Stop Whining, Start Living

Stop Whining, Start Living

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82  ·  rating details  ·  271 ratings  ·  81 reviews
Dr. Laura Schlessinger agrees that there are things worth whining about! A certain amount of whining allows for some venting of reasonable pain, disappointment, fear, frustration, or frank rage. However, staying stuck in whining mode can become a life-long problem. This is where Dr. Laura steps in with Stop Whining, Start Living to help folks conquer the temptation to retr...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published March 11th 2008 by Harper (first published 2008)
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Community Reviews

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Jessietaylortanner
Mar 25, 2008 Jessietaylortanner rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: rachelle, diana
i rarely award a book a full 5 stars, but i did so with this book. There wasn't really any novel or 'revelationary' information, but i was still left feeling inspired and ready to take on the day. This is one that I want to own and mark and re-read again and again for a further kick in the pants to get going. It leaves me wondering about the actual biological causes and treatments of clinical depression, but still inspired that no matter what the origin, there is plenty i can do to influence and...more
Katie
Jun 09, 2008 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: pretty much anyone
Recommended to Katie by: mama
Favorite Quotes:

"Look at every human being as an opportunity to advance humanity and add something positive to the resume of your life."

"You cannot demand or grab love or respect. Demanding it will result only in resentment, fear, or dislike-even hatred."

"You don't deserve anything you haven't earned. And a lot of what you get that is challenging, unpleasant, or horrific wasn't earned either. The key to a satisfying life is to strive toward the former, and survive the latter with your humanity...more
Kathy
Dr. Laura Schlessinger agrees that there are things worth whining about! A certain amount of whining allows for some venting of reasonable pain, disappointment, fear, frustration, or frank rage. However, staying stuck in whining mode can become a life-long problem. This is where Dr. Laura steps in with Stop Whining, Start Living to help folks conquer the temptation to retr...moreDr. Laura Schlessinger agrees that there are things worth whining about! A certain amount of whining allows for some v...more
D.M. Dutcher
Dr. Laura seems to make a career of reminding people to have some common sense. Don't whine so much: it doesn't solve anything. Focus on your blessings while not ignoring or suppressing past pain. Realize that it's not about you, and the world isn't centered around you. Be nice to your husbands.

Sometimes this works, as in The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands which turns common sense on a lot of the irrational attitudes that can pop up when dealing with your spouse. However, in this book there...more
Alice
May 03, 2011 Alice added it
Stop Whining, Start Living by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. There’s good advice in this book. Some of my favorite quotes/notes are: You can’t have your cake and eat it too (My daddy’s all time favorite). Talk is cheap, walk the walk. Edit out the bad stuff. Stop the negative thought and it will not turn into a sad feeling. On How to Swim With Sharks, don’t bleed — if an attack causes you to bleed, then other sharks will go into a feeding frenzy (or the one shark you are dealing with will get fed and c...more
Lotte
Full of mostly common sense suggestions, this book's worth is in its ability to powerfully remind us that life is mostly about how we choose to see it. Attitude is nearly everything and people can successfully pretend feelings that often become sincere.
Emily
I like Dr Laura but havent fallen completely head over heels in love with Everything she says like most of her fans. She is pretty spot on with most of her advice and observations and I appriciate her tell it how it is even if it hurts way. This book was really good and I read it in a matter of days (which is good for me...usually I start books and don't finish them) and I got alot of helpful ways of thinking about things. I really loved her advice on how conflicts and hardships can be seen in a...more
Naomi
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Jenny
Overall really liked the book, especially the last 1/3. There were a lot of quotes I wanted to write down, but had to take it back to the library before I was able to. It gave me some good insight into some personal habits I have and helped me see how I would like to be different. I tend to be a whiner and feel sorry for myself, so this was a good reminder to do something different instead of staying in generational patterns that aren't making me or my family happy. This is my first Dr. Laura bo...more
Whitney
I also really really enjoyed this book for this month's book club read. Reading it was like getting free therapy! Whether you are a fan of the author or not, I think that everyone should read this book, it offers so much on how to eliminate any negative in your life, big or small, long or short term. Some parts were more applicable to my life than others but in the end, I felt like i came away with some great advise on how to live in a positive and optimistic way, no matter what kind of trials o...more
Natalie
There was a time about a decade ago, I really needed to hear what Dr. Laura said. So I've always liked her, but never read any of her books. But now that I read this, her most recent book, it's all coming across a little too harsh in a way.

I don't like the message that whatever your problem is, you could prevent it, if your behavior was better. But overlooking that, there were a lot of other uplifting messages and stories that could motivate you to eliminate whining in your life.

At the end she...more
Amber
This was worse than Twilight. I thought it would be a good book for me to read, as I am a big whiner but dang, Laura is a mess. All she basically says the whole book is be appreciative - got it Laura, I know that already.

She pretty much just quotes her radio show (which I have never heard nor heard of even and am truly not sure who listens), and it is more or less a book of her patting herself on the back for her own good advice. She literally praises herself in this book.

