I’m reading through the book Happier and must say that I’m enjoying it quite immensely. It goes much farther than typical ‘Self-Improvement’ books, and aims to give the reader practical, daily rituals or habits, that can improve their life, and the lives of those around them.

One Chapter that really caught my attention was Chapter 10: Happiness Boosters starting on page 129. The idea behind Happiness Boosters, is that few of us are able to fill our lives with ‘meaningful and pleasurable activities all day long, every day’ so in order to help improve our overall happiness, we introduce small (maybe a few minutes to a few hours) events in our lives that provide us with ‘both meaning and pleasure, both future and present benefit’.

One interesting note the author points out is that typically at the end of a hard days work, one might opt for doing nothing, or vegetating in front of the television. But, interestingly, when we engage in hobbies that interest us, or activities that challenge us, and that we enjoy and care about, we actually ‘replenish our emotional bank’. “To devote oneself to an agreeable task is restful.” – Maria Montessori. “Happiness Boosters, rather than enervating us, lead to ascending levels of energy.”

What are some of your happiness booster? They should be activities that last only a few minutes to a few hours, and should provide you with pleasure and fulfillment now and in the future. Here are some of mine:

• Walking on the beach with my family.
• Reading a good book
• A nice warm cup of coffee
• Painting
• Watching a good, motivational movie.
• Spending time with family and friends, sharing laughs with them.
• Listening to a good piece of music
• Watching a good basketball game with friends
• Playing a good basketball game with friends
• Writing
• Going for a walk
• Cleaning something (such as the kitchen, living room, etc.)
• Having a deep, enjoyable discussion with my wife

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