The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World (A 100-Day Devotional Journal) – The Perfect Christian New Year's Resolution Gift for Women

by Alli Worthington

Take a daily step toward joy and contentment and ditch stress, overwhelming thoughts, and boredom with encouraging and biblical messages from Alli Worthington. You do your best to live life well—you work hard to be present in the moment, take care of the people in your life, knock it out of the park at work and home. And yet, somehow, you still have days (perhaps more than you'd like to admit) where you're simultaneously stressed and bored, and you wonder if you even know how to be happy. Is happiness a worthy goal? Does happiness matter to God, or does He only care about holier things? Alli Worthington gets it. As a wife, mother of five boys, author, speaker, and entrepreneur, she knows a thing or two about being busy, stressed, and happy in the midst of a crazy world! Over the years, she's seen how happiness gets a bad rap in Christian circles, and now she is standing up to shout the good news from the roof (or the internet, as the case may be): You are allowed to be happy! Yes, you! You can be happy right now! Join Alli for The Year of Living Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World , and find the roots of your happiest life yet. Each of the 100 short and inspirational entries includes This gorgeous book, which features a fabric spine, a presentation page, lovely designed interiors, and a ribbon bookmark, is an empowering gift for yourself or any woman you love. It can be used as a daily devotional or as a guided journal. Be part of this exciting Happiness and holiness can coexist for a beautiful life. Don’t miss the great big adventure God has for you. Let this be The Year of Living Happy !

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Personal Development, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Book Club, Spirituality

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year of living happy is a 100-chapter book by Alli Worthington. I listened to a few chapters every morning in 21-minute segments and it was lovely to start the day hearing positive thoughts in Alli's delightful southern accent.

The audiobook was incorrectly marked as 6 hours long because the whole thing seems to play again so please note, it's actually 3 hours long. I recommend reading with your ears to enjoy the full experience.

She's an enneagram 7 so the whole book is very joyful and fun while still talking truth to your ears.

I loved the book and rated it 5🌟. It was my first by this author but I will now be diving into the others too 💛

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim. The author certainly has many thoughts that I found helpful in trying to live happily but as you can see this book only took three months to read not a year. Not sure if I was supposed to ponder for a while on each entry or not but I certainly would not have called this the year of living happy. Maybe just live happy.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I didn't agree with everything but I still loved all the practical and spiritual advice for living a happy and joyful life in Christ - not just sometimes, but every day!

[Lauren Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great devotional to challenge your thoughts on happiness and contentment and how to grow both.

[MT · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beautiful cover with a handful of bright yellow blossoms to the back cover asking "How would your life be different if you were just a bit happier every day?" - this book seems to have revitalizing power. Author Alli Worthington has touched on something that every woman probably wonders about while thinking everyone else has it all together. The book is divided into 12 sections: Made to be happy, Holiness is happiness, Happiness in the here and now, Good friends and happy hearts, Finding your happy thought, Happy in a world of crazy, When happiness is hard, Healthy-Happy-Whole, Choosing Happiness, The power of happy words, A happy heart is good medicine and Building a Happy Life. Inside each section are seven to ten spiritual pep talks. Each contains a short story with Biblical application and a short exercise for the reader to participate in. Fun things like thinking about your idea of happiness, listing unique qualities about yourself, describing one thing in your life that is imperfectly wonderful, ask God what seeds He's given you to plant and think of a situation where you could chose compassion for yourself instead of self-criticism. The short readings help it not feel overwhelming or daunting. But don't be misled by this into thinking this book is just fluff. It is not! There are deep truths and thoughts you'll ponder long after shutting the pages of the book. I really enjoyed that there was an action the reader was invited to do after reading the story, thoughts and scripture encouragement that was given. This made the book more personal and more impactful for me.

I was given this book by the publisher but was not required to write a positive review.

[Joanna Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook, which probably wasn’t the most ideal way to enjoy this particular book....but about 1/2 way through listening to the book I enjoyed it so much I quickly ordered it to have a physical copy of it as well as an extra to give as a gift. I look forward to studying the book again in a very intentional way. The author really spoke directly to me, and her simple steps to being happier aren’t overwhelming or too far fetched. The gospel insights sprinkled throughout as well as the inspiring “assignments” she gives us to help implement her tips are timely and inspired. Great read!

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light encouraging read. I was surprised to find that the book is more like a daily devotional than a study on the subject of happiness. Each day’s lesson includes a short anecdote and Bible verse to go along with the message. While I appreciate the author’s message, I prefer a Bible Study with more meat to it and probably wouldn’t have purchased this book had I known better. It would be a good option for someone who is just beginning to study the Bible or perhaps a new mother who doesn’t have more than a minute or two to spare.

[Lisamarie Landreth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project became a Christian devotional. With 100 daily readings, this is the perfect fall devotional to read from back to school season through Thanksgiving, before we begin the God & Glam Advent Experience.

