5 comments about The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Pocketbook Guide to Fulfilling Your Dreams (One Hour of Wisdom).

1. This book had good information overall. I just wish it had more new informaiton rather than... I recommend it.



2. Spiritual Laws - not necessarily based on religion. Things we should all follow through on every day of our lives. What a nice world it would be.



3. Great compact summary of Deepak Chopra's work. A little book that you can read again and again for inspiration. Good bedtime reading.



4. I read the book in an hour. It is a good pocket book. I find by just reading the summary of each chapter is enough on a daily basis.



5. A must read. A short concise, yet profound inspirational reading. I found in it a summary of my believes and a practical guide to success. I have already bought more than a dozen copies that I have given to family, friends and those in need of hope. Specially good for those not so fond of reading, because they can do it very quickly while learning a great deal. Thanks Deepak!

5 comments about The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life (Chopra, Deepak).

1. ...who is ill prepared .
   The first chapter sets you up for a fantastic quest , The book fails to answer its own questions. A lot of antecdotal fluff.



2. A very rich book where fifteen secrets are presented that can change our lives in all aspects . I found myself smiling, while reading and enjoying the eloquent words of Mr. Chopra, in the journey towards enlightenment. This book is a very complete spiritual guide that can be used for every day life regardless of your age or profession...
   
   It reminded me of a book by my favorite authors Ariel and Shya Kane, titled Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Can Instantaneously Transform Your Life. I have experientially discovered how to open my heart to the limitless possibilities of life thru their principles of Transformation, and find myself living a more satisfied and easy life.



3. I thought as a person with so many credentials, Chopra would cite all the references he made. i was disapointed he started out the book by stating that our cells "talk" to each other and are willing to commit "suicide" for the body. But he had no medical journals or valid references to back his claims. I prefer that if a book is going to state a fact, that it has the ability to back it up.



4. Mystical organizations have existed in this world for centuries. All of them proclaiming to help one over come the world of maya, of form, or illusion. This book blew my dress up over my head (slang for really really really big breakthroughs)! Mr C unlocks many old concepts this society places on our minds and can help a person understand the world from a higher perspective.
   
   Once we discover what was done to us - then we can fix it - Mr C's discussion of the mind as well as indepth analysis of maya is done with clear cut percision. He writes as if he is operating on a person and his scapel of thought will help cut away many old ideas in order for YOU to evolve.
   
   Mr. C seems to be a man on a mission - to write of the deep secrets these many mystical traditions have held secret takes courage and and sense of dedication to humanity. Mr. C is on his path to help us all wake up and return to our soul essence. If you are ready to evolve, to know more about the true you - for the final frontier is in your mind and to see this and yourself with new eyes, get this book - and enjoy the ride to a new field of awareness. Are you up to it? I hope so - a book that is definitely a keeper for it will not only unlock you - you will become unleashed and go into your life vowing to live anew.



5. I'm a big fan of all Chopra's work. I found this particular book even more to my liking than usual as he attempts to intermingle some science into his thinking. If he's going to begin leaning in this direction, even ever so slightly, it will only endear him to me more fully. I tend to focus much more fully on the practical, but have non-the-less, enjoyed reading his musings for the pure beauty and warmth of the message. -Sarah Shikitao-Brown, Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition]

3 comments about The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child At a Time.

1. This is a great book about institutionalizing 7 Habits in Kindergartens and Primary schools. It is far better written than Living the 7 Habits, the 8Th Habit, and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, since this is a real case book on how the 7 Habits paradigm was applied in teaching leadership to kids. The book is well written because it is written in plain English and less pretentious than Covey's the 8Th habit (which is poorly written and filled with theoretical jargons).
   
   Covey shows a lot of passion in educating future kids with correct principles that ignite their "primary greatness" like integrity, honesty, and responsibility. Many schools these days focus on developing kids' competence in many academic subjects, but not necessarily developing their character.
   
   This book is not only a good read for parents, teachers, and educators, but also for 7 habits lovers. Looking forward to reading more books written by Covey on 7 Habits real case histories and applications in the real world, especially in the business setting. Many of his previous books are too theoretical and focusing purely on principles (Living the 7 Habits is more like a "customer testimonials" book which is too much of a PR exercise!). This book certainly helps Covey break new ground in his book authoring approach.



2. This book begins with 8 pages of testimonies from Teachers, Community leaders, School Principals, and other Administrators all praising Steven Covey and his effective methods of success. The man is also the grandfather of 50 children and has trained heads of states and CEO's all over the world. What more reasons do you need to read the book? Let me give you some.
   
