Creating Your Own Way To Happiness: A new life perspective for those considering a relationship or marriage, are married, divorced or widowed

Robert Bruce and Lee Ann Kirby
Outskirts Press, Inc. (2007)
ISBN 9781432703455
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (11/07)


The first question I asked myself when I started reading “Creating Your Own Way to Happiness” is what credentials the authors, Robert Bruce and Lee Ann Kirby have to write a self help book.  Neither one has a degree in psychology or social work but with 147 years of combined life experience between the two of them they certainly have the insight to write a book like this.  Together, they have a combined 95 years of marriage, 6 children, 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.   

The book was very well-written, but I did not feel that it was well-suited for all age ranges.  I do not think that many in the younger generations would relate well to the writing style and approach used in the book.  That being said, I think this is an excellent book for the older, religious person who is considering starting over in a new marriage, or recently divorced or widowed.  “Creating Your Own Way to Happiness” really helps you to consider your reasons for making changes in your life through questionnaires, real-life stories and life experience.  These chapters are also full of biblical quotes to back up the rationale of the authors. 

I found a lot of good commonsense advice throughout the book and a few of the items really resonated with me such as “Persistence is one of the most effective keys you can use to overcome these challenges, wrote President Calvin Coolidge.  Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.  Genius will not; un-rewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”  And my favorite insight by the authors is “The way to live successfully is not complicated, nor is it all that difficult. It is not beyond the reach of any one of us.  You must get a thrill out of everyday living, and find romance in life itself.”

How do you find happiness?  If you or someone you know starts asking this question or is considering making major life changes then I would highly recommend reading “Creating Your Own Way to Happiness” before answering those questions. 

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