Month: January 2021

The happiness project by Gretchen Rubin has helped me to introspect the real sense of happiness within me. We touched many topics while reading books- friends, families, traveling, spirituality, etc and dived deep into each one of them through discussions within groups. DIscussions lead to discovering new perspectives from each one of us shaping our own understanding in a newer way. We also reflected on our past lives, especially childhood and adolescence cherishing the old memories. We had wonderful group members who expressed themselves generously.

Overall it was a blissful experience reading this book, making connections, and sharing. As shared before on the bog would like to continue working on my happiness project– exercise, dinner time, Mediation, Prayers.

Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions – Dalai Lama.

Reading books has always been an integral part of my life and has always helped me grow. The Happiness Project helped me reflect on my day-to-day experiences. I could very well resonate with the author and some of the examples that she shared, really hit me hard. What impacted me the most was the difference between a goal and a resolution. Quoting from the book, ‘You hit a goal, you keep a resolution.’ When I read this, I decided to make resolutions, rather than goals. 

The book was very inspiring and some of the messages that I got from the book are: 

Be yourself.

Try and work out what makes you happy.

One of the best ways to be happy is to make others happy.

One of the best ways to make others happy is to be happy myself.

Ideas and thoughts articulated in a lucid language in Gretchen’s The Happiness Project did strike the right chord in me. There were instances about which I had heard and read a lot. For example, give proofs of love, clear the clutter, don’t expect appreciation and many such day-to-day life commandments. Nevertheless, it also had instances that made me introspect and explore the dormant me in me.

Reading this book followed by interesting discussions, I realised that I should resume my writing habit. Make effort. What I always lacked was the intrinsic motivation to write. But seems Ms Gretchen did succeed in awakening Ms Rip Van Winkle in me. Thank you, Gretchen. You came into my life at the right time (seems so:); you didn’t wake me up after 20 years 😉 God bless you!

My poem.

 

Namaste & Hello!

I hope you are Happy!

This life class journey has come a long way. I have been associated with FS for more than 9 years now. Every year, I have learnt several ways to improve myself in personal as well as professional area. Some Amazing things happened during this “Happiness Project” Book Club Sessions. While going through the book, I found few commandments very much relevant to me and the idea of keeping a track of our resolutions just became stronger. I really loved one of the commandments – “There is only love!” Such a wonderful statement. For long time I have been struggling to tolerate people around with differences. I did try and still try to apply what I learnt from spirituality that “Everyone is a soul, Everything is one. The entire universe is just one life”.  In the midst of this practice, this wonderful statement “There is only love” has made a significant difference in developing tolerance. I also revised one of the things that we should do the most difficult task first and I came up with my own commandment – “Do Hard Things First!”. I have kept this as my post it in my laptop. I read it everyday and I am getting better at it. Thanks to Gretchen, FS, Scott Peck, my mentors and TLs. During discussing Happiness projects, one of our participant Mrs Kavita Agarwal shared her learnings from various sources she had – “Happiness is a choice!” I have been listening to be proactive, to take charge of my life, take actions but I was struggling to deal with my emotions many times. This statement – “Happiness is a choice!” was like the culmination of all the learnings that I had in the past to have control over my feelings. Thank You Kavita Mam – You have made a lasting impact in my life! Thanks to all the other participants Anish, Nikita  Mam and Manisha Mam for your invaluable sharings. And ofcourse, thanks to Subhalaxmi Mam as well for always being there as my mentor whenever I needed in some or the other way.

One who lives in peace would live in peace and happiness with the community & the world. Hence, it is very very important to find peace and happiness. There is nothing wrong in taking care of self and only if you yourself will be healthy and happy, you will be able to take care of near and dear ones.

It was a wonderful experience going through the book Happiness project and discussing as well as sharing the content with the book club members. Also, we had a very amazing group who did not hesitate in sharing their view points and experiences in relation to the book content. Due to the sharing and discussion, we were able to do the reality check and do the self analysis. I found that I find happiness in even small things and that really matter. One of the takeaways was friendship and good friendship can definitely lead to happiness.

” All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. This proverb needs to be taken seriously as leisure is also equally important for a peaceful and happy mind. There is nothing wrong in finding more fun, sometimes being silly and even slightly go off the path.

As I would like to get more into reading and gain the benefits of reading, would like to take it as a happiness project along with fitness activities (continue with Cricket & badminton, walking, gym & cycling occasionally).

 

Regards…..

Gretchen Reuben’s book “The Happiness Project” has helped me discover my original simpler self – someone who had a lot of clarity was able to let go of things, was spiritual and content; someone who appreciates their peace of mind more than anything else. But somehow as I grew older, I lost sight of that side of me. I am glad to have read the book in that sense. Over the course of reading this book, I have been able to reawaken the writer in me as part of my happiness goals. I have realised that reading and writing are what give me joy and I need to necessarily make time for both despite the rut of life.

It has been a very pleasant experience – sharing with colleagues about their lives in an unstructured manner. Essentially reading the book seems to have helped all of us – more or less – reflect on our lives and speak about those reflections, connect it with other things we have seen or read and bring those connections to the discussions. I have really had a good time discussing the book with all my colleagues in the group and I appreciate all of them for the support they showed each other during the course of the discussions.

Title of the book: Eat that frog.

Author: Brian Tracy

Summary of the book – “Eat that frog”

Happiness is a feeling, which is Eternal, it means it does not depend on things, situation, society, paradigm, or culture. Happiness is a state of bliss or mindfulness.

I think the book is good to read.

I have 4-5 points to follow for my happiness—-

1. Simple life, High thinking means fewer needs
2. Ask from others or demand if it brings happiness
3. Healthy lifestyle- exercise, homemade food, meditation, and reading inspirational books
4. Less is more, the mantra of life, means do qualitative work and do for happiness, not as a burden. It applies both in personal and professional life
5. live for your happiness first or find happiness if you are doing any task otherwise say no
   I know a little bit difficult to achieve but surely achieve.