   The book instructs you put your children in mind stimulating environments. Covey praises this elementary school in North Carolina called A.B. Combs Elementary throughout the book. He considers this school a role model for all schools in America as it is known for its great teachers who teach leadership skills to kids when they are still in kindergarten. It teaches them to be responsible and respectful children and prepares them for greatness by teaching them the 7 habits.
   
   The 3rd chapter titled Crafting a Blueprint is probably the most important one in the book. It talks about the approach called "the ubiquitous strategy" which is designed to motivate students to reach their true potential. Schools must go beyond teaching academic skills to instilling in children leadership skills that prepare them for life's challenges. The chapter ends with a quote from Booker T. Washington that I think should be memorized: "Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him." The earlier a child learns to be responsible, the sooner he or she will mature and develop into a confident person with a strong work ethic.
   
   Children these days are pampered and spend way too much time in front of the television. If they are not challenged in school, they will not be prepared to stand on their own two feet when the time comes for them to be independent. We can prepare kids to be adults by allowing them to participate in adult activities and do the things that we expect grown people to do. When I looked at the picture on page 83 of a boy in the fifth grade giving a speech to 140 adults, I thought about how valuable public speaking skills can be and how it is never too early to teach them. At the end of the book, he mentions the story of Helen Keller and how she was blind and deaf and had animal like behaviors but still ended up a successful student and person with the help of her mentor Anne Sullivan. Mr. Covey wants more Anne Sullivan's who will go out of their way to get children to learn and not just view teaching as a way to collect a paycheck.
   
   The criticism that I have of this book is that it does not even mention teachers such as Rafe Esquith who has turned underprivileged and at risk youth of central Los Angeles into some of the highest achieving students in the nation. He could have at least taken some tips from him and incorporated it in his book. He also could have mentioned Ron Clark, a teacher who inspired students in Harlem and raised their test scores and self-esteem to incredibly high levels. Both teachers have written bestselling books about their teaching methods and I am sure they would not have minded if Mr. Covey used their names in his book. I recommend you read their books as well as this one and you will have the formula for producing excellent students and productive citizens of society.



3. I picked up this book in a Toronto book store. I started reading and could not stop!! This book is eye opening to what a real child's education should be all about. I am so excited and looking forward to incorporating these principles in my daughters's daily routine.

5 comments about The Road Less Traveled, 25th Anniversary Edition : A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth.

1. This is a great book for everyone!! Especially those who have had a hard life. I found great truths that have helped me overcome an abusive childhood.



2. IT WAS A SUBSTITUTE BUT PROMPT DELIVERY SERVICE.
   NOTHING ELSE TO SAY . HAVE NOT READ YET.



3. The Road Less Traveled is one of my favorite books of all time. Scott Peck gives a great perspective on life.
   Beginning with the quote "life is difficult".
   I have read almost all of Scott Peck's books and think he is amazingly talented.
   A MUST read.
   All the very best,
   Sarah Radford
   President Chic Gems, etc.



4. I have not read the entire book but I am on a spiritual journey and I found that this book is taking me there.I would love this book on tape which helps me to hear and remember it.I've always said I wanted peace and grace and there is a section on grace which I found that I was looking for. I want to buy the followup book on spiritual growth. I am going to try to find tapes also. The other book is......" Spiritual growth in an age of anxiety", and I think what better time then now,to discuss what is in this book. It is written by a well respected physician.



5. Dr. Peck should have cut this book in half and sold it as two separate books. I liked the first half, but disliked the second. It's divided in 4 sections. Here's my 1/10 grade on each section:
   
   DISCIPLINE: 7
   LOVE: 8
   GROWTH AND RELIGION: 4
   GRACE: 2
   
   As you can see, I believe the first two sections were much better than the last two sections. The book was getting interesting and then suddenly it took a sharp turn and went downhill after that.
   
   PROS:
   - Conversational writing style, although a bit long-winded at times.
   
   - Several engrossing ancedotes about his patients, especially in the section called love.
   
   - Each section is just a few pages, helping to make things flow.
   
   CONS:
   - Paragraphs are hard to digest: he often has enormous paragraphs that take up nearly the whole page.
   
   - Peck's tough love is a bit much. The book begins: "Life is difficult." He goes on to describe how tough everything is, the importance of discipline, and not to be lazy, etc.... Personally, I don't see life as being such a monumental struggle. Maybe I'm lucky, but I felt that too often Peck looks at situations as the glass being half full. I suspect his world view came from working with patients who had problems. He listened to people complain all day. If I had that job, I might also conclude that life is difficult. However, I felt like Peck was a military man ordering me around.
   
   - Too preachy. I have a degree in Religion, and perhaps because of that, I have a wider view of world religions than Peck. Although he occassionally mentions the Buddha, he is a strong Christian. There's nothing wrong with that, but I was expecting that this book would be less preachy. Some readers (like me) who expect this to be a secular book will be surprised by the religious turn it takes in Part 3.
   
   - It's shocking at the bottom of page 175 (in my early edition) where he says he would have sex with his patient if he thought it would help her! It's not surprising that later Peck would admit to having had several extra-marital affairs. His wife of 40+ years divorced him a few years before his death. My point is that such statements in this book make me lose confidence in his judgment and make me question everything he writes.
   
   - In the "Miracle of Evolution" section, he states that humanity is the top of evolution. This 19th century belief has been updated by most scientists in the 21st century. Humans are just on branch on the evolutionary tree, and not necessarily the highest branch. In a global nuclear war, mosquitoes may feel genetically superior to us because they will have survived.
   
   - He argues we are the center of the universe. I don't buy it. He writes, "We live our lives in the eye of God, and not at the periphery but at the center of His vision, His concern." God didn't even put us in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, but on its periphery. Maybe Peck's right, but he didn't convince me.
   
   WHO MIGHT LIKE IT: Traditional Christians will probably disagree with my review. Some Christians might love how Peck merges psychology and religion. I didn't.
   
   CONCLUSION: I had high expectations for this book, having heard much about it. It was more disjointed than I expected. The turn it takes halfway through the book is particularly unexpected. I prefer books like "Your Best Life Now!" where the author is up front with the reader about his intentions to preach his religious beliefs to him. Peck sneaks it in there and it's a turnoff.

5 comments about The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands.

1. Dr. Schlessinger's advice is right on.
   If you are looking for a GREAT relationship - she's got a valuable point of view.
   
   There is currently a war between men and women in our culture that inevitably threatens our relationships if we do not bring awareness to the fact that it exists and are not mindful of our unconscious participation in it.
   Her point is very direct: on the whole, women want relationship, so since we want it, why trash men so much? I am impressed by her honesty about this volatile issue because she is really interested in people having great, supportive, respectful, loving and satisfying relationships, and is not afraid to suggest that dropping the war with men can be the answer.
   I also highly recommend Ariel and Shya Kane's books: How to Create a Magical Relationship and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. They address how to have a relationship that is satisfying and magical by dropping both the war with men and the need to be 'independent' when what we really want is to be in a satisfying relationship. I deeply appreciate both Dr. Schlessinger's and the Kane's refreshingly direct points of view!
   Many thanks.



2. A must have book for future brides and wives alike! This book changed my understanding of men, especially my husband - I have made many positive changes in how I love and treat my husband!



3. I know this book is going to infuriate all the feminists out there who demand women are equal to men and feel absolutely horrified at the idea of putting out to make their husband happy. But ladies, deal with her advice- it works. She makes some compelling arguments and is not afraid to state the numerous practical ideas that can help save or revitalize a marriage. It's time for women to stop being to PC about everything, and realize that if they do not want to end up divorced, they should pay attention to what Dr. Laura says. As for her degree- I've known numerous therapists and psychologists who were so far off I am quite certain they purchased their degree. So what if she is a physiologist by training? At the end of the day, she makes compelling arguments and her ideas WORK. If women are interested in saving their marriage, they'll get over their pride and all the I'm-a-woman-hear-me-roar business and follow her advice.



4. This is one of the most offensive books I have read about marriage--this book demeans both men and women. I am a SAHM of three kids, been married since 2000, and know that putting out and putting my needs last doesn't work. It creates resentment. I do not fit the horrible stereotype of women (bitty, nagger, manipulator) Dr. Laura writes about. The premise of the book is that women cause the problems in their marriages (pretty much all by themselves). But the truth is that it's not all a man's or a woman's fault usually. Marriage is a two-way street.
   
   Just be prepared to know that Dr. Laura says you should shag your hubby as often as he wants it--even if he doesn't talk to you or help around the house or meet your needs. Somehow that will magically fix everything wrong in your marriage.



5. Say what you will about Dr. Laura's credentials, but give this book a chance. I know it is hard to swallow for self-proclaimed feminists, but the simple instructions in the book make sense! Just after reading the first few chapters, I was treating my sweet husband better! This book was frustrating because it brought to light my own selfishness, something I was not necessarily ready to confront. Basically, Dr. Laura says stop acting like a bitch and you'll reap the benefits. Love him for what he is, not what you want him to be.
   I have given this book to numerous friends, my mother, my sister and mother-in-law. They all have had positive experiences after reading and re-reading it.

5 comments about Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life.

1. Dr. Seligman tries to convince us that pessimism is the source of all our problems and optimism is the panacea in this book. It's basically divided into three parts: the first part deals with research in learned helplessness, the second about the advantages of optimism, and the third about how to change from pessimism to optimism.
   
