"You Can Heal Your Life" is another book that was recommended by my naturopath.
I had read it ten years ago, but it was interesting to revisit this philosophy.
This was my review ten years ago:
**********************************************************************************
Louise Hay is a pioneer in the growing belief that mental patterns create diseases in the body.
Basic Beliefs:
We are each responsible for all of our experiences. Every thought we think is creating our future. We create every so-called illness in our body. Resentment, criticism, and guilt are the most damaging patterns. We must release the past and forgive everyone. Self- approval and self- acceptance in the now are the keys to positive change. When we really love ourselves, everything in our life works. What we give out, we get back.
Almost half of the book is a list of physical problems, the probable cause and the new thought pattern (affirmation).
My affirmations:
"I know that Life always supports me".
"Be anxious about nothing, but in everything give thanks".
************************************************************************************************************************
Looking back, I realize that these things are easier to say than to put into practice. Louise Hay's belief that disease is caused by mental patterns can cause great guilt when physical problems show up. It also dismisses the reality that the body does age.
However, each of these self-help books has something to offer for improvement and enjoyment of life. They can each be revisited from time to time.
At 43, Byron Katie had three children and was not happy in her second marriage. She suffered from depression and addictions, and spent two weeks in a counseling center, where she had 'an epiphany'. She began sharing her philosophy of self-inquiry which she called 'The Work'.
Her book is filled with examples of ''The Work, using a series of questions and 'the turnaround'. It doesn't always make sense to me, but she does have some philosophy worth considering:
1.) "All of the stress we feel is caused by arguing with what is".
2.) There are 3 kinds of business- mine, yours and God's. Stay in you own business.
3.) "Behind every uncomfortable feeling there's a thought that isn't true for us".
4.) "The world is the mirror image of your mind. If you experience chaos and confusion inside, your external world has to reflect that."
Much to think about here. Her questioning method can change the way you look at the small challenges in life, but I read comments from a psychologist, saying that this approach would not be helpful in more serious situations, such as trauma.
In my last posting, I mentioned that the title "Goddesses Never Age" was not a helpful title for me. But this short catchy title has had a good effect on me. It is a simplified version of "The Power of Now" (a book that I will discuss later) - living in the moment and appreciating 'what is'. In fact, "Loving What Is".
My naturopath discovered that I am a reader and she has been recommending books to me. They are about the mind/body connection.
Christiane Northrup, the author of "Goddesses Never Age" is a physician and the book is focussed on the unity of the mind, body, emotions and spirit.
Quotes: "It's about pointing out everything that can go right with your body and how to embody balance and health regardless of your state of health and well-being now."
"The number-one thing you can do for your health is to live joyously, indulging in sustainable pleasure".
Christiane believes that our health is affected more by our beliefs than by our biology, and points out how to change our thoughts on aging. This is precisely why I need to read this book. I used to say, "Nothing good happens after 80" and, unfortunately, my body was listening.
This book is dense with ideas and suggestions for every part of your body. And there is a good index to find the parts that apply to your situation.
The title is not helpful to me. Goddesses may not age, but real women do. It seems that acceptance and understanding are better than denial.
In 1912, a religious group of Shakers lived near Cleveland and set up a town with many rules: rules about the streets, the homes, and the behaviour of the residents.
This novel takes place at the end of the 20th century, and the residents of Shaker Heights are no longer Shakers, but still live regimented lives.
The Richardson family have four teenagers, living this regimented life, when Mia and her daughter, Pearl, move into a townhouse owned by the Richardsons. Mia is a Bohemian artist who lives a very unorthodox life. The contrast between these two families, forms much of the story.
When I watched interviews with the author, she talked a lot about class and race. She is Asian and, in the novel, questions whether a white couple can raise an Asian child.
There is a theme of mother-daughter relationships and issues around adoption and abortion.
This book is very popular and I have read many reviews from readers raving about the book. Even the few criticisms of the book that I have seen, have not mentioned the one thing that JUMPED OUT at me.
This novel begins at the end. The 'little fires' mentioned in the title, break out in the first chapter. The rest of the novel tells the backstory of everyone- why there were 'little fires', that turned into a big fire.
I guess this is another example of how readers react differently to a book. The characters were important to other readers. I was surprised about 'the form' of the story, loving a novel that uses the introduction to 'introduce the characters, time and place'. I missed that format.
When I finished the book, I was interested in doing some research about the Shaker religion, and was fascinated by this picture of their singing and 'shaking'. I just wished that it was a video!
Do we need another book about the holocaust? Well, yes, I think we do. Especially when there is a different twist to the story.
This is a novel, beginning with two storylines. In Paris (1942), the local police are 'rounding up' the Jews and moving them into camps. The first storyline concerns one family where Sarah, 11, locks her brother in a closet in order to keep him safe when the police arrive at the door.
The alternating storyline follows Julia, in 2002, a reporter who is doing research for an article for the 60th commemoration of this event.
Halfway through the book, the storylines connect. There are a number of characters to keep straight- from each storyline. But I found the second half of the story less traumatic and easier to read.
This novel was made into a movie, and the cover of the book was changed to reflect the movie. I usually dislike this happening, but I do prefer this cover because it shows the two storylines- the reporter at the top and Sarah at the bottom, trying to find her way back to the cupboard where she left her brother. The reporter's picture dominates the cover, but actually that is the main focus of the book. Sarah's story is secondary but central to the novel. The expression on the reporter's face is perfect, since she was very disturbed by the facts that she uncovered. And readers will also be disturbed- and should be!