I'm all about hearing...more
Stacie
The more I read from Dr. Laura the more I like her. I don't agree with everything that she says but I do agree with most of her concepts. I struggled with listening to her at first but then I accepted she really was talking to and about me and it made a difference. I started experimenting with her ideas and concepts and it has changed my outlook on life and how I should be living it. I hope I continue to apply her advice in my life and that it keeps improving my life. I CAN make my life better.
Kristie J.
Dr. Laura gets straight to the point and gives clear, practical advice that many of us need to hear. It's so much easier to whine about our lives than to really do something to change them. A refreshing and inspirational book. I'll definitely read more from Dr. Laura.
Janell
I guess I'm on a Dr. Laura kick right now. I chose to read this book after a lister to the radio program suggested that everyone should read it, not just "whiners." Not all of the sections were applicable to my life, but I enjoyed reading it just the same. After acknowledging that some "whining" or sadness, grief, etc. can be and is appropriate, she helps the reader see how to move on and not let circumstances control the quality of our lives and our happiness.

I cried when I read the section abo...more
Amanda Eccles
Thanks to a Dr's Appointment I was able to finish the book. I LOVED it!!!! It is all about perspective. I hope to be able to put into action all that I learned...and to STOP whining. I think it is good for anyone to read...even if your not a whiner. When ever we feel sorry for ourselves we need to get up and do for others. Um, I think we learn that somewhere else too:)
Elise Swenson
I thought reading this book would help me stop whining. After all, isn't being yelled at by Dr. Laura supposed to make you a better person. All I can say is that now I'm whining about taking the time I spent reading it.
Stella
Mar 02, 2009 Stella is currently reading it
----a good read for how to deal with the curves life throws you! Life is filled with distraction, chaos and people of all personalities, Dr. Laura puts it straight forward on how to have a smooth sailing life.
Rex Galbraith
Feeling bad for yourself? Learn how to find the best solutions and to realize your blessings.

If you're looking for some good life perspective and good advice. This book will help you out immensely.
Vic
This one is like many of her previous books... that she references. ie - examples of people writing and calling in with thier problems and her response to them.
Bottom line, count your blessings and serve others. Stop worrying about yourself.
JayJay
Jul 26, 2011 JayJay added it
Solid advice, even if it's stuff you don't necessarily want to hear. I felt the excerpts from her radio show felt, at times, a bit too "ideal", but that was probably why she chose them.
Jaime
I do not always agree with the way Dr. Laura talks "down" to people on her radio show. But this book put some of those cases into perspective...sometimes those people need to be talked to that way. There are a lot of wonderful life lessons in this book. I am looking forward to reading another book by Dr. Laura Schlessinger.
Leslie North
I agree with and understood the principles taught here so I just enjoyed reading the personal stories. It's always good to remind oneself about counting blessings and all that
NaDell
This is a great book to read to remember that life isn't about whining. It's about living and enjoying life and what you have. I loved it!
Denise
I find her advice a little extreme in some situations, but still applicable to my life. It gave me lots of good ideas to start implementing.
Molly
Nov 22, 2008 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone!
I learned a lot from this book. You can ask me for the full list later, but here are my top three (pardon the French):

"As a wise person once said, recognizing that reflexive emotions happen and seem to be out of our control, still we can 'Let them, like birds, land on our heads-but we don't have to let them build nests.'"

"When you spend your time whining, justified or not, you lose time living. Don't make that trade-off."

"If the grass is greener on the other side, water your own damn lawn."

As a...more
Merit-lee Gonzalez
really good have read it 2-3 times need to reread again really slaps you across your face no sympathy just hard truth
Liz
I am listening to this in my car, I am on the 4th CD.. And I still hate Laura Schlessinger.
Dave
Great advice on living life and seeing things from others' perspectives!
Chris
Loved it and If I tell about it...I will give it away. READ IT..ITS GREAT. Dr. Laura Schlessinger is on the money with this book!
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Stop Whining, Start Living (Paperback)
Stop Whining, Start Living: Turning Hurt Into Happiness (Kindle Edition)
Stop Whining, Start Living: Turning Hurt Into Happiness (Audio CD)
Stop Whining, Start Living (Other Format)
Stop Whining, Start Living (ebook)

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“You are what you do - first do good, then feel good.” 6 people liked it
“There is, I believe, no such thing as unconditional self-acceptance. Those who say so are promulgating a pernicious lie. One must first live a decent, honorable and productive life. Only then do you get to feel good about yourself.

Seeking to heedlessly gratify your desires or impulses of the moment to do things (or fail to do things) your conscience knows to be contrary to your standards of right, worthy and virtuous behavior is, in a mental, emotional and spiritual sense, akin to spending capital that you have not earned, and therefore will eventually cause you to feel very negatively … about who and what you are. You cannot in the long run have your cake and eat it too. The longer … you behave in certain ways, the more it comes to define you, not only to others, but also to yourself.”
3 people liked it
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