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The Happiness Handbook: A User's Manual For Living Your Extraordinary Life by Jennifer Flaa

Saturday, June 15, 2013


We arrive on this planet naked and without operating instructions. We live our lives and learn from trial and error (lots of errors) what works, what doesn't work, what makes us happy and what pisses us off.

Each new person that comes into our lives gets no user's manual and has to figure us out the hard way. But what if we changed the rules? What if we wrote our own user's manual, The Happiness Handbook, about what makes us tick and gave it to the people we love most?

Imagine how that would change our interactions and our lives. People would begin to do what makes us happy and ... we would be happy! If someone received our Happiness Handbook and chose not to follow it, well then, we could choose not to hang out with them more quickly.
The Happiness Handbook is about empowering the reader to discover their own unique ways of being that lead to unlocking their full potential and becomes their guide for leading the extraordinary life they were born to fulfill.

The Happiness Handbook is written in a warm, friendly and informal tone; as if a girl friend were guiding the reader through their process of self discovery. Peppered with humbling, humorous anecdotes and stories; the reader has a practical, seasoned guide and partner in crime as they work the exercises and use the tools to move from unhappy to happy!

Goodreads Summary

When we were dating, my husband would get so frustrated sometimes that I didn’t express any particular interest in what we should do for fun.  I just enjoyed being with him…and he did try to plan movies, walks, dinners, etc… that he thought I would enjoy.  I did! He always got it right, but I can see now that my passive personality could be a little trying.  As Flaa’s book dedication says, “To all the guys who had to figure me out the hard way…sorry about that.”  
Part of the problem was that I never tried to figure out for myself – what I enjoyed doing with my dates.  This is probably because I wanted my date to enjoy the day too.  I thought that making sure they were having a good time was more important.  Flaa sets up chapters at the back of the book where she guides you in deciding “what makes you happy”, “what makes me tick”, “sex”, “the dark side”, and more.  Think about it and write it down!  
We’re many years into our marriage…but I might try her 3 steps of happiness: decide, communicate, and then “happy dance”!  Her happiness layer cake helps you to decide what’s a necessary foundation, what are great qualities, and then things you just like to do alone or with someone.  Her advice and visualization tools at the end of the book for getting over hurt and anger seem helpful.  Haven’t we all whacked a ball and pictured someone’s face on it?
Read this book and try the exercises.  They’re fun! - it’s great to find a different way to look at relationships and at yourself.
Four Stars

*Reviewed by Colleen*

Find this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

6 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

  1. bn100 said...:

    Sounds fun and different

  1. Unknown said...:

    Sounds like an interesting read! i love the cover! Yum!

  1. Unknown said...:

    it sounds good..I think I am going to read this

  1. Unknown said...:

    This seems like a good book to read :)

  1. Berenice said...:

    This cover is great! And it sounds even better. I think I'd love to read this one. I will add to my list. Fantastic review. Glad to hear you really enjoyed it! =)