Happiness secrets from the 1000 Awesome Things guy

I don't remember how I first found out about the 1000 Awesome Things blog, but once I did, I was hooked. On days when I feel like I could easily write 1000 Crappy Things, I head on over there for a hit of happiness. The writer, Neil Pasricha, is all about simple pleasures, the kind you don't need to buy—you just have to appreciate what's right in front of you.

This is Neil. You didn't think he'd be a sourpuss, did you?

Neil's first book, The Book of Awesome, was an international bestseller. Just out: The Book Of (Even More) Awesome. A few of my favorites: • Driving around with the windows down on late summer nights • When your fries oder has a few onion rings stashed in the mix • The smell of an old hardware store • Realizing you still remember your childhood friend's phone number • When a cop finally passes you after driving behind you for a while. One "awesome" I'm dubious about: "When you hit the point where you're comfortable farting around each other." That's because one of you is usually significantly more gassy than the other. And it's not me.

Check out this Q&A with Neil, then keep reading for copies of his book!

Hello, Neil. Congrats on your latest book. It truly is even more awesome.
"Hello Ellen! Why thank you! I really appreciate that."

So, what simple pleasure did you most enjoy today?
"Hmm, let's see! Well, I woke up an hour before my alarm clock and realized I had extra time left to sleep. And! I definitely cooked up some perfectly toasted toast for breakfast. You know, where the top is all crispy and brown, but not black, and the butter just glides up crispy and smooth, melting in all the tiny crooks and crannies, creating a delicious little bed for the jam? Mmmmm."

Excuse me while I go get some toast. OK, in the book you reveal that even as you were writing about all the awesome, life dealt you some blows—a broken marriage, a friend who committed suicide. I know that writing the blog and book kept you going. But not everyone can write. And sometimes, it's just hard to see the joy. Got any good strategies for finding the good when you're gloomy?
"That's a great point, Ellen. And while I definitely recommend everyone write their own 1000 Awesome things, maybe that's not in the cards for some people. I'd say my personal tips are to follow a three-step process: 1) Find an outlet 2) Talk about it 3) Focus on the positive. For me that outlet was 1000 Awesome Things and The Book Of Awesome, but that could just as easily be a friend, a therapist, a diary, or teacer. I think talking about it allows us to let things out and help think them through at the same time. And focusing on the positive is just as important! I found that writing about the other side of the pillow, finally peeing after holding it forever, and high-fiving babies always cheered me up."

There's just so much to be thankful for.

You must get gazillions of emails. What are a couple of your all-time favorite ones?
"Ha ha, that's a good question! Well, there was the time Trident emailed me to ask if I'd put ads on my site in exchange for a case of gum! That was pretty funny. To be honest, the ones that really do mean the most are the teachers who mail me their Sixth Grade Book of Awesome or the kids who say they get hope from The Book of Awesome when they're feeling down and out."

What are some of the most out-there suggestions people have made about "awesome" stuff?
"Well, that's sort of the beauty of it, I think! I saw a husband and wife flipping through The Book of (Even More) Awesome at a bookstore and the wife went, 'Look honey! Sneaking candy into movie theaters! That's awesome!' and the husband was like, 'That's not awesome—that's breaking the rules' And...ha, ha, I guess it's just that everyone has their own awesome things. The Book of (Even More) Awesome is a collection of what I hope most people like, but definitely not all! Some people probably hate puppy breath or when a baby falls asleep on you!"

What do you think is particularly awesome about parenthood? Some days, we need reminders!
"OK, sure! Let's see, how about:
1) Baby toes
2) When the baby's diaper isn't as bad as you were expecting
3) When your child runs to the front door when you come home from work

I hope you and all your readers have a very awesome week!"

Will do!

I have two copies of The Book Of (Even More) Awesome to give away. To enter, just leave a comment below about something that was recently awesome in your life.

This giveaway is open until June 29th at 11:59 EST; I'll randomly pick two winners, announce them here, and alert you by email. Note, you must leave your email if it is not visible on your blog because I do not possess awesome ESP.

UPDATE: The winners are Melody and TeamAidan. Awesome!

Photo of Neil/Gala Darling