Table of Contents
Introduction xi
PART 1: LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS1 The Pursuit of Happiness 32 Spiritual Deficiency Syndrome 11
PART 2: THE UNIQUE HUMAN SPIRIT3 The Ability to Be Self-Aware 274 The Ability to Be Humble 375 The Ability to Choose 436 The Ability to Be Patient 517 The Ability to Make the Most of Circumstances 578 The Ability to Improve 639 The Ability to Be Compassionate 7110 The Ability to Have Perspective 8111 The Ability to Have Purpose 8712 The Ability to Search for Truth 9913 The Ability to Change 105
PART 3: 10 STEPS TO HAPPINESSStep 1: "I am aware that I have some shortcomings, and I want to become a better person." 117Step 2: “I realize that I can be in charge of my behavior.” 121Step 3: “I realize that changing my character traits is a slow process, but I am willing to persist. I'm going to work on my character defects, one by one.” 125Step 4: “I am going to look for ways to overcome my negative character traits.” 129Step 5: “I will cultivate enjoyable spiritual experiences.” 137Step 6: “I will give serious consideration to the relative importance of things.” 139Step 7: “I will avoid things that are inimical to my spirituality.” 143Step 8: “I will laugh more.” 145Step 9: “I will work to keep setbacks from discouraging me.” 147Step 10: “I realize there is never an end to spiritual growth.” 149
Epilogue 151Suggestions for Further Reading 153