Be Happy by Hank Smith -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

Be Happy: Simple Secrets to a Happier Life

Author: Hank Smith

Publisher: Covenant

ISBN13: 9781524402631

Paperback: 130 pages

FYC FYI: I received complimentary copy, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

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!

My Review

First of all, this book is just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes I find myself getting down in a funk, ornery about something that happened in my day, and this book gave me so much perspective.   You really can be happy, genuinely happy if you allow yourself to be.  I loved how almost every page had a quote or a thought related to the chapter.  One of my favorites was found on page 71.

Science has proven that if you spend two full minutes focused on a happy thought, your brain actually starts making you happier.

This is so true! Just yesterday I was feeling down about some events that had taken place the night before and my bad feelings continued into the next day.  I received a phone call from a friend, and it distracted me to where I was no longer bothered and I felt happier.  I am always telling my daughters to be happy and be positive, it's much harder doing it for myself. This book gave me some great tools to help myself be happier and more positive.

Author Links

Goodreads / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Seagull Book / Deseret Book

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://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/

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Armor Up/Suit Up by Various Contributors -- Giveaway

Armor Up

Contributed by:  John Bytheway, Laurel Christensen, John Hilton III, Hank Smith, Anthony Sweat, Brad Wilcox

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: February 1, 2013

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-317-6

Paperback: 104 pages

FTC FYI: I received a review copy.

Back Cover

Take upon you my whole armor that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand. D & C 27:15

These words of Joseph Smith from 1830 might be more important today than ever before.  You are living in an "evil day", but it's also an exciting day!  You have many incredible opportunities all around you.  Because you face a world of challenges and temptations, you need to be fully armed.  In Armor Up, some of your favorite youth speakers share how to put on the armor of God--and how wearing that armor will help you conquer the difficulties that lie ahead.

My Review

Although the target audience for this book is teens, I found myself relating to many parts.  I loved the honesty, heart-felt stories and life lessons from each contributor.  I especially liked the chapters from John Bytheway and Laurel Christensen.  John's, for his love of Star Trek, while my love is Star Wars, but that wasn't the only reason I loved his chapter.  Brother Bytheway referred to our shields being up.  Shields being our faith.

"Faith, as you know, is the first principle of the gospel, which is another reason it is considered "above all."  There are many kinds of faith--faith that things will work out, faith that the sun will come out tomorrow, faith that a sibling on a mission will be okay.  The most powerful faith, of course, is "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" (Article of Faith 1:4).  The different types of faith we refer to i our gospel discussions all spring from and center in the most critical type of faith--our faith in Jesus Christ." (page 52)

He also says that teenagers equipped with shields of faith are hard to miss.  (page 52)  I think of my three daughters out in the world, and nothing scares me more.  What I've tried to teach them is having faith in Jesus Christ can get you through anything.

Another chapter I enjoyed (don't get me wrong, I enjoyed them all) was Laurel Christensen's on Your Spiritual Sword.  My 8 year old lately has had questions on learning to feel the spirit.  I loved that through this chapter, I was able to help give her some answers that made sense in her 8 year old mind.

"The Holy Ghost is our sword as He guides us in truth, as He guards us in our choices, and as He heals our hearts."  (page 82)

I could quote this whole book, but what is the fun in that, right?  Get this book, not only for your children, but for you too.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book 

Suit Up

Contributed by: John Bytheway, Laurel Christensen, John Hilton III, Jennifer Platt, Hank Smith, Anthony Sweat, Brad Wilcox

Published: 2013

Publisher: Deseret Book

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-515-6

Paperback: 131 pages

FTC FYI: Received a review copy

Goodreads  Summary

The Lord needs more missionaries and He needs better prepared missionaries. He needs YOU!

From the bestselling authors that brought you Armor Up! this unique little book is intended to help teens get ready for all they will encounter as they embark on the unique adventure of missionary work. There has never been a more exciting time to be alive—and there has never been a more exciting time to be a missionary.

In Suit Up, several of your favorite youth speakers share lessons about preparing for a mission based on the scriptural advice contained in Doctrine and Covenants 4. If you're thinking about a mission, if you've already started preparing, or if you've got your call, you'll benefit from the messages and advice in Suit Up.

My Review

This book is geared towards those who are thinking of going on a mission.  Getting ready to suit up.  I also feels it can apply to us all.  We all are asked to be missionaries.  Each contributor took a verse from D & C 4.  Putting in their thoughts and ideas to help get our youth for their missions.  Again, I will give my "favorite" to Laurel Christensen and also Anthony Sweat and especially Jennifer Platt and John Bytheway.

Jennifer tells of an experience where one of her 18 year old students came to her with questions.  She was wanting to get her temple endowments.  Sister Platt was wondering why she was feeling to go to the temple when she still had 3 years before she could prepare for a mission.  I don't want to give away the story, but it had me in tears.

Again, I could quote this whole book.  This book should be on the top of reading lists for anyone preparing, thinking about, or going on a mission.

I'm giving a copy away of Suit Up! See Rafflecopter entry below. 

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book

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