Tuesday, April 9, 2013

H is for (The) Happiness Project

Happy Tuesday!

Today's video inspiration comes from Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. Rubin has said that "the days are long, but the years are short," and I think there's a lot of truth to that. Although this video focuses on parenthood, I think it also serves as a reminder to all of us that our happiness should be found in the present. The future is important, of course, but so is today, and we should focus on the things that matter to us right now and enjoy each moment we have. I find that very inspiring.

What makes you happy? Are you focusing on those things today?



Many of you know that I'm a writer—a poet who enjoys writing haiku (another "h" word!). If you're interested in learning a bit more about types of haiku, please see my short post from last year's Blogging from A to Z Challenge. And once again, I want to let you know that my haiku for the Pulitzer Remix project is up at the site. You can find it here. Again, I'd like to thank those of you who have been reading and commenting. I know I say that every day, but your comments truly do mean a lot, and I appreciate them.


Wishing you all a beautiful Tuesday. Carpe diem! ☺


82 comments:

  1. okay, dana, once again you have made me cry---haha no it's good for one to stop and feel---this was a beautifully made video and so very touching---thanks dana <3

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    1. Aw, I'm glad you liked it. (It made me cry, too.)

      Have a great Tuesday. ☺

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  2. Yes,years look shorter somehow....Happy tuesday Dana.:)

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    1. The years go by so fast...

      Have a great Tuesday. ☺

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  3. The work days are long, and the weekends are short, and the years surely pass too quickly! This was a wonderful reminder to live in the now, if you're always postponing what you enjoy and making fun memories together, one day the opportunity will be gone. I've seen it happen too many times. Cherish today, love today, take time to play today! I really appreciate your videos, they inspire me! :-)

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    1. I'm glad they inspire you. ☺

      I try to seize the day when it comes to doing things with my kids. They're growing up so fast...

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  4. A sobering video seems a long time since I took my kids to school and even longer since I rode a bus to school. The days may be long but the years certanly seem to get shorter.

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  5. Exactly! What a great reminder to live each day as its own.

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    1. Indeed. It's a pretty persuasive video. :)

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  6. This is a reminder that we all need! I am sometimes guilty of this and I need to appreciate the present more :)

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    1. Same here. I get so wrapped up in my own stuff sometimes that I don't even notice the things going on around me. I definitely need this reminder!

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  7. I learned from my mother when she had cancer to live each day as if it were your last and live in the moment. Awesome post!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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    1. That's good advice—something we all should consider. Thanks, Kathy.

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  8. Dana- what a wonderful post...heartwarming! Thank you!

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  9. Lovely! That might be my new favorite quote. I feel like I'm to the point in my kids' lives when I've finally realized how short the years are. I'm wishing I could go back and savor some of those long days!!!

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    1. My kids are only six and three, and I already feel like I missed so much. Know that we understand just how quickly time flies, wouldn't a do-over be nice?

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  10. We can never have too many reminders to live in the present, don't you think?

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  11. I'm sobbing like a madwoman. That video broke my heart, but puts things into perspective. I cherish my four sons, and enjoy this time with them because soon, they'll be off into the world on their own.

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    1. I felt the same way the first time I watched this video—and every other time, too. It really does put things into perspective.

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  12. Great reminder for myself. It seems like I'm spending more hours working not realizing that my babies are getting older.

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  13. What lovely sentiments in the video.

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  14. You did it again, Dana! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!!

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  15. wow the years go fast, my first born is now 48 I am a great grannie and I ask myself why did it go so fast and I know I missed so much my youngest is 35 and I just lost 2 friends this week enjoy every moment you have

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    1. I'm sorry for your loss. You're right: we should all enjoy every moment.

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  16. Wow. This does make one reflect. My son is 16 yrs now and driving. I remember walking him to his kindergarden classroom.

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  17. I really like this video. It's so important to enjoy each day when your kids are young!

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  18. Gretchen Rubin is a great place to draw inspiration (LOVE her books!); glad to be following you on another A-Z!

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    1. I've read them, too. They're great!

      Happy A to Z!

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  19. My son and writing make me happy. He was so cute at preschool today and did the fireman pole on his own. Plus I had some good quality writing time at the library. Oh yes!

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    1. Your life sounds a lot like mine—my family and my writing make me happy, too.

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  20. I was just talking about this with someone very special to me last night. I told him that the time together seems brief, so I'm going to savor every moment. Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. "Savoring every moment" is good advice. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. :)

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  21. Lovely vid, Dana! It is true that our years are short and we shouldn't waste them.

