5 comments about Good Grief.

1. I worked for Hospice Austin and we used this book in our grief counseling groups. It is an excellent guide to the stages of the grieving process.



2. This book "Good Grief" was a most helful little book to me. It tells the
   syptoms of greif in truly honest manner. It brings comfort and hits the
   symtems right on the nail's head. I ordered three more copies for my adult
   children, who had just lost their father, {my husband[.
   My pastor recommended it to me.
   
   In faith of God's love, Doris A. Voller



3. Excellent material for anyone going through deep grief whether death or deep pain and disappointment.



4. Good Grief is an excellent book for all families that have lost a loved one. We are never parpared for death, this book leads you through the griefing process and makes it much easier.



5. I got five copies of this book to give to co-workers who had deaths in the family. I got them quickly and in excellent condition. All of the recipients said they were helped by the books. Thanks so much.

5 comments about New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way: Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90 (Wise Woman Herbal Series, Book 5) (Wise Woman Ways).

1. This book was recommended to me by a Wise Woman and it has helped me so much in understanding how my life can still be Fantastic at 45 and forward from here. An excellent, well researched resource book for all open minded women approaching menopause.



2. I did not like this book and thought it was very wacky. First of all, I did not appreciate the author telling me to think of myself as a crone because I am going through/ in menopause. The writing style was silly-with each chapter beginning with an older voice telling you how you should feel about all the changes going on. It was like a fairy tale. I can not say how accurate the information she gave for vitamins and herbs was but I didn't like when she said never have your ovaries removed and then didn't follow up about what would happen once they are removed. She is very anti hormone and while they may not help some women, they may be the right thing for others. The book goes overboard on natural remedies and does not supply any scientific or medical information to back up her claims. I'm glad I didn't buy this book-instead I took it out from the library. Read this book with a critical mind and don't accept it as truth. It's interesting but I don't believe everything in it.



3. Excellent help. Full of sound advice and herbs to really help the menopause years and women in general.



4. A couple months ago, I was having a conversation with my mother. I mentioned some of the health issues I was having. She looked at me, leaned over, and then in a hushed voiced said that she hated to break it to me but I was having pre-menopausal symptoms.
   
   How could this be happening to me? I'm not old. I'm not ready to get facial hair, brittle bones, and happily retire with my cats.
   
   It was then that I remembered Susun and her Wise Woman series of books. I have read several of her books and absolutely adored them. Susun has a way of making sense of disease, as a normal part of our spiritual and psychological growth.
   
   Without a doubt New Menopausal Years has armed me with information and a whole new perspective. My life doesn't have to include hormone injections, crazy mood swings, or adverse signs of aging. I now see this new phase of my life as an opportunity to take better care of myself and focus on the things I want to do with my life.



5. As soon as you reach menopause things start going haywire. I went thru it with nary a hitch as soon as I turned 50. I thought, "What's the big deal?" But now, at 54, I find I have osteosporous and high cholesterol. Well, who would have thought something called horsetail could help the bones! I read that in this book and started ordering some (after I figured out it came in pills and I didn't have to start yanking the tails off a horse). But the thing in here that really got me was about calcium. I have had leg cramps and restless legs for years and there's nothing over the counter that seemed to help, except quinine which you can't get unless you have had malaria. This book says if you take about 1500 mg a day, it helps that. I was skeptical as I have always been skeptical about taking any vitamins or minerals...but it works! After taking calcium for just a few days, I could tell the difference. Why doesn't doctors tell you this when you complain of this problem? The only thing I didn't agree with in book was the author doesn't recommend mammograms because she thinks the radiation can cause cancer after enough of them. I agree but disagree also. I'm not sure I want to go this far in my own self treatment. I've known too many women who died of breast cancer to agree with her totally. It's a great book though and has lots of helpful hints. I now spend a lot of time in the vitamin section of the store after ignoring that section for years. I actually do feel better taking them.

5 comments about The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved.

1. We are all involved in relationships. But most do not achieve real meaningful ones. Our relationships don't turn sour, we just become indifferent.
   
