Positively Happy: Cosmic Ways to Change Your Life
by Noel Edmonds
Vermilion £9.99, pp176
Noel says be proud of your accomplishments. Noel says be the positive force in your community. Did Noel tell you that he is proud of his accomplishments? Noel gives money to charity. Noel says write down what you are proud of about yourself on a business card and then put it in your jacket pocket and don't worry about feeling like a complete wally.
The cosmic advice of Noel Edmonds is quite straightforward, really. The cosmos might help you if you create opportunities for yourself and if you're nice to people. You could talk to your children, for instance. You could buy a friend a present when it isn't even their birthday. It's not foolproof, but every now and again things might go quite well. Like when people have the right attitude and then get the big cheque in Deal or no Deal, Noel's game show on Channel 4. And a bit like when Noel started out with nothing and now lives in a big house.
As a general concept, cosmic living cannot be criticised because: 1) it isn't at all mystical. Or even vaguely interesting. The word 'cosmos' means 'your environment' but sounds more 'self-help'; 2) it won't land you in any trouble (apart from if people see you reading the book in public). It involves such philosophies as 'accept that you can't be liked by everyone'; 'don't share all your problems all the time'; and 'live in the present'. It essentially means 'not being a neurotic lunatic'; 3) it's not confusing because the information is divided into numbered subheadings and bullet points. There is also a very long index at the back in case you want to look up 'unfairness in life, dealing with' or 'Mr Blobby'.
If you feel a bit overwhelmed by how much your life is about to change, remember that Noel managed it. See autobiographical anecdotes such as 'how Noel didn't take his marital problems to work' and 'how Noel got over a nasty article written about him when he was a young DJ'. Noel says he's had a tough time, but now he's cosmic.
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