5 comments about The Answer to How Is Yes: Ac on What Matters.

1. Block has done a fine job of discussing individual responsibility and helping get to the heart of the question "What are we really trying to accomplish?" rather than "How can we get this done and crossed off the list?" Too often, organizations are in such a rush to get things done that they end up putting the square peg in the round hole. They duplicate a solution that worked for a similar, but not identical problem etc. I feel like this book is the complimentary inverse of Block's "Stewardship" book. Whereas "Stewardship" looks at the organization and its effectiveness from a leadership/management point of view, this book addresses the personal autonomy and personal responsibility that all workers should have -- what Block's "Stewardship" book calls for as necessary for effective leadership (that the power and responsibilty are within the ranks of each worker). This book delves into this concept of pushing responsiblity down to each individual in the organization and what that means practically to the indvidual. As with "Stewardship," Block writes well and effectively delivers evidence and concrete examples along with his theory to make his points.



2. Peter Block aptly reminds us how important it is to ask the right questions, listen to the answers, take time to engage in authentic conversation that goes beyond ping-pong talking to deep discussions and ongoing dialog. Thanks and thanks again.



3. I re-read a lot of the first few chapters because I wasn't grasping what the author was trying to say. Hang in there, though, it all comes together later in the book. By the way, there is probably already a copywrite on it, but a more appropriate title for the book is "Learning how to think outside of the box".



4. This is an easy to read, practical book. The concept of focusing on what instead of how is empowering. As I flipped through the pages I could clearly notice the empowering nature of what it takes to ask the right questions. In asking how questions--we give away our power because how questions assumes that someone knows better or have a better experience or knowledge about something--whatever. What questions are empowering and lead to possibilities, individual role and responsibility and freedom. The book advances that in the twenty first century we need to move from the mechanistic way of doing things to become artist and architects in creating new and empowering situations that engage our better nature and lead us to adding and creating value.



5. Peter Block is a wizard! A book filled with insights, thoughts and questions that will make you pause and reflect. If you are leader in any capacity- READ this book.
   Peter uses mind bending questions to provoke deep thought about your individual and organizational purpose. "What are the crossroads that I find myself at?" "What is the 'no' that I have been postponing?" "What is the question, that if I had the answer, would set me free?"
   Peter has used these and other questions (all listed in the book) with schools, city governments, non-profit organizations, places of worship and businesses.
   Try a question or two at your next meeting! Change the context of the conversation!
   This is a book full of optimism girded in practical reality. Challenge yourself. Build community. Read this book, share the concepts!
   And if you ever get the chance to see Peter in person, do it! This quiet, unassuming man, with a gentle grandfatherly approach, is a wonder.

5 comments about Drawing for Dummies.

1. This is a nice basic drawing book. This book teaches you how to do tonal drawings by crosshatching. She doesn't smudge her drawings to save time and you can tell by the finished piece. This would be good practice for someone interested in printmaking.



2. I like this book on some levels. On other levels...erm...there are problems. I agree that there are a lot of cartoony drawings, as well as some more realistic ones where she seemed to go through a looong period of giving people strange looking round clown type noses. The effect is off putting...not charming as I think was hoped.
   She also uses what I think is a lot of inappropriate hatching..making her subjects sometimes seem kind of...hairy looking.
   But these are all style issues...I really can't find fault with her technical ability. In fact, many drawings are beautiful.
   As for blending, she feels it is more difficult to do well , and that's why she doesn't really approach it here. On her website she states more or less that to blend or not should be up to the individual artist and gives a reasonable tutorial on blending correctly.
   Her examples are often not illustrated enough...and written instructions seem hurried, without details on how to do what she is talking about.
   Also the pics in the examples are far too small...
   But this is a good book as far as being approachable goes.
   It gives good solid info, and does cover many subjects.
   One book is rarely definitive in any endeavor one tries to learn...and often you can't cover everything in one book.
   Publishers sometimes have to think about the larger market and what it will pay for.As far as we know she may have a limit on how many words and images she can use!
   These books are designed to be inexpensive and general.
   Given that fact, I think this particular "Dummie" book, does pretty well.



3. Well, I really wanted to learn how to draw well, so I picked this up. The first few chapters really help, but then it became was to hard for a beginning artist. Some of the stuff she wants you to draw is insane, and I just gave up on this book. If you want a good drawing book for beginners, don't look at this one.



