Amy Lyman reviews From Depression to Contentment

From the moment I saw the eagle soaring above the snow-capped peaks on Bob Rich’s From Depression to Contentment: A Self-Therapy Book, I was hoping the pages inside would be as captivating. I am not disappointed.

I personally do depression, as Dr. Rich would say. After reading this guide, I have many new tools in my belt. From self-care to spirituality, Dr. Rich draws on case studies, cultural and historical references to inspire and help the reader. There is a lot of great information in here. Be prepared to come away with quite a reading list.

Personally, I found many aha! moments. Some even brought me to tears.

The language is lovely. There is even beautiful poetry, quite a contrast to a dark, ugly disorder.

My favorite section is the one on Mitzvahs, or secret good deeds. After Dr. Rich shared his own mitzvahs, I find myself not only wanting to read more of his work but also wanting to meet him for a cup of coffee. Compassion and vulnerability shine through each chapter.

As an author with a title character raven, the fact there were no less than seven bird references is not lost on me.

A recurring theme in the book is Something works for everyone, but nothing works for everyone. Dr. Rich does a fantastic job exploring different treatment options and emphasizing the importance of good self-care.

A must read. I highly recommend this book.

Amy Lyman, Children’s book author, Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka: How Play Therapy can Help Children with Depression

I Miss the Rain in Africa [PB]

978-1-61599-574-5
$21.95
Peace Corps as a Third Act
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-574-5
Brand: Modern History Press
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Author: Nancy Wesson
Pages: 296
Publication Date: 06/01/2021

At a time when her friends were planning cushy retirements, Nancy Wesson instead walked away from a comfortable life and business to head out as a Peace Corps Volunteer in post-war Northern Uganda. She embraced wholeheartedly the grand adventure of living in a radically different culture, while turning old skills into wisdom. Returning home becomes a surreal experience in trying to reconcile a life that no longer "fits." This becomes the catalyst for new revelations about family wounds, mystical experiences, and personal foibles.

Nancy shows us the power of stepping into the void to reconfigure life and enter the wilderness of the uncharted territory of our own memories and psyche, to mine the gems hidden therein. Funny, heartbreaking, insightful and tender, I Miss the Rain in Africa is the story of honoring the self, discovering a new lens through which to view life, and finding joy along the path.

"Inspiring and educational when it comes to what we can accomplish when we put our best foot forward, I Miss the Rain in Africa shows how Nancy Daniel Wesson and others are putting the needs of others ahead of themselves-and what we can all do when it comes to stepping out on faith and choosing to act." -- Cyrus Webb, media personality and author, Conversations Magazine

"I would think that many of us could learn or strive to live life to the fullest by following Nancy's example. Imagine venturing into new realms-especially at a later time in life when we possess meaningful knowledge for analyzing, but also for applying a critical philosophical perspective on new experiences." Gary Vizzo, former management & operations director, Peace Corps Community Development: African and Asia

"I Miss the Rain in Africa is an absorbing record of the exploration of self by a woman who, at age 64, enters a remote area of Africa to work with an NGO. Part adventure, part interior monologue, this is an account of a 21st century derring-do by an intrepid, intriguing and always optimistic woman who will, undoubtedly, enjoy a fourth and maybe even a fifth act wherever she may find herself." --Eileen Purcell, outreach literacy coordinator, Clatsop Community College, Astoria, Oregon

"Wesson offers a montage of stories and experiences that introduces the reader to the colorful people and challenging life in Uganda. Wesson's observations are shared with humor, respect, and compassion. For anyone who has ever won-dered what serving in Peace Corps or immersing oneself in a radically different life overseas might be like, this book provides a portal." --Kathleen Willis, Retired Peace Corps Volunteer-Community Organizer, former organizational development consultant

Save this product for later

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *