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Ordinary Goodness: The Surprisingly Effortless Path to Creating a Life of Meaning and Beauty
A call to action to live a life full of goodness and purpose
People often struggle to find a life filled with passion, happiness—and just plain goodness. This struggle drives many to depression and addictive tendencies. Author and New Thought minister Edward Viljoen argues that the struggle need not be an arduous or painful one—that through everyday acts of kindness, faith, and compassion we can create peaceful and contented lives. Using personal stories, practical tips, and exercises, this book shows us that regardless of our circumstances, we can create meaning and beauty in our lives and in the world. Viljoen offers deep insights, showing:
- How caring about ordinary things leads to meaningful and extraordinary life experiences
- How society's messages about perfection distract us from our ordinary goodness
- How faith is a muscle that must be exercised
People are always striving to live happy and fulfilled lives. This book reassures us that this is attainable—nothing extraordinary is required.
People often struggle to find a life filled with passion, happiness—and just plain goodness. This struggle drives many to depression and addictive tendencies. Author and New Thought minister Edward Viljoen argues that the struggle need not be an arduous or painful one—that through everyday acts of kindness, faith, and compassion we can create peaceful and contented lives. Using personal stories, practical tips, and exercises, this book shows us that regardless of our circumstances, we can create meaning and beauty in our lives and in the world. Viljoen offers deep insights, showing:
- How caring about ordinary things leads to meaningful and extraordinary life experiences
- How society's messages about perfection distract us from our ordinary goodness
- How faith is a muscle that must be exercised
People are always striving to live happy and fulfilled lives. This book reassures us that this is attainable—nothing extraordinary is required.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 3, 2017
44 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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March 31, 2019A gentle, approachable book that encourages seeing the good and choosing to be kind.
June 6, 2017
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This easy-to-read, self help book is based on the belief that people (and life) are essentially good. If a person is "awakened" to this (and the "divine" within them) and seeks to lead a more noble, positive and productive life, he or she can achieve this by thoughtful self-examination and practicing the qualities that the author calls "Ordinary Goodness": Kindness, Goodness, Compassion, and Faith.
Before spending time or money on the book, some readers may find it helpful to know that the author, Edward Viljoen (pron. Full-YOON), is a minister at The Center for Spiritual Living, in Santa Rosa, CA, a liberal New Thought/New Age ecumenical church/organization.
Though I do not share Mr. Vijoen's worldview and did not glean any new insights or helpful takeaways from the book, I will say I admired his personal transparency and storytelling skills. Though the information is not unique or new (especially to anyone familiar with Buddhist teaching) it is delivered in a down-to earth style that is most engaging. Readers who are interested in self improvement may appreciate the many exercises, personal anecdotes and skillful living examples offered in this book.
This easy-to-read, self help book is based on the belief that people (and life) are essentially good. If a person is "awakened" to this (and the "divine" within them) and seeks to lead a more noble, positive and productive life, he or she can achieve this by thoughtful self-examination and practicing the qualities that the author calls "Ordinary Goodness": Kindness, Goodness, Compassion, and Faith.
Before spending time or money on the book, some readers may find it helpful to know that the author, Edward Viljoen (pron. Full-YOON), is a minister at The Center for Spiritual Living, in Santa Rosa, CA, a liberal New Thought/New Age ecumenical church/organization.
Though I do not share Mr. Vijoen's worldview and did not glean any new insights or helpful takeaways from the book, I will say I admired his personal transparency and storytelling skills. Though the information is not unique or new (especially to anyone familiar with Buddhist teaching) it is delivered in a down-to earth style that is most engaging. Readers who are interested in self improvement may appreciate the many exercises, personal anecdotes and skillful living examples offered in this book.
June 19, 2017
My Recommendation: It's an interesting read, but I do have to wonder if he could've written it or formatted it in a better to understand way. I'm sure I will pass this on and at the very least will remember it to recommend to others the next time someone says they're interested in meditation and the more spiritual side of meditation.
My Response: Now that I'm starting to settle into my new job (and have two weeks of vacation - when this posts I'll be somewhere between Seattle and Alaska), I'm starting to catch up on galleys/ARCs that I received at the end of 2016.*
This is one of those books that goes in the pile of I would probably never pick up on my own, but since the publisher sent it and it was vaguely interesting to me I read it. I found the concept interesting and the idea of goodness outside of institutionalized religion is something I "believe in," so I figured why not.
The book itself was easy to read and I enjoyed Viljoen's writing style and the bits of himself he let seep into the book, but overall this was just a meh book for me. I've definitely read books that were much more focused than this one and maybe that's what it was for me, what felt like a lack of focus.
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest opinion, no additional goods or money were exchanged.
My Response: Now that I'm starting to settle into my new job (and have two weeks of vacation - when this posts I'll be somewhere between Seattle and Alaska), I'm starting to catch up on galleys/ARCs that I received at the end of 2016.*
This is one of those books that goes in the pile of I would probably never pick up on my own, but since the publisher sent it and it was vaguely interesting to me I read it. I found the concept interesting and the idea of goodness outside of institutionalized religion is something I "believe in," so I figured why not.
The book itself was easy to read and I enjoyed Viljoen's writing style and the bits of himself he let seep into the book, but overall this was just a meh book for me. I've definitely read books that were much more focused than this one and maybe that's what it was for me, what felt like a lack of focus.
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest opinion, no additional goods or money were exchanged.
July 27, 2017
Edward has once again written a book that is soft on the heart, full of wisdom and easy to read. His stories of his grandmother and growing up in S. Africa reveal a transparency that is rare amongst authors and spiritual leaders.
Good exercises and great reminders to simply keep asking the question "what is the kindest thing I can do in this moment".
Good exercises and great reminders to simply keep asking the question "what is the kindest thing I can do in this moment".
April 27, 2020
I had a hard time finding my groove in this one.
But since I love Viljoen’s book on meditation, I powered through.
Had the entire book been like the first half, 5 stars.
I’ll reread it some day and see if my experience is different with a change in expectation.
It’s more of a memoir with some fun exercises to help one tap into wisdom and faith.
But since I love Viljoen’s book on meditation, I powered through.
Had the entire book been like the first half, 5 stars.
I’ll reread it some day and see if my experience is different with a change in expectation.
It’s more of a memoir with some fun exercises to help one tap into wisdom and faith.
October 14, 2017
Wonderful, practical Goodness Guide. : )
April 3, 2022
He mau mana‘o e kāko‘o ai iā ‘oe e ‘olu‘olu i kekahi i kekahi i nā lā a pau.
April 12, 2023
I struggled with how to do spirituality post-fundamentalist Christianity; this author showed me the way.
March 1, 2017
Viljoen has lots of encouragement for such a time as this. It IS up to me to determine what my life is.
February 6, 2017
Reading a few pages from Ordinary Goodness is a helpful way to start the day. You are reminded to look for the good in the world as well as being a champion for the cause.
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There was a great sentence on page 70 that I totally misinterpreted. "Being too busy in our thinking can..." I first took the sentence to mean our brain is a thinking can, likening it to a trash can. Our thoughts are garbage in the thinking can. What does it really mean? Read the book.
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There was a great sentence on page 70 that I totally misinterpreted. "Being too busy in our thinking can..." I first took the sentence to mean our brain is a thinking can, likening it to a trash can. Our thoughts are garbage in the thinking can. What does it really mean? Read the book.
May 16, 2025
Our Book Circle read this and enjoyed it greatly. I enjoyed the compassion the book is written with, and the stories of Viljoen's grandmother. It made for great conversations in our Circle.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews