Nine Insights For A Happy And Successful Life

Mitchell Earl Gibson, MD
Tybro Publications (2011)
ISBN 9781463538088
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (7/11)

Psychiatrist, Dr. Mitchell Earl Gibson, has spent years listening and helping thousands of people successfully navigate the obstacles in their lives. His personal journals documenting what he learned from his clients throughout their shared journeys, were the basis for his newest book, “Nine Insights For A Happy And Successful Life.” The book explores the author’s simple, straightforward Insights with an easy manner that uses numerous thought provoking stories to engage and stimulate the reader.

“Nine Insights” has been conceived by the author as guide and reference book for anyone who is ready to “decide that is something that you want, above everything else.” “Happiness is an art.” Dr. Gibson proclaims. Readers should be aware, however, that the insights and methods of practicing the author’s art of happiness are neither new nor innovative. Concepts such as contributing to your own happiness by contributing to the happiness of others, searching for, finding and following your inner most thoughts and dreams, and the importance of evolving and adapting to the world around you are accepted universal truths with regard to the pursuit of happiness and success. But, in concert with the many supporting stories and anecdotes, especially those based on the author’s personal clinical experiences, the book’s content is inspiration rich.

For me, the most inspiring and timely of the book’s nine insights is titled “Early Failure Often Leads to Success,” an insight that explores the power of failure. I found the story of “chaos, despair and disappointment” that was occurring in the life of “Harry Potter” creator JK Rowling, while she was struggling to find a publisher, to be particularly motivational. In telling this story Dr. Gibson notes: “When we are young, life seems to have no boundaries. Dreams are plentiful, and at times, anything seems possible. For many people, however, emotional setbacks, failures, or loss of a loved one signal the end of the period of dreaming. The focus then becomes survival and the avoidance of failure. This is not the way of happiness.”

Over the years, I have read numerous books concerning the achievement of “true ” happiness and success. These are universally desired, yet strongly subjective needs. But, in “Nine Insights,” Dr. Mitchell Gibson has managed to create an objective and effective guide to aid individuals at any point on the proverbial “scale from one to ten,” significantly improve the degree of happiness and success in their life. This book definitely stands out from others of its kind.