What I'm willing to do.

One of the first things I've done in my quest for a life is to begin reading books and blogs and pamphlets, if I find them, on a variety of themes relating to happiness.  Keeping in mind something a therapist once told me that "happiness is a transient condition," I'm not trying to become something I'm not, one of those truly, amazingly upbeat people, but just augment my ability to create a more positive outlook.  So obviously, I began with Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project.  Bought it on a glorious day in the early spring, picked up some lovely macaroons and iced tea and spent a morning in the park reading.  Great way to begin, let me tell you.   Good read full of nice ways to start paying attention to how you're living your life on a day to day basis.  And after a lot more reading on the subject (see links), I am firmly committed to the idea that it is in fact how the day to day things get accomplished that get you to a deep fulfilling life.  

What I plan on doing in the next several days is creating a list a'la Gretchen on my absolute truths, 12 commandments, whatever you want to name them.  I am calling them my "What I'm willing to do" items.  These will be the things I am "willing to do" to build a life that helps me to thrive and live as deeply as I can for as long as I can.  

Ready to go, but not what you think!

Today I wrote the resignation letter for my job.  Not that I'm quitting my job, but it pays to be prepared.  I've done this exercise before when I hit the tipping point in relative job satisfaction to dissatisfaction and I find it particularly liberating to know that at any time I'm ready to go.  Of course, this one might need a tweak or two....

Dear Boss,

Life is too short.

Sincerely,

J. 

In search of.......what?

In search of .......



.....happiness.
.....my 25-year old body.
.....financial freedom.
.....a great mojito recipe.
.....a job I love.
.....love.
.....fun.
.....all those little intangibles that make up a great, fulfilling life.  


These are the chronicles of my attempts to create a bigger, richer, more captivating life.  Maybe it's turning 50 soon or maybe it's being bored beyond belief with the career I've chosen (or not so much "chosen" as gotten stuck in) or being limited by what I can do because of crappy financial management.  I don't really know, but I do know something has to give here.


So, off we go in search of J.'s life!


Might be fun.  Or maybe not so much.  Only time will tell.  Stay tuned.


J.