Be Happy by Hank Smith + $25 and Book Giveaway

You can be happy—solidly, genuinely happy—no matter what's going on around you, no matter what happens to you, no matter what storm comes along to batter and bruise you.
Keep reading, and I'll show you how . . .

Face it: it's not always easy to feel happy. With all of the worries and trials of day-to-day life, the cares of the world can seem overwhelming. But as popular speaker and author Hank Smith demonstrates, no matter your circumstances, you can be happy—the kind of happy that illuminates you from the inside out, a joy that does not depend on what happens to you but on what you do with what happens. With his characteristic humor, Hank offers readers a fresh perspective on finding joy in the journey with a collection of tools and strategies designed to inspire genuine happiness, such as: • Learning to develop an optimistic outlook

• Understanding how to deal with feelings of depression

• Mastering ten simple tricks to jump-start your joy each day

Featuring an inspiring collection of real-life examples, enlightening doctrinal direction, and motivating goals, Be Happy is the guide you need to start living a happier life, today!

 * Goodreads * Amazon * Deseret Book *

Are you happy today? I sure am! I'll tell you why. I just read Hank Smith's new book which is awesome for me because I am a Hank Smith fan. He is my best long car ride friend because he has fantastic talks on CD and every time we set off on a road trip, I take him along to entertain, motivate and inspire me (and my kids by default as they are usually with me. Trapped. Just kidding- they love to listen to Hank Smith too. He always makes us laugh.) I was so happy to see he had a book coming out. This sure seems like a good idea for a guy like Hank Smith! Yay!

This book sounds just like Hank Smith. I like that. The humor and excitement I am used to in his CD's was also present in this book. It's like I could hear him talking. 

I like to think that generally speaking I am a happy person but there is always, always room for improvement, right? This book is full of good ideas and information on how to find, develop, and cultivate that real and lasting happiness we are all craving. None of the ideas here shocked me or surprised me, but instead, served as a good reminder. Sometimes life has a way of dealing you crummy things- sometimes all at once. Like pouring rain. The trick is to know how to be happy from the inside out and not depend on outside events or sources to bring happiness. This book is positive and well, happy. :) You just cannot go wrong reading or listening to anything by Hank Smith.

This book is an LDS non- fiction book. There are religious references throughout.

-I received a copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

Schedule: 

Feb. 27th: http://rockinbookreviews.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

Feb. 28th: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://thethingsilovemost.com/, 

March 1st: http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/

March 2nd: http://empowermoms.net/, http://empowermoms.net/, http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/

March 3rd: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amazing Hairstyles from Easy to Elegant by Becky Porter

Tired of bad hair days? Popular hairstyle blogger Becky Porter teaches you the basics of braids, buns, and twists, and helps you combine them to create amazing hairstyles for any occasion. Go from drab to fab at any age with the easy, step-by-step tutorials in this essential guide.

I think it's important to note first that I am not a very talented hair stylest.  I have two girls and really, I have only mastered the very basics.  I have always wanted to try some fancier things though and this book gave me just the nudge and help that I needed.

I love the easy to understand instructions and the pictures too.  When I am learning to do things, it's so much easier for me to have a book or actual written instructions in front of me.  With this book, I don't have to pause or stop a video and I don't have to take my computer or tablet into the bathroom.  I like that my girls can read me these instructions as I go too.

My oldest daughter even tried some of the fancier braids herself and she did an awesome job!

This book is awesome.  I'm so glad to have it in my house.  I think it's a book that will be used over and over.  I'm envisioning some fancy styles for junior prom right now!  

This would also be a fun gift for any girl along with some bobby pins and other hair tools this book recommends.  I actually think I'm going to do this for my nieces!

You can purchase this book at Amazon and Cedar Fort.

My thanks to Cedar Fort for sending me this book for review.

Happiness is a Habit: Simple Daily Rituals that Increase Energy, Improve Energy, Improve Well Being, and Add Joy to Every Day by Michele Phillips

Renovate the rhythm of your life to create a healthier, happier you! Forget superficial fixes like fad diets or shopping sprees and instead learn how implementing simple daily habits like journaling, juicing, and unplugging electronics can improve your quality of life. The confidence, vitality, and joy that you deserve are just a habit away!

Every now and then I enjoy reading a non-fiction or self help sort of book.  This book sounded like a winner because who doesn't want to be happier?  Making happiness a habit?  Yeah, that sounds good to me.  A happier start to a new year.  I don't really make New Year's resolutions but I am a goal oriented girl and making a goal to achieve happier habits sounds perfect.

