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The Power in You: How to Accept Your Past, Live in the Present and Shape a Positive Future
Mouth artist, motivational speaker and author of the inspirational memoir The Little Big Things, Henry Fraser, explores the transformative power of acceptance in this motivational guide.
Combining his wisdom and insight, Henry shows you that the key to keeping a positive attitude—in the face of difficult and unexpected challenges—is to accept that seemingly negative experiences, such as failures, disappointments, mistakes and misfortunes, are actually the ultimate markers of human success. Sharing the lessons he learned after a freak accident left him paralysed from the neck down, Henry shows us that setbacks are inevitable in life but defeat is optional. He will encourage you to always search for a new perspective if what you see, at first, seems only dark, limiting or frightening. He believes there is always a reason to be grateful.
The Power of Acceptance inspires you to accept yourself and to release negative feelings towards things, situations or people that you have no control over and cannot change. Henry reveals the simple words you can say to yourself and the practical changes you can make to become someone who adapts to unpredictable events and obstacles, and who accepts whatever hand they are dealt in this crazy game called life.
Combining his wisdom and insight, Henry shows you that the key to keeping a positive attitude—in the face of difficult and unexpected challenges—is to accept that seemingly negative experiences, such as failures, disappointments, mistakes and misfortunes, are actually the ultimate markers of human success. Sharing the lessons he learned after a freak accident left him paralysed from the neck down, Henry shows us that setbacks are inevitable in life but defeat is optional. He will encourage you to always search for a new perspective if what you see, at first, seems only dark, limiting or frightening. He believes there is always a reason to be grateful.
The Power of Acceptance inspires you to accept yourself and to release negative feelings towards things, situations or people that you have no control over and cannot change. Henry reveals the simple words you can say to yourself and the practical changes you can make to become someone who adapts to unpredictable events and obstacles, and who accepts whatever hand they are dealt in this crazy game called life.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2020
23 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 17, 2022
'It's like an equation: progress + rest = getting-it-about-right. And i know how hard it can be to push yourself to rest.`
June 23, 2022
If ever there was a true story to stop you in your tracks and make you take a fresh, raw, and real perspective on life, this is it. Less than 24 hours ago this book arrived and I haven’t been able to put it down. I devoured it.
Henry was a sporty rugby player. At 17, he went on his first lads holiday, jumped into the sea, hit a submerged sandbank and crushed his spinal cord. Instantly paralysed from the shoulders down.
Henry is the epitome of challenging adversity and winning. He’s now 28 years old, happy and successful, paints beautifully with his mouth, is a keen writer and a motivational speaker.
He talks about the three big lessons:
1) The power of acceptance 2) The importance of recognising progress 3) The overwhelming impact of kindness.
Above all, he shows how our brains are the ultimate, overruling power house within us all, and they hold the key to helping us achieve anything we want.
If anyone wants to be inspired, read this book!
Henry was a sporty rugby player. At 17, he went on his first lads holiday, jumped into the sea, hit a submerged sandbank and crushed his spinal cord. Instantly paralysed from the shoulders down.
Henry is the epitome of challenging adversity and winning. He’s now 28 years old, happy and successful, paints beautifully with his mouth, is a keen writer and a motivational speaker.
He talks about the three big lessons:
1) The power of acceptance 2) The importance of recognising progress 3) The overwhelming impact of kindness.
Above all, he shows how our brains are the ultimate, overruling power house within us all, and they hold the key to helping us achieve anything we want.
If anyone wants to be inspired, read this book!
December 13, 2020
This is the second of Henry Frasers' books, both of which I have listened to on audio book. Interestingly, this time Henry's words are not read in his voice but a narrator.
The structure of this book works really well as Henry takes us through a series of popular questions he is often asked in the talks he does since his accident and leaving him with no feeling from the shoulders down. It is a funny, but true, honest and motivating deeper look into Henry's life.
Although some of the information in this book is repeated from his first, the context is understandable and this book would serve as a really helpful guide to anyone overcoming adversity especially if you have to recover from a tragedy or life changing accident.
An enjoyable read, and as a fellow disabled person there is lot to relate to here.
