How to Be Miserable and Alone:

by Kaiser Johnson

Let's face it - most of us are looking for answers in all the wrong places. It's hard not to be drawn in by headlines, advertisements, and the constant barrage of "expert" advice on everything from sex and relationships to fitness, fashion, and spiritual awakening. In our world today, though, sin is presented a lot more effectively than virtue. We are led to believe that the only way to improve ourselves and satisfy our deepest longings is through the prevailing perspective of our culture. But that perspective is a schizophrenic one, divorced from the source of truth. Kaiser Johnson - actor, athlete, and author - had the same burning questions we all have about life, love, sex, being a man, and doing the right thing. The more he searched, the more he realized the world's answers just weren't working. From his years spent listening to the lies of our culture, he has clearly identified 12 simple tricks to end up miserable and alone. He's tried all of them, and they work! It turns out hookup culture, self-fulfillment, self-love, using and abusing friends and family, maintaining a frantically busy schedule, and always taking the easy way out are the perfect recipe for a wretched life. But Kaiser also discovered something else that he shares in the pages of this funny, honest Only God can fill the emptiness of our hearts and help us to discover a life that truly matters.

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2021

About the author

"Multum ad discendum et explorandum!" ("There is much to learn and explore!") Kaiser Johnson once heard these words spoken, and immediately took them as a lifelong credo. They have led him to always seek adventure, virtue and knowledge... from acting in film and television to climbing some of America's highest peaks to founding the Hollywood Chesterton Society to qualifying for the World Obstacle Racing Championships to saving a man's life by performing the Heimlich maneuver to speaking on topics of entertainment, faith, and fitness.
In the author-ly world, his first book Grit and Glory: Cross Training Your Body and Soul has been called, "a spiritual and physical primer that's a vehicle to total transformation." His upcoming book, an advice book on how to die miserable and alone, is due out in spring 2021. He's also currently writing a fiction adventure series.
He takes everything seriously, and takes everything lightly... except his drinks.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our culture, society, whatever you want to call it, is constantly telling us what will truly make us happy. Catchy phrases and bromides deliver pop morality and influence how we think and feel. These phrases, such as “The Universe has a plan” and “Do what you want” are delivered as true. Unfortunately, if we follow these rules for life we will end up confused and miserable and feeling…(wait for it!) ALONE.

In the span of 160 pages, Kaiser Johnson takes a wise, honest, and often humorous look at these “truths” of the age, using scripture, astute thinkers from the Church, and his own personal experience. He isn’t merely regurgitating material from other writers—you can tell that he has wrestled with these issues for himself, weighed them, and come to the conclusion that there is a better way found in the word of God and the life of the Church.

This book is a refreshing and enjoyable read. I will be revisiting it and using its insights as I work in Student Ministry. I highly recommend it!

[Tiffany Barron]

This is a short book aimed at counteracting some of the current lies of the world and our culture about what makes for a happy life. There are lots of little gems in this book and some painful zingers as well. The section which reflected on how parenting can teach us about God had some beautiful insights. While a breezy read that uses casual language and lots of pop culture references, it does draw from deep waters. I recommend to anyone looking for a short, practical, and potentially inspiring read.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Be Miserable and Alone: (Or Discover a Life That Truly Matters)
Kaiser Johnson

"... if we shut down or cancel anyone holding people to a higher standard, we feel more justified in ignoring a higher standard for ourselves"

Honestamente no esperaba encontrarme con un texto como este al comenzar a leer los capítulos de muestra que ofrecía la versión de Kindle, solamente buscaba un regalo para mis ahijados el día de su confirmación. Un libro con referencias contemporáneas que pudiera hablarles de manera más cercana sobre las diversas situaciones que encontrarán en el mundo. Si bien esto fue parte de lo que encontré en esta obra, la reflexión y cuidado con que Kaiser trata cada tema me sorprendió gratamente.

En esencia, el autor nos invita a tener una vida interior más reflexiva, leer con mayor atención el mundo e identificar los anhelos interiores que guían nuestras decisiones día con día. El autor nos presenta muchas de las posturas que hoy comienzan a ser la norma y las contrasta con los conceptos, muchas veces mal entendidos, que propone una visión más tradicional de la vida (específicamente, la perspectiva católica, aunque esto no debería detener a nadie de leerlo).

En cada uno de estos ensayos aborda temas de gran relevancia, no solamente para la juventud, sino para toda persona que busca vivir con una mayor congruencia de vida. Tanto si se adhiere a dichos preceptos, como si no, creo que el libro hace una amigable exposición de los principales fundamentos y razonamientos detrás de los controvertidos temas que generan escándalo, censura y muchos memes en la sociedad, la mejor prueba quizás de la gran relevancia que mantienen.

Aunque, si bien muchos de los puntos discutidos resultan controversiales y contra culturales, me parece que el autor hace un gran trabajo al presentar, a través de importantes pensadores clásicos y modernos, así como divertidos ejemplos de la cultura, su defensa de ellos, al tiempo que mantiene una línea de respeto, vulnerabilidad y buen humor al respecto. Temas personales como el sentido de vida, la sexualidad, las relaciones o el desarrollo profesional, pueden volverse fácilmente convertirse en discursos sermoneadores o imperativos, sin embargo, Kaiser los aborda desde el banquillo y no se cansa de repetir una y otra vez la manera en que el mensaje es, en primer instancia, más una autorreflexión que un consejo hacia los demás.

Un escritor que se precia de sus creencias, sin disculparse de ellas, y que no se queda solamente en lo que alguien más le platicó que era su fe, sino que se ha dado a la tarea de continuar instruyéndose para tratar de ser cada día más fiel a Dios, a sí mismo y a los demás.

Una excelente lectura que recomiendo ampliamente a jóvenes y no tan jóvenes, tanto para fortalecer su confianza en su fe, o en caso contrario, tener un panorama más claro de las razones por las que se pudiera creer.

"The fact is, while we may think we like things to be easy, we don't"

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️