Comments on: Review: Happier

By: Ashton Bishop

Ashton Bishop — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:33:11 +0000

Nothing makes me more happier than achieving goals psychologically to make this world a better place. For instance, I recovered from a disability many of the standards of gaining that independence needed in adulthood. Following a traumatic brain injury at the age of 9 year’s old doctors all over the US considered myself unlikely to graduate from high school to seek employment. However I did it with not only a diploma for better types of work but 2 marathon’s on a seizure medication to prove how creative I could be. In addition to that I worked 2 job’s off my seizure medicine (YMCA and Workout Studio) to prove how the mind can go beyond the scientific data of matter in less fortunate people. My goal is to go international with my accomplishments in order to prove to medical teams all over how happiness can be ascertained with an illness. At the moment I strongly look forward to heading back to work, under Medicare, at a shopping center. This way I’ll be able to save up some money to go run the London Marathon in 2012 during the Olympic games. Nonetheless finishing a 26 mile race in front of top notch athletes should mark a catalyst over medical doctors all over.

By: Kerwin So

Kerwin So — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:29:23 +0000

Trent, I know you must have read a lot of self-help and positive thinking books in the past. What are your thoughts on Brian Tracy? I’ve started reading his book “Maximum Achievement” and it seems to be making a lot of sense.

By: MichaelC

MichaelC — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:36:02 +0000

Like Trent, I despised “The Secret” for its consumeristic approach to happiness and its lack of scientific backing. If you agree, I suggest renting the film, “What the Bleep Do We Know?”

This film contains interviews with physicists, mathematicians, and psychologists as opposed just “new agey” philosophers. Although it looks like a high school science film, the information contained within is concrete and worth exploring. I will definitely check out “Happier,” thanks for the review!

By: JReed

JReed — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:43:09 +0000

I’m only happy if I’m suffering…if I’m not denying myself something, I get insecure. I think it runs in my heritage. If things go really well, I’m still looking for the glitch. I’m not going to read this book…being happy would make me uncomfortable.

By: RIch Money Million

RIch Money Million — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:56:30 +0000

I’ve researched and written a short article about whether money is related to happiness. You may be interested in it. See my site (I don’t want to link spam your comments section with an actual link).
-Rich.

By: TJ

TJ — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:22:22 +0000

Another good book on happiness which is based on valid research is “The How of Happiness” by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159420148X/

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:28:54 +0000

Definitely sounds like a good book, thanks for the recommendation. I too find that a lot of self help books have a good idea at their core but no real meat. Our society pushes us to spend more money and more time and that we should equate our lives to the amount of stuff we have which is total BS.

I think its time to head over to the library and get this book.

By: John

John — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:50:05 +0000

It’s funny you should post this- I’ve been a reader of your site for almost a year now. I love 98% of your advice (can’t please all the people all the time, of course) and enjoy your writing style.

I was so inspired by your blog that I thought about doing a blog about personal finances myself, but I don’t have the passion for it. So I recently started a blog that focuses solely on happiness- what it is, how to attain it, how to keep it, etc. I too hate the pop psychology stuff. I will link to this post on my site, because it’s directly relevant.

Keep up the good work.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:16:05 +0000

You know, I almost skipped this post. I have read so many self-help books that I have basically decided that most of them offer very little real wisdom, instead, telling you what you want to hear. So when I saw that you were reviewing a “self-help” book, I was going to opt out, but skimmed through the meditations and I have to say, your review made me want to read this book!!! It really sounds like an authentic way to keep yourself grounded and healthy. Thanks very much, I am going to check to see if my library has it or can order it.

By: Rob Madrid

Rob Madrid — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:09:12 +0000

“identify people in your life that you interact with that make you feel worse about yourself and don’t interact with them.”

not to sure many people would stay married if they did that:)

the process of finding out what makes us happy has been very helpful in escaping the consumerism so prevalent in our society. As much as a I want a flat screen TV I know it won’t buy much happiness.

By: Peter @ Plan Your Escape

Peter @ Plan Your Escape — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:07:57 +0000

Thanks Trent! I justed add this to my library request list. I’ve become very interested in the “science” of happiness recently so if you have any other recommendations for books on this topic I’d love to hear them!

Bye for now,

Peter

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:02:50 +0000

Years ago, my husband and I were going through some really dark times — and I developed a very deep e-mail friendship with a woman that really helped me through it — by letting me write and and work through all the stuff…

And she forced me to tell her three good things on my daily rants. At first, it was so incredibly hard because there was so much darkness. But each day my struggle to find three good things got easier. And easier.

And that’s when I knew at least *I* would be okay…

So it does sound like a pat answer, but it really does help. A LOT.

By: Aaron Gaul

Aaron Gaul — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:43:55 +0000

It sounds like the book Happier really makes you, well… happier! Thank you for delivering a well written digest.

I hope there is a sequel to this book titled “Not Happier”. There is great value in the “not happy” experiences of life. Just like having your kids sit down at the table and do the tough work, tough experiences in life are important. Anyone who wishes for happiness all the time would be missing out on important developmental experiences. Perhaps the author spoke about the value of “not happy”.

Aaron

By: Lurker Carl

Lurker Carl — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:08:08 +0000

I think you made a typo in #2 when describing nihilism as negative now, positive later. Shouldn’t nihilism be negative now, negative later? That kind of tripped me up but I get tangled up in details. Thanks for the review, it looks like a rare gem in the self-help genre.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:51:22 +0000

Sounds interesting, would like to check it out. I feel like you might be missing the mark on what ‘positive thinking’ really is in regards to what you wrote before reviewing the book. I think it has more to do with channeling positive thoughts so you can be in a place to actually accept ‘happiness’. I can rarely get out of a bad mood unless I make up my mind to do so, no matter how much great stuff is going on around me. I don’t think most people who subscribe to positive thinking believe that alone is the end all — or that self-awareness and a look at the bad things going on in your life aren’t crucial in happiness.

http://www.theinnovativetraveler.com

By: NiJaal

NiJaal — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:41:22 +0000

I purchased the book a while ago after I saw him on The Daily Show. I have yet to finish it though. There are some very good points from what I have read. I will have to put more time into it.

Thanks for the review.