Your Happiness Project

In a scene from one of my favorite movies, “When Harry Met Sally”, a jealous onlooker says with longing to her dinner companion, “I’ll have what she’s having,” referring to Sally (actress Meg Ryan), who is in full verbal erotic display in a public restaurant. While it’s a hilarious scene, it introduces the notion that sometimes we gauge our own satisfaction through comparison with others, and we think we are missing something. The mystery of life eludes us, and in this instance, perhaps Sally has found it! 🤣

In her book, “The Happiness Project,”  NYT best-selling author, Gretchen Rubin, explores her own happiness. Drawing upon happiness research, she spends one year intentionally testing what actually increases happiness in ordinary daily life.

Through her lived experience, Rubin concluded that happiness is not found by escaping ordinary life, but by engaging ordinary life more consciously with intention and gratitude. 

The following strategies offer a practical approach to enhance your happiness index!

1. Boost Physical Energy

Energy increases patience, discipline, and optimism. Increased energy is realized through 

• improved sleep, exercise,

• decluttering your environment 

• and developing small routines or systems to enhance daily organization

2. Focus on Relationships with Your People

Small relational habits strongly affect happiness. Rubin highlighted developing these intentional behaviors in your interactions with others: 

• stop nagging,

• express affection,

• give sincere compliments,

• and assume good intentions

3. Aim Higher

Work, ambition, and purpose are highly correlated with a happy life.  It’s important to remember that work is not limited to paid work. Patenting, caregiving, volunteering, mentoring, ministry, creativity, and community leadership are all examples of meaningful work creating purpose. Rubin focused on these behaviors and attitudes around achievement: 

• enjoying mastery,

• setting goals,

• embracing challenge,

• and avoiding perfectionism

4. Play and Lightheartedness

Play is serious business. Intentionally cultivating fun and recreation on a regular basis is necessary. Dispel the myth that what brings you joy is unproductive. Don’t take things too seriously. Integrating humor, play, and hobbies are important habits.

5. Time for Friends

Research shows that friendships are one of the strongest predictors of happiness and emotional resilience. With busy family and work schedules, too often time for friends is one of the first things we neglect. Consider walking to boost energy with a friend!

6.  Buy Some Happiness

Yes, money can buy a little happiness when used wisely. Examine  how money might create more space and time for regular enjoyment: 

• convenience,

• experiences,

• generosity,

• reducing daily stressors that can be delegated to others (maybe with a small allowance!)

7.  Contemplate the Heavens

Regular time spent in stillness supports your spiritual wellness and develops habits of:

• reflection,

• gratitude,

• transcendence,

• awe of beauty

• wonder of creation

8. Discover and Pursue a Passion

If you are void of passion, you might want to start by examining your charisms. Charisms are the gifts that you have been divinely given, and that are unique to you and only you. There are many sources to discover your charisms. One of the most widely known and trusted sources today is the Called & Gifted discernment process for charisms. It was developed by Sherry Weddell and the Catherine of Siena Institute.

There are many charisms, and you may be surprised to learn yours! They are not necessarily what you would put on a resume. For example, my gifts are wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy, while my husband’s are music, administration, and hospitality. Discovering your charisms can fuel your passion pursuits!

9. Pay Attention

Look around and perhaps see differently for the first time. What has been placed right at your feet for you to embrace, enjoy, and savor? Try focusing on:

• being present

• reducing multitasking,

• noticing the beauty in people and things around you

10. Develop a Contented Heart

Regularly pausing to reflect and choose these behaviors develops contentment

• gratitude,

• acceptance,

• reducing envy,

• resisting comparison

• letting go of control

Your Happiness Project

Do one or more of these approaches resonate with you? Do you feel a tug to try something new? We suggest starting with one of these practical strategies and evaluating its impact over the next 30 days. Reflect on the lessons you have learned, the happy dances in your heart! 

Be Well ❤️

Kelly

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