   We have been bombarded by messages that promise fun, excitment, pleasure and possessions are the answer to our emotional needs. But those are all feelings. And feelings change. They are not permanent. So no matter how much fun and excitement we pursue, it will not satisfy the basic need for intimacy. Our wants - material possessions - cannot fulfill our need for intimacy.
   
   Matthew does and excellent job of exploring what intimacy is and what it is not. Most people have a misconception of what intimacy is.
   
   The book is filled with very valuable information about the various types of intimacy - physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Matthew also provides the basis for a strong relationship. If you read and accept his premise, you will change the way you look at your relationships. You will understand that most relationships are self-centered and therefore almost always doomed to fail.
   
   The book is divided into three parts. The first part defines intimacy, the second part discusses the seven levels of intimacy and the last part discusses the 10 reasons why people do not have a great relationship and how to design a great relationship.
   
   Your primary relationship will have a huge impact on your quality of life. This is very valuable information and should be read by everyone who has not commited to living as a hermit.



2. we all know-more or less-the things necessary for a successful, fulfilling relationship. however, too often we struggle with how to achieve one. kelly offers some (common sense) insight and suggestions on perspectives and approaches to accomplish the relationships that we wish for. it confirmed much of what i knew yet was very practical. i highly recommend it.



3. Fabulous book, more people should read it and it would make the world a better place with better people.



4. Wonderful book on intimacy and it's necessity to the totality of the human being. The book has a neatly laid out theory or look at intimacy and even includes some great practicals on how to work towards intimacy in your relationships. Great read.



5. I never read it. I gather she liked it. Once you have achieved coming together as one and lost all sense of time and space I think you're a little past the seventh level.

5 comments about Tai Chi Chuan: 24 & 48 Postures with Martial Applications.

1. This book is a concise introduction to Tai Chi Chuan. It details two Yang-style forms: 24 and 48 postures and includes martial art applications for the movements.
   
   An impressive array of short biographies is presented at the beginning of this YMAA publication, providing the reader with a sense of well-founded authority.
   
   An excellent summary of the written and oral histories of Tai Chi is given, including a chart showing the origins of the five major styles of Tai Chi.
   
   The book is aimed at beginners and students with intermediate skills, so in the 2nd chapter guidelines for practicing are suggested. Warm-up techniques are clearly presented with sharp photographic images, a quality that is maintained throughout the book. Considerable space in
   
   Chapter 3 is devoted to the details of stances, basic movements and postures.
   
   Chapter 4, the core of the book, contains the 24 posture form which includes martial arts applications. The authors listed the movements and provided an excellently coded chart that shows the foot positions, the head positions, toe and heel positions, the direction of movement and the width of the stance. Each movement is described with text and images, including arrows showing the direction of movement and one or more examples of how the movement could be used against an attack Combined with an instructor, the movement description in this book would serve to help keep beginners from falling into bad habits.
   
   Chapter 5 presents the 48 posture form in same manner as was used in the 24 posture form, except the movement diagram is omitted as are the martial arts applications.
   
   At the back of the book, the authors include a list of the movement names in Chinese and English, a translation of the Chinese terms used in the book, a bibliography and an index.
   
   I would have like to have seen captions for each photographic image and martial arts applications for the new movements included in the 48 posture form. There are a few places where additional images would help clarify the meaning of directional arrows.
   
   The book is a good manual for beginners learning the 24 posture form, but it falls short of being a great manual



2. No book can be everything to everyone. That said, this book is far more informative and useful than many of the 20 or 30 Tai Chi books I own. For the beginner or intermediate student, this will be very useful. For someone interested in the martial aspects of Tai Chi, this will be a good introduction. It is, after all, only a 150 page book ! It's not a 20 volume Tai Chi encyclopedia.



3. Good overview of the practice. Explains why each movement is relevant and how it is effective. Pretty good overall.



4. It is a very good book for individual to learn and for coach to refer.



5. I received this book along with the DVD "Simplified Taci Chi Chuan" 24 & 48 postures and would definitely recommend purchasing both. This book talks about the history of tai chi, guideline for body movements and breathing, warm-up exercises, a VERY helpful diagram that shows you exactly how you will be moving, and then throughly goes through all the postures. Great for anyone, but definitely recommended for the beginner. Very interesting and helpful. Thank you.

