Skip to main content

BOOK REVIEW: The Power of Happiness: A Comprehensive Guide to Daily Joy and Well Being

By:  Timothy McKinney
Published July 31, 2012

Wow!  What do you say when you get a book with a title like that!  Everyone wants to be happy, don't they?  Unfortunately not everyone is happy.  Happiness can be elusive.  And really, what is happiness?  Is it a result of our actions?  Our emotions?  Can it be as a result of both our actions and emotions?  In "The Power of Happiness" author Timothy McKinney seeks to help us learn how to become happy people. 

"The Power of Happiness" is separated into three easy to read parts covering the definition of happiness, determining if you are really happy, and how to be happy.  Through the use of vast amounts of controlled research, life examples, quotes at the beginning of each chapter, charts and graphs, questionnaires and even the suggestion of the use of certain foods and physical/mental exercise, along with a touch of humor to get the point across, Mr. McKinney has made this book an excellent tool for achievement of and recognition of one's personal happiness.  There are even questions and lists to be completed in some of the later chapters. 

There are so many quotes from this book I would like to share, but I'll settle on just one:
The secret to lifelong happiness is to really understand that Life Isn't Supposed To Be Easy.  It's not!  Think about that for a moment.  The VAST majority of our unhappiness comes from expecting things to be different than they are.  We as humans are under the false impression that life is supposed to be easy and that when life isn't easy, there is something wrong.  (pg. 59)
Although there was much in Mr. McKinney's book I liked and will personally use, I must admit I disagree with some of his points.  Most importantly I disagree with "The Golden Key" of Emmet Fox from which Mr. McKinney quotes, which basically states that you can call on God and He will solve your problems.  Better yet, you can think the name of God (or any religious icon you want), and just by thinking, you can make your problems go away.  Let me yell this out -- based on what the Bible says, I disagree!  You cannot use God as a talisman or good luck charm.  You cannot think of God or the name of God and your problems disappear!  Just because you may believe in God does not mean that all of your problems will go away or that God will work in your favor.  God says that all things work for His will, not mine. 

I also have to disagree that the goal of life should be our own happiness, although I don't believe there is anything wrong with being happy.  To the Christian, the Bible tells us to put Jesus first, then others, and lastly ourselves.  When our goal is only our own happiness we have missed the point and have become self-serving.  Colossians 3:12-17 gives the Christian virtues, and verse 17 makes this point: 
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
So what are we to do?  There is nothing wrong with being happy or trying to be happy.  But don't make that the goal of your life.  As a Christian speaking to Christians, this is a good book with much great advice and wisdom.  Use this book to help you achieve your goals in life.  However, temper it with God's wisdom.  If you are a new Christian or are not grounded in the Bible, I would have to say it would be best not to read this book.

I received this book free from the author, who requested an honest review of his book.  I am under no obligation to give a favorable review.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Artesian Wells, Creeks and Downtown Prattville, Alabama

When you put these two photos together, what do you think you get?  You got it, a rope swing waiting for some daring young (or old) soul to swing out over the creek and create a big splash! This is Autauga Creek, which cuts through the heart of downtown Prattville.  In fact this very section of the creek, along with it's rope swing, is about a minute from downtown, and is located beside one of Prattville's many artesian wells, which is actually what I had gone to see.   I had heard about the wells, where people take their water bottles (I'm talking the BIG kind) and fill them up on a regular basis.  But I had never actually been there.  And to think it is absolutely FREE?!?  I had to see for myself... Sure enough, when I pulled into the lot at the Doster Road Artesian Well House I was not alone.  A car was ahead of me and the man was filling his large, blue water bottle, the kind you normally see dispensing water at your office.  While I was waiting I tr
4 comments
Read more

$25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway -- Change can be a good thing!

Here's a departure from my usual post.  Have you thought about changing up your home decor?  Let's take the dining room, for instance.  What is your preference?  Is it modern dining room furniture ?  Do you like the country style?  How about minimalist?  Or are you like me and is it traditional? Actually, I would say I am a throw back to the lines of the 1950s and 1960s.  I love the burnished nickel or brass, the clean lines, etc., you find on furniture common to that era.  My dining room, however, has a touch of everything.  I inherited my grandparents' dining table and chairs, which is absolutely beautiful.  I also inherited their corner china cabinet which was made by my dad for my grandparents' 25th wedding anniversary .  I also have a framed mirror in shades of silver. Everything looks good and goes well with my hardwood floors.  Maybe I should just update the curtains or the linens.  I think I'll head over to CSN Stores (which has over 200 online stores and
7 comments
Read more

The Wilderness Park, Prattville, Alabama: Taking a Break in the Park

Yesterday morning I decided to grab my camera, ditch the outdoor chores, and head to the Wilderness Park here in Prattville, Alabama.  I'm so glad I did!  Although I wore flip flops, which was a poor choice for a roughly 1/2 mile hike, it was not that bad because I was constantly pausing to take pictures.  It was nice to get away from the routine for a while.  As I was pulling into the parking lot, an older gentleman and his dog were getting in their car to leave.  As I wandered the path, I came upon a young couple relaxing on one of the many park benches, kicked back and chatting.  And as you'll see in one of the later pictures, young lovers have left their mark, too. As you follow the path, the patch slopes down, leading you deeper into the park.  Shortly you come to a "Y", and if you take a right, you will go over the dam.  Above is a photo of the path going over the dam, with bamboo draping across, forming a canopy.  Looking off to the right side of t
5 comments
Read more