Gratitude: A Way of Life by Louise Hay

January 9, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Gratitude: A Way of Life by Louise Hay
Publisher: Hay House
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

New York Times bestseller, Louise Hay, has gathered the insights and collected wisdom of some of the most wonderful teachers and writers she knows…people who have demonstrated the power of gratitude in their own lives.

Gratitude is an inspirational book meant to highlight all the wonderful things in your life to be grateful for.

Renowned contributors share their understanding of the practice of gratitude with Louise… and with you. Including:

• Dr Wayne W. Dyer: “Gratitude: One of Life’s Miracles”
• Dan Millman: “Transcendental Gratitude”
• Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.: “Gratitude: A State of Mind”
• Amy E. Dean: “Gratitude Is Awareness”
• Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.: “Noticing the Abundance”…and many more!

If you need a pick-me-up, then this might be the book for you.

Gratitude is the thing you need when you’re down. It sounds odd, but it’s true. Be grateful for all the things you have and even the things you don’t have. Maybe there are terrible things happening in your life. This book helped to open my eyes that sometimes the terrible things are gateways to better things. It’s true. Be grateful for what you have and you’ll see you have a lot.

There are little essays and this ventures into the inspirational at times. It’s good. It works. Give it a try. The dose of positive will help.

If you’re looking for something positive to give you a lift, then give this book a try. You’ll be glad you did.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Beyond Codependency and Getting Better All the Time by Melody Beattie

September 15, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Beyond Codependency and Getting Better All the Time by Melody Beattie
Publisher: Hazeldon
Genre: Self-Help, Contemporary, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In simple, straightforward terms, Beattie takes you into the territory beyond codependency, into the realm of recovery and relapse, family-of-origin work and relationships, surrender and spirituality.

You’re learning to let go, to live your life free of the grip of someone else’s problems. And yet you find you’ve just started on the long journey of recovery. Let Melody Beattie, author of the classic Codependent No More, help you along your way. A guided tour past the pitfalls of recovery, Beyond Codependency is dedicated to those struggling to master the art of self-care. It is a book about what to do once the pain has stopped and you’ve begun to suspect that you have a life to live. It is about what happens next.

In simple, straightforward terms, Beattie takes you into the territory beyond codependency, into the realm of recovery and relapse, family-of-origin work and relationships, surrender and spirituality. With personal stories, hard-won insights, and activities, her book teaches the lessons of dealing with shame, growing in self-esteem, overcoming deprivation, and getting past fatal attractions long enough to find relationships that work.

IF you’ve ever been in a toxic relationship, this might be the book you’re looking for.

I picked this book up because I’d read others by Beattie and liked them. This one helped a lot because it’s about getting beyond the point of codependency. What happens next? What about the rest of your life? This book talks about that. How we get into patterns, how we let others in and allow them to do what’s been done before, how we need to move forward but with kindness for ourselves.

This book isn’t easy to read, but it is. There are parts that are emotional and will make the reader well up. There are also points of light that can give the reader lots of hope. There is something bigger out there and it’s up to the reader to decide what or let the path be shown to them.

I liked this book and recommend it if you’re in need of a help when dealing with codependency.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Stop Being Mean to Yourself: A Story About Finding The True Meaning of Self-Love by Melody Beattie

August 21, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Stop Being Mean to Yourself: A Story About Finding The True Meaning of Self-Love by Melody Beattie
Publisher: Hazeldon Publishing
Genre: Self-Help, Contemporary, Non-Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Beckoning readers toward a spiritual territory beyond even that of her revolutionary best-seller Codependent No More, Melody Beattie conducts us through teeming Casablanca, war-torn Algeria, and the caverns of Egypt’s great pyramids as she embarks on a new kind of journey of the soul.

