Personal experience is best
920431
The author writes from personal experience. It is great to see so many thoughts compiled into one book that took years of experience to write.
4198921
I have to admit that most of what I read in this book I already knew and knew well partly because I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by profession myself. That in itself does NOT by any means mean that I have all the answers (or come close to having them) nor have I necessarily been in the happiest of relationships. True I have only been married once to the same man for over fifteen years, however, there is so much more we can ALL learn from each other and each others real life experiences. What I appreciated from this book was that the author was able to glean from his own personal experiences what he can conclude as being "best practices" for people in general. Sometimes that is, in fact, the best way to teach, keeping in mind, of course, that what works for me may not necessarily work for you. I like the fact that the book seemed to emphasize taking personal responsibility in how a marriage/relationship works: "those who are happiest in relationships are those who work on it. They talk to each other. They read books. They seek help."  I liked that the author felt one can achieve happiness at ANY age "We are never too old or to weary to enjoy the simple pleasures of life." I liked that he felt "Whatever the question, love is the answer."  This is a good book. I would recommend it.
4145360
A personally gratifying experience.  My father served on the USS Idaho and kept a similar type of journal in the letters he wrote his family over the years of his service.  I even found his name and signature in the duty logs contained in this book.  Biased though I am I enjoyed this clearly documented first-hand journal of a battleship crewman.  I can't describe briefly the opportunities to appreciate life with such discipline, risk, coordination of tasks, reliance on leadership and individual commitment.  Thank you William Schumann!
4848808
The author expressed her personal convictions with strengh, backed up with her life experiences. The presentations in part one and part 3 were thought provoking. Part 2 and part 4 were more meditative applications and not very applicable as one listened to the CD in the car or other than full attention situations.
2330704
This is amazing. That's all I can really say, you have to experience it for yourself. If you've been over there, you'll get it.
2577405
i enjoy to read it, have make me remenber a lot about my experiences, i recomend it, is very instructive.
4699075
"The Experience"
This album is what Ms. Armstrong does best: sing and gave the Word.  Throughout the album she makes us remember the loving relationship We should have with Our Savior and also how to develop that relationship more.  It takes us on a journey into the future of Ms. Armstrong and her past in regards to music and her life.  She has nearly forty plus years experience in developing people's mind toward the mark.  It feeds your soul and inspires your mind.  It is truly a remarkable experience.
4967912
I rated this book a 3 because I didn't think it was great but it is simply good.  The real value in this book is the fact that we see that life should be experienced and enjoyed and not just lived.  What I mean is that we have to appreciate our personal experiences without trying to over think, over analyze things in our modern way.  The journey is what matters most and not the goal itself.  I appreciate the author's candor and honesty in the book.  Worth buying even given my 3 rating, just not overly generous with 4 & 5 ratings.
2797141
A story of a lifetime we can all relate to, her story is her own but her journey is something we all share. Some people go through life without reflecting upon their past and never truly learn the value of their experiences good or bad that have helped to shape them into the person they have become.

Then there are those precious few who can reach into their past and pinpoint their personal growth through a timeline of experiences. This story is a reflection of a lifetime, an average American lifetime, but through the spiritual lens of the author we realize that no lifetime is average.
1831445
The best stories are personal stories, and this book is based on Kim's story. Because of that the writing is filled with emotion and clarity. It is clear that Kim has sorted through the ideas of freedom and truth in her own life. Well written and full of applicable wisdom.
576987
This is an interesting account of a father's communication with his son who has passed. If you are new to this type of book, you will find this story very encouraging and comforting, as it shows that the son is apparently alive and well.... he's just simply not in physical form.

If you have read other books of this type, (especially those by Michael Newton), you will recognize many of the same types of conversations. For example, when we pass over, our initial experiences vary. Oftentimes, our very first impressions mirror what we expect (if we have expectations), but those experiences soon give way to the reality on the other side. Our guides and our soul families know us well, and they know what will make our transition a positive experience. If our expectations are fearful and negative, our guides, etc. know what to do to make that impression short lived. In most cases, we are met by loved ones who have passed on before us, and the scenes will vary depending our individuality. Some of us may be comforted by a nature setting, etc. Occasionally there is a soul who immediately recognizes what has happened and where he/she is....in those cases the soul oftentimes bypasses the 'welcoming' and heads straight toward their destination. By destination, I mean they want to get right on with the work/studies they were doing before coming into their most recent incarnation.

For those of you who are familiar with Michael Newton's work, there is not too much new here. There are a couple of small differences/additions though.
One, the procedure for connecting to those who have passed is referred to as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing). I'm not sure that this is truly effective, but that doesn't mean it's a hoax. It's just that it's the first time I've heard of it and of course I am doubtful. I won't explain it in detail, and I actually couldn't if I wanted to, as the book does not go into much depth about it. I did check here on Amazon and I see that there are a number of books on the subject, so those who are so inclined could do some further research.
Another difference (from the Michael Newton books), is that there are lots of conversations between father and son. In the Newton Books, I often started to become invested in a 'client', and although there was usually a bit of closure with each person, I sometimes wanted to know more about their future. This book scratches that itch.