4. Drawing for Dummies was a gift for my nephew, who likes to draw comic chacters.As you might expect, they are all out of proportion and child-like.He is a teenager now and is looking for some guidance to improve his drawing. When I first received this book, I thumbed through it and read the chapter headings. I'm sure he will profit from this book. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
   A.R.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



5. Drawing for Dummies is a great drawing guide. I am somewhere between beginner and intermediate but no where near advanced in my drawing skills. I found this book to be of great help in learning new things and sharpening skills that I already have.
   It offers many exercises to improve and enhance your drawing style.
   It is a simple read; the author doesn't make it all technical and boring.
   I think this is a book that every aspiring artist should have on their shelves.

5 comments about The Difference a Day Makes: 365 Ways to Change Your World in Just 24 Hours.

1. For some, compassionate feelings can overwhelm spare time and energy: readers with such a problem should consider The Difference a Day Makes : 365 Ways to Change Your World in Just 24 Hours a kind of recipe collection for doing good. Turn good intentions into powerful action with a guide which provides vast lists of good things which can be done in a few simple minutes or hours; from providing a resource list for a neighborhood to encouraging workplace and home use of the arts, and assisting an elder who has a pet.



2. What a refreshing read - both thought provoking and resourceful, In today's "information overload" society, it's nice to have a handy resource to help me accomplish many of my personal volunteer goals without it being so much work. In fact, I'm going to buy copies for all my nieces and nephews as they are all charged with doing community service projects and, in my opinion, need to experience that "giving back," among other things, makes you feel good about yourself!



3. This is a nice book. It shows how simple everyday deeds can have a positive impact upon the world. Too often people who genuinely want to do something good for society honestly don't know how to go about achieving anything. This book gives great suggestions and points would-be philanthropists in the right direction.



4. "The Difference a Day Makes" is a terrific book. Karen has done a great job in communicating the importance of giving back every day. There were several new ways to give that I learned through reading this book. It is easy to read, understand and implement in your daily life. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to make a difference (and that should be everyone).



5. This book contains a lot of information on ways you can make a difference. It is great for parents to consider if they are looking for family activities that teach their children about the world around them. As a single person, this has given me some great ideas of ways I can help others and feel like I am making more of an impact in the world.

5 comments about The Enabler: When Helping Hurts the Ones You Love.

1. This book is a good read to start to unlock those hidden doors in our lives.



2. A very open and honest book. You may not have exactly the same family life but you can gain excellent lesson of how not to help too much. Learn to make your kids more responsible and happy and don't overstep your helping mark.



3. I really enjoyed this, and found it a good way to get myself back on track. Anyone who loves someone struggling with addictions could greatly improve their own lives as well as the lives of the addicted loved ones. This, along with Codependent No More by Melodie Beattie, is a MUST READ.



4. We purchased this book for our family and for other family members. It is a good read to help family members who have Enablers in the family (parents) and is also good if you have children growing up and don't want to Enable them into becoming co-dependent. A good read to make sure your children grow up to have strong self esteems and to become responsible adults. Author could expand more into this area - the parent/child co-dependency area to help families out more in that area.



5. I could have used this book about four years ago.... For me, I was the enabler and started to go to Alanon meetings about 0ne year ago. Some of the material in this book - I already learned thru Alanon but it was good for me to review it anyway. I truley believe that if you are in an alcoholic or drug situation ---- it is good to learn as much as you can about the disease or problem. I pray for all of you out there that find their life in complete turmoil as they watch a loved one destroy his life and in the end can do a lot of damage both mentally and physically to you. Take care of yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a strange disease where you find yourself thinking that you are "HELPING" but in reality ---you may be prolonging the problem and keeping the alcoholic from finding the "HELP" that they truley need. My story is ending in a divorce to a man that I still care very deeply for but hate the man that he has become as a result of his disease. He is currently slowly dying in a hospital while his insides are so messed up and not getting any better. I wish that if I had read more books like this earlier --- maybe just maybe things may have been different today.... who knows but, it would have lead me in a different direction and I would have done things differently. God bless each and everyone of you who are painfully going thru this ugly mess.

5 comments about The Law of Success: Using the Power of Spirit to Create Health, Prosperity, and Happiness.

1. Paramhansa Yogananda shares the spiritual truth of success in the every day world.
   
   The Laws of Success apply to whatever aspect of our lives we want to focus on,Wealth,Health,Happiness..the principles are the same.
   
   A must read.



