Begin YOUR happiness project! Need help getting started? Identify a symbol for yourself and your happiness project.

A new theme for the Happiness Project is to spur everyone to do a happiness project, too. Happiness projects for everyone! I am the happiness evangelist.

Only recently did I start thinking about it this way – even though implicit in the idea of keeping this blog is the desire to help other people learn from my happiness project. Now, though, I’m going to start explicitly addressing the question of how people can design their own.

I need to figure out a systematic way to do this, but until then, I’ll just throw out some provocative suggestions.

I was thinking about a life symbol – or what should it be called? personal symbol? imago? figuration? – I mean the symbol you adopt for yourself and your happiness project.

Without giving it much thought, I picked my symbol as the bluebird, because the bluebird is a symbol for happiness.

I believe this connection comes from the wonderful Maeterlinck play (later made into a Shirley Temple movie), The Blue Bird, where two children look for the Blue Bird of happiness.

I’ve been thinking about life symbols lately, because I’ve been immersing myself in Flannery O’Connor’s work.

Flannery O’Connor was a devout Catholic, and her fiction is filled with symbols, often with religious significance. About symbols, she wrote, “I think the way to read a book is always to see what happens, but in a good novel, more always happens than we are able to take in at once…The mind is led on by what it sees into the greater depths that the book’s symbols naturally suggest.”

Now consider: in life, O’Connor loved peacocks. Because she was in very poor health, she lived on a farm with her mother, and she raised peacocks there.

But peacocks aren’t just peacocks. As she pointed out in a letter, the peacock is the symbol for the Transfiguration, and in medieval symbology, for the Church—the eyes are the eyes of the Church.

So picture Flannery O’Connor, writing her books, meditating on the mysteries of religion and fiction, close to death, surrounded by peacocks. It would seem like unbelievably heavy-handed symbolism, if it weren’t true.

The peacock symbol is extended by others – peacocks illustrate many of the covers of books published after her death.

O'Connor loved birds from a very young age. Did she choose to surround herself with peacocks partly because of their symbolism? Who knows? But it’s thrilling that she did.

I was intrigued to read that symbols for Buddha include an empty seat, a pillar of fire, a tree, and a pair of footprints – images that signify that he has gone beyond form.

Bridge, skyscraper, candle, river, poppy, library…the value of thinking about a personal symbol comes from the fact that it requires us to think of our lives metaphorically. Keats wrote, “A Man’s life of any worth is a continual allegory – and very few eyes can see the Mystery of his life…a life like the scriptures, figurative.”

It’s difficult, but surprisingly fun. I hit on the blue bird without much thought, but I like it.

If you conceive of your life symbol, please post it – I’d love to see people’s choices. And if you can think of a more lyrical name than “life symbol,” please suggest it! That phrase is so flat and banal. Though I’m starting to think “imago” might work.

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If you love words, neologisms, obscure vocabulary, etc., check out Wordie. I was excited that my post about darshan was mentioned by a fellow reader.

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Comments

[Sharyn]

My take on "Imago" would be "Inspiro" because I've always thought of all of this "happiness effort" the same as "inspirational".

My Inspiro is a bird, also - a brilliant red Cardinal. I see them almost every day at my bird feeders.
---Sharyn

[Sharyn]

Gretchen -
A P.S.: I know you love children's books - did you catch today's Google logo?
---Sharyn

[Zyada]

I would suggest totem. It has the same meaning in the original culture as your life symbol, and most people chose their personal totem through meditation.

I've considered the tiger my totem since I first heard of the concept.

However, another term for you and all the other Harry Potter fans might consider is the Patronus. In interviews, Rowling stated that the Dementors were specifically meant to symbolize depression. Thus the enemy of the dementors(depression) is a Patronus(happiness). Patronuses (Patroni?) also have strong visual symbology that reflect the personality of the summoner.

[Kristin]

I'm so glad someone pointed this blog out to me -- you're giving me a lot of great things to think about!

The gryphon has been a personal symbol of mine since high school, for various reasons. It's often used as a symbol of courage, which fits my personal quest -- to become less ruled by fear and doubt. I like the idea of using that as inspiration.

[Debi]

What about the term "talisman"?

Mine has long been sunflowers - audaciously happy yet practical (yummy when roasted with salt). I should put more effort in displaying them. Thanks for the tip!

