After listening to an interview with Marci Shimoff on Ali Brown’s Glambition Radio Podcast last month, I decide to purchase Marci’s book, Happy for No Reason. I bought the audio version of the book from Audible.
Before Ali’s interview, I had never heard of Marci Shimoff. However, after listening to the interview, I learned that Marci was quite accomplished. She has worked closely with Jack Canfield, who I greatly admired. She was an author who can be credited with contributions to several best selling books that include, but are not limited to, Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul and The Secret.
While purchasing the book I wondered about the title. Being someone who always asks questions, I pondered…how could someone be happy for NO reason? Don’t people need some reason to be happy? For instance, I wondered if the happy people that would be discussed were rich, good looking, loved, or genetically predisposed? Or maybe, the happy people had healthy habits- they get enough sleep, exercise, and take their daily vitamins?
When listening to the book, I realized that happy people didn’t necessarily have more money, better looks, or perfect sleep patterns. The “Happy 100,” who were 100 people who consistently self ranked as happy, that Marci chronicled were happy despite their circumstances. In fact, some of these people that Marci chronicled in the book ranked themselves as happy even when experiencing health crisis, divorce, etc.
I enjoyed several things about Marci’s book and feel that it is definitely worth reading/hearing. First, as an academic, I enjoyed her focus on the research. The information presented in the book was not simply her opinion; it related to verifiable facts. Second, I liked that Marci showcased the stories of several of the “happy 100”; the real life examples were relatable. Many of these people were like me, or like people I know. Third, I like that Marci provided easy to implement suggestions to practice happiness. That is, the book wasn’t just theory; it was also application.
After reading Marci’s book, I am a more grateful person. It reminded me of all of the blessings that I had, and it reminded me that we can all find happiness everywhere without changing our setting. It also gave me some practical techniques to keep happiness at the forefront of my thoughts. As a result, I recommend the book to anyone who feels like they should find more happiness more consistently in their lives.
