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Worlds Beyond Words: True Stories About the Power of Literacy (Quick Reads)
by Alison StokesA collection of real-life stories from people who have improved their lives through better literacy. Foreword by Scott QuinnellSome people take the power of words for granted. But for the thousands of people who struggle with poor literacy, words can be scary things. The men and women featured in this book have overcome their fears to improve their reading later in life. Whether they are famous businessmen or sports stars, teenagers in care, middle-aged mums, young soldiers or refugees forced to flee bloodshed in their own home countries, they all share a common desire to learn.Their stories will inspire others to follow journeys of their own.Alison Stokes is a writer and journalist, who writes for national magazines in the UK and US and regional newspapers in Wales. For many years she was a features editor at Trinity Mirror’s South Wales Echo. She also works as a part-time university lecturer in journalism and publishing manager.
Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy
by David GerroldAn in-depth writing guide from the author of one of the most popular episodes of Star Trek Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author David Gerrold delights and challenges readers with his detailed instruction for creating compelling tales of fantasy and science fiction. The creator of the famous Star Trek episode, "The Trouble With Tribbles" and many groundbreaking science fiction novels including The Man Who Folded Himself and When Harlie was One, Gerrold will inspire you with his passion for the craft. With expert insight and humor, Gerrold shares eye-opening writing tips based on his decades of experience. Inside, discover his techniques for creating fantasy worlds and alien races, developing your hero, writing good sex scenes, keeping imaginary elements believable, and so much more. This ebook edition of Worlds of Wonder is the perfect resource for sci-fi and fantasy writers seeking encouragement and "tricks of the trade" from one of the greats.
Worms at Work: Harnessing the Awesome Power of Worms with Vermiculture and Vermicomposting (Urban Homesteader Hacks)
by Crystal StevensFertilize your garden naturally--a guide to growing your plants in healthy, happy soil People want to know where their food comes from, who grows it and how it is grown. Interest in permaculture, backyard composting, and gardening in general, is growing. So how does the budding gardener ensure that his soil is healthy and nutrient-rich enough to support all the produce he intends to grow? Here's a hint--think worms! Vermiculture is the healthiest and most cost-effective way to ensure that your soil receives the nourishment that it needs. A simple vermicompost bin can produce the completely natural , nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be used to boost soil health and, in turn, increase your crop yield.In true Crystal Stevens' fashion, Worms at Work is a practical, easy-to-implement guide to fertilizing your garden naturally. It discusses the vital role worms play in boosting soil health, and the reasons why every gardener should use vermicompost in order to decrease reliance on toxic synthetic fertilizers. Coverage includes:Simple designs to build your own vermicompost binCaring for your wormsGarden applications for your worm castingsLesson plans to incorporate vermicomposting into the school science curriculumWhether you're tending to a small backyard garden or managing a large farm, Worms at Work can show you how to start vermicomposting today in order to grow healthy plants in healthy, happy soil.
Worn Out by Obedience: Recovering from Spiritual Fatigue
by Ron MooreAre you spiritually tired?Many Christians have a deep desire to &“turn the corner&” in their walk with Jesus. Some don&’t know where to start, others are held back by the past, and still others are blinded or calloused by sin. King David, the man after God&’s own heart, experienced this very thing, and in Worn Out by Obedience he is presented as a spiritual mentor. David is both flawed and on fire. He is the person we are and the person we want to be. In studying his extended stay in Ziklag (1 Samuel 27–30), readers will see how God often molds our hearts in seasons of brokenness, loneliness, and disappointment—sometimes even in our disobedience.If you are spiritually weary, discouraged, or exhausted, Worn Out by Obedience will help you to keep going—or start moving. You&’ll learn the signs of spiritual fatigue and how to avoid them. You&’ll see that God uses all our experiences—good and bad—to form Christ in us. And you&’ll remember God&’s great grace of rescue, recovery, and restoration.
