Being Happy!

I was at a point in my life where I felt attacked, vunerable and confused. I just couldn't figure out why all of this stuff was happening to me (death of loved one, law suits and money problems). I found myself having forms of anxiety and the need to retreat from life. We were at an airport and quite by accident, my kids asked if we could go into the store and get a postcard. I saw this book and thumbed through it. It was written as if the author was talking to you and he included many cartoons. I bought it and put it in the outside pocket of my carry-on. As I was boarding the plane the flight attendant saw the book and told me that this book had changed his life. As I started to read, the book started to answer so many of my questions as to why things were happening to me. I started to use some of his techniques and sure enough, my life turned around very, very quickly. It is 2009 now and I read this book in 2003....my life is still on track and I have nothing to complain about. He has a book for teenagers, one about making freinds and another book similar to this one. I have bought this book as gifts for other people and it has changed their lives too. Greatest book ever. (I used the same review for the other book).

This is one of the best books ever written in the areas of personal development. The name may or may not be deceiving at first, "I'm not un-happy!!! you say" Happy or not this book will teach you life lessons and make it so easily understandable and fun that you will love it. Written by the multi talented Andrew Matthews who is not only a genius writer but also a cartoonist, so all the pages relate a cartoon to our life. Buy it today!! Don't miss out. I've bought so many copies of this and given them out as gifts only to be thanked endlessly, even by the Non reader type people!

I finished Being Happy this afternoon, and I've been trying to figure out why it made such an impact on me.It's filled with motivational stories that everyone has heard before, like about Edison failing 1000 times before he succeeded, how we can learn imagination from children, and how the people who thought about free throws improved just as much as the people who practiced. I've heard all those stories before, so the greatness of the book isn't that.Maybe it's the organization of the book. The book is organized into five chapters: Patterns, Live Now!, Toward the Direction of Our Dominant Thoughts, Goals, and Nature. I thought this was a very good analysis of the components of happiness.Maybe it's the author's command of the subject material. I could tell that the author really enjoyed being happy and that he's a good example of how to be happy. He also presents the material without being preachy, without being self-aggrandizing, or without making too much of a sales pitch for his training company. (He does have a training company, but the book only references it once.)So, I think I'll continue to be perplexed for a while about why I liked this book so much. All I know is it made a positive impact on me, and I feel happier and more confident after reading it.

It is a primer for everyone. The information and cartoons are fun to read. It is full of valuable wisdom for those looking for answers. It is written in an amusing style that would appeal to all ages. If you are looking for a book gift to a teen ager, I especially recommend it. They will learn important principles of life as they read the comical presentation.

I bought this book as a recommendation from a friend. Overall, this book is quite short, only 5 chapters. The book gives really good advice , although a bit dated on some parts. For example, the book talks about using motivational casettes. Most people born in the 60's through late 90s know what casettes are. In any event, the information and advice this book gives is still accurate and worthwhile today as it was the first day this book came out. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for clear advice on being happy with illustrative and imaginative stores and anadoctes that get the point across.

I love this book! It is cheerful and has a great message. The advice the author shares is common-sense advice that we all know we should be following, but often we get off-track and too negative. Each chapter is short and to-the-point, with lots of cartoon illustrations. I have underlined almost the entire book, because each page offers more great advice. For instance, the first page I flipped to says this: "A person embarking on a day's march would be foolish to carry enough provisions for a lifetime. Is it not strange, then, that many people carry around all their worries for the next 20 years and wonder why life is so difficult?" The author has several other books out there, but this is his best.

I had read several books by this author. I think his books are excellent. I like a lot because his stories always leave a positive message that helps personal growth and we can feel better emotionally. He uses simple words, easy to understand and we don't have to interpret what he means, or search thousands of words in the dictionary.

I am greatful that a co-worker recommended this book to me when she did. I was at a very low point in my life, and was probably close to making a rash decision that I would regret later. This book has taught me that I am not defective, and that I have more control over me and the events in my life than I thought. To some this book may be a rude awakening, but it is an awakening well worth it. I would recommend it to everyone, not just those at a low-point in their lives. I know this is a book I will be reading again and again, and each time I will take something else away with me as a lesson learned.

I read it and told friends to buy a copy .Learning through humour.A wealth of advice delivered with skill andgreat illustrations.

Happiness in Hard Times is my number 1 book right now. I am rereading it, it's AWESOME, clear explanations about stressful assumptions you may have. Really good suggestions to improve your Self Management. Excellent short stories about what others encounter in their lives and how they deal with it to overcome it and have a great life. I've read all of his other works, but this one is the best.It helps people to restore their self confidence and self esteem and get their priorities straight in their life. Absolutely a top quality Self Help Book.Really a classic. I hand it to all the people I coach as Basic Literature for Stress and Self Management.Jan HesselingBusiness Consultant - Management Coach

Great book

Great book! Easy read and you don't have to read it in order.The author sounds like such an upbeat person, that I feel cheered by just reading his sound bits of adviceEach section is short and sweet and to the point.No long sermons. Just good advice

My mum bought me this book years ago when I was having a rough time and I was really embarrassed! However, I read it and there is so much in it that makes so much sense, simplifies so many things.I have since bought it for several people when they are having a tough time and they have all said how good it is.A book which should be read by everyone as it puts so much in perspective, so simply. If you are having counselling then try this either instead or as well. I bet your counsellor wont come out with half the things in here.It is really easy reading and so simple. Not deep and heavy going like lots of books.I would recommend it to anyone.