[.ca] Surrendering To Yourself: You Are Your Own Soul Mate (ISBN 0786869135)

From Amazon.com:
Iris Krasnow is back with her third tribute to the art of personal commitment, Surrendering to Yourself, a book that focuses on the importance of making life choices that lead to greater fulfillment. Those familiar with Krasnow's work will by now understand that her concept of "surrender" is slightly different than the norm; what she urges repeatedly with this book is for people to return to the activities that have brought them the most joy in the past. Previous titles (Surrendering to Motherhood and Surrendering to Marriage) were aimed specifically at women, and while this is written from the same perspective, it is broader in scope, with a central message that appeals equally to both genders. Inspirational interviews range from a CEOs with a passion for flying to the Yom Kippur sermon of Krasnow's rabbi, and while the topic at hand is often the author's personal search, it is no less meaningful to those who have not been stay-at-home moms. Gently different from more directly instructional manuals, Krasnow reminds us that, "However compelling these texts are and insightful the scribes are, in the end it is you, and it is I, who must figure out things for ourselves—our values, aspirations, the meaning of integrity". She's not about to provide a precise list leading to these discoveries—instead, she'll inspire you to get started on your own list. --Jill Lightner

wow! what a book!:
This book is not a list of instructions to happiness. Rather, it is a visit with an old friend. Learn that all along you hold the key to your happiness. I savored each page, you will too!

Spoke to my soul:
This book spoke to my soul. It came to me at a time when I was at a crossroads in so many levels of my life. Even though I am only 28, have not had children yet and haven't had the same amount of life experience as Iris, I related to so much of what she writes about. I found peace, liberation and an insight into my own truth in this book.

I savored each page!:
This is not the type of book so popular now. Iris does not offer step-by-step instructions to happiness. And, I cannot think of one profound message from the book; rather, I have gained a whole new appreciation of ME and the life I have made for myself. This book introduces you to folks that know exactly how to put into words all the magic that life has to offer. So many times I thought to myself, "I knew that!" If you want to be validated and want to feel like you are reuniting with your best friend (yourself), this is your book. Definitely one of the best books you will ever encounter. Go for it!

Disappointing:
I enjoyed Krasnow's first book, "Surrendering to Motherhood," but can't say this one is worth reading. It goes on and on about....nothing. Here are some of the things that make Krasnow happy and help her to rediscover who she is: Working out with her trainer, getting away to the beach without her husband or kids, drinking coffee in her peaceful riverfront kitchen and feeling sorry for the poor souls who have to fight traffic to get to work at dawn, going away to an expensive sleepaway camp with her sons, and driving her shiny, sporty Ford Escape that reminds of her being young, carefree and childfree (she uses an additional car to tote the boys around town). For those of us without the luxury of time, a third personal car, a personal trainer, a rich husband, etc, it will be a little more difficult to re-discover our souls. We're too busy paying bills, working, trying to find the time to spend with our children, friends and husbands.

Amazing book:
I am awestruck...not because the book is terrific but because some people have figured out (or found agents who've figured out) how to write books about incredibly obvious things -- and make a handsome living at it. I haven't learned this much from a book since Suze Orman told me to look behind the sofa cushions for spare change.