Book Review – Whole Hearted Workshops | Self-awareness, authenticity, vulnerability training, therapy and Workshops | Maria Bucci, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator trained by Brené Brown

A YEAR BY THE SEA….THOUGHTS OF AN UNFINISHED WOMAN

On July 25, 2022 / Book Review, Daring Greatly, Empty Nest, Self Care, Self Compassion, Self Love, Whole Hearted Living / 1 Comment

A YEAR BY THE SEA….THOUGHTS OF AN UNFINISHED WOMAN By Joan Anderson I read this book in my early forties, and rereading it in my sixties gave me a whole new perspective about how life experiences offer us a glimpse into the continuous struggles we have to find meaning in our personal relationships. Joan speaks to ALL of us… Our lives are always changing just like the sandy shoreline along the beach; especially during these tumultuous past few years which have affected so many! Joan’s book inspired me to take the time to rediscover my second half of life potential and hope her unique story will give you the courage to reveal and release the untapped resources inside of you! The Story of Joan Anderson: Joan was a loving wife and a supportive mother, but she slowly and unconsciously replaced her own dreams with

LIFE

On November 3, 2021 / Book Review, Character, Emotional Intelligence, Whole Hearted Living / 3 Comments

“CHARACTER-REVEALING MOMENTS” GO TO THE HEART OF WHO WE ARE I have often heard the saying; “Character is defined as what you do when no one is looking.” Character reveals a person’s deepest intentions toward another human being. We ask ourselves, “Will this person be helpful or hurt me?” Knowing someone’s character provides important information about how the person is likely to treat you. The strength of a person’s character also determines how well they follow through on plans, goals, commitments, and values. Reading the obituaries offer rich information about a person’s character by summing up a person’s life by describing their legacy and impact on the world. I read a great example about this recently because one particular obituary really caught my attention! It started “George….has left the planet!” I thought to myself, “Wow, I wonder what George was really like, I

LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER.. IN OUR JOURNEY CALLED LIFE

On March 23, 2021 / Book Review, Daring Greatly, Whole Hearted Living / Leave a comment

“Everyone wants to live on the top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you are climbing it.” ~ Andy Rooney I thought this quote was perfect to describe how our lives have been full of so many challenges lately and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel feels like we will eventually enjoy the view after such a long climb! All of us could use some positive words and a good source of inspiration as we head into the spring; so, I wanted to share with you a book I recently read called “The Mount of Olives” 11 Declarations to an Extraordinary Life”, by Michael V. Ivanov. We should never quit searching, never settle, and never stop seeking our greatest purpose in life. It is in the struggle during our search that our purpose will

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EMOTIONS

On October 29, 2020 / Book Review, Brene Brown, Letting Go, Self Care, Self Compassion, Self Love, Whole Hearted Living / Leave a comment

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EMOTIONS and HOW TO APPLY EFFECTIVE COPING SKILLS Suppressing feelings takes an emotional toll and when letting them out may not be a good option, there might be healthier ways to cope. Making sure you remain your authentic self is the first step by setting appropriate boundaries by asking yourself; “What is okay, and what isn’t okay that works for me?” HOW TO COPE: Name Your Emotions: So many times, we do not know exactly how we are feeling and what is rarely acknowledged is that courage and fear and not mutually exclusive. Most of us feel brave and afraid all day long at the exact same time. When you have a strong emotional reaction to something try and identify what the trigger is and reflect on what is causing the problem instead of unleashing on another person. Be Honest with

What Mister Rodger’s & My Latest Book Review Have in Common!

On November 20, 2019 / Book Review, Self Love, Whole Hearted Living / Leave a comment

On a flight home from Germany a few years ago I watched a documentary about Fred Rodgers and the creation of his show, Mister Rodgers Neighborhood. They shared a very sentimental symbol he used to incorporate into his television program that has always stuck with me. 143 Not only did Mr. Rogers keep his weight at 143 pounds throughout his life, but they also explained why the address on his mailbox was 143. I learned it meant: 1- was “I” 4- was “love” 3-was ”you” There were other heartfelt details Mr. Rodgers put into his show so I can’t wait to see the movie! Everyone knows the holidays are coming up so I thought it would be a good idea to do my own “1-4-3” to honor Mr. Rodgers. Book Review of Manuscript Found in Accra I recently read a book by Paulo

Educated A Memoir: WHAT A SURPRISE!

