Reader Views

Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting!: A Bridge From Addiction To Early Recovery

As a Psychologist and former substance abuse counselor, I have witnessed many attempting recovery from drugs and alcohol. Many succeed but many do not, which I feel comes from their viewpoint “If I just cut back or control it, I am okay.” Robert Bolch was one of the latter. His personal journey from using to attempting recovery and finally “getting it” was not an easy one as readers will find through his narratives and notes from his journaling.  Not only did he have problem with substances, his wife did as well. She chose to go to a rehabilitation program in California and Robert chose to do it on his own by going to Europe.

By traveling to Europe he thought he would be away from the distraction of substances, however, he took drugs with him. “Might as well use it all up, no sense letting it go to waste,” was his stance, a common thought for many addicted to substances.

The author takes us through his nightmare and successes by addressing honesty, resentment and humility just to name a few. He does state several times that he is not telling readers how to become recovered, but he is telling what worked for him. I liked his honesty and ability to admit weaknesses during this process and letting readers know that abstinence is not sobriety, regardless of drug of choice. Journaling is very therapeutic and it is very hard to read after you have written your thoughts.

This is a journey of change from the inside. Robert, as many of us, always needs to take a self-inventory frequently. It is not an easy thing to do, but is a necessity. “Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting!” by Robert Bolch certainly is a book that I will recommend to my college Psychology students as it gives an honest point of view on recovery.

Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting!: A Bridge From Addiction To Early Recovery
Robert Bolch
iUniverse (2009)
ISBN 9781440121074
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (10/09)

Survive Downsizing: How to Keep Your Job and Become Indispensable to Your Company

Personally living in an area in which The New York Times dubbed it, “The Recession Capital” and The San Diego Tribune refers to as, “The Foreclosure Capital,” things are looking pretty grim.  Averaging over 25% unemployment creates some pretty desperate times.  Knowing that the rest of the country is also in dire straits, the timing could not be more perfect to read “Survive Downsizing."

As a result of companies downsizing and outsourcing their work, it is absolutely critical we do everything that we can to hang on to the jobs we have.  The author, a clinical psychologist and organizational consultant, Donald J. Minnick, Ph.D., was involved in collecting an extensive amount of survey data to explore what employers were looking for when they chose to retain employees.  The research findings show what survival qualities are needed to hang on to your job.

This book teaches you the strategies needed to create your own “Survival Tool Kit.”  In addition to in-depth discussions, there is also an extensive collection of applications, exercises, self-assessment surveys, worksheets and planning guides included to assist you with this process.  All of these aspects will be incredibly insightful in helping you learn about what the employers are looking for.  Completing the assessment tools will then help you to see what your weaknesses and strengths are so that you can figure out what to work on and what you can already apply to your strategy plan.
          
I found this book to be incredibly fascinating to read.  Not only did I see it as a tool to saving your job, but I also saw it as something you can use to become a better employee, for the sake of your own personal fulfillment.  If you are somebody that has already lost your job, there is a chapter on what you can do to help you find employment again.  There are some examples of interview questions that I found extremely enlightening. If you are an employer faced with having to cut jobs, the information presented here will help you to make the best choice of who to keep.

Overall, I would highly recommend “Surviving Downsizing” by Donald J. Minnick, Ph.D., to graduates just entering the job field, people who are employed, people who are unemployed, and employers.  The information contained in these pages will be extremely beneficial to all of these people involved.  Actually, the only group of people that I would not recommend it to are people who are hoping to retire, because if you follow these steps, no one will let you leave!

