"Help Yourself: Finding Hope, Courage and Happiness" by Dave Pelzer

Review by reader found at Amazon.com
"Those who have read Dave Pelzer's previous books will be glad to see him take his wisdom to a new level. This book isn't really about the horrors he suffered in one of the worst child abuse cases in the state of California. Rather, it is about the elements of mental survival in difficult situations. He helps readers achieve clarity, direction, and satisfaction with their lives by unveiling the inner mechanisms that can be blocking them. It might sound like this info should come from a psychologist, but Pelzer's advice works admirably. It's like a one-on-one talk with your wisest and most experienced friend. I think a lot of people, especially those who have suffered traumatic or very difficult situations, or those who have met roadblock after roadblock in life, will find this book of tremendous value. "

I found this book to be of positive value when trying to discover a more optimistic road to travel down in healing. Learning from both the good things and the difficult things in our lives is important. This book helps to inspire me to continue to learn from the horrific experiences I survived.

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The Present: The Secret of Enjoying Your Work and Life, Now!, by Spencer Johnson

Amazon.com
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Johnson's megaselling Who Moved My Cheese? helped readers cope with changes beyond their control. The author now proffers another easily digestible parable encompassing a related, but broader, topic: how to attain happiness and success in life. In large type that's easy on eyes both old and young (and that stretches this brief book past 100 pages), Johnson lays out a bare-bones tale of a man who learns a valuable lesson about living in the present from a wise old gent. Stuck in a rut in his job and personal life, the younger man learns about The Present, a three-fold way of living and working. Bit by bit, the old man explains how it works: in order to achieve bliss in life, it's important to pay equal attention to the past (learn from mistakes), the present (live in the moment) and the future (plan for it as best as possible, but don't "lose yourself in worry or anxiety"). The common-sense knowledge and concentration on living in the now lend a Zen feel to the story, and while Johnson's approach may border on the corny (everything runs smoothly for his characters, and they share with each other such tidbits as, "The Present is a gift you give to yourself. Only you have the power to discover what it is"), it's undeniably sound. Despite some awkward phrasings, Johnson's latest brims with good ideas for those feeling frustrated, stagnant, depressed or overwhelmed, and is bound to be embraced by the self-help-loving masses.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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