5 comments about A Short Guide to a Happy Life.

1. I really liked this little book. The pictures are really cool, and the comments on what it takes to be happy are good reminders, like:
   
   -- Being a good spouse, mother and friend
   -- Laughing, listening and just showing up
   -- Keeping still and being present
   -- Being generous
   -- Remembering to live instead of just exist...and many more
   
   This is a very quick read, so it's easy to pull it out again from time to time to remind us of what's really important. It would make a nice gift book, too.



2. Anna Quindlen's charming and engaging little book is a refreshing reminder that life is short, magical and that every moment matters. In a direct and elegant way, Quindlen shares the lessons she learned during and after her mother's death. These lessons focus on embracing your life and not taking it for granted whether you're in one moment enjoying spring flowers or being of service to another human being. I was really touched by the author's honest and humble sentiment throughout the book; Quindlen manages to bypass the drama and darkness of the experience of her mother's death and offer up the richness of what she experienced as a result. Reading it felt like receiving a sweet gift from a friend.
   
   Another book that shares profound life lessons with a similar sense of sincerity and sweetness is Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, by Ariel & Shya Kane. Through incredible stories and examples from real life, the Kanes share what they have discovered on their 20+ year journey as a couple about how to have life be richer and more fulfilling than you ever imagined. If you want to feel inspired, refreshed and enlivened (rather than 'worked on' or preached to), pick up both of these books and treat yourself to a truly delightful experience.



3. I highly recommend this book as a graduation gift, wedding gift, and as a gift to new mothers! I love it! Every now & then I get it off the shelf and read it ALOUD to myself...it is much more powerful when read aloud. Anna Qundlen's words of wisdom put everything in perspective and get me back on track to being the mother, wife, and friend I want to be, but often lose sight of in my hectic life. It is a quick read and very inspirational.



4. Wow- Anna Quindlen's book "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" is a revelation. This small book may offer the appearance of brevity, but when it comes to wisdom and applicable life-altering perspectives, Ms. Quindlen offers an approach to life that is abundant with possibilities for hope and happiness. I have long been a fan of her fictional work, particularly her novels "Blessings", Black and Blue (Oprah's Book Club)" and "One True Thing: A Novel", in addition to her insightful articles in The New York Times. However, in this brief- yet abundantly wise reflection- she is able to document her quest for attaining a peaceful, enlightened existence.
   
   Quindlen's life abruptly shifted when her mom died during her freshman year of college. Subsequently, she spent many of her formative adult years looking for a deeper meaning to her life. She spends a good portion of the book examining popular misconceptions about how to achieve a fulfilling, happy life. She questions which of our life experiences we will prioritize when we are faced with our own mortality. When that last day, last hour, last minute beckons will you be able to reflect upon a life has been busy with meaningful, enriching experiences- or a life that has simply been `busy'? Quindlen derives a simple, yet very applicable philosophy that has helped her attain an enlightened life: "Show up. Listen. Try to laugh."
   
   Two of my favorite authors, Ariel and Shya Kane, also offer inspiring, magical examples of how to live a fulfilling, happy life in their book "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment." The Kanes write about how the art of listening and showing up for your life by simply becoming engaged in the `current moment of now' can transform the qualitative experience your life- in an instant. In one of my favorite passages, Ariel and Shya are working with one of their clients in a weekly workshop that they facilitate in New York City on Monday Nights. (btw- if you find yourself in NY- check it out at www.ask-inc.com - these workshops are truly life altering!) Their client, Sarah, talks about how she always finds herself in a stage of "upset" in her life. The Kanes suggest that when you find yourself complaining about life, awash in a pity party for one- pretend that you are driving a car down a one way street, apply the brakes and back out of it! There is no need to indulge, justify or rehash your misery- just put your foot on the brake of unhappiness and drive down an alternative road! It sounds simple. It sounds easy. It is. It just takes brakes and the willingness to travel down an alternative pathway.
   
   After reading the inspirational ideas set forth by both Quindlen and the Kanes, I can see that living a magical, transformational life is both accessible and easy! All it takes is being open to the possibilities.



5. Anna Quindlen wrote this book as a commencement address to college graduates, and while she said she was not expert in economics, she is an expert in reminding us how human we all are. Together with her own words, this little book is filled with beautiful photography that captures lifes little moments.
   
   I enjoyed Quindlen's wisdom about living life, about how to enjoy the journey and not just the destination. How to enjoy the small things - hugs from your kids, birds flying against the blue sky, your hubby's smile...these are the really important parts of life.
   
   RECOMMENDED

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 New Bottoming Book.

1. Unlike a few we've read, this book was written from a more hetero- friendly point of view. Although there are scenarios described between alternative couples, they are tastleful and much less anecdotal in nature than some that seem to be more of a BDSM gay's memoirs. We enjoyed the scene suggestions and perspectives offered into a bottom's head space. This revised book is written assuming one is not just a 'curious beginner', so it didn't overdo the often present common-sense "safety" section, and it's definitely not a 'how-to'...instead I found it an insightful and pleasant read for the novice bottom.



2. I'm new to this and this is the first book that I've read on the subject, so I was quite excited to get my hands on it. It is an excellent book, but the way that things are worded are from a very philosophical perspective and not a more concrete perspective. There's nothing at all wrong with this persay, however, I tend to grasp concrete concepts much more easily than those presented from a philosophical standpoint. I would have given it 4.5 stars because it really is good, but Amazon won't let me split fine hairs. If you have any interest in this subject from either a dominants or a submissive's point of view then I would recommend that you read this first.



3. This is the second version of "The Bottoming Book," the first one having been published a decade before and much has changed with the world and with the authors, including their names. Catherine A. Liszt, who had minor children that she wished to protect at the time of the first edition, now writes under her real name, Janet W. Hardy. The authors have since written several other books as well.
   This 173-page guide to the art of "bottoming" is packed full of information and personal insights that have the ring of obvious common sense. That's not an easy task since to most people in the world, the entire concepts of BDSM seem like they are straight out of the Hellish visions of painter Hieronymus Bosch.
   The book is like a peek into the strange, dark side of the human mind. Oddly enough, the people involved as bottoms and tops find enlightenment, out-of-body experiences and spiritualism from their excursions into D&S sub-space, trances and endorphin charged highs. I actually hesitated to publish this review under my own name, but it's only a book review and this is still a free country, even for that portion of the nation that is truly kinky and the much larger group that is simply curious about kink and its practitioners--like me.
   It would be impossible for me to provide much detail about the content of this book because it is extremely complicated and yet amazingly simple and understandable. This is not a book for dummies although difficult concepts and what seems like universal paradoxes are amazingly well articulated and explained. This is also not an instruction book on the various techniques of how to flog the skin off a helpless victim. The authors, who write as a team, describe their book as "an unabashedly-centrist book. In it we will tell you over and over again that bottoms are beautiful, bottoms are powerful, bottoms are alchemists who magically transform suffering into sex, humiliation in desire, screams of pain into moans of pleasure." The authors actually do a pretty good job of doing just that--not only explaining why, but also how. That's a hugely difficult task.
   The human mind is a marvelous thing. The complexities of that mind are limitless. This book delves into the many subcultures that are coming out of the closet to proclaim their place in mainstream society. Once the reader has read this book they will still have lots of questions, but they will also have gained a much better sense of what this subculture is really about and how it is often more caring a safety minded than regular society. While it seems to be totally non-politically correct, especially because it uses pain and humiliation and many criminal themes (being captured by pirates or slaves and their masters for instance) as the building blocks of role playing and sexual fulfillment as consensual ADULT forms of loving and caring the reader will quickly realize that much lies below the surface of myths of the world of tops and bottoms. Reading this book is like opening a door into a whole new world of understanding. This reviewer apologizes for not being better able to convey the material contained in this tome. This review is only a few ice crystals on the peak of a gigantic iceberg. The insights contained in this book are a fascinating discovery even for middle-aged conservative and vanilla adults such as me. It could never be considered a boring read. And it won't give the reader nightmares either, it's too thought provoking. It's amazing what some perfectly normal, loving folks will do for limitless amounts of mind-boggling sensation.



4. This book was a fast and easy read while still imparting a lot of useful information.



5. Very well written, it is for any submissive that wants a fresh side on the lifestyle. I will read more books by this author.

5 comments about Notes from the Universe: New Perspectives from an Old Friend.

1. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE READING THIS BOOK. I READ A LITTLE EVERY DAY AND SOMETIMES WHEN I'M NOT FEELING SO HAPPY I JUST PICK THE BOOK UP TO A RANDOM PAGE AND IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO APPLY TO MY CURRENT SITUATION OF HOW I'M FEELING AND ALWAYS CHEERS ME UP. IT'S A GREAT READ!!!!



2. This is a wonderful little book to have laying around. Full of "pick me up" anecdotes for life.



3. Another great book from Mike Dooley. He is very effective in his writing and speaking. Really enjoyed this!!



4. I loved it. very uplifting. I get the Notes from the Universe e mails
   already and this was very good . I plan to purchase Mike's other books.
   I have told my friends to buy it too.



5. I use this book every morning with my spiritual readings. It helps start the day with a postive attitude and sense that there is huge force involved in my life.
   
   Cool book!!

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 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 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.