tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post126353572011004189..comments2023-10-19T13:55:22.556+01:00Comments on my fascinating life: HappinessClaudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09352341442556433375noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-48219960402069078752010-10-25T17:36:33.395+01:002010-10-25T17:36:33.395+01:00Okay, so I am reading this book now and have no in...Okay, so I am reading this book now and have no intentions of doing a happiness project, but I see that just reading the book is having an effect on me. This is the most potent thing I got out of it so far: "There is no love, only proofs of love." It took me so damn long to figure this out in relationships with men, such a huge time waster to be with someone who doesn't treat one right. But also, I now think that about life. Do a life that you love. If you don't love your life, do some stuff you love to do, go somewhere you'd love to go, enjoy it for a little while and see how you feel, right? I know, easier said than done. <br /><br />And lastly, one thing I noticed about doing a happiness project, it takes a lot of intention, focus, and work.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18024229630052292112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-52074743954389603222010-10-22T13:36:00.331+01:002010-10-22T13:36:00.331+01:00My current happiness project (or really just "...My current happiness project (or really just "improve my life" thing) is to overthink things less. It's GREAT!!!!! I'm trying to learn to let things slide mentally - I tend to give waaaay to much headspace to things that are worthy and interesting but it really doesn't achieve much except making me tired / judgemental / angry. <br /><br />I like the sound of the book, and it reminds me of a book I'd love to lend you, which has some similarities, but talks about how the gospel is the answer to our problems incl unhappiness / discontent. If only you lived around the corner.....!Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16104524922038629718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-41321659258869010122010-10-20T20:23:13.156+01:002010-10-20T20:23:13.156+01:00Thanks for reviewing the book. It sounds fascinati...Thanks for reviewing the book. It sounds fascinating. There's another new book on happiness, called Thrive, where the author names my home town as the happiest town in the US. (no, it's not Disneyland.) His prescription for happiness seems to relate to this one.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting/following my blog. Slow bloggers unite!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-87906255531330479622010-10-19T23:55:27.803+01:002010-10-19T23:55:27.803+01:00Hey chica- I'm not familiar with the book you&...Hey chica- I'm not familiar with the book you're talking about but the idea of being a "maximzer" is also in Barry Schwartz's book "The Paradox of Choice"<br /><br />I too, am often an maximzer (though not always!) Hence, I'm still looking for that PERFECT shade of brown leggings that are NOT capris so I can wear them in my knee high boots without worrying about them creeping their way up higher than the boot-top. Sigh<br /><br />So for now, my beautiful long-denim-button up shirt with a fabulous elastic-wide belt still hangs in my closet until I find said perfect leggings (that will match the belt and not creep up my leg and be bothersome).<br /><br />hugs!Emily B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08356629496671448820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-18942753713349786262010-10-18T01:29:36.464+01:002010-10-18T01:29:36.464+01:00That does sound like such a good book, and what I&...That does sound like such a good book, and what I'm on my way to doing this year with myself. Focusing on what is good in my life, and letting go of the perfectionism that my parents have poured into me--which means I have never felt like I was good enough for anything. I am slowly changing, and that is a great feeling. <br /><br />Please enter me in your giveaway! Found your blog as a link from another blog that was, in turn, linked from another that I read every week. So glad you were linked, I love your posts so far (ok, I've read TWO--part of your journey into Addis, adopting, and this one. :)LucisMommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03619129172904595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-47912252373486167042010-10-17T16:11:17.321+01:002010-10-17T16:11:17.321+01:00Please enter me into this contest and congrats on ...Please enter me into this contest and congrats on your 200th blog post!!!<br /><br />My happiness involves taking a long hot shower, curling up on the couch to watch a girly movie, and eating my favorite snack Pita Chips!Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18398602085337490871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-19335173877326039662010-10-17T00:35:27.951+01:002010-10-17T00:35:27.951+01:00Hello Claudia,
I would like to enter your giveawa...Hello Claudia,<br /><br />I would like to enter your giveaway.<br /><br />My happiness tip is to appreciate what you have instead of wishing for what you do not have. It seems obvious and common-sense but not that easy (at least for me) to do!<br /><br />Thanks for the funny and interesting blog.<br /><br />MagalyMagalyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17577452250302857826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-72200799886821787542010-10-16T18:50:31.667+01:002010-10-16T18:50:31.667+01:00Hey there! My name's Mandie, and I have to sa...Hey there! My name's Mandie, and I have to say you have intrigued me with this book review.<br /><br />I felt very convicted by what you said about being a Christian and having a hard time being truly "happy". We SHOULD be happy! After all, we have God and all of his wonderful promises to be glad about.<br /><br />My family has been going through all sorts of health issues - cancer, pre-cancer, miscarriages, seizures, heart disease, etc. It's so easy when things are going wrong to get down. To forget that each day is a gift - to be HAPPY! But, you have reminded me; so, thank you!<br /><br />Personally, I have found that something that reminds me to be happy is just (very purposefully) telling myself to not take little things for granted. I tell myself each morning, "Look at that beautiful view you get to see every day from your bedroom window!" Then, look up at the beautiful blue sky...enjoy the architecture of the city I'm in...cuddle with my husband in his fall sweater, etc. You'd be surprised how just being mindful and purposeful about being grateful will make you feel so much happier!