Terminalcoffee discussion

I have done a complete 360 on self help books. 10 years ago, maybe less, I would have scoffed at anyone for reading or recommending self help books. Now I love them. My family scoff at me, referring to them as my latest fad. I prefer to think of them as experiments. Some work some don't.

What do you think? Have any favourites?

Be Here Now was one I read in my late teens. One of my favorites, and Ram Dass is still around!

Félix wrote: "Be Here Now One of my favorites, and Ram Dass is still around!"

I'll add it to my list to read. Despite the fact that my kids think mindfulness is a fad. What ever form it takes, being in the 'now' can only be beneficial. I've spent way too many hours/days/months/years ruminating on the past and what if's etc.

The following are my current 4 favourite self help books.

I have a hard copy of this book. It's beautiful. The natural cleaning products have been working beautifully.

have been enjoying this on audio. Have been trying to implement some changes to slow.

This book might seem in conflict with the first two, however I have found getting up an hour earlier than usual sets me up for a positive start to my day.

. I have this on audio. Have also been implementing the strategies outlined in this book. It has very practical, easy to follow advise. It is quite Aussie centric.

These four have me currently at my limit of how I can improve myself. There are only so many hours in the day. 😝

Like climbing a mountain, eh?

Gail, I read these by David K. Reynolds and learned some things: Playing Ball on Running Water and Water Bears No Scars. Basically, the philosophy is that while you're feeling bad/uncomfortable/insecure things, keep doing what needs to be done.

Félix wrote: "Like climbing a mountain, eh?"

Not sure how I have made it to my current vintage, given how clueless I have been without my SHB's. 😂

Scout wrote: "Gail, I read these by David K. Reynolds and learned some things: Playing Ball on Running Water and Water Bears No Scars. Basically, the philosophy is that while you're feeling bad/uncomfortable/ins..." Have you followed the philosophy? Has it helped?

SHBs can get you elected President of the US. Look where we are now.

CD wrote: "SHBs can get you elected President of the US. Look where we are now."

Which SHB was he reading...or did he write one? Not that I would want to be President of the US. Mwahahahaha!

Pres Trump is huuuuge fan of Norman Vincent Peale and the book The Power of Positive Thinking.

Most of Trump's "writing" has been in the form of self-help works. He's been very successful at it over the past 30 years.

Gail wrote: "CD wrote: "SHBs can get you elected President of the US. Look where we are now."

Which SHB was he reading...or did he write one? Not that I would want to be President of the US. Mwahahahaha!"

I answered you but didn't press reply, I guess I had a Trumpian moment . . . :)

Gail wrote: "Scout wrote: "Gail, I read these by David K. Reynolds and learned some things: Playing Ball on Running Water and Water Bears No Scars. Basically, the philosophy is that while you're feeling bad/unc..."

I guess I've been putting this philosophy in action all my life before having read the books. They're just a reminder. While being terrified of public speaking, I became a teacher. While being uncertain about parenting, I had a child. We all do this. The books give specific examples of conditions people deal with and then show how taking positive actions despite your feelings is a better way than sitting on a couch and talking about your feelings. And I agree. As Alfred E. Neuman (Mad Magazine philosopher) said, "Don't let the bastards wear you down", and "What, Me worry?"
Just keep doing what needs to be done.

CD wrote: "Pres Trump is huuuuge fan of Norman Vincent Peale and the book The Power of Positive Thinking.

Most of Trump's "writing" has been in the form of self-help works. He's been very suc..."

Love him or hate him, he has been very successful at a number of things.

::running off to buy 20 copies of The power of Positive Thinking.::

Scout wrote: "Gail wrote: "Scout wrote: "Gail, I read these by David K. Reynolds and learned some things: Playing Ball on Running Water and Water Bears No Scars. Basically, the philosophy is that while you're fe..."

I am very good at sitting on the couch. 😳

Are you thinking positively while sitting? :-) I know it sounds like a bunch of crap, but I've been writing down the things I'm grateful for. It's hard some days but, what the hell, it's better than dwelling on what's wrong.

Scout wrote: "Are you thinking positively while sitting? :-) I know it sounds like a bunch of crap, but I've been writing down the things I'm grateful for. It's hard some days but, what the hell, it's better tha..."

From the Miracle Morning book. The routine is SAVERS.

10 minutes of Silence.
10 minutes of Affirmations
10 Visualisation
10 minutes of Exercise
20 minutes of productive Reading
10 minutes of Scribing

I've been doing this routine since July it gives me a super positive boost to my morning. I don't do all of them every morning. I at least manage the exercise & Silence (clearing the mind, in Some manner)

It all sounds like a bunch of crap too, but it works for me. Not necessarily in the manner the writer intended. I don't want to be rich or hugely successful. I just want to concentrate on the things in life that matter.

I do all of those things, but not every day. The one I have trouble with is visualization. Not sure exactly how that works.

Scout wrote: "I do all of those things, but not every day. The one I have trouble with is visualization. Not sure exactly how that works."

I've read a little bit here and there on Visualisation. It's supposed to help, I'm really rubbish at it. That and the Affirmations are the ones I neglect the most. Maybe it's self defeating, but I don't really feel I am up for taking over the universe.

Gail wrote: "Maybe it's self defeating, but I don't really feel I am up for taking over the universe."

Wimp.

:-) I only have one affirmation. It came from an interview years ago that Paul Harvey did on the radio with a hundred-year-old man. His secret to a long life, he said, was that he'd look in the mirror every day and say, "I'm happy; I'm healthy; I'm terrific." I thought it was worth a try, and I still use it. Maybe silly; maybe not. We'll see.

Félix wrote: "Gail wrote: "Maybe it's self defeating, but I don't really feel I am up for taking over the universe."

Wimp."Smee! And proud of it.

The best self help book, in my opinion, is Dr. Joseph Murphy's "Power of the Subconscious Mind."

One of the best books for help is a coupon book with lots of free stuff. :)

Free stuff would be great. I want some free stuff :-)

CD wrote: "One of the best books for help is a coupon book with lots of free stuff. :)"

I am deeply suspicious of anything labeled "free". 99% is aimed at enticing you to spend more.

The second self help book I mentioned, Slow, one of the issues covered is helping me to identify with not longer consuming non essential items. Purchases these days are prefixed with "Do I really need this item?" Most of the time the answer is no so I walk away empty handed. I have asked my kids not to buy me gifts unless it's a consumable item. Soap etc is always a good choice. For my birthday this year my son made me some candles.

I've spent a lot of time in the last year getting rid of stuff, so I like consumables, too. Or something that makes my life easier. I'm wondering about an iRobot - if they're worth the money.

I just finished "The Road to Power. Fast Food for the Soul' by Barbara Berger. It is a real good self help book.

Scout wrote: "I've spent a lot of time in the last year getting rid of stuff, so I like consumables, too. Or something that makes my life easier. I'm wondering about an iRobot - if they're worth the money."


I have a Roomba! It's the best thing ever. I had my doubts when the husband purchased it for me, but would not be without one now.

ETA: I have the basic model nothing fancy. I also have a long haired cat who sheds enormous quantities of fur. The Roomba handles it effortlessly.

Sounds good, Gail. Thanks. I see they now have one that does the mopping. That seems like a pretty big chore for a little robot. I'm interested to see how well it works.

I tend to buy self help books used from charity shops so that if they are bad it doesn’t matter because they didn’t cost much. If they are good I tend to underline things I like, cut out quotes and write in the margins. I don’t mind doing that with books which were cheap to buy. Can find something useful or to think about in most of them.

Have you found one that's useful?