2. LOCAL COLOR IN IT. Over 50 years ago the Hindu swami held talks and exhortations in sunny California, where vegetarianism is largely easier than near the North Pole among Eskimos and whales, to be sure. This is to say all his points or guidelines do not suit anybody - far from it. They are not perfectly universal, that is.

   OTHER TIMES, OTHER CUSTOMS. Further, he adjusted to the minds of those who came to see and hear him; not a few of them were middle-class American ladies from back then. Times have changed, that's what I seek to tell ye.

   FAILED YOGANANDA PROJECTS. A rather revealing sidelight to me was the online information that some project Yogananda went heavily into and headed, failed, even though he spoke very friendly that his will was "indomitable" in other places. Included among his marred projects were a children's school or something similar where his headquarters is now, and a publishing scheme he invited to in his magazine.

   COMPARE LIFE AND TEACHINGS. And this is to say: a little comparison between what the guru said and what the guru failed in, may be beneficial too, not to all, but it should be to many.

   LOCAL APPLICATIONS LOST. Inspirational talks that don't take into account differing conditions and hard times, and hence do not fit in LOCALLY, may not be of any help to those of harsh conditions.

   ADDITIONAL MENTION. Besides, a brief booklet-book of this size does not include many of the hundreds and thousands of success principles you may find in "Better Management" books nowadays.




3. I got this little book as a gift from a former student. I treasure this book.It resonates with the wisdom of a Master Soul. I have given a copy to each of my daughters because I think Yogananda sums up what we should seek in this life.
   If you are searching for your life purpose start with this little book. Read it regularly. Let its wisdom sink deep into your consciousness. You will become a better person if you thoughfully read it.



4. "The Law of Success" was written by a man who has realized God. Thus this book is filled with infinite wisdom and Truth. If one is to follow the author's advice with reverence and devotion, one will progress far in life. If one is to apply business practices by following the instructions in this book, his/her business will be a success. In short, this book is the stratosphere of all the self-help books in the market.



5. A common man doesn't have the faintest idea of his potential. Mainly because we don't know who we are. That infinite knowledge, potential and wisdom lies right within us. Is what Sir. Yogananda is trying to tell us. He is showing us the way to unleash this power. Einstein did, Gandhi did, Martin Luther King did, Newton did and so did many others. The Apple used to fall from the tree even before Newton said it. Where did they pull it all out of? From within their deep inner self. So can you. There is much more to achieving success than the zillions of management books lying in every trash. So here it is just a pointer from a realized master. A fantastic book. Doesnt have to be a 5000 page book. Enjoy....

5 comments about The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life.

1. Julia Cameron's work is always engaging and this book is no exception. `The Right to Write' is written with beauty and eloquence and would make the perfect companion for any would be writer who struggles with making a start or trusting in their own abilities to bring their work to completion.
   
   With many years as a published writer, Julia's experience and candour gives the reader insights into her own writing life that are inspiring and profound. She takes the budding writer by the hand, and through carefully selected exercises, guides her to overcome resistance and start producing results. Julia turns the experience into something to be cherished, not feared, and the results can be extremely gratifying. If you are in love with the idea of writing and desire to deepen your relationship even more, then this book is for you. Indulge yourself!



2. I haven't been able to get into Julia's other books. I often feel very uncreative when I try to work through them. But I like this book as it seems to be telling me just what I need to hear right now. The chapter on Bad Writing and The Time Lie were especially helpful in getting me going. I like that the chapters are short and when I'm done I feel like writing. I don't do the activities in the book and instead go straight to the projects I'm working on.
   
   Another good resource with similar tips and inspiration is Heather Seller's books Page by Page and Chapter by Chapter.



3. Julia Cameron believes that everyone is a writer. Her purpose in writing this book, therefore, is to free the writer she believes is in you. I disagree with her assumption. We are not all writers any more than we are all dentists or mathematicians. As a writer and a psychologist myself, this is an important distinction to make because this book eminently describes many of the facets of the writer's personality.
   
   In my experience there are people who think they would like to be writers, but always have some reason why they are not; and there are others who write because they need to do it for themselves. There is something inside of them that they have to get out, and it is best expressed through writing. I believe that this is why several reviewers have felt that this book could not help them. They weren't really writers at all.
   
   If you have the personality of a writer, then this book will tell you a great deal about yourself - your feelings, your struggles, and your thoughts. It will explain the artistic temperament to you and help you to understand your own behaviors and fears. But, if you are not an artist in general, and a writer in particular, then this book is probably not for you.



4. Julia Cameron's book is a valuable tool for anyone interested in exploring their creative potential. Her philosophies reach well past writing into expanding the real and imagined boundaries of life's routines.
   
   "Each day, each life, is a series of choices, and as we use the lens of writing to view our lives, we see our choices."
   (Julia Cameron "The Right to Write")
   
   "The Right to Write" is briskly organized, with plenty of practical exercises designed to get thwarted creatives (Julia would argue that would include EVERYONE at some point sometime) to demystify writing, and the hyperbolic, foreboding mythology surrounding a writing life.
   
   I was fortunate to attend one of Ms. Cameron's workshops in New York City. Her sincere desire to help writers "metabolize" experience into words on the page exemplifies her own hard-won "learned faith."
   Thank you Julia.



5. There are only a few books that I buy anymore because of personal budget cuts and moving close to a GREAT library. I finally decided to buy this book because every time I went to the library I would check and see if it was on the shelves (and check the book out if it was). This little book has done more to free up the writer in me than anything I ever could have done on my own. I feel like this book has helped me to unlearn a lot of those cold, sterile writing techniques I learned back in high school. Now I am writing with a personality!

5 comments about Life After Death: The Burden of Proof.

1. I initially wanted to write this book off as yet another potboiler of spiritual materialism. I was predisposed to reject it as another cheapening of deep and profound matters in order to turn a buck. Then I forced myself to actually read it. I found that it fit with my own hard won views on the subject. There was certainly no cheapening of spiritual matters here. In fact, I wish to add a copy of this book to my personal library.
   
   One thing that helped change my mind was the author's admission that his own mother died the year before this book was published. This is reflected by the obvious sincerity and depth of focus on the topic.
   
   The author's background in Vedanta ties the book together. While he explores many avenues ancient and modern it is tied together by returning to the Vedas and the rishis. This appealed to me for I have found this to be the root of the perennial philosophy- the anchor of the Golden Thread. The teaching of the three domains (physical objects, subtle objects, and pure consciousness) within the interpenetrating Reality of the Akashic field resonates with truth. Moreover, the concept that you can switch your primary allegiance from the physical realm to the subtle in life- and be supported by it- has been satisfactorily verified in my own life. Similarly, over identification with the physical realm will hold you back from what is truly significant in life.
   
   The author states that there will never be a definitive book on this subject. With people at so many different levels of development, how could there be? However, this book will open the door to the Mystery just enough, that those who are ready may possibly enter in.



2. This book is yet another brilliant and deep read from one of the world's leading spiritual leaders. A scientific viewpoint which convinces even the deepest of skeptics that there is a world beyond the one we currently live in, this book gives hope and reassurance to all who want to believe in the paradise that is to come. I loved every word.
   
   [...]



3. A book that achieves the unattainable: to reconcile science with religion and philosophies on such complex issues such as: what happens after we die?, where do we come from?, where do we go to?, why is it that we are here?, what's life's sense?, does personality survive our death?, where is God?, Will I ever see my beloved departed ones? (by the way, you bet we all will!) etc...
   
   This Deepak Chopra's masterpiece very clearly (and in simple terms) explains how is that conscience masters us and the whole cosmos. It goes on to explain with beautiful stories, metaphors and scientific evidence the mechanisms behind our brains and mind, our bodies, our souls and the definitive connections between us all and every single "thing" in the universe. We are and everything else, the expression of the cosmos!
   
   This book prepares us all for an inevitable outcome... so, it's both, a consolation and an inspiring source of invaluable information... definitively the kind all human beings should receive as soon as we are capable of understanding that the day we are born is the day we begin to die, only to keep on living...



4. I loved this book. Deepak is giving us a tour of different approaches to life a after death and it's quite objective. You can decide what you choose to believe, it's really a personal choice. Somehow, I felt compelled to investigate his proposed view on the subject because it's helping me out!
   I come from a Christian background where sin was the main act. Unfortunately, I moved away from spirituality because it felt wrong...Deepak is helping me connect back with the source, the universal love that happens to flow everywhere in every one when not masked by fear, judgment, anxiety, guilt etc... A eye opening book for a better life.



5. I love this guy! He is so intriguing. I have seen him on TV and always thought what he said made sense. So I bought this book... my first Deepak Chopra book. I feel that he has many important things to say, but uses long confusing sentences when he could have easily gotten away with a simpler one. I found myself rereading sentence after sentence. Its not that the vocabulary was difficult, its just that some of the wording can be a bit convoluted. Here is an example.. picked out of the book...
   
   "If there is only one reality, as the rishis declare, then life is not a struggle between good and evil, but a tangled web where all actions, good and bad, move us closer to reality or deeper into illusion."
   
   I mean really, that was a random example, but I had to read that twice... slowly, to get what he was saying.
   
   "the erosion of faith has not left Paradise untouched."
   
   So does that mean it left Paradise touched? I am not sure. The whole book is like that. But, when you finally 'get' what he is saying, it is truly profound. It just takes awhile. Or maybe its just me.

1 comments about The Everyday Visionary: Focus Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.

1. Very well written Mr. Duplantis. My wife and I are professionals and we found this book's challenge to the status quo to be inspiring.
   If you are looking to jump start your life or career this is the book for you.

5 comments about How to Study, 6th Edition.

1. great! if you need help w/ studying this book is the way to go.



2. I read this book many years ago (maybe it was the first or second edition) and it changed my style of studying forever. I was failing my pre-med courses when I found this book. I ended up getting A's in organic chemistry and applied calculus. This book should be required reading before undertaking any serious scholastic endeavor. This is the only book that doesn't disguise the effort that is required in learning - no magic tricks nor skills that only "special" students have - the ability is in all of us and Ron Fry shows you how.



3. love this book, and highly recommend it for anyone...received my order super-fast on regular delivery.



4. I learned most of these lessons the hard way.... years and years of studying the wrong way. Save yourself time and a GPA and take a look.



5. Man i need it this for like My Whole Life. It teaches you good fundamental stuff to succed in your study life. Good examples and easy to understand.

5 comments about The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life's Hurdles.

1. This book does an excellent job of helping people to understand their thought processes, recognize when negative thought processes occur, and the tools to overcome these negative thoughts. The author describes how positive psychology helps individuals develop greater reserves of resilience to deal with life's inevitable obstacles. Reivich further provides wonderful advice on recognizing our core beliefs and how they often dictate our reactions in a variety of circumstances. Finally, I found the author's explanation of "catastophizing" and how to avoid it particularly helpful. This concept involves when we have an event occur, and we then start to develop stories in our minds of all of the horrible consequences that might happen as a result. We snowball the one event into dramatical, horrible consequences. Reivich explains how to avoid this from happening and regain control of our mental processes so that we may think clearly and find solutions. Very helpful and insightful book!



2. Here you will learn (among other things) the ABC method of raising your optimism (closely aligned with resiliency) which has the potential of curing what many people call "depression". This book is so important, that I selected it from among hundreds to use in a teleclass I am teaching to other coaches in the Professional Coaches Association of Michigan about Positive Psychology and Strengths-Based Organizations.
   
   The book discusses the Resilience Factor index, a free online assessment that assesses your resilience along several factors. A very worthwhile book, to study as well as to simply read.



3. All self-help has the same message -- you can only make positive choices in your life if you can figure out what choices you are making without any thought and then changing course by adding understanding. Most processes expect you to figure out why you do what you do by yourself and then layer their method on top to solve your issues. This process has so many different ways to explore your old habits that you can not help but change and make better choices. My only caveat is that you read this book over a long period of time; perhaps one chapter a week to truly process all of the information.I also suggest reading that chapter before bed and letting your subconscious mull over its lessons overniight. Excellent!



4. ****
   This book was an exploration, via cognitive behavioral therapy, of resilience, and gives the reader seven skills to master to increase their own resilience. The two authors, who are also resilience researchers, call these skills: emotion regulation, impulse control, empathy, causal analysis, self-efficacy, and reaching out. These seven skills can be measured (and the book includes self-tests), learned (through practicing concepts discussed in the book) and continually improved.
   
   Although this book was enormously helpful to me, it does cover only the aspect of resilience that responds to CBT, and thus is somewhat narrow in scope. It doesn't explore spiritual aspects of resilience, or other approaches, just cognitive behavioral therapy. However, it does this quite well. In addition, the writing style was academic, so I felt as though I was reading a text, and it was a bit of work to get through it rather than fun. Note that in this paperback version the text is small; I struggled especially with the text size in the inset boxes. Still, with those limitations, it covered the topic well and will be very useful to me.
   
   Recommended.
   ****



5. This book is a must read for anyone in a services industries. It will help you identify thinking traps in yourself and others that cause a breakdown in communication, and it provides solutions, to prevent those disconnects.