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Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy
An eye-opening shift of perspective on the secret of authentic happiness: how surprisingly simple, everyday acts lead to lifelong joy and fulfillment, from the experts at Live Happy magazine.
We are all increasingly hungry for soul-deep happiness. All over the globe, from the hallways of Harvard, where the university’s most popular course is a class on positive psychology, to the United Nations’ resolution naming March 20th the International Day of Happiness, the question of how to be authentically happy concerns millions of lives today.
But what if the secret of lasting happiness is actually . . . simple? Now, in Live Happy, the editors of Live Happy magazine, the first lifestyle publication dedicated to the timeless quest to achieve authentic happiness, reveal that true happiness is all about the big impact of small acts of everyday happiness.
Organized around the key components of a happy life, from gratitude to attitude and play to purpose, Live Happy brings together illuminating real-life happiness stories, eye-opening examinations on the science of happiness, and simple and inspiring everyday “happy acts” to empower readers to achieve big happiness breakthroughs.
Authentic happiness is within reach—and Live Happy shows readers how they can manifest it not only in their own lives but also make a positive and lasting difference in the world.
We are all increasingly hungry for soul-deep happiness. All over the globe, from the hallways of Harvard, where the university’s most popular course is a class on positive psychology, to the United Nations’ resolution naming March 20th the International Day of Happiness, the question of how to be authentically happy concerns millions of lives today.
But what if the secret of lasting happiness is actually . . . simple? Now, in Live Happy, the editors of Live Happy magazine, the first lifestyle publication dedicated to the timeless quest to achieve authentic happiness, reveal that true happiness is all about the big impact of small acts of everyday happiness.
Organized around the key components of a happy life, from gratitude to attitude and play to purpose, Live Happy brings together illuminating real-life happiness stories, eye-opening examinations on the science of happiness, and simple and inspiring everyday “happy acts” to empower readers to achieve big happiness breakthroughs.
Authentic happiness is within reach—and Live Happy shows readers how they can manifest it not only in their own lives but also make a positive and lasting difference in the world.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2016
93 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Deborah K. Heisz
1 book9 followersDeborah K. Heisz is the Co-Founder, COO and Editorial Director of Live Happy LLC. She, along with Founder Jeff Olson, leads the company that produces Live Happy, an award-winning bi-monthly print and digital magazine, Livehappy.com, and Live Happy products and apparel. By combining the science of positive psychology with practical advice from happiness experts to help people lead joyous and productive lives, the first-of-its-kind company is leading a movement to make the world a happier place.
Deborah also produces and is featured on Live Happy Now, a weekly podcast featuring uplifting and unique interviews with positive psychology researchers, practitioners, and experts on their own personal happiness journeys.
The adventure of leading the Live Happy team comes after serving as the founding Editor-in-Chief of SUCCESS magazine, spending almost a decade growing successful startups in the publishing industry, and 25-plus years of management experience in a variety of fast-moving organizations.
Deborah's greatest source of joy and wonder is watching her kids learn, experience life and ask questions without filter. Spending time in the great outdoors with her family and dogs brings her the most happiness in the world. She resides in Dallas, TX with her spouse and three children.
Follow her on Twitter @dheisz and @livehappy and like Live Happy on Facebook.
Deborah also produces and is featured on Live Happy Now, a weekly podcast featuring uplifting and unique interviews with positive psychology researchers, practitioners, and experts on their own personal happiness journeys.
The adventure of leading the Live Happy team comes after serving as the founding Editor-in-Chief of SUCCESS magazine, spending almost a decade growing successful startups in the publishing industry, and 25-plus years of management experience in a variety of fast-moving organizations.
Deborah's greatest source of joy and wonder is watching her kids learn, experience life and ask questions without filter. Spending time in the great outdoors with her family and dogs brings her the most happiness in the world. She resides in Dallas, TX with her spouse and three children.
Follow her on Twitter @dheisz and @livehappy and like Live Happy on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 24, 2017
There are some good suggestions in this book and I found myself underlining a lot of passages. However, many of the examples of people turning their lives around and finding joy were people who are very fortunate financially to begin with, which I did not find inspirational from the point of view as an average person.
July 28, 2018
Listened to this on hoopla. The tone and voice of the person reading grated on my nerves...it was not an enjoyable experience.
March 10, 2016
LIVE HAPPY, TEN PRACTICES TO CHOOSING JOY has two different themes: First, the author presents a lot of scientific research showing the basis for happiness. Secondly, she presents lots of inspiring stories to illustrate the points she's making.