Survive Downsizing
Donald J. Minnick, Ph.D.
iUniverse (2009)
ISBN 9781440164101
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/09)

Smoking: 201 Reasons to Quit

I was skeptical at first. But after the first few chapters, it was evident that this was something worth reading. Right off the bat and not pulling any punches, Ms. Crawford talks about “Early Death and Disability” caused by smoking. Needless to say, it got my attention. She continues to emphasize the many hazards that smoking impales upon the body. There are the dangerous and noxious chemicals that are given off in the form of smoke, and the variety of different molds.  She explains that nicotine is actually a very poisonous chemical that acts as a powerful stimulant and a depressive on the nervous system. Muriel mentions the diseases that smoking causes and briefly explains them as a bit of information for those of us that don’t know about them (or, are dumb enough not to care).

Covering such things as “Blood Disease, Heart Disease, Cancer, Brain and Nerve Disease, Digestive Tract Disease” and on and on, there is not a single body part or life-support system that is not affected by smoking and Ms. Crawford touches on all of them. Then she mentioned one item that I was shocked to read, “Impotence.”  The author mentions how a man’s smoking increases the chances of impotence! I went back and read this a second time to be sure that I didn’t miss anything. I don’t know about anyone else, but that alone has caused me to take a good hard look at the affects of smoking on my body. Oh, and for the ladies, Ms. Crawford mentions the problem of “Menstrual Pain” and how smoking has a direct link to the duration and increases the severity.

“Smoking: 201 Reasons to Quit” is just full of all the hazards of smoking, from how it affects the human body to its impact on the environment. Fact upon fact throughout its 350 well-written and researched pages, Ms Crawford educates the reader. There is nothing in the book that will sound like a lecture, it is all fact-based and informative and the reader is left to draw his own conclusions. She does not push the reader to quit, she merely presents the facts. Scary facts as they may be, but only facts nonetheless. But, I might add, “facts that made me think very seriously about what I am doing to myself by smoking.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to all audiences (especially teens) in hopes that they do not start the nasty habit to begin with.  But if they do, maybe reading this book will point them in the right direction so they at least have a chance to live a long and normal life. I have nothing but praise for “Smoking: 201 Reasons to Quit” by Muriel L. Crawford.  It has earned my highest honor of an A+ and should be on every smoker and non-smoker’s bookshelf. Even if you are a non-smoker, I’m sure you have friends that are still puffing away their lives.

Smoking: 201 Reasons to Quit
Muriel L. Crawford
Dillon & Parker Publishing (2009)
ISBN 9780981959009
Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (10/09)

Off Balance on Purpose: Embrace Uncertainty and Create a Life You Love

“Off Balance on Purpose” begins by telling us “You will never achieve balance – and you shouldn’t want to.”  This line definitely caught my attention.  After reading further, I realized that I totally agree with this statement.  After all, it is natural for our lives to be off balance. We are constantly experiencing change, and this change helps us to grow and accomplish goals in different areas of our lives. To achieve this, it is important that we learn to become comfortable and proactive with the changes so that we can take steps that will help us to fulfill our life’s purpose.  Life becomes difficult when we make choices that steer us away from our true purpose.  Not correcting them can lead to self-destruction.

Thurmon tells us “Dismantling unhealthy patterns and restoring healthy ones is the key to life.”  It is also an ongoing challenge.  He extensively addresses the “5 Spheres of Influence” that are found in our life patterns.  These are: health, spirit, relationships, interests, and work.  Introspective questions are asked regarding each sphere.  Answering these reflective questions will help us see how we can improve ourselves in each of the spheres.  Each sphere is interconnected to the others.  These connections are called lifelines.  After discussions about each of the lifelines, there are ten actions listed that will help us to strengthen those connections.  There is also an extensive discussion about what to do when the lifelines collide with each other.

I found “Off Balance on Purpose” by Dan Thurmon to be extremely refreshing and thought provoking.  It definitely has given me some food for thought about changes that I can make in my life, that will embrace the unbalance and help me to get rid of what is unnecessary, whether it is possessions or behaviors.  The steps to creating a better life include, embracing reality, getting aligned with our purpose, leaning forward and initiating positive changes.  As Thurmon states, “Off balance on purpose is more than a philosophy – it’s a process of self-expansion toward your infinite potential.” I highly recommend this book.

Off Balance on Purpose
Dan Thurmon
Green Leaf Book Group Press (2009)
ISBN 9781608320141
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/09)

Hypnosis: The Induction of Conviction, Third Ed.

This book is a practical guide for beginning and seasoned practitioners as well as for curious lay people wanting more information to understand hypnosis. Dr. John Hughes, a well-known expert in the field of clinical hypnosis, offers a brief history, myths and misconceptions, theories, and how hypnosis works.  But, most importantly Hughes gives guidance and advice to the practitioner.  He covers areas such as: suggestibility tests, how to hypnotize and awaken a client, and guidelines for smoking cessation, pain management and painless childbirth. He even adds a chapter on marketing tools for the practitioner.

I specifically found interest in the section on self-hypnosis. Many hypnotherapists encourage their clients to perform self-hypnosis and Hughes details self-induction as an effective tool to curb habits (smoking, drinking, overeating, etc.), deal with negative emotions (fear, anger, depression, etc.), overcome health issues (colds, lethargy, pain), and sexual concerns (impotence, low urge, frigidity, etc.).  Encouraging the client to do self-hypnosis will bring greater results to the overall sessions with the practitioner.

As a certified practitioner of hypnosis, I personally found “Hypnosis: The Induction of Conviction” a very valuable book.  I feel this book should be added to every curriculum for hypnosis study because it gives a concise, yet extremely informative overview of the necessary elements.  Hughes gives the practitioner assurance that with practical knowledge and desire to help the client, hypnosis could be a key factor in successful clinical psychotherapy. Of the volumes of reference books I have on hypnosis, I am adamant in saying that “Hypnosis: The Induction of Conviction” by John C. Hughes is the best on the market today.  It is a must have for every practitioner of hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis: The Induction of Conviction, Third Ed.
John C. Hughes, D.C.
The National Guild of Hypnotists (2009)
ISBN 9781885846150
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (10/09)

101 Tips for Recovering from Eating Disorders: A Pocket Book of Wisdom

“101 Tips for Recovering from Eating Disorders” is only a twenty-two page book. Yet within those pages is a great deal of tips that also include inspirational thoughts to help someone with an eating disorder on their road to recovery.  In the first part of the book, the author tells the story about how she dealt with the pain of having an eating disorder.  I think that most, if not all, readers will find themselves totally relating with her in this section and they will know that they are not alone.

In addition to other common experiences, the author and I both shared having a female role model that supported our disease. While they might not realize it themselves, it was pretty apparent to both the author and me that this was the case. I could definitely pick this up in her writings.  For me, when I went through a hideous divorce, the role model in my life commented, “Well, it was too bad that it happened, but at least she lost the weight.”

If others out there are reading this, and remembering similar experiences, please note that they will find themselves relating even more to the 101 tips covered in these pages.  Before you even get into the tips, read the section about the ten lessons that the author learned along the way. They are so true.  As you read through the 101 tips, there are spaces that you can journal your thoughts about the tips that apply to you. I highly suggest that you do this so that you can really reflect on the tips and think about applying them to your life.  The colorful illustrations that are on each page will help keep you in a positive frame of mind.

I highly recommend “101 Tips for Recovering from Eating Disorders” by Amy Barth for people who are contemplating recovery, in recovery, or think that that they have recovered from eating disorders.  You will discover healthy ways to cope with your eating disorder as you learn to heal.

101 Tips for Recovering from Eating Disorders: A Pocket Book of Wisdom
Amy Barth
Loving Healing Press (2009)
ISBN 9781615990016
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/09)

Lessons from 1 North: A Guide to Life Outside the Asylum

Marc A. Zirogiannis writes of his own experience and the valuable eye-opening lessons he learned after being involuntarily admitted to 1 North, the psychiatric ward, at a hospital on Long Island, New York. “Lessons from 1 North: A Guide to Life Outside the Asylum” presents practical, real-life observations about the meaning of life the author made during his recovery process.