   Seligman defines optimism as not letting negative thoughts distort reality. But what if negative thoughts are reality and positive thoughts are distortions? When I realized that was true and I've been distorting reality with optimism (after I had read the book and had been applying the refutations for a couple weeks), I realized that the book had been inapplicable. He then says that even if the negative thoughts are true, what are the implications of them? He seems to think the only implications are minor things not worth bothering yourself with, but that hasn't been my experience.
   
   To put it succinctly, it's a nice book, well-written and well-researched, but it fails by presenting depression and pessimism as not only the same thing, but something that can be cured in a one-size-fits-all kind of way that just didn't work for me.



2. I purchased this book to add to my collection of "self help" materials. I thought it was going to be just another "rah rah Anthony Robbins" type book. I came to find out this is serious stuff based on empirical evidence. The first few chapters are a little too scientific for someone like me, it took actually deep reading and putting the theories together. But then again, I am more of an Arts and Humanities than a Science Guy. Once you get past the scientific stuff (involves dogs), there is some mind bending life changing stuff to read. This book is more of a clinical research based book on "positive" psychology with concrete steps to take to turn negative thinking around. If you are looking for get happy cheerleading fluff, you can safely pass by this book!



3. Great introduction to positive psycholgy. Also, this book has stoked my interest in cognitive therapy. Seligman writes in an accessible style and lays out the compelling scientific evidence for his theory. He brings credibility as the former president of the American Psychological Association and years of research. This book has made me look at some of my errors in thought and improved the quality of my life. I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with their own emotional issues or helping others with their own.



4. After reading this book, I can't NOT hear the 3 Ps that mark a pessimistic reaction to misfortune. And once you can hear them, you can change them. This has helped me reverse my own reactions to bad events as well as helped me shift the thinking of others at critical times.
   
   As a management consultant, I appreciate every new tool that I can use to help others improve their performance. This book's concrete, specific steps are so much more valuable than all the sweet talking platitude preaching that quickly melts away like cotton candy when it rains.
   
   This book also discusses the benefits of optimism, the important role of pessimism even for eternal optimists, and more. Informative, fascinating and accessible - I highly recommend Learned Optimism to anyone interested in helping themselves or others have more control over their reactions to the vicissitudes of life.



5. I'm not a person who reads self help books. A professor who i respect mentioned the book in a social psych class. I like the idea of positive psychology, so I decided to look at the book more. I almost didn't get it because it was listed as self help, lol. But I did, and I loved the book. Everything is based on research, which sets it apart from the vast majority of self help books. I'd say that my optimism was a healthy level before beginning the book, and it was even more so afterward, and I was skeptical about applying it to myself.
   
   It's a learning experience, and I enjoyed it.
   
   Plus it's an easy and pleasant read.
   
   
   BTW, if you are interested in the author's work, try browsing:
   [...]
   You can set up your own account to take tests that determine different strengths and compare them to your area, and other demographics. Also on the main penn state site you can also volunteer to participate in online research, which I love doing.

5 comments about Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth.

1. I first heard of Steve Pavlina when a friend referred me to his blog during his polyphasic sleep experiment. For over 150 days, Steve abandoned sleeping nights, and instead took six, twenty minute naps a day. I was immediately intrigued. And the more of his writing I read, the more I liked the message.
   
   There are hundreds of articles on his website, all about how to grow as a person. His approach is an intriguing mix of hippie, mainstream American, and strait-up crazy person, and from my perspective, the best of each. His thinking and writing is decidedly left-brained, and he doesn't shy away from financial or career growth issues. At the same time he eats a 100% raw-vegan diet and talks with dead people.
   
   From no other author have I found such accessible, intelligent, practicable personal development advice, and rarely such a warm and inviting tone. So when Steve announced he was publishing a book and would offer free advance copies to bloggers who would review it, I immediatly wanted to participate. That was the original impetus to start and grow this blog, and this review is the result.
   
   The aims of the book - Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth - are ambitious on at least two counts:
   
   
   To be sufficiently different from and superior to the hundreds of articles on his website to satisfy his massive readership (he claims two million visitors a month).
   
   To lay out the fundamental principles of personal development.
   
   The book is highly structured, and will probably work better for "thinkers" than for "feelers" on the MTBI T/F spectrum, which may be what Steve alludes to with his tag line "Personal Development for Smart People."
   
   The book is divided in two parts. The first is the seven fundamental principles of personal growth. Truth, love and power are the three primary principles. From those are derived oneness (truth + love), courage (love + power), and authority (power + truth). And the seventh is intelligence, which is defined as alignment with truth, love and power, and is the "highest form of human expression."
   
   I'm not convinced that these principles represent any sort of underlying order to personal growth, mostly because I'm unconvinced there is any such order. The three primary principles seem right to me, but the secondary ones feel forced. I'm not sure, for example, that courage is a combination of love and power. In the section on how to build courage, one of the suggestions is to educate yourself, which I agree is a great way to overcome timidity, but seems to come from the primary principle of truth, not love or power. I can also think of no compelling reason why personal growth should rest on such a neat foundation.
   
   As a tool though, a way of thinking about and planning growth and handling life's problems, I think this scaffolding will be valuable. Perhaps it is the neatest possible representation of an inherantly complex, chaotic pursuit.
   
   Each of the seven principles is broken down into its key components. Truth, for example, breaks down to perception, prediction, accuracy, acceptance, and self-awareness. Each component is explained and described, and sometimes a how-to improve this component is given. On prediction, for example, he says, we grow from exposure to new patterns: when our expectations are met it reinforces our beliefs; when they are not, it forces us to build new ideas about how the world works. Thus we should seek stability and routine only as a launching pad for exploring new areas. In order to side-step denial we can bring the process into the conscious part of the mind by making conscious predictions and comparing our expectations to how reality turns out to operate. He also says that emotions are predictions: when we have negative expectations we feel bad and when we have positive expectations, we feel good. That's just one component of one of the seven fundamental principles. I wanted to detail it to illustrate the depths the book reaches.
   
   For each principle, he also lays out some common blocks to alignment with the principle. For truth, for example: media conditioning, social conditioning, false beliefs, emotional interference, addictions, immaturity, and secondary gain. And each block is described and explained with similar detail. As I read these, many of the obstacles to growth that I face, some of which I've been struggling for years to elucidate, become immediately clear.
   
   Finally, for each principle, he provides several techniques for coming into better alignment. For truth, he suggests a quantitative self-evaluation in various aspects of life (the process is described in detail), journaling on a regular basis, and forgoing all media, at least for a trial period of time.
   
   In the intelligence chapter, there are extensive quizzes and evaluative material to determine where and how you can best serve your personal growth.
   
   The second part of the book details six primary areas of life: habits, career, money, health, relationships, and spirituality. Suggestions are offered for how to improve congruency in each area with each of the seven principles. If that sounds overwhelming, it reads as detailed and useful.
   
   For example, in the section on habits and oneness, there is a discussion of how our habits influence others and how we might be role models to the world with them, and also how we can use habits to develop congruency with the principle of oneness, like going for long walks in nature, smiling at strangers on the street, or offering hugs instead of handshakes.
   
   I thought there was more value in the first part of the book, and it was more fun to read than the second. When I return to the book to do the exercises suggested -- which I will begin this weekend -- I plan to spend more time in the first section. On the other hand, if I ever feel in need of help in a certain area of life, the organization of the second section would be of great value.
   
   In sum, this is an excellent book and one that I will use for years to come. I fully recommend it to everyone, and especially those who prefer a rational/logical approach to complex issues (which can be hard to find in the "self help" section of a bookstore). I'm not sure that it succeeds in its most ambitious task, but it is still immensely valuable, even to someone who has read almost all of Steve Pavlina's website.



2. One of the things that sets Steve apart is the fact that, unlike so many other authors and experts in the field of personal growth, he focuses on the value of hard work and (gasp!) discipline, two things that are practically dirty words these days. That resonates with me.
   
   All the wishing, hoping and visualizing in the world doesn't do much good if you're not willing to get off your butt and create some value in the world. That's a refreshing stance, and one of the reasons I keep reading Steve's blog. His voice is a refreshing change in the sea of nonsense surrounding the "Law of Attraction".
   
   More of my review of Steve Pavlina's book is here: http://naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog/on-personal-growth-a-review-of-steve-pavlinas-book/



3. Have you ever found a book that you like so much that you read it, highlighted it, wrote in the margins, put flags on your favorite passages, and reread it over and over? Well, that's how I feel about Steve Pavlina's new book Personal Development for Smart People.
   
   It's been over a month since I've received my copy of this book, and to tell you the truth I haven't been able to put it down. Half way through the book I promised myself that I would reread the whole thing every 3-6 months, but I already lost track of how many times I've read it.
   
   The book itself is much different from the hundreds of personal development books that I've read to date. What makes it unique, and worth taking a look at, is that it doesn't try to force feed you the author's idea on how you should be living your life.
   
   Personal Development for Smart People gently guides you on a path to your own core, by making three very brilliant distinctions on Truth, Love, and Power. These three values prove to be fundamental in living the most fulfilling life that is most suited for you.
   
   I feel like a lot of other self-help books give you fish. They give you a specific idea, or specific tool, that can help you solve one specific problem. This book is different, because it doesn't just give you tools, but it teaches you how to make tools -- it trains your mind for problem solving, and that's a skill you could take anywhere in life.
   Honesty With Yourself
   
   In the very first chapter of this book, there is a small self-assessment that asks the reader to honestly evaluate the area of their life. This evaluation isn't based on where you currently stand, but on the path that you're heading on.
   
   After doing the evaluation, I decided that I needed to jump start my personal health and fitness goals. I'm 23, and I'm pretty healthy, but looking at my path I was just gaining weight by under exercising and overeating on empty calories. I ended up with a 1 rating for my health, and began to take action. Only three weeks into this month and I've already lost 13 pounds, noticeably improved my diet, and ran two official races with New York Road Runners.
   
   I read personal development books all the time, and I write about it on my site, and despite of this I'm just as capable of getting into a slump as the next guy. Steve Pavlina's book not only motivated me, but refreshed what I already know about commitment to goals, progressive improvement, and persistence.
   
   While going through this past month, with the knowledge of Steve Pavlina's book stirring inside my mind and my soul, I've noticed several synchronicities. The first thing I've already mentioned is the marked improvement to my overall health. The second thing I noticed is more income opportunities that I'm able to cash in on, such as getting extra work, making more from internet marketing, and disabling certain money spending habits that were not constructive.
   
   Lastly, I noticed a huge markup in my networking opportunities. I've met several people that are going to be invaluable in my career, and others that will be very instrumental for my friends and inner circle. I've also connected with really interesting people, both online and off, that are going to make tremendous contributions to the flourishing future of this website.
   
   The Core Message of the Book
   
   Seek truth with open eyes. Courageously accept your discoveries and their consequences. Rid your life of falsehood, denial, and fear of what is. Make truth your ally, not your enemy. This isn't easy, but it is correct.
   
   Share your love openly. Connect with yourself and others by tuning in to the connection that already exists. The risk of rejection is overshadowed by the rewards of loving connections. Whenever you feel disconnected, reach out and connect with another human being. Remember that you're always loved.



4. I don't review books very often, but occasionally one comes along that I'm sure others would really appreciate.... and Steve Pavlina's new book titled Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth definitely falls in that category !
   
   Attitude is # 1
   Steve has one of the best attitudes toward personal development and growth that I've ever seen. In fact, he has devoted his business (and a good chunk of his life) to the subject of Personal Development.
   
   In his blog, you can get a feeling for his attitude by how he has documented a wide range of his own personal "30 Day Trials". This is where he tries out things like "PolyPhasic Sleep Schedule", "Raw Food Diet" and most recently, "Juice Feasting Diet" to see if they work for him (and we all get to live vicariously through his experiences). For an introduction to his blog, check out his website's home page at http://www.stevepavlina.com/.
   
   Great [but slow] Book
   Of course, his book is outstanding. I got it over a month and a half ago and it has taken me that long to read all of it. To put that in perspective, I can usually I can get through a book in about a week by finding spare minutes in my daily schedule. The "problem" with Steve's book is that it is TOO GOOD !
   
   There were so many concepts and ideas in the book that I would read for a few pages and then stop to think about how it relates to my life. It was like driving through a beautiful neighborhood... with plenty of speed bumps!
   
   Speed Bumps
   Some of the "speed bumps" are by Steve's design. He inserts "Exercises" for you to try that help you stretch your thinking and, sometimes, learn more about yourself. Other times it is just the way he phrases or explains a particular concepts that makes you stop and think.
   
   For example...
   One of the ideas that got me thinking was when he wrote about "taking an hour for yourself every day". I had been looking for a "way of thinking" that would help get me motivated to jump out of bed and really "hit the ground running". Steve's suggestions allowed me to change my thinking (and my habits) so that I've been waking up like a kid at Christmas.... ready to jump out of bed and really enjoy that first hour of the day!
   
   As you can imagine, with ideas like these that call for immediate action, it took quite a while to read Steve's book... but I certainly enjoyed the process!
   Constructive Suggestions
   
   An evaluation would not be complete without some ideas for improvement.... so here you go, Steve:
   
   1) The hardcover book needs a companion audiobook. If I could have listened to the book while I was driving to/from work... I'm sure I could have gotten through it more quickly. (I was also distracted by other audiobooks I DID listen to during the time I was reading Steve's book.)
   
   2) The next product should be a workshop DVD where Steve takes people through the concepts in the book and it follows them through the changes they make in their life.
   
   I would definitely recommend Steve Pavlina's book, "Personal Development for Smart People"!



5. Steve Pavlina has taken the ideas of others and made them his own. Don't get me wrong, that isn't a criticism. There is a central, inarguable truth in the messages of personal responsibility, the power of thought and action and giving to receive. Pavlina does offer his personal story as evidence these theories work. He has gone from felon to published author, helping others while finding fulfillment. Unfortunately we only get brief glimpses of the man behind the curtain.
   
