The Courage to Be Happy, Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga, 2019

The book builds upon Adlerian psychology, emphasizing that true happiness comes from self-acceptance, contribution to others, and the courage to be disliked. It argues that life’s meaning is found in community and relationships rather than external validation or competition. The authors encourage shifting from approval-seeking to self-defined fulfillment and embracing the present moment.

Top 3 Learnings:

1. Respecting others leads to self-respect—by treating everyone with respect, we cultivate deeper, more meaningful relationships without the need for external validation.
2. True belonging comes from contributing to the community in a unique and personal way, rather than seeking approval or comparison with others.
3. Happiness requires action—waiting for others to fulfill our dreams is futile; taking personal responsibility and trusting others to reciprocate is key to fulfillment.