Week 28

   This last week I started reading a book called The Happiness Project. Ever heard of it? I saw it sitting on a shelf at the Book Passage and it appealed to me immediately. Now, I consider myself a pretty darn happy person and those who know me well would most definitely agree. So why on Earth would I pick up a book in the self help aisle (especially when I can order it on Amazon without any public embarrassment)? Yes, I am happy, but I strongly believe there is always room for improvement. I'm happy, but I could be happier. Even the author, Gretchen Rubin admits that she was already content with her life but wanted more. In her book, she lays out a set of goals to make herself find more happiness each month over the course of a year.  As I started reading the book I continued to feel a connection to the author and to her own happiness project.
 
   For instance, in the 3rd chapter, Rubin encourages the audience to start a blog. She describes the joy and positive feedback she received after starting her own blog and suggests readers to do the same. Ha! I'm already on it girlfriend! Even her initial fears reflect my own. She explained how she was worried it may sound egocentric to write a blog about her own pursuit of happiness. I mean, come on, I'm in the same boat! Here I am, writing a blog about myself as I document pictures of myself in a dress. That does seem vainglorious. Why would anybody want to read all about me and my frivolous dresses? Well... I just aim provide a bit of humor because I'm a super silly person, and hopefully, I can even provide some tidbits of inspiration? But ultimately, I reckon it just makes me happy, so I'm all about it. I keep buying books on the matter anyway.  And making myself happy may also sound self-serving but as I just read, it's not at all. According to Rubin, it's not the case whatsoever. Rubin describes her epiphany, she calls it her 'Second Splendid Truth:

   "One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself."

   Yay! I'm on the right path! So that means when I go on shopping sprees (which make me extremely joyous) I'm just helping everybody feel euphoria. When I indulge in a 90 minute massage I'm just acting as a conduit for bliss to span across the globe.  And when I eat two gelatos in a row it will spread cheer because I'm in a state of chocolate bliss. Ok, ok, I know. I don't think that's what Rubin exactly meant, but I'm going to keep on writing and hopefully a reader will crack a smile. And the thought of that makes me smile too. Share the love! Yep, yep, I'm sounding a bit like a hippie again.

I got all dressed up this last Saturday for perhaps one of the best excuses ever:

A Bachelorette party! Oh what fun we had! Talk about happiness! Happiness was dancing and drinking itself all over the place! Congrats Vanessa! 

And earlier in the week, I was enjoying being joyous with great friends over Mexican food. I was just doing my part to radiate happiness to all as I ate my yummy carnitas...