I need to thank many people, such as my mentor and friend Dr. William Backus, who, along with his wife, Candy, showed me I was a truly worthwhile person at a time when I felt abandoned and alone. Bill encouraged me to become a professional therapist and convinced me I could actually start at the bottom of the ladder and not fall off. Bill is now in heaven, and I will always be grateful for his encouragement and support as I labored through my years of schooling and clinical internship. I was privileged to write two books with him, Telling Yourself the Truth and Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do?
Many thanks to Christa Chapian, whose help with the preparation of this manuscript was invaluable; Mario Lombardo for reading the first drafts; my prayer partners and co-workers at Wings of Wellness for help and support as I wrote; my international HIM family for prayers; my terrific agents at ALIVE, Joel Kneedler and Lisa Jackson; and my wonderful editors, Lonnie Hull DuPont and Jessica English.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my students, patients, and clients who’ve reached the top of your mountains and who continue to teach me much as I’m privileged to walk alongside you on your happiness journeys. I’m forever proud of you for pressing on, never giving up, and always aiming for the best of God. I also thank all the people who willingly took part in my happiness surveys. I love each of you for your honesty and your willingness to learn and grow beyond the status quo. I humbly and wholly thank you all. You have made this project a happy one and, most of all, confirmed that lasting happiness is not an elusive pie-in-the-sky endeavor, but a living reality we can teach ourselves to experience and keep.