"Of all mindfulness meditations, that on death is supreme."

The next time you have to do an unpleasant task, consider the option of not being able to do it because you are no longer living. Taking out the garbage. Doing your taxes. Walking the dog. I suppose this way of thinking could be beneficial for a while but eventually would it lose its impact? Would you become complacent with the concept of death? I think that the consideration of death is an important, although admittedly morbid, practice. I wouldn't say that it is something that I think about often but every now and then a thought pops into my head...."someday I will cease to be..."

People have very different ways of dealing with the death while trying to live their lives - some people become obsessed while others ignore the inevitable completely. In "The Happiness Project" (I know, I know - enough with that book already!) the author examines her mortality by reading "memoirs of a catastrophe"; books based on the pain and suffering that others have survived. By doing so, the author found herself with a heightened appreciation for her "ordinary existence" as well as a "new and intense appreciation for her obedient body."

I find a similar type of peace in hearing stories of others suffering...how lucky am I to be a free, healthy, intelligent woman living in this era, this country, this city? As I said, I am not one to dwell on the negative or obsess over death, but I do think it is important to put ourselves in situations that remind us of how lucky we are to be alive.

"Remember, friends, as you pass by,

As you are now so once was I.

As I am now, so you must be.

Prepare yourself to follow me."

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

So, right now I am reading a fabulous book called "The Happiness Project". The book is based on the journey of a woman who spent a year "test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy--from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah."

Basically, the author gave herself large goals each month for instance, one month was "Aim Higher" which was her goal related to her improving her career. Within that goal, she then breaks it down into more specific, measurable actions, i.e. launch a blog. (http://www.happiness-project.com/).

Currently I am about half way through the book so I can't give you a full review however, last night, in the chapter dedicated to "being serious about play" I came across an inspirational quote and concept that THRILLED ME!

In the chapter that discussed "being serious about play" the authors tasks included "finding more fun, taking time to be silly, going off the path and starting a collection." Within the "finding more fun" task the author very seriously considered the question "What is fun?" What is fun for me is not necessarily fun for my partner, family or friends, right? After some intense soul-searching, the author decided that what she most enjoyed, what made her happiest and what she considered to be 'fun' was reading "KidLit". Therefore, in a stroke of absolute brilliance the author decided to start a "KidLit" book club.

I am often embarrassed by my love of more childish things (i.e. Harry Potter, Disney etc.) and I spend a lot of time justifying my appreciation for them. When the author started her "KidLit" book club, she sent out an e-mail containing this quote;

"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed

if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly.

When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of

childishness and the desire to be very grown up."

-C.S. Lewis

HOW BRILLIANT IS THIS CONCEPT?

Many people spend their childhood wanting to be a "grown up", wanting freedom and respect.

I was never one of those children.

I never hid my love for "play" and my "passion for the pretend"...so why start now?