Book Review: All For Love – The Transformational Power of Holding Space
Book: “All For Love: The Transformative Power of Holding Space,” Matt Kahn, Sounds True, 2022
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Matt Kahn writes a sincerely inwardly-looking book that covers his early years in particular and carries on from there. It is most obvious that his childhood has had a profound effect on his outlook and explains how he has come to the spiritual place where he is now at. He was deeply affected by traumatic events in the past and he shows the journey that he has been on.
Matt subtitles this book about holding space and its tranformative powers. According to Heather Plett, holding space means to walk alongside another person. Matt features a number of areas where you can hold space for people who are going through personal areas of concern.
I, personally, like the intentions Matt writes about. They are eloquently written and are down to the point of what needs to be sought after. They are beautifully written. I think, however, that someone does not have to get hung up with the exact wording. If something resonates, then type it out and print it out so that you can read it and reflect upon it. Otherwise, I think it is serves as a good starting point to create your own wordings and reflections. I believe in going inwards and choosing which words, phrases and sayings will work specifically for you personally. The intentions are like supplications from the Infinite – the bigger I to the smaller i.
For his efforts and exposing his vulnerabilities on his path provided by Matt Kahn, I give this book a rating of 4.25 out of 5. He has his own website under his name for more information and he has millions of views on his YouTube channel.
For more book reviews, check out my wordpress website under Mary Mikawoz specifically under the category of Book Reviews.
Book: “Walking Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness” Sara Shulting Kranz, Harper Horizon, 2020.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I found this book by Sara Shulting Kranz to be interesting. I found that her in-depth knowledge of trauma and PTSD is based on the fact that she has had to deal with it and go through it herself.
She understands more than just an empathetic listener. I won’t repeat her life story other than to say that she has gone through a lot. We all do but that is what is so wonderful about this book is that she gives you steps to deal with the trauma.
Sara gives you written meditations that you can read and then practice. After you are done the guided meditation, she gives you some questions to consider as you take your information gleaned from this process and reflect upon any and all insights. She asks that you write about it.
I find it interesting she mentions a little fact that since 2012, the number of people meditating in this world has tripled. That is significant and shows that there is value in following through with inner work including listening to your intuition.
After learning the six steps, she asks you to forgive yourself, the perpetrator and also the world.
In the meantime, Sara has also implemented a number of practical techniques of walking in nature including retreats through the Grand Canyon or standup paddle boarding on water. From Sara doing her work, she is able to give practical advice and not that just of a psychologist or counsellor who doesn’t have any personal terms of reference and can only reflect back to you what they have heard without any concrete suggestions or relevant life event experiences or tasks to pursue.
I give this book a 4.25 out of 5 for being a useful book that was interesting to read. She is on social media like Instagram and Facebook. She has her own website as well.
Book: “The Self-Love Superpower: The Magical Art of Approving of Yourself (No Matter What),” Tess Whitehurst, Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd., 2021.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book Available September 8, 2021
I was quite interested in recognizing how self-love could be a superpower simply by approving of myself/yourself. Overall, I found the author to be quite knowledgeable about many spiritual and psychological matters. I found she has incorporated many works from previous authors that I have read and whose books I have previously reviewed. It was nice to see these concepts being congealed in such a well-developed way.
I believe the author to be quite young as her references indicate someone of a younger age. This is not a problem other than many of the cultural and societal references she discussed were not in my sphere of knowledge or influence. So, for that reason, I would recommend this book for younger or middle-aged people.
One of the best insights or lines she has is, “I am choosing to need nothing, expect nothing, and even be nothing. And so I am open to everything.” She goes on to say how liberating it is to have this kind of thought. This is in line with Buddhist philosophy of non-attachment.
Overall, she does come up with some very good ideas but again, they are ones I have read in many other books but it is nice to see it collated here as an inclusive manner.
Tess also goes over chakras which for me was just a review. It seems most books I pick up nowadays include something about the chakra system. If you are new to this, then definitely read this.
Overall, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 based on the attempt to have a cohesive nature of spiritual philosophies and ideas in one book.
Book: “Press Here! Sensual Massage for Beginners: Your Guide to Pleasure and Intimacy,” Sydney Price, Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds, 2021.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book Available July 27, 2021
For once, I am going to do a short review of a book. I would rather have this book speak for itself. The title clearly gives the subject-matter away – “Press Here! Sensual Massage for Beginners: Your Guide to Pleasure and Intimacy.”
It is a good first step in those who are either young beginners or who are older and may have had hang-ups from religious doctrine and societal upbringing. It is non-gender specific so many variations of massage before love-making can be learned and practiced to be inclusive of many combinations.
The book has a number of drawn images to explain important body parts.
It also includes a number of flow charts to explain the steps in how to proceed, however, as I was using an e-reader, they were hard to follow because of the restrictions of the page formatting. If you know you may have to go back and forth between pages to follow the arrows, you will understand it a lot easier.
I would recommend this book for people who are willing to explore their sexual experiences.
I give the book a 3.75 out of 5 for attempting this delicate subject. However, I would have appreciated more information in explaining the actual various techniques of massage.