What I like about this book is that you know right up front that this will take time and work.  Habits are not formed over night.  The author even recommends that you pick one habit and do it for 90 days.  Just one at a time.  That way you are not overwhelmed and you give the new happy habit a chance to really become a part of who you are.  Happiness is a choice.  Some have to work harder at it than others, I think, but everyone benefits from having a happier person around.

I can really get behind a lot of these happy habit ideas.  Not all of them suit me and my exact situation, but a lot of them do.  Or, the ideas can be modified to work for me.  Many of them I'm already doing in some form or another.  It's really all about finding things that improve your quality of life and how you interact with others.

A few of my favorite habit ideas were "Give Smiles", "Go Outside", "Do Something Kind", "Make Time for Recovery and Refueling" and "Say Yes to Adventure and Leave Your Comfort Zone".

There is really plenty of advice to be had in this book.  Many habits seemed repetitive to me and I think could have been condensed into one but overall there are just a lot of good ideas here.  I enjoyed reading through this book.  I am going to be implementing many of these good habits over the next year.  I think I'll start with "Drink Water".  I do drink water but not nearly enough and I need to do better.  So there you have it.  My first happy habit.

You can find Happiness is a Habit at Amazon.

Pedal Forward

Release: October 1st, 2013

Publisher: Cairn Publishing Denver LLC

ISBN: 978-0-9890935-0-7

Price: 11.99

Format: Paperback

Category: Self-Help/Personal Growth

These 10 lessons are rooted in a gruesome 75 MPH bike/car head-on collision along a country road outside of Wichita, Kansas. The injuries resulting from the accident were devastating: bones shattered, joints ripped apart, and blood spilt on the asphalt. With the heroic efforts of first responders, emergency room doctors, physical therapists, and after literally dozens of surgeries, I got back on my bike.

The lessons learned from this accident and related bike adventures provide a backdrop for a common-sense formula for positive, long-term life and business performance.

Told in an engaging storytelling style, these stories provide important reminders about what is critical in making life—both personal and business—a success.

I am a girl who reads a ton of fiction.  It's so nice to take a break from what I usually read and delve into a different genre.   Pedal Forward is labeled as a self-help/personal growth book.  I'm so glad I had the chance to read it.  

This book came into being because of a bike/car accident that left author Trey Hall fighting to live and heal.  He gained a lot of perspective and learned many life lessons from his struggles.  Here he shares his wisdom and insight with us.

What I love about this book is the way it put things in a straight forward, no nonsense kind of way.  Personal struggles are infused with lessons that kept my interest as a reader.  The ideas and lessons made me think.  There are so many practical lessons here that can be applied no matter where you are and what you are doing.  Here are a couple quotes from the book that I especially loved:

"If you don't get on your bike, if you don't knock and take action, if you don't ask for what you want, the door will never be opened and the answer can never be yes.  Always knock.  Always ask.  Always get on the bike and take the ride.  When you do, amazing things can happen."

"...we as human beings can do hard things.  Unfortunately, so many of us never learn that lesson because we stop short when a little discomfort gets in the way.  In stopping, we rob ourselves of glorious discovery.  We rob ourselves of getting stronger and building reserves to fortify us in the future when we need something to look back at and say, 'I have done hard things before; I can do hard things again.'"  (lesson 3)

See what I mean?  Great ideas, great lessons.  I walked away from this book feeling good, charged a bit and ready to take on the whole world.  Well, maybe not the whole world, but for sure ready to face the battle of another day.  Trey Hall doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk.  I'm better for having read his book.

You can buy Pedal Forward at Amazon.

About the Author

Trey Hall is a 26-year marketing veteran, having worked at such world-class organizations as PepsiCo, Boston Market, Quiznos, Smashburger, and TGI Friday’s.Trey has also helped the non-profit organizations, Millennium Promise (dedicated to ending extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa) and America’s Road Home (dedicated to ending family homelessness in the U.S.), build their consumer infrastructure.

Everyting You Need to Know about Girls Camp: The Essential Planning Guide for Leaders by Stephanie Worlton

Few callings strike fear into a woman’s heart like that of being a Girls Camp leader. Whether you’re a new camper or a seasoned leader, Stephanie Worlton is here to help. 

Make your Girls Camp an experience to remember with Everything You Need to Know about Girls Camp. Filled with helpful tips on everything from holding your first meeting to dealing with unhappy campers, this essential guide takes the stress out of planning to make your camp a success!

This book is specifically intended for members of the LDS faith who participate in the yearly tradition known as girls camp.  This is where adult leaders plan a summer camp for girls between the ages of 12 and 17.  This camp usually lasts 5-6 days and is full of not only camping and adventure activities but also service and spiritual activities intended to build young women up and give them camaraderie and confidence.

