“ There is nothing wrong with you. There is nothing to fix. You are not broken.”
And this is how Shannon Kaiser ends a personal ‘aha’ moment she shared with us in Chapter 2 of her new book, ‘Adventures For Your Soul’.
The story she shared with us was a turning point for Shannon on her journey to self-love. She goes on to tell us, “Every event in life is an opportunity for growth. It is our decision to see it as such.”
Comparison
How many times have you wondered, “What’s wrong with ME that I have these issues of family conflict?” That would be covered in Chapter 7. Shannon states, “Comparison robs our joy…we fall into the habit of thinking of our past and how we were in a particular situation.”
It could be that we are comparing our situation to the way it used to be a long time ago OR maybe we are comparing our family life to other families we know and wonder why we can’t have what they have.
Either way, she tells us “we are comparing ourselves to an illusion- an illusion that separates us from reaching our own desires.”
‘Aha’ Moments
The book is filled with a plethora of ‘aha’ statements. Some might be new and then there are some we may have known deep inside that we have been pushed away in denial.
For example, Chapter 1 – “We settle because we think it’s the best we can get…settling is the default habit we fall into because it is safe and keeps us feeling secure.”
Chapter 8 – “Many of us stay in situations long past their expiration dates…because of our fear of uncertainty.” This is really about fear. She explores a Fear Detox in Chapter 12. “Our deepest fears almost always relate back to childhood occurrences.”
My favorite
I have my whole book with highlighted sections and notes in the margin as I was relating what she was speaking of into how it would benefit those with family estrangement issues. It was hard to pick a favorite chapter because it is all very useful. However the one that touched my heart deeply was Chapter 3. “Free Your Feelings.”
There is a huge explanation of the difference between our feelings and emotions and learning how to TRUST our hearts more instead of relying on listening to our head all of the time. “Your heart is your compass and your inner guidance is your truth.”
Included in each chapter:
In each chapter of her new book, Shannon has a variety of parts to them to help us through the process of what we can do to reach our full potential.
- Shannon states a habit we may have that is hindering our happiness.
- There are many personal relatable stories throughout.
- Excellent quotes galore (you know how much I appreciate a good quote!)
- Joy Route – to get us out of the habit hindering our happiness
- Awesome Action Steps – some journaling, some just answering questions to ourself
- Links to audio meditations
- Fun activities to share on social media using #AdventuresForYourSoul
- Motivational Mantras
Can you see how helpful this book might be for you in your situation of family conflict? Which one of her quotes from the book that I have listed above resonated with you? Please share your comments below.
REMEMBER: “There is nothing to fix. You are not broken.”
Shannon Kaiser’s new book – to be released on Aug. 25, 2015 has ‘21 Ways To Transform Your Habits And Reach Your Full Potential’.
Shannon is giving away bonus gifts for pre-orders – click here http://playwiththeworld.com/
Full disclosure: I have been following PlayWithTheWorld.com and Shannon’s video blogs and social media posts for some time now. She has always been an inspiration to me because of her authentic way of connecting to her audience. I was given her book free of charge for me to share my honest review of her new book. I receive no compensation for any sales of the book.
It would be a pleasure to share a Skype visit with you to discuss any questions you might have.
Hi Elda,
I was reading a book yesterday and was thinking of you. I think you might enjoy it. It’s funny and deep and covers many issues that are common issues of worthiness. It is called The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown. She is the one who wrote Daring Greatly, which was very popular a few years back.
This book looks good too! Both books discuss comparison as a major problem for our culture, socially. So glad you brought it up! It needs to be discussed.
Amy Putkonen recently posted…3 Things Thursday – July 9
Thanks for your comment Amy!
Years ago, comparison used to be called ‘keeping up with the Jones’ however now a days this idea transcends to even comparing ourselves with our own previous experiences.
I know you are an avid reader, Amy. This book is an excellent read. I hope you get a chance to check it out.
OOH! I will definitely read this when it’s out. Have you read her other book?
