Finding Contentment: When Momentary Happiness Just Isn't Enough (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Want to know the real secret to life? It's enduring contentment - a deep-seated sense of peace and self-acceptance - that comes from being the person you truly are. Dr. Warren has five get-to-know-yourself-better steps designed to uncover the real you and help you find lifelong serenity. You'll learn why, from the moment you were born, you were programmed with the conflicting messages of pleasing self versus pleasing others - and you'll learn how to reconcile the two.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785272348
• ISBN-13: 978-0785272342
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #935,552 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finding yourself, contentment and authenticity, December 21, 1998

By A Customer

I have found it to be of tremendous value. His basic thesis is that contentment (as distinct from happiness) comes from living an authentic life. Such a life is marked by listening to:

-your internal messages, wishes, thoughts, wisdom and desires

-external influencing factors, such as people, experts and cultural guidelines

-your fundamental values, convictions and faith

Oddly enough, it's the first one that seems to cause most problems!

The problem: Many people have experienced chronic frustration. Happiness is real but transient, and we're left stomping around our home wondering what to do next, how to feel better and somehow 'fix' whatever is wrong. Neil mentions boredom, emptiness, channel surfing, job frustration, and demanding but unexciting spouses.

"Why is it that when we're confronted with something we don't want to do, we often remain silent? We do we move ahead with a decision, even though our inner world screams to do the opposite? What causes us to concede to others' wishes at the expense of our own?" (p80)

Somehow we have given away control of our lives and and cannot take possession of any internal messages. We can't work out our thoughts, feelings, needs, wishes and concerns. We don't know what we feel about an issue, and have to rely on others to tell us. Making solid decisions becomes impossible. Eventually one may sell out and ... "give over their personhood to some influential person or group of persons. If they finally give these 'choosing rights' over to someone else, a tragic personal event occurs. It is as though they commit emotional suicide. They give up on being who they truly are." (p 49)

Those other people may be a parent, boss, peer group, co-workers, team members, spouse or many others. The essence is that we become what others want, and are completely unable to be what we want, because we have no idea what that is!

Suggestion solutions: The book is well worth reading many times, as Neil hits upon many personal points that will stand out at different times. There are several steps and methods suggested, but they are based on getting to know your "inner world" i.e. get to know yourself; take control of your life according to values and principles and avoid the roadblocks to contentment.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book that everyone should have in their home, May 29, 1999

By	[e-mail] (California) - See all my reviews

This book helped me so much in my life and showed me how to deal with everyay life situations. I have read it front to back, and then gone back to it as a reference book. I have recommended it to many of my friends and family members.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on learning how to respect/honor self, July 28, 1999

By	Shirley Hutcheson (Pasadena, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Neil Clark Warren makes visible the importance of being truthful, not only to ourselves about ourselves, but to be truthful about ourselves to others; only then can we obtain the inner peace and contentment we so desperately seek. Within the pages of this book, you will examine your life and learn how to change the patterns that keep you from the happiness you diserve. Others authors I have read that speak of living an authentic life are Rev. Wayne Muller "How, Then, Shall We Live? and Neale Donald Walsh "Conversations with God Book II".