The Happiness Project: January's Serenity
A few years back I was introduced to the concept of Word of the Year. My first year I chose the word Energy (mostly because I had none and if I were to accomplish anything, I reasoned, it would take energy to do so). I thought it a smashing success and I’ve been hooked on choosing one word to focus on per year ever since.
Fast forward to the end of last year. I had just landed upon my word for 2025, Serenity, when later that same day I walked into my local St. Vincent de Paul to partake in one of my newfound joys: perusing thrift store books. I’ve always been a fan of libraries and small bookshops, but once I found this particular thrift store, I was hooked. I had never known the possibilities of a good, well-organized thrift store book selection! I really like this particular store because they have an unusually large selection of books, including prints from the 19th and early 20th century, which are always fun. (I admit this may not be everyone’s choice activity for a Friday night on the town, but my husband and I are getting to that age when finding a first edition or signed copy or even a book we never knew existed, is our idea of a thrilling adventure.
So, imagine my surprise when I came to their clearance shelf and found it filled with books pertaining to ways in which one might find serenity, calmness, soul-searching, and, yes, even happiness. I actually got goosebumps reading over the titles and was extra happy the entire cartful of books on this word that had just popped into my head only a matter of hours before would not cost me an arm and a leg! It seemed destined. Or, at least, economical.
Several of the books, I noted with delight, are ones that may be parsed out with short daily readings, while others pertain to the months. Still others are ones that one may ponder in any segmented time. Those are on the back shelf for now. I do have an entire year. No need to burn myself out in the first month!
Two of the first are an interesting pairing: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and A Year With the Saints originally copyrighted by the Sisters of Mercy in 1891. I was sold on reading the The Happiness Project because the very first month starts with “Boost Energy: Vitality.” Not only could I use a refresher, but I liked the idea of starting off with something which had been such a success last time. The question merely remained in how we differed in approach, which is part of the fun of it.
A Year With the Saints: A Virtue for Every Month of the Year is broken down both by the month and by the day. It has been a fascinating insight into the Catholic faith, with the saints in particular. I very much enjoy perspective shifts, a daily habit since getting hooked on Gary Larsen in the “Funny Pages” as a kid. This book definitely gives me a daily dose of perspective shift and I enjoy pondering the concepts presented within the confines of its pages, even if it’s not as “fun” as a family of fleas on the back of a dog.
The other book is The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin which I find to be closer to my personality type and funny, to boot. In some other life, Gretchen and I may have been soulmates. The way she approaches how to be happy, in my opinion, is not “weird” as her sister suggests (ok, it might be), but for me quite normal. I love that she got every book on the topic (ahem!), worked out in graphic detail what concrete steps she was going to take to embark upon her journey, and hack her own responses to her quest to be more happy. Of course, it works in direct contrast with the Saint book where it is suggested to hand over the desires of the temporary world and thereby find serenity in what is. I think both approaches will work for me: figure it out, then accept whatever happens. I can’t promise I’ll succeed, but I’ll give it my best!
Gretchen suggests that every person should reflect on what would make them happy, as every person is different, but the goals she chose for herself were actually on my Serenity list anyway. (I did say soulmates!) The goals were for better sleep, better exercise, outer order for inner peace, checking off (not avoiding) nagging tasks, and act more energetic (fake it ‘til you make it is something most musicians know a thing or two about).
All in all, I have my work cut out for me. Lucky for me, I’m looking for Serenity, but if I get a dose of Happiness along the way, I’ll consider it a bonus!
Want to join in for the challenge?
Do you have a word for the year? If so, what did you choose and how do you plan on implementing it?