Shift Happens by Robert Holden

I have read a plethora of “self help” books. I started reading them years ago. They have helped me look deeply at myself. They have helped me through a divorce. They are currently helping me stay centered while living with my aging father. When I have finished reading them, I frequently pass them on to others. Shift Happens by Robert Holden is one I’m keeping on my shelf but recommending highly to others.

The author has a way of stating an issue succinctly and just as succinctly exploring alternative ways of looking at the issue. It is so succinct that each chapter is only 5-6 pages long. It is the perfect length to give the reader something to think about for a day or two or a week or whatever length of time is necessary before moving onto the next chapter.

Each chapter stands individually making it possible to pick up the book and read a chapter without losing the thread of the entire book. I open the book randomly now and each time I find something worthwhile. Sometimes the reading smacks me on the back of my head. Sometimes it gives me a feeling of Ahhhhh, just right. Either way, it always seems to be what I need to read that day.

This is one of my favorite quotes from the book,

“Put your self-image in the hands of Heaven. Let the angels sing to you hymns of your divinity. Give God your tiny self-image, so that God may show you your true beauty. Be unconditional. Be open to yourself. Be like the child who asked its mother, ‘Who am I?’ and the mother responded, ‘You are so beautiful you can be whoever you want.’” p.28

I want to reiterate to everyone who reads this that you are so beautiful you can be whoever you want!

This review is part of my partnership with Hay House. I was given the book for the purposes of review. I have not received financial compensation for this review.

Wholeliness by Carmen Harra Ph.D.

Before Hay House Publishing gave me this book to review, I was unfamiliar with the work of Carmen Harra, Ph.D. so starting this book was moving into unfamiliar territory for me, however I soon found myself on solid ground. I think the premise of this book can be summed up with a sentence in the introduction,

“Transformation of the external world must start within.”

Her title draws attention and comparison to the more commonly used word or spelling holiness. In essence she has drawn from the definition of holiness to bring us back to the original and yet a new understanding.

“The condition, state or quality of being healed, whole, and in harmony with the Divine and all that exists.”

From wikipedia: The English word holy dates back to at least the 11th Century with the Old English word hālig, an adjective derived from hāl meaning whole and used to mean 'uninjured, sound, healthy, entire, complete’.

The book moves back and forth within each chapter from personal to global reflecting the belief that transformation begins within each of us individually and moves outward. She blends together scientific and spiritual information working on the concept of “whole”liness. Each chapter concludes with three sections: “observe,” “pray,” and “act.”

What kept me focused on this book was the way she made the material accessible and personal. She included stories from her life that made the information come alive. There is also a prevailing sense of hope which provides relief from the current economic and political news. I have spent time going back through the book looking at the bits that I underlined. Near the end of the book she writes, “Note that every conflict offers a chance to create an experience of cooperation in which you and another person can further expand you thinking and experience wholeliness.” Imagine a world in which this thought process was commonplace. I hope this book becomes one of those books that is read by individuals so often that it becomes ragged in appearance in personal libraries.