*Mandie*https://www.blogger.com/profile/15070273168959077565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-25486573243784397112010-10-16T18:02:34.241+01:002010-10-16T18:02:34.241+01:00I could not sleep and actually started thinking ab...I could not sleep and actually started thinking about happiness last night. Some thoughts ... happiness as a duty sounds kind of harsh to me, lacking room for grace when we are just not happy sometimes. Kind of like when I say to myself, "Must lose weight, you fatty!" (Not nice or particularly motivating). Speaking of faith, I think we are called to joy rather than happiness. I think joy can be deeper, less fleeting and withstand more than happiness. It may just be semantics, but that is what I was thinking about in my now constant half-brained life.<br /><br />Anyhoo, still want to read the book! And I hope I did not offend.<br /><br />xoEvelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01800995892415893734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-1808173207612136502010-10-16T14:39:34.148+01:002010-10-16T14:39:34.148+01:00Don't include me in the drawing. I am on the ...Don't include me in the drawing. I am on the waitlist for it from my library. I did read E,P,L and I also read the sequel one and I enjoyed them, but did not love them. Especially when she talked about her divorce, you would think she was the first person who ever got divorced which leads me to believe she may behave this way in many areas of life. Then they made a movie out of it? With Julia Roberts as Liz Gilbert? No way in hell will I watch that. This book, I am very much looking forward to reading. My book suggestion to you: anything by Malcolm Gladwell. I have an intellectual crush on him, maybe even a real crush. I think it's his hair.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18024229630052292112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-33767669915167637342010-10-16T02:32:58.378+01:002010-10-16T02:32:58.378+01:00One secret to happiness? Optimism! I am optimistic...One secret to happiness? Optimism! I am optimistically feeling that I will win this giveaway because one year ago I won Julie's giveaway which was to guess the number of her ugly cries during the holidays. :)<br />THis books seriously sounds like a must read for me right now. Feeling like it is so so easy to be heavy these days...<br />AmandaMe. Us. She.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00222015524829943773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-67073357543200567512010-10-16T02:30:06.876+01:002010-10-16T02:30:06.876+01:00Dang it! for two reasons: 1. I saw this book at th...Dang it! for two reasons: 1. I saw this book at the Multnomah County Friends of the Library Used Book Sale last weekend and didn't get it. <br />2. I missed the deadline for entering the giveaway. <br /><br />Oh well, I'll look for it at the library. Thanks for the review.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15553145979283388517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-36085895860628867342010-10-16T02:18:50.160+01:002010-10-16T02:18:50.160+01:00I so need this book. One of the "discussions...I so need this book. One of the "discussions" DH and I often have revolves around our different approaches to happiness. I'm on the negative side. As for a happiness tip, if I had one I could easily come up with then this post wouldn't have resonated so much with me. I do have some secrets of adulthood. The one I remind myself of constantly is that people are much more self-absorbed than you think. They're much too busy wondering if their jeans make their butt look fat to notice whether yours do.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06863024013721266313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-42778059214845976382010-10-16T02:13:45.572+01:002010-10-16T02:13:45.572+01:00Dipping my toes in this blogging world again and t...Dipping my toes in this blogging world again and this seems like a nice place to reemerge. (-;<br /><br />Happy 200th post, my dear! And those babies of yours are just too cute. Seriously, their personalities shine right through in your photos. Love it.<br /><br />I am a brown sugar eater too - right out of the freezer. Not often, but when the mood strikes, I am guilty as charged. My favorite happiness tip is music...mostly Three Dog Night, Janis Joplin, or The Beatles.Lost in Spacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07027117135940864685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-62474292896752360752010-10-16T01:13:42.000+01:002010-10-16T01:13:42.000+01:00Hi Claudia! I have been reading for a while but n...Hi Claudia! I have been reading for a while but not commented and this has totally got me off my butt to do so! I am taking a course on compassion fatigue (common in caregivers - and when I read the symptom list I am totally fitting them). I am trying to be more happy as that has definitely NOT been the case.<br /><br />Brown sugar or demerara - yummmy. And my tip - have a critter - the countless number of times my dufus dog (appropriately named, b/c he IS such a Wally!) has made me smile as he tries to get the fat cat (who outweighs hum by several kilos) to play, and puppy kisses are wonderful.....<br /><br />NifNifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00037315834510955815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-89119155917675504692010-10-16T00:48:05.246+01:002010-10-16T00:48:05.246+01:00First confess: I enjoyed E,P,L (but I also found ...First confess: I enjoyed E,P,L (but I also found it self-indulgent)<br />Second: as someone else mentioned, I, too, am loving the blue<br />Third: Happiness Tips<br />#1) Celexa (works for me but may make you discount my other answers)<br />#2) For the non-pharmacuetically inclined - google search Traditional Ethiopian Gurage Music Youtube. Let your kids see the monitor. Watch them boogie. Our favorites are "Zibalo-Gurage Traditional Music and Dance" and "Guragigna Music Hailu Fereja - Esherrerre"<br />#3) Stop at all construction sites and let your kids watch the work. Which is part of <br />#4) If you are lucky enough to HAVE NO AGENDA - recognize that fact, stop feeling guilty, and instead feel like the best parent in the world because you stopped to let your kids look at the ducks for as long as THEY wanted to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-87164253071184441092010-10-15T21:59:32.162+01:002010-10-15T21:59:32.162+01:00Enter me, def never heard of it yet. so i am behin...Enter me, def never heard of it yet. so i am behind as well.<br /><br />my happiness tip is not a secret but i don't always remember: i am happiest when i am serving others.<br /><br />doing something to make someone's burden lighter helps me shed my woes faster than anything.<br /><br />also, exercise. but service first.scooping it uphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08801475653537826888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-54204379523732874182010-10-15T20:27:32.121+01:002010-10-15T20:27:32.121+01:00I LOVE THE BLUE!