Worn Out by Obedience: Recovering from Spiritual Fatigue
by Ron MooreAre you spiritually tired?Many Christians have a deep desire to &“turn the corner&” in their walk with Jesus. Some don&’t know where to start, others are held back by the past, and still others are blinded or calloused by sin. King David, the man after God&’s own heart, experienced this very thing, and in Worn Out by Obedience he is presented as a spiritual mentor. David is both flawed and on fire. He is the person we are and the person we want to be. In studying his extended stay in Ziklag (1 Samuel 27–30), readers will see how God often molds our hearts in seasons of brokenness, loneliness, and disappointment—sometimes even in our disobedience.If you are spiritually weary, discouraged, or exhausted, Worn Out by Obedience will help you to keep going—or start moving. You&’ll learn the signs of spiritual fatigue and how to avoid them. You&’ll see that God uses all our experiences—good and bad—to form Christ in us. And you&’ll remember God&’s great grace of rescue, recovery, and restoration.
Worried Sick
by Karol WardAn empowering guide to worrying less and limiting the harmful effects worry and stress can have on the body. Worry can take a toll on the body as well as the mind-from weight gain and hair loss to irritable bowel syndrome and nausea, excessive worrying can upset the natural balance of a person's body, leaving them with a weakened immune system and susceptible to illness. Worried Sick examines the patterns of worry-and offers practical strategies on how to kick the habit and restore well-being, covering topics such as: ? The latest proven techniques for staying unworried and centered ? Exercises that relax tense muscles and unwind the mind ? How to identify and avoid toxic people and information that encourages anxiety ? Mantras and "thought blockers" to use to prevent negativity from taking over ? Which serotonin-boosting foods to reach for and which stress-inducing foods to resist Worried Sick takes a holistic approach to coping with the circumstances and situations that give rise to worry and the symptoms that often result, so that readers can start experiencing a better quality of life.
Worried Sick: How Stress Hurts Us and How to Bounce Back
by Deborah CarrComments like "I'm worried sick" convey the conventional wisdom that being "stressed out" will harm our health. Thousands of academic studies reveal that stressful life events (like a job loss), ongoing strains (like burdensome caregiving duties), and even daily hassles (like traffic jams on the commute to work) affect every aspect of our physical and emotional well-being. Cutting through a sea of scientific research and theories, Worried Sick answers many questions about how stress gets under our skin, makes us sick, and how and why people cope with stress differently. Included are several standard stress and coping checklists, allowing readers to gauge their own stress levels.We have all experienced stressful times--maybe a major work deadline or relocating cross-country for a new job--when we came out unscathed, feeling not only emotionally and physically healthy, but better than we did prior to the crisis. Why do some people withstand adversity without a scratch, while others fall ill or become emotionally despondent when faced with even a seemingly minor hassle? Without oversimplifying the discussion, Deborah Carr succinctly provides readers with key themes and contemporary research on the concept of stress. Understanding individuals' own sources of strength and vulnerability is an important step toward developing personal strategies to minimize stress and its unhealthy consequences. Yet Carr also challenges the notion that merely reducing stress in our lives will help us to stay healthy. Many of the stressors that we face in everyday life are not our problems alone; rather, they are symptoms of much larger, sweeping problems in contemporary U.S. society.To readers interested in the broad range of chronic, acute, and daily life stressors facing Americans in the twenty-first century, as well as those with interest in the many ways that our physical and emotional health is shaped by our experiences, this brief book will be an immediate and quick look at these significant issues.View a three minute video of Deborah Carr speaking about Worried Sick.
Worries
by Dada BhagwanIn today’s world, worry, stress and anxiety seem to have become part of daily life. Yet, who doesn’t wish to stop worrying, or wonder how to cure anxiety? Who doesn’t ask themselves what is peace of mind, and how can I live in peace? Some proclaim, “Do not worry!”, or “Stop worrying and start living”; others offer natural cures for anxiety, or teach how to get rid of negative thoughts. But the internal struggle continues… In the book “Worries”, Gnani Purush (embodiment of Self knowledge) Dada Bhagwan offers unique spiritual insight into how to cope with anxiety, and how to live a spiritual life of no worries. He provides spiritual awareness of “Who am I?” and who is the doer in life, from which one can attain an internal state of no worry, and begin to live in peace. For those facing problems in everyday life, and wondering how to get inner peace, this book will prove an invaluable resource.
