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Book Review: Better Because of You

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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.
  • Are into books that you’ll read again and again and again…

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.

The book is filled with great tips and advice.  Along with each tip, 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 during a lunch break last week while  serving on 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 pile 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 (yes, two sources of caffeine, don’t judge me) – 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 nerves – and a bundle of  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 they 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.

You’re Going to Love O’s Big Book of Happiness (Review)

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O's Big Book of Happiness

Every once and again I read a book that I love SO much that I practically run to my computer to tell the world about it. Naturally, I can’t my review to the entire world – so I end up just telling as many people as possible, by giving it a shout out on all of my blogs.

This one’s a winner, y’all.

O’s Big Book of Happiness: The Best of O, The Oprah Magazine: Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration is a big, beautiful book with Oprah’s gorgeous smile warming the cover.

My daughter, Stephany, and I are both huge fans of Oprah, so when the book came in the mail, we immediately started scrambling for reading rights. Unfortunately, when we came into the house, I had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and rolls to make and Steph? Well, she had a big beautiful new book to read.

O’s Big Book of Happiness is a compilation of O Magazine’s best stories, articles, wit, wisdom, and advice. For those of us who have seen our magazine purchasces come to a stand still (thank you grouchy economy), this book is even more appreciated. It’s like several huge stacks of magazines rolled into one big inspirational and glamorous book.

I’ve always found Oprah to be incredibly uplifting, motivating, encouraging, and inspiring – all while being just as entertaining.

Anyone who doesn’t love this woman doesn’t watch, read, or listen to this woman! Honestly, there’s nothing not to love.

Through willpower, determination, intelligence, hard work, and perseverance – she made herself a household name. Along the way, Oprah has helped more people than any one person could ever hope to count. I recently overheard an interviewer refer to someone in the business world as the “Oprah” of his industry.

Wrong.

If your name isn’t associated with giving to those who have less than you and improving the lives of children – you’re most definitely not the “Oprah” of anything.  Don’t just throw the name around  – because few are anywhere near deserving a comparison.

Reading the positive, uplifting stories in O’s Big Book of Happiness: The Best of O, The Oprah Magazine: Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration makes you feel as though Oprah is in the room with you, introducing you to her friends and encouraging them to inspire you and lift you up – teaching you something along the way.

The book is positively wonderful and has been awarded the prominent place on the table in our living room – you know the type, the table that likes to showcase “important and impressive” books, pictures, etc. This great-natured book, with it’s helpful disposition, wonderful sense of humor, and sparkling personality is so lovely, it begs for such positioning.

In a recent post, I sounded the trumpet for adopting new good habits. We agreed to read more, laugh more, love more, complain less, and be more thankful – among other things (I’m conveniently leaving out the water and exercise, aren’t I?). Buying this book would be a perfect step in the right direction! Oprah and her “friends” will provide all of the inspiration, motivation, and insight you could ever hope for.

There are over 100 wonderfully (wonderfully) written articles in this powerful book.  Each article is actually a chapter in, and of, itself.  Trust me, after reading each you’ll want nothing more than to just spend some time soaking in what you just read.

The first article I read was one written by Oprah, herself, about a special dog of hers’ named Gracie.  I laughed. I cried. I was moved. I was inspired.

The second article I read was by an author named Martha Beck.  The article was titled “The Cure For Self Consciousness” and packed more of a punch  than any book I’ve ever read on the subject.  It summed the whole process up with one word.  I’ve used this one word several times since reading the article and I swear to you on my Starbucks card, this is powerful.

If you want to know the one word… read the book! Sorry to resort to trickery, but that’s how much I want you to read this book.

There are articles about relationships, beauty, fitness, health, cooking, and more.  Oprah interviews Bobby Kennedy, Jr. about the environment and his infamous family.  Queen Latifah gives her “Aha” moment – describing the point in her life when she realized she didn’t need to change herself to “fit” any mold.

I actually don’t have the other O books yet – O’s Guide to Life: The Best of O, the Oprah Magazine (The Oprah Magazine) or Live Your Best Life: A Treasury of Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration from O, The Oprah Magazine… Emphasis on yet.

I’m going to need a bigger table in my living room.

I hope you’ll buy a copy of this book today. After you read through the wonderful stories, I know you’ll want to put a copy in the hands of your loved ones. This book would make an excellent Christmas present – presented with a subscritpion to O Magazine, I guarantee your gift will be appreciated and talked about for months and months. What’s more, they’ll think about YOU every single time they curl up and read.

Buy. This. Book. Today! – O’s Big Book of Happiness: The Best of O, The Oprah Magazine: Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration