Seal Beach resident Dr. Marissa Pei (affectionately known as “Dr. Marissa”), an award-winning producer and celebrity host, will sign copies of her new book, “8 Ways To Happiness From Where You Are,” at noon, Aug. 11, at the Marina Pacifica Barnes and Noble.
She said the book is for people who want to be happy 88 percent of the time.
Pei, who is of Chinese heritage (she calls herself “The Asian Oprah”), said eight is a lucky number in Chinese.
Pei said she wants sales of the book to hit high numbers because she believes this is the time for people to become happy without taking anti-depressants.
She started working on the book after a $200,000 deal fell through.
Undaunted and optimistic, she decided to see what good might come of this development—and started writing. She fielded two offers—from questionable publishers—before accepting an offer from a traditional New York publishing house.
According to Pei, one in four Americans take anti-depressants. The good news in that, according to Pei, is that they are admitting they’re unhappy. The bad news: they are using a potentially permanent solution to treat a temporary problem. Pei expressed concern about the side-effects of taking anti-depressants, which can include suicide.
Pei believes recent reports of celebrities who took their own lives has highlighted the problem, which has been bothering her for some time.
Pei, a corporate psychologist, acknowledged she is an optimist. She is not, however, naïve. “Pain in life is normal,” she said.
“For the person who has been sidelined by trauma in the past, this is a book of hope,” she said.
She said you need to get past the belief systems you were fed as a kid. (She calls belief systems B.S. for short.)
Pei has lived in Seal Beach since 1998.
Pei hosts the award-winning positive talk radio/TV show “Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It: Get Balanced with Dr. Marissa.” Her show is syndicated on IHeartRADIO, CNBC/NBC News Radio KCAA AM FM home of Dave Ramsey and the Stephanie Miller Show. The show features celebrity interviews and advice on personal well being.
Pei’s new book focuses on exercises that “gently cajole” readers to let go of past pain and love themselves because “pain is mandatory but suffering is optional.” Dr. Marissa calls the book a cross between ‘I’m OK you’re OK’ and ‘You’re STILL OK’ and ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff AND the big stuff’.”
Part of the proceeds from the sale will go to Habitat for Humanity.
