With the bustling days of Christmas preparations and celebrations now over, I’ve found a little time to finish some books and start contemplating the new year.
One of the books that I most enjoyed reading this year was The Happiness Project
by Gretchen Rubin (affiliate link). A mix of memoir and self-help, it was an insightful book that is helpful in framing my goals for next year. While I don’t plan a happiness project quite like hers, it was beneficial to learn more about the nature of happiness from her research, as well as the practical matter of applying the principles of happiness to one’s life.
She points o
ut, “Contemporary research shows that happy people are more altruistic, more productive, more helpful, more likable, more creative, more resilient, more interested in others, friendlier, and healthier.” Those are great benefits, and definitely worth some personal introspection and changes designed to boost the happiness in our lives.
Adding happiness and joy to life is a topic near and dear to my heart. Life is short, and our kids’ childhood years will pass by in a flash. We do well to make those years full of enjoyment. Difficulties come on their own, but it takes planning and persistence to ensure we have fun together – and not just with the big things like vacations and holidays, but with joyful moments of everyday life.
With the new year around the corner, it’s a blank slate to fill with family fun and happiness. I look forward to packing in as much joy as possible!
Happy new year!
list.