"Permanent Happiness" by Iyabo Ojikutu!

Hiya peeps! As I'm sure you know, I don't tend to review self-help books. In fact, I don't read them. Like, ever. When the request for this one came in though, it sounded interesting, especially for the time of year. I figured some of you may be able to find help from it, so decided to give it a whirl! Check out my review below, and let me know what you think of it in the comments below!

Permanent Happiness: The Only Way to Find Peace, Joy and your Life-Given Purpose

~Author: Iyabo Ojikutu

~Released: May 24th, 2017

~Length: 218 Pages

~Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Self Help

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“Another book about happiness?” What does this one have to say that we all have not heard before? And is happiness really an achievable state of being? 

We never stop craving happiness. It is the world’s most sought-after feeling and emotion. As we wake up each morning, we do so hoping to find happiness in all that we experience, whether we are consciously aware of this desire or not. 

We do, of course, find happiness at different points and phases in our lives. The problem is, this situational happiness tends to be short lived. We are happy for a few days and then fall back into anxiety, sadness, and/or worry. 

Permanent Happiness outlines three easy steps to pursuing permanent happiness. It tackles key life situations we encounter during our daily living and shows how to pursue peace and be positive influencers on those around us. When our lives are in balance, we discover we let go of the stress and worry that arise when life throws us curveballs. 

Get ready to be challenged and inspired. More importantly, get ready to learn about and understand permanent happiness and peace from a different perspective! 

A pediatrician in Atlanta, I’ve dedicated my medical career to caring for children and to teaching medical students. In December 2015, two months after my father passed, I was suddenly inspired to start writing and completed my first book in February 2016. I discovered the beauty and peace writing brought me, and I haven't stopped since. I'm currently writing my third book and continuing my journey for permanent happiness—peace.

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Upon graduating from secondary school, I entered medical school at age 16. After completing my medical degree and internship at 23 years old, I left for England, where I practiced as a pediatrician for four years. In 1998 I moved to the United States, completed residency in the Bronx, New York, and then relocated to Atlanta in 2001.

I opened my pediatric practice in 2004, and this is still serving the community. I live in Atlanta with my two daughters, 19 and 13 years old.

~ Connect with Iyabo Online ~

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter

"Peace is permanent happiness.

Happiness is good, but is not enough. Peace is good, and is enough."

The first couple sentences are, alone, profound. They not only give you several things to think about, but a clear idea of what the rest of the pages contain. Peace and happiness are things everyone basically hopes to achieve someday in their lives, right?

In this book, Dr. Ojikutu writes clearly, as she explains her ideas on how to achieve both. While the ideas seem somewhat echoed from other self-help authors and "gurus" of personal health, her way of writing about each area is simple, and said in ways I'd certainly never heard before. At several points, I found myself simply staring into space, pondering the things she'd written, feeling more at peace simply for having processed the suggested outlook and mentality.

Instead of a book filled with personal anecdotes and stories that rarely apply to many other people, as most of the books in this genre seem to feature, this book focuses more on the goal of achieving those first two lines. It stays on point, focuses on the reader, and connects each area of an individual's life, in a way that makes it clear how to become balanced, and peaceful, therefore achieving happiness. Even for those who believe they are happy, there are probably things you could gain from this, that would flip your mentality a bit, and improve your current state of being.

I'm honestly not one for self-help literature. They've never been my area of interest, and aside from "Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul" when I was in high school, I've never looked into reading one out of personal desire. When approached to review this one, I was skeptical, but thought it may be beneficial to others who enjoy the genre, therefore worthwhile. I am glad I agreed, because it's given me a bit to think about, and a new way of looking at my own personal health, in ways I didn't realize I needed to. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to experience this book, and definitely recommend it to anyone seeking peace, happiness, and general balance to the hectic, chaotic mess we call life.

*I was given a complimentary eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.

Be sure to let me know what you think of this book in the comments below! Do you read self-help books?

