Life is a Brief Opportunity for Joy [Hardcover]

Will Meyerhofer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2010

This book is a guide for discovering joy, the simple pleasure of living each day.

I am a psychotherapist, with an office in New York City. As I work with patients and listen to their stories, I search for themes that define the human condition.

These themes have melded into a philosophy centered upon living with joy...

No book can substitute for the process of psychotherapy.

But I hope these ideas will introduce you to the work of selfdiscovery at the heart of that experience.

-from the introduction to Life is a Brief Opportunity for Joy

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Mill City Press, Inc. (December 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936400782
• ISBN-13: 978-1936400782
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,372,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Will Meyerhofer, JD LCSW is a psychotherapist and author living in New York City. For information on Will's psychotherapy practice, visit www.aquietroom.com.

Will writes a popular column, "In-House Counseling," for www.abovethelaw.com, and also keeps up a blog, www.thepeoplestherapist.com, which has received nearly 1,000,000 views since it was created in 2010.

In March 2013, Will published a comic novel, "Bad Therapist: A Romance" about a mild-mannered New York City therapist who falls in love with a blue alien from outer space.

Will's first book, "Life is a Brief Opportunity for Joy," an introduction to the philosophy and ideas underlying psychotherapy, was published in December, 2010.

Will's second book, published in October 2011, was "Way Worse Than Being A Dentist (The Lawyer's Quest for Meaning)", based on his columns from AboveTheLaw.com. No book contains more honesty about the sad state of the legal profession. It has consistently remained on the best seller lists in its category.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, accessible and riveting ... November 20, 2010

By Michael Mcmanus

Format:Hardcover

I expected this book to be a collection of extracts from the author's excellent blog. That would have made for a highly engaging read, but this book is far more than that. It is both an intelligent layperson's guide to psychoanalysis and also a wonderful personal credo - neatly summed up in the title itself. William Meyerhofer believes we all have an opportunity to seek happiness and the right to seek happiness. We are all the complex syntheses of the nature we inherit and the nurture we receive, and our task in this short span of life is to make the best of both - seeking happiness and fulfilment, both for and within ourselves and also through the love and respect of others. It's a compelling philosophy and a compelling read too. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it December 5, 2010

By BeansBeans

Format:Kindle Edition

I read and relate to the blog, so buying this book was a no-brainer. The first thing I thought as I read this book is "that totally explains my ex" and "this totally explains my sister." But the real point is to begin explaining yourself to yourself. Self examination is hard enough, but this book doesn't just pile your issues into a heap and walk away, but lays a path to get yourself up and moving in a direction towards happiness. Although its not the main point of the book, if you're trying to figure out whether you want to go to therapy, read this book first. It gives a behind-the-scenes view of things to think about, language that gets used, and the goals of the psychotherapy process. As for readability, I like that it has short, direct pros; its classy. As to truthiness, I trust this author's insight. This is a striking departure from my reaction to other self help books, where the authors seem like hot messes or bs artists. To conclude: I got a lot out of the book and will probably read it twice.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide to understanding emotions, depression, relationships, and everything in between November 29, 2010

By MJ

Format:Kindle Edition

Will has put together an easy to digest, concise, and thoughtful look at how to live the life you want. He urges us to find the joy in ourselves and our world (even if it seems impossible sometimes...). A must read!