An enlightening blend of travel adventure and spiritual discovery, filled with new ideas for overcoming the pitfalls of guilt and self-doubt, Stop Being Mean to Yourself is a compassionate tour guide for the troubled and the heartsick, for those who seek a happier place in the world. A tale that is at once modern and timeless, rich with the promise of personal discovery, it is a book about learning the art of living and of loving others — and ourselves. As full of suspense and excitement as it is of hope and encouragement, it is as rewarding for its pure reading pleasure as for the wisdom it imparts.

It seems so easy, but the title isn’t so easy after all.

Stop Being Mean to Yourself. Like I said, it should be easy, but it’s not. We’re all mean to ourselves in one way or another. In this book, Beattie talks about how to stop, but this isn’t the usual self-help story. This is her story and how she learned the biggest lesson of all – you’ve only got yourself and if you beat yourself up, you’re the one who has to pick you up. You’re all you’ve got.

Seems like a huge thing to understand, but it’s not. We all tear ourselves down in one way or another and it’s high time we stopped. We put too much pressure on ourselves. This book doesn’t necessarily show how to overcome being mean to yourself, but it shows that giving yourself some self-love and compassion will help.

If you’re interesting reading a story that involves a personal journey, then this one will be good for you.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner

August 17, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner
Publisher: Perennial Library
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The renowned classic and New York Times bestseller that has transformed the lives of millions of readers, dramatically changing how women and men view relationships.

Anger is something we feel. It exists for a reason and always deserves our respect and attention. We all have a right to everything we feel—and certainly our anger is no exception.

“Anger is a signal and one worth listening to,” writes Dr. Harriet Lerner in her renowned classic that has transformed the lives of millions of readers. While anger deserves our attention and respect, women still learn to silence our anger, to deny it entirely, or to vent it in a way that leaves us feeling helpless and powerless. In this engaging and eminently wise book, Dr. Lerner teaches both women and men to identify the true sources of anger and to use it as a powerful vehicle for creating lasting change.

For decades, this book has helped millions of readers learn how to turn their anger into a constructive force for reshaping their lives. With a new introduction by the author, The Dance of Anger is ready to lead the next generation.

Want to tackle your anger and be a better listener? Then this book is for you.

I picked up this book because I went on a self-help binge and wanted tips as to how to manage my anger better as well as be a better listener. This book did help with that. I liked that the author encourages the reader to be their own self. Be yourself. That’s huge. Many people disappear into relationships or into what they have with the other person, so this bit of information did help. In some ways, this book is a bit sexist, but it’s also empowering. Women are taught to say no, taught to not want things and this book shows that that doesn’t have to be the case. I liked the tips and suggestions. One doesn’t have to suffer in silence and can stand up for themselves.

If you’re wanting to be a better listener, then give this book a try. You’ll learn a lot. It’ll also give you tips about dealing with anger. Give it a chance.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

From Stressed To Best — A Proven Program For Reducing Everyday Stress by by Ruth E Schneider and David S Prudhomme

August 15, 2023 By Leave a Comment


From Stressed To Best — A Proven Program For Reducing Everyday Stress by by Ruth E Schneider and David S Prudhomme
Publisher: Lulu
Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A proven program for reducing everyday stress that produces remarkable results! Because people are different, a “one-size-fits-all” approach to stress reduction simply will not work. Instead, From Stressed to Best uses definable personality differences to pinpoint specific, individualized steps to reduce your stress.

Want to learn how to handle your stress better? Then check this book out.

I picked up this book because I wanted to know how to better handle my stress. This book certainly did help. It showed me my personality and my traits, but also how to look at the stress once it happens. I learned about my personality – extroverted, sensing, thinking, perceiving. Now I know that when I get stressed, I revert to being an introvert. I try to get away from people. I pull inside myself. Now it makes sense. Now I can figure out how to better deal.

I liked that this book showed me a bit about myself.

If you’re looking for a book that’s going to give a bit of insight about your personality and how to deal with stress, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Going Dry – My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking by Sean Robinson

October 13, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Going Dry – My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking by Sean Robinson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Do you want to take a break from alcohol easily and safely? Reading Going Dry will inspire you and change the way you look at drinking.

