5 comments about Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness.

1. I wish I had picked up this book earlier in my step-father's illness. Very useful for those who are facing illness or who love someone who is very ill, telling you the kinds of things to expect and ways of dealing them.



2. I found this book days after leaving the hospital with a two year prognosis for a misdiagnosed illness. My head was spinning. I was making lists of questions and to do lists for leaving my 2 young children. Finding this book was a wonderful gift. It answered my questions and provided a realistic outlook for what to expect of a terminal condition. The book provides sample statements for calling your relatives and helps you to prepare for your doctor appointments. I visited a doctor today and I led the session and all of my questions were addressed before the exam occurred. This book should be recommended to all diagnosed with a terminal illness. Highly recommended book!



3. I have owned this book for several years and decided to use it as an adjunct teaching tool for those training to become hospice volunteers. Every person in the group gave a high rating to this book. I will continue to use this book in future volunteer training classes. Eileen Urquhart, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Cape Cod, Massachusetts



4. This is a must have resource for all of us. It is a practical book that helps you with End of Life concerns and how to plan for them. Far too many people wait until a crisis to make desperate choices that could be avoided. It is difficult to live with the choices that we make in crisis. Many times a crisis situation does not give you the opportunity to discuss critical issues with your family before the crisis occurs. This book will give you the necessary tools to discuss your wants and wishes for the living of your years.



5. As the wife of a young man dying of cancer, this book was an incredible aid to getting through each day and learning what to expect. That was 15 years ago. My sister-in-law faced the same situation recently when her husband was diagnosed, and I bought the book for her. She said she couldn't put it down until she read every page. We need to have that helping hand when we're hurting. This book is it!

5 comments about The Mandala of Being: Discovering the Power of Awareness.

1. Spend just a single day being completely aware of where your thoughts lead you. How often does your mind wander? How much time do you find yourself recalling or analyzing things that happened in your past? How much time do you spend worrying about what might happen in the future? What stories do you make up about yourself in your wanderings? Are you self-sacrificing, underappreciated, and undervalued? Are you hardworking and eagerly climbing the ladder of success? Are you bitter that everyone else seems to catch a break but you get nothing?
   
   Anyone who has ever tried this exercise knows that the majority of our time is spent anywhere but at the present moment. We fixate on the past, we fantasize about the future, we create self serving stories in our minds, and we judge others. Very little of our time is actually fully focused on what we are doing and feeling in this exact moment. So in essense, we rarely focus on the here and now, on the moment.
   
   The Mandala of Being guides the reader to a better understanding of this very human process explaining that these seemingly harmless distractions actually color the way we see ourselves. Basically, all of these stories do two things. They either feed our ego so that we feel that we are somebody special (hiding the underlying feeling that we are not enough as we are) or we opening berate ourselves. The end result in both cases is the same, it reinforces the notion that somehow we have to be, act, or have something specific in order to be valuable human beings.
   
   The simple solution is to have our thoughts stay in the here and now, to see events for what they really are, and to get in touch with our true selves. This may be easy to say but it is extremely hard to do. The Mandala of Being teaches us how to make a start in this attempt and how to counteract some of the major obstacles on this path.



2. If you are interested in living more completely in the now then this book is for you. Richard Moss, MD shows us why and how we habitually obstruct our innate potential for what Richard calls radical aliveness as said by Deepak Chopra.
   
   If you want to take a close look at yourself then this book is for you. How simple and direct Dr. Moss is.
   
   Happy Reading
   
   Chekawa



3. Dr. Moss brings awareness to all of us. In these chaotic times, I respect him greatly for speaking to the "fear factor" that has been created in our culture. He gives structure to consciously choose to become more "awake" in our own life. If we want a better world, we can not live in fear. I challenge readers to become informed.



4. This book not only talks about living in Awareness, but also gives an actual tool that we can use in our most ordinary days. A tool that makes sense. Dr. Moss writes in plain English about practice, action and becoming more enlightened.
   This book speaks to the Universal Consciousness that lives in each of us.
   It allows us to see ourselves as who we think we are, and to shed those stories to become more present in who we truly are.
   A very wonderful, personal, and extraordinary book. I wish everyone on the planet would read it! I went back and bought over 10 more copies to give as gifts. I feel it is that important of a book.