For purposes of this book the author defines happiness to be “The human ability to thrive - to use one skills, traits, and talents in a way that creates lasting meaning and fulfillment.”
Right from the start, the author asks a very probing question—“So how does your happiness come about?” In particular, she wonders how much of happiness is “part of your makeup“ and how much of it can you actually influence.
Ms. Heisz cites a 2005 scientific study which found that 50% of happiness is due to genetics, 10% is due to your environment, and 40% is actually up to the individual. The key point, the author emphasizes, is that “People can choose to take actions that will make them happier.” So in other words, the author is taking aim at that 40% that you can do something about.
The author mentions one surprising finding--at least it was surprising to me. She points out that the chance of making your dreams come true actually is much higher when you're a happy person. Of course, we like to think of it the other way around. We think that if our dreams come true it will make us happy. But the author points out it's exactly the opposite.
The main theme of the book is something Ms. Heisz calls “Ten practices of Happiness.” For each of the 10 practices, she explains the scientific basis for this practice, followed by inspiring stories to encourage you towards that practice. The ten practices are: ATTITUDE, CONNECTION, MEANING, CREATIVITY, GRATITUDE, MINDFULNESS, HEALTH, RESILIENCE, SPIRITUALITY, GIVING BACK.
Perhaps the most poignant chapter is called the “Beauty of Blindness.” The author tells the story of a middle-aged woman, Sabriye Tenberken, and how she coped with going blind from a very early age. Sabrina decided to have a positive, empowering attitude to govern every part of her life, instead of focusing on her difficulties. Sabriye went on to accomplish wonderful things in helping the blind, and even formed the organization “Braille without Borders.” She has been honored with dozens of awards worldwide.
The story of Sabriye has great personal significance for this reviewer, since the cause of Sabriye’s blindness, retinitis pigmentosa, is precisely what is causing my own daughter to go blind. I found it encouraging to see how others cope with this terrible disease.
All in all, I found LIVE HAPPY, TEN PRACTICES TO CHOOSING JOY to be an intriguing, encouraging book, I especially like the portions were the author cites scientific evidence for her ideas. In other words, LIVE HAPPY isn't just a book of random theories and wishful thinking; rather, the author really supports the concepts with good scientific research.
Advance reading copy courtesy of Edelweiss book distributors.
For purposes of this book the author defines happiness to be “The human ability to thrive - to use one skills, traits, and talents in a way that creates lasting meaning and fulfillment.”
Right from the start, the author asks a very probing question—“So how does your happiness come about?” In particular, she wonders how much of happiness is “part of your makeup“ and how much of it can you actually influence.
Ms. Heisz cites a 2005 scientific study which found that 50% of happiness is due to genetics, 10% is due to your environment, and 40% is actually up to the individual. The key point, the author emphasizes, is that “People can choose to take actions that will make them happier.” So in other words, the author is taking aim at that 40% that you can do something about.
The author mentions one surprising finding--at least it was surprising to me. She points out that the chance of making your dreams come true actually is much higher when you're a happy person. Of course, we like to think of it the other way around. We think that if our dreams come true it will make us happy. But the author points out it's exactly the opposite.
The main theme of the book is something Ms. Heisz calls “Ten practices of Happiness.” For each of the 10 practices, she explains the scientific basis for this practice, followed by inspiring stories to encourage you towards that practice. The ten practices are: ATTITUDE, CONNECTION, MEANING, CREATIVITY, GRATITUDE, MINDFULNESS, HEALTH, RESILIENCE, SPIRITUALITY, GIVING BACK.
Perhaps the most poignant chapter is called the “Beauty of Blindness.” The author tells the story of a middle-aged woman, Sabriye Tenberken, and how she coped with going blind from a very early age. Sabrina decided to have a positive, empowering attitude to govern every part of her life, instead of focusing on her difficulties. Sabriye went on to accomplish wonderful things in helping the blind, and even formed the organization “Braille without Borders.” She has been honored with dozens of awards worldwide.
The story of Sabriye has great personal significance for this reviewer, since the cause of Sabriye’s blindness, retinitis pigmentosa, is precisely what is causing my own daughter to go blind. I found it encouraging to see how others cope with this terrible disease.
All in all, I found LIVE HAPPY, TEN PRACTICES TO CHOOSING JOY to be an intriguing, encouraging book, I especially like the portions were the author cites scientific evidence for her ideas. In other words, LIVE HAPPY isn't just a book of random theories and wishful thinking; rather, the author really supports the concepts with good scientific research.
Advance reading copy courtesy of Edelweiss book distributors.
