Beacon Press: The Best Things in Life Aren't Things
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The Best Things in Life Aren't Things

Celebrating What Matters Most

Author: Joann Davis

For readers of Anne Lamott and Ross Gay, a bite-size invitation to disrupt the hustle and rediscover joy and wonder in our daily lives

For decades, consumerism has espoused the same message: money equals success, and if you aren’t happy, you aren’t shopping in the right store. Now, with a new cover and updated content for today’s challenges, The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things offers practical guidance for those seeking something beyond the grind.

Self-proclaimed warrior for optimism Joann Davis encourages us to cultivate “life support” in 4 key areas: words, thoughts, experiences, and deeds. Borrowing from ancient and contemporary wisdom, Davis inspires thoughtful introspection in this revised edition through:

  • timeless essays on meaning, plus 3 new bite-size sections
  • reflection questions like “Will you measure success by what you have or how you live?”
  • a directory of small wonders that bring profound joy

In our fast-paced world, this little book is a powerful reminder of the intrinsic truths we’ve been trained to overlook. It invites us to explore all that life has to offer—and what we can give in return.
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Foreword by Kenneth C. Davis

Because the “Best Things in Life Aren’t Things”

Cooking Up a Recipe for a Life Worth Living

Have You Caught a Nasty Case of “Affluenza”?

Don’t Learn to Make a Living—Learn to Make a Life

A Matter of Principle

A Little Directory of Principles—and Probing Questions

“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love . . .”

To Serve, to Lead, and to Change the World—Through “Soul Intensity”

Keep Your Heart as Light as a Feather

It’s the Only Advice You’ll Ever Need

A Directory of the Best Things That Aren’t Things

Text Message to Heaven

Life’s Little Answer Key

Now It’s Your Turn

Sharing Wisdom with Those You Love

Resources
Acknowledgments

The Best Things in Life Aren't Things

ISBN: 978-080702486-7
Publication Date: 3/24/2026
Size:5 x 7 Inches (US)
Price:  $20.00
Format: Cloth
Availability: In stock.