5 comments about Widow To Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas For Rebuilding Your Life.

1. As a recent widow, I found my life at loose ends. This book was very helpful in validating some of the emotions I was going through, as well as giving practical suggestions on how to rebuild and make a new life for myself, alone now. I feel like I still have a long way to go in healing, but this book is one that I can refer back to as I run into new situations.



2. As a recently widowed woman, I found this book of great help, support and comfort. I recommend it wholeheartedly to any widow, recent or of long standing as I feel I shall refer to it often as I tread this strange new life path.



3. This book is well written and has many helpful suggestions for coping with widowhood. A friend shared a copy with me and told me that she had ordered copies for the minister at her church to share with new widows. I ordered six copies. Two were sent to recently widowed friends, one went to the church lending library and the other copies went to my minister to share with new widows. I also had the chair of our church widow's support group write a letter describing the group that would be placed with each book.



4. Widow To Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas For Rebuilding Your Life
   
   A must read for new widows. Written by a widow, it helps you to understand the emotions you feel, the ups and downs, and helps you transition into widowhood. It is light hearted and you will even laugh a time or two. I've given this as gifts to 3 young new widows and it helped them all face their new futures and challenges as a widow. I've read other books, but none helped me as much as this book. It's very easy reading.



5. This book is very helpful to me. It validates all the range of emotions I'm experiencing. Being a widow can feel very lonely at times, and this book is helping me feel less alone, seeing that other women are going through a very similar process. I continue to read and re-read parts of it. I would highly recommend this book.

5 comments about Healing Your Aloneness: Finding Love and Wholeness Through Your Inner Child.

1. This is really one of the most profound books out there on Inner Child work. It is written in a concise, easy to read and follow manner. I bought it some time ago and recently was drawn back to reading it and this time the light bulb really went off and I really "got it." The authors do an excellent job in really making it very reader-friendly. My copy is now dog-eared and highlighted all through...it has helped me tremendously and continues to help me tremendously as an individual, and also as a counselor/therapist.



2. Most of us have been raised by parents who did not realize the damage they did to us in our formative years.
   
   This book allows us to see and repair that damage and therefore to treat ourselves as our parents should have treated us.
   
   I recommend this book highly.



3. I gave this book to my friend on her 45th birthday. She can't stop talking about it and how much it has helped her.She says she just keeps reading it over and over again.



4. This book is tremendous to help to heal the wounds inside. I rate it 100 stars



5. I recommend this book to everyone! We all have inner issues, even if we're not aware of them. This book helps us understand where they came from and how to start healing them. There are so many good points that are made in this book. After reading this book, for the first time in my life, I was happy being alone. It changed me, and I am SO thankful for that!

5 comments about Spiritual Growth: Being Your Higher Self (Roman, Sanaya).

1. This is channeled material, which some people never consider. I really value the book highly because it gives basic lessons in metaphysics, how to access higher planes, and the like. One can read it over and over again, and gain much each time. Highly recommended.



2. I think that in the world there is still some confusion between religion and spirituality. You can be religious, but not spiritual. You can know all the creeds, follow all the dogmas, practice all the rites and passages but if there is no Spirit involved in with what you are doing and practicing, what good is it? I think the main reason why more and more people don't break out of their old religious mindsets is because they have become superstitious about their beliefs. They fear that God might punish them or forsake them or send them to hell for attempting to expand their beliefs.
   
   This book really gave me some valuable insights on how you can truly spiritualize the ordinary...because NOTHING is ordinary! Everything is already Spirit. We don't make something spiritual...we look to see where the Spirit might be in this situation. And maybe you're grumbling to yourself, "There ain't nothin' spiritual about my situation..."
   
   Let me give you a few reminders, if you're experiencing bad health than this is your opportunity to express good health. Start throwing away the ding dongs and cheetos and start buying apples and bananas. Pour the beer down the drain and start drinking water and green tea. Get off the couch and take a walk. But above all else, realize that Spirit is your health. Every cell, every atom, every strand of your being is made in the Image and Likeness of Perfect Health. Your body wants to renew Itself right now. It's not your body that is to blame, it's what you're telling yourself, it's what you are believing. Say to yourself now, "I am healthy. My body is vibrant and alive. I feel good. I now decide to express health and vibrancy each and every day." Say this to yourself morning, noon, and night. Talk about wealth. talk about vibrancy. Keep your conversation in "Heaven".
   
   Maybe you feel poor and like an abject failure. Hey, I've been there...I really have. But now is the accepted time to realize that today is another day and you do not have to believe what you used to believe about yourself. Say to yourself...better yet go look in a mirror and say to yourself, "I am an abundant child of the universe. I am open now to new possibilities, to Divine opportunities, to experiences and situations that empower me, bless me, and prosper me." God did not create anyone poor or miserable. We are here to live the abundant life. we are here to be successful and fulfilled.
   
   Okay, your last relationship soured. Just like the one before that and the one before that. It means nothing. It only means that you need to create a better relationship with yourself first. You need to be the person you wish to attract. Be kind, be forgiving, be loving, be peaceful. Yeah, you might attract a few crudballs into your life, but don't fall for them. Ask your heart/your soul what is for your Highest and Best and here's a tip, LISTEN! We all have the power of intuition but most of us, if not all of us, refuse to believe it. Start making the realization that you deserve only the very best and you do! This is precisely why you are going to be the very best for nobody else but you!
   
   Spiritual Growth is about making daily changes and minor shifts in your perception. Spiritual Growth is exponential. You will be amazed at how much progress you can make in as little as 21 days if you just keep at it. Be forgiving, be merciful, be gentle with yourself. Feed yourself with books that empower you. Remember, you are not insulting God by wanting to be your very best, you are, in Truth, honoring that Spirit that created you out of Itself.
   
   Get this book, apply its magnificent ideas, and flourish! You are the Light, the Love, and the Life of God and you are here to be, do, and have an abundance of everything that is good.
   
   Your life is a blessing and you are blessed even now.
   
   Peace & Love.



3. Although I love this book, I don't advise people to start here on the path to spirital awakening. I am of the opinion that you should first read up on information about channeling. Doing so will help you accept the fact that you are always being protected by benevolent beings such as your Higher Self and will enable you to ebrace the notion of connecting with such a being with an open heart. In the beginning, I tried to jump right in but found that without adequate information about the subject my mind conjured up all types of fear-based fantasies about being posessed. Eventually, I learned to trust spirit and allowed my heart to be "touched by an angel". Once you begin this journey you will never be the same: your want to improve yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually will grow exponentially. This will probably be challenging for most because growth often translates into having little to no room left for old patterns and friends. Approach when ready.



4. The book is amazing, it is written so beautifully, and really left me with a warm and loving feeling. Sanaya is def. among my favorite authors. There is so much information in this book that is useful in life, its a must read!!



5. This book has opened my mind and my heart....gave me meaninful understanding of how life and the universe works.....this read will leave you with a sense of purpose in your life and the empowerment of yourself and others around you.

5 comments about It's Called Wo for a Reason!: Your Success Is Your Own Damn Fault.

1. Larry is very specific in his book about knowing your priorities. People are becoming more and more spectators instead of doing. People prefer looking busy instead of getting things done. It is a true reorientation of focus when he said: "It's not how many hours you put into the work, but how much work you put into the hours".



2. This is my favorite of Larry's because it gives me a need attitude adjustment whenever I read it.
   He is very big on taking responsibility for your situation and remembering that you are employed to make your company profitable, not to be fulfilled or happy or challenged, even though it is good if those happen also, we cannot expect them.
   
   Yes, he is a little harsh on some topics, and I would take some of it with a grain of salt, but he is like a coach that pushes you to do better.
   
   The truth might hurt sometimes, but you are better off seeing the situation in full daylight instead of complaining and playing the victim.
   
   I have also read his Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life: A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better Life which shares some of the attitude, but veers off onto his opinions which I just don't care to listen to.



3. The book is clear and direct, which is consistent with the advice given about how to be successful in business. Larry's style is entertaining, and all of his recommendations are grounded in his personal business experience. I found the book useful.



4. I have three of Larry's books. This guy is telling folks the very same things I have said all my life. I later went out and bought 40 copies of the three books I have read so when my friends start their whining I just hand them a copy and tell them to go read it. Maybe they have short term memory issues when I tell them so here is a copy of the same stuff I have preached about for years. GREAT STUFF!!!! Just a lot of the truth that people should take to heart. Grow up and start taking responsibility and STOP EITHER BLAMING THE WORLD OR LOOKING FOR A HAND OUT!!!!!!!!



