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Book Reviews

The World as Viewed by Mother Teresa

by joi on March 3, 2010

in Book Reviews, Books I Love, Daily Quote, Helping Children, Make a Difference, Positive Thought, Spiritual

“In these times of development, the whole world runs and is hurried.  But there are some who fall down on the way and have no strength to go ahead.  These are the ones we must care about.” – Mother Teresa

The powerfully beautiful and beautifully powerful quote above is just one of the gems from Mother Teresa found in In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers.

Mother Teresa’s name and image will forever be associated with her kindness, gentleness, and compassion.  Her selfless work with the “poorest of the poor” should be an inspiration to all of us.  In the Heart of the World, written by Mother Teresa, is filled with her eloquent wisdom, motivation, and inspirational teachings.  Below are a few more examples.

Be kind in your actions.  Do not think that you are the only one who can do efficient work, work worth showing.  This makes you harsh in your judgment of others who may not have the same talents.  Do your best and trust that others do their best.  And be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength shines.

We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally.  To be alone with him – not with our books, thoughts, and memories but completely stripped of everything – to dwell lovingly in his presence, silent, empty, expectant, and motionless.  We cannot find agitation.

If we were more willing to see the good and beautiful things that surround us, we would be able to transform our families.  From there, we would change our next-door neighbors and then others who live in our neighborhood or city.  We would be able to bring peace and love to our world, which hungers so much for these things.

As I read this book, I lost myself in the beauty that was and is Mother Teresa.  Reading her words was so incredibly peaceful and relaxing – yet, at the same time, an unrest crept up inside of me and stirred around.  I realized that there is far more that I can and should do to help others in the world who are far less fortunate.   While on the early pages, I kept thinking, “What the world needs right now is another Mother Teresa.”  But, as I approached the final pages, I thought, “What the world needs right now if for more men and women to start caring more about people and less about possessions.  It needs more hearts that are broken for the suffering of others.  And more people refusing to look the other way.”

We don’t need another Mother Teresa as much as we need to learn from the one we were blessed with.

“I must be willing to give whatever it takes to do good to others.  This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts.  Otherwise, there is no true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me.”  – Mother Teresa

The Mother Teresa quotes are from In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers

Turning Your Upside Down World Right Side Up!

by joi on February 17, 2010

in Book Reviews, Books I Love, Positive Thought, Spiritual

I just finished reading a book by Deb Scott, The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue: Turning your upside down world right side up!.  There were so many things I loved about this book – from the author’s infectious positive and fun-to-read style to the catchy title – a title that starts the reader off on a journey to discover what the author has in mind.  As an avid book reader who always has more books that she wants to read than time in which to read them, I love something else about this book – something that I’ve started embracing books for having: Large enough text for me to lie the book on the front of my treadmill and read as I trudge along.  Big bonus!  I actually finished this wonderful book this afternoon while getting in my daily exercise on my treadmill.

There is great power in the now. Give up the hope of a better past, and start focusing your time and energy on a better present moment, right now. – Page 15, The Sky is Green and The Grass is Blue.

I’d categorize this book under the following categories:

  • Spiritual
  • Self Help
  • Self Improvement
  • Inspirational
  • Motivational
  • Recovery
  • A Book that Makes You Glad to Be Alive!

That last category?  Just made it up – Just for this book.   When I finish reading a book, I ask myself what my initial opinion of the book is.  After the standard, “Like it, love it, or eh -so-so,” I always have a few summarizing thoughts about the book, the author, or the way the book left me feeling.  After reading The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue: Turning your upside down world right side up!, I thought, and subsequently wrote down, the following:  “This book was like a walk through an inspirational and spiritual garden.  There were so many lovely thoughts, quotes, stories, and illustrations along the way – just like beautiful flowers along a garden’s path.  I kept stopping to pick one and could see one just ahead – from the first page of the book to the last.”

I share a lot of books with you, my friends who also happen to be my readers.  If I got something out of a book, I want at least the same for you.  But it can be tricky.  I don’t want the article to come across as a book review, per se.  My goal for Self Help Daily is for you to truly get something out of every single post – whether it’s a dose of inspiration, a blast of motivation, something to think about over the course of the day, or even a good (loving) kick in the butt (speaking of which, put down that soft drink).    All of this means, I like to share something with you from the book that’ll give you food for thought for your day and, hopefully, your life.  However, in fairness to the author – I never want to give too much away.

