Title: The Mighty Oak: A Good Life of Mental Well-Being Thriving with Authentic
Happiness
Author: Weining C. Chang
Publisher: PartridgeSingapore
ISBN: 978-1-5437-8280-6
Pages: 180
Genre: Self-Help
Reviewer: Ella Vincent
Pacific Book Review
The Mighty Oak is an inspirational self-help book about how to live your most authentic life regardless of your outside circumstances. Author Weining C. Chang has written a book that will inspire readers.
Chang writes about how her life has been affected by the search for happiness. She was an unfulfilled professor until she discovered that authentic happiness is more important than racking up achievements and being a professional that appears to have it all. She studied the philosophies of leaders such as Confucius, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Chang notes that authentic happiness comes from altruism and helping other people. She also details the psychology of flow or “being in the zone” when you are so immersed in doing what you love that you ignore everything else around you. Chang notes that authentic happiness and being in flow are some of the true marks of true joy.
Chang’s writing about authentic happiness mixes ancient philosophy with practical advice. While she deftly compares her life’s growth to a mighty oak, Chang also has life lessons from the late music legend Tina Turner about how she overcame abuse through Buddhism and the strength of positive thoughts and actions. The book also has a well-researched bibliography that has support from many scientists and psychologists that back up her beliefs about achieving true happiness in life. The Mighty Oak also has a variety of coping skills to help readers through anxiety and other mental health issues, from cognitive behavioral therapy to the simple act of expressing gratitude for your life.
In addition to the importance of individual happiness, Chang writes about how vital it is to have community to be happy as well. She notes how some nurses in Singapore survived the mental strain and trauma of treating patients during the SARS respiratory disease outbreak in 2003 with support from their families. The book stresses how vital it is for readers to be resilient with the help of family and friends.
The Mighty Oak would be best for readers who want to make changes in the new year, or any time, to find true joy and fulfillment. Chang’s writing would also be great for readers who improve their lives. Even parents can learn how to more lovingly encourage their children by taking guidance from this book. The Mighty Oak: A Good Life of Mental Well-Being Thriving with Authentic Happiness is a self-help book that will encourage readers to work to have authentic happiness in their lives.
