Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine

Product Information

He talks a about "enjoying the moment" or mindfulness and, as we all know, this is probably the best way to combat anxiety and his explanations of how the mind works are as good as you would expect from someone so skilled in the field. There are also some very good sections about how to accept the ups and downs of life - and of our own emotions - and how to steer our minds into working for us rather than against us. There are some gems, though. I liked the way he gives practical help and although I'm not 100% convinced by what he recommends, I can see it helping a lot of people. It's also good that he exposes the dubious practices of some of the "think positive" campaign and how it's so easy to be convinced that we're "failing" if we don't always send positive vibes into the universe. Brown's first two books were intended for magicians; they were written before his fame. He has said that he pulled them from the market when he found that non-magicians would bring them to his shows for autographs. He says he felt bad because, "...they're spending a lot of money on those things and...if they wanted to find out how I was doing the TV shows it wasn't really answering that question." [83] If you are a stoic, which sensible Derren points out is a good way to live, your trajectory will not have been far altered. If you want to believe Covid doesn't exist, or place all your faith in turmeric, your trajectory will have done quite the loop de loop. None of this is real when each of us tells stories about our lives in too tidy narratives that are seldom true and rarely helpful.

The phrase "it's fine" appears a lot in this book, when it regards everything we can't control ie. anything but our thoughts and actions, and I've already adapted this into the road rage I have experienced, for example: I particularly appreciated and enjoyed the stand-up comedian's Louis C.K.'s telling of anger on the road. Ambition means tying your well-being to what other people say or do. Self-indulgence means tying it to the things that happen to you. Sanity means tying it to your own actions.” Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine was published on 22 September 2016 by Bantam Press. ( ISBN 978-0593076194). A condensed version of the book, entitled A Little Happier: Notes for reassurance, was published on 15 October 2020. ( ISBN 978-1787634473)Collection of four of Derren Brown's one-off television specials: "The Heist", "The System", "Séance" and "Russian Roulette" we are terrible at reading each other’s thoughts. Yet we consistently behave as if we have been endowed with this entirely handsome ability.” The book then distills the practical advice that philosophy brings and it's central premise; the one thing you do have control over is how you react to any situation, a revelation to me at the time, and a tad embarrassing that it took me so long to get this central truth. Also, exercise more and more - swimming is great for breathing, cold water immersion and low impact - helps sleep and eating healthily This book is so very well edited and constructed, with extra attention given to many phrases in italics to ensure we understand what we are being taught, as well as crediting those philosopher's with words he borrows for the purpose of the chapter it's in. If it momentarily appears that the author is about to go off on a tangent, you can rest assured that he'll save that subject where more appropriate for a later chapter.

By all means, buy the book. At the very least it will get you thinking! But for a more gentle - and open - approach to overcoming anxiety and becoming happier I would suggest: I did, however, have to reach for the dictionary on many occasions and so some parts of the book didn't flow as well for me as it might for someone with a greater vocabulary. Nonetheless, it provided a great opportunity to learn some interesting new words.Cocozza, Paula (23 September 2016). "Derren Brown: 'You're only sad if you tell yourself you're sad' ". The Guardian . Retrieved 7 September 2018.

Absolute gem of a book ! I would highly recommend this to anyone. In a condensed version of “happy”, Derren explores the philosophical belief of Stoicism and how it can lead to a more fulfilling, meaningful and despite not aiming for it, happier life. This book is filled with powerful quotes, moving anecdotes and poetic wording and can easily be read in a day. Having said that though, this book is best enjoyed when it is savoured and not rushed. The Channel 4 Mash Up". channel4.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013 . Retrieved 11 February 2021. Derren Brown [1] was born in the Croydon area of London [2] on 27 February 1971, [3] the son of Chris and Bob Brown. [4] He was raised in the nearby area of Purley, which he described as "the epitome of middle-class suburbia". [5] He has a brother nine years his junior. [6] He was privately educated at Whitgift School in Croydon, where his father was a swimming coach, [6] before going on to study law and German at the University of Bristol. [7] [8] While there, he attended a hypnotist show by Martin S Taylor, which inspired him to turn to illusion and hypnosis as a career. [9]

Customer reviews

Derren Brown: Sacrifice" Launches Exclusively on Netflix this Friday, 19th October 2018". Filmoria.co.uk . Retrieved 16 October 2018. If you really want to make changes and be happier, my tip is to take notes when reading/listening and read around the subject to get the depth of knowledge required for such an important topic - I will be reading and listening to the book again.

Public complaints that Russian Roulette was distasteful, made light of suicide, and promoted gun culture were ultimately rejected by Ofcom on the basis that the context (a post- watershed magic show) was enough and that the warnings given were sufficient. Additionally, the use of a 15-minute time delay ensured no viewer would have seen the result of any mistake. [19] The police had also warned that the show might inspire copycat acts. [17] Daly, Emma (12 January 2016). "Derren Brown: Pushed to the Edge". Radio Times . Retrieved 13 September 2021. AC Grayling: Never mind the lottery, these are the real secrets of magic - Commentators, Opinion". The Independent. London. 6 March 2006 . Retrieved 14 September 2009. a b Nissim, Mayer (16 December 2009). "Ten Things You Never Knew About Derren Brown". Digitalspy.com . Retrieved 19 August 2017. On often being called Darren, he said: 'My proper birth name is Derren, so it's inevitable really.'

Learn how to think differently and overcome anxiety in a difficult world with the legendary star of stage and screen.

The cause of those sudden turnarounds aren’t objective facts “out there” in the world but the subjective stories we tell ourselves about our experiences. Stoics, as the creed’s followers are known, believe that the key to happiness is accepting life as it is rather than pursuing new pleasures or trying to avoid inevitable hardships. I really loved listening to the audiobook, which was narrated by the author. I read Happy by Derren Brown and this shorter book is like a “refresh” on the main themes presented in the former. I hope to re-read this in the future so I may take many aspects of this book and apply it to myself/my own life. International Magic Presents: The Derren Brown Lecture is an 80-minute lecture DVD of close-up mentalism and subsequent discussion of various aspects of Brown's performance. Again, this product is not intended for general consumption but is directed at magicians and mentalists only.