Generally, I just approach it like I do everything else in life – I let my heart be my guide. So, here goes!

As I said, The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue: Turning your upside down world right side up! is filled with insightful, wonderful gems. Some of these are quotes, some are examples, and some are stories. However, the majority of these gems are the author’s own lovely thoughts and views of life. Deb Scott has lived a full life and seen her share of troubles and triumphs. It’s because of this view that she’s able to write such a thought-provoking and inspirational book.

We may not be able to control the direction of the wind, but we can always adjust the direction of our sails. – Deb Scott

It seems to me that this book is written, primarily, with the individual in mind who has been in a battle or who is currently on the battle lines. Even though neither description fits me, personally (for which I thank God profusely), I did get a great, great deal from this author and this book. I can only imagine what someone who has suffered any sort of abuse or addiction would take away from this book. I have an idea that it’d be this: A new life.

I’m not even remotely exaggerating.

Deb Scott has battled a demon (alcohol) that many face but only the strong defeat. She also battled an abusive relationship. I love that she didn’t just find her way out of the darkness… she’s going back for others who haven’t found their way out yet.

The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue: Turning your upside down world right side up! can serve as a beautiful guide and companion to those who are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. Make no mistake about it, it’s there and Deb Scott can be your guide.

I want to hasten to add, however, that even those of us who have been ridiculously blessed – having never been mistreated by anyone and who can claim coffee or chocolate as the only addictions they’ve ever had – can, and will, benefit from this book and author.

We magnify what we focus on. - Deb Scott

Here’s an example. Deb Scott points out, beautifully, a truth that I have always felt strongly about: The more we focus on something, the larger we make it. We actually end up magnifying what we want most to diminish! If you keep focusing on a small habit or trait of a loved on… keep thinking about it…. keep talking about it…. keep obsessing over it… it will become so large that you won’t be able to stand being in the same room with it. That’s why it is so important to focus on positive things in life and positive traits in people.

Think about it, our thoughts fill the room that we happen to be in. Do you really want to be filled with negativity, criticisms, and pet peeves? Hadn’t you rather be surrounded by love, laughter, positive thoughts, and positive energy?

The next time you begin to zero in on insignificant, petty little habits or idiosyncrasies of someone, switch your frequency. Think about his sense of humor – how he always makes you laugh. Or think about her sweet nature – how she wouldn’t hurt anything or anyone, even if they struck first.

Instead of thinking about your “small” house, think about how “cozy” it is! Instead of thinking about all the work you have to do, think about how blessed you are to have a job and the health with which to do it. Instead of criticizing yourself for being overweight, focus on how young you look, your beautiful hair, or your eyes that your friends envy so.

Fill your thoughts and fill your world with positive energy and show negativity the back door. There’s no doubt in my mind that I come across as Mary Poppins sometimes. It’s a fact I don’t just live with, I actually embrace. And it’s something that isn’t reserved for my writings or blogs – I’m this way in the kitchen, in the store, while vacuuming, in the laundry room, working in my yard… and so on. I simply think any time spent generating negative energy is a waste of time and an insult to God. It’s also not fair to people around you – the ones you spew it all over!

My husband and I had a funny talk last night at supper. He was talking about a guy he has golfed with before. He said he wasn’t his favorite golfing buddy because he was so negative. Then he told a story about a guy he likes to golf with. This guy isn’t as good of a golfer as the other guy, but he apparently thinks he’s the next Tiger Woods. He’ll hit a so-so shot or even a bad one, then look at my husband and say, “Wow. I couldn’t have hit that one any better!”

I love this guy!

Remember, we can’t unscramble the scrambled eggs. But we can come up with delightful new recipes to serve and enjoy them. – Deb Scott, Page 39, The Sky is Green and The Grass is Blue

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I promise that you’ll find plenty of beautiful flowers to cut and enjoy along the garden’s path.

Buy The Sky is Green and the Grass is Blue: Turning your upside down world right side up! on Amazon today.

Tranquilista by Kimberly Wilson: Celebrate Being a Girl

by joi on February 7, 2010

in Book Reviews, Books I Love

You may be wondering, “What in the world is a tranquilista?” So glad you asked! A tranquilista is a woman who embraces her many sides: spiritual (she’s a tranquility-seeker), creative (loves style), and entrepreneurial (calls her own shots). She hearts fashion and philanthropy. Parties and prayer. Entertainment and enlightenment. The golden rule and layers of vintage gold bangles. She is you and she is moi. She is full of aspiratioins and always seeking inspiration. Oh, and she sparkles. Literally. – Kimberly Wilson, Introduction of Tranqilista

I recently received a beautiful little book to review called Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play. When I opened the package, I was immediately smitten by the cover. Fun! Girly! Pink! I’m so completely there!