5. If you do not know Larry Winget, the Pitbull of Personal Development, and what he is all about, then this book might be the kick in the butt you have needed to jump start your life. If you do know him, then you will know that HE says what he means and means what he says. This book, like his others, is meant to help, motivate,and encourage greatness. No matter your job, this book, if applied, WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Larry Winget does not sugar coat anything. He tells it like it is. I loved reading all the stories of good and bad customer service! It is amazing that there are so many! Buy the book. You will love it! It is worth the few hours out of your life to read this... Isn't it time for all of us to make a change?

5 comments about Alive in 5: Raw Gourmet Meals in Five Minutes.

1. This book is a great place to start for anyone making the transition to raw food. I recommend it to my neophyte raw food friends. It's not overwhelming and most recipes don't have long prep times.



2. I recently purchased three raw cookbooks, this is the first I have tried.
   
   I have tried all but two recipes of the first three days menu plan, plus two extras, sometimes they took a little longer than 5 minutes but I have enjoyed every recipes.
   
   This is my fourth try going raw and I may make it this time because the foods in the book are readily available (except maybe one or two).
   
   There is not a lot planning days ahead to soak, sprout, grind, dehydrate for three days so maybe it will be ready and hopefully you will still want it and remember what you were trying to make in the first place! With this book you see it, you check the frig and find the ingrediants, you make it, you love it!



3. Some really lovely recipes for dressings which we are always looking for to pour on our many salads and wraps. Also, a couple of soups I hadn't tried yet were very good. We don't eat many sweet things, but this book has a great sounding lemon pudding I want to try. A nice investment for the busy raw foodist.



4. I really like this book for it's simplicity and yet great tasting recipes. While some of them may be very simple - such as the cucumber pizza - I would have never tried it without the guidance provided. I made those simple little pizzas and took them to a party and they were not only a hit, but they totally disappeared - and fast!!
   
   I have about 12-15 raw books and find this one to be right at the top of the list (along with Jennifer Cornbleets too) due to the ease of the recipes without a lot of upfront prep time. This is definitely one of my "weekday" recipe books! Granted, on a raw lifetstyle one does have to remember that soaking nuts/seeds is part of the deal so keep that in mind.
   
   Enjoy and eat your veggies!



5. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking into or transitioning to raw food and anyone who is a busy person. It is simple, easy and the recipes really are ready fairly quickly. The food itself is very tasty and as long as you plan ahead you can be eating within 10 minutes of walking in the door. The "high fat" content alluded to in another review is much lower than a typical mainstream meal and it is my belief that when you transition to raw foods you need to have as much of the heavier foods around as possible, so that you feel satisfied as your body is getting used to the change. Worry about the fat later, when you are an experienced raw foodist. Chances are your body will tell you by then anyway! Enjoy this delightful little book and enjoy all the time you have not cooking!

5 comments about The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One.

1. I consider myself the very model of a Renaissance Soul: I love to read about lots of subjects; I used to garden quite fanatically; I'm in a knitting/crocheting phase right now; music is a big part of my life; and I've been doing agility and other training with our dog. Oh, and I have a day job, too! My answer to "what do you want to be when you grow up" changed so often when I was younger that it made my head spin! So I was hoping this book would help me sort out how to feel fulfilled and yet not too diluted pursuing my many interests.
   
   And indeed it did. Here are just a few helpful tidbits I took from the book: You do have to choose a few interests at any given time, based on the things you value most, but those choices don't have to be forever. You should quit doing things that don't fit with the values you hold most dear. You can combine interests (for example, I like to write and cook -- maybe I should write about food?). You need to block time for your interests, but not be inflexible about which interest you pursue at a given time. There are lots of creative ways to get where you want to go, even if you pursue many different careers over time, without starting at Square One each time.
   
   And so much of what the author said validated the way I approach life, even toward the end helping me understand why I sometimes feel unmotivated to do anything at all.
   
   My only complaint is that the book starts to sound branded or jargony, with its Renaissance Soul Way and Focus Points Notebook -- kind of like the Chicken Soup series or the Finish Rich series. This Renaissance Soul finds that stuff kind of annoying. But the content was so rich and sensible that the annoyance was minor. This book has really gotten me thinking about what I need to do to more fully enjoy my many interests.



2. I could not be happier that I ordered this book! I'm 26 years old, and so far the only thing I've partially identified with is the "Twenty-Something" feeling, kind of lost, but full of potential. When I got this book, I read the first hundred or so pages right away, I was just hooked immediately. I really loved the tests and used them and now I do feel much more clear about my (current) focus. I'm definitely a Renaissance Soul (18 out of 20 on the Quiz in the book). I have done everything from Retail to Real Estate to Banking to Social Work to starting businesses, etc. I just got married, so that took up a lot of time and energy for a while, but now I have new goals and clarity. I really loved her example of the ice cream shop, likening the choice of ice cream, etc. to the choices of things we're interested in. She says it would be just as hard and paralyzing to try and choose one for the rest of your life as it would be to try and choose them all, that's why you need a "sampler", which is free to change, but that will give you focus. So, my current sampler is: Studying for and taking the GRE and applying to Grad School, writing a business plan for the business I want to start, spending time with my new husband, learning how to make soup (I just want to learn how to make soup!), and making healthier choices regarding food and activity. So, Thank You, Margaret! I think you are right on with your idea of a Renaissance Soul, and I'm so happy you wrote this book. It was my pleasure to read it! =)



3. This is a nice piece of work. The book does spend far more time than I wanted justifying the multitude-of-interests person. But it was quick reading at the beginning so not much of a burden.
   
   There are some exceptional insights here, and some wonderful tactics for dealing with your range of interests.
   
   The introductory exercises (Five from Fifty = prioritizing, Many Circles = weighting, Birthday Party = accomplishments) can help clarify things for those caught in the mire of doing. Clarifying your interest, no matter how many there are, is an important aspect of this work.
   
   I particularly like the idea of Focal Points - temporary assignments you give yourself in order to have the freedom to learn or accomplish.
   
   Reverse flowcharts are great in that they force you to see what you are doing that gets in your way. Basically think of how you can ensure something will not happen - there you go, many times that's what you're doing.
   
   I think the concept of Four Frames - which is applied to volunteering - can be used in a far greater sense as well. Not simply limited to convincing a potential volunteering opportunity, but if you look at your larger goals, and your place in your journey - this approach can be used to convince your spiritual self what it is you want to contribute, and why that would be a good thing for all.
   
   The crux of the entire message of the book is "I'd love to help you feel fulfilled rather than overwhelmed."
   
   The author states "Renaissance Souls work best when we can match our activities to our energy flow." I think this is true for everyone, but it isn't something we value in the US all that much (instead we're told to bang our heads for 14 hours and meet that deadline, many times producing a lower quality result). So, without having a specific prescription for each moment of your day, the approach here allows you flexiblity in choice based on your motivations at that time. Yes, balanced planning - I've been waiting for someone else to say it.
   
   My favorite story in the entire book is the one on Mozart, and his pursuing his purpose, becoming what he could be in the midst of all else going on. The author weaves an intricate connection about how this benefited so many others than if he were to try and be something he were not. Very nice... "One of the best things you can do for other Renaissance Souls is to keep growing." And I would add, the best thing we can do for all beings.
   
   Toward the end of the book I felt the work there was less inspired. It focused on examples, whereas I think a book works much better if at the end it brings us back up to that higher-purpose and leaves us with lofty placement. We end on a real high then.



4. It was the subtitle that drew me in...urged me to pick up the book... begged me to take more than a glance at it. Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One. Hmmmm, someone must be writing about ME! I discovered this book while browsing at the local library on a day that had me grappling with a way to explain to my husband that which is almost inexplainable to me: I have so many creative interests, and I am so passionate about them, that I allow them to absorb me (his words, not mine). I don't know why that is. I don't know how that is. I don't know when that started. And I don't know how to change that, or if I even want to change that. Why should I have to? To a person who isn't so inclined, I guess it seems more than a little odd that I can't "pick one thing and be the best at it."
   
   And so it was that Lobenstine happened into my life with important information and answers to unspoken questions at just the right time. As she so wisely points out, our society tends to foster the idea of becoming an expert in one area and sticking to it. Society tends to look negatively on the concept of the "Jack of all trades and master of none" life. But Lobenstine contends that line of thinking is exactly the reason it is hard to undertand some creative souls and their passions for so many different avenues.
   
   In an easily readable, most enjoyable format, Lobenstine offers hope to the creative souls who hope to be able to "have it all." She contends that it is possible to incorporate those passions and a paying job and be happy. Simple quizzes allow readers to identify what their individual values are and where those values can lead. Case studies of actual creatives offer guideposts and encouragement to those of us who struggle with the expectations of others vs the expectations we hold for ourselves.
   
