Maryann Da Silva, social worker and author, answers 6 questions about the inspiration behind her new release “Coping with the Ordinary and Making Life Extraordinary: 12 Pathways to a Happier Life.”
Maryann demonstrates that you can have a higher self-esteem and bring happiness into your life. Offering a no nonsense approach, she outlines practical suggestions that has personally worked for her and can work for you too. Maryann offers support 
and encouragement to anyone going through struggles or less than ideal circumstances. Maryann is passionate about her own journey and equally passionate about walking with others through theirs as they cope with the ordinary and make life extraordinary.
Yvonne Wu: “Thanks for this interview Maryann. Can we begin by having you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?”
Maryann Da Silva: “I am a social worker. I am a mother of two. I am a woman who has always been intrigued by connecting with people on a deeper level and how one goes about truly being happy. I work at trying to be the best person I can be. I enjoy meeting people and having really heartfelt and meaningful conversations. I began journaling off and on about 5 years ago. I started journaling on a more routine and regular basis about 2 years ago. As I continued journaling, my interests and several ideas were coming out which began forming the framework of my book.”
YW: “The title of your book, what does it mean?”
MS: “Coping with the Ordinary and Making Life Extraordinary, 12 pathways to a Happier Life” The title of my book is about dealing with the hard times in a person’s life in a healthy and productive way and how to make the day to day aspects of life extraordinary. There are 12 areas covered showing how a person can bring happiness into their life, rather than waiting for it.”
YW: “Your book mentions the term “Second set of beliefs” what do you mean?”
MS: “I talk about the second set of beliefs in Chapter 4 which focuses on the process or a person’s behavior instead of the outcome. The second set of beliefs describes the bigger picture of why we do what we do, our values and less on what we get in return. By focusing on the second set of beliefs we don’t get as worked up when things don’t go as we planned.”
YW: “How does this story resonate with women and men?”
MS: “Everyone wants to be happy and to feel good about herself or himself , women and men. This book outlines some very practical strategies and ideas that anyone can start trying any time. I write it in such a way that my personality and life comes across. I don’t consider myself an expert in happiness, but as someone who struggles and has challenges with it, just like everybody else; women and men.”
YW: “What was your greatest challenge writing this book?”
MS: “I would say my greatest challenge was the self-publishing part of it. My computer skills are limited and, being a first time writer, all of it was so new to me. It was a big learning curve when it came to the many readings of my book and the revisions. Many times I felt like giving up, but in my book I encourage people to persevere and not give up. I was constantly challenged to take my own advice.”
YW: “Can you tell us where we can find you and your book on the web?”
MS: “To purchase my book, one can go online to Amazon.com.”
