Review ~ Happier Thinking by Lana Grace Riva

Lana Grace Riva
2018

My thanks to the author for sharing her book with me

I don't often read self help books but the title of this one struck a chord with me as it's all too easy to become so immersed in what's happening in daily life that you don't take the time to stop and consider the bigger picture, and let's face it we could all do with some happier thinking from time to time.

The author deals with several subjects and even though this is only a little book, coming in at just 50 pages, it certainly packs a lot into those pages. Neatly and succinctly divided into appropriate chapters the book takes you on a nicely guided tour of how to make the best of situations so that they don't become problematic.

Here's what inside :

• Don't write off the day
• Journal good things
• Much you can't control but your reactions you can
• Be kind
• Dwell on the good
• Act on what you can change
• Don't compare your life to imagined others
• Accept changed plans
• Change path when it stops looking appealing
• Don't make assumptions
• Final Thoughts

I think what comes across is that right from the get go, the author makes it perfectly clear that she is not a trained psychotherapist and that this book is her own interpretation of how she has dealt with certain issues and by reading about mental health awareness and mindfulness she has put together her own coping strategies which she wants to pass on to others.

Happier Thinking is an interesting little book and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. I think my favourite chapter was the one about Being Kind. It's surprising how good a random act of kindness makes you feel, either giving or receiving.

I'm a great believer in the old adage by the author, Charles Kingsley..." do as you would be done by"..