The Joy of Appreciative Living: Your 28-Day Plan to Greater Happiness in 3 Incredibly Easy Steps

Jackie Kelm has a nice way with words as she explains and walks you through her plan for creating more joy in your life. I enjoyed her style, her ideas, and her plan. I was already writing down my gratitudes each day, but I hadn't taken the time to savor or reflect on each one. I was amazed how much that simple step added to the process. Each of Kelm's step adds more depth and richness to daily life. And, she is right, they are easy.

Jackie Kelm's book was not only an easy read, but because it was written through her personal journey it made me laugh and cry. I enjoyed it immensely and will be able to apply the concepts to my own life and teach others to do the same!

Jackie Kelm's new book on how an appreciative life can bring you joy is amazing on many counts. First, she writes with an authentic style that immediately makes you feel as though she really "gets" you. Not one to use jargon and dry language, Kelm instead shares story after story of people who've used the principles she advocates to feel more joy---even amidst stressful, busy lives. The book outlines everything you need to know and do to feel better--and fast. So many books on increasing joy or manifesting what you want in life smack of self-indulgence and superficiality. Not so with this book. Based on a national study, the book helps you look at your entire life through different lenses. Yes, you will find that what you envision will begin to appear in your life--but on a much deeper level than imagining simply material things. I've used the principles Jackie Kelm talks about with moms in my parent coaching practice and have seen, over and over again, how being willing to see the good (along with the bad) and actively appreciate that good can create amazing changes that are truly transformational. Perhaps one of the best parts about this book (besides the fact that it's incredibly well-written) is that it is very easy to implement. Have a few minutes each day, plus 15 minutes on the weekend? Then you'll be on your way to feeling more joy and less stress fast. In a sea of self-help books that are vague and poorly written, Jackie Kelms "The Joy of Appreciative Living" is a true find.

How many times have you picked up a personal growth-type book just to put it down when you reached the first exercise, which says, "Now take 30 minutes and...."? But if you don't have time to do the exercises, the book doesn't do you much good! Now, Jackie Kelm has boiled the secrets of joy down to three powerful exercises that are easy to fit into your day. I loved that Appreciative Living is focused on what you can do right now--it's not about delving into the depths of your past to figure out "why." Instead, it's a practical approach that zeroes in on the small things you can do everyday to experience a richer, more joyful life. Finally, the fact that she has the data to back all this up was a big part of the appeal for me. Books like this can sometimes stray too far into the "woo-woo" for me. No chance of that happening here! Plus, seeing concrete proof of others' progress makes it more real, and much easier to believe that you can do it too. But don't worry--the book is also full of charming stories, making it (dare I say it?!) a joy to read.

Is it possible to purposely work at being happier? Are there universal tools that can work for anyone, regardless of the differences in their lives? Kelm says there are, and after conducting a national study about joy, found that by doing three simple exercises each day - taking up less than an hour a week - people found themselves happier and more appreciative and that the feeling continued for months after the study was over. Her three steps take less than five minutes a day: List three things you are grateful for, find something to do each day that would increase your joy and envision your joy-filled life. Simple sometimes is the most effective. The book has explanations on why doing the principles help, motivational stories from people she's worked with through her seminars and studies, and expanded exercises that further help you find the happiness you want. For people who are looking for a happier New Year, and not a more efficient, productive, or wealthier one, /The Joy of Appreciative Living/ is a good start.