The Address of Happiness Is...
347363
Forgive me if I'm a little redundant, I haven't read the other reviews...

When I first saw the cover of this book I thought, like others have I'm sure, 'The Address of Happiness'... what does that mean? Is the author taking us to a physical place? Or, like the cover photo hints, is the address in your metaphysical heart and soul? Like many of life's questions, you're not meant to have a black and white, concrete answer. I feel this book is meant to provoke the deepest of human emotions, and happily I found that you don't have to have a PHD to take away something beautiful from "The Address of Happiness."

When describing this book to others, I use the comparison to music most often. Much like a song, the simplicity of the writing paired with the subject matter of the unknown realms of life, love and existence, speaks to the reader much in the same way that music can... turning the indescribable aspects of our souls into a feeling we somehow identify with... and with most of the creation of the visuals done by the reader's own imagination. I could see this book being adapted into a visual masterpiece as well, the prose leads the reader into their own world, and I for one envision swirls of color and painterly strokes of texture set to music, blending slowly into humanity as we know it- with the darkness of reality and the lightness of love, transitioning back to the other realms of life in the end.

So what did I like about the book? I liked that it was a loose flowing story, more like a folk tale than a finely detailed story. I loved that the author wasn't attempting to preach or push any kind of agenda. He spun a colorful world of pure love, devoid of preconceptions or rules. The reader is allowed the most freeing literary experience possible- the story lends itself to being totally adaptable to anyone. It doesn't have to be so black and white as a book about two women who fall in love. The main characters could easily be men, a woman and a man, or even alien beings with no sexuality.

What didn't I like? Simply, it was too short! I wanted more, even though it wasn't meant to be that kind of a story. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but, I suppose, that's how life is.

Read "The Address of Happiness" if you are a liberal. Read it if you are a conservative. Read it as a human being- and rethink your beliefs about humanity, the human condition, and what makes real, true, happiness. I don't know where the address of happiness is, but I know it starts with love.
4722904
It is an awesome address book! Has a lot of room for all my family and friends! Not too big or small! The only thing I would add is a birthday line next to the person.
1018906
Plenty happiness in one order. Love love love Izze. Happiness is that I have plenty of those cans in my fridge. Thank you!
1167058
I'm so happy I read this. Joy is optimism in this world! My stiff neck has some flexibility, my unbelief is a bit less and my belief is stronger. The writing is a bit stiff, but that's not a reason to stay away. I'm smiling inside and you will be too.
2529964
This Shema is beautiful.  Now at my doorpost.  It holds so much meaning to a Believer in the G-d of Israel.
OT and NT holds this dear to their hearts.  Shalom.
4863751
It is so life affirming paging through this photo book, as it reflects well Bo's wonderful aura and energy in the tranquil expressions of the people, the uniqueness of the places and the caught and released things that indubitably portray a true adventure and a life well spent and undoubtedly well traveled; ooo-saaa, I'm thoroughly uplifted.
4351374
This is great for even existing. I read the book and this was a happy addition.
1921627
Sometimes its the simple things in life that make you happy. ..this right angle has made me very happy and made the connection simple...thanks
1950081
A lovely trip through peace, freedom from fear, lonliness and anguish. Launching a new life with new friends is something that will thrill and bring back laughter and love
1831537
I ordered two of John Lander's 2016 calendars, one for myself and one for a special Christmas gift. I was struck by the composition  and unique garden of each page. Unlike most calendar's rather strident colors, this calendar's soft colors bring about a sense of peace and harmony so very welcome in the bustle of our daily lives. I look forward to Lander's next year's calender
3596910
I have to confess that I love a happy ending, and a cancellation of negatives by positives leaves a sense of well being for me,the reader.
242762
'The Address of Happiness' is a very impressive gift.  Eloquent in surprising ways because it feels almost too direct and too uncomplicated.  (I generally associate 'eloquence' with an awareness for complexity ... one makes complexity simpler but without losing the essential complexity).

The Address of Happiness achieves THAT and more ..... and it might be hard for some readers to "make the leap" that the book offers (too bad for them!) A lesbian love-story with pre-destination as a compulsory realization that we ARE here to do and be something very specific with our lives.