January 10, 2017
I will add a quote when the book is published.
I don’t really understand why it took me so long to read this book. I have been reading it for several months. I believe it is designed to be read in small doses, but even knowing that it felt like it took me a long time. Part of the reason may have been that for me, a fan of positive psychology books, there wasn’t much new in this book.
I figure this was written for at least two reasons. The first is that the people at Live Happy sincerely want to share their information with the world. They know a lot of great news about life, resilience, health and happiness. Understandably, they want to share it. That is their goal.
The second reason is also reasonable. I believe this book will publicize their magazine and keep them all in jobs. That should also be something they want.
I don’t think I am their target audience. I have too much familiarity with their subject and the people writing in this field. My guess is that they want readers who have not encountered much about positive psychology and are looking for an overview. For those people, this is a fantastic book. I truly hope that people who need inspiration to find happiness find this volume. I believe it could change lives.
Other non-fiction that I believe deal with positive psychology:
Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World
Don’t Miss Your Life
Happiness Project
One Simple Act
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for letting me read an ARC.
I don’t really understand why it took me so long to read this book. I have been reading it for several months. I believe it is designed to be read in small doses, but even knowing that it felt like it took me a long time. Part of the reason may have been that for me, a fan of positive psychology books, there wasn’t much new in this book.
I figure this was written for at least two reasons. The first is that the people at Live Happy sincerely want to share their information with the world. They know a lot of great news about life, resilience, health and happiness. Understandably, they want to share it. That is their goal.
The second reason is also reasonable. I believe this book will publicize their magazine and keep them all in jobs. That should also be something they want.
I don’t think I am their target audience. I have too much familiarity with their subject and the people writing in this field. My guess is that they want readers who have not encountered much about positive psychology and are looking for an overview. For those people, this is a fantastic book. I truly hope that people who need inspiration to find happiness find this volume. I believe it could change lives.
Other non-fiction that I believe deal with positive psychology:
Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World
Don’t Miss Your Life
Happiness Project
One Simple Act
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for letting me read an ARC.
October 13, 2016
I should have finished this book within a few hours. Instead, I spent about 7 days on it. I hated almost every section. It is supposed to be average day people doing things that made them happy. What I got instead was a bunch of rich people doing things that made them happy. When the first average person came about there was constant talk about how attractive they were. Then, of course, there were the kids doing things. Towards the end we did drop away from some of the rich people doing things but, by then I was done with reading the book.
I came in expecting people who had middle class or lower struggles. I wasn't expecting millionaires and billionaires and those buying half a million dollar houses and acres of land and traveling the world with no cares other than making sure they practiced mindfulness. The book just became annoying.
I'm still waiting for the college student with a billion dollars in loans and yet still finds time to work out or the cashier who managed to support a family and still save money for a vacation to Disneyland. The teacher who works at the public school and yet practices some inner peace stuff between school shootings and abused children.
You know...what the other half of us actually live with.
I came in expecting people who had middle class or lower struggles. I wasn't expecting millionaires and billionaires and those buying half a million dollar houses and acres of land and traveling the world with no cares other than making sure they practiced mindfulness. The book just became annoying.
I'm still waiting for the college student with a billion dollars in loans and yet still finds time to work out or the cashier who managed to support a family and still save money for a vacation to Disneyland. The teacher who works at the public school and yet practices some inner peace stuff between school shootings and abused children.
You know...what the other half of us actually live with.
March 4, 2020
I quit reading when she started talking about weight loss. Look, I am on board with movement and exercise increasing happiness. However, I don’t think anyone needs to lose weight to be happy. And I don’t think anyone should exercise with the express desire to lose weight. Exercise because it makes you feel amazing. Fuck the idea that you have to have a certain size body to be happy.
February 24, 2017
Ugh. So boring I couldn't finish it. I stuck with it thinking it might get better, but after three-quarters of the way through, I finally returned it to the library. I consider myself a happy person anyway, but just thought it looked interesting. It's not.
January 14, 2017
Blah blah blah; uninspiring stories and lots of very pedantic superficial advice about how to be happy. Not a fan
November 22, 2018
A fantastic list and reminder of what happiness means both individually and collectively. Not only how to obtain it, but also to keep it. I think the most important lesson in this book is that happiness is not a new car, a better job, dropping a few pounds or even finding your dream partner. Happiness starts with you. Happiness and positivity attract new cars, better jobs, healthy lifestyles and good marriages. They do not supply the happiness, they grow from it. This is an excellent read everyone should pick up. We all need the reminder, and not just once, but throughout our lives. Like a checkup.
