Helpful for any transition time, chosen or not
924108
Getting laid off from my job this past summer put me into a bleak limbo land -- a bardo. It's still to soon to be sure, but it will probably force me into retirement before I'm ready, either psychologically or financially. I've felt lost, half-paralyzed. I love the approach of this book. She recommends finding a "theme" for the next phase of your life before you decide what to do about any of your possessions. Reading this has helped me do that and get a sense of direction, thankfully, and this is what helped:

"As you begin to meditate on the spectre of your on future, think in terms of a word or shape--a simple statement that summarizes the feeling you are seeking. It's not what you want to =do= but how you want to =feel= or what you want to express."

You can change it later, as things evolve. This has helped me realize that what I want to be next for me is not about what I want to do but what I want not to do and how I want to be. I'm adding this to my list of recommended books related to retirement. KEY POINT, though: My copy emphasizes what must be the previous title, which is what made me interested in the book and sets it apart from the countless books about organizing: When Organizing Isn't Enough.
192696
As someone who is Christian and sympathetic to the difficulties of transgendered and homosexual people, I found the book to be of great help wrestling through the issues.  Although a bit difficult to read, it provides interesting discussion questions at the end of each chapter for groups study.
1508572
As I shared the story of my transition with family and friends, I wanted to find something that would help them learn more about the transgender experience.  I've read "True Selves" but it just didn't resonate with me.  It's never going to be possible to find a "one size fits all" book, but this is as close as I've found.  It's a quick read, it covers many topics and it presents trans women in an honest, positive manner.  It's a good book for someone who wants to learn "more than a little and less than a lot".  I've given many copies of this book to family and close friends and I thank Joanne for making her words available to us.
2250427
Got this for a friend based on a recommendation--it does what it claims to by helping walk through [married in particular] men from the closet to living an open life.

It is written from a religious perspective, meant to help those who are gay believers.  That, plus the fact it was written in 1997, means it isn't necessarily the best tool for those coming out, but with that context in mind--he does a good job with most advice still relevant today.
18717
I might be cheating in writing a review since I have an essay in this volume, but I would have bought a copy even if my essay was rejected.  This is a collection of stories from various people that have transgendered  folks in their lives.  From parents, kids, spouses and so on, and how their  journey to acceptance happened.  This is a great book for someone to read  that has recently found out that someone in their life is transgendered.  To realize that others have felt the same way, had the same  concerns.
Handy to have on the bookshelf if you are in the process of  coming out and someone wants something to read to give them more  information.
1840314
This book is a very helpful, wise book for people in transition.  The wisdom and opportunity of learning new skills are amazing.  Also read SUDDENLY SINGLE ISLAND STYLE for hope, humor and insight on how to handle gracefully and with style life's challenges.
4295953
If you are going through a transitionand, really, who isntthis guide is indispensable. I know, because it helped me do just that.
I had recently been forcefully transitioned from a decades long career into total self-employment. I was the last one to embrace the change. Several people actually told me, Everyone believes in you more than you do.
Using Leias ideas and guidance, I have landed in a new place that generates unexpected rewards every day. Here are some of the highlights that helped me:
 Name the Change. When I read that chapter title, I immediately thought of three people in my sphere I was going to recommend this book to. One is leaving behind a job and moving to a new area; one is trying on careers; one is preparing for college. The author makes the point that before you can look toward change, you have to give it a name.
 Change is a grieving process. You must go through all the steps. Id never thought of it in those terms!
 Like grief, before you can embrace the new, you have to let go of the old, even mourning it. Once I realized that, I could move on (which Im still doing!).
 Its OK to ask for help. Especially tough for CEO types and heads of families who try to never appear uncertain or wavering.
This book works on so many levels. Readers can skim it to grab the main points. Or do the journaling to get the full value. It is the next best thing to a live personal coach sitting next to you.
Then, when youve worked through it, keep it handy for review as you encounter new challenges. I even see it as a tool for artists and creative types, and those who aren't maneuvering through some type of transition.

But, really, who would that be?
3570799
I recommend this to anyone thinking of transitioning. Great starter kit and guide. This was inspiring and really helpful. Thank you
1563945
I ordered this book to share with a young teenager who's coming out has had negative repercussions in his family.  He finds it very helpful and is grateful for the resource.
137938
As a parent just days from adopting a child, Redlich's book was immensely helpful in starting a number of dialogues:
- An internal one, about my own expectations as an adoptive father.
- One with my wife, to start some dialogues about things we might expect and how we'll handle them.
- One with my family and friends, to ensure they are aware of certain "out-of-bound" aspects of conversation that might be destructive to our future child.
4630643
I found this book really helpful in the process of assimilating the competing demands and expectations of stepmothering. Very good resource for self care and relationship maintenance - it will help you survive the first rocky years. Only quibble is it's written (mostly) from the perspective of a non-mother marrying a man with kids, so is not quite so handy for those of us who already have our own children and our own authority as mothers before we enter a step family, but it is still invaluable.
1254225
I would recommend for all trans  people.  I found it informative about how trying it was at that period of time for a trans person.
2820076
This book has been so helpful. Being a caucasian middle class, you don't get a lot of chance to see a child's point of view of the 'hood. Very insightful. And not being a wealthy celebrity, you learn that your self esteem may be suffering even though you look like you have it all together. His words are inspiring and he gets to the point. I would recommend this to anyone who is in transition or with any self esteem issues.
3308100
This is a self-help book with a Christian slant on how to navigate transitions well  and it is SO good. Although this is written primarily for Christian workers who are moving abroad (or back home after time abroad), I would want to make this gem of a book required reading for anyone who is moving job and home, because so many of the principles are universal. It could have been titled Finishing Well, because it focuses primarily on often-neglected endings rather than beginnings, and really helps with navigating those stressful months as you prepare to leave for somewhere new. I found the chapters on grief and working through the messy emotions especially helpful, but it was all really good stuff. Theres a real need for this kind of book, and Ive never read anything that covers this topic so well.

Amy Young is a brilliant and engaging Bible teacher, a highly-qualified counsellor, a wonderful writer, and has spent twenty years working abroad, so she is the perfect person to write this book. My advice? Get it before you move, so that you have time to absorb the good advice. This is one I will be gushing about and recommending to anyone whos thinking of moving house or job and wants to finish well.
3244198
LOOMING TRANSITIONS is an excellent book for adults preparing for an international move, but what if you are moving as a family?  This companion piece follows the book chapter by chapter, translating the principles and suggestions into 22 "Ideas" - interactive activities that parents can use to to equip their children & teens for the upcoming transition. Some ideas explain how parents can present certain concepts to their kid and guide family discussions about those; other ideas are hands-on activities the family can do to learn and interact with the concept.

The book is not just for a first-time move abroad, but for any major cross-cultural move (e.g. a move from country to country overseas, a return for furlough/home assignment, and repatriation/re-entry).

This is a Christian book, and though both the original book and this companion piece have many insights and ideas that would benefit anyone  people who share that faith will benefit most, and those who are irreligious may find the interweaving of Biblical stories throughout the book to be off-putting.

NOTE: If you prefer to have this as a PDF doc instead of a Kindle book, use Google to find where it can be purchased in that format.
4156694
Ms. Bennet has written a book that invites us to think in new ways; to explore options in our lives that we may have once thought were not open to us.  The book is thoughtfully organized and written with a combination of professional wisdom, compassion, insightfulness and positive advocacy.  I believe this book is appropriate for anyone who is making a major transition in their life, be it at 25 or 65. Thank you, Ms. Bennet for this wonderful read!
4813563
Marlene Winell is a licensed psychologist. She wrote in the Preface to this 1993 book, "I never returned to religion and I don't believe 'God' is judging me. When I consider some kind of life-force, I now believe that she/he/it supports me in being who I am. There are no easy answers and life can get tough at times. Yet despite the ambiguity, we all need to plunge ahead and do it anyway. We can find the courage and discover great joy. My hope is to convey this message of acceptance and courage to you. If you have left a religion that provided all the answers for you and you now want to take more responsibility for your own life, you too can feel blessed to follow your own path. There can be problems and wounds as a result of religious training, but there are strengths to build upon as well." (Pg. ix-x)

She adds in the Introduction, "This book is written for those who want to understand and recover from harmful religious indoctrination. It is also intended as useful information for therapists and others seeking understanding of these issues, particularly in relation to fundamentalism. This book is for you if you are now in some stage of leaving your religion You may be just beginning to have nagging doubts, a sense of uneasiness about a church you have considered home. The concepts and exercises here can help you understand your feelings and consider your alternatives... This book is also for you if you have long since left the religion of your childhood and you realize that you are still sorting out its impact... This book will also be of interest to those of you who have a fmaily member of friend with one of the backgrounds described above... Finally, this book is intended as a resource for the helping professional who wants to be better equipped to work with religious issues." (Pg. 2-3)

She adds, "[The book] does not offer a new way of reading the Bible or interpreting Christianity. Rather, the intent is to help those who are leaving the fold or those who want to know more about this process. Therefore, the book does not contain theological arguments..." (Pg. 4)

This therapeutically-oriented book will be of interest to anyone who has left, or is thinking of leaving such a religious organization.