What's on Your Shelf?

Since I'm an English teacher, I guess it goes without saying that I love reading.  However, my busy schedule makes it very difficult for me to squeeze in time for pleasure reading.  I'm usually reading whatever work of literature I've assigned to my students, reading a work of literature that my own kids have been assigned, or reading something that I've been assigned as a requirement for a graduate school course.

Thankfully, I now have graduate school behind me. (I recently graduated with my Ed.S.)  So, I've just freed up a little time to read for my own personal gratification.  

What did I choose to read?  Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project.  My husband picked up this book while he was traveling on business to pass time while waiting on a connecting flight.  He said it was a quick, yet life-changing read.  So, naturally, I had to see for myself.



So far, he's been so right.  I've enjoyed learning more about Rubin's happiness project and I'm so excited about starting my own project very soon.  In this book, Rubin shares thought-provoking yet realistic means by which one can attain true happiness with little effort, time, or money.  I'm only halfway through the book and I've already had a dozen or so "aha" moments.  Perception is so important.  Many of us are so close to real happiness, and just a few minor adjustments to our lives could have us living the happiness that we so long for.

I can't wait to finish this book.  I love reading books that leave its readers feeling empowered.  I definitely already feel moved to make changes in my life!

So, what good books do you have on your reading list?  I'll be finished with this one very soon and I'll be looking for another to take its place!

New Month, New Goals

Who doesn't love a good challenge?  This month, I have accepted See Jane Write magazine's challenge to blog like crazy for the month of November.  Well, here goes nothing...

I can't believe it's already November.  This year has flown by so quickly.  When I think back to my list of goals for the year, I sadly have to admit that I didn't accomplish as much as I had hoped.  (I'm still trying to figure out why not, because I don't feel like I've "rested" very much. Hence the name, "Diva on the Run"!)  Nonetheless, I won't stop setting goals.  For that is one way that I'm sure to have something to work towards.  And, goal-setting is a great way to hold myself accountable and evaluate myself on a regular basis.

This month, I'm going to compose a list of things I plan to accomplish.  I'm going to keep my list short and sweet so that I feel more accomplished at the end of month and so that I don't get too overwhelmed.  So, here it goes.  Here's a list of things I plan to accomplish in the month of November:

• I will clean out my closet.  For real.  I'll get rid of the things that I haven't worn in over two years.  (Don't roll your eyes at me.  I'm sure you have some old stuff in your closet, too.)
• I'm going to update my den.  (I've been complaining about how uncomfortable my 10-year old couches are for about six months.  I guess I'm going to let these couches retire and replace them with something more modern.  It' really, really time for us to say goodbye to these.  Really.)
• I'm going to finish reading The Happiness Project. Then, I'm going to start a happiness project of my own.  
• I will contact 5 friends that I haven't spoken to in a while.  And, it won't be via text message.  Voice calls only.  

So, that's it.  Nothing too difficult, right?  One thing for each week of the month!  I can do this.  I will do this. Join me in making a realistic list of reachable goals for the month of November!