How to be Happy (No Fairy Dust or Moonbeams Required)

Discover the secrets to true, lasting happiness

Imagine going through life with confidence and deep satisfaction, knowing that you’re making the most of your time, talents, and abilities.

  • Imagine waking up every morning, feeling good about what your day will bring.
  • Imagine being your own best friend instead of your own worst enemy.
  • Imagine truly enjoying your life on a daily basis!

This book contains 10 steps on how to be happy. By following these steps, you will learn how to have a happier life. And it’s probably a lot easier than you imagine.

A lot of people think that happiness is something you have to be born with. Don’t fall for that happiness myth! With a few simple actions, you can increase your life-satisfaction and create a life of joy.

How do I know? I could tell you that I have a Ph.D. (true) or that I’m a Certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (also true). But what really qualifies me to write this book is that I’ve been there.

I used to be a miserable person: depressed, victimized, apathetic, and going through the motions in life. At the end of a bad marriage, I realized that I was not willing to live this way forever. Something had to change.

I started therapy. I got to work reading self-help books and trying out their advice. I studied what worked and what didn’t work. And over time, I succeeded: I made myself happy!

I was so excited that it worked—I felt like I had solved the greatest mystery of life. I just had to share everything I had learned with the world. That’s why I wrote this book. The techniques in this book are exactly what I used to transform my life.

Here are a few of the things you’ll learn in this short, simple book:

  • The top 4 myths about happiness—and the real truth about what you need to know to be happy in your life
  • The definition of true happiness, and how it’s different from what most people think
  • The real cause of unhappiness: once you understand it, you can overcome it!
  • One essential change in mindset that can help you stop taking things personally
  • The fastest way to shift your mood when you’re feeling bad, so you can feel good any time you want
  • A simple technique for reprogramming the voices in your head, so they stop making you miserable and start helping you live a better life
  • Four common, insidious happiness-blockers—and how to defeat them for good

Get this book now—free!—so you can start being happier today! Just click the button below to get your copy today.

 

Why is it free?

This book is some of the best work I’ve ever done and took all of my free time for two months. Why would I just give it away?

I’ve always wanted to change the world. There is no reason most people couldn’t be happy most of the time, if they just knew how. Imagine if everyone started being more positive and doing things they loved! Not only would those people be happier and doing great things, but there would be fewer fearful, insecure, unhappy people around to be mean and cause problems. The best way to make that happen is to give this book away free so it will reach as many people as possible. So here it is, my gift to you.

Please share

If you enjoy the book, please pass it on. Twitter, Facebook, email, blog, carrier pigeon, whatever! Let’s spread the word and help more people be happy!

Update: I finally got comments working on this page! After you read the book, please let me know what you thought!

Why is it free?

This book is some of the best work I’ve ever done and took all of my free time for two months. Why would I just give it away?

I’ve always wanted to change the world. There is no reason most people couldn’t be happy most of the time, if they just knew how. Imagine if everyone started being more positive and doing things they loved! Not only would those people be happier and doing great things, but there would be fewer fearful, insecure, unhappy people around to be mean and cause problems. The best way to make that happen is to give this book away free so it will reach as many people as possible. So here it is, my gift to you.

Please share

If you enjoy the book, please pass it on. Twitter, Facebook, email, blog, carrier pigeon, whatever! Let’s spread the word and help more people be happy!

Update: I finally got comments working on this page! After you read the book, please let me know what you thought!

87 thoughts on “How to be Happy (No Fairy Dust or Moonbeams Required)”

    1. Hello Cara.
      I have three hopes. I hope this is really Free and not a common. I hope you are genuine, because I have lost rust in most people. And of course I hope it would wo for me and give me a happy life as it used to be.
      You see I was a very Fit and Healthy Jockey making all the money I ever could want. But suddenly, in a few seconds it was all gone. I was killed and brought back to life again. My Wife was gone and so was everything else. I had absolutely Nothing, including a Body that was screwed up. Over the last 37 years my life has just been dissapointment after dissapointment. I have no money, no future or anything. So I don’t see how it could be changed. But I’m willing to try, But only if what you say is True.
      John

      1. Hi John,

        It sounds like you’ve been through a lot! Please do try the suggestions in the book–they’ve really helped me turn my life around. I hope they work for you, too! Let me know how it goes.

        Cara

    2. Hi Cara loved the book even after 2 days of reading I do feel better and feel a weight lifted from me, thank you so much you may have changed my life.
      Graham UK

    3. Hi! Thank you for the wonderful book! I really enjoyed reading it, a customer/friend of mine recommended it and I pulled a lot from it. I realized now only am I on the right track…I might just be happy 😉 It’s very encouraging. I’m at the forgiveness stages in my “obstacle” and am getting there…all in due time 🙂 Thanks again, I will be passing this on to many, many people. I have a small gift boutique in Mt Dora, FL where I offer many inspiring books, workbooks, note cards, & handmade items to help inspire people. I love being able to pass on helpful information. Thank you! Lynn~
      “There are always beautiful flowers for those who choose to see them.”

      1. Thank you very much, Lynn! I’m delighted to hear that the book helped you, and I love that you’re passing it on. I appreciate it!

    4. Hi Cara,

      I just wanted to say thank you for this brilliant book. I found it very inspirational. I love the fact it gives practical tips and isn’t “preachy”, just honest.

      I have started writing my own blog and included a link to your book because I really feel it can help people.

      Emily x

  1. Thank you for the book.

    With a difficult past, happiness has been an issue I regularly wonder about. Your book is an uplifting look about how we can claim happiness for ourselves.

    1. Thanks! I’m really glad you found it uplifting. I hope you’ve found it helpful, too. I know it isn’t your usual cup of tea, so I’m honored that you read it.

  2. I found this book to be an acceptable tool to use when seeking happiness, and a reasonable alternative to staying drunk most of the time or taking lots of zoloft.

  3. Great job with the book, Cara. Your accomplishments are inspiring. Curious where the 3d wire frame art for the cover came from?

    1. Thanks, Lach!

      The photo is of a sculpture at Burning Man 2010. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Burning Man, but it’s a week-long gathering in the middle of the desert where people form an instant community, embrace self-expression, and make a lot of art. I’ve never been, but I totally want to go.

      The sculpture was called “Bliss Dance,” and the sculptor was Marco Cochrane. There’s a little more info on the photo page on flickr:
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelholden/4937166168/

      I think it’s one of the coolest things ever and am really grateful to the photographer, Michael Holden, for making it available through the Creative Commons license. Woohoo!

    1. I don’t know who you are, but I’m sorry if I’ve offended you in some way. Can you tell me what the problem is?

  4. Just read your eBook from Barnes & Noble. Devoured it, actually. And I’d like to say, thanks. Simple truths that I needed to hear. In fact, I think I may be re-reading once a day until it FULLY sinks in. Ha ha. Seriously, though…..thank you.

  5. Thanks a lot for your kindness in sharing this book with all of us and specially for no cost at all!

    Thanks a million and will get back to you after I read it.

    Keep up the great work and may triple gem bless you in everything you do!

  6. In today’s stressful life people have forget how to get happiness, how to live happy life but this kind of informative books help us to realize what we are missing from life. Really like to thank the author for such a wonderful post.

  7. I loved your book . It’s changed the way I think for the better 🙂 . It’s a book that I will read again again . I’m 31 and have a reading age of 11 year and found easy to read 🙂

    Many thanks nicky

    1. Thanks, Nicky! I’m delighted that you enjoyed it and found it helpful. That’s the best part of everything I do. 🙂

  8. Great book! Very useful tips to face the challenges of today’s world. A must read! Thanks so much.

    Life would be so much better even if we all lived by half of what you suggest…..

  9. Hi Cara

    Thanks for sharing you ideas and knowledge, it’s great to see someone helping others without financial gain. What you have written makes perfect sense to me when I’m reading it, I just have to learn to apply these things daily.

    I’ll come back to you at a later date if I can move my life up a level.

    Thanks again.

    1. Thanks, Eugene! I really appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment.

      Applying is definitely the hard part. 🙂 I hope it works well for you. Wishing you the best, and I hope to see you again soon.

  10. Down loaded this morning and read! Your clear no nonsense style of writing makes it seem so easy and achievable. Thank you for sharing, your words have already had a positive impact.

