Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life (Hardcover)

by Alexandra Stoddard (Author) "I've found that most people don't really think about happiness in a structured way..." (more)
Key Phrases: precious keys, New York

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Bursting with creative ideas and brimming with illuminating anecdotes, this concise, joyful, and practical book shows how to find -- and forge -- happiness in the large and small events of everyday life. Based on her more than thirty years as a noted thinker and speaker on personal contentment, Alexandra Stoddard shares what she has learned about the small but significant changes you can make in your mind, heart, and surroundings to be happier day by day.

A gentle and fun first step is to quickly write down ten words that define who you are -- perhaps beaches, family, food, home -- and what else? To further expand your awareness, select one word and write down twenty-five words that come to mind. These and dozens of other inventive ideas will help you develop the self-knowledge to pursue happiness wisely and well.

In challenging times, it is easy to question whether happiness is a choice. Alexandra Stoddard affirms not only that it is possible to choose happiness but that happiness is the best choice we can make. It is the "first principle" of life that unites humankind because it is what we all desire.

Happiness lies in the passions we pursue and in the pressures we decline. It is in knowing how to work and when to play. It is in the treasured objects we keep nearby and in the ordinary moments we elevate into small celebrations. It is in the note we write to a friend and the kindness we show a stranger. It is in the colors we love and the music that transports us. It may be as simple as sunlight on your face; as sudden as a shared smile; as sensuous as a single flower on your desk, candles on your nightstand, or cookies hot from the oven. Happiness is what you make it, where you make it. Happiness is our best choice.

About the Author
Author of more than twenty books, Alexandra Stoddard is a sought-after speaker on the art of living. Through her lectures, articles, and books such as Living a Beautiful Life, Grace Notes, Open Your Eyes, and Feeling at Home, she has inspired millions to pursue more fulfilling lives. She lives with her husband in New York City and Stonington Village, Connecticut.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060008040
• ISBN-13: 978-0060008048
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,804 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sweet in the best way, April 5, 2002

By	Jane Austen "cheerycherry" - See all my reviews

This is a beautiful book. It talks about how to get around the "bad stuff" and savor the better parts of life. In a section called "transcending pain" Alexandra says, "Our painful experiences stregthen us in becoming more empathetic, more caring, and deeper human beings. We grow in depth of understanding, with greater appreciation for the miracle of life. We all have our struggles. None of us is spared. Pain is inevitable. We try to learn from our experiences how to move our energy into pure, positive directions. We must remain focused on our goals so that our light shines as brightly as possible in situations that require our inner strength." When she gets to talking about the better parts of life, there is a section about reaching for dreams and goals that I especially enjoyed. The whole book is beautifully written and thoughtful and I found it uplifting and inspiring. I guess that I should underscore what I've written by admitting that Alexandra Stoddard is my favorite writer and I have most of her books. However, Choosing Happiness and Daring to be Yourself are my two favorite favorites. It would be really sad for anyone to miss out on this perfect little book about being happy.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love and Live Happy....REALLY read this book, January 23, 2003

By	Kevin Graves (Ennis, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In this book, as in all her works, Alexandra Stoddard is not telling you to change YOUR bedside lampshades just because she mentions it in her book. She's not telling YOU to wear acid green, that she loves and she's not telling YOU to check the Caffeine label on the coffe. She's telling you what SHE does and how SHE chooses happiness. No one is going to be able to "Choose Happiness" by following HER suggestions verbatim. What she IS telling you is to look at her examples and find these things in YOUR life. Hers may be silly and trite to you, as some of the negative reviews have mentioned, but the basic idea is sound indeed. You just have to find your own.

The most I got from this book is BEING MINDFUL. Now, we all know this, it's nothing new, but all of this is cumulative anyway. It won't do you a whit's good to practice these tips for a day or a week. It has to be all the time.

...It may not be YOUR path to happiness, but it's a fine start. Thanks Alexandra, I read it often.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Way to Experience Joy and Peace Everyday, March 2, 2008

By	Natalie Helms "Book Lover" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life (Hardcover)

Choosing Happiness is a delightful book with creative ideas on how Alexandra Stoddard personally chooses happiness in her daily life. Alexandra does not force her ideas on you but gives lovely examples and suggestions of the choices that she makes. This book truly expanded my ideas for finding joy and creativity in new areas that I had not thought about previously. While enjoying this book I was reminded of Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment which also gives simple and inspiring ways to choose daily happiness and live in peace and joy.