What I've Learned Since I Knew It All: 12 Secrets to Living a Satisfied Life

Happiness in life - the simplest of things, yet so hard to achieve. "What I've Learned Since I Knew It All: 12 Secrets to Living a Satisfied Life" covers a few little truths in life which if one acknowledges their life becomes so much easier - and with that, happiness can come. The truths include the fairness of life, marriage, friends, addictions, and adulthood - among others. "What I've Learned Since I Knew It All: 12 Secrets to Living a Satisfied Life" is a well composed look at life, highly recommended to community library self-help collections.

Why wouldn't an medical doctor, a MD know it all? Especially an MD who is a psychiatrist! And if not one MD, then certainly two!! The book starts with a great line - almost as great as Rick Warren's opening line in The Purpose Driven Life "It's not about you!" Their line is "Know-it-alls don't know it all." It is simple declarative sentence that sets up the entire book. The authors take you through twelve simple truths, which, if the reader really grasps them, will lead to a life of satisfaction and contentment. These are simple truths, but not easy truths. As psychiatrists who are willing to share their own shortcomings and blind spots, they point out the negative consequences of not embracing and living by these truths. Two of the truths that I found had the most impact were: #2 Life's not fair so use what you've got. It's a waste of time to look at others talents, skills, abilities, gifts, position, or standing - and wish they were ours. Each of us was created to be unique and as we explore and develop that uniqueness we also make our unique and singular contribution to the world around us. This also includes the unfair circumstances and events that may come our way. It is not the events that determine our future. It is how we choose to handle the adversity. Each situation can make us stronger and better prepared to face the future - or we can let each challenge beat us down. The choice is ours. #7 Friends are worth their weight in gold - so become a millionaire. What I found so powerful here was not the practical advice about forming friendships - which were great. For me the most powerful part of this truth was the advice on the importance of forgiveness. As Dr. Meier notes, "Those we do not forgive we become enslaved to." People in our lives will fail us. They will fail us at times because they are not perfect. Some may try to hurt us deliberately. However that is their problem - not ours. And they will reap the consequence of it. Both authors give powerful illustrations of the negative consequences of unforgiveness. This is a book best read one section at a time with some breathing room to absorb the principles and put them into practice. The reader will be blessed by doing so. Armchair Interviews agrees.