Kimberly Wilson wrote this very, very charming book. She’s also the author of Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat – My secretary (a purple notebook with recycled paper) has been instructed to remind me to order this book off of Amazon today.

A  few of the things I’ve taken away from Tranquilista are:

  • No matter how chaotic life gets, we should take time to enjoy the moments within the hour.  We shouldn’t be so worried about squeezing everything from them that we can.  We should try to allow the moment to just be and ourselves to just be in the moment.
  • We should give back to life, not just take from it.  We will be better people when we begin caring for others and going out of our way for our neighbors, our community, and our earth.
  • We need to breathe deeper and more often.  Inhale the good, exhale the bad. And repeat.
  • Our homes, offices, and/or home offices should be filled with things that make us smile – things that make us feel happy to be alive.  Whether or not anyone else gets it or not.  Near my home office desk, I have two stuffed possums.  They make me smile every time I look at them.  My husband bought one for me and my oldest daughter bought me the other.  I think of them each time I see them as well.  They’re both named Margaret, just in case you were wondering.
  • It’s important to enjoy good food and exercise.  Fortunately, the author seems to have almost as big a sweet tooth as I do, so she never told me that chocolate was a no-no.  That would’ve been a deal breaker.  Because she’s a yoga enthusiast, she has excellent advice about yoga and nutrition.
  • We should never, ever, ever stop being girls!  What’s more we should never apologize for our girliness – just flaunt it.

Kimberly Wilson is an engaging and entertaining author that I know you’ll fall in love with.  One of the smartest things you could do this week would be to head over to Amazon and order not just one, but BOTH of her books.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite passages from the book.  Personally, I’m a HUGE believer of the bath.  Oh, the healing, soothing properties of a long, warm bubble bath with a hot beverage (coffee, hot tea, hot cocoa….) and your cat nearby.  It’s love.  This passage is pretty much an ode to this experience.  It’s from the chapter called Sustainable Style:

Bathing Rituals

After the glorious art of sleeping, my favorite pastime is partaking in a long, luxurious soak in the (preferably claw-foot) tub.  During the colder months, you’ll find me marinating nightly in some yummy concoction of bath salts, bubble bath, or bath bombs.  This is more about indulgence than cleaning le corps.  You’ve probably seen the commercial “Calgon, take me away.”  It may seem silly that the simple act of immersing yourself in water can be touted as producing miraculous results.  I’m here to evangelize that water has healing effects; indulging in them is called hydrotherapy.  For centuries in European spas, water has been used to release toxins, treat disease, and stimulate blood circulation.  Jump right in!  – Page 95, Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play by Kimberly Wilson.

To Learn More About the Author:

If you want more information about Kimberly Wilson or books, you’ll find the following links most useful:

Tranquilista: The Official Website

Kimberly Wilson’s Blog

Tranquilista on Twitter

Tranquilista on Facebook

Better Because of You: Get Ready for a Shot in the Arm

by joi on February 1, 2010

in Book Reviews, Books I Love, Make a Difference, Positive Thought, Self Help

I mentioned, in my last post, an inspirational little book I just finished, Better Because of You by Ginny Hutchinson and Kathy Haffner.  I am absolutely in love with this book and I hope you’ll soon have the opportunity to fall head over heels in love with it as well.

This book is perfect for you if you….

  • Love inspirational books and writings.
  • Love books that read very fast, leaving you more time for other things.
  • Are looking for more peace and zen in your life.
  • Are looking for more joy and happiness.
  • Would like to have your life touched and enriched.
  • Would welcome a ray of sunshine into your world.

Okay, I could have said this book is perfect for anyone and everyone, but I had a few bullet points lying around and wanted to use them.

This colorful, wonderful-natured, and fun little book is just a little over 100 pages.  It’s not the sort of book that you get half-way through, put on the shelf and then have to force yourself to continue.  Truth be told, it’ll never make it to the shelf.  This is the sort of book you like to keep near you, just in case you need a uplifting quote, an inspirational shot in the arm, a soothing pat on the back, or a motivational kick in the behind.  Believe me, you’ll find just what you need when you need it inside Better Because of You.