Worry
by Edward M. HallowellHere is the first book to explore every facet of the most common and debilitating emotional state: worry. While a healthy level of worry can help us perform efficiently at work, anticipate dangers, and learn from past errors, in its extreme forms worry can become "toxic"--poisoning our pleasures, sabotaging our achievements, and preventing us from resolving actual problems.In this lucid, reassuring book, Dr. Hallowell discusses all types of worry, explores their underlying causes, and considers the best strategies for coping. Case histories and anecdotes illuminate such issues as worry in relationships; the correlation between worry and conditions like , depression, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder; worry at work; and the worried child. In an effective section titled "Remedies That Work," Dr. Hallowell shows us how to evaluate, control, and manage worry, both with and without medication.Even "born" worriers can learn to use their worry wisely and channel it healthily. This book is the key. Filled with practical solutions and insightful guidance, Worry is an invaluable aid to living a happier, calmer, and more rewarding emotional life.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Worry Less, Live More: God's Prescription for a Better Life
by Robert J. MorganHow do you bury worry before it buries you?Worry, which is essentially a strain of fear, is a rational response to real pressures and problems. Life is harder than we expect, and even the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace Himself, admitted, &“Each day has enough trouble of its own&” (Matthew 6:34). He said, &“In this world you will have trouble&” (John 16:33). On one occasion, He even said, &“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say?&” (John 12:27). Our souls are easily troubled. The world and its trials seem to only increase. In nearly forty years of pastoral counseling, Rob Morgan has seen a lot of changes in our culture. People are anxious, and everyone seems increasingly tense and taunt. We&’re overextended, running on empty, and often running late. We&’re worried and we&’re weary. One moment we&’re alarmed about global politics and the next we&’re frustrated with a clogged commode or a cranky boss. Stress can have a way of keeping us on pins and needles from dawn to darkness. In this book Pastor Morgan leads the way through the investigation of the Bible&’s premier passage on the subject of anxiety. Philippians 4:4–9 is God&’s most definitive word about overcoming anxiety and experiencing His overwhelming peace. Dissecting the following eight practices this vital passage promotes will help you to wage war on worry:The Practice of RejoicingThe Practice of GentlenessThe Practice of NearnessThe Practice of PrayerThe Practice of ThanksgivingThe Practice of ThinkingThe Practice of DiscipleshipThe Practice of PeaceWhen we study and employ these practices effectively, we have the power to erase anxious thoughts and compose our minds with peace in any situation.
Worry, Worry, Go Away!
by R. W. Alley Christine A AdamsAll kids experience worries. Helping children understand what worry is, where it comes from, and how to challenge it is the first step in overcoming anxieties. The little elves in this book help children to learn to STOP, to THINK TWICE, and to see their worries for what they are. By presenting new ways of evaluating and overcoming the psychological, spiritual, and physical dimensions of fear, this creative book will help your child find the confidence and courage to say "Worry, Worry, Go Away!"
Worry-Free Living: Trading Anxiety for Peace
by Joyce MeyerIn this compact adaptation of Be Anxious for Nothing, #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer shows readers how to rid themselves of worry and fear by drawing on the peace of God.Difficult times are part of living in this world. However, God has provided a way for us to enjoy peace as part daily life. We can choose either to allow ourselves to be burdened with worry and anxiety or to live in the peace and joy that God wants for our lives. Joyce Meyer shows how to rely on God's strength during difficult circumstances by revealing the nature of God's peace as found in Scripture. She explains how to trade anxiety for joy, develop a childlike attitude of faith, and give our worries to the Lord.
