No Less Than Greatness : Finding Perfect Love in Imperfect Relationships

Rating:
Summary: Having Meaningful Relationships
Review: Since reading "Building Your Field of Dreams" four years ago my life has changed tremendously. I rediscovered my lost dreams, and my life's purpose. Without that book, I am not sure where I would be in my life today.

So it was with great excitement that I started reading Mary's new book. For the first time in my life I read a book in one sitting! I thought I was going to receive tools that I could give my brother so that we could have the relationship I have been yearning for. But instead, what the book is about is me, and what I can do from within to create better, more intimate relationships.

One of the things I appreciate the most about "No Less Than Greatness" is how it is written. Often when I read a book of this stature, the concepts presented are heavy and require deep consideration. The concepts Mary offer, though no less important, are written in a way that are understandable and do-able. It is refreshing to read a book that is concise and written simply so that I can start immediately putting into practice the lessons I am being offered. Mary gives practical 'exercises' at the end of each chapter, making it easy for the reader to refer back to. She also offers very helpful examples and ideas on how I can make small changes in my actions that will make a big difference in my relationships, and also how I feel about myself.

Thank you, Mary, for your consistent endeavor in learning so that others, like myself, may learn from you. The people in my life are what I value the most, and now I have something practical and easy, but meaningful to refer to so that I can make a difference in all of my relationships, and therefore, have a richer and more rewarding life. I will refer to this book on a regular basis when I need an idea on how to change a circumstance in my life, or if I just need to be reminded that I am walking alone in my journey.

I look forward to sending "No Less Than Greatness" to my family and friends.

I highly recommend this book for everyone, no matter what your spirituality is, or how good or bad your realtionships are - they can always be better!

Rating:
Summary: LIFE AND LOVE ARE WHATEVER WE CHOOSE TO MAKE IT.
Review: When I first read this book, it seemed much like my own biography would read except I did not find the ministry, but Buddhism. I came to the conclusion many years ago that if life was ever going to get any better, I alone would have to make it happen. By working from sunup to sundown, I raised three daughters entirely on my own without financial help from any other source, now hold three diplomas (business, education and psychology) and have found someone to share my life with who makes all the hard work, pain, sorrow and loss of the past worth while. As the author so poignantly points out, each of us truly does have within us, the power to change our lives; all it takes is courage, perserverance and a lot of hard work to make it happen.

The author does not, however, factor into the equation of relationships, such obstacles as alcoholism or abuse, which occurred not only in my first marriage but are factors in the break-down of many other relationships. From a professional point of view and from first-hand experience, I can attest that factors such as these make it virtually impossible to find "perfect love in an imperfect relationship" particularly if the other party is unwilling to admit there is a problem in the first place, or is completely unwilling to change. For this reason, this book lost a couple of stars in the rating.

As this book reminds us, there is no question that from the day we are born we are all destined to live great lives. For the author, God seems to have been the guiding light; however, I believe we must each find our own guiding light and take strength from whatever "Power" it is we, personally, believe in. The book is worth reading and readers will likely find it quite inspirational.