I highly recommend this delightful book.  Its positive outlook is contagious and it will give you a lift just when you need one the most.  The gist of the book is to show the reader small, simple things they can do each day to make a big difference in their life… as well as in the lives of others.

The authors give many original insights into life and its many facets.  They share useful tips to help the reader get more joy from life while derailing stress that would like to rob them of this joy.  One of my favorite suggestions is below:

Create a Visualization Board.

Buy a blank poster board.  Think about your life one to two years from now.  Cut out and paste up pictures from magazines or download images from the Internet that represent your dreams, key relationships, a dream home, education, charities to support, vacation destinations, or hobbies that interest you. - Page 30, Better Because of You

I love the thought of having a Visualization board.  My oldest daughter recently put one together on a computer program (Paint), using pictures she rounded up online.  What can I say, my offspring is as environmentally-conscious as I am.

Along with each tip and/or suggestion, the authors include personal examples of individuals who have experienced the fruits of the tip.  As you’d expect, these have as much of an impact on the reader as the tips do.

The book also includes over 40 pages of inspirational and motivational quotes.  They’re grouped by subject, so you’ll always be able to find just the inspiration you need, in just area you need it.  Sort of like making sure you get the right shot in the right arm.   There’s even a great (equally inspiring) website you can visit and take part in, http://www.betterbecause.com/.

Book Description:
This book shows you how to make life just a little bit better in all 7 facets of your life.

Read true-to-life, inspirational stories that can help you do small things each day to make a big difference in these 7 areas:

- Health
- Wealth
- Wisdom
- Work
- Play
- Others
- Service

Authors Ginny and Cathy are successful Fortune 100 executives who wanted to make a positive difference in the world.

Simply revealed are their 3 core beliefs based on the valuable (and humorous) lessons they learned in the corporate world, decades of marriage and raising children.

This book is essential reading for anyone looking for simple insights on leading a happier life. This book shows you how you, as one individual, can be an irresistible force for positive change.

A portion of proceeds support Room to Read, a non-profit leader educating children in developing countries.

Look Up!

Take time to be present and relish the ordinary moments of your life.  Be aware of your current place, not the past or future.  This means, look up from your cell phone, laptop, or TV.  See what’s going on around you. - Page 16, Better Because of You

I actually read the quote above (about looking up) during a lunch break last week while  serving jury duty.   All of the jurors had spread out and gone to different restaurants but (you know me), I rushed across the street to a coffee house. I was sitting near a window thinking about this website that hadn’t been updated, that blog that needed a post, the laundry that could frighten small children, my cats who would surely sulk for a month, supper that wouldn’t make itself, and so on.  After getting my Steak and Cheese Panini, iced tea, and coffee – I sat down and pulled the little book from my purse and began to pick up reading where I’d left off.  The quote above is the first thing I read.

I realized that I was very guilty of not relishing the moment I was in at the time – something that I normally excel in.  I’m simply not the person who can be found living in the future or the past – for better or worse, I’m forever in the moment, trying to make it count double.  However, a chaotic couple of weeks was beginning to turn me into a bundle of caffeinated nerves – and a bundle of caffeinated nerves doesn’t do anyone any good.

I literally took a deep breath, put the book back in my purse, and enjoyed my sandwich and tea. Then I sat and slowly drank my (outstanding) coffee without thinking about anything except my surroundings, my blessings, and this wonderful ride we call life.   The next time you find yourself coming unwound or unraveled, take a deep breath.  Then take in your surroundings and the beauty that’s outside your window.  Within this pause you’ll find clarity, peace, and relaxation.  As the ladies say, “Look Up!”

The adorable logos above are available on BetterBecause.com – I obviously chose my own mantras, but there are plenty to choose from. You can have the logos printed on a number of products, including coffee mugs and tumblers.   How cute are they?

Order Better Because of You on Amazon today.

A Wonderful Book For Fans of Yoga

by joi on December 30, 2009

in Book Reviews, Fitness

I don’t know what the numbers are, but I’d imagine that a great number of people will have “fitness” at the top of their New Year’s Resolutions. Nothing beats a treadmill or a glorious walk in the great outdoors, but I also happen to love yoga. I know it helped me in my recovery from a great deal of damage that was done to my back in a car wreck. Yoga keeps you flexible and fluid and it isn’t nearly as hard to practice as you might think.