   The Renaissance Soul is divided into four very interesting, practical and engaging sections. Part I, Claiming Your Renaissance Soul, provides readers with characteristics of the renaissance soul personality: defining success by mastered challenges rather than how far up the ladder a person has climbed, casting aside single-minded focus in favor of variety. Lobenstine also includes a section that dispells myths about what a creative soul is and is not... Renaissance souls are not superior to others, nor do they fall into that diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder personalities. While some may be, not all renaissance souls are geniuses. They do not use their many and varied interests to avoid the realities of life, and they are NOT job-hoppers!
   
   To substantiate her theories, Lobenstine offers examples of well-known individuals who fit her definitions for a renaissance soul--Ben Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Thomas More and Maya Angelou, to name a few.
   
   Part II, Thriving on Many Interests Without Feeling Scattered, was perhaps one of the most valuable sections for me personally. Digging into the heart of what drives creatives, Lobenstine challenges us to take a good hard look at ourselves and to clearly identify our personal value systems. She offers several revealing quizzes for her readers, including choosing five out of a list of fifty values and identifying the five values that are most important at the particular moment, or writing not the well-known self obituary but writing toasts to one's self by four individuals who know the creative person best. Scrutinizing personal values even more closely, Lobenstine asks her readers to consider how their own life meshes (or not) with the lives of those other individuals who are part of the creative's inner circle. She stresses the importance of identifying whether an individual's activities are reflecting personal values or the values of others. She offers practical ways to not only evaluate this but to move closer to a place where personal values take precedence over the values of others.
   
   Part III, Practical Realities: Career Design for Pursuing You Passions, is the nitty-gritty for those creatives who want to give up their day jobs but just can't. The author points out that, while it is not always possible to give up the day job, it sometimes is easier than one may think to secure a day job that will help the creative soul move closer to realizing their passions and dreams. How would you like to get "paid for your passion?" How would you like to be able to focus on your passions, sell yourself, find non-traditional ways to indulge your creative side without compromising self? All of these areas are presented in a revealing way that caused this reader to experience several ah-ha moments along the way.
   
   Part IV, Successful Life Design for Renaissance Souls, takes the creative spirit one step closer to realizing goals and dreams by helping readers make a commitment. Lobenstine offers a unique and comfortable way to put desires into action--the PRISM test. As she explains, "The PRISM test puts your current set of Focal Points through a rigorous evaluation. Just as light bursts into color as it passes through a prism, this test allows you to examine your Focal Points from new angles, therby clarifying and confirming your eventual selections." PRISM is an anacronym for Price (How much will it cost you to get to your Focal Point?), Reality (What will the day-to-day, nitty-gritty of engaging in this Focal Point really involve?), Integrity (Why does this particular Focal Point seem particularly worthwhile to you?), Specificity (When you are specific about constitutes success, you can articulate your desires to yourself and others), and Measurability (Setting specific dates for attainment of your goals allows you to map out a plan and take specific steps toward passionate productivity).
   
   Margaret Lobenstine is the perfect person to walk creative Renaissance Souls through the process because she, too, is a Renaissance Soul. Not only is she a motivational speaker, writer and life-coach, she has been a successful bed-and-breakfast owner, a family business consultant, and a literary specialist. She encourages renaissance souls to be role models to others. To learn more about the author and her work, visit her website.
   
   by Lee Ambrose
   for Story Circle Book Reviews
   reviewing books by, for, and about women



5. I thought this was a really great book. It was very encouraging. I usually thought of myself as scattered and thought each unfinished project was just another failure. I always have too many interests and too many projects, and reading this book gave me great ideas about how to organize my priorities and interests effectively. If nothing else, it helped me feel better about my varied interests. I no longer think of myself as just a flake with too many unfinished projects.

5 comments about Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story.

1. Very interesting. Very well explained, and the chemistry is flawless. 6 Stars to be truthful.. A must have for any chemist.



2. For the person looking for both hard information regarding the world of psychoactive substances (and The Drug War), and an enjoyable honest and heartfelt love story, this is for you. A real masterpiece!



3. I purchased PIHKAL from Amazon and read it in it's entirety.
   
   The most poignant aspect of this book reveals that as we are organic machines, our consciousness is just another chemically induced perception and therefore only one valid reality predisposed by evolution for survival.
   
   Shulgin's Genius is honed with such objectivity, innocence, dedication and clarity that he is able to both successfuly and interestingly document the human-mind altering effects produced by the synthesised compounds entirely dedicated to the second-half of this book.
   
   Furthermore, I have read all of the Amazon reviews regarding PIHKAL and feel that some just do not get the extreme depth of this work. Reading this incredibly open account of Human reality means that there will always be dull bits and parts that make one cringe because that's how real life is for one and all.
   
   The potential reader needs to approach this work with an open mindset and absorb the content without pretence, preconception or professional envy affecting clarity because this book is about the other side of the coin.
   
   Finally, to dedicate ones life to recording Human perception so openly in hardcopy is a tremendous quantum leap ahead of the absurd revisionist realities that people in our "Soap World" prefer to pretend that they live via TV and use to deal with personal issues through the application of anger, violence and greed which are wrongly accepted as legitimate relief mechanisms.
   
   In summary, PIHKAL is an extremely important piece in the Jigsaw of the "age of reason" and awareness. Don't be threatened, it definitely deserves at least "5 Stars". Read it, do it and get to the next level...... the evolution of mind.



4. I thought this book very infomative and educational.
   It gives great insight to DR.Shulgin & his wifes life work.
   A must read for any aspiring chemist.
   This book cuts away all the propaganda surrounding many of these recreational compounds and chemicals. The facts and nothing else.
   Educate yourself, knowledge is always your friend.



5. This book has the story and the science, the fantasy and the dry reality. I love there is a love story here as well. This is inspiration for couples to dive deeper into each other.

5 comments about The Secret of Letting Go.

1. I have read hundreds if books in a similar vein over the past few decades, thought I'd heard it all...but Guy Finley has truly surprised this jaded New Yorker with his simple yet to-the-point ways of expressing these not-so-simple truths. Love his stories, his analogies, his metaphors, so much so that I have ordered all his other books for myself and friends. What a treat, just when you think there is nothing new under the sun on this topic, Voila, it appears...why didn't I find him sooner? I would have saved lots of money on other books to say nothing of my aging eyesight!



2. This is the most horrific self-help book I have ever ran across. The writing style is difficult to even read. Seemingly insiteful sentences and paragraphs are nothing but gibberish. It is like listening to a bhuddist monk that has had way too much to drink. There is no logic in the progression, interjections and points seem tangential. The stories he uses as analogy are pointless, far-fetched, and nonsensical. I kept returning to the book in the hopes that it would start making sense, or even become readable, and I made a concerted effort to 'stay with it', but eventually just tossed it into the Goodwill pile, saying 'enough is enough'.



3. This Book has been a Miracle for myself and so many of my loved ones.
   
   It provides the One Answer that will always change your inner (spiritual) conditions for the better. You can always Let Go, and let silence show you a new life without it.
   
   In a world of Hype, Pop-Psychology, and Spiritual Sensationalism, It is a breath of fresh air.
   
   If you are tired of Spiritual Entertainment, Promises and Crowd-Pleasing Hypnosis - This book teaches you how not waste your life, and also how to Work. Spiritually. Productively.
   
   I hope you are one of the lucky ones, that is starting to suspect that the real "secret" is to not NEED any form of control, to be at peace with your life.
   
   Everything else that can come, will come, naturally.
   
   I wish you good fortune on your true path. Get started today.



4. It is soooo true: when we change the way we see the world, our world changes. SO VERY IMPORTANT to let go of all the self-limiting thoughts that hold us back from all the joy waiting for us. This book andLiving The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook show you how! Thank you.



5. I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend and I have not read it yet.

5 comments about Mind Performance Hacks: Tips & Tools for Overclocking Your Brain (Hacks).

1. This is a valuable book that is also very entertaining.
   
   The book is a compilation of seventy-five "hacks" designed to help us "overclock" our brains. Catchy! What it means is that the book is a collection of tips and techniques that speed and enhance our mental abilities. And they do.
   
   The tips deal with memory enhancement, perception, decision making, math applications, and general mental fitness. Most of them aren't really new, but all of them are very clearly explained and illustrated with real-world examples. Every tip has citations for further research, a feature that led me to several hours of surprising and useful reading.
   
   This is not a mental fitness system; that is, the author does not expect the reader to adopt and use every one of the tips. It's a loose collection of tools, and like all tools, the trick is to select the appropriate one for the task. I'm using several of the tools on a regular basis, and that more than justifies the cost of the book for me.
   
   Finally, the book is a very entertaining and very quick read. The author's style is just right. The information is presented in easy-to-digest blocks, and the explanations are very clear. The author clearly has expertise, but he's never condescending. The tone is light and slightly self-deprecating without being cutesy.
   
   I really liked this book. It's rare to find such a finely balanced combination of entertainment and utility. I'm very happy I bought it, and I recommend it highly.



