Secrets of a Satisfying Life: Discover the Habits of Happy People

by David D. Ireland | Religion & Spirituality |
ISBN: 0801065461 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Antheras of Kitchener, Ontario Canada on 1/5/2006
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Antheras from Kitchener, Ontario Canada on Thursday, January 5, 2006
Book Description:
Research shows that only 20 percent of Americans consider themselves to be happy. What about the other 80 percent? Perhaps they are too busy. Maybe they are afraid to take risks. Whatever their reasons, these people have one thing in common: the desire to have a more satisfying life.

"The secret to a happy life can be found simply in the practice of certain behaviors," writes David Ireland. In Secrets of a Satisfying Life, he provides practical advice for attaining happiness and satisfaction. Rather than focusing on the problems that need to be changed, Ireland teaches how to cultivate happiness by recognizing and practicing the habits of happy people. With interactive tools and insightful stories, David Ireland's simple approach will help people discover what they've been missing in life.

Journal Entry 2 by Antheras from Kitchener, Ontario Canada on Monday, January 16, 2006
What makes a person happy? Is there a secret to happiness that can be taught? David Ireland believes there is and that by studying happy people and the healthy things they do, we can discover a prescription for happiness.

In Secrets of a Satisfying Life: discover the habits of happy people, Ireland outlines the three main points of his premise: discover the habits of happiness; learn how to practice the habits of happiness; and learn to laugh at yourself. Habits of happy people are the deliberate responses that have been successfully proven to meet one's needs. Secrets of a Satisfying Life goes on to outline how developing these responses and overcoming the distractions of the past keeps us moving toward the discovery of our life's purpose.

Written in the traditional style of the self-help genre, Ireland continually breaks his thesis into bite-size chunks and regularly restates his main points, all while including plenty of examples and quotes from experts. Its construction makes it suitable for study in an adult Sunday School class.

While Ireland definitely tries to make this book relevant to non-Christians through his extensive use of modern metaphors, discussing concepts that border on new age philosophies and by giving examples using icons of modern culture (Madonna, Venus & Serena Williams), the work assumes a Biblical belief system in its readership.

There are many concepts here that will benefit to the general public, however readers who are not espoused Christians may find the worthwhile core message difficult to find. The result may be that Ireland finds a reduction of sales in the secondary market (non-religious), as the preponderance of New Testament scripture may eliminate the appeal of this work to the broader audience of spiritual seekers. This limitation dilutes the message that Ireland is trying to send, that we can ALL use these methods.

In the end, what shines through most clearly is Ireland's belief that hope, "a sense of reach that inspires and motivates, is what breeds happiness." Life is filled with the mundane and it is by finding satisfaction there that we will be able to enjoy it and find our life's purpose.

Journal Entry 3 by Lotusflower77 from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Sunday, January 29, 2006
Sorry for journaling this so late, but A was only just able to give it to me. I look forward to reading what this author has to say about the habits of happy people. Perhaps I will read it in conjunction with my book on the habits of lucky people. It might be interesting to note the comparisons.

Thank you so much for agreeing to part with this book.

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.