Making Happy: The Art and Science of a Happy Marriage

by Les Parrott III

Marriage doesn’t make you happy. You make your marriage happy. But how? Discover the six counter-intuitive dials to turn right now in your relationship. these are proven happiness boosters. and let’s face it, knowing how to make happiness—the deep and abiding joy of feeling good together—isn’t always easy for time-starved and sleep-deprived couples. Making Happy will change all that Relationship experts Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott bring all the relevant research together in Making Happy and show you how to elevate happiness in your relationship. It’s easier than you think. Includes an immensely practical three-week Happiness Plan.

Genres: Marriage, Relationships, Christianity

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2014

About the author

#1 New York Times best-selling authors, Les and Leslie. A husband-and-wife team who not only share the same name, but the same passion for helping others build healthy relationships. In 1991, the Parrotts founded the Center for Relationship Development on the campus of Seattle Pacific University - a groundbreaking program dedicated to teaching the basics of good relationships.

Married in 1984, the Parrotts bring real-life examples to their speaking platform. Their professional training - Leslie as a marriage and family therapist, and Les as a clinical psychologist - ensures a presentation that is grounded, insightful and cutting-edge.

The Parrotts are New York Times #1 Best Selling Authors. Their books include the award-winning Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, Love Talk, Real Relationships, The Parent You Want to Be, The Hour That Matters Most and Crazy Good Sex.

Each year Les and Leslie speak in over 40 cities. Their audiences include a wide array of venues, from churches to Fortune 500 company board rooms. Their books have sold over two million copies in more than two dozen languages.

The Parrotts have been guests on many national TV and radio programs such as CNN, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The View with Barbara Walters, NBC Nightly News, and Oprah. Their work has been featured in USA Today and The New York Times.

Visit their website for lots of free resources at www.LesandLeslie.com

Reviews

[Maurya · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister recommended this book, and I enjoyed it! Have about 30 highlights of different ideas / suggestions / books to read / things to think about!

It is both about a happy marriage and about being happy in general as a human being. Throws in some information about gratitude, some about complaining, and random acts of kindness.

I didn't know where this book would go, when I started it and / or if it would be a bunch of fluff - but it was good and I recommend giving it a go.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information, nothing new but excellent delivery. As a marriage mentor and life coach, I'm sure I will be recommending to people I work with.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Marriage is not designed to make you happy - you are designed to make your marriage happy." Not sure I agree with this statement 100% as it ignores my Creator God, but I do agree that it a choice we make individually if our marriage is a happy one or not. The book is super-applicable thanks to the 21 days of activities to help improve the quality of your relationship. This timely quote from Daniel Gilbert struck me: "An uncertain future leaves us stranded in an unhappy present with nothing to do but wait." This shelter in place business is so uncertain, but there is hope! And "When you have a love you can count on- an enduring love - it soothes the anxiety of all other uncertainties." Thanks for the loan, Mom!

[Jeff Pohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read for Newlyweds, or Soon to Be Weds, or Anyone Who Hopes to Be Weds

I could read this book over and over. Les and Leslie offer great insights of their own and share other words of wisdom from ancient and modern sources. I love the humor, the practical advice, the easy read...and most of all, the hope for a better life with my spouse.

[Otis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read. I plan on gleaming more with the 21 day challenge. I thoroughly enjoyed learning new resources I can apply help with making my marriage extraordinary.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been married a few times from the age of 19 to the present, this book really sounded of interest. We all have issues, hang ups and addictions. Some good , some not so good and some bad. The key is how to find happiness and how to make others and ourselves happy. Marriages are not always happy. Marriage is Work ! It is not the meeting of two perfect people, it is the meeting and mixing of two imperfect people . It is the relationship of those two people loving, forgiving and living. Each with their own likes, loves and faults. So how do we become happy ? How do we make our marriage happy ? How do we see beyond the things that drive us nuts about or mates and see them for their inner self and learn to love them for who they are ?

When I started reading Making Happy I was sceptical at best. Life is not all sunshine and roses ! But as I read I saw things that really made sense to me and may make sense to you too ! If being happy is one of your goals

( and it should be for everyone) you will want to read ” Making Happy”.

I liked their friend Gary Thomas the Author of Sacred Marriage, Question

” What if God designed Marriage to make us Holy, instead of Happy ? “

That really is the point of life. When God says Be ye Holy, for I your God am Holy… I think he meant it and that is his goal for us in this life.

In “Making Happy” you will learn about happiness boosters for couples.

