I am usually not one for self-help books. I have tried a bunch over the years and I just cannot get into them for some reason. A few of them I have faithfully read/listened to until the end and then still have not liked, while some I have just stopped listening to altogether cause I could never get into them.
The audiobook for this book is read by the author and he is slightly monotone as he reads. I wasn't sure I would like his calm steady voice and it got to me slightly at certain times especially since it was 7 hours of the same voice without a lot of inflection. I almost stopped the book and picked something different but then it got good. I was not too far into it when all of a sudden I was paying really good attention and nodding along as he explained how he was trying to work through trauma to love himself. I found myself relating to his story even though we both experienced completely different things. After a little bit, I couldn't put it down and I had to continue to listen to what else profound he would utter next. I replayed certain parts that were very inspiring to me personally and wrote down some of the things he said so I could remember them. Even though I have now listened to the book and finished it, I think I will buy a hard copy of it so I can really read through it again and again.
I enjoyed the entire book from beginning to end and was impressed by his knowledge and way of communicating all his thoughts and feelings. One part really stuck out to me so I made sure to write it down.
"We crave for our loved ones to live their lives in certain ways and make decisions that align with how we would decide things for ourselves. The love we have for our dear ones is often tarnished by our inner push to control them even when we know that real love is supporting their freedom."
I don't really have a problem supporting my kids in anything they do but my extended family is having a hard time with my "faith crisis" and feel that I am making a big mistake. I would love to convey to them that even though I am not following their path in life, I am in fact following my own path and it is still a good one. Maybe one day they will see that even though my path is different from theirs it is not any less valid or right.
I actually enjoyed it even though it was a self-help book.
Amy Brouwer . 2025 . All Rights Reserved
