded activity that makes it as far as the to do list, then just hangs over my head as a cloud of guilt. The heaviness I feel from not blogging is one of the factors that makes me less happy than I could be. And blogging was something I chose to begin. So it only makes sense, I can choose to quit it.
So with great enthusiasm and relief, I post my LAST blog. To my TWO followers, thank you for your comments over the last several months. They were much appreciated. But I suppose you won't miss my periodic ramblings about Travis, Eva, and Michael. Especially since one of my two fans is actually a stranger to me!
So good bye cyber guilt! My blogging days are OVER!
WOW!!! I feel happier already! Now for the THIRD goal on my list.... clean out that closet!