Speaking strictly by personal experience, Girls Camp is definitely a job that strikes fear into my heart!  It's such a huge undertaking.  I've been to many different girls camps over the years in many different places.  I've never been in charge of the whole shabang though ~ only in charge of smaller things within.  Thank Goodness.  But now I know, if I am ever put in charge (please, please, no) that I have the most excellent resource available to me, (aside from having Stephanie Worlton herself) and that is this book!

This book takes you from the very, very beginning of planning and thinking all the way through to the end.  It will give you advice that only a seasoned, experienced girls camp leader can give.  It's like a treasure trove of good ideas, tips, songs and RECIPES!  

If you or someone you know is the new Camp Director and the freaking out has commenced, here is the answer to the madness that has enveloped the mind:  Everything You Need to Know about Girls Camp.  :)

You can find out more by clicking HERE.

You can purchase HERE.

Enter to Win: 

As part of the blog tour, Stephanie will be giving away two great prizes. Visit her Kreating Krazy author blog to enter for your chance to win a "Camp Leader Survival Kit" or a signed copy of the book.

Stephanie Connelley Worlton lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains where she enjoys frequent opportunities to observe nature and appreciate God’s magnificent creations. She is a seasoned Camp Director, an avid Scouter, and a devoted youth leader. Aside from the busy schedule she keeps as a wife and mother of four, Stephanie enjoys organizing, interior design, gardening, carpentry, painting, and being involved with the youth of our rising generation. To learn more about Stephanie or her book, visit her “Kreating Krazy” blog: www.stephanieworlton.blogspot.com

Finished Being Fat by Betsy Schow

Not everyone can win the race, but everyone can finish it. In her quest to wish away an extra 75 pounds, Betsy changed her life for good. Using her Philosophy of Finishing, she snowballed her efforts from weight loss into a bucket list of seemingly impossible dreams. This inspiring account of one woman's journey will help you find the strength to conquer your most daunting goals and unfinished projects.

I knew I was going to enjoy reading this book even before I read it.  I've been reading the reviews and listening to the chatter and there is so many good things being said about this book.  Yes, this is a book about a gal who loses weight but it is so much more than that.  Finished Being Fat is a book about reaching that all time low, picking yourself up and working it out.  

I was amused.  I was inspired.  I was educated.  

We can all relate to feeling less than adequate about something, somewhere.  We compare ourselves to others.  Why do we do that?  One thing I loved about this book was the emotional change within Betsy.  The way she looked at things started to change and with that she became happier.  

I love the realization that we don't get to win every race.  Most of us probably don't even get to win half of them.  But, we can all finish.  We can finish the things that we start.  We can do our best and hold our heads up.  Sometimes finishing is all we need to do.  That is life.  Not just losing weight.

I have to admit that reading about all that running exhausted me.  :)  I don't think I'll ever be a runner but I seriously need to find something that I do love that will get me moving more.  I really admire the message in this book and the real life high's and lows that the author shared with us.  This is such a personal journey and it takes guts to lay it all out there for people to read and analyze.  

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I'd recommend it to anyone, not just people interested in weight loss.  It was a great read.  You can purchase this book at Amazon.

After many years of unhappiness and being unpleasantly plump, Betsy Schow found her way to weight loss success and a better life through the Philosophy of Finishing. She shares it all in her first book, Finished being Fat – available January 2013 from Cedar Fort Inc. Her adventure inspired her certify in yoga and fitness so she could help others achieve their goals. You can find her running around the mountains of Utah, chained to her laptop, or wrangling two small children. 

 http://www.betsyschow.com/

On Tour: Create A Powerful Life Plan by Connie E. Sokol

Ready to jumpstart your life, but not sure how?


Years ago I was fat, unfulfilled, and unfocused. Then I got serious about making changes, writing an achievable life vision and goals. Starting with weight, I lost twenty-five pounds and gained great energy. This motivated me to organize my home and time, rediscover the joy in parenting, and speak professionally part-time to share with others what I had learned.


That was my ideal life change, what’s yours?


Create a Powerful Life Plan: 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life! will help you achieve life changes in three stress-free steps. You’ll learn how to create a clear vision of your ideal life. Then, how to set and achieve simple, enjoyable goals to make that vision a reality. And finally, what to do when you become stuck, fearful, or frustrated.


You’ll also read the real-life experiences of five women who put their Life Plan into action. And receive online support through podcasts, video segments, blog posts and more at www.conniesokol.com.