August 25, 2018
Great overview of important principles
Definitely worth the read even if you’re well versed on the core tenets of positive psychology. It’s a great refresher for seasoned readers while serving as a solid primer for newbies.
It’s written with three simple structures:
1 - stories offering good intro case studies highlighting the idea being discussed
2 - the science behind the idea being explored
3 - tweetable insights and calls to action
Very readable and easily recommended.
Definitely worth the read even if you’re well versed on the core tenets of positive psychology. It’s a great refresher for seasoned readers while serving as a solid primer for newbies.
It’s written with three simple structures:
1 - stories offering good intro case studies highlighting the idea being discussed
2 - the science behind the idea being explored
3 - tweetable insights and calls to action
Very readable and easily recommended.
May 30, 2022
I’ve had this book for a while (published 2016) and just now spent the time to read it. Some sections were easier to read than others; such as gratitude vs meaningfulness. I did enjoy the personal stories within each chapter and I liked having notes for “homework” or “things to do.” The trick is just keeping all the notes and highlights forefront in my mind and not fall back into a complaining mode. With so much negativity in the world, I don’t want my daily thoughts and comments to always look at what’s wrong.
June 2, 2020
I loved that it had different perspectives from different people in different walks of life as I truly don't believe one way of anything is the right way for everyone so that was refreshing. A lot of stuff I have heard in other books which makes it that much better to reaffirm the knowledge floating around out there on how to live a happier life. Definitely a book I will revisit at some point especially if I need the gentle reminder to choose Joy.
Good Read!
Good Read!
May 4, 2017
One of the better "Happiness" books I've read recently. I enjoyed the different stories. Could be the narrator on audio, but it was more relatable and informational than other books I've read/listened to.
May 26, 2018
Really nothing new here that I haven't read before. I do like the tips at the end of each practice for putting it into practice. Plus, reading these kinds of books (on happiness) from time-to-time help in clearing my brain from all the negative stuff in the news these days.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Read
June 24, 2020Even though I heard some materials in other books, it shows how separate we are to seek happiness and joy in our daily lives.
Not a bad book to listen, but more importantly, to implement the guides in our daily lives.
Not a bad book to listen, but more importantly, to implement the guides in our daily lives.
February 23, 2021
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook about creating more joy in your life. There were motivational stories back with research tidbits, followed up by actionable suggestions to implement. If this company put out a desk calendar or app of ideas, I would be all over trying something new each day.
June 19, 2017
I'll be honest and say that I was not able to completely absorb this book as I listened to it while doing other things.
The things that I heard were helpful advice on finding happiness.
The things that I heard were helpful advice on finding happiness.
October 5, 2017
I'm rounding up to three as I didn't really enjoy the book. It had some good tips with several feel good stories but a whole lot more.
December 25, 2017
lots of feel good inspiration. not bad.
December 31, 2017
An uplifting compilation of stories of how people found happiness. Mindfulness and giving back stood out to me.
September 8, 2018
Quick, wonderful read that gave me actionable items and great resources to further my understanding.
February 22, 2020
A helpful reiteration of the research, that which the author was able to translate into relatable stories + practical next steps for a "happier" state of being.
January 10, 2017
Great little book. I was walking through the library and saw this book sitting on display, I just had to read it. I am a big fan of positive psychology and an entire study of happiness itself just intrigued me. The book does a great job of sharing some of the research behind the study of happiness and then sharing snippets of people using the practice in their life and how it influenced them. Each chapter ends with a suggestion of what you can do to practice the happiness act in your life. I think its really a book that should be read over a period of time so that you can take in what you have read and hopefully implemented some of the happiness acts in your life as well.
August 3, 2016
Such a breezy read, but uses the science of happiness along with people's personal stories that made me understand that one person's choices can have an immense effect on their own and others' happiness. I saw the author speak. She is involved in the leadership of Nerium International, my part time job.
April 23, 2016
Loved this book. Simple easy things can add such happiness...like calling an old friend, giving someone an unexpected compliment, and reaching out of your comfort zone. A quick read that I'll keep on my nightstand for reference and daily positivity!
May 15, 2016
I enjoyed this book.
July 11, 2016
Good advice!
July 7, 2016
After reading this book, I want to check out the magazine. Great ideas and inspiration.
October 15, 2016
I want to own this book!!!! It's amazing. If everyone read this and only did one of the suggestions everyday we'd have such a better world.
February 10, 2017
Loved the concept, the content, and the delivery. Quick easy stories with practical tips along the way, and no re-hashing like so many 'self help' books do. I definitely recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews