The Courage to Be Happy picks up the conversational thread from its predecessor The Courage to Be Disliked, inviting readers to embark on a deeper exploration of Adlerian psychology and its practical application in achieving genuine happiness. Through a dialogue between a young man and a philosopher, the book gently unpacks complex concepts, making them accessible and relatable.

The Courage to Be Happy challenges conventional wisdom that often ties happiness to external factors like success, wealth, or relationships, instead positing it as an internal state cultivated through conscious choices and a shift in perspective. The core message resonates with empowerment: we possess the agency to choose our attitude and actions, thereby shaping our own happiness, regardless of the circumstances we face.

A central tenet of the book is the emphasis on living in the present. It argues that dwelling on past traumas or future anxieties only serves to rob us of the joy available in the “here and now”. By focusing on what we can influence today, we liberate ourselves from the shackles of what has been or what might be. This isn’t about ignoring the past or dismissing the future, but rather about actively engaging with the present moment and finding value in our current experiences. The book encourages us to appreciate the small joys and find meaning in our everyday activities, fostering a sense of contentment that is not dependent on grand achievements or external validation.

Furthermore, The Courage to Be Happy underscores the profound connection between our happiness and our contribution to the community. Adlerian psychology posits that our sense of worth and belonging stems from feeling useful to others. The book explores how actively engaging in the lives of those around us, offering support, and working towards common goals can be a powerful source of fulfillment. It reframes competition as a hindrance to happiness, advocating instead for collaboration and a focus on mutual benefit. By shifting our perspective from “what can I get?” to “what can I give?”, we unlock a deeper sense of purpose and connection, which are integral to lasting happiness.

Ultimately, The Courage to Be Happy is a call to action. It challenges us to confront our ingrained beliefs and adopt a new way of thinking about ourselves and our place in the world. It acknowledges that cultivating this courage to be happy requires effort and a willingness to step outside our comfort zones. However, the book offers a hopeful message: by embracing our imperfections, focusing on the present, and contributing to the well-being of others, we can indeed take control of our own happiness and live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. So, it serves as a practical guide for applying Adlerian principles to everyday challenges, encouraging readers to actively choose happiness as a way of being.

// Table Of Contents //

• Part I That Bad Person and Poor Me
  • Is Adlerian psychology a religion?
  • The objective of education is self-reliance
  • Respect is seeing a person as he is
  • Have concern for other people’s concerns
  • If we had the same kind of heart and life
  • Courage is contagious, and respect is contagious, too
  • The real reason why one ‘can’t change’
  • Your ‘now’ decides the past
  • ‘That bad person’ and ‘poor me’
  • There’s no magic in Adlerian psychology
• Part II Why Negate Reward and Punishment?
  • The classroom is a democratic nation
  • Do not rebuke and do not praise
  • What is the goal of problem behaviour?
  • Hate me! Abandon me!
  • If there is punishment, does the crime go away?
  • Violence in the name of communication
  • Getting angry and rebuking are synonymous
  • One can choose one’s own life
• Part III From the Principle of Competition to the Principle of Cooperation
  • Negate praise-based development
  • Reward gives rise to competition
  • The disease of the community
  • Life begins from incompleteness
  • The courage to be myself
  • That problem behaviour is directed at you
  • Why a person wants to become a saviour
  • Education is friendship, not work
• Part IV Give, and It Shall Be Given Unto You
  • All joy is interpersonal relationship joy
  • Do you ‘trust’? Do you ‘have confidence’?
  • Why work becomes a life task
  • All professions are honourable
  • The important thing is what use one makes of that equipment
  • How many close friends do you have?
  • First, believe
  • People never understand each other
  • Life is made up of trials of ‘nothing days’
  • Give, and it shall be given unto you
• Part V Choose a Life You Love
  • Love is not something one falls into
  • From an ‘art of being loved’ towards an ‘art of loving’
  • Love is a task accomplished by two people
  • Switch the subject of life
  • Self-reliance is breaking away from ‘me’
  • To whom is that love directed?
  • How can one get one’s parents’ love?
  • People are afraid of loving
  • There is no destined one
  • Love is a decision
  • Re-choose your lifestyle
  • Keeping it simple
  • To the friends who will make a new era

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