Don't Worry, Be Grumpy: Inspiring Stories for Making the Most of Each Moment Kindle Edition

I found myself slowing down my reading pace as I neared the end, which is always the sign of a good book, and yet there were parts I really disliked. It’s a collection of short essay stories — some real, most updated retellings of Buddhist tales — like Ajahn Brahm’s book “Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung.” His teachings have always had outdated gender attitudes, which I’ve generally put down to his age and isolation as a monk. Yet he has one story about a nagging wife and another where he talks about how lowered expectations can make life easier and uses the example of marrying an ugly wife so you don’t have to worry about her being seduced away. Ugh. There’s also a powerful (and true) story where he gives radical advice to a woman who has been devastated by a rape. In one of his live podcast talks, he told this story and it irked me, but there are added details in this version that make it much more meaningful. Anyway, the thoughtful and thought-provoking stories outnumber the head-shaking ones so I personally was glad I read it but others may not be so forgiving. Excerpt: “I don’t expect to be perfect. In fact, I like making mistakes. Because when I tell my friends about the stupid things that I have done, it makes them laugh. My stupidity increases the happiness in the world.” Grade: B

Such a beautiful book, and such a joyous spirit!Full Disclosure: I recently interviewed Ajahn Brahm for our Inspire Nation Show...I think he broke the laughter-per-minute quota!!!What an amazing soul, and he shares fantastic story after story after story to help us 'get it'...and it's hard not to after reading his book. It's a treatise for life, wrapped up in short, bite-size, entertaining stories. Each one is it's own fortune cookie telling it's own tale, and it's own lesson.It's hard not to get sucked into the stories, and then reflect them back to our own lives...which is exactly the point. He helps us realize the grandeur, the beauty, the silliness, the ease, and the difficulty that is all around us, and helps us learn how to let it all go, and to simply be in the moment.In that sense, Don't Worry, Be Grumpy is a very powerful tool, wrapped up with a smile.

Meh. I LOVE Ajahn Brahm, but I had heard these stories already watching his YouTube videos. Great to give a friend, though. Nice, short friendly stories. When you hear them "live," you get the interpretations and the ramifications to everyday life explained. I'd leave this in a doctor's office where someone might pick it up and read a few, to their benefit!

At first I didn't care for this book. Author who is a Buddhist monk uses some language which I do not care for. But when I really started paying attention to the stories and the meaning, I really do like them. Glad I bought it.

Gave as gift. Easy to pick up read a couple of stories when u need a lift. Read in no particular order. Titles are inviting. Life lessons with humor. Buddhist influence.

Another great book by Ajahn Brahm. You don't have to be Buddhist to enjoy these stories. Told with a tone of a wise grandfather, Don't Worry Be Grumpy, is insightful while being easy to take. Fun while sneaking in lessons on being kind to yourself and how to deal with conflict. Well written and emotionally open you will find yourself nodding in agreement with his easy solutions to life's problems.

Enlightening, fun stories. A quick read full of insightful tales and humorous ways of looking at life. Feel free to be you, happy or grumpy; there is a happy liscense in the back of the book!

I'm no a buddhist but I really enjoy this book. It consisted of short stories. Granted, not all stories are good but it's still enjoyable to read them. Even our 7yo loves this book. We've been reading it every night. The stories are short enough to keep us entertain, yet meaningfull.

Im not really someone who reads books a lot, but this was easy to read and really nice book if you want to have a little change in how you look at world. I would recommend this book actually to be read for some kids, so they get a bit of positive energy from it.

Lovely book. Can read a few short stories whenever you have a moment. I have this an other books by author. Lovely and enjoyable reads. Great insights into everyday life. Valuable lessons on each page.

There are some interesting and humorous stories but overall feels overshadowed by cliche “life lesson” morals. Bought the book with high expectations but fairly underwhelmed.

Its true, I am not lying. Read the book and be enlightened too. You shall thank me and a bit too the book.

Funny stories with serious power to change your day from gloom to giggles....or stay gloomy and be ok about it !