It seems that lately I have been talking about happiness a lot here on the site.  I love sharing new discoveries with others because I think that happiness is the primary goal for most of us, especially as we become older and wiser - not fame or fortune (well a little mixed in sure helps!), just happiness.

So in my research this week, I was reading about these different "Happiness Projects."

Author Gretchin Rubin is working on The Happiness Project book. "--it's a memoir about the year I spent test-driving every principle, tip, theory, and scientific study I could find, whether from Aristotle or St. Therese or Martin Seligman or Oprah. THE HAPPINESS PROJECT will gather these rules for living and report on what works and what doesn’t. On my daily blog, I recount some of my adventures and insights as I grapple with the challenge of being happier. THE HAPPINESS PROJECT will hit the shelves in late 2009 (HarperCollins)." She also put together a neat slideshow called The Years Are Short.

Dr. Robert Holden is director of The Happiness Project, in the UK. Dr Robert Holden is a pioneer in the field of positive psychology and well-being. His pioneering work has been featured in the BBC TV QED documentary called How to be Happy - now shown in 16 countries to over 30 million television viewers.

"The Happiness Project is a remarkable success-story that continues to unfold day by day. The cast of The Happiness Project includes top psychologists, life coaches, business leaders, spiritual ministers, leading physicians, great musicians, actors and poets – all of whom are fired with a passion to serve and inspire. Formed in 1996, we are rapidly approaching our tenth year in existence."

       

Satya Bali has a YouTube video with a website coming soon. "I've been traveling for years in search of the secret to true happiness - documenting this mad journey on tape for The Happiness Project. I've studied with some of the world's greatest masters, been on the craziest adventures, traveled far and wide to places beyond my wildest dreams... Now I'm finally beginning to reveal these journeys to the world, and posting new clips to share the love."

One writer I found has launched Happiness 4 Us - their version of Grethens work.  "Our project is based on Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project.  In her blog she offers tips from what she found in that year. - In our project we will use some of her tips and reject others, define happiness for ourselves, and see if we can become happier too!"

The Dali Lama Foundation also has a Happiness Project, involving high-school age students in the US, Nigeria and India.

And blogger Alex Shalman has also launched his own Happiness Project. "The Happiness Project started off as a series of interviews, in which I asked people 5 questions about happiness. The caliber of people that participated was HUGE, as it involved A-List bloggers, NY Times #1 best selling Authors, experts who researched happiness, as well as other amazing people. You can see links to all 34 of these interviews on the site, but keep in mind that there is MORE!" - Besides the interviews, he has launched a group writing project.

He ask's -

1. How do you define happiness?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your happiness now, versus when you were a child?
3. What do you do on a daily basis that brings you happiness? (and how consistent is the feeling of happiness throughout your day)
4. What things take away from your happiness? What can be done to lessen their impact or remove them from your life?
5. What do you plan on doing in the future that will bring you even more happiness?

For me personally, I define happiness when my attitude is at peace, joyfully positive and I feel full of energy! Right now, at this point in my life, I rate my happiness overall an 8-9 most days, as opposed to my childhood maybe a 5. I think when we are born, we are all a happy 10! As we get older, we lose sight of things and the demands of life suck some of that happiness from some of us. As our thinking matures and we learn more life lessons, I think you can get back to a 10!

I always look at the glass as half full. I am a pretty happy guy. My partner of 9 years struggles at times. He is getting better though. He used to always look at the glass as half empty, and he frequently lets work and/or financial stress bring down his happiness level. But for the last 16 months we have been lucky enough to work from home, for ourselves, doing something we both enjoy, so we are always there for each other. We love being together - that makes us happy!

As for the future, I think the only thing standing between us and a feeling of 10, is financial security. We risked a lot to start our own business. Probably TOO MUCH. We don't seek fame or fortune, though those are certainly nice add-ons, if they were to happen. We would just like to get our debt paid down, remove the stress of that, and be able to make a comfortable living and not worry about financial stresses. - I consider myself a life-long learner. And I hope to continue to grow spiritually and mentally as well, in an effort to reach a plain of greater happiness! 

 

I hope these links help everyone out there searching for happiness!


Stop by Alex's blog and particapate with your thoughts and ideas!

     



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