Marc urges those people in the “normal world” suffering in silence, for fear of the stigma, to seek needed assistance and to seek help of their own volition, avoiding having to suffer the pain of learning the lessons the hard way through a near-death experience as he did.

Anticipating the goals of treatment, the disciplines, and the routines are helpful in light of the expected rewards. Marc has detailed these is layman’s terms. A helpful resource of “Self Help Hotlines” is also included which addresses specific needs.

In Marc’s case he had to go through a near-death experience to learn about himself, to put his life in proper perspective. He shares ten life-altering lessons he learned during his recuperation.

Loving family support, long-time friends and a home to go to made it possible for Marc to return to “normal” life after only eighteen days of therapy. Knowing there were those left behind with nowhere to go, Zirogiannis is setting up a foundation to assist psychiatric in-patients with the paperwork and funding necessary to find housing after they are medically and psychologically ready to be discharged.

Zirogiannis states his underlying motive in writing the book this way, “We need to learn what we can and cannot handle and when to seek the assistance of others…All of my misconceptions about what it meant to be recovering in a psychiatric facility were shattered…” His way of looking at things had become profoundly different. He came to realize “it is okay to ask for help.” He left the program with a new mindset.

“Lessons from 1 North” is worthy of a wide distribution and can easily be adapted for inclusion in professional journals or as a series of articles in self-help or in popular magazines dealing with either a physical or psychological emphasis.

 I look forward to hearing Marc Zirogiannis’ full story, the issues leading up to the breakdown as well as an epilog which brings the reader up to date on the outcome of these circumstances. His experience is fresh. Marc’s writing in “Lessons from 1 North: A Guide to Life Outside the Asylum” is articulate, candid, and relevant.

Lessons from 1 North: A Guide to Life Outside the Asylum
Marc A. Zirogiannis
Lulu (2009)
ISBN 9780557095551
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (9/09)

The Evolutionary Glitch: Rise Above the Root of Your Problems

First of all, anytime you choose to delve into brain functions you are in for some deep study and thought.  It is no different with Albert Garoli’s “The Evolutionary Glitch” because he takes us deep within neurobiology and quantum physics. Combine that with ancient wisdom and modern psychology and you get a thorough understanding that our emotional, mental and physical health is driven by social conditioning and learned experiences.

For example, Garoli states that social conditioning “can generate a sense of inadequacy, low self-esteem, doubt, anxiety, frustration, stress, and a myriad of other negative outcomes.” In response to these results we create a “neural mask” aka Persona.  The strength of the Persona is dependent on the pain, fear, or resentment that is ingrained into the being.

Garoli claims there are six different Personas: Ephemeral, Grinding, Controlling, Egocentric, Rebellious, and Minimalist. He gives a thorough explanation of each behavior. After getting to this point in “The Evolutionary Glitch,” I was deciding, like I’m sure all readers, on which Persona I was.  But, with abated hesitancy I read “the Persona you have identified as yours is not YOU.”  Garoli further explains our job is to challenge ourselves to overcome our Persona because it is only a mask we created due to circumstances.

Once we understand which Persona needs adjustment, we are encouraged to do exercises provided by Garoli. The exercises are intense and it is suggested we take several weeks to do each one.  The importance of this is to retrain the brain and free oneself from the Persona.

There is so much more to this book!  Garoli provides a developmental program and understanding that is time-sensitive, cutting-edge, and a forerunner in the field of neuropsychology. Our society is finally grasping the fact that our behaviors, actions, and thoughts are driven by our internal conflicts.  Albert Garoli, in “The Evolutionary Glitch” gives us the insight needed so we can make the changes within ourselves and create our own world that is problem-free.

