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4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
28 global ratings
5 star
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4 star
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3 star
16%
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Helen Vanderberg
5.0 out of 5 stars How to Pick Yourself Up After Crisis
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014
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This is an excellent and witty compendium of helpful philosophical and practical advice, told in the format of interviews with people who have suffered. Some of them famous. You may have heard an occasional snippet before, but this doesn't blunt their effectiveness. Lovely turns of phrase throughout--laugh-out-loud funny from time-to-time.The author has definitely been around: one of his interviewees is Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) after he had his stroke. One quote I particularly favored: "Our limitations become our strengths if we use them skillfully." Most intriguingly, it is about getting to your secret destination, no matter what.
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Ruthie L
5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy tales of wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2018
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Very interesting collection of life lessons as well as historical, philosophical stories. Interesting to learn about palliative care as well as hospice.
Read this as a library book but loved its’ wisdom and insight so much that I had to buy this for my own library.
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J. P. Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars Choosing to live
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2009
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The sub-title, lessons in the art of living, speaks to what this luminous book is all about. The stories and profiles are of people just like you or me. People who quietly live and love, and then come to a moment in their life for which there is no preparation. In that moment, they are forced to choose--do I or do I not become the hero of my own life?
Some might liken these to "profiles in courage," yet I suspect that the people profiled would not lay claim to the word "courage." They are people who simply embrace the desire to choose. They are women and men who, with faith and hope, "dive" into the mystery of life and love.
While reading this book I wondered if I could live, will I live, as those profiled have chosen to live--tapping into the best and bravest of who they are.
The book cheers, confuses, and astonishes. It reminds us that the arbitrary and the seemingly senseless do not have to define who we are and who we will become.
If I could have only ten books in my library, this would be would one of them.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide to empowering action!
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2012
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It can be so easy when one perceives they are failing to simply crumple and lose momentum - even when what they are working toward is something they really want. This wonderful book gives many examples of people who were falling who took control and went ahead and dove ... into greater empowerment, or letting go of the previous situation to allow space for something new to come in, or simply for the release of letting go. This is a book that will stay by my bedside to inspire me when I'm falling, as we all do from time to time if we are living life at all.
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laurel
5.0 out of 5 stars For anyone that has suffered any kind of trauma!
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019
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The unending people in each story that found light from the darkness! From all over the world, every kind of trauma imaginable. The inspiration that we all can be better, happier and more so much more than our stories. That the pain part of life is just that life, without it...we would never see joy!
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Dan D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the change tragedy brings
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2008
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Matousek is right on target with this book. He truly captures the essence of the change a person experiences when they have survived a tragedy. From the fabulous introduction and throughout each story of survival, even (especially) readers who are aware of how suffering has improved their lives will find nuggets of wisdom, as all angles of this phenomenon are explored. I had a hard time putting this book down, and plan to reread it often. As someone who feels isolated by my experiences and the spiritual growth that resulted from them, this book feels like a personal support group I can carry with me.
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p.eagle
5.0 out of 5 stars I've bought this book for numerous friends, read it ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2014
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I've bought this book for numerous friends, read it myself several times, and keep up with Matousek as a writer and mentor teacher. He walks his talk and knows how to share wholeheartedly the wisdom he gleans from living.
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Susan Fischer
5.0 out of 5 stars I have gifted this to people I love because it is that remarkable
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2016
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I have gifted this to people I love because it is that remarkable. It's thrilling when a writer touches you, as Mark's writing has touched me.
Read this!
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