5 comments about Encouragements for the Emotionally Abused Woman: Wisdom and Hope for Women At Any Stage of Emotional Abuse Recovery.

1. No woman wants to need to read this book. However, those of us who have lived the abuse know the pain. We carry our abuse with us like an unlit torch thinking it will light the path before us. Only to find out it is the abuse that keeps us in the dark. This book is the true light; it is the words we need to hear echo in our heads; it is the hope that our lives in the end will mean something to ourselves and others. Both Encouragements and "The Emotionally Abused Woman" are a must read. It can make life lighter.



2. As a support group facilitator of a domestic violence group, I have found Encouragements for the Emotionaly Abused invaluable. Women in group and every woman who comes to the shelter program for help receives a copy of this book. It aids healing and validates everything someone feels when in an abusive relationship. I highly recomend this publication to anyone who has at any time in thier life experienced any form of abuse.



3. Gives you so much insight into your own world. Thank you for this book. It has helped me see the truth as it really is. Not how I would want to see it.



4. I purchased this material, because I am in love with a woman who has suffered from emotional and sexual abuse as a child and I wanted to learn more about the subject. My hope was to learn about the topic, so as to be understanding and helpful to her, as our relationship progressed. Honestly, this has proven to be a difficult relationship, yet I would say the material has been rather helpful...written simply, and clearly...an easy read. No 2 situations can be exactly the same, so not every point can be applied, that would be my only caution when reviewing the material. For anyone who has suffered from this tradgedy, my guess is this is valuable reading...for anyone wanting to understand the challenges of those who have, it is a good starting point to learn. However, more sources will be needed to grasp the challenges presented.



5. I read this book as a way to help clients that come into our office. I was amazed at how much I learned, and what a pick-me-up it ended up being for me. It is an easy read, and is a wonderful help to anyone, at any stagein the healing process or life. I highly reccommend it!

5 comments about The Intimacy Struggle: Revised and Expanded for All Adults.

1. I have read a good deal on ACoAs, being one myself and having stuggled with the issues inherent in that. All the books make the general statement that "ACoAs have problems in intimate relationships," but none of them went into the whys and wherefores. This book fixes that. It is an easy read and cuts to the chase without going in to a lot of theory, so if you want to get to the heart of the matter, this is the book.



2. Do not hesitate to read this book...it has changed my life. This book has rated a solid #1; the best self-help book I have ever read. The reason for how I act and react are exact. This book touched every area of my life from my childhood to adulthood. My experience with alcohol? Alcohol has affected every area of my life: alcoholic parent; drunk driver killed my mother, divorced an alcoholic after 30 years; now raising a child of an alcoholic parent. I am reading this book to my child now; my question to her.."is this helping you"..her response "that is exactly how I feel"..my response..."we can't change the past, but we change the future".



3. This book helped me to understand my problems with intimacy. It made me aware of the stumbling blocks in the way. Couseling and good books to read on the subject have been so helpful. It will take time and discernment to deal with my distrust, but I want to get well and this book helped me make a plan.



4. Over 20 years ago my soon-to-be-husband and I read Janet Woititz's "Struggle for Intimacy" together. I had been in an ACA group for a few months and had just met "Mr. Right" and did NOT want to sabotage yet another relationship as I had so many times before.
   
   With this book as our "bible" we hammered out a plan for a sane relationship that has lasted, yes, 20 years. Happily! No kidding!
   
   I have just ordered another three copies of her updated edition "The Intimacy Struggle." I think I have owned, loaned, and given away at least ten copies of these two books over the years, to friends and family.
   
   The other reviews say it all. This is an awesomely clear and direct book, and practical as all getout. My husband and I owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Woititz.
   
   Buy it.



5. Book arrived very quickly after ordering. It's a great book that provides a lot of insight. It also has a chapter for person dating the ACOA. I found that helpful as well as I'm sure people's significant others will too.

5 comments about Bringing Out the Best in People.

1. I started reading the book as a part of my personal development with the company that I work for. The book is founded in behaviorism, and does not stray from the concepts associated with this worldview. My issue with it is that I believe that people are more than a reaction to the things that happen to us. We have unique personalities, and they consist of more than the conditioning that they are subjected to. This psychology takes away the idea of free-will and choice, and eliminates personal responsibility. When it comes to managing people, I believe that these are important elements to tap into. This behaviorist approach to management may look good on the surface, and make logical sense, but is flawed by its nature, and cannot have any long lasting impact.



2. This is an essential text for anyone who manages people. Daniels is clearly 'for' creating a workplace that taps the innate desire to contribute and against one run by fear. I've seen nearly 35 years of organizational life, as employee, manager and consultant. That's a lot of fads, slogans and philosophies. This book is the real deal.
   
   When people are managed using these clear, rigorous, objective principles, stress and interpersonal barriers decrease, work exceeds expectations. I also recommend Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication".



3. Aubrey Daniels offers an insightful look at the behavioral school of management, and its key tools: positive, and negative reinforcement. The book covers how to link rewards to behaviors you want to reinforce, when to deliver them, and how to design systems to support them. While not without its flaws, the book is well written and offers plenty of practical advice - if you're an aspiring manager, or a seasoned veteran, 'Bringing Out the Best in People' is a solid investment of your time.



4. I found this book to offer not only good tools to use but it's a good book to reference when needed. Quick to go over, with keeping to simple and factual format. It's of great use for any level of management.



5. Nutshell review - If you are in a management position and want to understand how to motivate people then this is a really insightful and useful book.

5 comments about Attracting Abundance with EFT*: *Emotional Freedom Techniques.

1. EFT is amazing. You sometimes get a result in minutes sometimes days, sometimes weeks.
   
   I went through only half of this book with the exercises and didn't finish it all.
   
   Within days my business increased 20%. I didn't realize until just now. For 6 months my business has been off and I blamed the economy. I'm now back to where I have been for years and I'm sure it will get even better if I do the EFT for that again.
   
   Carol Look is amazing and I hope she writes a lot more books and makes more CD's.



2. As an EFT practitioner, I am familiar with Dr. Look's work. I love EFT, I use it on myself and with my clients. It works! Dr. Look has developed a marvelous plan to free us in the area of abundance. I am sure the book goes into a great deal of depth. However, please be aware that her abundance techniques with EFT are available on the EFT website: [...], as is an abundance of information on using EFT in every conceivable situation and with every conceivable problem. If you've never done EFT before, by all means, get the book. If you are already familiar with EFT, I strongly recommend getting Dr. Look's abundance EFT free on line.



3. I am currently working on tapping abundance right now and this book has a lot of insight on ridding oneself of the unconcious goo regarding our money and abundance issues. I highly recommend it.



4. EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) is a way to pay for physically experienced gains with invisible money through the mode of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)--a system of tapping on accupressure points. Yes, it's magic and it is the greatest of all therapy techniques for one reason: You get what you ask for? What you want? No. You get what you pay for--and you can pay for your dreams via EFT. Finally, after 10,000 years of cheesy therapy techniques, we have a system for Instaneous Wish Manifestation. Pass it on!



5. Carol Look has left out what is possibly the most important component in this book....the basic instructions. Ms. Look tells you what to tap. She gives you a series of different questions, problems, negative statements, and positive statements. What she doesn't give the reader is recommended lengths of of time to see results. Should you do these daily? Weekly, monthly, hourly, or what?????? The other question that Ms. Look leaves the reader with is how long should each session be?
   
   I think that the statements and techniques are excellent, but a little more info is needed to do these in a manner that might bring results.

5 comments about Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People.

1. This is an excellent book that is easy to read, and offers solutions and helpful techniques for almost any adult. You almost always deal with at least one "screwed up person" every day. I have recommended it to patients who have benefitted from it.
   
   She does an excellent job of explaining forgiveness, and moving forward.
   
   Worth every penny.



2. A real world account of the many events that can occur on a daily basis in your life. It made me feel that I was not alone and that other people were facing the same problems. Not only facing them but how to face and resolve them. A friend told me to just put the book down and open it now and then to any page - and it always seems to hit the perfect page.



3. 
   I bought this book at Krogers while waiting for my wife and
   it really turned me around in my view of SUP's ( Screwed Up People).
   It is very common sense book on learning how to spot SUP's , dealing with SUP's , and letting SUP's go . A must have for anyone who deals with people in a work environment, home, or on the golf course.



4. I bought this book for quick reading on a plane. This title may do the content a disservice, but I did buy the book. I would rather that the title were the sub-title but please read on. Initially while reading the book I was prepared to give it a 7 out of 10 positive score. But as I moved toward the end, the book and advice got stronger and better. The conclusion brings me to rate this book a 9 out of 10. The reason for the seven or the nine was primarily due to the title and expectations. I like to share things with friends, and I was fearful that they might think I bought the book with them in mind. Strong advice, not preachy, and not I'm OK but your not, and well worth the full price. If you have difficult people in your life, buy this book. Thanks Elizabeth, but how about consulting with me on the next title? :)



5. What an insightful and healing book! Every page has powerful insights where most books might have 20% of real content. I couldn't wait to get through it and read it again. The first six chapters are analytical and the rest provide encouragement and direction. I have recommended this book to almost everyone. I bought several extra to give out as loaners.
   
   As a Behavior Analyst I see a lot of these life situations in the work place (people bring their dysfunctions to work). Managers can learn great techniques to improve performance of staff. You are going to run into dysfunctional people, learn how to handle them!

5 comments about Awakening Kundalini.

1. I received this CD about 3 weeks ago and listen to it about 3-5 days a week. I really have enjoyed it and noticed a increase in my energy level. I really like Kelly's soft voice and the background music is really relaxing.
   
   I also purchased Ana/Ravi Kundalini Yoga. What a great combo to increase energy. I do not notice any bad side effects from this other then some blocked energy that has risen from the surface and gave me some slight headaches and neck stiffness. It has increased my desire to eat healthier and put live foods in my body. I feel lately that my energy needs to have raw living foods and the desire to cut out meat (dead energy) altogether.
   
   I did do my research on Kundalini and know that there may be bad side effects and I DO recommend to everyone new to this to do their homework before starting any of these exercises. I was ready to do this and had already been in a good frame of mind (maturity, spiritually) to start this. If there is anyone who has had some major trauma in their lives I would not suggest doing Kundalini. It could bring it all to surface too fast for someone to deal with. Could cause all kinds of issues. Panic attacks, sensitivity to noises and light, make you physically ill (nausea, flu like symptoms) massive migraines. This could also vary from person to person.



2. I really like this CD. Howell gives a great explanation of what and why of Awakening Kundalini, then talks you through three breathing techniques, and finally a 30 minute meditation that is very powerful. I'm not sure if it is the breathing or what but I definitely feel more alive and energetic afterwards. I would highly recommend this CD.



3. I go to this meditation often. Once you've heard the first two tracks (more descriptive and instruction) you can skip them and go right to the meditation track. I do meditate often and feel this is a great cd for me and also for the beginner.



4. I have spent most of my life a very unhappy person. I accepted life as being hum drum and walked through it in a self-medicated fog, secretly waiting for it to end.
   
   I started meditating recently because the thoughts in my head were so convoluted I could no longer function. Meditation has helped me clear all the emotional baggage I have been dragging around for years and it has actually taken me....to a state of bliss! Imagine that!
   
   This is one of my favorite meditation CDs. Kelly Howell's voice is very soothing and the breathing methods she guides you through really enable you to reach a point where you're in a deep state of relaxation. I have been so deeply relaxed that my spirit has left my body. I know that sounds crazy but it happened! And it was so comforting and safe, I didn't want to go back!
   
   I recommend this for anybody who isn't afraid to take themselves to another plain of existence. I recommend it to anyone who is unhappy with life and people...it will take you to another place.



5. 
   I've listened to this CD several times, and each time I've found myself distracted and somewhat irritated. My chief complaint is that I have difficulty hearing everything Kelly is saying. About 20-25% of the time, her voice is drowned out by the "music" or sounds that are playing at the same time. If I turn up the volume, the noise is too loud, and still I can not make out everything she is saying. I find this frustrating and annoying, which is not how one should feel listening to a guided meditation. I have other meditation CDs (none by Kelly Howell), and have never experienced this issue until I listened to this CD. I think the sound engineering on this CD is particularly poor.