Review of Fireproof Happiness
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Daisy Lou
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Review of Fireproof Happiness
[Following is a volunteer review of "Fireproof Happiness" by Dr. Randy Ross.]
Fireproof Happiness by Dr. Randy Ross offers practical wisdom and insights on finding happiness and fulfillment in life, even amidst challenges and struggles. Drawing from decades of psychological research, it provides actionable advice to navigate difficulties and setbacks effectively. By utilizing the power of hope, readers are encouraged to make positive changes, improve relationships, and excel in leadership roles. The book addresses personal growth and offers encouragement for those facing crises, providing a roadmap to create a brighter future by embracing hope today. Ultimately, it underscores the transformative impact of choosing hope and resilience in shaping one’s destiny and finding happiness regardless of life’s hardships.
“Happiness is not achieved by eliminating struggle.” “Tough times reveal what good times conceal.” These quotes are just two of many literary nuggets found in Fireproof Happiness. Many new concepts are present, and the reader would do well to take notes on the academic vocabulary presented in this inspirational book, which includes verbiage associated with hope, hopelessness, and depression. For those interested in digging deeper, the author provides a link to resources on his website, where the Life Purpose statement guide is available for download and completion.
I liked the phrase the author coined for the effects of COVID-19 on society. He calls it The Great Pause and shares one family’s homeschooling struggle during the pandemic. The vignettes Ross writes about to underscore his points are my favorite parts of the book. Stories about people and companies like Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, James Stockdale, Tsewang Paljor, Andrew Wyeth, Super Ball/Bowl, Blockbuster, and others. “Nexting” is a new concept for me and one that I will personally apply. Dr. Ross brings his teachings to life with memorable analogies, from Christy Brown to backyard blackberries, baggage, and hot air balloons.
Through the first three-quarters of Fireproof Happiness, I was uncomfortable with the author’s ‘solution’ for acquiring hope and the absence of two significant definitions. First, telling someone to choose hope as a solution to hopelessness seemed as bizarre or disjointed as telling a track runner to ‘run faster’ and ensure your circle of friends includes fast runners. The overriding question is, “How?” Secondly, although the terms’ soul’ and ‘spirit’ are used fifty-six times—Ross does not define them. The author’s shying away from confronting two spiritual terms leads me to conclude that he is presenting a secular approach to hope by engaging in personal resilience, supportive relationships, a sense of purpose or meaning in life, and avoiding God. However, in the book’s last few chapters, Ross offers faith as an option: “Perhaps it would serve us well to see faith-based hope not as a last resort, but a first choice.”
It would be helpful if Fireproof Happiness contained a glossary as there is an abundance of essential vocabulary words the reader must process before the text makes sense. Perhaps the author could face the elephant in the room and take the last point on his curated hope list and make it first and address it at the onset: “In essence, when all is said and done, hope springs eternal from the soul that is not limited by the conflict nor the circumstances of that which is mortal. In order to have the richest of hope, you gotta have faith.” Is Dr. Ross attempting to squeeze faith in God through the back door? If so, why not write an absolute secular book on hope and a second book for believers in God?
Overall, Fireproof Happiness is immersive, thought-provoking, and not light reading. It has the capacity to change lives if the reader is willing. I enjoyed the challenge of this book. I recommend it, regardless of my discomfort with the author’s manner of dealing with faith in God, and I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
******
Fireproof Happiness
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Fireproof Happiness by Dr. Randy Ross offers practical wisdom and insights on finding happiness and fulfillment in life, even amidst challenges and struggles. Drawing from decades of psychological research, it provides actionable advice to navigate difficulties and setbacks effectively. By utilizing the power of hope, readers are encouraged to make positive changes, improve relationships, and excel in leadership roles. The book addresses personal growth and offers encouragement for those facing crises, providing a roadmap to create a brighter future by embracing hope today. Ultimately, it underscores the transformative impact of choosing hope and resilience in shaping one’s destiny and finding happiness regardless of life’s hardships.
“Happiness is not achieved by eliminating struggle.” “Tough times reveal what good times conceal.” These quotes are just two of many literary nuggets found in Fireproof Happiness. Many new concepts are present, and the reader would do well to take notes on the academic vocabulary presented in this inspirational book, which includes verbiage associated with hope, hopelessness, and depression. For those interested in digging deeper, the author provides a link to resources on his website, where the Life Purpose statement guide is available for download and completion.
I liked the phrase the author coined for the effects of COVID-19 on society. He calls it The Great Pause and shares one family’s homeschooling struggle during the pandemic. The vignettes Ross writes about to underscore his points are my favorite parts of the book. Stories about people and companies like Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, James Stockdale, Tsewang Paljor, Andrew Wyeth, Super Ball/Bowl, Blockbuster, and others. “Nexting” is a new concept for me and one that I will personally apply. Dr. Ross brings his teachings to life with memorable analogies, from Christy Brown to backyard blackberries, baggage, and hot air balloons.
Through the first three-quarters of Fireproof Happiness, I was uncomfortable with the author’s ‘solution’ for acquiring hope and the absence of two significant definitions. First, telling someone to choose hope as a solution to hopelessness seemed as bizarre or disjointed as telling a track runner to ‘run faster’ and ensure your circle of friends includes fast runners. The overriding question is, “How?” Secondly, although the terms’ soul’ and ‘spirit’ are used fifty-six times—Ross does not define them. The author’s shying away from confronting two spiritual terms leads me to conclude that he is presenting a secular approach to hope by engaging in personal resilience, supportive relationships, a sense of purpose or meaning in life, and avoiding God. However, in the book’s last few chapters, Ross offers faith as an option: “Perhaps it would serve us well to see faith-based hope not as a last resort, but a first choice.”
It would be helpful if Fireproof Happiness contained a glossary as there is an abundance of essential vocabulary words the reader must process before the text makes sense. Perhaps the author could face the elephant in the room and take the last point on his curated hope list and make it first and address it at the onset: “In essence, when all is said and done, hope springs eternal from the soul that is not limited by the conflict nor the circumstances of that which is mortal. In order to have the richest of hope, you gotta have faith.” Is Dr. Ross attempting to squeeze faith in God through the back door? If so, why not write an absolute secular book on hope and a second book for believers in God?
Overall, Fireproof Happiness is immersive, thought-provoking, and not light reading. It has the capacity to change lives if the reader is willing. I enjoyed the challenge of this book. I recommend it, regardless of my discomfort with the author’s manner of dealing with faith in God, and I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.
******
Fireproof Happiness
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Daisy Lou 
"Anything you can imagine you can make real." -Jules Verne
"Anything you can imagine you can make real." -Jules Verne
Latest Review: Relish Your Retirement by Florance Philip
