Self-Help Book Reviews

Review: Practicing Mindful Living by Dr. Debra Webb

Practicing Mindful Living by Dr. Debra Webb

In Practicing Mindful Living: A 365-Day Workbook for Mindfulness Practitioners, Dr. Debra Webb offers poetry, meditations and consultation to foster awareness each day of the calendar year.

A blend of self study and sage advice, Webb’s book presents a special, intentional guide to activities and concepts that can aid the thoughtful reader determining the overall tenor of his or her day. The entries begin with a short, directed poem. Here is an example, the entry for February 19th:

Wobbling down the sidewalk,
Ponytail flying behind her
Determined to master
Peddling and steering
Together
Fall after fall
She asks for

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2019-01-22T10:29:31+02:00December 17th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |

Review: The Way of the Dog: The Memoirs of Eros, the Metaphysical Dog by Eva A. MacDonnell

The Way of the Dog: Memoirs of Eros, the Metaphysical Dog by Eva Ann MacDonnell

The Way of the Dog: The Memoirs of Eros, the Metaphysical Dog by Eva A. MacDonnell is a refreshing story about Eros, a puppy new to this world and his experiences, told from his unique perspective. A surprisingly insightful read, MacDonnell’s book will make the reader think about their relationship with not just dogs, but all animals and humans alike. The innocence, wisdom, love, and instruction that resides within the pages of the book will shift how you look at the world.

MacDonnell paints a picture with the dialogue between the characters; when Eros is speaking to his mother, […]

2020-02-05T08:44:07+02:00November 19th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |

Searching for My Heart: Essays About Love by Dawn Downey

Searching for My Heart: Essays About Love by Dawn DowneySearching for My Heart: Essays About Love by Dawn Downey is filled with beautiful and personal stories of the different types of love one can encounter in the world, as well as the fight with one’s self to find that place we can call “home.” Following the author on her journey from adolescence to adulthood feels in a way like reading her diary, an intensely personal and honest examination of one person’s journey through life.

Downey’s focus is not necessarily on romantic love, but on the larger concept of love for all things, especially oneself. This is not a book […]

2019-01-11T14:50:22+02:00October 14th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Wisdom from the Dojo and Other Tales by Soke Larry Barr

Wisdom From the Dojo and Other Tales by Larry BarrWisdom from the Dojo and Other Tales by Soke Larry Barr 10 Dan is an inspirational work of self-help using martial arts as a basis.

Filled with stories from the author’s experiences and lessons learned from Karate, it gives the reader something to reflect on in every chapter. From the story about the arrogant young karate student who learned that it’s the focus that matters and not necessarily his perception of his skills, to the one about our God-Given Potential, there is a new lesson to be learned on each page.

While the book is inspiring and contains many nuggets […]

2019-01-11T14:50:31+02:00September 24th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

How to Be: A Guide to Spiritual Development by Tõnn Sarv

How to Be: A Guide to Spiritual Development by Tõnn SarvHow to Be: A Guide to Spiritual Development by Tõnn Sarv is a contemplative exploration of life’s truths and how to use them, by someone who has given the matter much intensive thought.

Author Tõnn Sarv outlines how people are caught in a vicious circle: you try to do good, but the consequences may be negative, so gradually you may stop trying. How can you find a workable middle ground? Here are some of Sarv’s suggestions: admit your flaws, learn to live with less, recognize that the “gap” or quiet space may be where things really happen, take things as […]

2018-09-18T08:47:36+02:00September 17th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Review: Happiness and Success by Raphaël Savoy

Happiness and Success by Raphaël Savoy

Author Raphaël Savoy has created a pragmatic philosophical guide for leading one’s life more fully through acceptance in Happiness and Success: 12 Key Steps and a Few Little Changes to Transform Your Life.

Savoy has aimed his book at people who are ostensibly comfortable based on their location and station in life, but who continue to feel dissatisfied – in other words, to be happy with success, not just to achieve it. He begins by stating that human beings are uniquely designed to seek happiness – as humans have evolved, they have designed complex cultures dedicated to principles of […]

2018-08-24T10:37:32+02:00July 31st, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

Review: Relaunch! Stagnation, Change and Renewal in Mid-Career and Beyond by Steven Simon, Ph.D.

Relaunch! by Steven Simon, Ph.D.

An experienced career counselor shares wisdom about recognizing and surviving a professional life crisis in Relaunch! Stagnation, Change and Renewal in Mid-Career and Beyond.

As Simon lays out methodically, there are many ways that your career may grow stagnant. For example, you may feel underappreciated in general, or perhaps your job no longer seems meaningful. Conflict situations at work can lead to anger, frustration and depression. Perhaps you are doing work you don’t enjoy simply because finances dictate it, or you have lost your job and are experiencing the challenges of seeking new employment. All of these circumstances can […]

2019-03-04T13:04:24+02:00July 11th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , , |

Are You Happy? by Lea Colleens

Are you Happy? by Lea ColleensAre You Happy?: A Guidebook to Earning Happiness is a wonderfully illustrated book that offers sage advice and some handy metaphors that distill our behavior in the pursuit of happiness.

Colleens starts by breaking down human behavior by looking at the three types of ‘brain’: the dog brain, the reptile brain, and the master brain. While scientifically vague, it is true that there are parts of the brain that stem from the time humans were reptiles, or when we were bottom-feeding mammals. It is with these classifications that Colleens describes the behaviors that lead away from happiness– ego driven, pleasure-seeking, […]

2018-07-03T11:55:10+02:00July 2nd, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |
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