Do not take this the wrong way .... I am not a 'New-Ager' .... so when I first sat down to read David Paul Kirkpatrick's book, I DID have my rather typical 'new age' response....... rhyming prose that triumphs love with beauty and lyricism, with a treacle-like reverence ... a prose style that pre-supposes the reader can accept immediately, without question .... the primacy of love in everything.  I went.... "oh, boy this might be a bit too heart-felt and perhaps not especially thoughtful (and I really, really was in synch with how well intentioned it is to put love at the forefront of everything).

Then, after putting it down for a while, I no longer felt that way at all (the over-wrought sense that everything can be simplified so that love is 'on the surface' of everything no matter what ... well, after some reflection, that just did not feel accurate any more).

Kirkpatrick's book provides conflict -- not as an action between people who have different points of view -- but rather, conflict as 'a longing' that requires suffering and courage .... and through that suffering, the conflict discloses what is loved and how love transports us to a place of healing and wholeness.

Some might argue that because the people in the story are never "in conflict," there really is nothing in the book that helps us to be better people.  That would be too simplified a reading ...

The line that stands out for me (and there are many) is "After all, courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is a determination that there is something more important than fear." Any conflict is a longing that requires us to live through suffering.  As Kirkpatrick writes: 'Though we cannot see the heart, we can see the life'.... seeing 'the life' brings the heart forward, making it something that we must 'suffer through' or 'live through' -- hopefully with great joy.

So long story short....the eloquence of the book is based on how it avoids interpersonal conflict (which is a GIGANTIC simplification), but it still makes conflict an essential part of what we must live through.  The people who will be unable to 'make the leap' will be unable to see conflict in this way... the 'place beyond belief' is the person whom we (through our actions) bring into our lives, not the person whom we construct "to struggle, suffer, and fight" with others.

Initially, I would NOT have thought this book was really going to be a 'classic' ... as one of the reviewers states in the preface ... but now, YES.  The  music is what we must live our lives into, despite our capacity to listen to everything else; THAT music makes the 'logic' of life's interpersonal conflicts both necessary and irrelevant (not unlike the message of 'The Little Prince,' which was one the associations I had.)

So buy it ... it will be like finding what you were meant for (celestial music and all).
4010161
Small, sweet, and well-received by the person it was gifted to. I lovely expression of affection and meaning for those you care about. The size was perfect, and the quality of the wood and print was excellent.
729171
Giving a gift of happiness goes a long way. The Gift of Happiness reinforces the positive message of giving gifts, giving happiness and doing good deeds. It brings a smile of peoples faces, brightens up their day, and eases their troubles. That is what this book is about and it espouses the values of kindness, goodness, caring, and treating others as you would like to be treated. Great job Michael and Rachel Yu! The Gift of Happiness is indeed a most welcomed gift in this holiday season and time of giving, peace and merriment but serves as a forceful reminder of a lesson we all need to remember and one the kids need to learn and remember all year through. It is beautifully illustrated and perfectly captures the messages synonymous with the lesson of giving and giving to the less fortunate. Zout and Zappy are seemingly opposites and though initially Zout disagrees with Zappys giving nature and his heart of gold, Zappys good nature radiates to Zout who shares with Zappy in the end who ends up without anything because he has given to those in need. The rhyming pattern and beautiful pictures perfectly compliment the storyline and make it an ideal gift for any child for any time of the year. It is one I recommend highly.
309836
As somebody who entered a long distance relationship almost two and a half years ago, we are now engaged and continue to send one another mail at least once a week. That part of my life, combined with my love and utter devotion to Adam JK had me totally psyched to see this postcard book for sale. Hope my fiance is ready to see a lot more quirk in his mailbox on a more frequent occasion. Thanks, Adam!
568254
Beautifully written, a wonderful blend of history and literary explanation.  A worthy addition to the library of information about the Address.
2562485
I want to add an update. I absolutely love these birthday postcards. I have written several cards tonight for friends at church who have later April B.D.s. I find the cards to be remarkably charming with a variety of short but we'll stated BE wishes. I have plenty of room for a short note. I feel the address space is more than adequate. How very much I wish I could find a similar postcard treasure for Thinking of You, Hope you are Feeling Better, Congratulations, and Thank You. I know when a letter must be written or a card versus a postcard. I value my friends and my time. These cards are a fabulous way of combining both with simplicity. Love the bright colors on the cards.