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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on August 18, 2009, at 14:12:32
Can anyone recommend some good books on learning how to be more positive in life?
Thanks.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 18, 2009, at 15:20:15
In reply to Books on being positive, posted by Maxime on August 18, 2009, at 14:12:32
> Can anyone recommend some good books on learning how to be more positive in life?
>
> Thanks."Loving What Is" by Byron Katie. The title says it all - it's about learning to accept our current reality and actually loving it. My therapist and I have been using it intermittently for a couple of years. In some situations it's been very helpful for me.
She has other books but this is a good one to start with.
Take care.
PartlyCloudy
Posted by sassyfrancesca on August 18, 2009, at 15:33:16
In reply to Re: Books on being positive » Maxime, posted by Partlycloudy on August 18, 2009, at 15:20:15
How about anything by Wayne Dyer? I watch him on PBS......his latest program was "Excuses Begone." Basically, if you took all of your excuses away (I am afraid, I am too old, no one will help me, I can't, etc.) then what would happen? Where would you be?!
Incidentally, Wayne is my latest endorsement for my memoir: Ghost Child to Triumph (from a child with no voice, to someone who speaks up against injustice)
xoxo, Sassy
Posted by Sigismund on August 18, 2009, at 16:28:19
In reply to Books on being positive, posted by Maxime on August 18, 2009, at 14:12:32
This learning-to-be-more-positive thing I never came to do or trust.
I did enjoy Thomas Moore's "Care for the Soul" a long time ago.
Posted by Sigismund on August 18, 2009, at 16:30:30
In reply to Re: Books on being positive, posted by Sigismund on August 18, 2009, at 16:28:19
I don't know what the matter with Amazon at the moment is. Books are not showing up, but that book does here
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080809/msgs/908718.html
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 18, 2009, at 16:35:06
In reply to Re: Books on being positive, posted by Sigismund on August 18, 2009, at 16:30:30
> I don't know what the matter with Amazon at the moment is. Books are not showing up, but that book does here
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080809/msgs/908718.htmlI thought it was maybe because the books board went poof.
Posted by obsidian on August 18, 2009, at 22:45:11
In reply to Books on being positive, posted by Maxime on August 18, 2009, at 14:12:32
"Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Everyday of your Life"
I guess I could work on this too...some days are better than others.
good luck,
sidPS things got really bad, so I burned my copy to keep warm....just kidding, geez I'm a cynic, please ignore me :-)
Posted by Tabitha on August 19, 2009, at 2:42:40
In reply to Re: Books on being positive » Maxime, posted by obsidian on August 18, 2009, at 22:45:11
> "Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Everyday of your Life"
> PS things got really bad, so I burned my copy to keep warm
LOL!
I'm trying to think if I even have any books about being positive, but I think if I did I sold them. Recently I tried "Authentic Happiness" but it was really dull, and the author admitted he wasn't a particularly positive person.
All the self-help I have, there must be something positive. The closest I get is stuff about mindfulness and acceptance, like Jon Kabat-Zinn.
I do like the Byron Katie stuff I've read on the web-- maybe I'll pick up her book. But it's still sort of about accepting stuff you don't like.
I can't quite transition to all-out positiveness.
Posted by Sigismund on August 19, 2009, at 15:07:06
In reply to Re: Books on being positive, posted by Tabitha on August 19, 2009, at 2:42:40
>But it's still sort of about accepting stuff you don't like.
You know that line from Desiderata
'But whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should'?Written, I'm disappointed to say, in 1927, when 15 years before things hadn't unfolded so well, if one may be permitted a comment. I thought it was some ancient Benedictine monastery relic.
Posted by Sigismund on August 19, 2009, at 15:09:45
In reply to Re: Books on being positive, posted by Sigismund on August 19, 2009, at 15:07:06
I like that 'no doubt'.
What does it mean?
I've always felt there was plenty.
Posted by obsidian on August 19, 2009, at 23:57:39
In reply to Re: Books on being positive, posted by Sigismund on August 19, 2009, at 15:07:06
I have desiderata in a book with lovely photographs:
I like the part about the world being full of heroism...
and I put this quote above my desk:
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence"You don't have to bother buyting a book though.
I love the thing, so here it is:"Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Posted by obsidian on August 20, 2009, at 0:06:16
In reply to Re: Books on being positive » Sigismund, posted by obsidian on August 19, 2009, at 23:57:39
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.
-Mary Anne Radmach
Posted by peddidle on August 20, 2009, at 17:45:18
In reply to Re: Books on being positive » Maxime, posted by Partlycloudy on August 18, 2009, at 15:20:15
"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. My T read it and told me about it. It was on the New York Times best-seller list, too.
Posted by seldomseen on August 21, 2009, at 6:24:03
In reply to another quote that keeps me company...., posted by obsidian on August 20, 2009, at 0:06:16
I have that quote on my fridge.
Posted by fleeting flutterby on August 21, 2009, at 9:29:18
In reply to another quote that keeps me company...., posted by obsidian on August 20, 2009, at 0:06:16
> Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.
> -Mary Anne Radmach
---flutterby: Oh wow! I never heard this quote-- I love it! thank you so much for sharing it. :o)
Quite apropos for me at the moment.thank you
flutterby
Posted by floatingbridge on August 25, 2009, at 18:41:18
In reply to Books on being positive, posted by Maxime on August 18, 2009, at 14:12:32
Um, "Lovingkindeness: the Revolutionary Art of Happiness" by Sharon Salzberg.
maybe that's a link?
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