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[Following is a volunteer review of "Fireproof Happiness" by Dr. Randy Ross.]

Fireproof Happiness by Dr. Randy Ross is a book anyone can enjoy and find even a modicum of comfort in. It doesn’t just relay generic messages of hope and positivity, and it doesn’t pretend you can achieve anything you set your mind to if you only want it badly enough. What it does instead is analyze hope through an objective, scientific lens, complete with research and anecdotal evidence undeniably showing how hope can make a difference in our daily lives.

Dr. Ross started writing the book in early 2020, right at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, when the world needed hope more than ever. This, along with the personal experiences the author makes us privy to, lays the foundation for a treatise on the necessity, as well as the possibility, of hope even in the darkest times. Though you cannot control the world around you, he says, you can control the one within you, and that makes all the difference - sometimes even, as proven by the several examples provided by the book, between life and death.

What struck me most about Dr. Ross’s definition of hope is that it is presented as an active process, explicitly separate from “passive” wishful thinking - which idly waits for the world to give you what you want without you having to put in any of the necessary work - or mere optimism. While hope isn’t easy by any means, there’s a science to it, meaning that it is possible to reverse engineer it and figure out how to get better at it. With the first and second parts of the book being about the definition of hope and its concrete effects on our realities and relationships, the third part deals precisely with practical advice for those who are struggling to keep up their hopes on the road to self-improvement.

While it does come off a bit cheesy and simplistic at times, and its insistence on peace and community above all occasionally dips into conflict avoidance, which is why I'm only rating it 4/5 stars, Fireproof Happiness truly is a gem of a book and one I will carry with me for a long time. Its pages and stories will touch you and provide new, grounded perspectives on what it means to lead a life worth living, how to build meaningful connections, and how to redirect those connections towards a common, extrapersonal goal, whether in the workplace or in our daily lives.

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Fireproof Happiness
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Navigating beyond our current comfort zones to build resilience isn't an easy subject. Amidst the pandemic and ongoing instability, I've come to think that this book might be just what I need. This book writen in the pandemi era where thinks aren't easy. I think this book will be good reminder for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts in this review.

Tomy Chandrafrost wrote: ↑04 May 2024, 12:13 Navigating beyond our current comfort zones to build resilience isn't an easy subject. Amidst the pandemic and ongoing instability, I've come to think that this book might be just what I need. This book writen in the pandemi era where thinks aren't easy. I think this book will be good reminder for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts in this review.

This book being written during the pandemic is exactly what makes it so much more effective than other self-help books, I think. Thank you for replying!

In your review, you point out that Dr. Randy Ross defines hope as an active process. I believe that is true. I feel happy when I am actively pursuing a goal. Often the process of working toward the goal is just as gratifying as the end result itself. As you stated, the book also preaches that although you cannot control the world around you, you can control what goes on inside your mind. This is an important thing to learn. I agree that "Fireproof Happiness" is a gem of a book. Great review!

Gerry Steen wrote: ↑05 May 2024, 16:43 In your review, you point out that Dr. Randy Ross defines hope as an active process. I believe that is true. I feel happy when I am actively pursuing a goal. Often the process of working toward the goal is just as gratifying as the end result itself. As you stated, the book also preaches that although you cannot control the world around you, you can control what goes on inside your mind. This is an important thing to learn. I agree that "Fireproof Happiness" is a gem of a book. Great review!

I totally agree, Gerry! The book also says one of the ways to keep your goals in mind is to write a sort of statement of intents - something to remind you of what you're working towards. That's something I've always done and will continue to do, but it was nice to have it validated. You do feel happier when you know what your purpose is and how you're going about achieving it rather than feeling aimless.

Yes, happiness is an active process. I totally agree. Although I'm yet to read this book, I have a glimpse of it already. Your review was well-written. Keep it up

I’m glad that you mentioned that this book doesn’t just promote passivity, but having hope as you WORK towards something. Many books of this type are overly positive and that is a real turn-off. Thanks!

I read and reviewed this book as well and, as you said in your excellent review, found comfort in it. This is indeed a book chock-full of practical advice!