Life Was Never Meant to Be a Struggle

by Stuart Wilde

Helps you identify the cause of struggle in your life and shows you how to eliminate it quickly through a concerted action plan.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Personal Development

62 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1987

About the author

Wilde was born in Farnham, England. He was educated at St. George’s College, Weybridge, Surrey. After his schooling he joined the English Stage Company in Sloane Square, London. A year later he opened a jeans business in Carnaby Street London, at the height of the Swinging Sixties where he enjoyed considerable commercial success.

He studied alternative religions and Taoist philosophy for five years from the age of twenty-eight, and when he was thirty-three, he emigrated to the United States of America where lived in Laguna Beach, California with his first wife Cynthia. He wrote his first book, Miracles, in 1983.

Shortly thereafter he began a career as a lecturer appearing mainly in New Thought Churches and at New Age conferences. In the 1990s he toured regularly with Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer and Louise Hay, appearing at venues such as the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

tuart Wilde is a prolific writer, with eighteen of his books published to date. They appear in more than fifteen foreign languages, with a total of ninety-three different books and audio works in circulation.[2]

He executive produced and was the lyricist on the music album Voice of the Feminine Spirit (1994), which sold several hundred-thousand copies. He later produced and was the lyricist on two albums of Celtic music, Voice of the Celtic Myth (1997), and Creation (1999), and wrote the book and libretto for Tim Wheater’s oratorio Heartland (1995).

Reviews

[Gabrielė Bužinskaitė]

“What society thinks of you is totally irrelevant, for others do not have all the facts”

All I expected from this book was some criticism against our society’s obsession with struggle. Hustling, rushing, going hard or going home type of struggle. Sadly, I was dissapointed.

Not only was there nothing valuable of that sort, the author is also a typical seminar guy who offers you to manifest your best life. Seriously? I see enough of this on Instagram.

At best, this book should have been a short self-help article. At worst, a throw-away draft. Unless you believe affirmations will sort your life out, do not waste your time.

[Meghan]

A short 40 minute audiobook (or as the author himself says, a booklet). Straightforward enough to listen to/read in one sitting. Full of little nuggets of advice for life, one after the other. Nothing eye-opening or revolutionary for me, but beneficial nonetheless. Good reminders.

[Naveen Kumar]

#82 of 100 self help books
Good
Nature never struggles and we are a part of it.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths]

Such a quick read but absolutely fabulous. ‘Life was never meant to be a struggle.’ Hear! hear!

[Faithe Purelander]

I love your writing and your wicked sick sense of humour! You changed my life. Rest in Peace.

[Wanda Singela]

To be honest, I didn't like this book even thought at the time I needed it.

[Rikki Arundel]

Love this short book encapsulating Stuart Wilde's philosophy on life. I knew stuart back in the late eighties early nineties and hewrd him speak often. One of the most inspirational people i have ever met and this is one of his most inspiring books.

[Kaung Myat Han]

I accidentally stumbled upon this booklet when in the non-fiction self-help section. Written by a prominent British author and metaphysician Stuart Wilde, "Life Was Never Meant to Be a Struggle" is quite a short book(around 60 pages) compared to other self-help literature and I found that it is written in a unique short-to-the point manner without all those usual trivial passages, jabbers and so common in a self-help book. The book has only five chapters: The Strugglers' Hall of Fame(where he writes about different types of people who struggle), Identifying Struggle(7 main areas for reviewing our struggles), The Strugglers' Hit Parade(where we read about common reasons for struggling), Dumping Struggle(how to get rid of struggling) and Conclusion. I found the booklet extremely useful. No doubt I will refer to it again and again. Moreover, Mr.Stuart Wilde has successfully pulled me in to the whole New Age Movement stuff as after having read his book, I became curious to know about it and thus read more books written by him and also other New Age/New Thought books and writers including Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra. Implementation is also the key when reading any self-help boo. After all, what use of reading them if you fail to implement the methods/techniques described in it?

[Ari]

This has got to be one of the worst books I've ever read. The only plus side I can really give is that it was brief: he stated his point and quit, unlike so many who keep writing long past the point of boredom. It's dated maybe, but really more than anything it's logically inconsistent (don't try to change things in one chapter, work to change things in the next, etc.) I also had issues with severe gendering of types and calling out women who 'dress like men' and seek high positions within business as phony. Sorry, dude, but conflating female with feminine is ridiculous, and no, the place for women isn't helping men. I also don't need the apologetics of telling me that women are 'spiritually stronger than males' and so don't need to act a certain way. There wasn't even really a place for that in the 80s when this was first written. I disagreed with some of the author's ethical takes as well. For instance, this quote: "Remember, most of the paths you will be offered are totally inappropriate for you. At every turn, give yourself five good reasons for saying no. And while walking into a relationship or project, look for the exit!" (p. 42 in my edition) Sorry, but that kind of attitude isn't what I want to live my life with. This is more self-harm than self-help. Hard pass.

