Welcome to a Little Happier.

I'm Gretchen Rubin.

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When I was working on my book The Happiness Project, I wrote a little story that I turned

into a video, a one-minute video that I have to say of everything that I've ever created.

I think is the thing that has most resonated with people, so I wanted to read the story

here.

Once upon a time, but not very long ago, my daughter was too little to walk to school, so we

rode the city bus.

Each morning I tugged her along the sidewalk to the bus stop.

Each morning I gazed impatiently down third avenue, while she stared an ecstatic wonder

at the treasures in the drugstore window.

I didn't particularly mind writing the bus, but I view the day off as a great treat.

I'd think with a sense of relief, a few no bus rides today, until one morning.

Look, mommy, look, a dog she exclaimed as she pointed out the bus window at an ordinary

dog on a leash.

And then suddenly it hit me.

This bus ride was it.

This was parented.

This was the childhood of my darling girl.

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