The Happiness Solution: Finding Joy And Meaning In An Upside Down World

by Alan Gettis

The Happiness Finding Joy And Meaning In An Upside Down World is a collection of parable-like stories, myths, and anecdotes. Dr. Gettis draws from his 38 years of clinical experience as a psychologist and combines that with the latest research on the science of happiness. The result is also markedly influenced by Dr. Gettis' passionate involvement with eastern philosophy in general and Zen in particular. The book is written in a down-to-earth, non-pedantic style, that makes it easy to read and digest despite dealing with complex human issues. It combines Zen wisdom with cognitive behavioral therapy, spirituality, and a new paradigm of positive psychology. The Happiness Solution confronts our societal notions of what brings us happiness. We now know that you're unlikely to find happiness in the mall and that a new BMW will not solve a midlife crisis. So, if power. prestige, sex, money, and possessions don't work, what does? Fame and fortune, education and IQ scores seemingly are also not key players in the formula for happiness. Dr. Gettis uses humor, pathos and stories to provide the solution. He believes we are hard wired for stories, dating back to the earliest cultures and our collective unconscious. He believes that the stories in " The Happiness Solution" may indeed change the way the reader lives her life.

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2006

Reviews

[Jessica Lucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Happiness Solution: Finding Joy and Meaning in an Upside Down World
By Alan Gettis, Ph.D.

Each chapter is a short story of encouragement. Insightful parables and wisdom from diverse cultures are shared in an easy storyteller fashion.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants to find a connectedness and sense of hope for the new year, and for each day forward. Perfect for slower paced readers, or people who struggle with time. A couple of pages in the morning with coffee or on lunch break can make small moments meaningful. “The Happiness Solution” isn’t preachy or pandering. It is friendly and real. Happy reading!

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Happiness Solution, Dr. Alan Gettis, a psychologist, uses personal anecdotes as a source of inspiration and guidance for those who struggle with depression. This book probably isn't going to save someone's life; if your depression is that bad, please seek immediate emergency medical care. Some parts of this book made me laugh and some parts made me cry. Gettis seems like a genuinely decent person and even though I didn't learn a ton of coping mechanisms from this book, I'm glad I read it.
If you want a book that helps you overcome severe depression, you might be interested in The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time and its accompanying workbook, The Upward Spiral Workbook: A Practical Neuroscience Program for Reversing the Course of Depression.
Those books offer a lot more ways to combat and overcome depression. Meanwhile, Gettis's book provides real-life stories to reassure us that it's probably all going to end up okay, and reminds us to look for the good, the decent, and the humorous in all things.

[Charlene Rubush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real upper. It is full of interesting stories of people who have overcome great odds in life, and are thriving. It's inspiring and entertaining. A nice book to keep on your nightstand. I love it.

[Alan Gettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, but get the 2008 Goodman Beck Publishing edition, not the earlier 2006 version.