Table of Contents
FOREWORD, by Seth Adam Smith
INTRODUCTION
I—A QUICK START GUIDE—OVERCOMING DEPRESSION AND BUILDING HAPPINESS
1. YOUR HAPPINESS TOOLKIT: What It Is, How to Build It, and Why
2. OVERCOMING DEPRESSION: What Helps, What Doesn’t, and How to Choose a Healing Course
3. UNIQUE TO YOU: Understanding Your Depression and Your Happiness Toolkit
4. 21st-CENTURY DEPRESSION: An Expanding, Worldwide Epidemic—How to Survive and Thrive
5. BUILDING YOUR HAPPINESS TOOLKIT: The Ultimate, Lifelong Do-It-Yourself Adventure!
II—YOUR HAPPINESS TOOLKIT, LEVEL 1—INBORN TRAITS (Tools 1–5)
Natural powers you were born with—but may have laid aside for a time
1. ACTION: Do What You Love—And Do What Loves You Back!
2. FEELING: Feel and Express Your Actual Feelings
3. POSITIVITY: Notice and Enjoy the Good Things
4. LEARNING: Develop New Abilities and Skills
5. CREATIVITY: Focus on Creating Rather Than Consuming
III—YOUR HAPPINESS TOOLKIT, LEVEL 2—LEARNED SKILLS (Tools 6–10)
Skills generally learned at a young age as a natural part of growing up
6. IDENTITY: Know and Value Your Unique Traits and Gifts
7. RECORDING: Write and Preserve Your Life Experience
8. SEEKING: Reach Out for Guidance, Support, and Insight
9. SOCIALITY: Engage in Meaningful Social Connections
10. SERVICE: Joyfully Share What You Have and Are with Others
IV—YOUR HAPPINESS TOOLKIT, LEVEL 3—ADVANCED STRATEGIES (Tools 11–16)
Powerful skill sets that must be intentionally and strategically learned
11. HEALTH: Care Wisely for Your Body—And Your Brain
12. ACTIVITY: Enjoy Daily Health-Promoting Movement
13. ORDER: Organize Your Time, Resources, and Living Space
14. THINKING: Direct Your Thoughts in Positive, Productive Ways
15. CONNECTION: Communicate and Relate Well with Others
16. HEALING: Repair Old Wounds and Move On with Joy!
V—ADDITIONAL RESOURCES—FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, STUDY, AND MASTERY
CONCLUSION: You Can Overcome Depression and Find Joy—Even in a Challenging World
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due
BIBLIOGRAPHY: References to Source Materials by Chapter
QUICK ACCESS GUIDE: Overview of Topics and Tools and Topics by Chapter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR