From February 2016 to December 2017 I worked outside the home full-time and I had a job that allowed me to listen to books on tape. Books on tape are one of the sweetest gifts ever. Amazon Audible is sublime! As a mother of four I’ve had very little time for reading so discovering this treasure was very exciting.
As I began working I started with lots of classics and other fiction. I “read” every Jane Austen book I could! As spring of 2017 began and I began exploring this idea of needing and wanting the joy of the Resurrection always, I began looking for books of inspiration, books of encouragement.
One of the first authors I ran into was Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen decided many years ago to go on a quest to learn about happiness. She did extensive research on the subject, reading and experimenting in her own life. She then wrote what she learned and shared with us. She now even has a podcast called “Happier.” I’ve listened to nearly all of these! Her books and podcast have truly inspired me over the last year.
Her first book I read is called “Better Than Before: Mastering the habits of our everyday life.” I am getting ready to listen to this book again as I declutter my house a little bit every day.
In the chaos of everyday life, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters, and I can use my habits to make sure that my life reflects my values. -Gretchen Rubin
I need to keep focus on what truly matters: LOVE, CHRIST, PEOPLE. I hope to learn again, more about myself & my habits to make some small changes to keep those things in focus.
Gretchen has written a whole host of books that I think will inspire us all. I plan to periodically bring them up here on Kindler of Joy because they are relevant to our journey. They inspire, encourage and give much food for thought.
One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself. -Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project)
Doesn’t that sound similar to what St. Seraphim says:
Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives.”
Kindler of Joy! 