As far as the reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5, here goes: Once in awhile I found myself having to force myself to finish a chapter. Sometimes it just honestly did not hold my interest, and I felt there was too much extraneous information. Also, and I hesitate to even say this, but I did not find this book believable at times. Perhaps this was due to the fact that the author seemed to go out of his way to describe coincidences and experiences of others involved, in an attempt to verify the validity of the truth as he saw it. Sometimes, I felt these things were far (very far, actually)from proof. I'm not saying he made all of this up, and I'm certainly not saying those experiences disprove anything. I'm just saying that although I believe it's likely that the author has had conversations with his son, I am not as convinced as I was when I first started reading books like this.
All that being said, I doubt the author would be bothered by my doubts, as he had his own share of them in the beginning of this journey.

I am personally going through a 'slight' doubting period right now, so please keep that in mind when reading the few negative-ish comments I wrote.
Bottom line, I feel that most people who are open to this type of subject will find the book worthwhile.
2877871
I have been hesitant to post a review of this deeply personal record of a set of life-changing events in the author's life, but realized recently that other people facing the same events may need to have this eloquent record of one family's creation.
There are parts of this books that left me in tears, but by and large, this is a story of triumph and - joy.  HOWEVER, the situation is one that may not instantly strike people as joyous.  People living events like these need to feel free to rejoice, and Ms Caldwell, through sharing her family's experience, makes it easier to do so.
3568258
A wonderful story about personal experience.....Reminds me of my time in the  U S Army in a small oufit.. Made many frienda who I still see today after 50+ years..
1237192
Just finished George's great book.  You will experience a range of emotions with him as he first struggles to cope with a debilitating illness, and then tackle a tough recovery after surgery.  His motivational tool toward finding a good recovery is a bit "out-there" however.  Considering a 4 month post-operative Ironman Triathlon is way beyond sanity.  The book is a very rewarding experience of discovery, humor, personal growth, and facing some serious challenge.  So if you want to struggle along with his odyssey, then make sure that you read this book.  His frank honesty is refreshing, and there are plenty of moments where he will make you laugh and sometimes cry.  I have read two other of his books, and feel grateful that he has shared these moments with us.  This book is a rewarding experience.
866329
Learning from Patients is a collection of useful stories and experiences from the perspective of a college student going through nursing school.  Blakemans stories, drawn from his own experiences and thought processes, allow people to understand that health care is more than just prescribing a medication.  The care of an individual also involves assessing the person as a whole and addressing all of the needs that could be leading to the medical problem: physical, mental, social and/or spiritual.  Blakeman expresses the importance of being compassionate and non-judgmental as a health care provider and seems to convey that its not just about the physical treatment of a human being but rather how you make the patient feel over all.

After reading this book, I realized caregivers have an extremely difficult job.  Beyond all their usual personal and family demands, they must take on the special responsibility of caring for others with long-term health problems.  All the stresses that come with the territory of college and care giving can be overwhelming and make a person feel hopeless at times.  However, by truly evaluating situations and learning life lessons from patients, nursing can also be a rewarding career choice.

I believe that this should be required reading not only for people entering the health care field, but also for anyone interested in caring for others.  The author truly cares about his patients and relates humorous tidbits while sharing the important knowledge that he has to impart. This book provides valuable lessons for anyone looking to further their knowledge and insight about caring for others and the immense rewards that can be experienced when you realize you have made a difference in someones life.
2306300
If you habe ever experienced reading a book that points out things abour yourself you can do better in a very positive amd encouraging way, you will experience that again. If you haven't had thay experience, get ready for it. This is an easy read that feels productive, but I always walk away feeling good.
2993245
Having known John for many years and through dealing with losing my mother to Alzheimer's I have a personal perspective on this situation. This book is an honest view of a flawed system. This system exploits the financial and emotional ties of the family to the loved one. John took on a huge personal responsibility to research and find the best possible situation to care for his Mom. While they had problems in their relationship in the past, he has invested time, money and put his life on hold to provide a warm and loving environment for her final days.

This book accurately describes the warehousing of our seniors and the profit motive attached to the nursing home system. This book gives an honest view of the time and energy necessary to ensure that our aging family members are cared for in a warm, loving environment that is not predicated upon the profit motive.

John's journey through the legal and medical system as described in this book should be a guideline for anyone facing a similar situation with an aging family member. Be aware that you as a family member can make the best and educated decisions for your loved one's care. By reading this book it will help make the best possible decisions.