Book Review: Your Best Life Now.

Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life Now, by Joel Osteen

I must say, I read just about this entire book in Joel’s “voice”. It’s like I couldn’t read & not hear him saying/speaking the words. Strange; but one could tell, without question, that Joel Osteen wrote this book (if there was any question).

I remember when I first saw him years ago, on television, preaching. I was enthralled. He spoke with such hope & enthusiasm, and inspiration.

When his book came up as a suggested read for the book club, I looked forward to reading it. I’m always looking to be inspired, and of course, I have the desire to live my best life, every day.

Having short chapters, it was an easy read, albeit a bit repetitive (but that was expected, Osteen is a pastor). Each chapter usually ended in a hopeful, uplifting tone, that could make one feel inspired & motivated; particularly, if a certain given examples/circumstance resonates with you. The chapters are quite similar to mini church sermons: when it speaks to you, it just speaks to you!

He gives adequate examples of situations, both personal (several references to his dad & family, and Lakewood Church) & hypothetical, that occur in life (i.e., marital problems, business failures, sickness, disappointments in life, etc.), and how a person should apply certain spiritual principles to deal, and come out of it for the better.

The book lists 7 steps to live your best life, right now:

1. Enlarging your vision. Envisioning your success: Conceiving it in your heart & mind, speaking it, and believing it, in order to receive it.
2. Developing a healthy self-image. Seeing yourself as God sees you. Knowing & believing you are of great value, and being happy with who you are.
3. Discovering the power of your thoughts & words. Avoiding negative talk, and thinking & speaking positivity.
4. Letting go of the past. Not being bitter/resentful by things that have happened already…things that you can not change. Learning to let go, forgive, and allow God to deliver justice/vengeance.
5. Finding strength through adversity. Getting up when life knocks you down. Having a positive outlook and a victor’s attitude/mentality when facing setbacks. Having faith in God & his great timing when circumstances seem bad, or look/feel uncertain. Trusting that God sees the “Big Picture”, and has your best interest at heart.
6. Living to give. Not living life selfishly. Knowing that whatever you give, will be given back to you. Being good to others, and having compassion for people.
7. Choosing to be happy. Knowing that happiness is a decision you make, not an emotion you feel. You can choose to be happy, in spite of difficult circumstances. Learning to live a life of peace, and not let the little things upset/frustrate/worry you. Smile, and don’t worry about things that you can’t change.

Overall, I thought the book was good. A lot of it reminded me of principles I grew up learning: treating people the way you want to be treated, reaping what you sow, going the extra mile/not being sloppy & taking shortcuts, not taking vengeance into your own hands, but allowing God to fight your battles for you, etc.

I’d recommend this book if you are a spiritual person, believing in God, but having trouble believing in yourself & knowing your value; and, if you tend to put off/reserve your happiness for another day because of current (unfavorable) life situations/circumstances; you might especially find hope & inspiration in this motivational read.