2. Many of the 'hacks' are actually more difficult than the problem they are intended to solve.



3. Great book! You can learn many hacks to save time, sharpen your mind, remember things, Etc. Etc. Buy it! You will surely find something that will interest you, or help better develop your mind!



4. This book is a summary of techniques taken from the mentat wiki. While skimming a sample of hacks from each section, I discovered some less-than-scientific ideas. So, I went to the URL and tracked some of the links. I discovered that some of the links were legitimate links to peer-reviewed wikis, like Wikipedia. However, the contents of mentat do not appear to be peer-reviewed. For example, one link was to an interpretation of a research project which contained the researcher's comment that the site did not correctly interpret his research. Also, some links were to commercial web sites. So, the mentat content is simply a collection of individual opinions about different subjects. Therefore, as always, the hacks in this book should be evaluated with a critical mind. Some of the ideas are legitimate; some are simply extensions of long-held myths; some could be self-motivated trivia.



5. Help with clear thinking is essential now that the information flow has reached fever pitch and the demands on our brains have escalated so dramatically. When you consider that people base votes for politicians on 'who they'd rather have a beer with,' it becomes obvious that people need help. The paradox is that the people who most need the help are the least likely to benefit from this book, because some degree of clear thinking is necessary before you can gain the advantage of it.
   
   That said, it's a commendable read, it lays out in simplest terms that there are things you can do to clean up your messy brain and actively participate in modern life. Compliance professionals have hijacked the thinking ability of our society, and hacking your brain may be your only hope of escaping from their clutches. Each of these tips serves that purpose, but only if you act on it. I'd put a good night's sleep at the top of the list, because once I got a good night's sleep, i was able to read, recognize and integrate all the rest pretty effortlessly.
   
   Wonder what I mean about compliance professionals? We now understand what people respond to when it comes to persuasion. Insider's Guide To The Art Of Persuasion That can be a good thing when good (and thoughtful) people use it for good purpose. But our only protection from less than desirable persuasive efforts is using our ability to think for ourself. And the more you learn about how to do this, the safer and smarter you'll be. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

5 comments about The Divorce Remedy: The Proven 7-Step Program for Saving Your Marriage.

1. I agree with A Customer on this one. While this book is very matter of fact, it doesn't get into the touchy feely side like other books I have read (that's a good thing), it has clear steps on what do to and how to do. The practical side of me likes that.
   
   However, I think that most of the scenarios she described were run-of-the-mill problems as the previous poster suggested. I was thinking, these people are getting divorced over this? This should be a marriage communication book, not a brink of divorce book. She did mention in the beginning about abusive relationships. Not ALL marriages should be salvaged, so she did point that out. Unfortunately, I don't believe everything else that is non-abusive should be saved. Some people out there ARE happier without the emotionally abusive, passive aggressive person and do find better.
   
   It then left me to analyze the issues I have in my own relationship and I still question whether it's worth saving. After reading the book, I didn't feel overwhelmed with a gung-ho attitude that I'm saving this shambles of a relationship come hell or high water. The issues I am seeing are more serious (not as serious as physical abuse or drug addiction). I'm still questioning it - I don't know if I want it to work. I guess I am still open to new ideas as I keep reading books rather than getting out.
   
   The step where you write down what you are seeking in a good marriage (turning complaints into attainable positive goals) did take me sometime to formulate and was beneficial However, I came up with an entirely different person - one I don't think my spouse can or wants to be.
   
   The book seems to black and white to me, but perhaps what I am searching for I won't be able to find in a book.



2. This book is well written, empathetic, specific, and action oriented. It, along with the books and CD's by Ellen Kriedman on the same subject will change your marriage relationship or any relationship for the better. Highly recommended. boland7214@aol
   
   PS: I forgot to mention that the book, "Divorce Busting" is by the same author. "Divorce Busting" was written in about 1991 and this book was written about 10 years later. Which is "the better book"? I dunno. But, one would think the later book would be an improvement over the earlier book. I can't say for certain but that's the way it would seem, correct? But, I do like the title, "Divorce Busting"! :o)



3. In a culture where getting a divorce is almost reflexive when any marital problem may occur, this book provides an alternative frame of mind. My hope is that many would read this book as a preventative measure; before their marriage is on the rocks. Although, there are many examples in this book where such marriages have been saved as well. Easy to read and practical application points.



