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I caught myself overreacting to an Internet outage the other day. I told myself to take a breath, step back, and think about the greater perspective. Then I realized that, while The Noticer is a quick read, its main idea had already gotten past my mind’s defenses.

Jones, the titular Noticer, is an itinerant philosopher, counselor, and friend, who seemingly does not age. Through multiple “chance” meetings with people in various walks (and troubles) of life, Jones (and author Andy Andrews) doles out sage advice that always comes back to regaining a greater perspective.

While the advice is worthwhile, I find it difficult to believe that the characters in the book would change their lives so drastically based on reason alone, as if one encounter with a wise man who finally speaks truth into their lives will change years of bad habits. I believe it can happen; I just don’t believe it happens all that often. However, should someone in a like situation to those found in the book read The Noticer, they might in fact be motivated to change. Or at least think about changing. Which is forward progress, even if it’s barely… noticeable.

Then again, the book even makes mention of the difference between intention and action, citing intention without action as being the same as inaction. So do you intend to change, or will your actions show your change? That’s the open question at the end of the book: Did those who meet Jones actually change?

As for my internet outage, I realized I’m more fortunate to have even a non-functioning internet connection than probably four-fifths of the planet.

Greater perspective indeed.

- posted as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogging Team

As a disclaimer, I signed up to be a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger a few weeks ago. They send me books; I read them and review them. Fortunately, they ask that the review be honest, and about the whole book. That’s always my intention.

This is Your Brain on Joy is not a book I would typically read. Not that I think I have life figured out (far from it!), but I seldom read “self-help” books, even though I’d have a hard time classifying Dr. Henslin’s book as your typical “self-help” book.

Through his relationship with New York Times bestselling author Dr. Daniel Amen (of the Amen Clinic), Dr. Henslin provides insight into the physical realities behind our depressions, our manias, our phobias, and our lack of true joy. Through SPECT imaging of the brain itself, Dr. Amen and Dr. Henslin can help a person pinpoint their areas of actual brain weakness. Each chapter is devoted to a specific area of the brain, and how any minor damage, through any number of causes, can radically affect a person’s experience of life. Dr. Henslin then provides a number of recommendations to help a person change the way their brain functions. He provides examples of helpful supplements, activities, scriptures, quotes, recommended reading, listening, and watching, and a host of other ideas to help pull a person out of habits that can otherwise deteriorate a life well lived.

For such an intrinsically complicated subject, Dr. Henslin almost becomes too simple in his descriptions, like when he describes the Cingulate Gyrus as the Circular Gerbil Wheel, because people with problems in that area are compulsive, dwell on the negative, and tend to store hurts. In other words, they can’t “get off the wheel.” But, these simple images do help to metaphorically convey in a quick way what occurs in our minds, and how that plays out in our lives. The book itself is an easy read and has many good recommendations for those that might see themselves in its pages.

On a personal note, before reading this book, I thought that joy only came from God, and if I wasn’t feeling joyful, then I must not be doing something right. That’s a flawed view. Joy does only come from God, but God can use any number of means to bring it into our lives. Taking any kind of supplement or medication seemed like anathema to me; through a few recent exchanges with friends and family, I’ve learned that God can use those things to help reorient a person to joy.

And joy has to be sought. I was one to wait on it, not to seek it out. Dr. Henslin provides plenty of ways to seek out joy, and by understanding your brain deficiency, you’re better able to utilize his recommendations.

The Last Word: This Is Your Brain on Joy is an easy and practical read. It’s recommended for those that lack a deep sense of joy or those that are interested in how the brain’s functioning contributes to our daily experiences of life itself.