I love the way she combines Scripture and happiness research to instruct the reader on the road to both holiness AND happiness! 🙌🏻

[Yvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you struggle to find the joy in each day, the silver lining in the clouds that seem to perpetually hang above us, you’re not alone. The author has created a devotional to help you make joy a part of your everyday living. Each part of the book is broken into bite-sized chunks that will leave you thinking throughout your day. The chapters have devotions, scriptures, and action steps, broken down into bits, to help you begin the journey into your happiest life yet! Each chapter features text, anecdotes, scripture, a challenge, and a place for keeping notes about your progress throughout the year.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading devotional books, and I’m happy (no pun intended) to add this one to my collection. The book is a collection of Worthington’s “favorite and most helpful insights, research, and truths.” It’s designed to help the reader find happiness, because God wants us to be happy.

The book is a nice size, and the cover is inviting.

You can read the full review on my blog: https://lmckeeediting.blogspot.com/20...

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook Bloggers, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book interesting but it was not exactly the writing prompt book for me. I saw a woman I attended high school with recommended this book along with giving the author praise for other books she has written. So I purchased it. It is written for women from the perspective of a woman that is a mother and wife. I was trying to work it for a man that is only a husband but I made it maybe a month. I will go back to this book again in the future because I really like the way it ties scripture in with writing prompts.

[WhatRachelsReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Year of Living Happy is such an encouragement!!!

I loved the different sections she wrote with ideas on how to find the positive in every day life. I loved how she incorporated a different verse of scripture on each double page spread and left a spot to journal if you wanted to.

I would recommend this book to anyone needing a positive pick me up and reminders that you can Choose and Find JOY! I

[Analie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't start out liking this book. I wondered if I was too numb to feel happy. Never would I have guessed that it would be my perfect companion for 2020. The devotions are short and easy to fit into a busy schedule, but they are nuggets of gold. I love looking back on my journey - especially at the more creative journaling prompts, such as drawing what a favorite Scripture meant to me. This book helped lead me to a healthier, happier place.

[Heather Fiedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are fighting to get your joy back, this is one of the books that you will want to pick up. Alli always writes straight from her heart and this book is no different. The Year of Living Happy has short narratives with a challenge at the end of each narrative. There is also a place to write your response to the challenge. This would be a good book to use as a devotional.

[Gina Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly bringing me joy everyday! It is challenging me to rethink my views on happiness. The daily readings are quick and insightful and the exercise at the end of the section gets me thinking about my life and happiness. I recommend this book to every women who is looking to truly understand how to be happy.

[Renee Gilhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t want more happiness in their life? In this book Alli Worthington gives applicable steps with biblical truth to help us find more happiness in our everyday lives. This book is set up to be a devotional and to be read every day for 100 days. The entries are short and have an action step at the end of each one. Also, this book is beautiful and would make a great gift!

[Kayla Hollatz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to check out this library book for its emphasis on contentment. I read it in one sitting rather than as separate devotions so that likely affected my reading experience, but I thought the book was a fine read. I was hoping for more depth, but I also understand devotions are meant to be short in nature.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read anything from Alli Worthington. This devotional was a great reminder of how to find happiness through Christ. How to take actual life events and make them happy. I feel like this is someone who struggles like I do, but remembers where the real joy and happiness is! I'm grateful to have finished this 100 day devotional!

[Ramsey Deaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this mini devotion book that helped me catch a glimpse of how the Lord wants me and desires me to be happy, how to find happiness through the path He has provided me. I only gave it 4/5 because it is very surface level but it is a great start for someone stepping into their walk with Christ. Definitely recommend!

[Kelley Kirkland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alli Worthington! Listened to the audio book, and Alli read it herself. This book didn't have anything in it I hadn't heard before... But presented old ideas in a way that went straight to my heart. When our Happy is deeply rooted in God, we can stand firm in our happiness despite life's twists and turns. 💖

[Dennis M. Newcomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's the best!

Perfect morning devo! I love her passion, her transparency, her love for life and all things good and Godly! She is real and authentic and her words bring truth, challenge, and encouragement. You won't be sorry you chose this one!!!

[RaeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just so-so for me. It didn't have enough depth for me. Yet some days I got some good things out of the questions. I was using it as a daily supplemental devotional. I think it would be something nice for a person newer to their walk with God.

[Amberwench · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm used to self-help books having a little 'find joy in God' aspect, and I can work with that. This authors premise is a person can *only* be happy through God. I did not finish the book.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing words of correction that focus of His Word. Take time for yourself so you can reflect on your life intentionally and consistently.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was delightful

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Thoroughly enjoyed having a dose of happiness every morning. Thank you for writing this book. Learned so much and felt refreshed.

[Theresa M Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Thought provoking. I HIGHLY recommend. Faith based, captivating, love her voice and how smooth she flows through each chapter. Thank you Alley for such a wonderful book.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alli reminds us to slow down, be content where we are, and enjoy this season of life.

[Jessi Fearon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful journal! If you're looking for a journal that's also part devotional, this is the journal for you!

[Lynne Vinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book! Thoroughly enjoyed it with book club and there were some many great lessons!