On October 24, 2018 / Book Review / Leave a comment

While deleting and organizing my emails about a few weeks ago, I came across an invitation to attend a lecture at the Franklin Park Conservatory introducing an author by the name of Tara Westover; who wrote the book called; Educated A Memoir. Educated is a book about growing up in the mountains of Idaho with parents who were survivalists raising seven children away from mainstream society. Tara Westover was home-schooled, worked in her father’s junkyard and endured different forms of violence and abuse. When Tara’s brother got himself into college; she decided it was time to find her place in the world beyond the mountain. So, she taught herself all the basic subjects and was admitted into Brigham Young University. But her education continues on to Harvard and Cambridge University. I was intrigued by her story so of course, I attended her lecture. As

Dr. Brené Brown’s New Book: Braving the Wilderness

On September 11, 2018 / Book Review, Brene Brown, Daring Greatly / Leave a comment

Dr. Brene Brown’s newest book is called Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belong and the Courage to Stand Alone We are in a culture of perfectionism and pleasing, and while our ability to respect differences is eroding, it is easy to stay quiet or try to fit in rather than show up and be our true selves. If we want to attempt to brave the wilderness we will come across uncertainty and criticism; now that is a guarantee! Brene Brown discusses the daily practice that demands integrity and authenticity, a personal commitment to ourselves that we carry in our heart. Remember those times when you tried to fit in and then, later on, felt like you just sold a piece of yourself? It was only AFTER you gave it away you realize how precious and valuable it really was. We need

Recommended Books and Reviews

On November 29, 2017 / Book Review / Leave a comment

The Emotional Edge: Discover Your Inner Age, Ignite Your Hidden Strengths, and Reroute Misdirected Fear to Live Your Fullest by Crystal Andrus Morissette This fantastic book explains how to deal with your feelings (rather than run from them or numb them), manage your emotions, face your fears, heal your wounds, and expand your emotional edges in order to lead you BACK to the Real You!! This book explains basic psychology very clearly and empowers individuals to stop reacting in a “knee-jerk” way that hurts their relationships with others. Most of us were not taught to manage our emotions because it was something most of us feel isolated and ashamed about because of our lack of control. So many of us have suffered in silence and shame but not any longer!! The truth is that the answers are right inside of you and the author explains how to

Book Review: SAYING YES to CHANGE

On June 27, 2017 / Book Review, Self Care, Self Love, Whole Hearted Living / Leave a comment

Change is an unavoidable fact of life and most of us have a difficult time with it, right? I bought the book “Saying Yes to Change” at the trauma conference I attended in Washington DC in March. Dr. Joan Borksenko was a guest speaker who has her doctorate in medical sciences from Harvard; she is also a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Claritas Institute for Interspiritual Inquiry with her husband that is based on her lifelong interest in mindfulness, integrative medicine and mind/body connection. As I listened to her during the luncheon I was very inspired by her story and the wonderful talents she brings to the world of psychology so I wanted to share part of her book with you! Joan’s purpose when she wrote about change was not to incorporate someone else’s wisdom but about finding our OWN. CHANGE

Book Review: Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft

On May 30, 2017 / Abusive Men, Book Review, Self Compassion, Self Love, Whole Hearted Living / Leave a comment

The book, “Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men” by Lundy Bancroft is so informative and eye-opening I couldn’t stop reading it. I wanted to know “Why do so many men abuse women and what can be done about it?” Bancroft has worked with abusive men for over twenty years and informs us that EACH year two to four million women are assaulted by a man at some point in their life. Bancroft’s valuable insight covers: early warning signs ten abusive personality types the abusive mentality problems with the legal system the long difficult process of change If you feel you are trapped in an unhealthy relationship and are trying to make sense out of what is happening… this is the book for you! For example; one of the most distinct features when you are with an angry or controlling partner

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