By: J. P. "J.P."

J. P. "J.P." — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 09:48:21 +0000

7 Billion Ways (And Counting) To Be Happy, What’s Yours? This book was a gift I received from a friend of mine and I often take it on travels with me. It looks at 44 different countries/cultures: Australia, Bali, Indonesia, Barbados, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cook Island, Denmark, Egypt, England, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Niger, Pacific Islands, Panama, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Tokelau, Turkey, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam and sets out how they define ‘happiness’.The first sentence of the introduction sums up the purpose of this book well, “HAPPINESS. One word, nine letters, roughly 7 billion definitions, one for each person on the planet.” You step back and think, what does happiness mean to me? This book lays out different celebrations in each of the countries listed that are celebrated from one day, to month long events, and even events that are celebrated anytime, any day. Better yet, this book lays out the secret that each culture holds to their happiness celebration.Researchers claim to know so much about what invokes and sustains happiness in humans, so why are most of us still so unhappy? Some studies have been done on cultures that live longer than the rest of us (western society) and what they do differently that allows them longer, healthier lives. Perhaps also, it is about how they celebrate life that plays a role.This book is very well done, great size for keeping on a shelf, a night stand, or taking with you on travels to discover for yourself why these different cultures are so happy. The illustrations are really nice and fit with each culture presented.

By: Gary Miller

Gary Miller — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 09:18:12 +0000

hold in your hands size, cultures around the world, beautiful illustrations, soulful Happy is a welcome book from Lonely Planet in tough times, it’s spirit buoys the reader with it’s secrets to happiness from cultures around the world we live in.The book sits in your hands easily, and it’s golden cover invites exploration.`Happiness. One word, nine letters, roughly seven billion definitions, one for each person on the planet’ from the introduction..Each page has a charming illustration, photo, drawing, or …. and the opposite page text to illustrate a point of Happiness, with our many worldly cultures, it works so well in the 128 pages. So I flipped to a no page in particular and here’s what I found, this is the way I like to start the day… one on the illustration side are beach rocks with a dotted line showing a path, and the text – Climb Every Mountain, then… Secret in red, Have a Goal and Work Towards Achieving It. Tradition in red, Camino de Santiago de Compostela ( The Way of St James) Date in red, Any Time, Celebrated in ( red) Spain, France and Italy. And below… When was the last time you did something that gave you a real sense of achievement? Think carefully… it goes on and warms your heart in a folksy way. The authors, many of them, really know how to touch you deeply, and get you to explore, seeing how many celebrate their lives.I love opening the book each and every time. it’s a treat for the soul.

Comments on: Happy: Secrets to happiness from the cultures of the world (General Pictorial)

By: J. P. "J.P."

By: Gary Miller