5 comments about Leap!: What Will We Do with the Rest of Our Lives?.

1. Personally, I thought the book was a huge disappointment. I was looking forward to reading about ideas on "What will I do with the rest of my life". What I read dealt with people who have made millions of dollars and what THEY did with the rest of their life. I don't have money that is disposable like these people and I think the book was highly overrated! I can't travel to other countries to check out a new place to live, I can't build my dream home, and I certainly don't know any of these people personally. What a waste of my reading time.............



2. I have not finished this book but was a bit disappointed as I thought it would be a more general opinion. It seems to be more about the author's personal life rather than general observations...



3. Very helpful to the baby-boomers...While written from a woman's point of view, it touches issues that must be common to men and women both.
   
   A must read!



4. I would've given this book a "zero star" rating if that was available. It was new-age blather, and there are already lots of sources for that. It mainly consists of interviews with folks who were either rich or famous (or both), not a lot of relevance for the average person who wants to figure out what to do with our remaining years. When she went on the two-week volunteer session to India, and her fellow volunteers described the author as "spoiled, needy, demanding and condescending", they nailed it. I'd just add narcissism to that list of her traits. It seems this was her own quest for self-fulfillment, with little to offer us in terms of helping us find our own self-fulfillment. Very disappointed, could not recommend this book.



5. I really enjoyed this book. This book gave me a new meaning to life. Always look forward to tomorrow, and at the end of the day, nothing really matters for everything is temporary. So enjoy every moment of your life!
   
   By giving real life examples, the author demonstrates that it is never too late to start anew. Some people achieve more in their old age, so never give up, regardless of your age. She starts off by citing herself as an example. After writing several bestseller books and many successful TV scripts, the author found herself without a job. Her books, scripts, and magazine articles were being rejected. She thought that it was the end of the world. But it was not so. We are all given second, third, fourth, and fifth chances. And if need be, we can be given many more chances. The author soon reclaims her previous glory, and this book `Leap!' is now on the New York Times bestselling books 30 years after her last bestselling book, `Loose Change'.
   
   The author draws on the experience of famous people such as Carly Simon (who ends up having a hit after many in the music industry gave up on her); Jane Fonda (she demonstrates that there is life after the smash hit `Barbarella), Iman (a model from Ethiopia who ends up being a sensation in New York and ends up marrying David Bowie); and many others. You will also hear stories from writers, professors, psychologists, and spiritual leaders.
   
   The chapter on spiritual leaders was my favorite one, for I found it very controversial. One Indian guru says that organized religions are bad, for no one can tell you the path you should take. Every person should find his own path that leads to the truth. No two persons can take the same path. Put in other words, "truth is a pathless land, and it cannot be approached by any path whatsoever, by any religion, or any sect. The spoken or written word is not the truth...if an organization be formed for this purpose, it becomes a crutch, a weakness, a bondage, and must cripple the individual." (p. 244). To find the truth, we must be absolutely and unconditionally free! I found this concept interesting. This same guru abolished his own sect, despite the objection of his followers, for again, he was against organized religions and sects.
   
   Another guru leaves all his worldly belongings and lives a life of spirituality and begging. He neglects his body so much that he does not feel the bugs eating at his body. Is this the way to attain the ultimate truth? Which path will you follow?
   
   Who are we, and who is asking the question? Are we our body, or our conscious; or maybe both? When we reflect on our life, who is doing the reflecting? Who is observing our life? Who is the observer? Is the observer our conscious? I found those questions very intriguing. To find the answers to these questions is worth living every minute of our life, and this is what this book is all about!
   
   I am by no means old, but I do constantly think about death. As the author explains, some Indian gurus recommend we meditate on death on a daily basis. We will all die, and we better accept this fact at an early age. Knowing that one day we will die should give us power. With death looming over our head, we are actually motivated to enjoy life for we know that one day it will all end.
   
   By thinking about dying, I actually empower myself. Whenever things don't go the way I want them too, or whenever I am sad, lonely, or depressed, I think of death. I say to myself, "One day I will day, and none of this will matter." This thought is enough to put me back on my feet with zeal! Thinking of death is not such a bad thing after all!
   
   It is never too late to enjoy life and start new careers. As the author explains, some people start new careers in their sixties and seventies! Others acquire new hobbies such as learning new languages.
   
   The strange thing is that some people opt to end their lives rather than get old. Dying is one thing, getting old is another. It might be easier to accept death than a long life of suffering and inactivity due to old age. The author discusses this and offers real life examples.
   
   The book ends with two pages entitled, "Reading Group Questions and Topics for Discussion." This is the first time I see this in a book (other than in text books), and I think it is a great addition for reading groups. Some of the discussion questions you will find:
   
   1. Why was `surrender' painful for the author? Did her understanding of surrender change? (None of us should ever surrender. It is never too late to start anew. There is always light at the end of the tunnel).
   
   2. Have you considered having plastic surgery or decided against it? Did reading the author's report on a face lift affect your thinking? (After reading her chapter on plastic surgery, I don't think I'd ever recommend it to any healthy person).
   
   3. The author explores whether we're `hard-wired' to seek a romantic partner. What is your experience? (I personally think we are `hard-wired' to seek our other half!)
   
   4. Davidson discovers a great range of sexual behavior after fifty, from those who give it up to those who discover new sensations. What intrigued or disturbed you about her reporting on sexuality? (The chapter on sexuality was intriguing and I learnt things I never knew. I am sure many readers will find that chapter both informative and enjoyable. The passages on the G-spot were quite informative).
   
   5. The author says we're a society of workaholics, but the imperative is not merely to work but to align yourself with your purpose. How would you go about doing that? (Life is not all about work. What's the point of having a career and being successful if you are not happy? Our goal should be to attain happiness, not success. Success might be a by-product of happiness).
   
   6. If you knew the world was going to end in two days, what would you do? (This is one of the most important questions in this book. Whatever you think you should do, DO IT NOW!)
   
   7. Is there such a thing as `rational suicide'? (I am personally against suicide, but if I was terminally ill (God forbid) and saw the suffering of those around me as a result of my hopeless state, would I contemplate suicide to end the misery of my loved ones? If one commits suicide as a selfless act, would that be `rational suicide'?)
   
   8. What's the purpose of a `life review'? (A `life-review' will make you the observer, separating you from `the you'. You are no longer `you' but the observer).
   
   Note: If you purchased `Leap!' you may download the free workbook, which has exercises to help you define what's right for you in the years ahead. Go to saradavidson.com and click on `Free Workbook."
   
   To sum up, I think the back cover of the book summarizes the importance of this book: "Davidson holds up a mirror for readers, allowing them to see not only themselves and those around them but their potential futures...and the possibilities are boundless."

5 comments about Adult Children of Abusive Parents: A Healing Program for Those Who Have Been Physically, Sexually, or Emotionally Abused.

1. I could not finish this book. In part one I kept reading about daughters being molested by their fathers and step-fathers -- it was too much.



2. If you have been abused: sexually, mentally or verbally by a parent or guardian, and you are the walking "wounded", you need to read this book. It helps you to get past all that trauma, forgive that person and go on with your life. Forgiveness doesn't mean you'll ever forget, it means you let go. There's so much you can do on your own and this is a great start!!
   
   Paula



3. This book made me feel the pain of those who have suffered at the hands of abusive parents. It proved to be useful for my course project.



4. I found that this book, although promising a fresh look at the age old problems of adult children of abuse, falls short in the long run. Adults who experienced abuse as children are usually well aware of that abuse. This book deals with uncovering the abuse, and then takes, in my opinion, controversial steps at therapy. Those steps include a "reconstruction of the past" in essence fabricating lies and letting those lies replace the truths of the abuse. I, for one, was looking for a way to defeat the anger I feel, not reconstruct my past into some idyllic existence. For me, living a lie where I remember parents who never existed would only be compounding the problem.
   So, I cannot recommend this book as part of an affective regimen of therapy.



5. I get the idea that most of the people writing reviews of these books are Psychologists and aren't people who were actually abused.. I thought there were a few good ideas. It was good at showing what characteristics people who were abused have, but most people who were abused already know they have all these characteristics. They are trying to figure out what "normal" is and how to get from point A to point B, and to be honest if they are buying this book, they're buying this book to get help and not to come up with all the theories and all. That said, it's still better than most of the other books I've read, and it still has good ideas that are worth getting the book for. There's a section on listening to what's around you.. I had been going to the swimming pool several times a week for the past few years, and I never really heard the sounds of the water splashing, or the kids playing, or the lifeguard, or the parents sitting there, I just tuned it all out, like everything and everyone else.
   
   but it's still not a lot of help to a person who has been abused. It's really more for therapists to be honest, and that does me little good, to be honest. but I'm still glad I got the book,a nd I don't regret getting it. Some of them are a waste.

5 comments about The Re-Education of the Female.

1. This book was terrible. It completely demeaned women yet its directed to us. The author had some valid points, but he had alot more that was totally invalid. Calling us b*tches and telling us not to listen to God was the icing on the cake. I gave him one star because of the valid points he did make. I'm not commenting specifically on those because the book over all is not worth it. When he says if you are weak, timid, or if you start crying while reading this book, etc... He's not lying. He cuts women up badly, and if your self esteem is low, it will hit a new low after reading this mess.



2. If this is what men want, women should stay single. I rather be dead than "re-educated" to this nutters standards.



3. Women need this book like a fish needs a bicycle.
   
   I'd rather be single than be 're-educated' into being an obedient bimbo. The kind of man I would catch if I moulded myself into a woman like that is not the kind of man I would ever WANT to catch, so why bother?
   
   The guy who wrote this book has never been married and says he's never truly been in love (which is something his girlfriend must love hearing!), so what makes him think he's qualified to write a book like this? He's a computer expert...and how many I.T. guys do you know who are experts on women? I could count the ones I know of on the Venus de Milo's fingers. The writer knows a bit about what some men, men like himself, are like. But not all men. And he knows nothing about women.
   
   This is the kind of book you laugh at, and don't take seriously. If you're looking for a genuine self-help book, keep looking, unless you believe the road to happiness should involve becoming a doormat, and that your partner's happiness is far more important than your own. And if you're a bit on the plump side, definitely avoid reading this book, unless you're into torturing yourself and think your self-esteem could use some lowering.



4. The author has never been married, admits to "never having found true love", and is the absentee father of an 11-year-old from a "previous relationship". Sounds to me like he's never emotionally developed beyond adolescence to me, and no woman would actually WANT to be married to him, and I wouldn't blame them a bit.
   
   Ladies, don't buy this book, unless you like being angry, or unless you're looking for something to laugh at. Even then, purchase it from a used book store (there should be plenty of them used, assuming previous purchasers don't burn the thing outright), so the author doesn't see a single penny from the purchase, because he doesn't deserve to be rewarded for being a misogynist.
   
   Would have rated this with zero stars, if the review system here would allow me to do so.



5. I wish this thing had negetive stars. Don't waste your money, instead go buy a book that wont embarrass you when you tell people what you've been reading lately.

5 comments about Should I Stay Or Go? : How Controlled Separation (CS) Can Save Your Marriage.

1. Excellent book and innovative concept. Very good case studies; one or two that will likely apply to the reader's own situation. The title misleads just a bit in that I thought the book was going to help me then-and-there as to whether I should stay or go. It deals more with the task of separating and the rules that go along with it, so that you CAN decide whether to stay or go. I found that this book was excellent as a second-read, behind "Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay." Would absolutely recommend both books for that delicate situation of being in a shaky, unresolved marriage.



2. I really liked the book. It was easy to read and had a lot of useful information. I liked the different relationship examples. Although not one of them were exactly us...there were a few similarities in many of the relationships we could relate to. We did use the contract format, made our own revisions and agreements (although we decided we didn't need a formal signed agreement, we at least covered the points we needed and included a small blurb about the finances as well).
   A great way to help make decisions in a rational way!



3. In the heat of a break up, this book gives practical advice on how to discern what is the best route to take. It was recommended on a chat sight for divorcing couples and I would highly recommend it to people who are still within a disfunctional relationship.



4. Thid wonderful book helps one recognize and intergrate emotional, intellectual and financial consideraions and to rationally consider options.



5. I found this book to be an excellent resource for dealing with my own personal seperation. It gives excellent advice that has already help settle down all the turbulent emotions and is allowing for calmer minds on both sides. Very well written, easy to follow and very real world advice.

5 comments about Born To Win: Transactional Analysis With Gestalt Experiments.

1. I had this book as a text in college. It was an eye opener. It enabled me to communcate with others more easily. This book has been used for years and its information seems to be timeless. Understanding the Ego states, many beleive, is the foundation for intelligent communication and understanding with others.



2. I have been a practicing pychologist for almost thirty years. have my original yellowed copy with broken back, prominant on my shelf. I refer people to this book and work them through it as a course in thinking and feeling change!
   
   It is clear and understandable. I was taught Transactional Analysis by my Clinical professor. We also used TA in the theraputic community when I was a prison psychologist. The authors combine gestalt process along with transactional models. Eric Berne the creator of TA was trained in Freudian Psychology so there is some parallels. But the language is concrete and the sources of the content are tangible. It is a process oriented book, with some insight thrown in.
   
   There is criticism about a lack of philosophical orientation, but I continue to recomend this book after many years, and send my patients/clients out to find it. Hopefully we will continue to keep it being published.
   
   Possibly an updated version? Why? You may not be old enough to remember when the grocery store gave out gold and green stamps for merchandise redemtion? So the idea of collecting stamps as a way of describing building up feelings of injustice may be confusing.
   
   I have used this as a text in bibliotherapy for some clients who radically changed there lives before my eyes.
   
   I highly recomend this book! I actually do! In my practice!



3. By looking at the previous reviews I had great hopes of learning something useful from the book. I am greatly disappointed there is nothing to learn. there is nothing more than common sense in the book. I am sorry may be I should say common sense of blabbering people. It is like saying if u are able to see it means there light there. or may be if it is looking like a day there is sun there etc. We all know how many different ways we feel and behave , like some times we are angry sometimes we are sad some times we are contemplative etc. We do not need a book from so called psychologists to say that. If u can read some religious book like bagavad gita or koran or bible they will give 1000 times more wisdom and and also show us a path to go by to improve ourselves.
   I recommand the book "The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran " to get great insights into the issues we deal with in our lives. Here this book is given one star, because the s/w does not permit me to give 0 stars.I am hoping to save precious time of some people intending to read this book, by this review.



4. I have a degree in counseling with a minor in psychology. Through the years I have read and studied many psychology books and texts. This is one I consistently come back to and I think that says a lot. For a layman's understanding of basic human behavior, I have only found one other book that has been as useful (Talking to Yourself - Pamela Butler).



5. This book was very enlightening to say the least. It is not the easiest book to read in that it is disturbing. It brings to light the fact that none of us are singular in the world of emotional pain.

5 comments about Getting Real: Ten Truth Skills You Need to Live an Authentic Life.

1. Getting Real is an honest and straightforward book about freedom. Many of us, perhaps most of us, learn from early childhood experiences that it's not safe to be ourselves. We take on false beliefs that become part of our adult lives. This book shows us, step by step, how to free ourselves from the need to control how others view us and find the
   freedom that comes from "relating" as opposed to "controlling."

   The book is organized around 10 truth skills that help us learn to communicate authentically and discover that "we are most loveable when we are most transparent." When we speak from our own experience instead of from our judments and interpretations, we enter the realm of the here-and-now. We learn to communicate our honesty with presence and compassion, instead of trying to prove ourselves right.

   Dr. Campbell, a corporate consultant and seminar leader, has found that when people practice these skills, their fear of speaking honestly dissolves. They develop an unshakeable sense of inner safety and security, so they no longer need to control other peoples' opinions or reactions.

   Indeed, Getting Real teaches us everything from how to experience reality and how to be transparent (feeling good about revealing your true self) to how to assert your wants and how to embrace silence in a relationship. Dr. Campbell writes, "Profound things happen when two people sit face-to-face and openly explore their feelings toward each other in the present." Susan Campbell, Ph.D. has, in this reviewer's opinion, given us the ability to see and appreciate our true selves!




2. I cannot speak to how this book will impact others but for myself I found that with each passing chapter I found MYSELF in those pages. I kept thinking over past relationships and how I had done almost every single thing WRONG. This book does not come off as some "new agey" kind of "I'm OK, you're OK" cra*. It just asks you to look at yourself; Look at how you are relating to the world and then suggests a different way of relating.

   Ask yourself, "Am I happy with my life, my relationships?" If the answer is no I think this book is worth a read. It gets especially useful if you can get family and friends to participate. That can really help you get through barriers you thought were sealed for life.




3. After reading Radical Honesty I quite accidentally came across this book in the library! And while I found Radical Honesty compelling and challenging, I also felt uncertain of my ability to truly practice the skills Brad Blantoon proposed.
   Susan Campbell presents many of the same challenges to her readers, but gives such powerful concrete examples that I found it easier to understand and begin to apply in my own life.
   The Truth Skills are clear, very comprehendable, and while simple in that way, for me living them will be a challenge.
   I scored high on all of her self-assessment quizzes - and yet I did not read the book and come away feeling like I am some sort of failure as a person, just that I am indeed like most of the people roaming this earth. What makes me different is my desire to change and grow. Where I see myself failing most significantly in my life is in the area of communicating and relating in healthy ways. Learning to live in "what IS" and not what I imagine, learning to relate and not control, and to listen closely to my self-talk, to feel free to communicate and to be ABLE to communicate and to be real, for example, for me will be life changing.
   I cannot recommend this book highly enough!



4. This is an excellent and very practical book on authentic and effective communication. It is written in a very readable style and presented in a way that is logical, coherent and easy to assimilate. Many of the ideas put forth in this book are not the standard fare ones sees within this genre. When the ideas are what you may have encountered in other readings, they are presented in a fresh light. The one minor criticism I have is that I found the book a bit heavy on case histories or stories. For me, this is somewhat of a weakness, but I know for others this can be a strength. If they had a 4.5 star category, I might lower my rating a bit because of this. Two books that I have found complimentary to this one are Crucial Conversations and Difficult Conversations. I would consider both of these to be excellent books for dealing with family or relationship conflict and they build on the philosophy and concepts presented in this book. This book is more heart centered than the other two and go more deeply into specific conflict resolution concepts. All of them, however, assume a principled, authentic and heart-centered approach to dealing with others.



5. Not just psychobabble and a soapbox for the writer, which a lot of these type books are--- a very enlightening read for anyone--- from teenagers up.

5 comments about Status Anxiety.

1. The author provides a wide breath of historical and cultural information. The book is an invaluable resource for anyone who is not caught up in the pursuit of high status. The tone is straight forward and sympathetic.



2. Status Anxiety as coined by Alain de Botton, is probably one of the most important aspects of modern western life, as it is propably one of the greatest causes for unhappiness in us modern supermarket folk.
   
   His book dives deep into this issue, and shows how the lack of Status Anxiety can bring one much more happiness.



3. Status Anxiety sets out to use philosophy, art, history and economics to describe and understand what drives us to seek status and why we become envious of the success of those around us. This book is not a philosophy text and, like Alain's other books, is written in an easy to read style and tackles the question in an interesting and thoughtful way.
   
   The book is written in two parts, with the first covering the causes of status anxiety, which Alain De Botton sets out as being lovelessness, snobbery, expectation, meritocracy and dependence. In each case he sets out to explore what is the driver of each form of status anxiety, delving into numerous historical examples to explain his case.
   
   The second section of the book details what he believes could be solutions of the afore mentioned problems. These solutions include and examination of status within philosophy, art, politics, Christianity and Bohemia culture and concludes that while each of these groups did not do away with status, they attempted to remould what status was. This therefore allows those who do not quite fit into what their generation's idea of status is, to comfortably find their place in society and to have status somewhere within society.
   
   Alain writes in an easy to read style and fills his books with interesting and appropriate pictures, diagrams and draws on a wide variety of sources to make his point. Thought easy to read, each chapter has, none the less, a depth to each discussion and are in no way intellectually floppy.
   
   While this book is not in anyway a philosophy text book, the ideas it raises and the thoughts it generates are complex in their nature and Alain has used many non-philosophical arguments and examples to back up his case.



4. My mother enjoyed Alain de Botton's book Status Anxiety on cd, read by the author- so she suggested I listen to it on a road trip I took recently. So I did, and I liked it well enough, but found the author's voice very cool and uninteresting, inflectionless. I was surprised, looking at the label of the cd to find that it was abridged, so I bought a copy of the book at a local bookshop and there was so much in it that was not on the cd, not to mention all the pictures (of course). This abridged cd version left out the entire section on Humor, for one thing, and many interesting details- I have not had time to comb through and discover how many.
   I got her the audio book because she cannot read anymore, because of her bad eyesight. Now I see there is a new, unabridged version- what a pity that she had to listen to the abridged one instead.



5. Like a series of footnotes to an otherwise non-existent text, SA is a collection of so many observations -- few of them original, many of them interesting, all of them all the more interesting for their juxtaposing. SA is a bit of philosophy, a bit of history, a bit of sociology, and some other bits tossed in a bowl and stirred together. The resulting brew had just enough caffeine to keep me awake and alert from start to finish, and just enough flavor to please the palate. Having finished, I now have a keener sense of why status anxiety is, ever was, and will likely ever be a significant force in human affairs. Overall, a pleasurable and thought-provoking read.

5 comments about The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember.

1. A nice little book full of simple, innocuous sayings displaying a keen grasp of the obvious. But by and large, I didn't find anything that really grabbed me, anything that made me think "Wow!" I did find one or two exceptions to this. Rogers writes:
   
   "Sometimes, though, I wonder if we confuse strength with other words - like aggression, and even violence."
   
   I wonder what Mister Rogers would have made of politicians defining "strength" as "support for war."



2. This is a very thoughtful book that includes the wit and wisdom of Mr. Rogers, in an easy-to-read format that is both interesting and educational. I can't imagine anyone who doesn't know who Mr. Rogers is. Like virtually all American Children of the '80s & '90s I grew up watching Mr. Rogers. Of course I didn't know it then, but looking back, Mr. Rogers was a very unique person. Mr. Rogers was perhaps the only man in modern pop-culture who was able to speak to kids in such an honest and intelligent way. Mr. Rogers taught me the importance of compassion and the importance of never taking anyone (or anything) for granted. I recommend this book to anyone with a heart and a mind.



3. We purchased this book for a gift to our preschool teachers. They really enjoyed it.



4. The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start
   
   I love Mister Rogers' writing style; his straightforwardness which was also gentle. This book is written in the simple language that he's known for -- even younger children will understand. Read it to yourself and dare, as he did, to be yourself. Read it to your children to encourage them in the "important things to remember" in life.



5. Those of us who grew up with Mister Rogers will never forget him. He never talked down to us. He instead chose to speak to us as equals. He wasn't trying to sell us anything, make us "feel cool," or make us part of an "exclusive club." He told us always to remember: "I like you just the way you are." He was arguably the healthiest cult of personality ever produced by mass media.
   
   This tiny book distills some of the wisdom that Fred Rogers shared with our now aging generation. As we grow up and social pressures have us fighting for prestige, fame, power, money, or imagined immortality, the simple stories, aphorisms and song lyrics in this tiny book can help remind us what's really important in life. Adults need this as much as kids. And like Rogers' television show, this book is never condescending, shallow, or cheesy. It contains nothing more than simple and concentrated wisdom.
   
   Fred Rogers dedicated his life, and his unique ministry, to showing us that we're all neighbors. As the introduction by his wife Joanne shows, this attitude seeped into Rogers' private life: "He worked so hard at being other-oriented (not self-centered) that he'd often express himself by using the first person plural." His 1999 acceptance speech for the Television Hall of Fame, also included here, avoided all self-congratulation and instead urged us that "...we have the choice of encouraging others to demean this life or to cherish it in creative, imaginary ways."
   
   Fred was a good neighbor.

5 comments about Finding Your Way Home: A Soul Survival Kit.

1. I first read this book about 8 years ago and reread it this year. I thought it was excellent as a first read, and even better the second time around. It has definitely changed my life in a very positive way once again. I am going to keep this one on my nightstand for times when I need simple reminders to guide me through difficult situations. Though they seem simplistic at first glance, her ideas and suggestions are extremely profound and wonderful for those of us searching for peace.



2. Ok book. I don't much like the remedies at end of many of the activities, but the main text is pretty good. I underlined a lot of things that were powerful to me.



3. This book has a much more of a "new age" feel to it than Codependent No More. This might be a selling point for someone else, but it was a real turn off for me. Codependent No More and Beyond Codependency are still my favorites by her.



4. I have long been a fan of Melody Beattie and this book is no different. Very well written and based on Melody's life experiences, this book helped me understand that, really, I am not alone in my confusion with my life.



5. I searched for this book, based on my familiarity with Beattie's other helpful works. I found a chapter entitled, "Healing Fear," read a few paragraphs, and decided this book was a keeper. This ability to find a title of a chapter and not follow any sequential order is a strength of the book for me. This particular chapter on healing fear is concrete, specific and rich with examples and simple truths that help me.
   
   Beattie offers mantras as the end of each chapter. Some have wording that I find awkward, even with repetition. Others I use easily. Her concept of a "Soul Survival Kit" resonates with me, as I relate well to visual images.
   
   The book is a good resource for me when I find I have wandered off track and need balance restored in my life. Thumbing through the index, or selecting a particular chapter title always offers me some wisdom.

5 comments about Everyday Positive Thinking.

1. Regardless of where you are in your life, you can take away something of real value from this little book. It's uplifting, reassuring, empowering, challenging, and grounding. The affirmations and insights provide a great start for everyday.



2. This book is filled with quotes and sayings, all inspirational, all meaningful.
   This morning I felt angry at myself for not doing something as well as I'd expected. I opened the book and one of the first quotes I saw was, "Release the need to blame anyone, including yourself. We're all doing our best with the understanding, knowledge, and awareness we have." -Louise L. Hay
   This moved me, how well it fit me at that moment. I took to the quote and forgave myself, realizing that it is useless to try to be perfect.

   I recommend this book to anyone who gets inspired by quotes. If you are one of those people that needs to read a story to be inspired, this is not a book for you. But if you like to open a book anywhere and read a quote and be inspired, buy this book right now.




3. This is a chunky little book of positive sayings. Each page has a flower or leaf background (all done in purple shades)and a short paragraph that contains a saying, quote or other inspirational advice from various sources.
   
   The idea is to randomly open the book and read a couple of positive thoughts and it will help to improve your outlook for the day, or maybe the situation your dealing with.
   
   The small size would make this a great little gift book.



4. Everyday Positive Thinking may look small but inside of it are extremely profound ideas and concepts, all geared to helping you make your life more fruitful and satisfying. As a positive psychologist, I am all for that. I love so many of Louise Hay's choices of quotes and comments. For example, "Celebrate every relationship you've ever had. For better or worse, your relationsips are your best teachers." Christiane Northrup, M.D. How well do I know that, as a psychologist. As my clients explore their relationships they get in better tune with themselves and the outside world! This is a little book that everyone should have on her desk.Enchanted Self: A Positive Therapy (New Directions in Therapeutic Intervention , Vol 1)



5. In this world filled with so much negativity, it's nice to read a book all about postive thinking. Louise L. Hay is the queen of postive thinking and we need more people like her in this world. This little book has quotes from many other various people (such as Deepak Chopra, Suze Orman, Stephen Covey, Wayne Dyer, etc...) as well as Louise Hay. More than 400 pages, you can read a quote a day as inspiration.