This book was about a woman’s journey from her past self, “Rhonda,” to a more authentic, whole self, “Iyanla.” While the messages in the obstacles she...moreThis book was about a woman’s journey from her past self, “Rhonda,” to a more authentic, whole self, “Iyanla.” While the messages in the obstacles she had to overcome were quite profound, it did wander around a bit (man that woman takes a lot of baths!) and had some slow spots where I had to push myself to keep reading. She seemed to be aware of the mistakes she made but was powerless to change and grow and learn from them, which was a little disenchanting. It was frustrating to me that she obviously made a name for herself by inspiring others to change their lives, and she couldn’t really even change her own. She kept making the same mistakes over and over again. But what was inspiring was that she always owned her mistakes and never played the victim card. All in all, it was a decent read.(less)
This book had three main parts to it: Italy, India and Indonesia (specifically Bali). I thoroughly enjoyed parts one and three, but found the India s...moreThis book had three main parts to it: Italy, India and Indonesia (specifically Bali). I thoroughly enjoyed parts one and three, but found the India section a little too drawn out and self-absorbed for my taste (I say that, but the very nature of my blog is self-absorbed, so I'm not sure what that says about me). I really liked the imagery and scenery she used throughout the book, though, so I kept plowing through the India section regardless. I wouldn't really call the book revolutionary or even self-help, because, really, how many of us have the chance to take a year to spend time on a food-tour through Italy, meditate our way through India and fall in love in the paradise of Bali? But I'd say it was a pleasant read over-all. (less)
Putting her diagnosis aside, this book gives insight to the workings and process of psychotherapy, from the perspective of the patient. Many times t...morePutting her diagnosis aside, this book gives insight to the workings and process of psychotherapy, from the perspective of the patient. Many times throughout the book I found myself saying, "Wow, that's exactly what I've thought." Albeit wordy and over-dramatic at times, if you want to know what the therapeutic process is like, this book is dead on.(less)
Amazing, insightful read. Suggested by my therapist.
Wow. What a powerful book, especially for me. You see, I recently had a friend like ...moreAmazing, insightful read. Suggested by my therapist.
Wow. What a powerful book, especially for me. You see, I recently had a friend like this. Well, a very mild case, comparatively speaking.
The book was a memoir by a woman whose best friend had a borderline personality disorder, at the very least. This friend completely steamrolled over the author, breaking every boundary, being completely inappropriate, basically taking over the author's entire life. The book told of how this sort of thing can happen - that people with Borderline Personality Disorder can be very charismatic, very charming, they'll make you feel like you're the most important person in the world, but they're also very manipulative, and they'll take more than they give, all the while making you believe the opposite.
This inappropriate, no-boundaries, toxic relationship got to the point where the author completely lost all sense of self. She felt so trapped and empty that she resorted to self-harm as a way to deal with the insanity and sense of being out of control.
The book really reiterated to me what can happen if one doesn't set appropriate, healthy boundaries with the "strong" personalities in our lives. It showed me what my life could have been (albeit an extreme example) had I not cut a toxic friendship out of my life recently.
Quotes that I found powerful:
In describing Borderline Personality Disorder: "... such individuals may exhibit frantic efforts to avoid real or imaginary abandonment, sudden shifts in mood, inappropriate anger, and self-destructive acts... uncertainty in things like sexual orientation, career choice, friendships, moral values... bright, witty, charming and creative... charismatic and highly manipulative."
"I wanted to shout - to anyone who would listen - that things were falling out of place in my head, that my confidence was gone, that I went home from work and crawled into bed, that nothing gave me pleasure anymore, not food, movies, books or friends. That the place where I was standing was vast and hollow, and there wasn't another soul in sight.
"Millions of souls have stood where we are, and millions more will come after.
Keep moving.
Because the human mind is tricky.
And we ought not to linger in its dark places."(less)
A first-hand account of how one woman manages to check herself into three different "looney bins" and the marked differences between state h...moreA first-hand account of how one woman manages to check herself into three different "looney bins" and the marked differences between state hospital, Catholic-run, and privately-owned institutions. I came across this book during a search for other mental health books, although it doesn't really apply to my "research," and regardless of the fact that it was wordy, overly simplistic and downright cynical at times, it surprisingly lent a few insightful gems into the world of self-discovery.(less)
It was a little overly-simplistic for my taste. "Just call in sick" is not really my idea of coping with the anxiety and depression that is...moreIt was a little overly-simplistic for my taste. "Just call in sick" is not really my idea of coping with the anxiety and depression that is caused by bipolar II. However, I gave it a three-star rating because it was probably a good introductory book into the disease. (less)
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