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dotreadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I originally started reading this book because I thought there would be some instructions to n journaling. Well, it was basically her journal which honestly was actually full of wise tidbits from her own life experiences. I think I could easily be friends with her although of course we would not agree on everything.
redpineapple's review
4.0
It's a book about a woman and her journey in this world. The author shares her experiences of different situations that have occurred in her life and her quest to be braver, more aware and stronger while dealing with the situations.
It's not a preachy book. No 7 steps to happiness. It's a book about very basic life lessons like gratitude, forgiveness, peace, faith, perfection, letting go and the author's experiences around these lessons. Even though there is no preaching, you would still be motivated to make a change in your life.
Some quotes from the book:
"When we talk about powerful women, we always focus on those in political office, women CEOs on magazine covers, women who star in films and on TV. But I want to focus some attention on women whose power comes from within themselves—not from their clothes or cars, not from their jobs or their spouses. They have none of the trappings that typically make us think people are powerful... Power comes from values, from beliefs, from purpose, from within..."
"May we reassure ourselves that being a woman isn’t a liability. It’s an asset. Like any asset, you must invest in it, care for it, recognize its uniqueness, and nurture it forward... If you’re a woman, never doubt that you belong at the table. Never doubt that you bring something to it. And never forget to save a seat for someone else..."
"So I’ve been present every step of the way. I know I’ll struggle with the emptiness that his leaving will create. I know I’ll cry. But I also know that if I’m super present, the memories I create will endure and comfort me far into the future. Your conscious presence in your own life is powerful.
It’s a gift to be present—a gift for you and for whomever you share your days with."
"Sometimes when we pause, we give ourselves the space to realize we need to hold ourselves back from impulsively acting out on ego to make ourselves feel good or better or bigger or “smarter” or more “in the know.” Pausing gives us the power to change direction—and with power comes responsibility... And finally, remember this: Whenever you’re in doubt: Pause. Take a moment. Look at your options. Check your intentions. And then? And then take the high road."
"What is forgiveness? It’s letting go of a resentment, giving up feeling harmed or damaged. That doesn’t mean the harm or damage didn’t happen. It means that you’re not going to keep revisiting it over and over again, staying stuck in your resentment of the person who caused the harm. Even if it’s you."
"Try to calm the anxious child in you that’s telling you no one is there for you, no one can help you, and that you are all alone. Try to open your heart a bit wider, and you’ll feel things you didn’t feel before. Yes, some feelings may be painful, but better to know you can feel than to walk through life numb."
"So give yourself permission to step away. Breathe. Turn to those with wisdom who have seen it all and lived to tell it. Stay attuned to the news, yes, but don’t allow yourself to become sucked into and consumed by it either. Find your resolve. Focus on the good you can do in your own life."
"Gather at the table. Invite people in. Celebrate with people you love and care about. Listen. Learn.
Love. Focus on what you know makes you feel good, and what makes you feel certain. Focus on your gifts. Focus on your gratitude."
"If you do have a self-pity party, make it short, and then move on."
The author generously provided an ARC to me. This, in no way, affects my review of the book.
It's not a preachy book. No 7 steps to happiness. It's a book about very basic life lessons like gratitude, forgiveness, peace, faith, perfection, letting go and the author's experiences around these lessons. Even though there is no preaching, you would still be motivated to make a change in your life.
Some quotes from the book:
"When we talk about powerful women, we always focus on those in political office, women CEOs on magazine covers, women who star in films and on TV. But I want to focus some attention on women whose power comes from within themselves—not from their clothes or cars, not from their jobs or their spouses. They have none of the trappings that typically make us think people are powerful... Power comes from values, from beliefs, from purpose, from within..."
"May we reassure ourselves that being a woman isn’t a liability. It’s an asset. Like any asset, you must invest in it, care for it, recognize its uniqueness, and nurture it forward... If you’re a woman, never doubt that you belong at the table. Never doubt that you bring something to it. And never forget to save a seat for someone else..."
"So I’ve been present every step of the way. I know I’ll struggle with the emptiness that his leaving will create. I know I’ll cry. But I also know that if I’m super present, the memories I create will endure and comfort me far into the future. Your conscious presence in your own life is powerful.
It’s a gift to be present—a gift for you and for whomever you share your days with."
"Sometimes when we pause, we give ourselves the space to realize we need to hold ourselves back from impulsively acting out on ego to make ourselves feel good or better or bigger or “smarter” or more “in the know.” Pausing gives us the power to change direction—and with power comes responsibility... And finally, remember this: Whenever you’re in doubt: Pause. Take a moment. Look at your options. Check your intentions. And then? And then take the high road."