Now is the best time to become the person you want to be, and live the life you yearn to live. No gimmicks, no hoopla, just solid, time-tested principles and practices that will help you achieve your dreams and goals, and enjoy the process.


So, are you ready to create your powerful Life Plan?


Yes.  Well, almost.  :)  I read through this entire book in one day which I'm pretty sure I'm NOT supposed to do if I actually want this book to be of help to me.  I didn't go into this review looking to set up a Life Plan but you know what?  Now I want to.  And I'm going to.  Why?  Because I want to make some changes and this book has laid out a way for me to do that in an easy, understandable and doable path.

The beginning of my Life Path is to write down words.  Just words.  I started that already.  I think I need more time to think about what I really want though and I want to be honest with myself and not just write down things that I think I should want.  :)  I am going to focus on self because I'm pretty sure if I do then the relationship and life skills areas will also improve in the ways I want them to.  I can already see that in my words.

I love the idea of making a Life Board.  I sort of already have that but without the goals.  In my office area I have a cork board strip running along a wall.  It is full of pictures of people I love, quotes that inspire me and Captain America.  (What?!  He's awesome.  Inspiring.  He stays.)  I can tweak my inspiration board and create something new which will help me focus everyday on what I want to achieve.  I'm already imagining it in my mind.

There were some great concepts in this book.  These inspired me to use this program to because it is something I think I can do.

~Change begets Change  (if I change one area, chances are that other areas will change as well.  Kind of like a domino effect)

~Simplify expectations, break it down into "chewable chunks"

~DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO FEEL GUILTY

~Be still.  Ponder.  Meditate.

~Reward yourself.  (I happen to really like this one)

I think the main thing that usually holds me back from making changes is fear.  I don't want to fail.  Then I will feel like there is more that I can't do and that will make me feel awful and then I'll get depressed.  I hate to fail.  But Connie says, "Fear is a serious demon. Giving into fear stops our progression and hinders our positive contribution to others."  I know that's true.  I have to stop and look at all the things I have wanted and accomplished.  A few years ago I decided that I wanted to review books.  I love reading and I love talking about books.  I wanted to start a blog.  I had never blogged before and I had no idea what I was doing.  But, I jumped in and kept at it.  I relied on the experience of others and read a lot of how to's.  Today it is successful and has accomplished what I intended.  I know I can do things if I am determined and really want it.

I'm happy to be a part of this blog tour and I'm so happy I had a chance to read through this book.  Connie is obviously good at what she does.  She has found success and is sharing her experience and knowledge with others.  Lucky us.  :)

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/8basics
www.conniesokol.com
www.8basics.com
http://pinterest.com/conniesokol
http://www.amazon.com/Connie-E.-Sokol/e/B00530YEVI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5032389.Connie_E_Sokol
www.youtube.com/My8Basics

Biography:
Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, a sought after local and national presenter, and a regular speaker at Education Week. She is a monthly TV contributor on KSL’s “Studio 5” and regular blogger for KSL's "Motherhood Matters." She is a former columnist for Deseret News and Utah Valley Magazine, and TV and radio host for Bonneville Communications. Mrs. Sokol is the author of several books including the award-nominated Caribbean Crossroads, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, and Life is Too Short for One Hair Color Series, as well as the creator of talk CDs, podcasts and the "8-week Challenge." Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. For more, visit www.conniesokol.com.
 

Blog Tour Schedule for Create A Powerful Life Plan! 3 Simple Steps to Your Ideal Life by Connie Sokol

January 2013--
1/16/2013    http://rachelannnunes.blogspot.com/
1/17/2013   http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/
1/18/2013    http://www.christydorrity.com/
1/21/2013    http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/
1/22/2013    http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/   1/24/2013    http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com/
1/24/2013    http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com/
1/25/2013    http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/
1/25/2013    http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/
1/28/2013    http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/  
  2/1/2013    http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/
 2/8/2013    http://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com/

Review: Grow Your Marriage by Leaps and Boundaries

Is your marriage out of bounds?

“The art of creating life-long marriages is disappearing at an alarming pace, largely because couples do not fully understand where (or how) to “draw the line” in a way that strengthens the relationship. These lines drawn are the boundaries that, when created the right way, show each spouse they are more important to the other than anything or anyone else. Grow Your Marriage by Leaps and Boundaries provides the tools for you to effectively create boundaries with technology, words, and body language.”

Cook’s new book will inspire readers to evaluate how they prioritize their marriage, and to make changes when needed. A common theme is that the boundaries are most useful when decided upon by the couple themselves; dialogues are provided to help readers create, maintain, and negotiate boundaries with their spouse and others.