5. I demarcate (thank goodness that's not a story (-:)) reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment as a significant event in my awareness of consciousness. Reading Moss's "Mandala of Being "The Mandala of Being: Discovering the Power of Awareness I sense as similarly significant. I find myself struggling not to get into a fruitless intellectual (read ego) exercise of trying to contrast and compare Tolle and Moss and instead see it as one more refrain of "one teaching; many teachers," and smile and enter the Now. Tolle speaks of an infinite number of portals to the Now available in each moment if we will but allow them. Moss's "The Mandala of Being" is such a portal for me and I invite you to taste and see for yourself.

5 comments about Why You Do the Things You Do: The Secret to Healthy Relationships.

1. - a must read for adults who want to better understand their childhood/family dynamics and improve them, and for parents who do not want to repeat mistakes of the past.
   
   The authors have offered insight into family dynamics based on scientific study and their work with patients. They have uncomplicatedly classifed relationships into 4 areas. The premise is that our relationship styles are based on the relationships we had in our families. I have not been able to book the book down.
   
   The authors also offer a section on building healthy relationships with our children and tools to change your future.
   
   Over the years, despite a successful career, great husband and family, I have had nagging feelings of emptiness and loneliness my entire life. But on the outside, I look like a happy, well adjusted and confident working mom. What is the source of these feelings and how do I replace them with happy feelings?
   
   I have been reading books on self-esteem. Some of the content is relevant, but I feel that what I am reading is a prescription for a symptom, not the true problem.
   
   Reading "Why you do the things you do" was an incredible Ah-ha moment. I think I now have the start of a comprehensive tool kit - to really review my history and my 'today' in a completely and constructive manner.
   
   I need to mention that I have seen the book in Christian book stores. One of the author's goals is to help build a stronger relationship with God of a relationship style has hindered that in the past. The Christian content is fairly small and a bit understated.



2. The earlier (hard copy) edition of this book was titled "Attachments" and used primarily by competent clinicians everywhere. The book has been "oprahfied" (if you will) in that it is now palatable to the lay person who wants to rise to the challenge of "Know Thyself". There is simply no better place to start in terms of understanding the relationships you have and hope to have.



3. This is a wonderful God-centered book to explain how attachment disorders happen and are translated into adulthood baggage. I read it to understand someone else and found me in it. Not only does it describe the problem but it goes into the solution. Easy to read and understand. Just a great book.



4. This book is an insightful, well written, easy to read, resource for people who are willing to take a look at their relationship patterns and how they may be getting in the way of meeting your needs. I highly recommend it.



5. This self help book is great in learning about several different issues. It helps to show that there are other people out there dealing with the same things as you.

5 comments about The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts.

1. Until I read this book, none of the treatments my therapist and I were covering were really sticking. I couldn't identify well with other books because they spent so much time covering compulsions. I kept falling into the spiral of obsessive thoughts and thinking no one would ever really understand what was really going on in my head. I even questioned the doctor's diagnosis. I cried when I read an example of someone going through exactly what has been happening to me, because for the very first time I did not feel alone. I really do have OCD and it is treatable. Thank you Dr. Baer, for writing a book that addresses obsessive thoughts separate from obsessive compulsions.



2. I am very happy with my book purchase! Amazon has quick shipping and attentive service!



3. This is the book. Understanding that there are many peolple dealing with the same or similer thoughts was ground breaking for me. It was recommended by Tamara Hartl, my psycologist at the Palo Alto VA Hospital. Along with her counceling, this book was a life saver. Just more tools in the arsenal for overcoming the need to act on bad thoughs connected to OCD.
   
   The book also covers postpartum depression very well. If you're dealing with postpartum depression then this book is a must.



4. This book is very helpful in dealing with silent, bad thoughts. How appropriate to call it "The Imp of the Mind". Until I read this book, I never knew that this obsession is wide-spread. Excellent advice.



5. Very helpful in letting you know there are other people that have the same thoughts and it's okay!

5 comments about Surviving the Death of a Sibling: Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or Sister Dies.

1. THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!! I LOST MY SISTER KATHY IN 2006 TO CANCER. MY WORLD THAT I KNEW WAS GONE.HOW COULD MY SISTER BE DEAD. I DID NOT THINK I COULD GO ON WITHOUT KATHY IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE MY SISTER DIED. READING T.J. WRAY'S BOOK IS LIKE SHE IS IN MY HEAD WRITING MY STORY!ALL I CAN SAY IS IF YOU HAVE LOST A ADULT BROTHER OR SISTER GET THIS BOOK IT HAS HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY THANK YOU T.J.WRAY FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.I TRULY DO UNDERSTAND YOUR LOSS DEBRA



2. This book saved me in the first few weeks after the sudden death of my little brother.
   I HIGHLY recommendSurviving the Death of a Sibling: Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or Sister Dies it to anyone dealing with the pain from the loss of a sibling.



3. Very disappointing. The author's "story" goes on and on and on... some obvious obsessive tendencies here folks. The quotes from others were a lot more interesting and real. This author makes it sound like this is the most profound experience of her life... even though she has a husband and kids. Sorry, in the real world, we don't take a year off and go to the beach every day to grieve. The only thing missing was the suicide plot. I think this book was written to "sell" by asserting that sibling grief is a new and little understood genre. This book did nothing to convince me that the author has a reality-based grasp on grieving. Self-indulgent and then some... save your money.



4. This book is one of the best I've read on the suffering experienced with the loss of an adult brother or sister. It is an often overlooked area of grief and the author does an excellent job of describing the pain that a sibling experiences when a beloved brother or sister passes away. The author uses examples from the lives of many others and covers many angles of what she calls "unacknowledged grief". It is well-written and healing to read. I highly recommend it.



5. This book covers a topic that isn't well recognized, the loss of someone you didn't think you'd ever lose, who has been an integral part of your life--who may have even predated your memories--so that you can't even imagine life without them. I liked the stories and examples the author uses, the section at the end of each chapter on 'what helps.' It helps you sort through the emotions and stages that you're going through. The book is practical, easy to understand and relate to. When I was awake at 2 a.m. thinking about my sister, this book was a source of comfort. Surviving the Death of a Sibling: Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or Sister Dies

No comments about Coping With Dementia: What Every Caregiver Needs To Know.

5 comments about Live with Passion! : Stategies for Creating a Compelling Future.

1. Tony Robbins has a natural gift for inspiring others and this 6-CD set is no exception. Not a rehash of Power or Power II, this set offers the listener (and doer) an opportunity to make a change in life, based on pursuing and implementing specific stratagems and in adopting and nurturing particular mindsets about life.
   
   The only flaw I find is in the packaging - it's a 6-CD plastic "fold-out" box - the construction is surprisingly low quality and sections pop out, making the use of these CDs in this particular box very "challenging". I am surprised that the Robbins corporation would have allowed this inferior packaging. So what type of packaging should have been used? A zippered container with built in soft sleeves of course: And if you need a great example for reference, please check out:
   Brian Tracy's SUCCESS MASTERY ACADEMY 16-CD set. Brian Tracy scores a hit with not only the CONTENT of this great set but the awesome packaging! So to all professionals (personal development and otherwise) serious about packaging your audio sets: forget those plastic fold out boxes and pay for a little quality - after all, you're supposed to be worth it, right? And in any event, we certainly are.



2. Just Like the Mastercard commercial, Anthony Robins motivational CD's are truly priceless! I have been recommending them to everybody I know. Just pass the word around, it is the best gift you can give to your grownup children, you never know, it might a make a big difference in their future.



3. This CD set is a great tool for making big changes in your life. Tony teaches the listener some fantastic ways to address problems (Chalenges!), end bad habits, and generally lead a more passionate life.



4. I heard Anthony Robbins from Jay Abraham and Brian Tracy sales training series. Since most of our life struggles and challenges come our ability to deal with the problems that come into our life, I recommend this CD series for those of you who feel depressed, frustrated and uninspired.
   
