Description
Book SynopsisThe motto of this book is smarter through laughter. If you can laugh about it, you can probably change it. The authors use a heavy dose of humor (the laughing side), and a healthy measure of science (the learning side) to help you improve yourself, your relationships, and your surroundings. The book introduces the I CAN model, which stands for Interactions, Context, Awareness, and Next steps. Interactions are powerful determinants of health and happiness. There are two skills that can make our interactions healthier: the ability to connect and the capacity to communicate. Context is also a powerful but often neglected driver of change. The contexts of our lives consist of people, places, and things. To leverage context to our advantage we need to master the art of reading cues and changing cues in the environment. Awareness is the next driver of change. Regardless of where you are in the process of change, there is always a next step to strengthen your change, maintain your gains, and
Trade ReviewWhat a gem of a book. Serious and fun, sophisticated and accessible, academically rigorous and practical. But be forewarned: Do not read this book in libraries, in quiet cars on trains, or around people who're asleep. You're going to be making excessive noise as you LOL on your way to a happier life -- Tal Ben Shahar, Best Selling Author of Happier
Isaac and Ora masterfully use humor to help us explore areas in our lives where we can make changes to improve our well-being and happiness. The funny anecdotes and lessons are effective reminders for us not to take ourselves too seriously, and the science validates how we can change our mindsets and actions in order to construct a better life. This book is all of this, plus full of laughter. It is practical and fun. -- Karen Guggenheim, CEO WOHASU™ LLC & Co-Founder of the World Happiness Summit
In the concluding book of their “Laughing Guides” trilogy, Isaac and Ora Prilleltensky deliver on their ambitious project to educate, entertain, and enliven us on the path to a better life. They skillfully draw on a diversity of treasured resources and bring to bear their own poignant, funny, and always endearing life stories to inspire and encourage. A bow of gratitude to these two gifted researchers and teachers for helping the world become a better place, and providing a useful roadmap for each of us to become a happier and more fulfilled version of ourselves. -- Scott Rogers, Director, Mindfulness in Law Program, University of Miami School of Law
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Ease into a Better Life The Learning Side I CAN model The Laughing Side United in Judgment Parental Fitness Taming Temptations Planning Interruptus Chapter 2: Mastering Awareness to Improve Yourself The Learning Side Know Yourself Know the Issue The Laughing Side Patriotism The Chutzpah Diaries Pet Friendly Florida Low Expectations Informed Indecisions Meat Eaters Suddenly Go Vegetarian Chapter 3- Mastering Interactions to Improve Your Relationships The Learning Side Connect Communicate The Laughing Side Empathy and Chutzpah Evolution of Thank You InTRUMPetation of Historical Events Chapter 4- Mastering Cues To Improve Your Surroundings The Learning Side Read the Cues Change the Cues The Laughing Side The Meaning of Sexy Context is Everything How to Fix Education Chapter 5- Mastering a Plan to Make It Stick The Learning Side Make a Plan Make it Stick The Laughing Side Clichés Clutter Notes About the Authors
