Hoping for Happy: Discovering Joy Amid the Lemons

by Lori L. Jackson

Do you struggle to fit it all in? Do your lists of "things to do" become all-consuming and never-ending? Have you ever said: "I'll be happy when..."

The problem with postponing our happiness with checklists is it leads down a road to anything but lasting joy.

You are not alone in your struggles. Join Lori L. Jackson, author of Practicing Progress, as she shares her thoughts and feelings from her own journey through those low places where the light of hope is but a dim glow in the distance.

Throughout this book, Lori will share hard-won insights and lessons that have made all the difference in her own life, including

Why true happiness can seem so elusive, and what to do about it
How to embrace our Savior as a partner on the journey
Five steps to help you let go of needless perfectionism

Readers have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Lori Jackson’s gratitude journals and first book Practicing Progress. Now, this beloved author digs deep into her own learning process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about hope and happiness. With profound empathy and experience, she shows us how to tackle what we need most — happiness. Hoping for Happy opens a world of faith and joy.

142 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2022

About the author

Lori Jackson is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho, where she studied English, communications, and family science. As the mother of four adult children and grandmother to a growing number of grandchildren, she considers her family to be her greatest accomplishment. Married to the love of her life for over 30 years, together they enjoy tandem biking and traveling.

She loves to study and learn about the brain and how our thoughts influence the choices we make. Lori resides with her husband in Colorado.

She is the author of Practicing Progress, Creating Positive Habits, and 5 Minute Miracle Journal.

She is a contributing writer on https://www.choosingwisdom.org and https://medium.com/@lorijackson-online

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gives a good insight to how to find hope and has practical steps. It's an invitation. There are real life experiences. Some examples left me wanting to the "rest of the story." It has a lot of point to God and his grace. The information encourages the reader to try with God as an ally.

[Lori]

After the kids had grown and the house was quiet, I started writing again. My experiences burned within and whispered to my soul to write. Since then, through my writing, I've shared my faith, my passion for learning, and some of the wisdom I've gained in studying how our thoughts and emotions work. But there was another topic in the back of my mind that I couldn’t silence. Maybe it was because of recent challenges we’d faced as a family, or maybe it was because there seemed to be a dimming amount of hope in the world. Either way, my biggest problem was that I didn't know how to tackle hope.

As I began writing this book, my greatest desire was to breathe hope into you, my reader—to give you something to hang on to and to encourage you to keep trying. I've shared my thoughts and feelings here because I know how it feels to be in those low places where the light of hope is but a dim glow in the distance. Know that you’re not alone in your struggles. You are loved, and although that glimmer of hope may seem so far away, it’s there nonetheless.

To say I've been apprehensive as I put my ideas to paper is an understatement. First, I didn’t want to come across as a know-it-all. And second, how do you write about something that’s often interpreted as whimsical and vague? How could I possibly write the words that could bring any new meaning to hope?

I’m in no way an expert on this topic, but I have had many relevant experiences that have helped me piece together what I’ll share with you in the pages of this book. I acknowledge that I’m a work in progress, and the more I learn about hope and joy, the more I realize there’s so much more to learn. With each new day, my eyes of understanding are opened to something new, which makes it difficult to be done writing this book. It feels as if hope is a topic that can never really be finished because tomorrow, I’ll learn about a new layer of hope and joy.

As I’ve searched my soul and have earnestly prayed for direction, I had a very clear impression that this book is not about solutions or explanations about hope; rather, it’s a sharing of what I’ve learned as hope helped me through some of the challenging times in my life.

To write about hope, I needed to have hope that the words would come and that the message would be clear.

[Meagan Jenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! You should probably have a notebook next to you while you read. I read this on my phone and took quite a few screenshots of sections that I really wanted to remember. It was such a perfect combination of personal stories and scriptural references. This book shows that finding hope and happiness in this life is attainable! And how incredible is that thought! Lori shows that true happiness really only comes from turning to God in the hard times. Well worth the read!!
I received a free advanced review copy of Hoping for Happy in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I felt the author pointed the reader in the right direction. She pointed out the difference between shame and guilt. Shame is a focus on self while guilt is more about behavior. Guilt can be helpful if we make changes.

I felt wanting though at each chapter. I wanted more information about the next step. How do we make these changes? In the examples, how did the situation unfold and in the end change.

I'd love to see the author add to this book and give more details and go over how one can change.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to see this author try again. She writes well enough, but the content didn’t teach me anything new. Maybe a younger woman would gain more insight.

I stopped reading at the three-legged stool analogy. I’ve heard it way too many times.

I crave deeper, more unique content that really makes me think. In order to fully recommend a book, it has to be particularly insightful.

I hope the author will try again. I really think she could do a deeper dive and challenge her writing skills.

[Mj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoping for Happy seemed to address my worries and fears, leaving me with great hope and a sense of triumph. The author knew what she was talking about. We need more books like this one!