  11. Hey Cara!
    This is of the best books I have ever read in my 18 years of living. I am so grateful to have had the chance to read this, it has saved me from being unhappy for which would’ve been a very, very long time. This book reminded me heavily of how powerful the human mind is and how to work with it to push myself to my highest limits and capabilities. You are so engaging, direct and real, in the sense that there is absolutely no bull****. I have been waiting around for happiness to somehow just return on it’s own. I have been through a series of traumatizing events that I thought would be burnt into my soul forever and prevent me from ever being as happy as I originally was. I was struggling with fear of the world because I’ve been constantly thinking of it as an evil place. Although your book has given me hope, it’s opened my eyes and given me a push to start changing my life around now rather than putting it off because I had no idea how to start trying to be happy in the first place. Your advice on how to think in a different light has had so much of an effect on me already and it’s only been a couple of days. Reading about not letting your past define you has been especially helpful but wow, I just loved the whole book in general. I’m going to read it over and over again until all the key points are stained in my mind. You are so inspiring Cara! I just don’t know what else to say but thank you!!

    Liv 

    1. Liv,

      I’m delighted to hear that my book has made such a difference for you! That was my highest aspiration in writing it. I can’t tell you what it means to me to hear that it’s working. 🙂

      Thank you very much for your comment, and best wishes on your continuing journey!

      Cara

  12. Hi
    I was so unhappy with my life and your book opened my eyes to see how fool I was it.
    Thank you for sharing and give it for free.

    Loved it !!!

    Wishing you the best.

    Thank you 🙂

  13. Thank you for being “real” and sharing what you have learned about happiness. Your thoughts effectively showed us how to clean out the pantry of our minds and lives in order to reveal the staples/necessities of creating a happy life. It really does boil down to our thoughts and reactions which are completely within our control and that knowledge should give us comfort in facing life each day.

    1. It really does boil down to our thoughts and reactions which are completely within our control and that knowledge should give us comfort in facing life each day.

      So true!

      Thanks, Anne! I’m really glad you enjoyed the book and found it helpful. 🙂

  14. Just downloaded your book on my iPad a few days ago. Really, really helpful for a troubled guy like me. It is very inspiring in overcoming fear of the world. I read it in one day, highlighted all the cool sentences and now I enjoy reading them over and over again.

    That 5 positive things list is a great idea. I am doing something like that for the first time in my life because I read your book. It is also great because I keep thinking about positive stuff throughout the day and can’t wait to write them before going to bed.

    If you thought you will feel better by giving this to the people, you really should and I truly hope you do!

    Much love and appreciation!

    1. Thank you, Artur! I’m really glad you enjoyed the book and found it valuable. The 5 positive things list is one of my favorites–it’s really transformed my life. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me!

      Love and best wishes to you, too!

  15. What a great no nonsence little book, love the gratitude exercise! First time I tried it last night l, such a simple thing can bring such a great feeling! You’re book was just what I needed. Thankyou so much. Have a great, happy day.

    1. Thank you, Simone! I’m truly delighted that my book has helped you. The gratitude exercise is one of my favorites, too–so simple and so powerful! Wishing you all happiness! 🙂

  16. Hi Cara,
    I’ve been so unhappy recently and it’s getting worse everyday. I found your book on iBook and just started reading. I really hope this will help me. I also signed up for your newsletter. I’m very looking forward to reading your whole book, newsletter and blog. Thank you so much for sharing great work! Best wishes. 🙂

    1. Hi Suzuka,

      I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been unhappy lately! I hope you find what you need. My heart goes out to you!

  17. Superb, read it before I go off to sleep. So many sensible statements made during this read and after worrying about something at work, which I personally didn’t need to, I used your technique of passing it back….what a treat I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my weekend. Now linked to you 17000 days…I’m a follower. Brilliant. Thank you!

  18. hi cara, thank u so much. i read the book and loved it and definetely share it. i am very happy with my life, my husband and everything, i know what i want from my life but there are times tht i am feeling down a little bit without knowing exactly the reason but after reading the book it helped me to change the way of my thoughts the times that i am a bit down. to be happy is really important matter in someones life and i want to be happy all the time! so i have only one thing to say about your target – respect 🙂

    thank u, lots of love from hot cyprus!!!!!

  19. Hi Cara. I loved your book. Simple stuff I knew, but needed to hear again. Why do we stop listening to our intuition? I know I need a nicer job, I know I need to work less, but again and again I go for something that won’t make me happy. Maybe I need a hardback copy so someone can hit me on the head now and again to remind me what is important.

