The Happiness Equation
BRINGING STORYTIME MAGIC TO YOUR INBOX
FROM MY READING CORNER | 3/6/26
The Happiness Equation
Thoughts from my writing corner:
A dear friend sent me a beautiful and unexpected package in the mail last week. I don’t know about you, but a little happy mail can sure brighten my day. She sent me a letter-writing kit because I had told her that one of my goals for the year was to send more little notes to loved ones. The act of writing someone a letter is such a lost art, but doesn’t it seem so special to receive one, knowing it took that person time to sit down and write it? I follow @thesundayletterproject on Instagram, and they started a project to get more people connected by sending a letter to someone every Sunday (hence the name). Although I don’t get one written every Sunday, I do try to write at least one letter during the week. Whether it’s a friend who has something to celebrate or a loved one having a hard time, I like to send words of encouragement because it’s nice to know you have people thinking about you. Which brings me to why this package was so special to receive. I feel sincerely grateful to have a friend who would think of me.
I know I send out posts every week, and, as you can probably tell from my blog posts and my books, spreading kindness and focusing on the joy we have in our lives is of extreme importance to me. I think the more we spread kindness through our actions and words and focus our attention on the beauty in the world, the happier we will all be. This fact was reiterated to me while I was reading my latest book, The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha. He referenced multiple studies that highlight that we can train ourselves to be happier by incorporating gratitude and acts of service into our daily lives. The more we start focusing on others instead of ourselves, the happier we will be. Charles Dickens shines a light on gratitude with these words:
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many, not your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
To be on the receiving end of an unexpected nicety was a rare full-circle moment that reminded me that, no matter what is going on in the world, we can easily bring joy to others. I hope you can pay it forward this week in some small way and then take note of how it makes you feel.
Choose joy, spread kindness, and as always, happy reading.
-Katie Marie
THE KIDS’ CORNER |
What We Are Reading
Tuck’s Bookshelf: Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer by Megan McDonald. (Still reading this one and the latest Fly Guy book from the school library)
Ella Bella’s Bookshelf: Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer has been a whole family read, and everyone is giggling right along with it.
My Bookshelf: The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak for entertainment, but I’m also reading The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha
Tip: Head to Goodwill or another thrift store of your choice and look through the book section! Your kids will feel like they hit the jackpot, but you won’t feel like you spent a fortune. Especially for cookbooks or personal development books, there are so many that are like new.
THE CRAFT CORNER |
Flower Power
I took this idea from @BusyToddler. She had posted after Valentine’s Day to keep your flowers for the kids to create with. I didn’t get a chance to do this over Valentine’s Day, but my husband got me flowers for our anniversary and not they are in a box on the table available for the kiddos to cut. I put pieces of cardboard cut from a box and gave them tape and glue. Any time they are “bored” I send them to the flower station. It has been a huge hit!
Until next week, happy reading.
BOOKS BY KATIE MARIE