   The first half of the book introduces and explains Pavlina's seven principles, much like a textbook, it is very structured and analytical. The second part is devoted to the application of these principles and seeing these principles applied to everyday life, in areas of career, relationships, money and health was enlightening. It seemed as though Pavlina sighed a breath of relief, took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves for this section of the book. I found several fresh and thought provoking exercises, such as the 30 day trials, triage projects giving attention to those that will only survive if you take action and approaching habits with a strategy for victory, much like a game of chess.
   
   Whether this is the first book you've read on Personal Development or the hundredth, you'll find value.

5 comments about He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys (The Newly Expanded Edition).

1. Ladies, have heart -- we DON'T need to put up with this confusing male behavior any longer!! This book, written with humor and wisdom, addresses our most common questions about "Why would he act like that?" In spite of the title, you will feel MUCH better about what you have to offer in a dating situation after reading this fun (yet very serious) book.



2. My daughter asked me to receive this book as a birthday gift. I ordered and came in excellent conditions and super fast.
   
   Her birthday is on November 17, a friend of her read it and said it was awsome.



3. Okay ladies, sure we can read this book to shock us into the truth about our guys, but didn't we know it anyway? I think back how many times I tried to convince myself that things between a man and myself were acceptable and good, "if only he'd......" (fill in the blank.) Bottom line is, I just wasn't willing to admit to myself what I ALREADY knew was true - he wasn't working out, it's not "really" a fit, and I include in the not-a-fit category that if I think he's the one, and he doesn't think I am the one, then it is NOT a fit. So I decided NOT to read this book (although I had several years ago) for the new guy I'm dating. Had I read this book, I would have jumped ship with this great guy I'm dating way too early and it would have never come to be what it is now - the perfect guy for me. (Gorgeous, 6'2", smart, living from his heart and 11 years younger.) INSTEAD of following the book, I trusted my gut and that never lies and have the guy I hoped for.



4. Every SINGLE WOMAN should read this book. Whew, Greg, where were you when I went through the ringer over 30 times due to my own idiocy? This book will save you much heartache and give you tips for how to be in the dating game. Learn from a MAN, a funny one at that...Greg is a comedian and portrays how silly women can be in a very constructive and humorous manner.
   
   Buy this book, the cost is worth much more than what Single Women go through emotionally, physically, and mentally in the dating game.
   
   
   He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys
   
   He's Just Not That Into You: Your Daily Wake-Up Call



5. Let's face it - waiting for the phone to ring is a BIG waste of time. This book is a great reminder that I am worth more than just hanging out or settling for an occasional e mail! I want my man to TAKE me out, treat me with respect and show a genuine interest in ME. I plan to keep this book in a handy place for reference for those times when my heart wants to take over and obscures what I really need to be seeing. Yeah, reality really stinks but it sure is better to face the truth than to waste a lot of time hoping that things will change.
   
   This book is presented in a lighthearted and sometimes hilarious way while serving as a real eye opener. I would definitely recommend it to any gal who finds herself in the dating pool and to the guys out there who might want to know what NOT to do.

5 comments about The Secret Gratitude Book.

1. I respect all of my fellow reviewers here on amazon - even if some of their views may be a little skewed - but I had "challenges" with David Hooper's review of this particular journal. To me, it really isn't the "most powerful book on gratitude". And even though he explains why it is, I just can't help but think that the most powerful book on gratitude that you will ever own is the one you create yourself.
   
   No doubt about it. This book is beautiful. It's filled with quotes from the book, the Secret, and it's small enough to take with you anywhere you go...but I prefer the little leather bound journal I bought at Costco for $12.95. In it I not only include quotes from the book, The Secret, I also include quotes from others that I resonate with whether it be Ralph Waldo Emerson or Henry David Tyler - the man who delivers my bottled water - because I believe at our very core, each one of us is a fount of wisdom, inspiration, and beauty and Truth is so much with us, that we often forget that it is often disguised as "unlikely sources".
   
   In short, I try and make this particular journal MY journal from start to finish. I will even include pictures from magazines that I find particularly inspiring. Most of all, I write in my own language about the Law of Attraction and the "future me" I am even now evolving into. I create "scripts" that I rehearse and practice and attempt to act out. I figure that I am acting anyway, so I might as well act what I want to be.
   
   I have nothing against Rhonda Byrne or The Secret. I loved her movie and created a workshop around it and I formed two study groups based on her book. The challenge I have with this particular item is that in a way, it still belongs to Rhonda Byrne. She has included quotes that resonated with her. Everything is geared toward her and what she feels are "key points" in remembering and they may very well be but do you resonate...do you gravitate...do your vibrations align with the content she has included or do you vibrate with something other?
   
