Rating: 
Summary: Have Destiny, Will Follow
Review: Reading this book brought me great joy, and more importantly, hope. Some of the concepts explained so intelligently, compassionately, eloquently, confirmed things I've discovered as I've struggled to find the path to my destiny. The exercises throughout are designed to help you discover your truest self (your "essential self") and give you the power-and TOOLS-to make your dreams come true one PRACTICAL step at a time. As I worked the exercises, studied and meditated upon the things I was discovering-and rediscovering about myself, a wonderful spirit of freedom began to replace much of the despair I've felt as I've questioned whether true happiness would ever be mine in this life. This book is about seeking for the truth that was born within each of us concerning "The Life We Were Meant To Live" and is completely appropriate for both genders and people of all belief systems. However, (being a student of personality type) those who rely primarily on facts to make decisions, rather than intuition, will probably have to let go of some of their inhibitions and exercise some faith to get to the truths that lie within them. But do not fear, I'm absolutely certain Martha has worked successfully with both types in her business, Life Design. Thank you, Martha, for finding your "essential self" so you could help me find mine. God bless you and your family forever.
Rating:
Summary: The best of its class
Review: There are shelves and shelves of books on "making your dreams come true," but remarkably few that deal with identifying WHAT your dream is. My own background is similar to Beck's: I bought into my parents' dream that I would have an academic career, went all the way through a Ph.D., found a teaching job -- and discovered that I felt like a fish out of water. I was lucky enough to turn my skills into another career, but it's never engaged my heart, and if I could afford to abandon it I'd do so tomorrow without a single pang of regret. What to do with the rest of my life? I've been grappling with that question for several years now, and, after working through Beck's exercises, I feel for the first time that I'm approaching an answer.The second part of the book deals with the change process and making your newly found dream into reality. Other writers have dealt with this (notably Barbara Sher), but I found Beck's approach more compelling for two reasons: (1) She doesn't gloss over the difficulties of creating a new life for yourself -- while she points out (as do many other authors) that the mere act of goal-setting can be very powerful, she also emphasizes that achieving those goals will be a long, difficult job. (2) She sees life changes as cyclic. Some books seem to imply that, once you've created a new life for yourself, you'll be settled for the rest of your days. That's just not true, and I felt that she did a good job of preparing readers for the inevitable NEXT series of changes in their lives. (Recommended supplementary reading: William Bridges' books on transitions.) All in all, I feel this is the best book of its type that I've read, and I recommend it highly to anyone who's grappling with these same issues in their own life.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and practical happiness guide
Review: This book talks the reader through a fun and practical path to a meaningful life. Beck writes in a playful, funny, lighthearted manner while also appreciating the difficulty and the need of living an authentic and meaningful ife. Beck uses a framework based on finding YOUR "social self" and your "essential self". Your social self is the one created by culture and society, the rule follower. Your essential self is passionate and could care less about rules. The book provides exersizes to help the reader become better in touch with his/her essential self, and thus engage in more joyful and fullfilling activities. This is a book that is based on acceptance, Beck encourages you to embrace what you may have previously judged as too "wierd" to pay attention to (what would I do if I knew no one would ever find out?). She also talks about facing fears (what would I do if I weren't scared?). There's even a little relationship advice (ie. assertive, not offensive, communication). And lots of information about "navagating" your emotions, great for those of us who are scared or unaware of our emotions.
I bought Finding your own North Star over a year ago and go back to it regularly for a "refresher" course. One activity I go back to often is a "body scan" type activity in which she describes a sort of meditative activity step-by-step, for those of us who find it difficult to clear our minds for any amount of time. Overall a life altering book with LOTS of material, a great investment!!
Rating:
Summary: This really inspired me.
Review: This really got me active and feeling positive. This is my favorite book of hers, and I reccommend it to people who are afraid and panicked and don't know how to start living their dream.
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