Summary

Manson believes "when we feel that we're choosing our problems, we feel empowered. When we feel that our problems are being forced upon us against our will, we feel victimized and miserable" (91). He then tells the story of William James, a young man who suffered severe health issues and failed at everything from a painting career to medical school to an Amazonian anthropological expedition. James decided to take his own life, but before he did, he read the work of philosopher Charles Pierce and decided to "spend one year believing that he was 100 percent responsible for everything that occurred in his life, no matter what" (93). If, after doing "everything in his power to change his circumstances," nothing improved, he would then take his own life (93-94). William James went on "to become the father of American psychology" and he is now regarded "as one...