I've been reading Gretchen Rubin's blog every day for about a month, and following her suggestion (and the encouragement from Ginger after I read her post), I am going to post my list of Happiness Commandments.
Gretchen suggests that we develop a list of commandments to help us strive for happiness in our daily lives. They should be lofty goals, but not task-oriented. They should be simple and not too comprehensive. And they don't necessarily have to make sense to anyone but you, since you are the one who has to follow them.
I have already been reciting these to myself daily, and trying to live by them. Most recently, I have been working on number 8, Don't Complain. I asked The Husband to help me become a runner, and for the first few days I complained the entire route: about how I hate getting up early, and it was hot, and I was tired, and I couldn't manage it. Poor guy--he stuck with me anyway.
In an effort to keep my running coach from abandoning me, I decided complaining wasn't helping anyone, and so I added this one to my list of happiness commandments. It has definitely made the runs more pleasant for him, and I discovered if I didn't complain so much, I had more energy to complete the run. Go figure.
Without further ado...
My Happiness Commandments
- Remember what is important.
- Be honest.
- Don't compare myself to others.
- Soak it up.
- Be creative.
- Say no.
- Be content, not complacent.
- Don't complain.
- Think moderation.
- Let go.
- Follow through. (added 7-31-08)
I hope to be able to blog about following these commandments, or at least about the consequences when I do not. I'd like to hear about YOUR happiness commandments, as well; if you write some, let me know.
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