Not Logged in.
Book Jacket

Happier at Home


This book will inspire readers to find more happiness in their own lives.
More about this book

Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

Created: 10/12/13

Replies: 13

Posted Oct. 12, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

Join Date:

Posts: 0

Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

Gretchen argues throughout The Happiness Project that striving to be happy is a worthy, not selfish, goal. Do you agree? Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?


Posted Jan. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sweeney

Join Date: 05/24/11

Posts: 185

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

I think the answer lies in your definition of happiness. Before I really started to think about it; I confused material things--possessions--with happiness. I think the idea of being happy is an illusion that has been created by advertising and magazines. It is impossible to be happy all the time; in fact, if you don't have some "down time" how do you know that you are happy?

Gretchen has the luxury at this point of basically basing her career on searching for/discussing/defining happiness. I do not have that luxury, but I do spend some of my internal thinking time making decisions about how I spend my time. If you have a clearer idea as to what makes you happy, you can make decisions that move you closer to that state.


Posted Jan. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mystinamarie

Join Date: 12/19/12

Posts: 37

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

I absolutely think Gretchen was right to devote so much time and effort to her own happiness. Our happiness lies in our own hands, if we don't work towards it, who will? I think the book did a good job of reaffirming that point, it almost gives permission for us readers to do the same project and not feel guilty or selfish about it.


Posted Jan. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kathleenr

Join Date: 12/07/12

Posts: 68

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

In the last several years I have been interested in books, articles and talks about happiness. It appears entirely appropriate to question what happiness actually is if one is going to pursue it. The author is leading an examined life and is searching for what actually makes her happy in order to describe it to others. It was her choice to make and we are fortunate to share her conclusions.


Posted Jan. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
swchis39

Join Date: 09/26/12

Posts: 172

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

I think many people are inherently happy and do not need such exercises. If you look at the glass half full and not half empty you are on the way to happiness. There are folks I know who may benefit from this book, but I find them reluctant to try new things.


Posted Jan. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

Kathleenr, I love your phrase: "Examined life." Seems very appropriate here!

I think as long as she didn't sacrifice her family's happiness - and it seems like she improved it - I think she did the right thing for all concerned.


Posted Jan. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Beth350

Join Date: 04/15/11

Posts: 89

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

It seems that she could have found other topics besides happiness to devote so much time and research to. It seems that happiness tends to come most often when one is so busy doing something that it sneaks up and grabs a person unaware. If I spent as much time thinking about happiness as she seems to, I would be very depressed. As Aristotle pointed out, happiness is the middle ground - the median - not too much of anything.


Posted Jan. 07, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 407

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

Since the outcome of her project appears to be positive, and she's simultaneously accomplishing the other things that are important to her, I can't see a downside.


Posted Jan. 07, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
debrav

Join Date: 08/16/11

Posts: 30

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

she seems like a very self-focused person so in that context her own personal happiness would make a huge difference in her family's life and happiness as well. For those people who don't know how to be happy, maybe a book like this will help. She stated "Happy people make people happy, but you can't make someone be happy and no one can make you happy". I totally agree with this statement and also agree that you need to have your own built-in happiness.


Posted Jan. 08, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lynna

Join Date: 04/24/13

Posts: 14

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

I don't think it is up to us to judge whether or not Gretchen should be spending time and attention on her own happiness. She is, however a talented researcher and writer and has written two books on her experience that have spent quite a bit of time on the best seller lists, so I must assume that this topic resonates with a lot of people. Do I spend much time thinking about my happiness? Yes, I do. I have been diagnosed with depression and have been under treatment for many years. It is well under control now, but I still have to work at my happiness sometimes. I strongly believe it can be done.


Posted Jan. 13, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Erin G

Join Date: 05/24/12

Posts: 41

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

If she is drawn to this topic and derives satisfaction from the projects she undertakes, who's to say it's not an excellent use of her time? After all, she's made a career out of it.


Posted Jan. 13, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JAKL1

Join Date: 12/06/12

Posts: 55

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

I agree with Gretchen that you must take care of yourself first then you are able to help others. Just as if you find yourself in an emergency, you protect your self before you are able to help others.


Posted Jan. 13, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pennyp

Join Date: 03/22/12

Posts: 353

Happiness

I do think it is important to take charge of ones own happiness. It don't think we can expect others to be responsible for our happiness anymore than we are responsible for theirs.


Posted Jan. 18, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
annar

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 114

RE: Do you think that Gretchen was right, or not, to devote so much time and attention to her own happiness? Do you spend much time thinking about your happiness?

It seems to have worked for her, so then it is right.


Reply

Please login to post a response.