By: E. Kennen

E. Kennen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:09:47 +0000

Baby Steps to Something Bigger I think I was expecting facile tips like something out of a consumer magazine. Instead, author and professor David Toffley’s brief book BEING HAPPY is about achieving self-actualization. The idea is that if you live in the present and by your own code, you will be more than happy. The book is divided into 12 main sections:– Introduction– Experience things fully, vividly, selflessly: be mindful (present) and accepting of your circumstances; awaken your inner observer, and forget about time– On-going choice between safety and risk : risk offers growth, be mindful of your choices– Let your true self emerge: be honest with yourself, follow your intuition– Listen to your own tastes: don’t rely on other’s approval or disapproval to regulate your behavior– Use your intelligence: do what you do well, whether it’s big or small– Make peak experiencing more likely: by being more honest with yourself, you can be more internally consistent, and therefore actualized– Know Thyself– Summary of characteristics: a paragraph-long recap– SA people are like this: what being self-actualized looks like in practice; basically, being independent, thoughtful, capable, stalwart, and appreciative– An example: a peak experience brought on by taking time to notice moss.I had heard about self-actualization before, and was intrigued by the book, but it left me wanting more. How do you achieve each particular step? What do they look like in action? The example at the end really moved me and made me wish there were more examples scatted throughout.If you are not familiar with the quest for self-actualization/enlightment/satori, this book is a decent primer that may whet your appetite for more. If you are familiar with these concepts, then I doubt this book will tell you anything new. In short, if the concept intrigues you, then get the book – you have nothing to lose and potentially much to gain.

By: S. Warfield

S. Warfield — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:04:53 +0000

Try a little happiness David Tuffley has some good advice for being a happier person and living in the moment rather than in the past or always being conscious of the future. His method of doing this is called Self Actualization. There are several steps to self actualization, but they are all rather simple ones, such as listening to your own taste, letting your true sense emerge and choosing between the safety of the known path and taking a risk.This is a short essay-type publication, but one that can be read over a few times in order to absorb all of its messages. Some of the steps in the process of self actualization could be explained in more detail, but most are simple in concept. The author begins by saying that we get fleeting happiness from goods and services but it doesn't last. It is a result of our global consumer society. Creating the right conditions for ourselves leads to inner happiness and that kind lasts. Accepting people for exactly who they are is also another step along the way.I enjoyed reading this and plan to read it again. It isn't anything purely outstanding, but it is written simply and from the heart of the author. He sounds sincere in wanting other people to find what he has found through self actualization.

Comments on: Being Happy

By: E. Kennen

By: S. Warfield