I first read about the book The Happiness Project on Amy Clark’s blog.  I thought it was nice that she was cleaning her closets and looked forward to seeing her get happier.  Then I saw it on Kelly Willette’s blog.  I thought it was cool that she was incorporating Lent & told her I was inspired to copy her clutter-clearing intention for my own Lenten obligation.  Then right before our vacation, I saw the book and had to buy it.  And on the way to the check-out, I saw a journal that caught my eye so I got it too (okay, my dad ended up paying).  I started reading it the next day and was so inspired.  It’s not about sad vs. happy.  It’s about being happy and appreciating it.  It’s about finding what keeps you from being happy in your daily life and making a plan to fix it.  It’s about feeling more energetic because you’re on top of things.  And about being on top of things because you’re more energetic.

Every time I’d read a chapter or write in my own journal on our trip, I’d gab to Brian about it.  I barely got a response from him which isn’t unusual.  I forced him to make some lists with me on our last layover before coming home.  He acted like it was really taxing him to tolerate me but seemed willing to pay the price if it meant I watched my unnecessary spending at Target and cleaned my side of the closet.  So our first day at home, I’m nagging him to work with me on a menu for the week and trying to focus on making a real, live grocery list.  I was so ready to really light into him about needing to be on the same page and doing this together when I notice the reason he’s not paying attention is that he’s suddenly cleaning out our mess of a spice cabinet.  Really?  Really.  There he is condensing spice bottles, throwing out old ones and organizing both shelves.