  20. I found this book immediately relevant to my situations/s and the advice, techniques and examples to be clear, sensible and completely applicable.
    It was also refreshing to read a self-help book from cover to cover without once thinking: “Pfft! Seriously…?!” (Though that probably says more about me than the books I’ve previously read :0) )

    Thank you so much Cara, for making this invaluable book so readily available. You have certainly made a difference, and judging by the other comments, quite a hefty one to boot. Kudos!

  21. Hi Cara,

    Firstly, thank you for providing this book free of charge and for taking the time to try and make the world a better place and for your efforts to try and improve people’s lives. You are a great example for people, like me who are desperately unhappy and worthless. I downloaded your book and read it from cover to cover so to speak, and even re read it 3 times. Unfortunately, even though I used your ideas I am still desperately unhappy. Each night I try to sleep but I am beset by nightmares and/or physical pain. I struggle to get of bed and face another day of physical pain and steel myself in preparation for getting through another day doing the best I can to hide my physical pain and mental anguish. Some of your suggestions I found I already do by doing what I can to make other people feel happier. In my case it just a part of my determination not to visit my problems on other people. Unfortunately, it just makes me fell like more of a fraud. I’m sure you are thinking that I need psychological help, well of tried that and was told to pretend that I was happy so that’s what I do. Unfortunately the nightmares never go away, the physical pain never goes away, who I am never changes, my memories of my childhood still fill me with fear and disgust, and my past will never change. I will continue to search and try things that may help make tomorrow a better day – – – medical advances may help with my physical pain, or I find a way to sleep without nightmares, or even just forget my childhood, or even just find a way not to look in the mirror without a feeling of disgust at the human i see. I’d settle for any 1 of those for 1 day but unfortunately not today.

  22. Cara,
    I was very impressed with your book. After everything that has happened in my short life, I am ready for a new start. I really needed something that would lift me up and free some burdens. My life gets so stressful because I am in the top 1% of my class, and I know there is a long road ahead. I want high school to be a fun and memorable experience. I spend almost every waking moment studying, and it is taking a toll on me. It’s finally summer and I’m a sophomore now, and I’m determined to make this the best summer of my life. I am going to get fit instead of my skin and bones, and I’m going to learn to take time from my day to focus on my well being. I’m tired of waking up with nothing to look forward to, just the usual old school stuff. Being truly happy is something that I have never really experienced, probably because school and softball if all I have ever known. Thank you so much for this book. It has really changed my outlook on life.

  23. What a wonderful book! It is a really useful tool if you’re having a down day. Some people say if you know and understand English, then you are already privileged. I hope you have a brilliant day whatever you may be doing. Have you read Andrew Matthew s book? He wrote a book on happiness too!

  24. This book reminded me heavily of how powerful the human mind is and how to work with it to push myself to my highest limits and capabilities. You are so engaging, direct and real, in the sense that there is absolutely no bull****. I have been waiting around for happiness to somehow just return on it’s own. I have been through a series of traumatizing events that I thought would be burnt into my soul forever and prevent me from ever being as happy as I originally was. I was struggling with fear of the world because I’ve been constantly thinking of it as an evil place.
    Although your book has given me hope, it’s opened my eyes and given me a push to start changing my life around now rather than putting it off because I had no idea how to start trying to be happy in the first place. Your advice on how to think in a different light has had so much of an effect on me already and it’s only been a couple of days.

  25. I chose this book for my book report in Psychology and I felt so happy because I learned lots of things while reading this. Thank you for sharing this to us. ☺☺☺

  26. Thank You for making it free. It helps me a lot and I just want to say that I used this as a material for my Book Report in Psychology because it’s very nice and fantastic. ☺☺☺

  27. I really enjoyed reading your book and just wanted to thank you for sharing it .Sound advice, well written. I will share as you request and spread the happiness!

  28. Hi Cara, and thank you for your useful and insightful book. Although I knew many of the tips, some were new to me, and it’s been good to have them collected and neatly organized. Kudos!

    Also, I will put links to your website and book on my blog.

    Please notice that “The Girl Effect” (or the Global Giving.org site) accepts a donation of no less than 10$ (so you may want to update that info on the book).

    Take care and be happy, love,
    Valter

    1. Thanks, Valter! I’m glad you enjoyed the book, and I appreciate the heads up on the donation site.

      All the best to you!
      Cara

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