Naomi recently posted…Are you fighting your true nature?
Oh, I am so glad to see you will read this, Naomi!! The various exercises in the book are great! You’ll be so glad you did. I have yet to read the other one.
It sounds like a fascinating book. It doesn’t happen to me much anymore, but I remember spending lots of time wondering what was wrong with me when I was younger.
Tat recently posted…Playtime for grownups: the many ways play can make your life super awesome
Fascinating… indeed, Tatiana!
What I appreciated about this book is that it was like a compilation of ideas from various other books I had previously read AND adding her own flair to it with the variety of exercises for us to put into place.
Such a great, thorough review, Elda. I have a few friends to whom I’ll recommend the book. Thank you.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted…I Wish I Knew
Thank you Kelly! Let me know what your friends think of it.
It’s wonderful when we find a book whose message really resonates with us isn’t it? Nice review Elda. And I totally agree that none of us are broken.
Deborah Weber recently posted…Facts and a Fancy
Thank you Deborah. There are a lot of great quotes I could have used from the book, however this one really resonated with me because as people may be estranged from family, I thought this was a great reminder….”We are not broken.”
You might want to put a summary of what the book is “about” a little closer to the top of the review.
The quotes were interesting, and it’s clear you have an enthusiasm for the subject.
SKJAM! recently posted…Manga Review: My Hero Academia #1
Yes, Shannon has deep enthusiasm which easily transfers onto the reader!
Thank you for your feedback.
Well done Elda! I like what Shannon said about trusting our hearts rather than our heads. My experience has been if I listen to my heart I am usually headed in the right direction. I had never heard of the book and will definitely check it out. Thanks for sharing this resource with us Elda!
Nancy Jambor recently posted…Exploring New Perspectives
What a difference it makes when we trust our hearts! Too many times our head will hold us back from reaching for our dreams. The ‘Morning Pages’ (Julia Cameron) that you teach really help keep us following our heart. I am so grateful for that!
So glad to hear your interest in this book. Be sure to let me know after you have read it, Nancy.
I love the quote about comparing ourselves to an illusion! Comparison is a tough one for me and has been for most of my life since I was a child. I’m working on it now and looking forward to some relief as I shift out of this habit.
Michele Bergh recently posted…Quotography Link Up : You Decide
“we are comparing ourselves to an illusion- an illusion that separates us from reaching our own desires.”
That IS a powerful quote in the book! Thank you for sharing what resonated with you, Michele.
I needed this reminder! Your review inspired me to not only to get her book, but importantly remember why I even started my own new age business. I am learning that I can suffer from burn out by helping so many people and not listen to my own causes and reasons for taking a break now and then. A real break – to recharge. As you quoted the author, ‘listen to your heart’. It is easy to at times to do just that – . Thank you for this reminder. I have been not only listening more, but hearing my heart sing stronger as a result. Thank you.
Ohhhh, that is AWESOME Leah…’hearing your heart sing stronger’!!! Thank you for sharing.
That is something I have been more conscious of now, ‘listening to my heart’. Most of us have been so programmed all of our life to think with our head and be reasonable. When we follow our heart magical things can happen!
Thanks so much for posting the review. I’ll check out this book. Sounds exactly like what I’m wanting to read right now.
Mary Caelsto recently posted…Book Review: Fugitive Hearts
I am so glad you will be reading this book Mary! Let me know how you like all of the exercises in it.
I also appreciate Shannon sharing so many real life examples of her own because it makes it so relatable.
And again a topic so close to me, especially that I study psychotherapy based on Buddhist psychology. Now, so far away in another continent, I need little reminders of self care and reflection, which I always find on your website, Elda.
Psychotherapy based on Buddhist psychology…..How intriguing!
Thank you for you kind comments, Anna. I do enjoy it when you visit me here!
Hi, thanks for sharing. I will definitely grab a copy , seems very interesting.
sherill recently posted…Ask Correctly and You Shall Receive Abundantly
Glad to hear you found the review helpful, Sherill. Enjoy the book!