LIFE LESSONS

Violino’s self-help guide outlines the core principles integral to happiness.

In this primer on cultivating happiness, the author presents his personal strategies for navigating the ever-shifting tides of life. Over the course of 25 chapters, Violino covers all the basics, including practicing gratitude, pursuing positive thinking, living in the moment, finding solace in nature, and having patience (“a virtue that’s difficult to master but beautiful to embrace”). The author relates anecdotes about the life struggles of people whom Violino admires that provide examples of tenacious hope. The author also discusses his personal battles with numerous life-threatening health issues. Strategies from mindfulness authorities such as Jon Kabat-Zinn and the Dalai Lama, alongside basic resources including WebMD and the Mayo Clinic, are listed in nearly every section, and a selection of relevant references, broken down by chapter, is included at the end. Violino’s upbeat attitude, despite his significant health challenges, will compel readers to weigh his words of wisdom as something beyond boilerplate, Pollyannaish proverbs. That being said, his advice is far from one-size-fits-all. Readers overcoming significant histories of abuse, systemic oppression, grief, or unwanted isolation may not find the work an effective tool; for example, much of the discussion of gratitude assumes a stable financial and familial situation (to his credit, Violino states on multiple occasions how lucky he is to have his family as an excellent source of support). The author relates multiple anecdotes illustrating how his wife, Reneé, not only salvaged his capacity for hope, but also quite literally saved his life—their love is a subtle but strong thread running through the entirety of this work. Violino writes with clarity about life’s blessings and evinces genuine warmth. For readers looking to embrace a more positive mindset, this guide is an excellent launching pad.

A direct and heartwarming introduction to positive thinking.