We are completely satisfied with nothing
There is little correlation between the circumstances of people’s lives and how happy they are.
This is the repair manual we should have been handed at birth
When you ask people abouttheir most cherished values in life, “happiness” is always at the top of the list. However, unhappiness does not seem to be the exceptional order to be happy, we first have to battle ourselves.
Happiness is an obligation–to yourself and to others
Not only do we have a right to be happy, we have an obligation to be happy. Our happiness has an effect on the lives of everyone around us–it provides them with a positive environment in which to thrive and to be happy themselves.In this unique blend of self-help and moral philosophy, talk-radio host Dennis Prager asserts that we’re actually obligated to be happy, because it makes us better people. Achieving that happiness won’t be easy, though: to Prager, it requires a continuing process of counting your blessings and giving up any expectations that life is supposed to be wonderful. “Can we decide to be satisfied with what we have?” he asks. “A poor man who can make himself satisfied with his portion will be happier than a wealthy man who does not allow himself to be satisfied.” Prager echoes many conservative political commentators in complaining that too many people today see themselves as victims; he submits that the only way to achieve your desires is to take responsibility for your life rather than blaming others. Whether or not you agree with that view, if you’re willing to put some thought into achieving a happier outlook, you will find plenty to mull over in Happiness Is a Serious Problem.
Wonderful, thought-provoking; a MUST read for everyone Whether or not you are a fan of Dennis Prager’s talk shows, a half-hour with this book will prove to you that, not only can this man think, but he has an incomparable gift for elucidating one of life’s key preoccupations: the trials and tribulations associated with one’s quest for happiness. For me, this book is not so much of a “repair manual,” as it is one of the most insightful, succinctly written books on how happiness is linked to human nature, philosophy, morals, temperament and values.
If you wonder why you’re unhappy, read this book… Dennis Prager, a devout Jew, helped bring me to Christ through years of listening to his radio commentaries and reading his books and essays. His clear-thinking and insight to man’s eternal dilemma can help anyone searching for meaning in his life, and for a personal relationship with God.
how can you not like it As I read the few negative reviews of this book, the critics all seem to be commenting about Dennis the radio talk show host (whom they may disagree with on some political issue or another), not the contents of this book. The weakness of the book: It is based on common sense and not backed up by thousands of clinical studies to verify up each and every claim; thus at times, it seems a little surface and simplistic. The strength of this book: It is based on common sense and not backed up by thousands of clinical studies to verify up each and every claim; thus it is void of a thousand qualifying “but sometimes…” and instead is simple, clear and to the point. Just as we say, on reading an insightful movie review, “that makes perfect sense; that’s exactly what I’ve always felt but just didn’t know how to put it into words quite so clearly,” so most people will say after reading each chapter: Yes, exactly, someone’s finally put it into words! Congratulations, Dennis.