Start from Joy
Trade Shame, Guilt, and Fear for Lasting Change, a Lighter Spirit, and a More Fulfilling Life
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- $17.99
Publisher Description
"Start from Joy is a proven recipe for living a life that matters." —Beth and Jeff McCord, founders of Your Enneagram Coach
Breaking old patterns doesn't have to be so hard.
You've heard it before: if you want to change, you have to try harder. Keep pushing through blood, sweat, and tears. Emotions don't matter.
But what if that's all a lie? What if there's a better, healthier way to get life-changing results?
Neal and Carly Samudre believe that joy is what's missing from our ability to make lasting change in our lives. Building on biblical insights and the latest findings in positive psychology, Start from Joy outlines an emotionally healthy approach to change—one where joy leads the way. This doesn't mean we choose happiness, become blindly optimistic, or force ourselves to have a positive mindset. Instead, we discover that real, lasting transformation can come free of shame, guilt, and fear. It can be fun.
In Start from Joy, you'll discover:
• Why your bad habits are keeping you stuck—and how you can take steps toward freedom and positive change
• How the four gifts of joy can help you stick with healthy patterns
• How to heal your relationships with work, money, your body, and other people
Leave shame, guilt, and fear behind—and create the fulfilling life you were always meant to live.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Neal (JesusHacks 2.0) and Carly Samudre, husband and wife cofounders of the therapy and coaching company Enjoyco, deliver a straightforward take on the importance of joy. "Joy is not the result of change but the cause of it," they contend, exploring how an upbeat outlook can help with mental illness, financial distress, physical well-being, and relationships. They outline seven principles to lead a more positive life, including "be curious with your emotions," "find your joyful purpose," and "make it fun." To illustrate the principle "interrupt your loops," Neal recounts how he used to avoid confronting negative emotions by distracting himself with social media, and counsels readers to disrupt such harmful behavioral patterns by exploring their underlying motivations and embracing Jesus-like humility. Carly reflects on how her tendency to push money matters out of her mind exemplifies a "money-blind" perspective that takes Jesus's cautions about worshipping money to the extreme and produces stress by way of financial mismanagement. Instead, the authors recommend setting aside time to evaluate one's finances and develop a budget plan. Readers will be reassured that the Samudres' advice arises from personal experience, even if their guidance is largely familiar. The result is a sensible if standard program.
