Life Is Sweet: 333 Ways to Look on the Bright Side and Find the Happiness in Front of Youosi

by Addie Johnson

From Harvard classrooms to your grandma's kitchen table--everybody is getting on the look on the brightside bandwagon. If you need to know, there's a ton of medical research to back it up, but people who appreciate where their bread is buttered and how sweet the jam on their toast is--well they're healthier, they live longer, they're usually more successful--although they may not define success as having the most marbles, and for sure other people want to spend more time around them. Addie Johnson calls Life Is Sweet her scrapbook, in which she's gathered stories that struck her--things that made her happy in the seeing or experience and in the remembering. And bits she's read. And quotes. People, stories, kids and animals, stuff/no stuff (aka all or nothing), achievements achieved and unpleasant tasks done, laughing (snickering, giggling, guffawing, wetting your pants) health or progress toward it--all are fodder for happiness. Life is sweet and creamy--yes your life and yours and yours and yoursif you just look at what's in front of your face.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health

222 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2008

Reviews

[Melea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a chapter almost every day. What a good reminder of the nice things in life. Addie Johnson's main idea is that we don't necessarily need to try really hard to be happy. We need to just stop and savor those little moments that are already there in our lives. Her list of 333 things is just that a list, but she does have some text around that. She even has a funny anecdote about stopping to smell some roses, Ms. Johnson had to shoosh her face onto a fence to finally catch the scent, but that didn't matter. The sweet scent of those roses is what mattered. I need to remember that. This summer, I am going to practice finding the happiness that is already in my path. The wonderful aroma of a freshly brewed cup o' joe. The smooth feel of my finest sheets. The indulgence of a good book. Shared laughter. A great movie. I want to make finding those little moments such a habit that when school starts again in the fall, I can be better prepared and not let myself get so sucked into the things that just are, and that can't be changed.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Johnson wrote mostly about what makes her happy in the hopes that others would share those same ideas of happiness and be reminded of all the good things in life. I did share in a lot of what makes her happy. I don't want to go so far as to say that my outlook on life has been completely changed, but I am feeling more positive and am seeing life on the bright side right now. This book is recommended for those who need to be reminded of all the happiness and good in the world.

[Gemini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous, I may even have to buy it. There are so many little quips that made me chuckle out loud while on the T. I got a lot out of it so may have to come back to it again since it was amusing & informative at the same time.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, good ideas!

[Angelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special or really new. Just a good compilation of positive, make-me-happy ideas.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of thoughtful prompts to remind ourselves - especially when we're grumpy or feeling a little blue - just how sweet life can be.