[Christina]

“…your spiritual heritage is to be independent and free.

EFFORT is a part of our condition as physical beings, for we have to translate thoughts and feelings into physical action.
STRUGGLE , however, is not natural. It’s an unholy battle we fight with ourselves. But because it’s a by-product of our personal imbalances, it’s a condition we can easily go beyond.

By having the courage to identify and face the causes of struggle in your life, you grant yourself the power to transcend. Once you accept that YOU are the cause of struggle, you can then affirm, with certainty, that all struggle in your life can be eliminated, given time.”

“To make life work you have to face it full-frontal- head out with a good plan and trust the Great Spirit to deliver. But head out toward your goal even if it seems a long way off. Nothing will carry you. You’ll usually have to carry yourself.”

[Paul]

I'm not a fan of affirmations or manifestation thinking self help, which seems to be the foundation of this book, therefore I cannot give a high rating. However, because it's a short read I decided to finish it and I did find some good and practical advice, especially in chapters number three and four. I wouldn't base my life on this book, but it does bring to surface some ideas I resonate with, so for that I can give it credit.

[Bibibii]

Ennek a borítója elég rusnya (nem a bácsi, ő elég cool, ám ez a babarózsaszín keret, azért na…), de alapvetően teljesen helyén vannak benne az értékek. Keveseb világmindenség, spiritualitás, meg Nagy Szellem számomra hitelesebbé tette volna, de vagyok annyira flexibilis, hogy azt vegyem ki belőle, amire nekem épp szükségem volt. És az a része viszont jó volt.

[David R Boufford]

It's TRUE! Must read for anyone who is tired of BS! Stuart Wolfe's little book can set you FREE!

It's one of my favorite books by Stuart. Simple and straight to the point formula for setting yourself free! Perfect for times like these...

[Hakeem Ali]

Short read packed with actionable steps

This was a book that provided a good explanation as to why we struggle. It proceeds to explain how to remove struggle from our lives. It contains actionable steps!

[L]

Contrarian yet intoxicating in a sense.

Makes one question one’s Weltanschauung without causing one to squirm in their seat.

A pleasant, light read - perfect for a short beach trip or an evening alone.

[Corinne Driscoll]

Great world view

I love this book because it is opposite from the worldview that we have to struggle in this life. In a very practical way, the book helps us to live a more peaceful life, regardless of our circumstances.

[Harry E. Stanley II]

Refreshing

This book is a good read. It is refreshingly funny to meet others who are struggling through life to impress or impose on others. 😊

[Kimberly Harries]

Had a couple of good ideas

But I wasn't extremely impressed. I like the idea of simplifying your life and I will incorporate that into my own

[Sarah]

Quick Read

A quick read with lots of good insights! I would highly recommend for anyone looking to improve their life situation.

[Angela Meeks]

Stuart Wilde is an awesome author, this book is very insightful!

[Sandra Mckenzie]

Read and Reread

I was given this pamphlet back in the 90's and it's still very relevant and applicable. It's a go back to and revisit kind of writing. So much he writes is so easily understood and easily applied. Love this , I give it a strong five star!

[Eric]

You can't go wrong with any of his books. Short and to the point, no fluff.

[Kent]

Good advice.

[Katrina Jones]

Self Awareness

After reading this I am more aware of the things that I have accepted through my entire life. Knowing is half the battle

[Jenny]

Too short to be of much use.

[I am infinitely financially wealthy]

Keeper.

[Robert Day]

Don't struggle.
Oh, okay.

[Arapha]

I expected more from this book. I read it in just one sitting, and yes, I got some new insights from it. But overall, I feel like it was very superficial.

[Subhojeet Bhadra]

As a book lover always on the hunt for my next great read, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This uplifting personal development book provides a thoughtful antidote to the idea that life has to be full of pain and hardship. Wilde advocates embracing the joy and tranquility innate to our being through compassion, gratitude, and living presently.

While some of the metaphysical concepts require an open mind, Wilde's friendly wisdom resonated with me. I enjoyed his blend of philosophical insights, touching stories, and practical advice for cultivating inner peace. He convincingly makes the case that struggle is a choice we impose, not an inherent part of the human condition. At times, I found the pacing a bit meandering. But overall, this book succeeded in offering an inspiring new lens for viewing life's challenges.

For fellow reading enthusiasts seeking inspiration, I'd recommend giving this uplifting book a chance. Wilde made me reconsider my own tendencies to catastrophize and struggle unnecessarily. A thoughtful read to remember that ease and contentment are within reach

[Delfi Esfandi]

A classic.