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Our Spiritual Selves
In We All Want To Be Happy, you share with readers the wisdom you have gained throughout your life and personal experiences with love, loss, and resilience. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have been blessed in that I have been surrounded by people who support me. I’ve learned a great deal from them about how best to truly enjoy life with all of its ups and downs. Also, at 80, I want to leave some thoughts and some hints of who I am for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My kids might even get a greater understanding of where they came from.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I truly do not find it difficult to write about any part of my life from the early death of my mom through the sudden deaths of my two husbands. I rather find it cathartic and an opportunity to remind myself of how fortunate I was to have them.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
Slow down and enjoy each day a bit more. I’m not sure I would have taken it and I’m not sure it wasn’t offered. I do know I didn’t hear it. I was always eager for the next chapter; I have since learned to live in the now and anticipate the future as a probability, but not a promise.
What is one thing you hope your readers take away from We All Want To Be Happy?
Life is to be enjoyed every day and learned from in every circumstance. There is no up without a down – a bland life teaches nothing. I believe our purpose here is to learn and to grow our spiritual selves toward peace and love.
We All Want To Be Happy
We All Want to Be Happy is a heartfelt exploration of life’s simple truths. The story is told through a collection of reflective essays and personal stories. The author draws from her own experiences over eighty years. She shares her journey toward finding happiness and contentment. Each chapter touches on different aspects of life like love, loss, resilience, and the pursuit of joy. Each chapter offers readers both wisdom and comfort.
Anne Mullen-Martin’s writing feels like a warm conversation with a friend. Ann’s voice is clear, inviting, and tinged with nostalgia. She shares a childhood memory of her mother teaching her to focus on what makes her happy. A simple notebook that is used to jot down joyful thoughts becomes a powerful tool for shifting her mindset. This story, like many others in the book, serves as a gentle reminder that the most straightforward practices can have deep effects on our well-being. Ann’s willingness to share her vulnerabilities touched me. She openly discusses the emotional impact of turning sixty-five. The reality of aging hits hard. I found her honesty about facing these feelings refreshing and relatable. There’s no sugarcoating, it is just a real and raw reflection on what it means to grow older. Her eventual acceptance offers readers a comforting perspective on this inevitable part of life.
The book is also filled with practical wisdom. Ann emphasizes the importance of appreciating the present. I think she suggests that we often fail to recognize that we’re already living the dreams we once had. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder to take stock of where we are and find joy in the moment. This advice encouraged me to pause and see the value in my life.
We All Want to Be Happy is an engaging read for those who enjoy reflective and personal narratives. Ann Mullen-Martin shares her life lessons with warmth and sincerity, offering inspiration and comfort. This book is perfect for anyone who needs a gentle nudge to appreciate the small joys in life and to find happiness in the here and now.
LITERARY TITAN 