The 18 Rules of Happiness: How to Be Happy Kindle Edition

I just got this book and went thru his first rule, and based on that I am, so far, giving the book 1 star. Why?Because his first rule is: Stop feeling sorry for yourself and you will be happy.I immediately had an adverse reaction, not that I'm a fan for feeling sorry for myself, but for how he wrote about it, and how he says if you're not feeling sorry for yourself you will be happy. Not true. Want proof?Just imagine you've just seen or heard about a child getting abused, or a friend getting ill. Are you happy? No? Why not? You're not feeling sorry for yourself, are you? No, you're not. So, this means that you may not be feeling sorry for yourself and still not feel happy.He also, in my opinion, fell short on providing a constructive option to feeling sorry for oneself. He could have, for example, stated that feeling sorry for oneself is based on the belief that one doesn't have the wherewithal to overcome some adversity, which is fundamentally not true, and then given examples to show how feeling sorry for oneself is a misguided, erroneous view of self.So, can you see why I'm only giving it 1 star so far? Maybe if I can get past this initial reaction to the book I'll read more and repost how I feel then.Edit:I've now read thru the whole book, and gone back and perused some sections of it. I now give it 3 stars, because, to me, it does have good ideas, generally. And I believe that if a person were to read thru them and apply them generally they might experience more happiness.But I still think he makes points that are misleading or dubious. For example, in Rule 5 "Emotiona are just things that happen, and which you can and should control."What? Emotions "jut happen"? And if they "just happen" how can a person actually "control" them?Emotions (feelings) don't "just happen". And it's the fact that they DON'T "just happen" that really is the key to understanding and gaining control over them.For example, a person doesn't "just" get angry or upset. They get these feelings because of what they BELIEVE about something. But the truth is, what you BELIEVE about some incident or situation very likely does not include everything about it. So, your FEELINGS and BELIEFS about it may very likely be misleading you. And when you know this, you will be less likely to `indulge' in unwanted feelings.For example, have you ever been cut off on the freeway by some "maniac" driver, and gotten pissed? Well, what if you later found out that the person was on her way to a hospital because there was a medical emergency? This happened to a friend of mine. His young son had an accident and severed a major artery in his leg and was bleeding profusely, even tho' my friend put a tourniquet on it.So, my friend blasted down the freeway. The highway patrol even made pursuit. But when he pulled into the hospital and lifted his bloody son out of the car, the officer took a look, paused and just left.So now, if you somehow knew this, at the time someone drives "crazy" on the fwy, would you be as angry? Probably not, right?Point is, we feel whatever we feel for a REASON. They don't "just happen." BUT, our reason may be skewed, so, if you know that (and a book on happiness, it seems to me, should attempt to teach this) you are less likely to cling tightly to unwanted feelings. With this awareness you have a better chance of resolving unwanted feelings.But like I said, he makes other good points, and for the PRICE you really can't go wrong, if you're wanting to find some good and pretty easy ways to increase your happiness. So 4 stars.And keep this in mind: However you THINK (and hence believe and how you perceive yourself, others and the world) is the PRIMARY cause of however you feel. Think about it. You will see this is true.

