Deanna Burrell’s Reviews > The Happiness Project > Status Update

A small child typically laughs more than four hundred times each day, an an adult-seventeen times. I wondered if I hit even that number most days.

p. 242 Flawed can be more perfect than perfection.
p. 242 Always say hello.
p. 243 Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
p. 243 People succeed in groups. It's great for him to have a big success, and his success is also likely to help me be successful.
p.244 Change your computer passwords to encouraging words or goals.

"One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself."

The days are long, but the years are short. It sounds like something from a fortune cookie, but it's true.

A common theme in religion and philosophy, as well as in catastrophe memoirs, is the admonition to live fully and thankfully in the present. So often, it's only after some calamity strikes that we appreciate what we had.

Sometimes "later" becomes "never." Stop procrastinating or saving "special items" for a later date.

Gretchen writes that when dealing with children "acknowledge [their] feelings" just by repeating what they say. Don't argue with them. "Experts say that denying back feelings intensifies them." I just experienced this. I was helping out in my godson's 2nd grade class. One boy was crying because someone popped his water ballon. I just repeated what he said was wrong and he stopped crying and felt better. WOW!