I've heard about this book s...I LOVE THE BLUE!<br /><br />I've heard about this book so if I don't win, I will add it to my wishlist :)<br /><br />My happiness tips? Loud worship music, grey skies and looking at creation. Cheers me up in no time at all.<br /><br />And my best adult tip - guilt is a wasted emotion. There really is no point.<br /><br />LOVE the blue :)Marcia (123 blog)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15581613927187600748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-66280866708894370132010-10-15T18:29:52.331+01:002010-10-15T18:29:52.331+01:00A Giveaway!?! How darn cool! So sign me up!
*and m...A Giveaway!?! How darn cool! So sign me up!<br />*and my happiness tip (so I can be signed up again) is this: just pretend to be happy and cheerful. I do this all of the time when I'm grumpy. Before long you convince yourself and you forget that you started out grouchy. It's also nice because it gives transparency to our feelings- I am always amazed that my moods or perceptions of things aren't solid- which means that they can/do change.The Lost Planetistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459092754901997729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-42622801113813226882010-10-15T18:29:49.700+01:002010-10-15T18:29:49.700+01:00I haven't read it but I have heard of the Happ...I haven't read it but I have heard of the Happiness Project, just didn't know it was also a book.<br /><br />My happiness tip: Stop thinking about how you *will* be happy when ____ and start being happy in the now.<br /><br />I have to remind myself of that early & often.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18141504648674230696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-69330995367787791382010-10-15T17:46:47.539+01:002010-10-15T17:46:47.539+01:00I've seen the book and have been curious about...I've seen the book and have been curious about it (if course I should admit to living eat pray love-but I did read it while in India and Bali so....) my number 1 happiness thing right now is to watch my kids run. Baby boy has thus delightful Billy Elliot shuffle that makes me SO joy filled it's crazy. And baby girl runs all bride if Frankenstein it just makes me laugh. There u go. When I'm done I make my kids run. :-). -katKat & Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06771223055953137126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-69666568754754659942010-10-15T16:58:45.520+01:002010-10-15T16:58:45.520+01:00Interesting review. You've got my curiosity p...Interesting review. You've got my curiosity peaked. Times I am happiest are when I am noticing little things. Sometimes I write three things I am thankful for each day in my journal, which helps me to reflect. These days, that is about all the reflection I can do, yet WHEN I do it, I am left with perspective, gratitude and a little happier.Evelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01800995892415893734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-34751699025530648802010-10-15T16:52:13.586+01:002010-10-15T16:52:13.586+01:00That was a great review. I think this could become...That was a great review. I think this could become my go to Christmas present, even without reading it!<br /><br />Happiness tips...hmmm...I definitely try to do what I want, not what I should be doing with my free time...worked a lot better before 3 year old twins! And brown sugar straight from the jar is divine. Have you tried maple sugar yet? That and margaritas, which also worked better before the boys! Really, though, parenthood has made me the most exhausted but also the happiest I have ever been. I guess I had way too much time to obsess about myself before the boys!Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855145567035760634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-33951364088508091432010-10-15T16:48:11.164+01:002010-10-15T16:48:11.164+01:00I've been wanting to read this book! And now t...I've been wanting to read this book! And now that my little one actually sleeps through the night, I think I may be able to stay awake long enough to get through an entire book!<br /><br />bekaMore Dorrshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06365599846288104152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2075858460867483977.post-74948243950519900702010-10-15T16:07:37.447+01:002010-10-15T16:07:37.447+01:00Well, golly, I've got this book in my cart at ...Well, golly, I've got this book in my cart at Amazon, but haven't gotten around to actually ordering it. Mmm... I do SO like a good giveaway.<br /><br />I would like to offer a brilliant and insightful Secret of Adulthood, but sadly the first one that came to mind was: When eating at Indian restaurants, bring Kleenex.Gwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07891216932932620489noreply@blogger.com