Count Your Blessings

Try New Things

Dream a Dream

Celebrate Each Other

Attune Your Spirits

Add Value to Others

Overcoming the Biggest Hurdles to Happiness as a Couple

You will learn a 3 week happiness plan to help you really learn to be happy in life and your marriage.

I really enjoyed ” Making Happy”, it showed me things that I had not thought of . It really inspired me to not give up and always try harder at relationships. It also inspired me to always seek the Lord and never think things are impossible. Now there are those folks that can never be happy, but I think if you give this wonderful book a try, you might just find that place called Happiness ! You might even find a way to have some Hot Monogamy !

I would highly suggest this book to anyone looking to improve their marriage. To Couples looking for a study to get them out of a rut. Maybe even to an adult Couples Group ! It is sure to inspire you on to Happiness in Marriage and in Life !

~ Linda ~

[Chris Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read!
We all know that marriage does not make us happy but Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott supply some great insights on how to make our marriages happy in their new book from Worthy Publishing. These bestselling authors understand relationships. They have been writing books on the subject for a couple of decades. My wife and I actually went through the Parrott’s book “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts” over 15 years ago during our engagement. In “Making Happy” the doctor duo help us discover the key ingredients to making our marriages truly enjoyable.

This book is a delightful read and it is filled with fun little quizzes to get you thinking about the things that can increase happiness in our lives and marriages. Did you know that your life circumstances have very little to do with your personal happiness? Happiness is more about your perspective but it does take work. "What is your gratitude quotient? What is your adventure quotient? What is your happy factor?" When I finished this book, my wife and I went on a date. We took the short assessments and talked through these important areas of our marriage relationship. It was a wonderful evening and the book provided lots of great fodder for conversation. This title also includes a 21-day “Happiness Plan” giving you practical ways to implement the art and science of making your marriage more happy. I encourage you to read through this book and put into practice what can make your marriage (and your life) happy.

[Brandi (Rambles of a SAHM) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Making Happy, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott mix research and personal experience to teach the average couple how to bring more happiness into their marriage. The first couple of chapters are pretty heavily peppered with stats and studies that lean towards the clinical. Once you get to chapter three you begin to see the practical and yes simple applications to use in your marriage.

The book focuses on six happiness boosters that you will learn to apply to your marriage relationship. In order to find out where you are at in your relationship there are several little quizzes scattered throughout. I thought they were very interesting and helped solidify what was being discussed.

At the very end of the book is a Twenty-One-Day Happiness Plan. Each of the days has an activity that will enhance what you have just read. There are also links for additional resources to use during this twenty-one day period.

This book would of course make a good study for any married couple. It would help those that are a bit unhappy in their marriage and it would affirm those that are quite happy in their marriage. I also think it would make a great small group study. While there is a section on marital sex, I didn't find it to be cringe worthy so I think you could easily do this with a few other couples.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

[Leilah Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, when I opened this book I was expecting something like all the other marriage books I've read. But my cynicism was quickly beaten down. Making Happy by Les and Leslie Parrott approaches happiness in marriage from a different angle: Marriage isn't supposed to make you happy. It's supposed to make you draw closer to God.

We tend to think that getting married will make our life perfect, but soon after the honeymoon we discover that our spouse is...human! Where did the happiness go? Well, are you bringing it? Making Happy discusses what happiness really looks like, how to find that for yourself, and then how to put that happiness to work building a stronger marriage.

I can't wait to try out the "3 week Happiness Plan"!

[Joy Matteson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say I was able to really glean anything from this book. It seemed as though it was a cross between the book "The Happiness Project" and "The Five Love Languages", with a dash of anecdotes featuring why one should be grateful (and one should) and how that impacts one's marriage from a 'slightly' scientific standpoint. Unfortunately, I've read it all before. I suppose I'd recommend it to someone who hasn't read too many books on the subject.

[Amanda H · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Making Happy, Les and Leslie Parrott take a different approach to what makes a good marriage and how to improve your marriage-by being happy together. Going through the science of being happy, their book is like a mini class on how to make your marriage better. Quizzes, studies, personal stories, and quotes make this book an enjoyable study for couples and groups alike! I look forward to applying some of their concepts in my own marriage.

[Alyson Willcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

really looking forward to my "21 days of happiness" I'm now on day 3 with my husband. it's a very light read with interesting statistics with the ever intriguing "science of happiness". some parts were a little to Christian for my taste but can easily be viewed at whatever faith and/or God/dess you follow. always good to put a little light in your life. if you like "the secret" or "the law of attraction" this is a good book to add to your list and share with your partner.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found some great tips in this book. Very easy, quick read.

[Shari]

Useful in a teaching setting with groups of married couples.

[Brittany Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful tools, great points, and fun stories!