[Gretchen Rubin]

I love these choices -- and also the words to describe them. Talisman, totem, inspiro...all great. I thought of the patronus, and also the "daemon" from Pullman's books, but they don't seem like the right words, because they aren't chosen. They are probably a deeper reflection of the person's soul because of that, but somehow, didn't seem quite right.

Hmmm...here comes a non sequitur. Isn't it interesting that Dumbledore and Voldemort both have daemon-like companions -- Fawkes and Nagini -- but Harry doesn't. Hedwig never played that kind of role; and even so...well, I won't be a spoiler, but if you've read HP 7 you know what I would say.

Yes, I saw the Google bar! How fabulous! At first I thought it was "back to school" but then light dawned.

[Mrs. Micah]

O'Connor, eh? That can get heavy, but it's great stuff.

Perhaps the Franciscan "Tau" cross I wear under my blouse. It's wooden, simple, on a cord with the three knots of Franciscanism--poverty, chastity, and obedience.

It's not something which is intuitively a happiness symbol, but I find it inspiring to touch the cord periodically. It grounds me and leads me to meditate on the saints, esp. Francis and Clare. It also reminds me of exciting new life possibilities as a potential tertiary.

I also have a llama that lives in my hand. It manifests my emotions sometimes...but I'm not sure it's a happiness symbol, more an emotive symbol.

[Sara in Austin]

Hi Gretchen -- I'm glad you found my darshan mention on Wordie. (I just recycled an old blog post to get it into Wordie.)

Keep up the good work, I really enjoy your blog.

[Sara in Austin]

Oh -- and my happiness project logo :) -- a labyrinth. Perhaps a reminder to enjoy the journey, with all it's twists and turns. Or a reinforcement of contemplation. Or a signifier for the sort of projects I like (I search out labyrinths when I travel)....

[Claire]

Mine is an owl. I've always adored owls, and used to go and draw the ones in my local museum when I was younger. I have some models on my windowsill to remind me, and a picture of one which my uncle bought from Australia when I was young, and which has been in my room ever since I can remember. I used to hide my diary behind it, it was just the right size... While owls are a symbol of wisdom and cleverness, one of my favourite owls is Owl from Winnie the Pooh, who, memorably, was the only one of the gang who could read, and who could write his own name - "W-O-L". A reminder that it's easy for even the wisest to certain of something which is actually wrong.... something I try and remember in my research.

Thank you for making me think all this through, it's wonderful. Maybe I'll slip my smallest owl into my suitcase as I pack tonight before heading off to a conference - I'm presenting my research and it's scary for me to stand up in front of everyone, so a reminder of my ongoing happpiness project would be a wonderful boost.

[Kris]

I have several totems that change order of significance in my life but are, nonetheless, important. Blue Heron, Squirrel, Red Fox, Hawk and Cat. Labryinths figure largely as well. As does Medusa. I also have a figure that I use as my own. It's a woman dancing on a spiral and it's all one, singular line.

Great post.

[Debbie]

I do alot of branding (logo) work for corporate and non-profit clients. Often, I look for inspiration from universal symbols. Here's a web site I often check. It has a list of hundreds of universal symbols.

http://www.mysticrendezvous.com/UniversalSymbols.htm

[Kashmira]

Mine is a daisy. A simple, happy flower.

Looking at daisies, seeing how pretty they are, and "happy" swaying in the breeze and basking in sunshine, and how low-maintenance they are, makes me happy.

I want to be a like a daisy, simple, sweet, content with a few things, and happy.

[Mrs. Micah]

@ Debbie

Thanks for sharing that link!

[Lydia]

I chose the Phoenix, since I always seem to be reinventing myself out of the ashes of my last failed project. One day perhaps I'll evolve into a new symbology... but this one seems to fit me best for the time being. I really enjoy reading your stuff. Keep it up! As one who loves words and wordplay, it's always a delight to come across someone who's similarly inclined.
: )

[Mark Whitlock]

My symbol is a lion. I want to be courageous--lionhearted. I then discovered that Venice is a city traditionally ascribed to John Mark, the young gospel writer from the Bible. And the symbol for Venice is...a lion!

[Kelsey]

My life symbol would be a gerber daisy. I love all of the bright colors and the simplicity of that flower.

We used gerber daisies throughout our wedding theme and they've always brought me joy!

[Vanessa Battersby]

My symbol is the dragonfly. It started out as a butterfly, because my name, Vanessa, means butterfly, but for some reason has morphed into a dragonfly in the last few years. Both are beautiful, free, lighthearted and great travellers. In Japan, dragonflies symbolise courage, strength and happiness. They definitely make me happy!

