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Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier, a book published by Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, is a self-help guide to happiness and a better life. The book was released in late 2023.
Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier is a practical, step-by-step guide that encourages individuals to take control of their lives. In this book, Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey suggest making well-thought-out choices to improve one’s life in various fields. The book revolves around five key points crucial to leading the way to happiness: faith, family, community and work.
The concept of faith is developed as a spiritual belief system, revolving around morality, goals, and navigating different stages of life, including traumatic events, the loss of a loved one and stress management. It goes beyond everyday life and involves finding deeper meaning in everything.
The idea of family highlights the importance of relatives and family relationships as a support system. It emphasizes the significance of marriage and extended family. Relationships built around love, gratitude, forgiveness, communication and shared moments can enhance one’s life in various fields.
The community idea revolves around the fact that one cannot live alone. People need each other to escape isolation that could lead to sadness. Working on creating social bonds, meeting neighbors or joining communities and organizations can bring a person closer to happiness, whereas social media won’t necessarily help people get there.
When it comes to work, not only does it provide goals, chances and opportunities, but it also develops one’s skills and talents. Work helps individuals feel appreciated, rewarded and self-confident. It also provides financial security and enables them to contribute to society.
In a scientific approach, this book offers a practical, concrete method to increase one’s happiness in the daily struggle of life. Being aware of these four pillars and cultivating them effectively can help build a better, happier life.
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