    Off to read your haiku, now!

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    1. I'm glad you liked the video. Thanks for reading my haiku. ☺

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  22. I'm not a big fan of Lisa Vanderpump, one of the stars on Dancing with the Stars. But last night she said in an interview that the year of her daughter's wedding was the best year of her life because her daughter needed her and she got to be a mom one more time. I'm feeling the same way right now as I'm helping my daughter with her wedding. It feels good to be riding that bus.

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    1. I don't know who Lisa Vanderpump is, but I like what she said. It makes me feel like I'll still be useful once my kids (in this case, my daughter) grow up and don't need me as much anymore. I'm glad you shared this.

      Good luck with all those preparations. I can't even imagine...

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  23. "The days are long but the years are short."

    I've never thought of life in those terms, but it's very true! I cannot believe how quickly it's going by. Shoot, I'll be starting my Junior year of college in the fall. The next thing you know I'll be graduating and getting married...oh boy.

    Taking time to enjoy each day for sure :)

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    1. It's a great quote for sure. I think about it a lot. You're right; those years are going to fly. They did for me, too. :)

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  24. I love the video. It helped me a lot today. Due to health restrictions, I can't drive. Luckily, we live within walking distance of the elementary school. Part of me wishes I could just drive my daughter to school and be done with it, but that video helped me realize that our walking can potentially be a great experience. And, of course, one day she'll be old enough to walk herself. I need to remember that time is precious, and your post helped me remember that today. Thanks!

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    1. I'm glad the video had so much meaning for you. As a mother, it's so hard sometimes for me to be patient with my kids when all I can think about are all the things I have to do. I like that this video reminds me to live in those moments—they're precious, and they're what counts.

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  25. I can picture those stars coming through the winter branches. Very nice!

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  26. What makes me happy? It's like that old saying goes, "when life gives you lemons, break out the tequila!"
    ;-)

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    1. Haha! See, this is why I love your posts and comments—you always make me laugh. :)

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  27. The quote is so true. It is good to focus each day on living to the fullest for indeed time passes too quickly.

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    1. It really does. It would be a great quote to remember at the start of each day.

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  28. What makes me happy? Time spent with family and writing. Especially a productive day with a few good chapters under my belt.
    Such a touching video.
    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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    1. We sound like kindred spirits. Those things make me happy, too.

      I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

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  29. Wonderful Dana.... I have this book and I think it definitely made me think. Wonderful post....

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    1. Thanks. And those books are really great, right? :)

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  30. such a beautiful and heart warming video. thanks for sharing.

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  31. Lovely video and a great reminder. Thanks.

    Nas

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  32. Wonderful post, Dana. I do enjoy stopping for my "daily dose" of what's on Dana's mind. :-)

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  33. "the days are long, but the years are short," - great quote

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  34. Wow "The days are long, but the years are short" is an amazing quote. Isn't it true, though. I tell you at the beginning of the week, I wonder how I'm ever going to make it through until Friday after work. Before I know it, the week is over and I'm home free for two days. Two days to sleep in. Wonderful. This makes me realize just how much value needs to be put in every day, because before we know it, time is going to rush us to the grave. Totally morbid, I know.
    Thanks for the post!

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    1. I don't think that's morbid. It's just the truth.

      Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Julia. :)

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  35. Very beautiful. :) thanks for sharing with us.

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  36. Okay, the sap in me had me crying. Such a beautiful story and so true. We sometimes waste that time wanting to move past it, but we should linger for a little while. It doesn't last forever. :)

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  37. I wasn't too happy today, rough day at work

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    1. I'm sorry your day wasn't great. I hope today is better.

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  38. I love that 'the days are long but the years are short.' I remember telling my daughter basically the same thing. She was having a rough day and the kids were pushing buttons big time and she mentioned what a long day it had been. And I told her, I know but enjoy them because the years will be gone before you know it and they will be grown and you will be having this conversation with them.
    until next time...nel
    P.S. I love your haiku's, you paint a beautiful picture! So talented!

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    1. I had one of those days yesterday, but this video helped me to keep it all in perspective. I know I'll miss these days, hard as some of them are.

      About my haiku: Thank you. That's very sweet of you to say. :)

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  39. I'm with my boyfriend right now. He makes me happy and that's all I want to focus on. Unfortunately, I leave Monday. But why should I focus on the bad when I can focus on the happy, like being with him now? =)

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    1. Exactly. Carpe diem. Enjoy your time with him!

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