Certainly worth a read - it will help you realise the truth about 'The Power In You'
The structure of this book works really well as Henry takes us through a series of popular questions he is often asked in the talks he does since his accident and leaving him with no feeling from the shoulders down. It is a funny, but true, honest and motivating deeper look into Henry's life.
Although some of the information in this book is repeated from his first, the context is understandable and this book would serve as a really helpful guide to anyone overcoming adversity especially if you have to recover from a tragedy or life changing accident.
An enjoyable read, and as a fellow disabled person there is lot to relate to here.
Certainly worth a read - it will help you realise the truth about 'The Power In You'
August 1, 2022
I recently read The Power in You and I have to say that it is an amazing read. Henry Fraser is incredibly inspiring and his story teaches us that with perseverance and positive thinking we can overcome any adversity that comes our way.
His story has definitely changed my perspective about disability. Before reading the book, I didn’t have much idea about the topic but now I have a better understanding. As a society, we have to come together and take steps to create a good environment in which every single person can thrive.
Acceptance is another key message that I learnt from this book. We can’t waste our time thinking about the past, it's done and there is nothing we can do to change that. Accepting the situation, learning from it and then moving forward is the only thing we can do.
I would give the book 4 stars out of 5. It has definitely been an eye opener for me and has taught me many valuable lessons.
His story has definitely changed my perspective about disability. Before reading the book, I didn’t have much idea about the topic but now I have a better understanding. As a society, we have to come together and take steps to create a good environment in which every single person can thrive.
Acceptance is another key message that I learnt from this book. We can’t waste our time thinking about the past, it's done and there is nothing we can do to change that. Accepting the situation, learning from it and then moving forward is the only thing we can do.
I would give the book 4 stars out of 5. It has definitely been an eye opener for me and has taught me many valuable lessons.
October 19, 2021
I appreciate that this goes against a little to what Henry set out to achieve by releasing this book, but this is truly inspirational.
His inspiration may well have been his physio but he will certainly be an inspiration to many many more people in years to come.
I could not put this book down. I found myself wanting to read more and more and was gutted when it finished.
Henry’s whole attitude to life can’t help but make you look at life differently.
Keep inspiring.
I would definitely recommend.
His inspiration may well have been his physio but he will certainly be an inspiration to many many more people in years to come.
I could not put this book down. I found myself wanting to read more and more and was gutted when it finished.
Henry’s whole attitude to life can’t help but make you look at life differently.
Keep inspiring.
I would definitely recommend.
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February 15, 2021A Very Inspirational Young Man
Reading this book while we are all in lock down has been an eye opener and has made me realise that a person can achieve anything, at anytime and in whatever circumstance they find themselves in and it comes down to a persons mentality, their drive to succeed and their motivation to win at whatever they put their minds to. Definitely mind over matter and your smashing through the hurdles that life has put in front of you. Henry you are an inspiration and a positive light for disability rights. It was a pleasure to read. Thank you. Can’t wait for your next book.
Reading this book while we are all in lock down has been an eye opener and has made me realise that a person can achieve anything, at anytime and in whatever circumstance they find themselves in and it comes down to a persons mentality, their drive to succeed and their motivation to win at whatever they put their minds to. Definitely mind over matter and your smashing through the hurdles that life has put in front of you. Henry you are an inspiration and a positive light for disability rights. It was a pleasure to read. Thank you. Can’t wait for your next book.
November 23, 2025
there are things in life we can control, and there are things in life we cannot control
control the things we can control, and perform it to the best that you can
things chances, perspectives, aspirations and goals changes depending to the situation
be the best person that you can be
thank you henry, the world might have lost a fine ass rugby player (f dulwich lol) but they gained a hell of an artist and an author
an author that inspires many people
maybe this is the goal that the man above gives him
damn
control the things we can control, and perform it to the best that you can
things chances, perspectives, aspirations and goals changes depending to the situation
be the best person that you can be
thank you henry, the world might have lost a fine ass rugby player (f dulwich lol) but they gained a hell of an artist and an author
an author that inspires many people
maybe this is the goal that the man above gives him
damn
May 29, 2020
Intelligently written with honesty, hope and inspiration
This book, like his previous one, is a real gem. He shows how he and by extension us the reader can turn adversity into opportunity. He is open in sharing the difficulties that disabled people face and gives excellent suggestions on how this can be addressed for a better society. Thank you for a brilliant book and good luck with your new home construction.
