In January we kicked off a new MBB series to highlight transformational books for women called Transformational Book Series – Our Picks. This month we’re excited to continue the series by sharing with you our next transformational book in the series – You Can Be Happy No Matter What by Richard Carlson, PhD.

We are adding this book to our series because we truly believe that it can help women lead a happier, more fulfilling life. Yes, the title may sound a bit cliche, but if you apply the principles in this book, you can change your mindset and your life. Women often allow daily happenings in their life to take a hold of their attention, focus and time, and soon realize that they are giving the best of themselves, but are unhappy and unfulfilled in the process. Many also try to justify why what they are doing is justified, and their feelings is the culprit when in reality that’s not always the case. One of our favorite lines from Dr. Carlson’s book that we use here at MBB is, “Your thoughts, not your circumstances, determine how you feel. An absence of negative thought brings forth a positive feeling.” That is so absolutely true!

Many of the insights in the book are things we all intrinsically know but maybe don’t consciously think of or apply to our lives consistently. If you are someone who struggles with negative thinking, ruminating over made up scenarios in your mind, or even real past events, or are prone to moodiness, this book will be especially helpful to you. Dr. Carlson dissolves some of the illusions that cause our suffering; our external circumstances often appear to be the cause of our suffering or happiness, but closer examination reveals that it is our thoughts that most affect our well-being. However, thoughts are not the same as reality. Just because we think something, doesn’t make it true. Yet all too often we give our thoughts too much credit and allow them to dictate how we feel. Dr. Carlson explores this relationship between thoughts, feelings, and reality and reveals the alternatives using the five things on which his principle for his book is based.

Dr. Richard Carlson’s 5 Things on Which His Principles for His Book “You Can Be Happy No Matter What” is Based:

1. Thoughts
2. Moods
3. Separate Realities
4. Feelings
5. Present Moment

He explores each principle and expounds on applying them into your everyday life and how they can work for everyone. Yes, most of what he has written is common sense, and most people already know what the 5 things above are to a lesser degree, but what you didn’t know, Dr. Carlson fills in the blanks of how & why they affect your overall mental health and what you can do about it. By reading each principle and corresponding application of the principle, you will absolutely have a crystal clear way of understanding how your moods & feelings work for and against you, and NOT becoming overburdened by some of life’s many pitfalls.

Dr. Carlson’s message supports the idea that if you want to change your life, you must begin by changing yourself. Some of the best books to read to change your life are quite challenging and deal with abstract spiritual concepts, but this book is very easy to read. The ideas are presented with down-to-earth everyday examples that most people can understand and relate to.

Get this book You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles for Keeping Life in Perspective read it, and use it to enhance your life.

With love, gratitude, and empowered attitude,