   The Live With Passion, Anthony Robbins CDs are amazing! After I listened to these CDs, I went ahead and bought $300 worth more of his CDs because what Anthony Robbins really brings back what I have learned in the past from great mentors, like Earl Nightingale, John Cummuta, Brian Tracy, Jay Abraham, Zig Ziglar and so on.
   
   I am extremely excited to be able to listen to Anthony Robbins' wisdom and advice, because it has helped me to take charge of my life.
   
   Must listen CDs!



5. Tony Robbins has the gift of expressing concrete, easy-to-implement ideas that can make a difference in living a more fulfilling, successful life. Since listening to these CDs a few weeks ago, I have found myself spontaneously recalling some of the concepts he shared that have helped me face a challenge I was having at the time. In particular, the concepts of "Build a Relationship Bridge" for having patience with others during times of miscommunication has been very helpful. Also, the importance of carrying around a (properly-tempered) sense of "Certainty" in one's daily life as a pre-condition for success has been extremely useful. Some of his concepts seem self-apparent, but Mr. Robbins' charismatic delivery and excellent communication skills really drive them home.
   
   I refrained from rating the set at 5 stars due to the multiple references to Mr. Robbins' seminars embedded throughout the recordings. However, in the end that was a small (additional) price to pay for the inspiration and extremely useful concepts that Mr. Robbins offers. I recommend this CD set highly.

5 comments about Things I Want My Daughters To Know: A Small Book About the Big Issues in Life.

1. I picked up this book because of the title. I have daughters. There are 'things' I want them to know. Upon reading the Foreword, I grew a little nervous. The tone seemed rather patronizing, and I felt like I was about to get a lesson in what a rotten mother I am. The author writes: "No mother can have a relationship with her children without some heartaches and significant differences of opinion. With my own daughters I embrace our differences as well as the things we share in common." Well, yes, that WOULD be the ideal.
   
   What follows beyond the Forword, where the author more or less introduces her qualifications for writing a book filed with advice, is just that. Lots of useful advice for getting through life. The conversational and rational writing style immediately allowed me to GET OVER MYSELF, and just enjoy the various topics. I found it hard to disagree with anything she wrote. Everything is based on the author's experience, and much of it is universal. The suggestions, "It's Easier to Get into Things Than It Is to Get Out of Them," or "In Really Tough Times, Regularly Take Time Off," for example, are pearls of wisdom for mothers to not only pass onto their daughters, but also to remind themselves of every now and again.
   
   This is a well written collection, with a mature and rational sensitivity. It's an excellent gift book--for our daughters, and our friends who have daughters, and, of course, for mothers too. I recommend it.
   
   "When you've made your point, sit down," reads the last entry. So, I will.
   
   From the author of "A Line Between Friends," McKenna Publishing Group.



2. I really liked this book. It made me open up my eyes to things that I really need to concentrate on in my life.It made me realize what was important and how the littlest things can make you happy. I would recommend this book to anyone. I am recommending it to all of my sorority sisters, and they have also enjoyed the wisdom of this book.



3. EXCELLENT ITEM!!



4. Excellent self help book, that really expresses the desires of a mother. Wanting to show her daughters the basics and express the joys of the world. A must have for any mothers or father



5. Easy and light to read, yet gems of wisdom are in each and every page, it's a joy to read.

5 comments about The It Factor: Be the One People Like, Listen to, and Remember.

1. The It Factor is an excellent book that has changed my life for the better! It's a must read for all managers and leaders. I found the Chapter on "How to Enhance your Connections with Meaningful Praise and Helpful Criticism" to be most enlightening. I now understand the difference between giving a lousy compliment and an effective compliment.
   I've also learned the importance of delivering strong effective criticism. "No one respects someone who is endlessly agreeable" saying "This is not a good idea" is key to having others listen and pay attention to you. Powerful words of wisdom that have helped me tremedously in my professional career.
   I highly recommend this book.
   You won't be sorry.



2. Not only is Wiskup entertaining with his "24" analogies and his constant reminder that your parents have to love you, his tools work! We bought "The IT Factor" for all of our employees, had them read it, and then brought Wiskup in to help them put the tools into action. They instantly became better story tellers and have the confidence to speak up in meetings. As well, I have taken two of Wiskup's workshops after reading "The IT Factor. Even as the CEO of a mid-sized business, the tools he provides in the book combined with his in-person development have helped me translate stories from revenues and net profits to painting the picture and becoming more human.



