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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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April 2006 |
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Review - Choosing HappinessBook reviewed by Marie Ellison This ambitious book brings together the author's experience of some 20 years as a psychotherapist and writer. In it, she presents psychological and spiritual basics she considers essential to responsible and enjoyable living. Implicit is her belief that personal change is possible, that life can be enriched by attention to personal goals and values, and that happiness is achievable. The book moves from a focus on self, personal choices, goals and values to rewarding engagement with others and, finally, cultivation of a positive attitude to life. The author acknowledges criticism of books such as this, especially the charge of self-indulgence. This is a well presented resource book with many entry points. Each chapter begins with a contents outline and ends with summaries of essential insights and essential actions. Interleaved blue pages mark the beginning and end of each chapter. Clear summaries, extensive use of dot points and a limited amount of text per page invite even the busiest reader to thumb through. A 'smart index' assists with full exploration of themes. (It took me a little while to get used to the innovative lay out.) This is no simplistic self-help book. The clear presentation and easy style belie its depth. Stephanie Dowrick offers valuable insights into the human psyche and human behaviour. The life essentials she espouses are familiar: love, kindness, tolerance, courage, forgiveness, happiness and so on. The Christian ethic 'Do unto others…' is a touchstone. She offers information, suggestions and many strategies for bringing about change. She acknowledges the complexity of life and the effort involved in living well. This is an honest book, grounded in reality. Reviewing the book has been a challenge. Stephanie Dowrick's discussion of the spiritual includes Christian ethics and values but it's frustratingly broad. Her challenge to readers to engage with life is based around human relationships and, whilst she acknowledges the value of prayer and the need to engage the spiritual part of ourselves, she conveys no sense of the relational, transforming God who enters into the very depth of our souls. As they read this book, Christian people will want to hold in their hearts and minds, the promise of transformation, healing and change through loving relationship with God. In particular, Christian readers will want to relocate to the spiritual domain the discussion of forgiveness, guilt and other human pain. Set in a Christian context, these aspects of life become manageable. This book appears to offer happiness via the path of intelligent human effort. For Christians, more is needed. Don't be put off - there is so much that is good in this book! The discussion of self, for example, is outstanding. Christian readers who are not good at accepting and loving themselves [many of us !] will find it very helpful. Stephanie Dowrick has written a wise and uplifting book that reflects, I suspect, her gracious and generous spirit.
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