[Barbara]

The sun. The warm, life-giving, glowing energetic sun. My perfect symbol for my happiness project.

Just the thought is making me shine. Thank you!

[Warrior Two]

Just by accident last year, I found myself drawn to the Blue Morpho butterfly. Metamorphosis. I think that says it all.

[Mike Rambling]

The yin-yang symbol is filled with significance for me.

The smooth black-blending-into-white form reminds me that life is about finding a balance between opposing yet complementary elements. For example: work versus play, alone versus together, and male versus female.

Love your blog, Gretchen!

[marci hastings]

My life symbol would be the droplet in water. I love the image of everything flowing from center, outward, causing ripple effects that impact all (all we are, all we touch).

Marci
www.positiveassertions.com

[Ria Kennedy]

Pennies and dimes that I find on the ground are very special reminders to me of an aunt that passed on -- these make me feel she's still got my back. Also a feather, floating down or lying on the ground, makes me feel happy, grateful, inspired or comforted.

I might call these sacred symbols.

[Karen]

I just realized from reading your post that I do have a symbol. It is the new moon. It's always been my favorite - that little fingernail of a glow that also just barely reveals the whole round beautiful shape of the moon. To me it shows promise, promise with a certainty of fulfillment. Then it does it again - and again. I've always called the new moon "my moon."

[Gehi Janse van Vuuren]

For a while I was using an old bi-plane as a symbol. It was to remind me that I wanted to 'go solo'. That is quit my job and start my own business/work for myself.
At one point I told my wife that I feel like I'm slogging on this so alone and nobody, not even cares or gives me support or anything.
Then I realised my symbol do not have space for passengers. I ditched it like a hot potato, but I have not replaced it with something satisfactory yet. I am leaning towards a sail ship but it does not yet feel like something I can own.

[Melanie]

I love the idea of a personal symbol. Mine is the lotus flower. I have it tattooed on my back and it's also the symbol for my business. It's sort of a 'bloom where you're planted' theme for me, and reminds me to be the best version of me, even in adversity or when surrounded by negative energy/people.

Thanks for this Gretchen. I'm working on my personal happiness project thanks to you!

[Michelle Potter]

I read through the list that Debbie linked, and I kept coming back to bread. According to the list bread is a symbol of a prosperous and happy home. I used to bake homemade bread for my family, and to me it seemed to be a way to say I loved them. Also, I recently saw a blog called "Eat Not The Bread of Idleness" (based on Proverbs 31) because the blogger wanted to get out of the habit of laziness, which I have been working on lately, too. Finally, bread reminds me of the feedings of the 4,000 and the 5,000 -- saying to me not to worry because God will provide.

So, as strange as it sounds, I guess my "life symbol" is bread. I think I am going to start baking again!!

[Mary K]

Your post made me consider what I would choose to represent me and my idea of happiness...it could be a cat, lying relaxed in the warm sun on a rug, yet ready to spring into action from a deep sleep.

Or perhaps it is the crow. I miss my crows, the ones I would watch with my cats from the window to my backyard....their brilliant blue-black feathers, their strutting, their intelligence. Crows are often considered harbingers of death, but in many other cultures and countries, they are revered for their wisdom, planning, communication, and social abilities as well as their tight family units.

[Nicola Ries Taggart]

I hadn't thought of this before reading your post. I was surprised when I just took a moment to let my symbol come to me and I thought, "hummingbird." The hummingbird showed up at my wedding and often times presents itself at times I need a reminder to stop and relish the miracle of such an amazing bird (or life in general).

After doing a Google search on the symbolism behind the hummingbird, I was delighted to learn that this fits me perfectly. What a hummingbird symbolizes is so in-line with what I continue to learn and practice in my own life AND what I am continually teaching as a life coach.

Thank you for giving me another great idea for an assignment to do with my coaching clients!

[Sugar Mouse In The Rain]

Mine would be the sea; tranquil and deep.

[Martha Garvey]

Can I have two?

The pink flamingo, which I chose when I was in first grade. Flamboyant and PINK.

And the Hindu warrior goddess Durga--many arms she has, and she rides a tiger!

[Pauline]

Hi, Enjoying this blog and wealth of informattion.... My symbol is a Turtle.... a symbol of wealth, longevity, strength ,reliance on oneself,endurance stability and profecy .... Thank you.

[Christine Miserandino]

First off, your website is fantastic- what a concept! I will be back.

