the happiness project

the happiness project is a year long exploration into being happy and making others happy as pursued by yale grad gretchen ruben. she's currently pushing her new book on the subject, but don't let that discourage you from checking out her blog anyway. she leaves no stone unturned when it comes to finding happiness and there are some simple tips that just make me smile thinking how little things can make someone happy.

being a member of the thank you club makes me happy because i make others happy by letting them know i appreciate them. a simple doodle left on someone's desk or a flower picked on walk can break up one's quotidian routine enough to make them want nothing beyond what is present.

when i find myself in a situation or place that i would rather leave, i say to myself, "i am exactly where i need to be." this reminds me that there are lessons to be learned in the present and challenges me to find them.