{"product_id":"start-late-finish-happy-random-encounters-unexpected-joy","title":"Start Late, Finish Happy: Random Encounters - Unexpected Joy","description":"Anyone with self-doubt or lacking confidence in their next move can face any crisis or adversity by reading Start Late - Finish Happy because it will change your perspective, make you laugh, smile and hold your head high in your search for happiness.\n\nThis book won the Gold Award for a CIPA Independent Book in Self-Help\/Motivation\/Inspiration!\n\nIt contains stories of inspiration, making mistakes, finding happiness as well as bringing to light anecdotes of deliberate and unexpected kindness. Many times these random encounters have untapped joy for me. It is about everyday life, vulnerability, and our reactions. Ravi Zacharias stated, \"None of us escapes life without some ecstasy and heartache.\" When you see a baby jumping for joy, splashing water during a bath, or smiling from a hug you just gave them, we rarely question their excitement and enjoy the moment of their ebullient happiness.\n\nAs adults, I find that we often feel guilty, (or are made to feel guilty) if we express our own joy. God has given each of us so many gifts, so that we can choose to build each other up, to keep these gifts latent, or to bring people to their knees with unkind words. I hope your day is a happy one.\n\nBrené Brown reminds us, \"Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.\" This book is also about what I observe, react to, and reflect on-often in complete awe. I also hope this helps you to see that there is much good in the world. We just have to look around us, and we have the power to make positive, impactful changes in our immediate surroundings and in bigger circles, too. What actions do you take when no one is looking?\n\nAlison McGhee said, \"Every moment of every day you can bring people down or you can lift them up-you, one small person-by the energy you project. We choose what we want our lives to mean, and what we want to leave behind. We have the power to write our own stories. Remember that.\" It is in this spirit that these stories of inspiration are shared.\nI feel a bit overwhelmed by people who express that I am \"positive.\" Someone asked me \"What are you on?\"\n\nI just realize that I have so much time left, people are generally good, some will not like you no matter what you do, and life is just one big sitcom, so laugh a little or laugh a lot.\nAlso, I have faced my own mortality a few times, and I am continuing to see that many times you and I are, metaphorically speaking, given a bundle of Christmas lights to untangle.\nYou unravel the lights, plug them into some good power source, and voila, you have some magic before your eyes.\n\nOr, you have a new source of power that you just plugged into, and the lights suddenly short out. Now, you have to find a new way to see the lights again.\n\nI also have witnessed enough horrible and miraculous life experiences that made me strongly consider focusing more on the miraculous and how we can work toward achieving happiness.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 1977247520\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: BVV.1977247520.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Kotz, Paul E\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact  including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Blue Vase Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43675843526717,"sku":"BVV.1977247520.G","price":16.36,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/4225\/9261\/files\/1977247520-0.jpg?v=1790111013","url":"https:\/\/www.bluevasebooks.com\/products\/start-late-finish-happy-random-encounters-unexpected-joy","provider":"Blue Vase Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}