Admittedly, what I liked most is that we are close in age Californians. Bias for sure. That aside, it’s a good read. Since it was published in 2018, aAdmittedly, what I liked most is that we are close in age Californians. Bias for sure. That aside, it’s a good read. Since it was published in 2018, a bit of a cringe when she talks about the possibilities of pandemics and Kavanaugh being bad for women. Oh boy, been wild! I’d like to see November 2024 be about another glass ceiling shattering....more
Brief. Clocking in at 122 pages, this can easily be read in a day. I’m not Jewish and I am on Twitter more than is healthy. I came across this book viBrief. Clocking in at 122 pages, this can easily be read in a day. I’m not Jewish and I am on Twitter more than is healthy. I came across this book via following Sarah Silverman.
What I appreciate about Mr. Baddiel’s book is that it has given me something to chew on. I’ve been around for the Women’s March, BLM, and the current ramping up of transphobia. I’m old enough to remember California’s proposition 8. And certainly much more.
Could this book dive deeper? Perhaps. I suppose that depends on what the reader is expecting or hoping to get out of it. For me, it is enough to introduce a topic and give me time to think on it and possibly do further exploration....more
Feminist. It is not a bad word. For those who think it is, possible the definition has been hijacked by those who wish to keep women subordinate. JustFeminist. It is not a bad word. For those who think it is, possible the definition has been hijacked by those who wish to keep women subordinate. Just over 100 pages and worth reading for those who have a negative connotation or for those looking to get involved with feminist issues....more
The reader audience appears to be those who consider themselves spiritual, feel there is something bigger than us to join after death, but have no parThe reader audience appears to be those who consider themselves spiritual, feel there is something bigger than us to join after death, but have no particular religion (or at least a liberal approach to one).
I'm not the author's audience (it is a gift from a friend who was curious about what I think). My particular point of view is "death is it." We live on in those who remember us. I find this comforting, it isn't for everyone, and I certainly don't have a problem with Anita's thoughts on what it means to live, be connected, and not stress about what happens after. I find a lot of commonality with her thinking, and I appreciate several points she makes.
Where we agree: Much of what Ms. Moorjani is describing is emotional maturity, secure attachment, avoiding energy vampires, mindfulness, and finding time for quiet. She has whispered conversations near the ocean, and I love that, I tend to talk out loud to the birds that flit around my backyard. The idea is the same, find time to talk and listen to yourself.
I agree that a healer, whether mental or physical, will guide a person toward empowerment, helping the self, and not into dependency. The point of therapy is to get out of therapy.
She makes an excellent point; loving oneself is not narcissistic and is necessary for loving others. Also, boundary setting for personal happiness is essential.
The pointed questions at the back of the chapters, to guide self-reflection, are the best part of this book. I think anyone who is on the path to developing a better relationship with themselves can benefit from thinking about them.
"When we are invested in our beliefs, we can feel a great deal of fear when others shatter them." Page 56
Where I had a few problems: Anita did not die. She was never dead. She came near to death, that's why it is called a near-death experience. Death destroys the brain because it eats itself. There is no way to come back from that. NDEs are the result of the brain being starved of oxygen. During an NDE, a dream state can be induced similar to some drugs. With LSD, there can be a complete disconnect of self as an individual. One exciting commonality among people who've had NDEs, or a chemical-induced experience, is a claim of feeling connected to something larger than themselves. From what I've read, it has pretty profound and positive results. Although the bias could be that people who don't have profound experiences, don't write about it. The good news is that someone doesn't have to come close to death or take drugs to live a happier life.
Knowing that the book isn't written for me, I reflected on the insights and enjoyed the autobiographical nature of the book. I did feel a bit of dread approaching chapter five. California, where I also live, is lax with "alternative medicine" quacks at the same time US health insurance is a mess. This leaves middle and low-income households with a struggle, or inability to get proper medical care, and at the mercy of charlatans. I was relieved to read, "[diseases] are not the result of bad karma nor... the result of our negative thoughts." Page 66. "What often is the enemy is the way we view illness." In other words, the psychology of how we approach illness needs an attitude adjustment. Overall, I think the chapter is written respectfully. People with medical illnesses are prone to worry and fear, it can be difficult to feel empowered in an uncomfortable bed, surrounded by strangers and an unfamiliar routine, not to mention the confusing amount of information about treatment. In a perfect scenario, the evidence-based medicine would be the trusted course of action. But what if it isn't, what if a patient refuses treatment and instead drinks hot vinegar five times a day? Honestly, it does no good to bully the patient away from their vinegar. Ms. Moorjani doesn't try to give medical advice or guidance; she knows that putting someone in a state of confusion or fear isn't going to have good results. Is she correct that a person should follow what they feel? I'm not entirely convinced, but I agree that healing is about empowerment.
I skimmed chapters six through nine, and much of the rest. I'll let someone else tackle those parts, my doing so would not add to my happiness, and not likely to anyone else's either. I do appreciate that Anita's view takes away the idea of Hell and post-life judgment, something I believe was invented purely to drive people into fear and away from reason.
All in all, if this helps someone connect with themselves better and start living a happier life, then I'm all for it. Those wanting more meat or who tend toward skepticism, I would recommend finding sources on emotional maturity, attachments styles, and mindfulness. ...more
Picked this book up because it is mentioned in a series of excellent articles online. My main interest is to put mental tools in my toolbox to help mePicked this book up because it is mentioned in a series of excellent articles online. My main interest is to put mental tools in my toolbox to help me work around manipulative people. Also, self improvement is a good thing. Easy to read and a nice balance between explanations and examples....more
I debated whether to give this book three or four stars. Ultimately, I decided on four after looking at the copyright date of 2012. This book doesn't I debated whether to give this book three or four stars. Ultimately, I decided on four after looking at the copyright date of 2012. This book doesn't cover polyamory, monoamory, or polyfidelity. In fairness, I didn't hear the word polyamory until 2013, and it was several years before I started meeting successful polyamorous people. I'm not aware of any scientific studies done regarding multiple loves except in the cases of serial monogamy. It is true that US culture and social norms make monogamy the in thing, successes vary. Poly could be several pair bonds, and the brain scans might be pretty much the same; love is love. Ms. Sukel covers a lot of ground in about 250 easy to read and entertaining pages. Worth my time. Also, voles are cute....more
Thorough and well written. My interest in this battle has to do with my grandfather. He didn’t speak much to me about the war years. For me, saying grThorough and well written. My interest in this battle has to do with my grandfather. He didn’t speak much to me about the war years. For me, saying grandpa had been a sailor in the war was akin to saying grandpa was a union electrician. These were things he did for work and I had no real knowledge of what it meant. It was after he died and I came across old photos of his buddies, a Japanese flag, and blurry images of ships firing, that it sunk in that my grandpa had seen a significant slice in history unfold and he had been a part of it. His assignment was on a minesweeper that went in early October and gave support and aid throughout. This book focuses, understandably, on the carriers, battleships, etc. I am thankful to know more about what happened and what my grandpa’s photos must have meant to him....more
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