Drug addict finds happiness reading a book

An anonymous drug addict writes the following.

"It is difficult for me to recount the experience that led to such chaos and upheaval in my life, but I think I should give testimony to the miraculous influence Edward's work has had on my life.

I would like to say that without the support of my mentor and his instructions to read Edward's book "The Happiness Purpose" and to carry out the practises on pages 238-239, I doubt if I would have been here today to write this testimony.


I am most grateful to Edward de Bono for the simple wisdom in his work. It saved my sanity and most likely it saved my life."

On the two pages of the book the anonymous writer referred to, De Bono outlines a suitable setting for thinking practice.

The specific areas where training can make a difference are:

1) Being positive.
De Bono says people who have a naturally negative or pessimistic nature may have to make deliberate efforts to develop positive attitude.

2) The shrug
Avoid being bullied by circumstances or even slaved by one's over-reactions. Assessing whether something is really important or threatening before reacting. It is a matter practicing the cutting off of reactions by a mental 'shrug.'

3) Awareness Activity
This includes practice in sensitivity and awareness. It means practice in being able to look at the moment and enjoy it instead of just looking through the moment to what comes next. Be in the moment and enjoy it.

4) Decision and Problem Solving
This is one area people need practice to develop strategies and habits of mind. Quite often it is a matter of getting used to looking at priorities or on concentrating on what one is prepared to give up. Practice can include making a number of small decisions confidently and tackling small problems.

5) Thinking
This area needs lot of practice. Practice should be an intellectual experience. Utilizing a variety of approaches within thinking and problem solving allows the issue to be addressed from a variety of angles, thus servicing the needs of all individuals concerned.

The thinking hats are useful for learners as they illustrate the need for individuals to address problems from a variety of different angles. They also aid learners as they allow the individual to recognize any deficiencies in the way that they approach problem solving, thus allowing them to rectify such issues.

Read more about thinking hats here.


Edward De Bono, the author of the concept of lateral thinking puts forward a plan for living happily with oneself and with the rest of the world. Its 'The happiness Purpose.'