The Happiness Project - Lessons You Can Learn from this book.

Do you have the temerity to hold a tedious challenge that includes tackling situations of parenthood, friendship, money, mindfulness to even leisure? That too, for a whole year? It is easy to say, but few can actually complete it. Gretchen Rubin, the author of this tried and tested Self-help book, not just completed it, but also gave a precise journaling about all the hurdles that she passed with triumph, to understanding what Happiness truly means and how it can be optimized.

I had stumbled upon this book in a library when I was a student and I need to say that although the blue, vibrant cover page projected a very quirky, contemporary light read, it was the title that intrigued me. What on earth can a Happiness Project be? And why would anyone want to turn Happiness into an assignment to measure? Well, turns out, it definitely was a complete 365 days assignment with laborious research, with the author plunging into Plato, Thoreau, Russell to notabilities and authors like Daniel Kahneman, Martin Seligman, Oprah, Virginia Woolf, Marilynne Robinson and the Dalai Lama. It doesn't stop here. Mrs. Rubin relentlessly uses all that she learnt from the stalwarts in her daily life, assigning each month of the year with different areas of life where she felt a little bit of honing would tread her and her readers into the path of Happiness.

So is it a book for those who are unhappy? No. The authoress admits that her own husband was baffled with her childlike enthusiasm to this project, as she has everything a person can be happy with; a lovely family, a beautiful home, no problems from the in-laws and a worriless financial security. This book, according to her, is for anyone who wants to improve their lives, make it a happier one and appreciate it better. Not satisfied? Let me try and bring out the lessons that I learnt from reading this book.

It teaches you NOT to take Happiness for granted

It is a said fact that if you have anything in abundance, there is a high chance you will overlook it. Same of course, goes for Happiness. Therefore, this book is especially for those happy chaps who know that they are happy, but do not consciously think and appreciate it.

So if you reminisce and observe that you whine too much, get annoyed easily and complain too much, and you want a solution for it, this book is just for you.

It boosts you to be Ambitious and Productive

This is something that I have experienced too, while I was reading this book; I was unconsciously becoming more and more productive and it felt great! The way Ms. Rubin tries her level best to painstakingly tick off all the tasks she laboriously had listed, is so empowering, that without knowing, you too develop the same habits. This is tried and tested, and I loved the results.

It guides you on Marriage, Parenthood, Money and much more...

Just like your friendly neighbor or your wise granny, this book steers you to topics where you must give a serious thought. Be it about love, or fitness, friendship or attitude, each and every topic has been beautifully talked and discussed about, which will surely help you to alter your mindset and broaden it reasonably.

The book teaches you that come what may, a teeny bit of self-discipline and organizational skill can always keep you happier

Whenever you think of either of these two skills, it sounds and feels burdensome and boring. People tend to divert or avoid the topic of training oneself to follow discipline, as , you know, it always feels better, lighter, when you are behaving like an eight year old. But the bittersweet fact is that, the more disciplined you are, the happier you will be. Discipline and fun can go together. Just try it, you'll love it.

Sometimes, yes, you might feel that the book is binding you to rules and boundaries, with too many tasks to remember. But, it is worth a read and it will teach you a plethora of lessons. Fun and light to read, Ms. Gretchen uses casual yet catchy narrative style, just like how your friends would advise and guide you to trying something new; this book is definitely a Godsend to those who are hibernating in their minds and are awaiting for a wake-up call.