The Geography of Bliss
by habituallychic
01 . 25 . 08
I have a list of things I have been meaning to write about but for some reason, I feel very uninspired today. Perhaps it’s because it’s the most depressing time of the year. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read yesterday’s post. I will admit that I am already sick of winter. Right now, I am dreaming of moving to a warmer climate because I think that sunny weather would make me happy. Well, in the new book The Geography of Bliss, author Eric Weiner, travels the world in search of the happiest place on earth.
I haven’t read the book yet because if I bought it, that would be breaking one of my New Year’s resolutions (you know, the one about finishing one book before I start another) so I’m curious if anyone else has read it and what they thought. It seems to be getting great reviews. I am very interested in reading more about the Danes who are the happiest due partly to their lack of materialism. Might be a book that should be required reading for all status conscious Americans. Myself included!
11 Comments
I was in NY last weekend and was moaning to everyone when I got back how warm and pleasant and civilised it was, not having to wear practical footwear and ridiculous layers… I guess it’s all relative. Hope you shake off the winter doldrums!
Hmmm… seems like we’re getting an introspective HC these days. Check out
Authentic Happiness
, by Martin Seligman, one of the world’s foremost researcher’s on the subject. He’s based out of U-Penn and runs the first and (perhaps still only) psychology master’s degree program on happiness. Seligman believes the key to happiness is basing your life on your strengths rather than trying to focus on changing your weakness too much. I suggest you register with the site (giving your real age, gender, etc) and take the different questionnaires. You’ll learn about yourself. (This is real, science based stuff, btw, not BS pop psychology.)I suggest you use your real stats because you’ll be able to see how others in your age group comared. Anyway the site is mean to support a book by the same name. But you don’t need to read the book to get something out of the site (thought I recommend you do read it eventually).
Also check out the blog
The Happiness Project
Oh, I’m fine and reasonably happy. This weather is just getting to me. I’m a sunny and warm weather kind of gal. Nothing a little trip tp Solar Salon can’t cure 😉
Anonymous, I will check out the site but The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama is still sitting on my shelf waiting to be read so not sure how far I will get on this 😉
Thanks for the recommendation though.
Everything is relative HC; here in sunny Western Australia we have been complaining about our hot summer weather and longing for cooler climes.
yes, it is all relative jacqui o but here on the east coast too many consecutive cold and gloomy days along with too much cnn msnbc fox,nasdq, and the dow can be a bit much!!…might be time to take a long week end and head south to detox…
savahan, atlanta, miami,..think about it….fay
Disneyland claims to be ‘the happiest place on earth.’ Wonder if it appears in Mr. Weiner’s book. 😀
I have the winter blues too. 🙁 I actually read an excerpt of this book week and it was quite interesting. I won’t spoil it for you – but the happiest place on earth is a surprise. Hang in there during this dreary time – let’s countdown to spring together.
When I was out today, I realized that the reason why I am over winter is that as a New Yorker, I have to walk everywhere in the cold! Or take a taxi which unfortunately adds up quickly. I am also tired of all my winter clothes and everything in the stores now is for spring and even if I buy something, I can’t wear it until May. I hope that damn groundhog predicts an early spring next week!
I imagine being able to see the world would be bliss in itself. Unfortunately, I am not willing to trade in the comforts of home for a backpack and uncertainty. This looks like a meaningful book. I look forward to living vicariously through the author.
As far as moving to a warmer climate, I am in my annual California dreaming phase. Hotlanta has been 20 degrees all week.
I’m right there with you, 4 days straight of pure rain and I’m feeling uninspired. Today, however was pure sunshine and I felt back to myself, up & blogging (and working), and feeling a bit of bliss. I’ll check out this book, aren’t we all on a path to Bliss? Count me in.
I hear ya! A girl can get so confused in NYC with the department stores inventing seasonal change. Down jackets are all on clearance next to the bikinis. BIKINIS! We won’t need those for quite some time. For now I walk along the street with my pockets bursting with gloves, earmuffs, & tissue packs.