4. I like the way Michele Davis wrote this book better than the first book I read, Divorce Busting: A Step-By-Step Approach to Making Your Marriage Loving Again. The Divorce Remedy is full of helpful ideas that can be useful on a day to day basis. I also like the positive pro marriage message. Now to see if I can practice what she teaches!



5. Having read just about every relationship and divorce book on the market, it is this one that I buy multiple copies of and give to all my friends, relatives and others. Why? First, many marriage-saving books are written from a religious perspective, but this one is not. It is not that she is anti-religious, just that you don't have to be religious to enjoy the book. I also like the fact that it is not that she thinks divorce immoral, just that she sees how miserable it makes even those who initiate it, in many cases. On page 14 of her other excellent book Divorce Busting: A Step-by-Step Approach to Making Your Marriage Loving Again, Michele Weiner-Davis writes: "MOST PROBLEMS ARE SOLVABLE. I have not arrived at this conclusion based on religious or moralistic views. From my perspective, divorce is not immoral or bad. In fact, in extreme cases, certain relationships are better off terminated for the health and well-being of everyone involved."
   
   Many books are very negative and encourage behavior guaranteed to destroy a relationship instead of helping. This book is positive, gives the reader hope, and backs that up with concrete, specific, clear suggestions for what to actually do in practice to maximize the chance of saving your marriage.
   
   I like the fact that she points out that your friends, family, and therapist may well push you to end your marriage, if only because they only hear your own side of the story. This is so true. It is a pity people nowadays make the mistake of bad-mouthing their spouse to others. John Gottman, too, has written that this is one of the things that jeopardizes marriages. (Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage: America's Love Lab Experts Share Their Strategies for Strengthening Your Relationship)
   
   It is no good giving this book to a spouse who wants a divorce: it is not written for the person who wants a divorce but those who are prepared to make changes to save their marriage, or those who are at least willing to give their spouse another chance. If you are the spouse wanting a divorce, you might find it useful to give this book to your spouse, though you should of course make it clear that this is not intended to give your spouse hope. To the extent that your spouse adopts the author's suggestions, both you and your spouse will find life more pleasant, and it may well help your spouse to feel better whether or not it saves your marriage. (You too may be surprised if you adopt her suggestions!)
   
   For those not wanting to end your marriage, if only it could be a bit less ghastly, a bit more enjoyable, this is THE book to read. If you try the suggestions in this book and it still doesn't work, then at least you will know you did everything possible to save your marriage.
   
   Many of the suggestions are for very small changes that can have surprisingly large effects. Things you can actually do even in the midst of terrible turmoil and fear of loss of your marriage. Her suggestions will help you feel better about yourself AND better about your spouse.
   
   What is so beautiful about Weiner Davis's writing and this book in particular, is that she manages to be kind not just to the reader, but to the reader's spouse as well. For example, in Chapter 2, Weiner-Davis helps you to see that it is possible that each of you is mistakenly but very understandably blaming the other: "interactions in relationships are circular. You do something->your partner responds->you react->your partner responds, or, if it makes you feel better, you can view it the other way around. Your partner does something->you react->your partner responds->you react, and so on. Where the cycle begins is just a matter of perspective. And the good news about all of this is that when things are spiraling out of control, there is something you can do other than try to convince your partner to change. You can interrupt the cycle by changing your actions."
   
   There are so many otherwise worthwhile books that are marred either by the writer being nasty to the reader (IMO, Dr Laura's books often fall into this category) or by the writer being nasty about the reader's spouse or encouraging the victim mentality. To create a good relationship, good will is required, and it is difficult to develop good will when the relationship is on the rocks, but if any book can help you do this, it is this one by Michele Weiner Davis.
   
   Another problem with many relationship and marriage saving books is that they require both spouses to work on the marriage. We all know how unlikely that is, even in the best of marriages! This book assumes that only ONE of you wants to work on the marriage, and that there is never any question of the other person being expected to help save the marriage is very freeing and cheering, because it gives the reader hope and removes the feeling of powerlessness that is engendered when you read a book that assumes you both want to make changes together. As you yourself take action to improve your own life and treat your spouse well (but no, we are NOT talking being a doormat, here!) you start to feel less panic-stricken, more calm and peaceful, less out of control, and you can then hold your head high.
   
   This author is nothing short of a genius. Read her books. Unless you are the most negative, cynical person I can imagine, you will find her ideas very practical, very helpful, and very much worth the price of the book.
   
   All her books are worth reading. This one is absolutely brilliant.