Thanks for visiting!

Have a great day! =D

2 Self-Help Books for Christians

Hiya peeps! I have some different kind of books for you today, that seem fitting for the upcoming season. I am a Christian, and although I rarely read self-help books (other than the Bible, haha), I thought it may be helpful to share these today. Who knows, they may help someone! Check out Why Many Christians Will Miss Heaven and Biblical Steps To Dealing With The Jilt of Your Lover.

"Wake Up" by Hunter Marshall! *Blitz & Spotlight*

~Released: March, 2015

~Length: 242/474 Pages

~Genres: Inspirational, Memoir

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Kobo ~ iBooks

Based on a true story of abuse and betrayal.

I only knew two things when I married Grey Andrews: one, I was in love and two, I wanted to rebel against my parents. For the first time in my life, REALLY rebel. I, however, wasn't prepared for the onslaught of negativity and abuse I encountered. 

Grey would make sure I knew where I stood, with him, and with everyone else. He of course, was allowed to go and do whatever,wherever he pleased. Even during the rare times I would stand up to him, he would be sure that I knew I was nothing.

"You? What man in his right mind would want you? You are the biggest bitch I've ever known. Not to mention, you are damaged ." Grey said as he wheeled around with that all too familiar sneer. The last thing I heard was, "I only married you out of pity."

Did he really mean that? I loved him so much and thought if I loved him enough, he could change. I felt like I had been punched in the gut! Would he realize how lucky he was to have a beautiful wife and son. Only time would tell.

Grey made sure I was knocked down several pegs at all times, but. even worse than that was the way he treated Tyler. My heart bled every time that sweet little boy was pushed off to the side and denied the attention he so deeply needed and deserved.

Do you ever "Get over" abuse, betrayal and adultery? My answer, no. You "get through it", but you don't ever "get over" it. You take it one baby step at a time and it is the support of great family, good friends and a loving Heavenly Father that makes continuing on even remotely possible.

Slings & Arrows

~Titles~

Slings & Arrows

~By~

Julie Elizabeth Powell

~Genres~

Non-Fiction

~My Copy~

~Kindle eBook

~Self Published In~

2008

~Pages~

81

~Synopsis (from Goodreads)~ 

"Nobody expects to lose a child but when it happens what can we do? In the sea of grief that seizes the soul how can we swim against the tide? But when that loss is compounded in each minute of every day, what do we do then?

Slings and Arrows is a story about the consequences of a moment, a moment, which separates a mother and daughter in ways impossible to imagine.

It charts their parallel lives, each suffering, one knowing, one not.

It is brutally honest; an account filled with bewilderment, guilt, anger and pain yet it also holds the key to hope. That whatever happens, the bonds of love can never be broken."

~~~~~

~My Rating: 4/5 Roses~

~My Review~

While non-fiction isn't generally a genre I read very often, I do enjoy it from time to time.  The heaviness of reality can be good for a person who's used to escaping into fiction and fantasy.  This novella certainly gave me a good taste of reality, and for a moment, allowed me to connect to another person in a very special way.

Every mother who's lost a child would be able to relate to this story somehow.  Anyone who hasn't lost a child, won't be able to relate, but can sympathize easily.  Written in a way that draws the reader into every emotion and thought of this experience, this author creates a true look into a mother's pain.  Sharing her experience through fear, anger, confusion, and the finality of death, she has created a story that any mother who's experienced that loss can find comfort in.

This is certainly a hard book to read, and made my heart go out to this author.  Reading about her experiences and her life through this situation was heart-wrenching, but something that I'm glad I read.  I would recommend reading this book to anyone who's going or gone through a similar situation, and to anyone who's read or planning on reading the author's book Gone.

*I was given an eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.

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~Book Links~

Goodreads ~ LibraryThing ~ Shelfari

~Purchase Links~

Amazon ~ Lulu

~Author Links~

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Website