Although people sometimes assume that the happy are self-absorbed and complacent, just the opposite is true. In general, happiness doesn't make people want to drink daiquiris on the beach; it makes them want to help rural villagers gain better access to clean water.

—Gretchen Rubin in Happier at Home

About Gretchen Rubin

Portrait of Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Craft Rubin (born December 14, 1965) is an American author, blogger and speaker.

More quotations from Gretchen Rubin

When I thought about why I was sometimes reluctant to push myself, I realized that it was because I was afraid of failure—but in order to have more success, I needed to be willing to accept more failure.

—Gretchen Rubin

fear acceptance failure reluctance

The things that go wrong often make the best memories.

—Gretchen Rubin in The Happiness Project

planning surprise memories

The belief that unhappiness is selfless and happiness is selfish is misguided. It's more selfless to act happy. It takes energy, generosity, and discipline to be unfailingly lighthearted, yet everyone takes the happy person for granted. No one is careful of his feelings or tries to keep his spirits high. He seems self-sufficient; he becomes a cushion for others. And because happiness seems unforced, that person usually gets no credit.

—Gretchen Rubin in The Happiness Project

happiness belief effort generosity feelings discipline energy unhappiness selfishness care selflessness lightheartedness

The days are long, but the years are short.

—Gretchen Rubin

time perception

There's a great satisfaction in knowing that we've made good use of our days, that we've lived up to our expectations of ourselves.

—Gretchen Rubin in Better Than Before

satisfaction expectations good use

More quotations tagged with “happiness”

I grasped two things: I wasn't as happy as I could be, and my life wasn't going to change unless I made it change.

—Gretchen Rubin in The Happiness Project

life change happiness

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.

—George Burns

happiness family distance

I would never be popular. I didn't want to be; I liked being shy. I'd never be the smartest or the hottest or the happiest.

—Laurie Halse Anderson in Wintergirls

happiness popularity shyness

I cried at first… and then, it was such a beautiful day, that I forgot to be unhappy.

—Frances Noyes Hart

happiness tears

I love you. And I love you enough to let you go, if I have to. If it's what will make you happy, I'm okay with that. Whatever you decide.

—Selena Kitt in Baumgartner Generations

love acceptance relationship happiness letting go

History

17 May 2015 Added