Inspired by the 12step saying, Life is simple, it's people who are complicated, Barb Rogers points out in Keep It Simple and Sane that it's pretty easy to tell ourselves lie upon lie as we explain away bad behavior associated with drugs, alcohol, food, sex, work...whatever, in an attempt to feel better about our complicated lies. And of course, we can't do anything to simplify our lives because we're too busy keeping up with our complicated lives, so we drink, smoke, or shoot, to seek release in inappropriate ways to relieve the complications. But we never do. Through the telling of her own story and those of fellow travelers, Rogers encourages readers to wait, stop, and hold the phone! Start with Mentally Simple (the opposite of Stinking Thinking) and just do it. Start small. Grab a mental flashlight and follow her lead to discover what you were thinking and how you might think differently. Offering 24 simple ideas in four sections (mind, emotions, spirituality, physicality), along with strategies and exercises to introduce them into your daily life, this book is for people on the simple path to wellness, for people who simply want to take charge -- to change the things they can change, accept the things they cannot change, and learn to know the difference without an operatic, addictive song and dance.
Barb Rogers' guide to freeing yourself from addictive thinking is a true jewel. Written in four major sections: Keep it Mentally Simple, Keep it Emotionally Simple, Keep it Spiritually Simple, and Keep it Physically Simple, Rogers weaves her own personal story of tragedy and redemption through common sense lessons of recovery. Her writing style is very accessible, I feel like I have been having a chat with her across the table with a cup of coffee, a plate of cookies and box of tissues near at hand. She shares the art of the possible for those of us who have addictions and/or addictive personalities in a way that is both inspiring and within our reach. Her practical common sense discussion of what it is (or may have been) like, suggestions for how we can change our patterns, and what it can be like now without the fetters of addictive thinking, is clear, actionable and full of promise. I have begun starting my day with a cup of coffee and reading of a few pages of this book and find myself internalizing the lessons she provides and finding ways to put them into action throughout my day. I can recommend this book without reservation! Thank you Barb Rogers!
A fine handbook to use to remove some complexity to life
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Over-thinking can be just as much a problem as not thinking at all. "Keep It Simple & Sane: Freeing Yourself from Addictive Thinking" is a guide to simplifying one's life by not over-thinking the common problems in one's life. Divided into sections discussing emotional, physical, and spiritual simplicity, "Keep It Simple & Sane" is a fine handbook to use to remove some complexity to life.
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