Praise for The Two Most Important Days
“Every life has its trials and tribulations. Yet you’ll find each challenge and opportunity is a touchstone to higher consciousness and leads you closer to a life of love, compassion, joy, equanimity, and self-realization. This majestic book has much wisdom to savor and practical steps to help you navigate life’s many forks. I promise it will delight!”
—Deepak Chopra
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“Sanjiv Chopra and Gina Vild have gracefully woven the wisdom of generations and recent scientific research into a delightfully practical understanding of how each of us can achieve happiness. And, importantly, how we can share it with others--family, friends (and foes) and a world in need of joy and healing. Keep a note pad handy as you read. You will definitely find yourself saying ‘Wow, I can do that!’ And, smiling to yourself.”
—Ambassador Richard Celeste
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“A rich tapestry made with ancient wisdom, poetry, philosophical treatises, and interlaced with cutting-edge psychology, neurobiology, and internet communication. Chopra and Vild have woven a beautiful map complete with practical guidelines for those hoping to find happiness. It is a necessary compendium for those who wonder what to do next after hearing Joseph Campbell’s advice—‘find your bliss.’ I was inspired. I had fun reading it. You should try it.”
—Sum P Lee, M.D. Ph.D, professor emeritus of Medicine, University of Washington; Dean of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, and cofounder of Center for Humanities and Medicine (2008–2013)
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“The Two Most Important Days is a trove of powerful insights, exquisitely chosen poetry, and profoundly instructive quotes that evoke an authentic path to human happiness that I can reference and share for years to come.”
—Christine Roess, cofounder of Cybeleum Consulting
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“As the world gets more connected, Sanjiv Chopra and Gina Vild remind us of the most important connection: with yourself. The Two Most Important Days contains beautiful aphorisms about purpose, an impressive encapsulation of research, and inspiring stories. Read this book. It will make you happier.”
—Bharat Anand, Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School, author The Content Trap
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“Through wisdom and exercises, satisfying both head and heart, authors Dr. Sanjiv Chopra and Gina Vild have created a pith compilation of life meaning and purpose—a book you can open to any page on any day and find ways to manifest your unique path.”
—Kyra Bobinet, M.D. MPH, authorof Well-Designed Life, CEO, engagedIN, Consulting Faculty, Stanford School of Medicine
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"We’ve come a long way since Mark Twain penned that famous phrase. Sadly, few of us ever experience that second day. This wonder-filled book is your best bet to change this. Read this book and find out why you are here.”
—Scott Snook, MBA Class of 1958 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
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“The Two Most Important Days, by Sanjiv Chopra and Gina Vild, delivers the welcome news that happiness, which can feel so elusive at times, is truly within our grasp. The book soars high with inspiring philosophy and poetry and at the same time is grounded in fascinating studies, neuroscience, psychology, and surprising facts. It also offers doable exercises to help readers discover their life’s purpose, feel gratitude, and achieve sustained happiness.
The Two Most Important Days is definitely at the top of my gratitude list!”
—Meta Wagner, author of What’s Your Creative Type?: Harness the Power of Your Artistic Personality
“The Two Most Important Days has something for everyone. Skeptics will find research data, poets will find poetry, seekers will find spiritual wisdom, and everyone will find warm, down-to-earth, common-sense approaches to making life richer and more satisfying. You will be inspired as you read it cover-to-cover and then return for practical reminders of what you can do today, in this moment, to bring more joy and meaning to your life.”
—Robert Waldinger, M.D., director of Harvard Study of Adult Development
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“Sanjiv and Gina have crafted a precious gem of a book that crystallizes the scientific, poetic and perennial wisdom necessary to live a life of purpose. This book is a refreshing refuge from simplistic happiness prescriptions. At a time of deep strife and a world in peril, there is an urgent need to discover and express one’s authentic calling in service of a greater purpose. The treasures found here illuminate the moment to moment choices we can make to build immunity and well being as we take a stand on what matters most.”
—Ellen Wingard, Global Leadership Coach for Social Impact
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“This book is an absolute gem, radiating a sense of joy and wonder throughout its pages. It inspires reflection and offers simple yet important changes that will bring renewal and purpose to one’s life. Grounded in science that explains how gratitude, forgiveness, meditation, yoga, and friendships boosts what’s known as the ‘happiness quotient,’ this books illuminates a path forward with practical and engaging exercises and inspirational poetry.”