When COVID-19 shut down Canada and countries worldwide, Sean Robinson experienced a dark year. His drinking habit was one constant he could continue in an otherwise pandemic-disrupted routine. But at the beginning of 2021, he decided to make a change.

In Going Dry: My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking, Sean tells his story of choosing, one day and one month at a time, to carve a new lifestyle for himself. Despite growing up in a home where drinking was a normal part of life and being surrounded by constant social pressure to drink, Sean surprised himself and those around him.

His story provides inspiration and strategies for eliminating bad habits and replacing them with a more positive outlook and approach to life.

Going Dry is a testament that anyone can change, and it’s worth the effort.

Now is the perfect time to make healthier choices.

Alcohol misuse comes in many forms, not all of which are necessarily easy to recognize without some education on the topic. Some of the most interesting passages were the ones that explained the author’s relationship with alcohol, why he thought it was becoming unhealthy for him, and what subtle signs lead him to this conclusion. Alcoholism, and even an unhealthy relationship with that substance in general, can exist in people whose lives are otherwise pretty well put together. This isn’t the case for everyone, of course, but it was interesting to confront my own assumptions about this illness and what sort of person might develop it. I thought I already had a decent understanding of this topic, so I was surprised by how much more there was to learn about it.

I would have liked to see a little more time spent on the coping mechanisms Mr. Robinson leaned on to help him stop drinking and change his relationship with alcohol. These were such an important part of the process that I was surprised by how quickly those sections ended. This was a minor criticism of something I otherwise found well worth reading.

As someone who has medical reasons for not drinking alcohol and who therefore has never had a problem with this substance, I was surprised by how much overlap I noticed between the author’s experiences as an ex-drinker and my own as a non-drinker. Some folks become very uncomfortable in social gatherings if everyone isn’t drinking even if those of us who are abstaining have excellent reasons to order a soda or something instead. The peer pressure to drink is real, and Mr. Robinson had some fantastic tips for holding boundaries with friends or relatives who have trouble with this concept. Honestly, it made me want to go out to an alcohol-free dinner with him and dive even more deeply into the question of why some folks become so agitated by non-drinkers and how they can be redirected or deflected when necessary.

You don’t need to have a history of drinking alcohol or of misusing it to get something out of this book. Everyone has at least one bad habit they’d like to change, and Mr. Robinson found many similarities between the decision to stop drinking and the decision to replace any other number of habits with healthier life choices. Figuring out what to do instead and how to deal with peer pressure to fall back into old patterns is important for everyone who is trying to improve something about their lives.

Going Dry – My Path to Overcoming Habitual Drinking was a thought-provoking and educational read.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Live Alone and Like It by Marjorie Hillis

February 18, 2022 By 1 Comment


Live Alone and Like It by Marjorie Hillis
Publisher: Virago Modern Classics
Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In this witty, engaging guide, a renowned Vogue editor takes readers through the fundamentals of living alone by showing them how to create a welcoming environment and cultivate home-friendly hobbies, “for no woman can accept an invitation every night without coming to grief.”

“Whether you view your one-woman ménage as Doom or Adventure, you need a plan, if you are going to make the best of it.”

However, purchasing cialis properien appalachianmagazine.com online has certain pros and cons. Utilizing the precious appalachianmagazine.com cheapest cialis properties of the herbs, there is no way the supplements can affect your body in negative way. This drug can be tadalafil 5mg tablets taken when needed or on a daily basis. This will sent to you via shipping across the world. prices generic cialis Thus begins Marjorie Hillis’ archly funny, gently prescriptive manifesto for single women. Though it was 1936 when the Vogue editor first shared her wisdom with her fellow singletons, the tome has been passed lovingly through the generations, and is even more apt today than when it was first published. Hillis, a true bon vivant, was sick and tired of hearing single women carping about their living arrangements and lonely lives; this book is her invaluable wake-up call for single women to take control and enjoy their circumstances.

