Inner Voices
1Mar/117

“A course in weight loss” book and a giveaway

Hello !

This one of my review as a review reader for Hay House.
At the end of last year, I received serveral awesome books to review for Hay House, this is one of them. The other reviews will come soon.

"A course in weight loss, 21 spiritual lessons for surrendering your weight for ever" is written by Marianne Williamson.
The first time I heard of her was thanks to her famous quote I discovered in the excellent movie Akeelah and the bee (but it is misquoted in the movie, unfortunately). This quote about fearing our Light and success resonates deeply in me.

First of all, the book itself is beautiful; a green hardcover with golden embossed letters. And for me, even if i know i shouldn't, the cover and outside of the book is what makes me pick it from the shelf at the bookstore or not.

When I was told I could receive this specific book, I felt it was right what i needed. Perfect timing as since a few months I am in a healing process regarding my body image.

Here are a few words by the author about the book:

This book is a retraining of your consciousness in the area of weight, turning your journey to weight loss into a spiritual quest. As you restore your spirit, your body itself is reminded of its natural intelligence. By getting back to the truth of who you are, you will get to a place where all your problems with weight have disappeared.

The book is divided in chapters that each corresponds to a lesson. But don't worry: there is no timeline; you do it at your own pace. For example, it took me quite some time to digest lesson one. I am only at the beginning of lesson 4 right now.

I think that we all struggle with our body weight once in our life. Either it is because we think we are too fat, or because we would need to get some shapes.
It took me years to admit that I have eating issues. And it is hard for me to say it out loud publicly here because it is really a struggle. I used to eat very very little and then I started to overeat, which is still an issue I am fighting currently. Until a few months ago, I was sometimes eating compulsively for many reasons (from being bored to being in a Spleen period...).
But once you face it and want to take steps to fight it, having some support can be very helpful. This is what this book is for me.

I am someone who deeply believe in the power of intention and of positive thinking. I also know by experience that my spirituality and my body are linked.

In her book, Marianne Williamson exposes what the holistic and spiritual reasons of having eating issues can be and how to get rid of it forEVER. Yes. This is not another book with impossible diets.
I don't tell you it will be quick and easy because it will not. This is a journey you begin. A journey to recover the body you want to have, the positive image you should never have lost.

If you are used to journal, this will be even better as writing along this sacred journey is highly recommended. There are white pages at the end of the book made for it, or you can of course use your own journal. Getting it out by writing is VERY helpful because it helps actually seeing what you were hiding to yourself.

I do believe that we can get over it and even if it takes time, even if it is a struggle, we can eventually get back to our "normal".

I just want to talk to you a bit about one thing. Marianne Williamson refers a lot to the Divine, to God. I am spiritual but not religious. I am used to this kind of reference and to shift "God" by "The Universe". So don't let it block you if you don't believe in the Catholic form of God. I really loved this passage in the book:

"In Alcoholics Anonymous, there is the notion of a Higher Power, or God as you understand Him. And that is fine for our purposes. It doesn't matter what you call it, as long as you call on it. The point is not a name or a word or any religious doctrine or dogma. The point is a spiritual principle that  becomes a living reality, affecting both body and soul: that a power greater than the mortal mind, in you but not of you, can do for you what you cannot do for yourself."

You can learn more about the book right here: A course in weight loss

Here is Marianne Williamson talking about it:

You can easily find the book in Barnes & Nobles in the US.
Or in Chapters in Canada.

I have two copies of the book so I really want to give one away to someone who would need it. Maybe this someone is you ?
Let a comment here. It will end in a week, on Monday March 7th at 12pm pacific time.
Only open to people in Canada and the USA, sorry but this is an heavy book.

18May/100

"Experience your good now !" or how to improve your life thanks to Positive Affirmations

Heya !

I'm really please to talk about the new Louise L. Hay book that is released today: "Experience your good, NOW". As you know, I am an Advanced Reader Reviewer for Hay House and I was thrilled to read this book.
Did you ever wonder what are the Positive Affirmations everybody seem to talk about, and how it concretely work ? If the answer is "yes", this book is what you need. It's also perfect if you want to improve specific areas of your life but don't really know how to do so.

First of all, I love two things about this book: its square size, that can fit my handbag really easily (as I already told here, I have the habit to read to books at the same time: one while I'm alone in the public transit, and the other one at home; so I need a book that is not too big nor heavy for the bus).
And the second thing I like the most is that a CD is included with the book, so I can listen to it wherever I want (I put it on my iPod). I loved this principle with her book "Yes, I can do it" that has also a CD included.

This book makes me happy because it does not guilt me for the negative thoughts I can sometimes have (about myself or about anything). Because yes, I'm aware that regarde Positive Thinking, people tend to either think it's awesome, or it's bullshit. When it comes to the power of Manifestation, we forget that the thinking is most of the process but it's not the only thing that we have to take care of (I may talk about it later if you are interested).  I must confess something: a few years ago, one of my dear friend had the habit to use Positive Affirmations; when she told me "every morning, I look at me in the miror and repeat a few positive sentences", I repressed a laugh and thought it was weird. The first impression is not always good, we have to keep our mind open to what we don't know.
Today, I know it works because I experienced it. I'll tell you a short story: I used to be very sick since I was born. Every winter was kind of terrible as I got every virus that crossed my way. About two years ago, I was fed up with always being sick and I told myself "My health is good, my body is strong and resistent". And I started to felt that way, I let go off the fear of getting sick, and trust me or not but I never got sick again as I was before, or for two days maximum. Because my mind and my body are now balanced together...

Here is the index of the book:

Introduction
What are Affirmations ?
Affirmations for Health
Affirmations for Fearful Emotions
Affirmations for Critical Thinking
Affirmations for Addictions
Affirmations for Forgiveness
Affirmations for Work
Affirmations for Money and Prosperity
Affirmations for Friends
Affirmations for Love and Intimacy
Affirmations for Aging

Some final thoughts
About the author

I was also a lot inspired by what Louise Hay says before her introduction:

Affirmations are like planting seeds in the ground. First they germinate, then they sprout, and then they shoot up through the ground. It takes time to go from a seed to a full-grown plant. And so it is with affirmations-- it takes some time from the first declaration to the final demonstration.
Be patient.

The metaphore with the plant talks to my Soul, it connects with something inside of me. I hope it is the same for you. It reminds me of a page I made in my Journal last year, a seed slowly growing to see the sky and go out of the ground, with a root firmly attached in the earth...

The book is original in the way for each area, it starts with a check-list of emotions related to this area. Then, the author explains us some things, and propose us some exercises to shift our way of thinking; at the end of each part the emotions of the beginning are reviewed and linked with a positive affirmation to erase it and build the positive thought that will replace it.
If you have a Journal, use it as a companion through this process. I don't recommend to write directly on the book, as you may want to do the exercises and check-lists more than once.

And you know what ? In celebration of the release of this book, Hay House is offering the chance to win a spot on their reknown I Can Do It ! Caribbean cruise !!! It happens from January 28th to February 4th 2011.
Enter to win at www.ExperienceYourGoodNow.com
I dream of attending this cruise for more than a year now, it surely is a life-changing experience, in my opinion.

Do you use Positive Affirmations in your life ? How did you discover it ? Tell me about it, I'd like to hear your stories :)

Page 1 of 1312345...10...Last »