“None of us are perfect, but our marriages can be perfect for us,” says Cook. “Sometimes we underestimate the power of a positive marriage, and outsource our best selves to those things that are least important.”

Sometimes I think I get in a reading rut where I'm reading a lot of the same kinds of books.  I think it's good to shake things up a bit and read outside my usual genres.  This is the second self help type book I've read in the last month and it has felt good to entertain new ideas and take in some good advice on things that are important.

In this book, author Jerry Cook discusses boundaries that we can set in marriages that will help strengthen and unite couples.  While I was reading this book I can't tell you how many times I thought that I could have used this information 18 years ago!  My husband and I have been married almost 19 years now and I'm pretty sure we hashed out boundaries the hard way over the years.  But now, all these years later, I think they are well established and we are doing well.  I shared with my husband lots of the information I was reading which lead to some good discussions (and some laughing). 

I'm a girl that believes in marriage and family.  My husband and my children are my everything.  I believe in loyalty and fidelity.  It takes hard work to create understanding and develop a marriage that works.  Communication is key to that and I think this book does an excellent job of providing helpful ideas and ways to communicate with your spouse so that you can find what works for you.

I especially appreciated that the author didn't push one idea or theory as the right cure for everyone.  He repeatedly expresses that every marriage is different and people are different so we need to find what works for us.  Everyone's boundaries are going to be different.  He just lays out some areas that are critical to communicate boundaries in and offers helps and ideas in how to accomplish this.

This book is backed by religious ideas and scriptural references.

My thanks to Dr. Jerry Cook for allowing me to read and review his book.  I think it takes courage to put bits of yourself out there for people to read and perhaps disagree or find fault with.  I know the world could use all the positive help it can get and I appreciate anyone who cares enough to offer up their knowledge to benefit others.

Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Grow-Your-Marriage-Leaps-Boundaries/dp/146211069X

About Jerry Cook:

 Jerry graduated with his doctorate in family and human development from Utah State University, and now serves as an associate professor of family and consumer sciences at California State University-Sacramento. Growing up on a farm in southeastern Washington state, and losing his mother to cancer at a young age, his passion is to help others recognize the basic skills that help families thrive. Jerry and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 19 years, are parents of three children, and co-authored The Parent’s Guide to Raising CEO Kids. Jerry has been interviewed by Fox 40 (TV, Sacramento), the Sacramento Bee (newspaper), and Sacramento Smiles (radio program).

Author blog www.DrJerryLCook.com

FB Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/DrJerryLCook

Living in the Light by Lacy West

Living in the Light provides readers with step-by-step methods to overcome depression and anxiety. It offers solutions through a combination of cognitive techniques and gospel-centered principles that will empower readers with the ability to regain their peace and happiness through eliminating all aspects of darkness from their life, embracing a life full of light.
I think we all have experience with depression and anxiety, whether it's our self or someone we care about.  It's a very real and often debilitating illness.

The second part of this title is "How to fight the darkness of depression and anxiety."  Now, I am not usually a depressed person.  I get discouraged but I really don't stay that way for too long.  No matter if you are the depressed person or you know someone who suffers from this illness, this book is a great wealth of information.  It provides so many explanations of the why's and how's of depression along with excellent tried and true ways to help.  Awesome information to tuck in your back pocket

I especially loved the section on how changing the way we think will change the way we feel.  I know this sounds easy but I learned so much and I know this isn't an easy task.  This information can benefit anyone, depressed or not.  I'm planning on putting a lot of these ideas into practice. 

My daughter has some rough bouts with depression and I am exciting about sharing this with her.  My only regret is that I only have this book in ebook form.  I'm going to have to go out and buy this book because I just think it's such a great book to have on my book shelf.  I'm looking forward to reading through this book with her and hopefully making her life easier and happier one step at a time. 

One of the draws for me is that this book incorporates religious messages from the LDS faith along with scripture references.  It filled me with light and good feelings and I loved it.  I'm so glad I had the chance to read this book.

You can purchase Living in the Light at Amazon  and Barnes and Noble .

Lacey West, a wife, mother, and registered nurse, was born and raised in Delta, Utah. She graduated with honors from Southern Utah University with a bachelor degree in Nursing. Motivated by a desire to conquer her own depression, she spent years researching mental health. She enjoys writing, spending time with family, playing the violin, creating healthy recipes, photography, sewing, and fishing. She resides with her husband and two children in Wichita, Kansas.

YouTube book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqz0UamBv_o

Book website: www.laceyawest.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/livinginthelightbook