Book: “Goal Mapping: A Practical Guide to Turning Your Dreams into Reality,” Brian Mayne, Watkins Publishing, 2020
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book available: May 12, 2020
I read this book awhile back when the Corona Virus was taking root in North America and we started lockdown in many areas of the world. It was a good book and I am sorry I have not reviewed it sooner but felt I needed to give it some more thought.
I am encouraged by the personal story of Brian Mayne and the things he had to do to overcome his educational problems and learning difficulties. That itself, is an inspiration.
Brian puts a number of good and appropriate quotes throughout the book, however, I read it on a Kindle and so there was just a jarring of quotes in a haphazard format that intruded on the flow of the actual text of the book. I do not know if the physical book is formatted differently. It is do-able though. You just need to read and remember where you were at and what the last point was.
If I were to glean the main points of the book are, I would have to say that it is important to use your left and right sides of your brain. Brian Mayne has developed a way to write words from the logical, left side of the brain and then incorporate images or drawings by using the right side or creative side of the brain. It is a way of reinforcing goals in a way that makes it more impactful. In this regard, the author provides some drawings to explain his point, however, I would have appreciated more drawings with accompanying explanations of what they meant to illustrate and really bring home the point of how the goal mapping system works. It would have added so much more to the book.
I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 for effort and for his explanations. It is a good starting point for someone who would like to reinforce their vision with words and images.
Tags: Goals, goal mapping, Brian Mayne, school, education, learning disabilities, left brain, logical, right brain, vision, images, drawings, creative, quotations, success, Mary, Mary Mikawoz, book review, teacher, author, illustrator, impact, importance, explanations, system
Book: “The Soul Purpose Method: Discover Your Unique Calling, Reawaken to Your True Self, and Co-create the Inspired Life You Were Meant to Live,” Licia Rester and Kir Souder, Kynosura Publishing and Paper Raven Books, 2019
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book available: August 20, 2019
This book starts off with three major sections: Intention, Liberation and and Co-Creation. Within these sections, are more chapters with lots of good information.
Rester and Souder outline that you should be doing that which makes you come alive and to do that with your life – not some pre-fabricated need of society or the world although that might be what you end up doing. They believe that once you combine intention, liberation and co-creation, you get your soul’s purpose. That is the formula.
Further to that, they believe that the summit is inside of you to be discovered and not in someplace outside of yourself. You already have all the equipment needed to get there. As Steve Jobs says, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what your truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Licia and Kir refer to your soul’s purpose as a “Northern Intention.”
Licia and Kir go through 7 myths regarding soul purpose.
They are:
I don’t have a purpose.
I have to find or figure out my purpose.
I don’t have enough money, time and/or opportunities to pursue my purpose.
I’m not sure the purpose I’ve identified is my real purpose.
I’m not “good” enough (confident, patient, focused, disciplined, skilled, smart, motivated, or energetic enough) to pursue my purpose.
I have too many other responsibilities, obligations and priorities.
I can’t let down or alienate people in my life.
Further on when dealing with issues surrounding fear, the authors use a quote from Albert Einstein. It reads, “The intuitive mind is a scared gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
Their own quote is valid, “What we intend, what we believe, what we choose, and what we act on will create the story of our lives.” That is, indeed, a profound statement.
Finally, the authors ask you to co-create with the Universe or Higher Power or God or Spirit. Paraphrased, they ask you to continue towards service in learning and growing in awareness of who you truly are and in manifesting your goals and dreams in alignment with the highest good of everyone involved.
Rester and Souder indicate that “Wisdom, inspiration and guidance can come at any time, in any form.”
After you have developed your “Northern Intention,” you develop your “Soul Purpose Vision” and then finally you create “Your Soul Purpose Action Plan.” They outline 5 steps in creating effective actions steps.
The biggest take-away from this book is something I know from many of my spiritual practices from books, videos and practices and that is when you are asking for guidance from the divine, you ask, “This or something better for the highest good of all concerned.”
The acorn has the information and drive to become the majestic oak tree and the caterpillar has what it takes to become a butterfly. It is already in them.
I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 so basically a 5 out of 5 and find that it is both a motivational and inspirational book with many insights.
Tags:Licia Rester, Kir Souder, Kynosura Publishing, Paper Raven Books, Purpose, Calling, Northern Intention, Vision, Spirit, Soul, True Self, Life, Purpose, Vision, Divine, Universe, God, Intention, Liberation, Co-creation, Spiritual, Spirituality, Inspirational, Motivational, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review
Book: “Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential,” Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, 2020
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book available: January 7, 2020
“Be Amazing” was an inspirational concept and experience that Paul S. Boynton received after visiting and receiving outstanding service at a restaurant. From there, he goes on to explain that giving your all is necessary in your endeavours. He writes, “It starts with a desire to be the best we can be in a specific area, followed by a decision to actually make it happen.” That is the essence of the book as Paul outlines a number of other people and situations that were outstanding in his opinion.
He outlines six points for Amazing Qualities. One of the quotes that he writes that I like is when you are doing that one special thing, you don’t have to be the best and as a Zen saying goes, “Flowers don’t compare themselves to other flowers, they just bloom.” That is a very encouraging thought and causes some self-reflection.