Worry-Free Money: The guilt-free approach to managing your money and your life
by Shannon Lee SimmonsNATIONAL BESTSELLER "A fresh way to think about your money." David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber Stop budgeting. Start living. Managing your money can be frustrating and confusing. Life is expensive. Whether you make $30,000 or $130,000 a year, it can feel like you’re constantly broke. Can you afford that new car, that vacation, that night out? You think so, but it feels impossible to know. And rigid budgets that force you to spend your money in unrealistic ways (like $9.50 per week for pants) don’t make things any clearer.But what if there was a new way to manage your money? One that left you certain you had your bases covered—both for your monthly bills and your future retirement—and then let you enjoy your money by spending it. (Yes, really.)Enter Shannon Lee Simmons, a fresh voice in the world of personal finance, one who understands the new and very real pressures to survive modern life and keep up in the age of social media. Shannon doesn’t lecture, judge or patronize. The founder of the wildly popular New School of Finance, Shannon recognized that most of her thousands of financial planning clients felt broke, no matter what their income. And feeling broke can be as bad as actually being broke, because it leads to overspending and misery. So she came up with a new plan: Worry-Free Money.Worry-Free Money takes a fresh approach to finances, looking at the root cause of the pressure to spend and showing why traditional budgets don’t work. It is a deeply practical book that will help you break the cycle of guilt, understand why you overspend, banish unhappy spending from your life, learn to recognize your f*ck it moments and find hope—and fun—in getting your money under control.
Worship: The Reason We Were Created-Collected Insights from A. W. Tozer
by A. W. TozerThe best of A. W. Tozer, on one of his favorite subjectsFew subjects invigorated A. W. Tozer like the topic of worship. He saw it—like the church has traditionally—as the sole reason for which creation exists. Worship: The Reason We Were Created features collections from the beloved spiritual writer on this important topic. The church's current worship is emaciated; its thoughts of God are too low. Here is a compilation to raise those thoughts high once more, and provoke the church to true, spiritual worship. Topics include: The act and object of worship The Presence of GodWorship throughout the weekFeelings and emotion in worshipMan as a worshipping creatureIf it's true that we are made to worship God, that it is the sole reason that we exist, that we are most alive when we live for His glory, then reading Worship is more than time well spent. It is time invested in the very foundation of your life.
Worship: The Reason We Were Created-Collected Insights from A. W. Tozer
by A. W. TozerThe best of A. W. Tozer, on one of his favorite subjectsFew subjects invigorated A. W. Tozer like the topic of worship. He saw it—like the church has traditionally—as the sole reason for which creation exists. Worship: The Reason We Were Created features collections from the beloved spiritual writer on this important topic. The church's current worship is emaciated; its thoughts of God are too low. Here is a compilation to raise those thoughts high once more, and provoke the church to true, spiritual worship. Topics include: The act and object of worship The Presence of GodWorship throughout the weekFeelings and emotion in worshipMan as a worshipping creatureIf it's true that we are made to worship God, that it is the sole reason that we exist, that we are most alive when we live for His glory, then reading Worship is more than time well spent. It is time invested in the very foundation of your life.
Worst Enemy, Best Teacher: How to Survive and Thrive with Opponents, Competitors, and the People Who Drive You Crazy
by Deidre CombsWorst Enemy, Best Teacher presents a powerful system to identify and learn how to best approach the person or problem that plagues us most — whether it’s a neighbor, a brother-in-law, a new boss, or the factory’s fiercest competitor — Combs breaks down problems and threats into more easily understood categories, such as conflicts that threaten physical harm, emotional pain, constriction of one’s ability to be unique, and intellectual threats and how they affect one’s world view and beliefs. Hands-on exercises, parables, and real-life stories show readers how to apply the wisdom gained from studying the opponent to any challenge, whether within one’s self, with friends or family, or between companies or nations, Worst Enemy, Best Teacher offers ingenious tips and techniques for learning from the enemy and converting conflict into resolution.
Worth It: Your Life, Your Money, Your Terms
by Amanda SteinbergFrom the founder and superstar CEO of DailyWorth.com, the go-to financial site for women with more than one million subscribers, comes a fresh book that shows women how to view money as a source of personal power and freedom—and live life on their own terms.Millions of women want to create financial stability and abundance in their lives, but they don&’t know how. They are stuck in overwhelming confusion and guilt, driven by internalized &“money stories&” that have nothing to do with what is really possible. As the founder of DailyWorth.com, a financial media and education platform, Amanda Steinberg encounters these smart, ambitious women every day. With this book, she helps them face their financial situations head on and wake up to the prosperity that awaits them. Worth It outlines the essential financial information women need—and everything the institutions and advisors don&’t spell out. Steinberg gets to the bottom of why women are stressed and anxious when it comes to their finances and teaches them to stay away from strict budgeting and other harsh austerity practices. Instead, she makes money relatable, while sharing strategies she uses herself to build confidence and ease in her own financial life. Through her first-hand experiences and the stories from other women who&’ve woken up, Steinberg&’s powerful and encouraging advice can help women of any age and income view money as a source of freedom and independence—and create bright financial futures.