— Andrew Carroll, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder, with the Nobel Laureate Joseph Brodsky, of the American Poetry & Literacy Project
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“What does happiness mean in today’s digital world? In this wonderful book, Vild and Chopra explain why clicks and likes aren’t enough. Instead, happiness comes from a deeper place of meaning and purpose that is not as elusive as it sounds. In The Two Most Important Days, they show exactly how to create happiness that is authentic, inspiring, and sustainable for anyone willing to open themselves to ask the questions and take the journey.”
—Mark Bonchek, Ph.D., CEO of Shift Thinking
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“The Two Most Important Days takes the reader on an adventurous journey of wisdom, stories and inspirations leaving one with much to reflect on and much to be looking forward to in this world. I had a smile on throughout reading this book, for it was a true joy not only to learn from that which has been shared but to also feel the sincerity and beauty of its authors.”
—Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International, author, and media personality
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“In The Two Most Important Days, Sanjiv and Gina cleverly combine scientific research, poignant stories, and insightful strategies for making the most of your life on earth and being happy. While sharing how best to love and live with purpose, they also pleasantly pepper you with a range of relevant poems, philosophies, and quotes.”
—Valerie Mosley
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“The most practical, comprehensive, and evidence-based guide to happiness I’ve ever read! In this book, Chopra and Vild not only map out the essential ingredients of happiness, but make a compelling case for how finding your purpose and living with it is essential in our quest for joy and fulfillment. A must-read that can change your life!”
—Elan Divon, author, spiritual teacher, and cofounder of The Einstein Legacy Project and Genius 100 Visions, the world’s first 3D printed book
“This is a fun book to read that certainly increased my HQ (Happiness Quotient). It is packed with touching stories, the latest data from neurobiology, moving poems, and brilliant quotes and aphorisms. But most important, it offers practical advice to help you become a happier and more fulfilled person. The book ends with “Seven Simple Steps to a Happier You,” and you discover, with the wise Rumi, that the strategy is to change yourself and not the world. In the process you may actually end up making the world a better place for all.”
—Peng Fan, M.D., professor of Clinical Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
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“This book is a gem: a timely offering on a timeless topic, chock-full of time-tested ideas. Don’t just read it; inhale it!”
—Vikas P. Sukhatme, Woodruff Professor and Dean, Emory School of Medicine
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“Pursuing happiness is indeed the holy grail of human pursuit . . . yet elusive for most. Sanjiv and Gina bring true happiness within our grasp with simple, wonderfully illustrated steps using self-awareness, service, and kindness . . . a delightful, happy, purposeful read.”
—Venkat Srinivasan, author of The Intelligent Enterprise in the Era of Big Data
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“We all chase this illusive thing called Happiness throughout our lives. Sanjiv and Gina prescribe a simple recipe of practicing Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Compassion to achieve it. Their prescription is backed by research. They explain the simple concept with so many examples that it is hard not to internalize it and accept it by the time you reach the end of the book.”
—Desh Deshpande, serial entrepreneur, founder of Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation at MIT
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“[This book] is a treasure trove, a feast providing both inspiration and practical guidance for a truly fulfilling life. Combined into a single, small, highly readable volume, readers will find the wisdom of ancient sages and the discoveries of modern science, uplifting poetry and deeply moving personal stories, practical tips, and suggested resources—a true gift you will both richly enjoy and want to share with others.”
—Lachlan Forrow, M.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, President Emeritus, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
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“This delightful book will instruct and entertain. I loved the rich literary references, the pithy aphorisms, and most of all the simple but priceless message contained within. I can’t think of anyone who would not find this useful; for many a reader it will be life- changing. I will be giving out The Two Most Important Days this holiday season.”
—Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone
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“As someone in the business of helping people to discover, uncover and claim their most passionate life, I thought I’d read everything on the subject. Not so! I was waiting for this perfectly inspiring and exquisitely uplifting book.”
—Debbie Phillips, founder, Women on Fire®
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“Few books contain the wisdom and insights to be truly life-altering for the reader. This is one such gem of a book. Full of powerful, proven concepts woven together with engaging inspirational stories, The Two Most Important Days is a must-read for anyone committed to their own happiness and the happiness of those they love.”