2nd, I think my symbol will be a tree -- growing, reaching for the sky- while still groundd to the earth and everything else.

[Eyal Herlin]

for me life is it's own symbol;
it's a dynamic one that always teaches me.
make everything in your reality a symbol for the best that life has to offer.

hit by a moment of self-conciousness i realize my words above sound philosophical and detached but i really do mean them literally.

[Pippa]

Gretchen, this precious post has had me thinking ever since it appeared! I especially like what you said about "the value of thinking about a personal symbol comes from the fact that it requires us to think of our lives metaphorically." So true!!
Since I still haven't figured out how to link back, I just include the link where I finally posted about this: http://pippasporch.blogspot.com/2007/10/life-symbol-update.html
It was a journey for me, finding the right life symbol, and quite surprisingly, it touched a whole lot of other aspects of my life. Now I know, my image is the grape vine.
Thank you for sparking the journey!

[Shay]

I love the idea of this. Mine is a hummingbird sipping out of a honeysuckle. honeysuckles represent the bonds of love everlasting, and my love for the hummingbird comes from 1. my mother, she loves them. and 2. this quote: "Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and savor each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of everyday. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation."
Isn't it beautiful?
Thank you for your inspiration! Peace and Grace, Shay

[Nan Junkmail]

Liked your idea of a happiness project until I read in your subject banner that it is already slated to be a book and you are already promoting it. Absurd!

[Rachael]

My totem (I like that term for this) is a rabbit. I have 7 of them and they make me so happy! If I'm upset or having a bad day and I look a picture of one of my rabbits, I immediately feel better! I am always amazed by rabbits and they inspire to keep going (if a rabbit with one eye or only three legs can keep going, then so can I).

[Rosie]

Two animals/symbols I've always associated with myself and my life are the Bull and Phoenix. The Bull is a strong influence in my life because I'm a Taurus and and Ox (in chinese astrology). Its the bull I call on when I need strength or resolve. The phoenix is important to me because its a symbol of rebirth and change and I strive to create change and movement in my life everyday.

[Mehmet Saltuk Ateshin]

On first thought my symbol for happiness would be the spiral

[Angi]

I just stumbled across your blog today and have been struggling to find my way out of a deep, dark, clinical depression. I have always liked the image of a phoenix, rising from the ashes, as my symbol, no matter how dark and fiery, no matter what the destruction, I like to imagine myself rising above it

[Dimaension X]

I was laid off from my steady job of eleven years in February of 2009. I also had wrist surgery the week before my layoff, so I couldn't pursue my hobby (playing guitar) for months.

Rather than get all depressed (which I did a little), I focused on keeping my self happy by taking the time I now had in surplus to listen to all kinds of new music so that when my wrist was healed I could pick up the guitar and start fresh.

I still don't have a new job yet, but I completed enough new music for FIVE full albums, which I made available online for free download. Making music makes me happy. Now if I could do that for a living...

[b kinch]

I chose bones. Not an obvious answer, but the right one :)

[dj]

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." — Abraham Lincoln
And it is no different today. In all walks of life you'll find happy and unhappy people. My happiness moment was when I realized all the books and CD's that I had purchased over the years actually made me less so. The answer is being in the moment and being honest. A year ago I tossed out all the self-help books and CD's like Ziglar, Robbins, etc. And, there's nothing original today, just repackaged and marketed heavily. Sorry...

[hoyleysox]

I took a project management class and it stated that all projects have a beginning and an end. I cannot see the efforts to maintain or achieve happiness as ever ending.

I enjoy the blog, but cannot think of a more suitable term than "project"

[Suddenly Susan]

Sunshine.

[Alva Lee Harley]

My life symbol is an empty pitcher. I'm an older woman who is very aware of how fast the years go. I want to leave this earth having poured out everything I have to give--love, talent, laughter, stories, advice! I have a collection of pitchers and look at them every day to inspire me to "do something every day" that pours out a little more of my life. Thanks for your help in creating my own happiness project. Lee

[Siobhan]

I think that my symbol is a single scull (google image it). I was a rower in college, and I think the route to finding happiness is similar to rowing in a single boat: you have to do it alone, you have to work at it, you need balance, and direction in order to make it work. Like rowing, it's harder than it looks.

Thanks for your help in me creating my own happiness project. Only a few days ago, I was struggling whether I should keep on living and just give up. Somehow I wandered onto your site, and I now want to take action in making myself happy. So, thank you.