Book Review: Happiness: The Art Of Living With Peace, Confidence And Joy

Happiness: The Art Of Living With Peace, Confidence And Joy

by Douglas A. Smith

Paperback, 192 pages

Published January 2nd 2014 by White Pine Mountain

Goodreads synopsis: In the midst of a successful business career, Doug Smith received life-altering news that set him on an entirely new journey to understand what leads to truly joyful, meaningful living—-in other words, what leads to happiness. Through research and study he begins to understand what the most joyful among us have in common is that they remember the past with peace, anticipate the future with confidence and live in the present with joy and exuberance. He further discovers that what gives them this perspective is a set of skills that they consistently, even if subconsciously, practice. He also realizes that he is not particularly good at several of these skills. In Happiness: The Art of Living with Peace, Confidence and Joy the author recounts, with insight and humor his journey to better understand and practice the skills of happiness with the goal of helping others on their own paths to joyful, meaningful living.

I did enjoy this book. I found it quite helpful on many levels. But I only wish there were more techniques and things we can personally do to make our journey a happier one. I felt like I needed to take Mr. Smith's Happiness course in order to find out exactly what tools I truly needed to be emotionally happy. He referenced "What Happy People Know" by Dan Baker, Ph. D and Cameron Stauth. I read this book back when it was published in 2004. I am a big follower of people who like to write about happiness. I like to re-read these books because it is always good to be reminded of things we tend to forget.

I hope you give this book a try. It does take a hot minute to get into it. And it is  not a strictly "text book" sort of book. The author gives quite a lot of personal examples which is really helpful when you are trying to apply a technique to you own life.

4 Stars

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this title.