Happiness: The Art of Living with Peace, Confidence, and Joy

With the "Press" feeding us a constant diet of negativity and cynicism, this book is a beacon of light coming over the horizon on the "Art of Living" your life with peace, confidence, joy, optimism, and hope. Your perception, is your reality! Please see the story of Michael and Michele on page 61. If you wish to transform how you live your life to one with peace, confidence, joy, optimism, and hope, this book is an excellent influence in that direction. AS AN ADDED BONUS, ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALES OF THIS MARVELOUS BOOK ARE DONATED TO CANCER RESEARCH! To The James Cancer Center and to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Marty Rauch, Cheshire, CT

Doug Smith has passed along to readers a priceless gift in the form of his debut as an author--Happiness: The Art of Living With Peace, Confidence, and Joy. A decade ago, in mid-life, he drove alone through a the night from Minnesota to Ohio with a death sentence on his head. Diagnosed with an incurable form of blood cancer, Doug was told by doctors at the Mayo Clinic that he had, at most, ten years to live. By the time he reached his hometown of Columbus, Doug had, through a series of reflections and long conversations with his wife, determined that he would ask not that the disease be taken away, but that he would confront its challenges with the five other requests of God. Since then, Doug has come through a lot, including triumphing over depression and leaving his successful corporate career. He now knows the secrets of a happy life, among which is this one: It's not the length of our days, but their depth, that matters. This is a great guide to the fundamental priorities around which readers, young and old, can order their lives for more lasting happiness, peace, and joy.

This book should be read by everyone. It gives valuable insights on getting rid of the baggage and leading a happy, productive life, stressing the need, not only to understand these concepts, but to monitor your progress on a daily basis. My granddaughter took Doug Smith's Happiness Course at DePauw University, and I had the privilege of sitting in one day. He made me feel part of the class, even called on me. I enjoyed it immensely, and I learned a lot both from him and the students in the class. I hope to attend again next winter. Doug is a knowledgeable, caring man, who teaches for the sake of helping young people to grow from his wisdom and experiences.

After my girlfriend met the author at Starbucks in Columbus, Ohio she read the book and loved it!!! I've decided to pick up a copy because she speaks so highly about it, and more importantly, the author. Mr. Smith has given those who read his book a better chance at being happy in life. I can see that his advice and methods will very well lead to more smiles in mine. The book is an easy and quick read, with practical methods towards being positive. It even has a dash of humor. I recommend it!

I find Dr. Smith to be an excellent writer/ author. I found the insight and profoundness nestled in his storytelling approach to be soothing and pleasurable. The only thing I wish is if the writing weren’t so ...repetitive... but overall the book holds powerful life changing insight !

This is a book for everyone that wants to live a happier life. It's an easy read that draws you in immediately to a story about the author's own life experience. It teaches you about a subject that interests everyone, and it does so without preaching. It's unique in it's reliance on real science blended with an interesting narrative that entertains as it enlightens. I recommend it highly!

I'd like to be happier. Chances are, so do you, since you're reading this review of a "happiness" book. Will reading this book make you happier? Not by itself. At its best, this book is an inspirational story about a man who received a terminal diagnosis, and this caused him to completely re-evaluate his life, and reinvent it in ways that have led him to a richer, happier, more fulfilling life. The story will resonate with anyone who faces significant adversity (who doesn't, at some point in their lives?) and help them to remember there are ways to respond to the trauma of life that can be quite liberating. But, as a happiness guide, it's a bit less successful. The book basically discusses several approaches to happiness, sprinkled with interesting anecdotes and supporting bits of research into positive psychology. These approaches mostly revolve around cultivating certain qualities, like forgiveness and optimism, that research and the author's personal experience show are effective at increasing happiness. Unfortunately, there is little assistance in guiding the reader in ways to increase these qualities for him/herself, and so at most, this book serves as a signpost, pointing towards avenues of further research. I think other books out there are more effective at suggesting specific practices that can help you boost your happiness.

Doug Smith offers context and structure to the skills of practicing happiness. You can sense the honesty in his self-assessement, the rigor of his research, and his generosity in sharing. The presentation follows Doug's journey, but more importantly organizes the lessons in logical sequence and plain talk. As suggested, understanding the principles is pretty easy; putting them into practice is hard work. This book inspires me to leave Pity City and get to work.

This book carries all of us who read it further forward to the ultimate goal of moving to a place of peace, love and contentment. The author provides his own profound observations which adds meat to the bones of themes expressed elsewhere, but here knitted together through struggle and experience, and ultimately victory in achieving what we all wish to achieve. I thank the author and his family for sharing this with us and am grateful to them for their insights gained from years of personal struggle. A small masterpiece to cherish and take guidance from.