With engaging chapter titles like “A Lady and Her Liquor” and “The Pleasures of a Single Bed,” along with a new preface by author Laurie Graff (You Have to Kiss A Lot of Frogs), Live Alone and Like It is sure to appeal to live-aloners—and those considering taking the plunge.

Tips for living even in a modern world.

I have to preface this review by noting this book is a reprint of the version that was a bestseller in 1936. It is dated. Yes, I know that. But that’s a lot of the charm of this book.

The tips are geared toward the 1936 woman and some if it won’t fly in modern times. That’s where going into this book by looking at is as a slice of the past helps. Take it for the time it was written. Not many people are running around in mink coats any longer, but the stories are cute. There are practical tips about knowing you are enough and can achieve what you want if you put the work in.

Go into this book with an open mind and expect a dated read that has funny moments and those to make you think. You’ll be glad you did.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Shift Into a Higher Gear: Better Your Best and Live Life to the Fullest by Delatorro McNeal

November 19, 2021 By 1 Comment


Shift Into a Higher Gear: Better Your Best and Live Life to the Fullest by Delatorro McNeal
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Kick fear-based living to the curb and discover exactly how to manifest the life of your dreams!

Is there another level of life that you want to live? Are there goals you’ve been struggling to achieve? It’s time to stop settling for excuses and start achieving excellence!

With nearly two decades of experience working with high achievers globally, peak performance expert Delatorro McNeal II is passionate about teaching people how to live life full throttle. As a motorcycle enthusiast, McNeal uses powerful biking metaphors to vividly illustrate how to reject the monotony of living on cruise control. Packed with interactive exercises, compelling questions, and thought-provoking analogies, this book teaches you the methodology and the psychology to bring the best out of yourself! Each of the twelve chapters starts with the word Shift and invites you to make a simple but profound change that will accelerate your results and expand the horizons of your possibilities. You’ll discover how to

• Lean into the curves of life and business
• Sever your dependency on the “kickstands of life”
• Put your weight into the changes you desire most
• Steer the flow of your emotional states
• Shift your core relationships to invite the right posse to your biker club
• Drive defensively to avoid the potholes that stop most people from succeeding

From the introduction all the way through to the conclusion, this book is a transformational seminar on paper. Join Delatorro McNeal as he takes you on the personal development journey of a lifetime.

I don’t even know where to start so I’ll start by saying this is a book you will definitely want to not only read but study and keep handy. And to think this was a book that I picked at random with the preconceived notions that I wouldn’t enjoy it… Boy was I wrong. While reading I texted two friends to share the book’s title and told them that the author’s writing style and message are so inspiring and I also posted a comment on Facebook. I read the book in one sitting and was so thankful for no interruptions.

This book will be a staple for anyone…for business, finances, personal, relationships…just life in general. This is an amazing book that shares great pointers and thought provoking questions that will stick with you well after you finish reading.

I love the motorcycle riding to life concept. I’ve ridden motorcycles before but never would have compared riding a motorcycle in any way similar to having life goals and accomplishing them. I love the layout of the book, along with the thought provoking questions. The author didn’t just write for reading pleasure he wrote so that the readers can receive the message as well as making sure readers take action. I related his writing style to what I imagine it feels like being present at one of his conferences.

Each chapter starts off with a catchy sentence and then is followed by in depth details. The questions, examples and quotes made me pause and meditate on how I can put into action giving 1% more each day, and not just living life but experiencing it. I enjoyed every chapter! I can’t even pick a favorite because I took away a lot from the entire book. I like that he wasn’t wordy, his message is to the point and that he gives practical guidance and various learning exercises that opened my mind to reflect as a consequence I can see myself on the right track to reach my fullest. I love the conclusion at the end of the book and how it gives a snippet of the information included in each chapter. I’m sure I’ll be using this for a quick reference for now on.

I am thankful for the fresh pair of 3-D lenses. A collection of words that help me to live life actively, with intention and purposeful. There is so much I took from this book that I can implement into my life furthermore shifting into a higher gear. To name a few nuggets: no matter what I want it will require my best effort, to also recognize that small changes are just as potent as huge changes and each morning I’ll be asking myself “Will I be better today than I was yesterday?”.

I can’t recommend this book enough!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Speed Reading: Learn to Read a 200+ Page Book in 1 Hour by Kam Knight

October 6, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Speed Reading: Learn to Read a 200+ Page Book in 1 Hour by Kam Knight
Publisher: MindLily.com
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

This has become the go to book for students, teachers, educators, professionals, and home-school parents & children to rapidly improve their reading.

It offers simple tips to not only accelerate reading speed, but also comprehension and memory.

Unlike other books that merely teach you to skim & scan, this book taps into your brain and eyes’ amazing power to naturally read more words in a shorter time.

Very impressive read. I am sure it took a lot of effort on the author’s part because the book is well organized and broken into sections in a certain order that allows for organized learning. There are five sections and each section has three chapters that provide numerous tips and insight to help improve reading speed, comprehension and memory. The various techniques make sense and will require effort on the readers part. Readers will have to be hands on with the training techniques and definitely have to put the advice into practice. I appreciate the tips and will definitely work on adding the methods when I am reading. As the author stated “speed reading is about increasing habits that speed you up while decreasing habits that slow you down.”

The author not only gives tips but he makes sure the reader understands and absorbs what’s been written, as well as being able to recall what’s been learned. He gives a deeper dive into the art of reading. A lot of useful information on previewing before the reader starts reading, methods to use for different reading materials, space reading and using visual range in addition to various eye exercises. He offer advice on what questions readers should ask while reading so that they can get the bigger meaning or purpose of what is being read. Again a lot of information that never crossed my mind and will surely make me a better reader and also be able to comprehend what I’ve read. The author explains each technique by defining it, explaining it along with illustrations and practice drills that the reader can perform.

Reading faster and retaining more information deeply affects many aspects of life so why not give the useful concepts a try. I am sure you will find several useful tips that will help you with your quality of reading. I highly recommend this book!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Money-Bucket Holes Explained by Kelebogile Mooketsi

August 18, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Money-Bucket Holes Explained by Kelebogile Mooketsi
A Personal Transformation, Self Help Book with Spiritual Guidance and Motivation to Inspire You to Manage Your … Holes. Money Can Say ” Goodbye”
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Contemporary
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Feeling down and out because of financial problems? Well, life happens!

This self-help book is a comprehensive ‘Money Management Guide’ that will inspire, motivate and help you clean up your finances, eliminate debt so you can attract lasting financial freedom, that you are worthy of.

The metaphor of ‘Money-Bucket’ represents your day-to-day quest to achieve financial abundance. ‘Holes’ represent challenges that life throws at you (external factors) and also decisions and actions you take (internal factors) regarding your life and finances. If your Money-Bucket is not full or overflowing? Either it’s a challenge for you to fill it up or it is leaking because of holes that you might not be aware of!

This personal transformation book will help you identify and close holes in your money-bucket, for good!

Do you ever wonder where your money went to? Sometimes we might be surprised to hear the answer. In Money-Bucket Holes Explained, Kelebogile Mooketsi puts out many good, eye-opening situations.

Leadership and worthiness are themes with strong spiritual undertones. There is an inspirational message to follow your life purpose.

This book is a first in a series that help people with their finances. Questions are asked of the reader as well as answered. Readers are encouraged to think about their lives and ponder many things. Some surprising money-bucket holes are identified and addressed throughout these pages. Helpfully, the author provides worksheets upon request to make one’s thought processes about money more organized.

Readers are asked to consider outside and internal forces at work. Things are phrased in ways that a reader may not have seen before, and this allows for more creative contemplation. Wrap-ups at the end of chapters summarize the information in the chapters and help with remembering information.

Money myths are addressed as well. This is an interesting book meant for those of faith. Why not have a look and discover something about yourself you may have overlooked?

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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