Ashtanga Yoga – The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice (Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series) is the most recent book about yoga that I’ve read. I’ll be perfectly honest, I don’t approach yoga as a religious experience (the Bible and prayer are the only things that I approach in that manner). I approach yoga this way: It makes me feel good, keeps me flexible, and gives me a healthy glow.  Yoga also improves one’s posture.  Yoga is wonderful exercise and a beautiful way to relax and unwind.

All great things!

Product Description:
In this much-anticipated follow-up to his first book, Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy, Gregor Maehle offers a detailed and multifaceted guide to Ashtanga Yoga’s Intermediate Series. An expert yogi and teacher, Maehle will guide you to your next level with an unprecedented depth of anatomical explanation and unparalleled attention to the practice’s philosophical and mythological heritage. You will learn:

  • The background and applications of each of the three forms of yoga: Karma, Bhakti, and Jnana
  • How to use Indian myth and cosmology to deepen your practice
  • The importance of the Sanskrit language to the yogic tradition
  • The mythology behind the names of the Intermediate Series postures
  • The functions and limitations of body parts integral to the Intermediate Series, including the spine, the sacroiliac joint, the shoulder joint, and the hip joint
  • How to reap the full benefits of practicing the Intermediate Series

Maehle meticulously explores all twenty-seven postures of the Intermediate Series through photos, anatomical line drawings, and practical, informative sidebars. He also discusses the philosophical and spiritual background of Ashtanga Yoga and places the practice within the context of Indian cultural history.

The ideal thing for anyone interested in yoga to do would be to buy Gregor Maehle’s first book, Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy. THEN, grab a copy of Ashtanga Yoga – The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice (Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series).

If you are familiar with yoga – The Intermediate Series is for you.

The Importance of Attitude, Soul Exercises, and a Final Thought Worth Writing Down – Twice

by joi on December 17, 2009

in Book Reviews, Books I Love, Positive Thought, Self Help, Spiritual

101 Exercises for the Soul by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel

A lot of things fascinate me. I guess I’m easily fascinated. And amused. I laugh often and easily, and sometimes at inappropriate times. I can’t help it, really, life and the livers of it simply amuse me.

One of the aspects of life that fascinates me the most is people’s attitudes. You can take two individuals – living under the same situations, same conditions, and sometimes even the same roof – and they’ll often have two completely different attitudes about life. One will think life is a wonderful long party – one that requires all the dancing, singing, and merriment that you can muster. They’ll see the hope in even the most dire circumstances, a rainbow at the end of every storm, and reason to smile when others think they’re whacko for doing so. The next person will think of life as a long work day – one that needs to be plowed through like Sherman plowed through the south. They’ll resent others who aren’t plowing along beside them and secretly wish the dancers would fall into a pit. A deep pit. (What these people don’t realize is that even if we did fall into such a pit, we’d just party on. Heck, it’d be a funner party than ever without the plowers!)

Attitudes. They determine so much, yet we tend to overlook and neglect them. Bad on us.

I just finished an outstanding book, 101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel.  In the book, Dr. Siegel offers 101 exercises that can, honestly, help transform your life.  He starts off with a bang in precisely the right place – with our attitude.

…if your attitude is negative and your mind is filled with worry and fear, it takes its toll on your body, mind, and spirit.  In fact, by spending all your time creating a vision of an unhappy future, you help create that future.  Remember, your thoughts guide your decisions, and negative thoughts lead to negative decisions.  Nothing is solved by visualizing the worst outcome, but much can be accomplished when you desire and intend to achieve the best possible result.  Optimists may not be more accurate about life – whether interpreting the past or predicting the future – but they live longer than pessimists.  pages 5-6, 101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel

I believe this is why it’s so important to believe in yourself, your dreams, and your prayers.  When you have the right attitude – a positive one – you’ll keep doing everything in your power to make your dreams come true.  You’ll keep praying, keep believing, and your soul will lie its head on a pillow of Faith and cover up with a blanket of Hope.

However, when your attitude is negative and pessimistic, you’ll all but give up.  No one ever wins ANYTHING by giving up.  Nowhere worth going – that’s where a negative attitude will take you, dump you, and leave you.

I highly recommend clicking the following link and reading more about this wonderful book:   101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit by Dr. Bernie S. Siegel.

