Book Review: The Happiness Habit

I've never actually done a book review before, 

but I really liked this book.  Since this is the main reason I 

started this blog, I thought I should start with this book.

Choose the Happiness Habit by Pam Golden is an amazing

book with lots of great ideas.  I have had it checked out 

from the library for about four weeks now.  Still getting lots 

out of it and I don't want to return it. :)  

From the Mission Happiness statement 

at the beginning of the book:

"The search for happiness is one of the most

important issues of our time. Never before 

in history has it been so possible yet so absent.

At a time when we could be dancing in the streets,

rejoicing over the incredible accomplishments of

this century, we are having an epidemic of depression.

By taking responsibility for our personal happiness, 

we create an environment that has a ripple effect.

Like depression, happiness affects everything it touches.

Start today by choosing the happiness habit

and spreading the joy everywhere you go."

This was not the whole statement, but it gives you a 
general idea of the purpose of the book.

The first part is about what real happiness is and 
why it is completely our choice.  One chapter is
"The Happiness Choice" where she discusses:  

Right Thinking (meaning don't believe everything YOU
think) and Right Acting (meaning doing what 
you know to be right). 

She quotes the book "Learned Optimism"  by 
Martin Seligman (which is my next book to read)
  and tells about Learned helplessness.

I found this concept very interesting.  So many
people participate in this learned helplessness
and don't even know it.  The goal is to learn 
the opposite of this and have hope and happiness.

The second part of the book is actually more like a journal.

Every week you are given a new perspective to develop.

These are taken from 13 characteristics of happy people that 

was developed from other books and research.  

Each day for a week you are given a specific assignment
to focus on.  This is the point I am at in the book, starting
my 13 week journey to build the happiness habit.
The reason for the 90 days: it takes at least 90 days to
change a thought pattern.

So starting tomorrow, I will be following this program.

Each day I will record two moments from the day that

brought me happiness. Then the weekly assignment.

I would love if you would come with me on my journey.

Leave your happiness moment in the comments

and spread the joy around.