This month has been filled with meaningful, intentional engagements — the kind that both enrich and stretch us — so my planned reading has gently shuffled itself down the priority list. I haven’t even managed to finish Sue’s manuscript of her first novel (I’m hoping that will be the subject of a 2026 blog!).
So, what to do when our rhythm calls for a Book Recommendation and life has been… full?
I did what some of you may have done — I reached for our own book. On page 284 of My Manifesto: a compassionate guide to reveal your best life we share Appendix 5: 50+ Authentic Living Books That We Love. As I scanned down this list, smiling at memories of the insights that sit inside each one, one book in particular called out to me — Christopher Peterson’s Pursuing the Good Life.
This big-little book has been a favourite of mine for well over a decade. It’s small in size, thick in content, and bursting with 100 reflections from one of the true pioneers of positive psychology. Chris Peterson — the late, great professor from the University of Michigan — was a globally respected researcher, teacher, and mentor. Among numerous awards, he was honoured with the American Psychological Association’s Presidential Citation for his contribution to the field. He was also the co-author, with Martin Seligman, of the 800-page landmark text Character Strengths and Virtues, a definitive classification that continues to guide wellbeing science worldwide.
I was fortunate to meet and know Chris personally. Between 2009 and 2012 he visited Geelong Grammar School three times — speaking with students, running workshops, and living with our community. His warmth, humour, and humanity were as memorable as his intellect. His passing in 2012 was deeply felt across the wellbeing community; Martin Seligman described him as “a mensch — a person of great integrity and honour.”
Back to the book itself. Pursuing the Good Life sits on the top shelf of my bookcase, facing outwards so that the colourful dots on the cover can greet me. It reminds me of Chris’s generous spirit, his delight in people, and his ability to distil big ideas into simple, practical reflections.
Each short chapter was originally a blog — a thought, an insight, or a question to help us live a little more intentionally in our families, workplaces, and communities. As I flipped through the dog-eared pages of my copy, I found myself returning to favourite titles like:
Every one of Chris’ reflections invites us to pause, consider, and reconnect with what matters most.
To our My Manifesto mates, I encourage you to look up Chris Peterson — the researcher, the teacher, the storyteller, the human being. I’m sure you will be enriched by his writing and by his life.
And of course, I highly recommend Pursuing the Good Life. I will leave you with several of Chris’s most enduring messages — ones that have travelled with me for many years:
“Other People Matter. Period.”
“Other People Matter. Period. Anything that builds relationships between and among people is going to make you happy.”
“Other people matter, and we can matter more to others if we matter less to ourselves.”
“Other people matter. But few of them are mind readers. Let them know that they matter. They might benefit. And you certainly will.”
So today, in Chris’s honour, I invite you to let someone know that they matter to you. A small message, a brief moment, a gentle gesture — just as Chris would have wished.
Many thanks, Chris.
Go well.