Usually books with a beautiful cover are worth buying and this is no exception. The author delivers what he promises and it is a short read. The author's goal is to help you find "genuine happiness."As a fairly happy person myself I recognized many of the tips and tricks that I've personally used to make myself happy. Like the first rule in this book was helpful to me when I began to get over an awful breakup. But just deciding to stop feeling sorry for myself did not instantly get me out of an emotional quagmire. I had to consciously create my happiness every day until it because natural. Now I live mostly with a warm glow radiating from my chest that feels like love and happiness combined.I also though the author's advice to release negative emotions was very important. At the end of the book he gives an exact method to do this. I also liked his lovely ideas like driving to the sea or experimenting with cooking. Taking action really does make you happier.For introverts however the advice on making millions of casual friends might not make them as happy as spending time alone or having just a few close friends.Some of the advice in this book draws on the wisdom of the power of positive thinking. As the author says: "Nobody likes negativity." I can't count the times I've told people this in my life.Well I loved this book and I thought it ended at about 69% but there is so much more. At the end of the book there is also an invitation to download an MP3 version of the book. There is also a section of inspirational quotes, lists of good mood music and advice on how to eat feel good foods.Really this book is about taking care of yourself. I will tell you one thing this works. Last year I had an awful Valentine's Day and I determined that this year things would be different. Instead of waiting for someone else to buy me chocolates I bought them for myself and had a nice surprise waiting for me at my P. O. Box. I also planned out what I was going to do which included watching a good movie and reading a good Kindle book. Instead of expecting other people to do things for me I did things for other people like baking them brownies and buying friends things off their wish lists.So my advice to you is to do the same each day of your life. Reach out and make someone else happy. After all you are in charge of your happiness so don't wait another day to read this great book.~The Rebecca Review

I enjoyed the book with the helpful insights. The only problem I had .......the book was too short. Great advice!

I love this book! It's simple, concise, witty, alluring, provocative, and right on. At age 75, retired, and living full time in a motorhome with my wife, we have been exploring the USA and Canada for the past five years on a modest budget. Our five children, as part of a modern blended family, and eleven grandchildren are left behind as they struggle to find their own versions of happiness through the ups and downs of life. Even with the simplicity of our chosen lifestyle, having left the 3000 square foot house behind along with all of the stuff that comes with that lifestyle, the question inevitably comes up in my mind as we pass another anniversary of life on the road..."Are we really happy?" At our age we have come to realize that it's not going to get any better than this...a life of freedom and simplicity surrounded by the grandeur of nature and a loving family. The rules that are and have been most helpful to us are: Be Grateful, Follow Your Bliss, Learn to Let Go, Do Random Acts of Kindness, Love More, Have a Dream, Enjoy Simple Pleasures, Exercise and Eat Well, and ...Laugh, Dance and Smile. As the author says...read it over several times and then reread it on a monthly basis. I couldn't agree more. This is a winner!

They might sometimes seems very apparent, or maybe obvious - but nevertheless this is a really useful reminder of the simple things that can make use happy. I have read a few books on this subject (trust me - I am not really that sad!) and they could sometimes become so complex that by the time I am half way into such books - I would want to give up the will the live.On the other hand, this simplifies the subject of 'happiness' and brings to easy comprehension the simplistic aspects of life that can lead to happiness.I have put one of the 'Tips' into practice.I was not in a particularly good mood on my way to a friend on day. As I was approaching the Toll Gate, instead of £1.50 - I took £3 out of my wallet and paid for myself and the car behind me. I sped off after I made the payment - but something changed in me. My demeanour changed from being moody to being in a state of ecstasy - just because I did a random act of kindness.The book is loaded with such really good simple tips that lead to happiness.

I bought this book as I had recently lost track of life and felt a bit down on a day to day basis, but not being depressed! This book tells you what you already know but have forgotten, and thus reignites your thirst for life and how to be happy :)At an extremely easy to follow book, which is well structured. Ideal for anyone and everyone...to people like myself who had just felt down the past few weeks for no apparent reason, to people suffering with depression to people who are already happy...I highly recommend this book to all :)

As someone who has experienced depression and often has trouble seeing the beauty of the world past all of the imperfections, I was very happily surprised at how quickly this book was able to raise my spirits and give me a nice little energy boost.The short and snappy format means you can come back for another boost whenever you feel life begin to sap away at your joy.A great little book! :-)

this little book is quite good much better than I thought it would be. After reading it I made a list of all the things I should do to change my life and I have actually acted on some of them. Doing just this simple thing made me take control and not wait for things to happen I actually felt a lot better for reading this little book and I will keep on reading it if I get a bit low in future

Simple, obvious actions to be happier, but it’s good to be reminded of these “rules”. Nothing earth shattering. Just straightforward steps that you can easily implement.