Creating Extraordinary Joy: A Guide to Authenticity, Connection, and Self-Transformation

If you've ever wanted to just read a well written book with simple, practical advise on how to improve your life - this is it. Chris Alexander is an excellent writer who manages to get to the heart of a matter and make sense. Much emphasis is placed on a person's synergy and if that sounds too mystical to you - it's not. It's simply about the way one chooses to think and act everyday. Practical methods that you can use everyday will soon have you realize that much of the stress we put ourselves through is wasteful and unnecessary. This is a fast read and one that seems almost too simple and too good to be true. Well, I can only suggest reading it, but I found it to be very practical.

During my recovery from major surgery, I was fortunate to have Chris Alexander's book Creating Extraordinary Joy. I made a point to read it and experience it, daily. Even though my body was often wracked with pain, the exercises in the book allowed me to learn how to overcome my physical challenges by learning to focus, meditate, create affirmations, face my fears and review my entire life. What a wonderful tool to have especially when you are forced to rest and when your main goal is to recuperate.I would recommend this meaningful treasure to all who desire self-improvement and rapid healing. I personally experienced both! Thanks Chris!

As a kid, I dreamed about one day finding Aladdin's lamp and presenting the Genie with the perfect wish...something that wouldn't later backfire on me in some unexpected way. Finally, I hit upon the one truly foolproof wish - JOY! What could be simpler? So, to that extent at least, I was already on my way. I knew WHERE I wanted to be. My only question was HOW? Chris Alexander provided a clear, step-by-step process describing exactly how to not only get there but also how to stay there...connected to that newfound sense of joy.CREATING EXTRAORDINARY JOY moves the reader towards the synergy found in creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The different steps along the way, the various excerises and the many people you meet through a sharing of their individual stories combine to form a kind of road map. The journey revisits family and friends, goals and passions, guilts and fears. The destination is finally reached when you realize you're back where you started. The Genie is not out there...he's inside you...waiting to be freed.An intelligent and insightful work, Chris Alexander has something for everyone at every point along their personal path to creating extraordinary joy.

This extraordinary book is a joy to read. But more important, its exercises and message make it an effective tool for increasing one's happiness as well as that of others with whom one comes into contact."Creating Extraordinary Joy" presents a well-organized, step-by-step process for increasing the joy in one's life. Lessons are accompanied by exercises and real-life vignettes. Chris Alexander is the son of a white Rhodesian farmer and he weaves tales of his adventures growing up throughout the book.The writing is very accessible. Mr. Alexander's writing has an uncanny way of connecting with the reader. This is a very personal book -- it is almost eerie how personally it engaged me.Several themes permeate the book. They include: understanding "synergy," which simply means making connections that energize and inspire us to exceptional achievement and pleasure; clearing out unproductive thoughts; recognizing that we have the power to make choices and taking control of that power; and setting and achieving goals.One only occasionally comes across that rare gem - a book with the power to change one's life. This book is one of those gems. After having read it and completed many of its exercises, I can truthfully say that my life has changed for the better. Highly recommended.

This is a bit of an unorthodox review, because I haven't had a chance to read the book yet. But here is why I still feel qualified to comment: I got a copy of this book HOT off the press, right after it was released. I was staying at my parents for the holidays at the time so I took it home and showed it to my mom, (72) expressing how much I was looking forward to reading it. Well...she started reading it right there on the spot, ohing and awing and taking notes and I didn't have the heart to take it away from her. I decided to be patient and read it after she was done. What I didn't anticipate was being able to see the visible results of JOY that were created in her as she read it. Every morning during my visit as we shared a cup of coffee she raved about Chris's book with such exuberance, enthusiasm and truly, extraordinary joy, that I feel compelled to spread the word. I would have paid 100x more than the price of the book to be able to enjoy my mom's elation as she told me about the what she learned, discovered and was reminded of-smiling all the while. I got the vicarious experience of Creating Extraordinary Joy and will return to write a review when I get the book back and have a first hand experience with it.Thank you Chris...for allowing me to give the gift of joy to my mom.