It’s a very, very special book.  Grab a copy, then sit down to transform your life.  Be sure to have a pen and paper handy for exercises.  You’ll really get in touch with yourself during these exercises. You’ll find wonderful qualities you’d forgotten you had!  You’ll also uncover a few rotten habits you’ve picked up along the way.  Don’t fret, though – Dr. Siegel will help you cast them aside!

I’ll end with possibly my favorite passage from the book – again about attitudes and the importance of wearing the right one.

Over God’s desk there is a plaque that reads, “If you go around saying I’ve got a miserable life I’ll show you what  miserable really is.  And if you go around saying I’ve got a wonderful life, I’ll show you what wonderful really is.” – Dr. Bernie S. Siegel – 101 Exercises for the Soul: Simple Practices for a Healthy Body, Mind, and Spirit

The Skinny on Willpower: How to Develop Self Discipline

by joi on November 30, 2009

in Book Reviews, Books I Love

The Skinny on Willpower by Jim Randel

I’ve fallen completely in love with books that are as visual as they are motivational, educational, inspirational, and helpful. Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle with illustrations by Patrick McDonnell (creator of MUTTS) is a perfect example. I fell hard for that book and now I’ve fallen hard again.

The Skinny on Willpower, How to Develop Self Discipline by Jim Randel is a first-class example of a book that’s a lof of fun to look at and a lot of fun to read… yet, amongst all of the smiles is a great, great deal of useful and helpful information.

“Willpower isn’t something that gets handed out to some and not to others… it’s a skill you can develop through understanding and practice.” – Gillian Riley

The adorable stick figures in this book get into a whole mess of situations. You follow the skinny little characters as they learn about willpower and “making it happen.” Basically, The Skinny on Willpower, How to Develop Self Discipline is a great lesson on self-discipline and willpower told in a story format. You’ll find lessons, bullet points, and quotes throughout the book as well. The characters, through trial and error and with help from the author (moderator), they find the path to making their dreams come true.

The best part, of course, is we can find the same path. The author serves as the moderator for our lives as well. This book is honestly filled with fantastic advice – all presented in a way that’ll be completely fresh and new to each reader. Come on, I read as much as a cat sleeps – I’ve seen every kind of book there is. And as much as I love books, they can sometimes become monotonous. You’ll be halfway through the book and have to look at the cover to see which book it is you’re reading. There have been times when I would have sworn I’d read a book before – when, in actuality – it was a new book… just old material and worn out thoughts.

With The Skinny on Willpower, How to Develop Self Discipline, I certainly didn’t have to look at the cover any! This book is a very refreshing and fun read. I hope you’ll find a copy asap and devour every word. It won’t take long to do so as the book reads incredibly fast. But it stays with you forever.

I’ll end with an excerpt from the book, itself. In one of the strongest parts of the book, the author lays out the three key steps you need to take in order to prepare yourself to be able to sustain the resolve you need to accomplish a goal.  The first step he gives is, “Take Your Temperature.”

Page 67:  TAKE YOUR TEMPERATURE:

No, not that kind of temperature.  What we mean is ask yourself how badly you want to achieve your goal.  One of the most famous self improvement authors (Napoleon Hill) speaks to the need for “a desire of white-hot intensity,”  In other words, do you really, really want to achieve your goal?  The good news is that if you do, you can almost stop reading.

You know the expression, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”?  Well, many achievement authors would say the same thing a little differently.

“Where there’s a will, there’s willpower.”

In other words, if you want something badly enough, your internal programming (for survival) will kick in and help you find the self-discipline you need along the path to your goal.

But don’t kid yourself.  If your temperature is not high enough – if you do not want something badly enough – why bother?  Your willpower will fade when the going gets tough – and whenever you seek something of value, the going will always get tough. The Skinny on Willpower, How to Develop Self Discipline by Jim Randel – pages 66 – 67

A Delightfully Beautiful Book You Have to Buy

by joi on October 10, 2009

in Book Reviews, Books I Love, Positive Thought

What I Know: Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10 Year Olds and 100 Year Olds by Roger Emerson Fishman

As someone who reads A LOT, I get head-to-toe excited when a really good book is in my hands. A great book makes a ho-hum day wonderful and a wonderful day extraordinary.

Every now and then, an author will produce a work that’s so inspired and so brilliant that I want to dance in the rain…. even before I open the book. That’s the way it was with Roger Emerson Fishman’s What I Know: Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10-Year-Olds and 100-Year-Olds (See the books “trailer” below). Mr. Fishman covered 38,000 miles speaking with 10 year olds and 100 year olds. He wasn’t telling them what he knew, he was asking them what they knew.

Think of yourself as a dot on a line.  The things behind you are already over, so always move forward down the line. -  10 year old

He then compiled their wonderful and insightful wisdom and created a beautiful little book that’s a total joy to read.  I promise you, an evening spent curled up on the sofa with a cup of hot tea and this remarkable cast of 10-year-olds and 100-year-olds will leave you feeling warm from the top of your head to the tips of your toes – and it’ll have nothing to do with the tea.

What I Know is the type of book you’ll read, then return to again and again.  It’s also the type of book you’ll want everyone in your life to read – so long as they promise to give it back!

“In life, the one thing you can control is your word.”  – 100 year old

I wanted to highlight certain quotes along the way but soon realized that doing so would deface my beautiful little book and produce a phone-book wannabe with yellow pages galore.  I would have highlighted just about every single word!  I chose to simply write down my favorites in one of my quote-books.  Don’t worry, the writer’s cramp will heal soon enough.

Dorothy KennedyDorothy Kennedy, The Lady in Pink – 100 years young

Amongst the wonderfully inspiring and motivating quotes, Roger Emerson Fishman has included several interviews with remarkable men and women.  The advice is golden and you fall a little bit in love with each individual.  These interviews include:

  • Tan Shui Lee:  A Green-Tea Trader tells his secret to living to 100.
  • Bill Werber:  Major League Baseball player on keeping your word.
  • Ben Berke:  Mr. Berke talks about reinventing yourself. Is it ever too late?  He reinvented himself at the age of 72.
  • Ruth Porskauer Smith:   The activist talks about the importance of standing up for yourself.
  • Dorothy Kennedy:  The “Lady in Pink” teaches us how to create friends for life.
  • And many more beautiful people!

“If you are thinking about having a baby, you better start now by collecting lots and lots of sleep.” – A 10 year old from Lexington Kentucky who I’m guessing has a baby brother or sister!

One of the things that warms my heart the most about this book (and honestly brings a tear to my eye) is the knowledge of how amazing it must make these 10 year-olds and 100-year-olds feel to be part of a book.  They’re each authors!  (It’s my fondest hope that this book becomes a Best Seller, making them each best-selling authors.) What’s more, Roger Emerson Fishman has given each of them the most beautiful gift in the world:  The opportunity to touch other people. What a beautiful thing to do for anyone, but especially for someone who has lived to be 100 years old.  Often their greatest wish is to feel useful and helpful – to share the incredible wisdom they have.

As for the 10 year olds – they finally have what children crave… to be listened to!

Ben BerkeBen Berke, The Banjo Man – 100 years young

I believe that What I Know: Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10-Year-Olds and 100-Year-Olds will teach all of us the greatest lesson of all:  We all have something to say and are worth listening to, no matter what our age.  Thank  you, Mr. Fishman and thank you to your many inspirational, colorful new friends.

Get the book.  Read the book.  You’ll love the book. You’ll always remember the book.

Sister MalachySister Malachy – 102 years young

Useful Links:
The What I Know Blog
The What I Know Twitter
Meet the People
Amazon: What I Know: Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10-Year-Olds and 100-Year-Olds

Pet Lovers, Here’s a Book Just for Us

by joi on September 30, 2009

in Book Reviews, Books I Love

Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McConnell

“Millions of people who otherwise would be completely lost in their minds and in endless past and future concerns are taken back by their dog or cat into the present moment, again and again, and reminded of the joy of Being.” – Page 60etl

Guardians of Being is one of the most delightful books I’ve read (or seen) in a long time.  With inspiring words by Eckhart Tolle and equally inspiring  illustrations by Patrick McDonnell,this is a book you’ll want to read over and over again.

Eckhart Tolle is best known for his wonderful book The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment.  Patrick McDonnell? How about this? He’s the creator of the comic strip that Peanut creator Charles Shultz called “One of the best comic strips of all time.” – MUTTS.

These two talented men combined for a brilliant and very fun to read book that celebrates something I love as much as my next breath: Animals!  Animals are used throughout the book in illustrations that I can’t take my eyes off of.  Eckhart Tolle uses pets to teach us powerful lessons because as he says, “Everything natural, every flower or tree, and every animal have important lessons to teach us…”

Below is one of my favorite quotes from the book.  It is so completely insightful and  so entirely true – especially on Monday’s.