Worthy
by Jada Pinkett Smith**The New York Times Bestseller**Now in paperback with a new chapter from Jada reflecting on the experience of writing and publishing Worthy, and the surprising conversations raised around sharing truth."[Smith] is candid and honest... For the first time she reveals the truth behind [the] happy images. An incredible read." -Hoda Kotb, The Today ShowA gripping, at times painfully honest, and ultimately inspirational memoir from global superstar Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada Pinkett Smith was living what many would view as a fairy-tale of Hollywood success. But appearances can be deceiving, and as she felt more and more separated from her sense of self, emotional turmoil took hold. Sparing no detail, Worthy chronicles her life—from a rebellious youth running the Baltimore streets as an observer and participant in the drug trade, to the deep bond she shared with Tupac Shakur from the moment they met, to her move to Los Angeles and the successful career she built on her own terms, to becoming the wife of superstar Will Smith and mother to Jaden, Willow and bonus-mom to Trey. A rollercoaster from the depths of suicidal depression to the heights of self-acceptance and spiritual healing, Worthy is a woman’s journey to finding herself again. In a media driven landscape that crafts narratives for our celebrities, Smith shares herself in an intimate conversation with readers. She answers questions about her difficult childhood, her marriage, her parenting style, her career choices, and the intense scrutiny that followed “the slap.” An impactful and rare memoir that engages and educates, Worthy shows why adhering to the status quo has never been the plan for Jada Pinkett Smith and why labels and stories crafted by others strip women of their authenticity. Worthy teaches us who Jada is, and how to embrace our most lovable qualities. Complete with thought-provoking writing prompts and meditations on how to discover who we really are and nourish our self-worth.
Worthy of Love: Meditations On Loving Ourselves And Others (Hazelden Meditations)
by Karen CaseyIn this beautifully written meditation book, best-selling author Karen Casey clarifies the varieties of love: the love we show friends, family, a lover, even ourselves.For those who struggle to love and be loved -- Worthy of Love offers 52 wisdom-filled meditations. Favorite Hazelden author Karen Casey clarifies the varieties of love: the love we show friends, family, a lover, even ourselves.
Worthy: Boost Your Self-worth To Grow Your Net Worth
by Nancy LevinWhen we feel that we aren’t enough, or that we aren’t good enough, we also fear that we’ll never have enough.Money. We love it. We hate it. If we don’t have enough, we’re struggling to get more. If we do have it, we’re fighting to hold on to it. Why does money have to be such a source of anxiety? Is it possible to find peace? Yes! According to master integrative coach Nancy Levin, the real key to creating financial freedom isn’t changing what we do, it’s changing our limiting beliefs about how we feel —and that requires more than just learning how to invest.In Worthy, Nancy makes an essential, eye-opening connection: the state of our net worth is a direct reflection of our self-worth. Then she shows us how to get to the root of the problem and do the internal work that’s needed to replace feelings of unworthiness with a solid sense of our own value. Filled with inspiring real-life stories and thought-provoking questions and answers, her 10-step plan helps us to: • Get real about the money issues we face every day • Examine the excuses we use to avoid creating the life we really want • Be willing to see ourselves as worthy of abundance in all its forms • Take back our financial power —and watch amazing things start to happenWhether we’re looking for financial ease or a new relationship with money and ourselves, Worthy will give us the tools to clear the path for wholeness, fulfillment, and richness in all areas of our lives, not just in our bank accounts.
Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life
by Jamie Kern LimaINSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!What has self-doubt already cost you in your life? WORTHY is how you change that.Imagine what you&’d do, if you FULLY believed in YOU! When you stop doubting your greatness, build unshakable self-worth and embrace who you are, you transform your entire life! WORTHY teaches you how, with simple steps that lead to life-changing results!&“In life, you don&’t soar to the level of your hopes and dreams, you stay stuck at the level of your self-worth. In your business, leadership, relationships, friendships and ambitions, you don&’t rise to what you believe is possible, you fall to what you believe you&’re worthy of. When you build your self-worth, you change your entire life. WORTHY teaches you how. I wrote WORTHY for YOU if you have some self-doubt to destroy and a destiny to fulfill!&” – Jamie Kern LimaAuthor Jamie Kern Lima&’s first, instant New York Times bestselling book, Believe It, captured her journey of going from Denny&’s waitress to billion-dollar entrepreneur by learning to believe in herself. And now her second, much anticipated, upcoming book WORTHY is the playbook for how YOU can believe in YOU!If you&’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, felt like you don&’t have what it takes…or that who you truly are isn&’t enough, even if you&’re really good at hiding it from the world, WORTHY is for you. If you&’ve been underestimating your talent and gifts, or battle imposter syndrome, WORTHY is for you. If you&’ve been letting fear of failure and rejection hold you back, WORTHY is for you. If you&’ve learned to please others so much that you end up betraying yourself, WORTHY is for you. If you&’re sick and tired of what self-doubt has already cost you in your life, in your goals, in your relationships, and in your hopes and dreams, WORTHY is for you! If you&’re ready to expand your self-love, ignite your self-confidence and wake up your self-worth, WORTHY is for you!!When you change what you believe you&’re worthy of, you change your entire life.This book is about how to do that.IN WORTHY YOU&’LL LEARN HOW TO…· Get Unstuck from the Things Holding You Back· Build Unshakable Self-Love· Unlearn the Lies the Lead to Self-Doubt· Embrace The Truths That Wake Up Worthiness· Stop Dimming Your Light and Doubting Your Greatness· Let Go of Past Mistakes and Restore Self-Confidence· Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Embody Empowering Ones· Eliminate Your Fear of Rejection and Failure· Learn to Believe You&’re Enough Exactly as You Are· Transform the Meaning You Give to Your Own Story and Identity· Follow the Roadmap for Achieving True Fulfillment in Life· Achieve Your Hopes and Dreams by Believing You Are Worthy of Them· Embrace Who You Truly AreAnd much more...Are you ready to unleash your greatness and believe in the power that is YOU? Are you ready to finally stop believing the lies that you&’re unlovable, unqualified or not (fill in the blank) enough? Are you ready to triumph over the thoughts holding you back, destroy self-doubt and truly know and believe you have what it takes to accomplish your greatest goals and wildest dreams?Imagine... what would you do if you had zero self-doubt and unshakable self-worth? What would you do if you fully believed in YOU?
Would I Lie to You?: The Amazing Power of Being Honest in a World That Lies
by Judi Ketteler&“An interesting reported memoir about the power of honesty—not surprisingly, a surprisingly honest account.&” —Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author of The Happiness Project &“Some books change how you think. Some change how you act. Would I Lie to You? does both.&” —KJ Dell&’Antonia, editor New York Times Motherlode blog, and author of How to Be a Happier Parent Inspired by her popular New York Times article, &“How Honesty Could Make You Happier,&” award-winning journalist Judi Ketteler takes a deep dive into the hard truths about honesty, from the personal to the political . . . We&’re incensed by politicians who lie and corporations that cheat, but when it comes to our own honesty choices, we often barely notice. So, what happens when we do notice? Judi Ketteler thought of herself as an honest person. And yet, she knew it wasn&’t the whole story . . . How often was Judi engaging in the same dishonest behavior she was condemning in others? To answer that question, she started her &“Honesty Journal,&” and set out to confront her perennial fear of speaking the truth in a range of situations—including with friends, her kids, and even inside her complicated marriage. The result is a timely consideration of the joys and pains of truth in a world that seems committed to lying. &“Great for generating discussion on the subject of authenticity and thinking through tough questions.&” —Library Journal &“Would I Lie to You? is filled with so many fresh insights and proactive solutions that it could pass for a masterclass on honesty.&” —Camille Pagán, bestselling author of I&’m Fine and Neither Are You &“Candor, humor, and wry guidance for developing positive, forthright relationships with ourselves and others.&” —Foreword Magazine
Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That: A Modern Guide to Manners
by Henry Alford"We all know bad manners when we see them," NPR and Vanity Fair contributor Henry Alford observes at the beginning of his new book. But what, he asks, do good manners look like in our day and age? When someone answers their cell phone in the middle of dining with you, or runs you off the sidewalk with their doublewide stroller, or you enter a post-apocalyptic public restroom, the long-revered wisdom of Emily Post can seem downright prehistoric. Troubled by the absence of good manners in his day-to-day life-by the people who clip their toenails on the subway or give three-letter replies to one's laboriously crafted missives-Alford embarks on a journey to find out how things might look if people were on their best behavior a tad more often. He travels to Japan (the "Fort Knox Reserve" of good manners) to observe its culture of collective politesse. He interviews etiquette experts both likely (Judith Martin, Tim Gunn) and unlikely (a former prisoner, an army sergeant). He plays a game called Touch the Waiter. And he volunteers himself as a tour guide to foreigners visiting New York City in order to do ground-level reconnaissance on cultural manners divides. Along the way (in typical Alford style) he also finds time to teach Miss Manners how to steal a cab; designates the World's Most Annoying Bride; and tosses his own hat into the ring, volunteering as an online etiquette coach. Ultimately, by tackling the etiquette questions specific to our age-such as Why shouldn't you ask a cab driver where's he's from?, Why is posting baby pictures on Facebook a fraught activity? and What's the problem with "No problem"?-Alford finds a wry and warm way into a subject that has sometimes been seen as pedantic or elitist. And in this way, he looks past the standard "dos" and "don'ts" of good form to present an illuminating, seriously entertaining book about grace and civility, and how we can simply treat each other better.
Wounded Trust: Daring to Embrace Life at the Core of Pain
by Mary L. YutzyThe awakening reality of the starkness of death brought Mary Lou Yutzy to the bottom and very core of her internal being. In the weeks and months that followed her loss, she was desperate to find God in the midst of her sorrow. Her trust in God was shattered and she was forced to feel by threads. In desperation, she began writing. What was meant to last six weeks went on for months as she slowly began to heal and re-stabilize her trust in God. The pain of the sudden loss of the presence of her daughter caused her to live moment by moment. Kira graced her family with her presence for three years and two weeks. The gift of her life is a treasure to the Yutzy family that will never be taken for granted. Her energetic attitude toward life was an adjustment especially for the author as Kira grew. In turn, the joy Kira brought to all of her family was also great. The mix of joy and sorrow continues to be intensely painful. The Yutzy family will miss their daughter until they are reunited at last. "Wounded Trust" happened simultaneously with the healing process of a deep wound. Deep pain can slice a heart open and expose our true nakedness in the eyes of God, and also those around us. Learning to live with pain in an imperfect world is an art with many bumps and bruises. The scar tissue surrounding the wounds are a constant reminder of how painful the experience of each one can be. The changes grief brings cause our bodies and minds to relearn new ideas, all becoming part of the end healing process of a wound. "Wounded Trust" is a picture of the beauty of facing pain, enduring its hardships, and embracing healing with an open heart.
Wounded in the Name of God: A Journey from Religious Wounding toward Personal Discovery
by Brent Coleman"Wounded in the Name of God details the psychological and spiritual struggles that many individuals incur because of acts said and done in the name of God. The author uses his personal experiences of growing up in a world of fundamentalist religion and later becoming a "true believer" himself to illustrate how years of indoctrination created deep wounds and left scars for life. He then chronicles the long, tedious process of recovery and self discovery as he begins healing the wounds. The author writes first from a personal perspective and then adds a professional view as a licensed psychotherapist working with others emerging from similar experiences. A timely book given the recent tragic events committed in the name of God. Wounded in the Name of God is for anyone who has ever questioned their beliefs and assumptions about religion or faith."