The Evolutionary Glitch: Rise Above the Root of Your Problems
Albert Garoli
Q-Stim Publications (2008)
ISBN 9780473138882
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (9/09)

The Winner’s Bible: Rewire Your Brain for Permanent Change

Self-help books on how to become a “better you” abound nowadays. Every single one of them promises the reader who would faithfully follow the recommendations to become a more successful, richer, happier, better looking and altogether improved version of oneself, usually in a short period of time. With the overabundance of those books it is sometimes difficult to pick a true winner among the multitude, yet I do think “The Winner’s Bible” by Dr. Kerry Spackman might just be one of them.

The author’s approach to changing your life is extremely practical, and described step by step. Rather than just giving you a set of goals, the author explains how our brains work, and exactly what needs to be rewired in them, as well as how to achieve that. I’ve really liked the detailed explanation of the processes going on in the brain, and author’s statement that we are not like a computer. The part that I found particularly informative, and really relevant, was the importance of the hidden unconscious modules. To quote Dr. Spackman, “In many cases the secret agendas of those modules explain why you frequently do the wrong things even when you ‘know’ exactly what you should do. Sometimes even being highly motivated and wanting to do the right thing still isn’t enough. Your unconscious modules are somehow still controlling your behavior against your best intentions. Unless you know how to reprogram those hidden modules, you will be doomed to failure, despite having all the best thoughts and ideas in the world.” Armed with those basic truths, the reader will be well equipped to start “training,” which seems like a good term to use in view of the fact that Dr. Spackman’s program seems to be oftentimes used by elite athletes.

Written in an easy-to-follow format and a no-nonsense style, the numerous examples of step-by-step changes required as well as the real-life stories will definitely be inspirational to anybody desiring change. The unique visual and audio stimuli suggested by the author should make the progress much faster and the journey more enjoyable. Overall I found “The Winner’s Bible” by Dr. Kerry Spackman absorbing, motivating and enlightening, and I can definitely see it being widely used by those who truly desire change and are willing to work on achieving it. It would make a good gift for somebody who is in dire need of some motivation and change, as well as a good gift to yourself. You deserve to be a winner too.

The Winner’s Bible: Rewire Your Brain for Permanent Change
Dr. Kerry Spackman
Greenleaf Book Group Press (2009)
ISBN 9781608320158
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (8/09)

How to Fight for Your Goals: Social Combat Theory

In "How to Fight for Your Goals," author Avi Schneider teaches you how to apply your martial arts skills to more than combat situations. You can also use these skills to help you achieve goals in your personal and professional life. According to the author, "Social Combat arises any time an entity attempts to exert influence over another entity, which will not readily accept that influence."

By reading this book, I am learning how to apply these strategies to go beyond the physical and actually work with behavioral responses to situations. I also enjoyed the discussions about how this theory applies to psychological theories. The author states, "Martial Arts is a discipline that teaches effective strategies and techniques to combat opposition to ones goals. Any opposition." Learning how to apply the strategies to other areas of our lives makes the training much more meaningful.

Physical attacks are discussed, and demonstrated in photos, to show how they can also be applied to social situations. The three main types of opponents and strategies for best handling them are also covered. These three types are the Brawler, the Bluffer and the Boxer. In relating to social interaction, these opponents are viewed as aggressive, passive or in-between.

As an individual with a second-degree black belt in karate and a Master of Science degree in Counseling, I found "How to Fight for Your Goals" to be incredibly informative, presenting information that can apply to my everyday life. I also realized that in some areas of my life, I had been subconsciously applying these strategies. By reading this book, I have a much better understanding of how best to use them. One of the reasons I began training in martial arts was with the hope that it would give me the confidence that I would need so that I would not actually ever have to fight. But if I ever do, I am prepared. The knowledge gained from reading this will definitely help me continue to avoid violence in confrontation situations.

I believe that utilizing the information presented in this book will assist me with achieving my goals outside of the dojo very effectively. I highly recommend "How to Fight for Your Goals" by Avi Schneider to martial artists.

How to Fight for Your Goals: Social Combat Theory
Avi Schneider
Lulu (2009)
ISBN 9781409283362
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/09)