'Find out where joy resides,
and give it a voice far beyond singing.
For to miss the joy is to miss all.
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Agapi states, "there is a reason why we are called human beings and not human doings". Today's post is a review of the guide 'Wake up to the joy of You' by Agapi Stassinopoulos. Profound from the beginning of the novel, Agapi has many teachings and phrases that will stick with you long after you finish her book. An honest and deeply thought-provoking guide on ultimately, how to be the best version of yourself. I would highly recommend reading if given the chance to. Anecdotes side by side with meditation guides 'take a deep breath and as you exhale, breathe out any any tension, anxiety and worry'. This is the ultimate in how to better yourself, your life and your surroundings. With chapters including 'Are you a people fixer', it offers a frank outlook into how you can allow happiness into every part of your existence, by letting go of the negativity.

"We have 37.2 trillion cells in our bodies (compare that to the 400 billion stars in the galaxy!"

As well as Agapi, offering her own advice she also adds quotes and teachings from leaders in the field such as Journalist Eric Barker 'those who can sit in chair, undistracted for hours, mastering subjects and creating things will rule the world- while the rest of us frantically and futilely try to keep up the texts, tweets, and other incessant interruptions."

With advice such as, 'make it a habit to watch the sun set' and chapter headings such as 'there is nothing wrong with you'. Wake up to the joy of You, gives an enigmatic outlook, spiritually and thoughtfully into improving your life, from smaller steps such as watching the sunset, to 'know your linchpin' - for me that would be the ability to have a blog. Having an outward expression of my thoughts, books I've loved and loathed and being able to write everyday is my linchpin. Reading and writing is what I like to do, finding your linchpin can mean a happier you.

AA Milne Winnie-the-Pooh - "Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day."

The advice 'denial is a very common coping mechanism' iterates the modern world. Is there a negative self image within yourself, the pressure to lose those 10 pounds, perhaps the unfathomable scrutinisation of a body part or facial feature you detest. It is about learning to love yourself, your surroundings and waking up every inch of you a glowing, happy human being, remember in the words of Agapi you aren't a human doing.

Managing your energy - 'whatever excites you go do it. Whatever drains you, stop doing it. Derek Sivers

Another profound thing about the book, that sticks with me personally is Agapi's wise words of 'the longing for happiness seems to increase the more we search for it'. This gratifies that the more unhappy you are, the more you might feel the need to pursue happiness. Don't stew in your misery, but then don't force yourself to be happy. It is okay to check in with yourself and your feelings.

There is a chapter within the book called 'god is your partner' - whilst I respect religion, personally I am not a religious person, it is just a step in my life that I have chosen not to fulfil. I'm agnostic if anything, in other words I don't know what to believe in. If you want to be happier, following these steps God or no God, you will benefit. For me, having realised how deeply unsatisfied and unhappy I was, I quit my job and decided to have a crack at something I love: writing. This guide managed to give me the motivation and above all determination as well as inner happiness to realise that okay, things may be a little slow at the moment but I just need the confidence and perseverance with myself to have a go. After all what is the worst that can happen, if I don't at least try, I will feel a lot worse than if I never tried at all.

Agapi recommends to 'take a deep breath and say thank you'. Also to drink some water so you can ground yourself; be grateful for this water and go about rejoicing in your precious life' and you know what, I absolutely will.