“The vital function that pets fulfill in this world hasn’t been fully recognized.  They keep millions of people sane.” I, for one, want to go on record for thanking my pets (past, present, and future) for this task – a task not meant for the faint of heart.

When I got this wonderful book, I sat down and devoured it much as I would a piece of chocolate cheesecake.  Front to back, inside and out.  However, after finishing the book, I realized that the best way to enjoy it would probably be a daily devotional type of approach:  To read each passage and enjoy the picture, one day at a time.  So, I am going back and taking that approach.  Each morning, I fully enjoy the words and illustration that accompanies it.

I only wish I could put a copy of this beautiful book into the hands of every animal lover on earth.  You truly need to zip over to Amazon and grab a copy for yourself AND a few for Christmas gifts as well.  It’s the type of Christmas gift that your loved ones won’t stop talking about… or enjoying.

The Adversity Paradox by J. Barry Griswell and Bob Jennings

by joi on July 18, 2009

in Book Reviews

The Adversity Paradox

I just finished reading The Adversity Paradox: An Unconventional Guide to Achieving Uncommon Business Success by J. Barry Griswell and Bob Jennings. Although the book was a deviation from the normal types of books I read, I devoured it cover to cover in less than a week. (For a busy type who reads a lot, that’s nearly a record.)

This is primarily a business book, and I’m about as far from the corporate type as my cat is from a orangutan. Oddly enough, however, I got A LOT from this very well-written and thought-provoking book.

FROM THE INSIDE COVER:

Down but Never Out

Obstacles and setbacks are an inevitable part of life, especially in today’s harsh and volatile economy. How can you use the very experiences that would stall or tumble a career to build uncommon success?

Business people such as Pete Dawkins, Harve B. Mackay, Doris Christopher, and Walter Scott Jr. know that the answer to this question lies in firsthand knowledge of “The Adversity Paradox” – working to overcome humble beginnings, lack of knowledge, unexpected setbacks, or any manner of misfortune can be the foundational step in a path to incredible achievement.

One of the authors of this book, J. Barry Griswell was, himself, inducted into the Horatio Alger Association – an organization that recognizes individuals who have achieved success in spite of significant adversity. This adversity could be illness, poverty, loss of loved ones, abuse, etc. His personal story is told in the pages of this book, although I get the impression that he isn’t the sort of person who loves talking about himself. I think he’s to be commended for opening up about his personal life in an effort to help others.

How did this book come about? J. Barry Griswell and his friend and co-author, Bob Jennings, each noticed a remarkable trend among successful individuals: Many had overcome impressive obstacles and setbacks to achieve their success.

..when I moved into management positions and needed to recruit and retain high-quality team members, I began to think about the factors that contributed to the success of employees. I encountered people at every point of the success continuum, from those who proved to be outstanding to those who looked promising but ended as out-and-out failures. Why was it that the candidates with the flawless resumes – top grade point averages at the best schools, all the right internships, prestigious awards – sometimes proved to be our most disappointing hires? Conversely, why was it that candidates who didn’t look so good on paper sometimes turned out to be invaluable team members and employees? Of course there were exceptions on both sides, but after many successes and failures in the hiring process I began to suspect that there was one trait above all else that reliably predicted that a person would be successful. And it had been right there under my nose, reflected in my own personal story, all along? It was experience in overcoming adversity. – J. Barry Griswell, Introduction to The Adversity Paradox

“Experience in overcoming adversity…” What a powerful phrase. I LOVE the concept of taking things that, on the surface, are extremely unpleasant and undesirable and using them to create something beautiful and wonderful. What this book has reminded me is that often, the very things that seem destined to rip us apart and take us down actually end up holding us together and lifting us up.

The authors give, through real life stories and illustrations, timeless and wonderful advice on taking things that have worked against you and making them now work for you. It’s kind of the corporate world’s version of the infamous “lemon” philosophy. The Adversity Paradox takes it a step further by not only asking, “Why stop at lemonade when you can build your own lemonade stand?” – but also pointing out that you have it within yourself to make an entire lemonade stand franchise.

I think you’ll get a lot out of The Adversity Paradox: An Unconventional Guide to Achieving Uncommon Business Success by J. Barry Griswell and Bob Jennings. Who knows what’s lying inside of you, waiting to be coaxed out?

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