What caught my eye when I was considering reading Amy Morin’s “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” was (1) the title and (2) these chapter headings: CHAPTER 1 THEY DON’T WASTE TIME FEELING SORRY FOR THEMSELVESCHAPTER 2 THEY DON’T GIVE AWAY THEIR POWERCHAPTER 3 THEY DON’T SHY AWAY FROM CHANGECHAPTER 4 THEY DON’T FOCUS ON THINGS THEY CAN’T CONTROLCHAPTER …
In following politics for over 50 years I cannot remember a time where there was such division in the country. “Fake News” is a rallying cry of Donald Trump and his supporters when challenged with reporting contrary to their agenda. But is it really Fake News? That’s why I wanted to read CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s book, “The Enemy of …
With the 50th anniversary of the successful Apollo 11 moon landing this summer I have been watching every documentary and reading books on this historic event. I’ve always been fascinated by the space program (I reviewed the book American Moonshot on this blog earlier this year). Yet the best material I have found on the Apollo program and the moon …
Think of a person you have difficulty dealing with. Or a person from your past who hurt you deeply. Got one? Now bless them. What??!! You may ask. Blessing the difficult people in our lives is the premise of Pierre Pradervand’s book “The Gentle Art of Blessing – A Simple Practice that Will Transform You and Your World”. “A constant …
“What would people think?” is a refrain I heard often in my youth when I wanted to try something daring. And as much as I hate to admit it, that phrase still holds me back sometimes many years later. I’m not the only one. Best selling author Brené Brown writes in her book Braving the Wilderness on her struggle with …
What happens when a 20 year minister in the Christian faith has to teach a Religions 101 (Religions of the World) class at a small liberal arts college? That’s the story of Barbara Brown Taylor in her book Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. “(This) is my story,” she writes, “but it is also the story of …
“Get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward,” Admiral William H. McRaven writes in the introduction of one chapter of his book “Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life … and Maybe the World”. McRaven goes on to explain that while he was in training to become a Navy Seal, his gruff drill instructor ordered …
I am writing this review on the day of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. As a 13 year old in 1969 I watched every minute of the television coverage of this stupendous event. 50 years later the story of man’s first landing on the moon is still intriguing to me, and that’s why I wanted to read Douglas …
I listened to an interview with Admiral William H. McRaven promoting his new book: “Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations”. The interview was fascinating and I thought to myself, “I have to read that book!” The first couple of chapters start out slow, telling stories of Admiral McRaven’s childhood. He was a rambunctious youth, getting into trouble at various …
“There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive,” Oprah writes in her new book The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose. Oprah not only shares her thoughts on this theme, but includes the insights from over 80 highly …