Remember that your perception of the problem is only just that  your perception.
580511
Michael Chapman has become an optimist and his journey to positive thinking he shares in the beginning of this sensitive little book. In the past, I was a deeply negative thinker  I always looked for the worst in people, not the best. My entire mindset was built around trying to always look for ways out of a situation, not the way to make the best of it. My mindset was quite simple  I would look for the problem, not the solution. However, I actually found that this mindset (which, to me, was to help me stay grounded and realistic) was ruining my life. Friends and family had grown tired of listening to my but negativity on every subject. Business colleagues and partners felt like I was a drain to company enthusiasm. Even my beloved partner, who put up with my every negative mood, was sick of the sight and sound of me! So, I decided it was maybe time for some self-investigation. I took a deeper look not just at when I acted in such in a negative manner, but the why. It gave me some interesting answers, in a way. Not only did it leave me certain that I was the problem, it made me question if my mentality was actually something deeper rooted, something unsettling. Over time, I began to work on trying to focus on the positives. I found that, by using the techniques and ideas I found and investigated, I cured my mindset. Its far more complex than just focusing on the good things in life, but it was the general basis of my mindset change. All it took was some basic changes to my mentality and my life.

In this brief but concise book Michael shares his concepts on how to become a positive thinker, and very briefly the areas he discusses are as follows - Focusing on the Good, Extracting the Good From the Bad, Positive Energy Techniques, Training Your Brain, Avoiding Worrying, Increasing Self-Esteem, Staying Motivated, Positive Incantation, Learning to Forgive, and Being Grateful.

After taking us through the steps toward positive thinking that Michael has traveled he closes his book with the statement, Now, I no longer feel myself wondering what is the point? and more wondering how can I make more of this point? This is the kind of change that my life so badly needed. Now that you have read through this guide, do you see any similarities in your own mindset? If so, it might be time to make a change.

Sound simple? If so then that is the manner in which Michael encourages us all to make changes. Common sense, yes, but offered in a very positive manner. Grady Harp, September 16
2423674
Nothing more needs to be said. A self made man reflecting on our times. His point is just that we could use a dose of common sense. Challenge ourselves to be excellent.
2410169
Admittedly, some may say I may be a little bias since the author is a childhood friend. However, the approach to this book is to make one think (remember when we used to that?). Therefore, I have no qualms about recommending this book wholeheartedly.  While I and others may not think there is perfect alignment with our understanding of things (the world, issues, perspectives,..), stepping forward is the idea behind the daily thought piece. Whether you think you will agree 100% or 0%, consider this book as a way to make your brain get some exercise as it wakes up every morning.
240929
It was not too long ago that it was inappropriate to focus too much of your energy or time on something.  They once called it compulsion...  Now, it's the secret.  The concept is simple: focus on something until you get it.  You'll be so focussed that it won't matter that you've lost your job for poor performance, because you'll be too busy daydreaming about what you really want.

This is the perfect video and book for those of you who are desperate to get something for nothing, because you think it is too hard to pull yourself up to a point where you can afford to buy things for yourself.  You will take small coincidences and build a specious case that "this works," and you will recommend it to your friends.  In the end you will perpetuate a myth that you are ready to believe and accept, putting your faith in random events, all to reinforce your core belief that your life will be better if you have more.  It is a core belief that too many people share, but having money or things doesn't make you happy, it's all just an accident of life.
4057266
Open your heart and mind and let Eldon Taylor meet you where you are. In "I Believe: When What you Believe Matters "  He states clearly and simply what he believes and why. He shares stories that bring points home. What he has to say throughout the book resonates with me... with many points, it is as if he's writing directly to me.

One of Eldon's key elements for me: If you believe something about you or the world around you then that is how it is. If you wish to change something about you or the world around you, then it is your responsibility to step up and do just that...for yourself....without forcing others into it. You can only breathe for yourself...only you are responsible for your thoughts, words, and actions and only you can change them. And you CAN if YOU BELIEVE.

I highly recommend taking the time to read "I Believe: When What you Believe Matters ".

Sheryl Cox, Author of Bestseller "Beings & Doings"
3426954
Think you are aware of your thinking? Think again!

Although we may feel like we are conscious drivers of lives, our brains actually have a heavy reliance on the unconscious forces that steer it. The truth is, much of our thinking happens outside of our conscious awareness and control, and our subliminal programming affects all aspects of our lives--from how we perceive the world, self, and others to how we think, feel, behave, and remember.

