Day 7: Favorite Book

Reading has always been one of my favorite "me time" things to do.  Prior to having children, most of my free time was spent on reading.  I must confess, having 3 children 8 & under has really limited my "me time".  Come to think of it, I'm not exactly sure what "me time" is anymore!!  lol  

A few months ago, one of my blogging buddies (Laurie, Days with Dylan & Cassidy), wrote a post about a book she had discovered while at the library with her 2 little loves.  I remember reading that post thinking that the book sounded so familiar.  It did sound familiar, because I was told about this particular book from a couple of friends.   Hearing about "The Happiness Project", AGAIN, made me click on Laurie's link to see what all the hype was about.

Like many others, I am very HAPPY with my life.  I have a wonderful husband, 3 AMAZING little boys, a great job and the most loving & supportive family & friends.  But LIFE happens.....and it consumes us....and we are left wondering....WHERE.DID.THE.TIME.GO??!!

I have officially fallen into the "mommy rut".  Spreading myself thin, making sure that everyone else's needs are being met.......all the while neglecting my very own needs.......my "me time"!!  I am tired, the laundry is backed up, and YES, there is dust on the furniture!!  Then, there are the projects IN the house that need to be done & finished......and let's not forget about the projects OUTSIDE too!!  T-H-E-R-E......I said it!!!!  Remember the balance I spoke about in (Day 0)??  Let's just say....I still haven't found my groove, yet....but I'm ROCKIN'!!

Saying (typing) this out loud, really has me questioning my "TRUE HAPPINESS"!  Am I really happy that so many things are left undone & unfinished?  Am I really happy that some nights, reading a book before bed to the kids(that just happens to be on that signed contract that I wrote about in Day 2) gets skipped because I am too tired?  Am I really happy that I can't seem to discipline myself to stick to a diet/exercise routine?  NO.....I am not happy....at all!!

So, here I am, slowly trying to fit some "me time" into my chaotic life.  Reading.....again!!  It's a start, right?!  I was going to give you my very own detailed review of this book, but no 2 "projects" will be the same.  Instead I will leave you with the description that I read......that inspired me to start my own Happiness Project.

Book Description

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realized. "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.

In this lively and compelling account of that year, Rubin carves out her place alongside the authors of bestselling memoirs such as Julie and Julia, The Year of Living Biblically, and Eat, Pray, Love. With humor and insight, she chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.

Rubin didn't have the option to uproot herself, nor did she really want to; instead she focused on improving her life as it was. Each month she tackled a new set of resolutions: give proofs of love, ask for help, find more fun, keep a gratitude notebook, forget about results. She immersed herself in principles set forth by all manner of experts, from Epicurus to Thoreau to Oprah to Martin Seligman to the Dalai Lama to see what worked for her—and what didn't.

Her conclusions are sometimes surprising—she finds that money can buy happiness, when spent wisely; that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that "treating" yourself can make you feel worse; that venting bad feelings doesn't relieve them; that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference—and they range from the practical to the profound.

Written with charm and wit, The Happiness Project is illuminating yet entertaining, thought-provoking yet compulsively readable. Gretchen Rubin's passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire you to start your own happiness project.

Click on the badge below to start your Happiness Project today!!