Mr. Boynton goes on to say that people know when people are being authentic and when they are with the “real deal.” People can recognize a disingenuous smile and reaction.
He gives out some steps on being amazing. They are as follows:
Find your “Spirit Blueprint”
Making a decision
Discover what amazing will look like
Making it happen
He writes his book from a question and answer process. This is how he engages the reader. I understand why Paul does this although I am not sure I like this process. I would prefer he just wrote the book in a straight-forward manner with the assumption that the reader has had those questions and he would answer them without indicating each time what the question was or is.
I like how the end finishes with a quote such as: “Remember, every book began with a single sentence. And every garden started with just a few seeds.”
This book was rather short. I would have preferred a longer version with more stories and examples of excellence.
For an inspirational short read, I give this book a 3.75 out of 5.
Tags:Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, Amazing, Purpose, Fears, Potential, Self-development, Self-help, Spirit, Spiritual, Power of Yes, Begin with Yes, Spirit Blueprint, Decisions, Action, Motivation, Inspiration, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review
Book: “Choose to Win: Transform Your Life, One Simple Choice at a Time” Tom Ziglar, Harper Collins, 2019
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book available: March 5, 2019
Tom Ziglar is the son of Zig Ziglar, an influential speaker over 40 years time. Tom has essentially followed in his father’s footsteps. He has written a book called “Choose to Win.” In it, he recounts the Wheel of Life which Zig Ziglar has used but not exclusively to him. I heard of the psychological concept about 20 to 30 years ago and many people have used it to balance life’s priorities and seven areas of life from the mental, the spiritual, the physical, the family, the financial, the personal and the career. The seven spokes are evaluated based on how well you are doing in each area. If you are well balanced in all areas, your spokes and tire pressure will be the same and all inflated to a good height level.
He reviews the areas in quite a bit of detail with individual chapters. He, however, repeats the same thing at the end of each chapter and so it is repetitive. He essentially says to replace a bad habit with a good habit. The premise of the book is basically this which to me is not a novel concept and is only common sense. I do not know how this is a new and exciting concept. Of course, you change a bad habit with a good habit and of course, you do it in incremental baby steps. Tom says you should do something for 66 days, but I have heard of 28 days, one month and so forth as other optimal times to make a habit habitual. James Clear agrees with Tom Ziglar but according to the Phillipa Lally’s study, it can take anywhere from 18 days to 254 days to form a habit depending upon a number of factors.
The other predominant concept in the book is to leave a legacy behind because you are already are either intentionally or not. This reminds me of another book I reviewed which deals in entirely with leaving a legacy by Terrie Davoll Hudson called “Leave a Legacy that Counts: Create One at Any Age.” It is quite a bit shorter but the messages between these two authors are similar.
Finally, the steps necessary to fulfilling a goal are as follows:
“Step 1 – Identify your goals
Step 2 – My benefits to reaching this goal
Step 3 – Major obstacles and mountains to climb to reach this goal
Step 4 – Skills and knowledge required to to reach this goal
Step 5 – Individuals, groups, companies and organizations to work with to reach this goal
Step 6 – Plan of action to reach this goal
Step 7 – Completion Date”
Overall, this book has some good information in it. I found it heart-warming to hear of the last few days of Zig Ziglar’s life from the family perspective. As well, Tom Ziglar asks some very good questions throughout the book to help the reader along and has some good tips added in.
His trust and belief in God and Jesus Christ is paramount and not so different than the spiritual books I normally review.
I give the book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I have changed my mind since and now give the book a 3.75 based on the very good questions he asks.
Tags: Business, Self-improvement, Self-development.Individual, Goals, mental, spiritual, physical, family, financial, personal, career, legacy, Tom Ziglar, Zig Ziglar, Attitude, Effort, Skill, Transformation, Religious, God, Jesus Christ, Bible, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review
Book: “Believe in Yourself and Do What You Want to Do,” Kate James, Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2019
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book available: September 24, 2019
Quite literally, “It is far better to be the best version of yourself than a second-rate version of someone else.” It is better to figure out your values and interests and follow through on what makes you a special “You.”
It is most important to pay attention to your dreams and listen to your intuition. With having said that, simply give yourself a deadline and just choose an activity to pursue. In choosing that activity, do not choose that which you think will impress others that you went to school with or your family members, do it for yourself.
Other good points include mind mapping which is a free flow of ideas based on free thinking without limitations. I, personally, have used this strategy for many years and love its results. Also, start out small with baby steps and try not to climb Mount Everest at the first attempt at mountain climbing.
In all, Kate James, comes up with 50 ideas or strategies on how to do what you want to do. They are good snippets of information and inspiration.
This is a good book to read from cover to cover or by simply picking a page at random and reading that section.
It is a good inspirational book with good practical advice.
I give the book 4 out of 5 stars.
Tags:Kate James, version, personality, self-help, self-development, self-improvement, time, baby steps, Mount Everest, imagination, focus, tasks, reasons, Dreams, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review
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