But, we can't fault our brains for this heavy subliminal reliance. If our brains actually took in all of the data we are bombarded with each moment, we'd be overwhelmed and overloaded. As the author of _Subliminal_ explains:
"To ensure our smooth functioning in both the physical and the social world, nature has dictated that many processes of perception, memory, attention, learning, and judgment are delegated to brain structures outside conscious awareness...The truth is that our unconscious minds are active, purposeful, and independent. Hidden they may be, but their effects are anything but, for they play a critical role in shaping the way our conscious minds experience and respond to the world...Our subliminal minds take incomplete data, use context or other cues to complete the picture, make educated guesses, and produce a result that is sometimes accurate, sometimes not, but always convincing." (pp. 18, 29, 152)

The reality is that much of what we believe to be true, is actually false. (How's that for a brain challenge?) Our brains are not the computers we assume them to be, but instead creative distorters of reality:
"We are not like computers that crunch data in a relatively straightforward manner and calculate results. Instead, our brains are made up of a collection of many modules that work in parallel, with complex interactions, most of which operate outside of our consciousness. As a consequence, the real reasons behind our judgments, feelings, and behaviors can surprise us...Our brains are not simply recording a taste or other experience, they are *creating* it...We believe that when we choose a laptop or a laundry detergent, plan a vacation, pick a stock, take a job, assess a sports car, make a friend, judge a stranger, and even fall in love, we understand the principal factors that influenced us. Very often nothing could be further from the truth. As a result, many of our most basic assumptions about ourselves, and society, are false." (pp. 22, 25-26)

To wrap our brains around the confusing two-tiered brain processes of the conscious and the unconscious, the author presents a great metaphor explaining how subliminal forces result in our brains acting less like truth-seeking scientists and more like conclusion-driven lawyers:
"The human mind is designed to be both a scientist and an attorney, both a conscious seeker of objective truth and an unconscious, impassioned advocate for what we *want* to believe. Together these approaches create our worldview...As it turns out, the brain is a decent scientist but an absolutely *outstanding* lawyer. The result is that in the struggle to fashion a coherent, convincing view of ourselves and the rest of the world, it is the impassioned advocate that usually wins over the truth seeker...The unconscious mind is a master at using limited data to construct a version of the world that appears realistic and complete to its partner, the conscious mind." (pp. 200-201)

Appropriately enough, I found this book to be incredibly mind-blowing.  Not only is the content fascinating and engaging, but the author's writing is superb: just like the unconscious mind, he has quite the gift for synthesizing huge amounts of information into accessible and digestible slices. (But, unlike our unconscious minds, he does not distort reality!) Admittedly, I can't quite explain the reasons I chose this book from the many others on the shelf (now I realize there were a slew of subconscious processes that influenced my decision), but I can consciously stand behind my five-star recommendation for reading it.
1774861
Seriously, stop being strung along and see it for what it really is! Good book. Really helps give a good perspective. Even if you don't want to hear it :-/
52412
makes you think on how you might act when stuck with only an enemy to help you get through situations unscathed.
2658710
Especially in the current political and economical environments we are in today, it is interesting to consider what is reality and what is perception; what is fact and what is opinion; what is true and what is a metaphor.  In one of his most characteristic performances, Peter Sellers characterizes this dichotomy.  Amazing though that this 1979 movie is more relevant and reflective of 2008 events.  Life is a state of mind. (The CD was scratched, but good viewing condition and a perfect price.) - Suzann
2171428
What we say may have an immediate and lasting affects on others.  This simple perspective make you think twice before you should speak because it can be hurtful.  If we don't have anything helpful to add we should be quite and think before we speak.  Just smile and be kind.
4336989
Don't keep your head in the sand, take a look at the information provided & come to your own conclusions.
4589887
Some extra reviewing, or restating thought process, not too bad.
3371920
as a beleiver in only myself to change my life and suffer all the consequenses of all my own actions,this book confirmed what i already thought about most things in life, or at least hoped. i knew this life here was a test, to see if we can struggle and overcome saddness and pain and still come out positive, not scorned,not miserable, but wiser and stonger. i knew it couldn't get worse than this, here on earth.i learned of the review of your life you have upon dying and have deceided you must see that first so you can see what and how you were at that moment, so you can feel truly sorry or humility or embarresed, or ashamed at your actions or words, you get to feel what pain or sadness you caused others although not realizing it at that particular moment, and feel deeply sorry.not untill then will you go to the next level. you actually judge yourself. thats why its so important to be a good loving person,to treat people as you want to be treated, you get what you give,to realize the only thing that really matters is leaving this earth with the feeling of being loved, its the only thing you can take with you. asnd every one you loved will be waiting on the other side happy healthy and ready for a new journey. infinity. i like dannion cant wait to get there.no more fear of the unknown, no more worrying about forcing myself to beleive in god or i won't go to heaven.i have faith in myself and my actions i make in this screwed up world, and hope they are right and learn from them if there not.keeping hatred and negativity far away.
1241573
Perhaps it is odd to love a book about problems but this book breaks it all down. You know how you think "If only I could understand what is going on inside their thinking?"  this book takes you there.  No one is a problem, just perceptions are a problem and lack of clarified expectations.  Includes a section on mental health concerns in the workplace -- useful for HR departments and employers as well as chairs.
731613
A perspective that we are not sensitive to consider until it involves a loved one or perhaps ourselves.  Very well written.
3017655
We each have our own ways of dealing with problems, sometimes not very well. The author reminds us that we are human and that we make mistakes, some we never forget. In our pain of remembering where we messed up we realize that we are living and breathing and that we can work toward making better choices in the future. Mistakes happen, we can learn from them.
3683823
I've noticed that a persons perception of an event is based upon their particular situation and this perception is by no means what actually transpired.  Andy Andrews beautifully describes how people are led down a path based upon what they need and want to hear.  Reminds me how difficult it is to be honest with yourself and how internally challenging it is to change and to seek the truth even if we don't agree.