Author: Rima Rudner

ISBN: 1419663130

Today Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is excited to have as our guest, Rima Rudner, author of Choose to be Happy: A Guide to Total Happiness

Good day Rima and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Rima, please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.

Rima:

Professionally, I’m the published author of Choose to Be Happy: A Guide to Total Happiness as well as The Complete Guide to Decorating Your Home and co-author of Who Moved My Birthday: A Baby Boomers Essential Guide to Anti-Aging, which I wrote with several Yale doctors.  My ghostwriting includes other self-help books on health and fitness, anti-aging, psychology, career, love and relationships.

Personally, I have truly become a “Happiness Coach.”  I’ve endured many tragedies,including a life-threatening ski accident, bladder cancer, viral spinal meningitis and much more.  Luckily, I have a great sense of humor (my first cousin is comedienne Rita Rudner) and I’ve found the secret to staying happy despite so much adversity.  I want to share this with my readers.

Norm:

Will you share a little bit about Choose to be Happy with us?
 
Rima:

This book was written for people who feel as if they are a victim and feel “stuck.” If you hate your life and think you have no purpose, if you are looking for someone or something to make you happy, then this book is for you. Readers learn how to stop wishing something good will happen to them and find out how to make it happen.

I used scientific studies to prove that happiness is about 50% genetic and that we all have a happiness “set point.”  This is based on the famous Minnesota twins study done by Dr. David Lykken (who wrote the Foreword of my book.)  The study proved that twins raised apart still enjoy the same amount of happiness as if they were raised together.  In other words, nurturing and environment did not affect their “set point” of happiness.

Norm:

Why do you feel that this was an important book for you to write and for all of us to read at this time?

Rima:

We live in a very stressful and competitive world and tend to base our happiness on our looks and how much money we have.  If my readers can learn to stop comparing their lives to others and learn  how to love and enjoy their own lives, they will learn the real secret to happiness—that it is not a secret, but rather, a choice.

Norm:

I notice you call yourself a Happiness Coach? What exactly does this mean?

Rima:

Even before I wrote this book, I found myself constantly being the advice-giver to all my friends and their children.

I seem to have developed a wonderful insight about what people are really feeling and what their actions are saying about how they really feel.  I’m able to steer them in the right direction and make them feel better about their choices.  Now that Choose to Be Happy is out, more and more people are coming to me for answers on how to be happy. 

Norm:

Do you feel that a great many people are immature in the way they deal with their ups and downs and are looking for a quick fix?

Rima:

Absolutely!  Think about Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears.  These are the younger generations role models.  No, there is no quick fix to make you happy.  Sure, drugs and alcohol will—until they wear off.

Sure, buying a new car will—until you’re tired of the new car.  Happiness is not the fleeting feeling of a new possession or accomplishment, it is the sense of peace that comes from accepting and enjoying your life as it is and accepting yourself, flaws and all.  There is lots more in my book about this.

Norm:

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Rima:

Actually, none.  It happened naturally and easily.  This is something I stress in my book.  That if someone or something is right for you, it  just “feels good” and happens naturally.  Unhappiness and disappointment will result if you force something to happen that doesn’t “feel good”

Norm:

What kind of research did you do to write this book?

Rima:

Lots!  The scientific studies that I use in my book have all been done by doctors and scientists that are affiliated with reputable universities and hospitals. 

Many of the people that I cite in the book are people that I’ve known from my many years of working out at the The SportsClub/LA in Los Angeles.  It seemed to be a breeding ground for unhappy people searching for someone or something to make them happy.  I found lots of other unhappy people in L.A. on which to base my theory for the book—that happiness if about 50% genetic and that everyone returns to their “set point” of happiness—even if they win the lottery.

Norm:

What did you enjoy most about writing this book and what has been your overall experience as a published author? How did you celebrate its completion?

Rima:

I loved writing this book because everything came from my heart.  When I was writing it I didn’t worry about how many copies I would sell and how much money I would make.  I realized that if nothing else, this book is my gift to my daughter, Lara, and my stepdaughter, Stacey, and to everyone who wants to be happy and needs to make the choice to be happy.

Oh, and I celebrated its completion by taking a good long nap.

Norm:

Will there be any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?

Rima:

I’m trying to focus more on the Internet right now and also marketing it internationally.  I’ll be written up locally in the Palisadian Post right here in Pacific Palisades, California and in the Happiness Observer as far away as Vienna, Austria.  Unhappiness is an international problem.

Norm:

What are you upcoming projects?

Rima:

I plan to write an entire line of “Choose To” books such as “Choose to Stay Young,” “Choose to Stop Smoking,”  “Choose to Find Your Soul Mate,” “Choose to Have a Loving Relationship” – there are lots of “Choose To” books I’m dying to write.

Norm:

How can our readers find out more about yourself?

Rima:

I never thought you’d ask!  Your readers can find about my book at www.choosetobehappy.net and/or www.rimarudner.com.

I also some samples of my freelance writing posted on www.rimarudner.net.  And they can email me at rima@rimarudner.com.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered and what is next for Rima Rudner?

Rima:

Yes.  BUY MY BOOK! (You’ll love it.)  It’s available on Amazon.com, Borders.com, Target.com, Alibris.com and  Abebooks.com. There’s a link to Amazon on all the above-mentioned websites.

As for “What is next?”  Hopefully, being found by Oprah.  In the meantime, I’m just going out to dinner with some friends.

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

Rima:

Thank you so much and I wish you and all of your readers happiness forever.

 The above interview was conducted by: The Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.com   Click here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.

  Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Choose To Be Happy: A Guide To Total Happiness