   Am I making sense here?
   Do you understand what I am trying to get at?
   
   I have hundreds upon hundreds of books with various parts of the book underscored and highlighted and encircled with arrows and stars but until I put those words into my own language and make them my own, they do not belong to me. I must embody them, experiment with them, apply them, speak of them...I MUST BECOME THEM...and when I do, I will remember a part of me that always was. I am no longer attempting to make something happen, I am letting what ALREADY is, be.
   
   That's the challenge with the Secret. People are trying to be wealthy, healthy, and successful instead of remembering that they already are WEALTH, they already are HEALTH, they already are SUCCESS and FUlFILLMENT and BEAUTY and TRUTH. But I guarantee if you start creating your own journal and embodying that which you truly desire, those desires will come forth for the simple and wonderful reason, you already are that which you desire.
   
   Again, I'm not knocking the product. I'm not knocking the reviewers who found this useful. I'm not knocking you if you decide you're going to make this purchase. I'm just giving you a few suggestions of things you just might be remembering as true.
   
   After reading this review, burn it from your mind...burn it from your sight...and from those ashes, just BE the information you wish to convey. Do that now with all the things that seem to give you inspiration, hope, and joy because in a very real way, the only reason why you gravitated toward this review and those books is because YOU gave them life in the first place.
   
   Whatever you decide to do, just know that Love, Light, and Laughter are ALWAYS on your side.
   
   Peace & Blessings,
   john, 'the Light Coach'



2. This is the companion book to The Secret which I thought was a great idea. As an exercise you write down all the things you are grateful for and this is such a warming experience. However, in the book, Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbookthat to me is a follow-up to The Secret also gives you a journal at the end of the book to write what you are grateful for and anything else. But this is a beautiful journal.



3. Having read The Secret and enjoying it I bought this book. Basically, it is a journal to write down what you are grateful for. It is designed beautifully and has inspired me to write down these things and rereading what I have read warms me. The book serves its purpose. Another book that also has a journal and which served my purpose as an interactive workbook with so many exercises to choose from is Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook. A wonderful read. Update: 11-22 Check out their new release Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Meditation a fabulous CD to keep you on track, conscious, thoughtful and grateful and appreciative for what you have.



4. The Secret Gratitude Book is a pleasure to look at and even better to fill with my gratitude! You can make two lists- the first is for things/people/experiences/blessings you are grateful that you HAVE RECEIVED the second is for things/people/experiences/blessings that you are grateful that you
   WILL RECEIVE. =D
   
   It's nice to be able to carve a couple minutes out of my day to remember to be thankful for all of life's blessings!



5. I would recommend "The Secret" over "The Secret Gratitude Book." In "The Secret" Rhonda Byrne identified a way to rekindle the human spirit during these stressful times.
   
   I was expecting further explanation/exploration the Gratitude philosophy in the gratitude book and was disappointed. I see the benefit of the book as a journal though I would not have purchased it as a gift if I had known it was a journal/workbook.

5 comments about Wherever You Go, There You Are.

1. This is a book to keep in your library for periodic re-reading. I wish I hadn't waited so long this time, to re-read it. Understanding and practicing this "philosophy" can change one's life for the positive.



2. I read this book after reading Ekhart Tolle's two books and listening to Jon Kabat-Zinn on Oprah's radio program. His ideas parallel Tolle. I devoured the book and recommend it to anyone who wants to grow in mindfulness.



3. For someone growing up from a Buddhist culture, I feel the author has captured the essence of meditation. Specifically, the author reminds to practice meditation without feeling that you are better than everyone else, which is what I have felt. He also suggests to practice meditation without the goal of becoming a better person, more calm, more relaxed, more focused... etc. These are merely by-products of practicing meditation. So why do we do it? Better read the book to find out!
   
   A reviewer who gave it 1 star says that "the book puts you to sleep." This indeed happened to me a few times when I listened to the audio version of the book while trying to meditate. When I have much stress, this is actually a great way to get sound sleep without any meditation and therefore any side effects. And for this quality alone, I wish I can award the book 6 star.



4. This book was recommended to me by a Sociology professor as a practical guide to exploring stress management techniques. I found it to be an interesting and basically useful introduction to Meditation Techniques and especially appreciated its inclusive, light-handed approach to encompassing more than just Buddhism when promoting the spiritual benefits of meditation.
   
   There is certainly something to be gained from this book, whether it is life-changing "mindfulness meditation" or simply a new approach to self-awareness and the pursuit of peace.



5. This is a classic. Any day that I spend time with this book - usually just one entry at a time - greater peacefulness and focus are assured. And often the author's insights turn my views upside down - there's much to discover here.