3. If you aren't sure why your communication isn't up to par but you can't quite pinpoint the area of weakness - read this book. The It Factor is all about shedding those nasty habits which sabotage our communication abilities, learning to paint pictures with our words, and connecting with our audiences.
   
   Wiskup's humble, yet straight-forward approach helps you re-align your thinking and offers a five-step implementation plan. Just when you thought "small talk" wasn't necessary, this book comes along and teaches you how to build instant connections, form a genuinely perfect elevator speech, and deliver helpful criticism.
   
   Whether you're a devoted stay-at-home mom, a 9 am - 5 pm banker, or a communication specialist - The It Factor is the "it" book to have for your personal library.



4. I was extremely disappointed with this book, it has a great title and some good reviews but it lacks material. I can summarize the entire book in one line.
   
   Establish a connection first, people need to believe that what you tell them it's important enough for them to listen. Duh!
   
   Then the whole book revolves around this, plus you can read it in one night.
   
   If you want a book on communication and networking, read Leil Lowndes "How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships" This book goes on detail about different techniques you can use to improve your communication and make sure people listen to you.



5. The It Factor was just a book for me to read. I am a hairdresser and salon owner, in fact I have the pleasure of being Mark Wiskup's hairdresser and happen to be very fond of him and his entire family. Although I always felt very confident in my craft, I had the tendency to struggle with thinking I may not be smart enough. Having said that, I do believe I've made it a long way because I may possibly have "it".
   This book makes you think and look at things in a different way and as a person that does believe in communication, it just shows you a better way to accomplish that. It is easy to read, entertaining and I would encourage anyone that wants to have better relationships with people on a personal or business level to read it. Everything is about relationships, after all.

5 comments about The Power of Two: Secrets of a Strong & Loving Marriage.

1. I don't really think I got married BECAUSE of the book. But after I read the book, I finally could see that it was possible to be married, remain an individual, and still have a deep and meaningful relationship. If you think marriage takes away your independence, read this book--it empowers you.



2. Dear Dr. Heitler: I live in New York. The purpose of this e-mail is to say thank you for all of your help during a difficult time in my life. I have spent the last two years trying to figure out what I am looking for and how to have a healthy relationship. I went through a long healing process and think I am ready to get back in to dating. I am going to re-read your book because I think it is the best book I have read in how to have a successful relationship. Thank you again for all of your help. Regards, Bruce



3. this is great it should be translated in many different languages..its for any man or woman married or not..for anyone who just want to live and comunicate happily :) wonderful..



4. A few years back I was looking for a book I could use to help guide the couples I worked with in marriage counseling. A friend and fellow counselor recommended The Power of Two. After reading it for myself I was grateful. There are always complicated issues to deal with any real relationship. How we navigate those troubled waters has everything to do with how we communicate. Susan Heitler, a seasoned couples therapist, has put together a how-to-communicate guide in a user friendly format. It starts out with the basics, Talking and Listening, emphasizing the priceless value of good everyday communication. She outlines the communication pitfalls people often trip over, how to improve and then provides scripts, what not to do and then the better way. Some people find these scripts corny and contrived. I can see that, but they are also useful for couples who really don't have a clue how to receive criticism without getting defensive, give criticism without being negative or how to ask for what they need from a reluctant spouse without whining. She also gets into the more difficult challenges of communication when emotions run hot.
   
   The content is useful, it teaches and validates; the format accessible, easy language artfully spaced on the pages. I recommend this book for all couples, not just spouses; bothers, sisters, mothers, daughters, sons and fathers have also told me this book has enhanced their relationships.



5. I was excited to find a book that has everything you need to know about marital communications. Very thorough and well compiled. Kudos to the author for such an in-depth approach to being married.
   
   I was dismayed to see reference that tough childhoods cause a neurological change in people. I felt it implied that such an upbringing would be to blame for anyone who suffers from a neurological illess. Could make for a tough sell to such an audience.
   
   However, thanks for such a thorough read.