I saw this book reviewed on another blog and this phrase pulled me in: “The days are long, but the years are short.” This caught my attention and held it. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.
From her book: “I wasn’t depressed and I wasn’t having a midlife crisis, but I was suffering from midlife malaise–a recurrent sense of discontent and almost a feeling of disbelief. “Can this be me?”…..How could I discipline myself to feel grateful for my ordinary day? How could I let go of everyday annoyances to keep a larger, more transcendent perspective? …. I grasped two things: I wasn’t as happy as I could be, and my life wasn’t going to change unless I made it change.”
I’m Gretchen Rubin
A few years ago, I had an epiphany on the cross-town bus. I asked myself, “What do I want from life, anyway?” and I thought, “I want to be happy”—but I never spent any time thinking about happiness. “I should do a happiness project!” I realized. And so I have.
My happiness project has convinced me that it’s possible to be happier by taking small, concrete steps in your daily life. In my book and on her daily blog, I write about what I’ve learned as I’ve test-driven the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture. Plutarch, Samuel Johnson, Benjamin Franklin, St. Thérèse, the Dalai Lama, Oprah, Martin Seligman…I cover it all.
What Started Her Thinking
- “Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.” Mark Twain.
- “There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.” Robert Louis Stevenson
- “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
- “Imaginary evil is romantic and varied; real evil is gloomy, monotonous, barren, boring. Imaginary good is boring; real good is always new, marvelous, intoxicating.” Simone Weil
- “What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.” Colette
- “It is easy to be heavy: hard to be light.” G. K. Chesterton
- “A man’s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart.” Joseph Addison
- “Best is good. Better is best.” Lisa Grunwald
- “Order is Heaven’s first law.” Alexander Pope
I love to hear from readers – here’s how you can connect with me:
- Email me at grubin@gretchenrubin.com
- Follow me as @gretchenrubin on Twitter
- Visit the Facebook Page and join the discussion about happiness
- Join me on the Happiness Project Toolbox
Gretchen and HarperCollins have graciously donated a book for this giveaway. Please leave a comment below to be entered.
Here are the other four giveaways being offered this week: 1. Azure Islands, 2. Priscilla Dawn, 3. Emily Ann Benedict, and 4. It’s so very Cheri.
The winners for all five giveaways will be chosen and announced on Monday.
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
HHMMM. Midlife malaise. I think that might be going around………… and I just might be trying to get over it as well. I too have purposed this year to live life to the fullest and try to be happier. This would be another great book to read. Please enter me into the drawing.
Hey Diane,
I saw your blurb about this on Facebook. I think this book sounds incredible. There’s so many people that are just going with the flow rather than creating their own happiness. I just put this book on my must read and would love to win a copy!
Thanks to Gretchen for offering up a free copy! Have a TERRIFIC day!
This book sounds like an incredibly positive read! I’ve been thinking a lot about Martha & Mary from Luke these days and need to focus on finding my own “inner Mary.”
“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.” Colette
What a telling statement…Gretchen’s book sounds very thought provoking…
I think she will strike a cord for many…I know she has for me…
Cheers
I LOVE Gretchen Rubin!! I read her blog all year before her book came out, and wish I had the moolah to keep her at the top of the charts, but I was going to get it out of the library….this would be better!! She has very practical tips, like get enough sleep, as well as asking the big questions. Love the video that goes along with her tag- the days are long but the years are short. If I were more tech-savvy I would put the link up here, but you’ll just have to find it on her website I guess.
I read Gretchen’s book a few week’s ago. It’s terrific for any woman, but it really resonated with me because I’m at a similar stage in life.
Diane, thanks for the introduction to Gretchen. I love to surround myself with positivity. Happiness can be found in all sorts of places. I’m always on the hunt
I want to read this book too!
Sounds interesting. I like the term midlife malaise. So that’s the name of what I’ve been feeling of late, huh?
Thanks for sharing. Happy weekend.
Hey Diane. You certainly have some great stuff on your blog. I’ll have to send my wife over to Gretchen’s blog. I think she may be in a midlife malaise (great term) oooooooo maybe I’ll win the book and give it to her. Oh Diane, Im having my first give-away over at Mr. Biblehead. I know you’ve stopped over before. Love for you to maybe win a nifty prize for one of your kids.
That sounds like a great book! There is so much discontent now, and I think re-learning to be happy with the little things will make such a difference.
This would be great to read at the pool this summer!
This book sounds like an excellent read, thanks for sharing and thanks for visiting my blog.
What an epiphany. I think the malaise had to do with growing up – parents are starting to pass away and now I really am the adult now. Scary.
i would LOVE to read this book…thanks for the chance
I feel like I am a fairly happy person but I’m all for being even happier:) I’ve read about this book but would love to get my hands on it.
Love it! You know, I was in a whiny exhausted mood the other day until I remembered how life used to be “once upon a time” — now, I don’t know, I see things differently – I open my eyes and DECIDE to be happy – or at least contented – and on a really bad day, I will have a cookie or two *laugh*
Sounds like an interesting book! Thanks for doing all these fun giveaways this week!