"What is forgiveness? It’s letting go of a resentment, giving up feeling harmed or damaged. That doesn’t mean the harm or damage didn’t happen. It means that you’re not going to keep revisiting it over and over again, staying stuck in your resentment of the person who caused the harm. Even if it’s you."
"Try to calm the anxious child in you that’s telling you no one is there for you, no one can help you, and that you are all alone. Try to open your heart a bit wider, and you’ll feel things you didn’t feel before. Yes, some feelings may be painful, but better to know you can feel than to walk through life numb."
"So give yourself permission to step away. Breathe. Turn to those with wisdom who have seen it all and lived to tell it. Stay attuned to the news, yes, but don’t allow yourself to become sucked into and consumed by it either. Find your resolve. Focus on the good you can do in your own life."
"Gather at the table. Invite people in. Celebrate with people you love and care about. Listen. Learn.
Love. Focus on what you know makes you feel good, and what makes you feel certain. Focus on your gifts. Focus on your gratitude."
"If you do have a self-pity party, make it short, and then move on."
The author generously provided an ARC to me. This, in no way, affects my review of the book.
shaughnp26's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars- Nothing new here. Maybe it would be better to read it in bits rather than all at once. The lessons tend to meld into one another. I did like the quotes and daily prayers.
sally1's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed most of the time that I spent with this book. Parts of it were more meaningful and spoke to me more than others, but that's to be expected when it's someone else's reflections on life.
I've always had respect for Maria, so I was happy to be able to read such a personal book written by her. That said, there is one thing that bothered me about it from beginning to end. All of the talk about compassion...becoming more compassionate and loving and caring for others...(that's wonderful!)...is directed only toward humans. Okay, she mentions her son's dog with kindness.
I'm holding out hope for the day when someone like Maria wakes up to realize that the world WILL be a more compassionate place when people make the decision to STOP KILLING. Everything.
The turkey being carved at her Thanksgiving table was tortured and killed by a human whose job it is to wake up every day and go to a slaughterhouse and kill. And people who continue to eat animals perpetuate the killing and the jobs requiring humans to kill. I hold out hope for a world wherein Catholics like Maria and the Pope take that tiny step that they're so close to and denounce the killing of animals for our food. Imagine the peace and compassion that would result.
Dominion must mean compassionate caring if we're to ever live in a peaceful world.
This is what I hold out as my hope for the future. I hope that Maria will be touched by these words and will take that step to bring even more meaning to her already wonderful life, and to the lives of everyone who respects her.
I've always had respect for Maria, so I was happy to be able to read such a personal book written by her. That said, there is one thing that bothered me about it from beginning to end. All of the talk about compassion...becoming more compassionate and loving and caring for others...(that's wonderful!)...is directed only toward humans. Okay, she mentions her son's dog with kindness.
I'm holding out hope for the day when someone like Maria wakes up to realize that the world WILL be a more compassionate place when people make the decision to STOP KILLING. Everything.
The turkey being carved at her Thanksgiving table was tortured and killed by a human whose job it is to wake up every day and go to a slaughterhouse and kill. And people who continue to eat animals perpetuate the killing and the jobs requiring humans to kill. I hold out hope for a world wherein Catholics like Maria and the Pope take that tiny step that they're so close to and denounce the killing of animals for our food. Imagine the peace and compassion that would result.
Dominion must mean compassionate caring if we're to ever live in a peaceful world.
This is what I hold out as my hope for the future. I hope that Maria will be touched by these words and will take that step to bring even more meaning to her already wonderful life, and to the lives of everyone who respects her.
amina43080's review
5.0
This is a very thoughtful and well-written book. It is something I can see myself returning to time and again over the course of my life. I highly recommend this book.
“True happiness comes not when we get rid of all of our problems, but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice patience, and to learn.” —Richard Carlson
“True happiness comes not when we get rid of all of our problems, but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice patience, and to learn.” —Richard Carlson
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
5.0
A 2018 staff favorite recommended by Trish. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search?formids=target&lang=eng&suite=def&reservedids=lang%2Csuite&submitmode=&submitname=&target=i%27ve+been+thinking+shriver
mlottermoser's review
2.0
Short essays on various topics followed by a prayer. In theory I liked the book. It just didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t finish it.
aapollo917's review against another edition
4.0
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I picked it because it was available and relatively short. I love several of the quotes, and thought it was pretty thought-provoking. It does get repetitive, but I enjoyed it. I think if you are looking for something to make you think, something short, or something uplifting, this is your book.
gotasong's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book everyone can use. I expect to read it again as a reminder of what matters in life.