This book, like his previous one, is a real gem. He shows how he and by extension us the reader can turn adversity into opportunity. He is open in sharing the difficulties that disabled people face and gives excellent suggestions on how this can be addressed for a better society. Thank you for a brilliant book and good luck with your new home construction.
May 3, 2023
Inspirational
This was a really interesting and informative read. Henry is a very brave person in sharing how he came to terms with his life after being left catastrophic injuries while on holiday. He shares his thoughts and experiences with us and without doubt he is inspiring others to come together and think about how you can accept your past and have a positive future. His thoughts on kindness are so true.
This was a really interesting and informative read. Henry is a very brave person in sharing how he came to terms with his life after being left catastrophic injuries while on holiday. He shares his thoughts and experiences with us and without doubt he is inspiring others to come together and think about how you can accept your past and have a positive future. His thoughts on kindness are so true.
May 29, 2020
Henry Fraser is so amazing. So many parts in this book I had to stop reading just to think about my own life and how I should approach things differently. Overcoming fears/setbacks, choosing the hard way for a better future, living in the moment and not worrying about things you can’t change.
May 31, 2020
Another truly inspirational book by an amazing young man. As someone with a disability from birth, there is a lot I can still relate to and would urge anyone who wants to know what it's really like to have a disability to read both of Henry's books and follow him on social media.
June 14, 2021
Brilliant!
Henry does an excellent job of answering some of the (hard) questions he frequently gets and in doing so reminds all of us that we have everything we need inside of us to be happy.
Thank you Henry for reminding me.
Henry does an excellent job of answering some of the (hard) questions he frequently gets and in doing so reminds all of us that we have everything we need inside of us to be happy.
Thank you Henry for reminding me.
May 25, 2020
Lots of great nuggets of advice and perspective that are relevant to anyone. Also interesting to hear the specifics of how Henry has adapted to his situation. I love his art work so I really enjoyed hearing his perspective on dealing with challenges, what progress can look like & mean to different people.
June 26, 2020
What a positive and inspirational book. Henry is an amazing guy.
January 21, 2021
Acceptance is key. You can’t control the situation but you can your attitude. Appreciate everything live in the now
February 14, 2021
An incredibly inspiring read 👏🏻💪🏻
April 4, 2021
Humbling
November 3, 2022
This was a question and answer setup! Henry has some great advice that can be adapted to any situation.
August 23, 2023
Incredible. and honestly life changing. Henry’s outlook on life is remarkable and truly inspiring. I recommend this read if you are looking into gratitude and how to realise its importance.
November 16, 2023
It is for sure an inspirational message. Henry Fraser seems to write how I would expect him to answer these questions.
March 3, 2024
I enjoyed this! More than his first book probably, I really enjoyed hearing what Henry's doing now :)
October 1, 2024
He may not think of himself as inspirational, but there is no other word for Henry Fraser. Such a very good, thought provoking read.
December 8, 2024
A great read for everyone, particularly those facing a health issue, disability or other challenge.
A lot to be grateful for in life. An inspiring author.
A lot to be grateful for in life. An inspiring author.
May 30, 2025
Wonderful and incredibly inspiring story. I do think the writing let it down in my opinion, but it put a lot into perspective and there are not many more inspiring stories than this.
3*
3*
December 19, 2025
Wonderful and incredibly inspiring story. I do think the writing let it down in my opinion, but it put a lot into perspective and there are not many more inspiring stories than this.
January 21, 2024
read this after seeing the little big things in theatre (highly recommend !!). was aware of henry fraser’s art but didn’t know his story - v inspiring stuff
September 12, 2023
You are brave, Henry. You are.
June 28, 2021
So inspiring. Really enjoyed. Read in a day.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews