Embracing Uncertainty [Paperback]

Susan Jeffers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

Nobody knows what will happen in the next moment of our lives. Whatever is in store for us, the only thing we can be sure of is that nothing in life is certain. And since we all fear the unknown, life's uncertainty can be a constant source of worry to us. But, as bestselling author Susan Jeffers explains, life doesn't have to be one worry after the next, a steady stream of "what ifs" and a constant attempt to create a secure haven for ourselves. In this title she emphasizes that an unknown future doesn't prevent a rich and abundant life and shows how, by enjoying life's unpredictability, we transform ourselves from a position of fear to one filled with excitement and potential. Through case studies, exercises and pragmatic wisdom, the author attempts to convince us, above all, that life is exhilarating because of, not in spite of, uncertainty.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jeffers, author of several books including Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, offers a program designed to help readers achieve greater peace of mind and optimism in today's troubled times. Jeffers believes that too many people spend needless energy and effort trying to control every aspect of their lives-career, health, finances, etc. Since no one can control the future, Jeffers encourages people to accept three major principles: "The only certainty is that life is uncertain"; "Once you surrender to the fact that you are unable to control the uncertainty, you will, at last, be able to breathe a sigh of relief"; and "A `deep' acceptance that life is uncertain opens the door to a powerful way of living." Essentially, Jeffers wants people to be more optimistic and enjoy whatever is happening at the moment without excessively worrying about the future. Instead of playing the endless variation of "what ifs," people should focus on the positive aspects of their lives. She suggests people try to give back to others, which in turn will bring more love and positive events back to them. While readers looking for innovative strategies may be disappointed by Jeffers's somewhat simplistic suggestions like "Lighten up. Play with Life. Laugh a Lot," her comforting, no-blame tone may strike the right chord among those looking for a calming perspective in today's stressful world.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'Susan Jeffers has done it again! EMBRACING UNCERTAINTY is a wonderful book with a huge payoff...peace of mind about the future. It is an entertaining read filled with invaluable insights and unique exercises you can take with you on your exciting Journey through life.' -- Jack Canfield, Co-Author of the #1 New York Times 'Now more than ever, Susan Jeffers' wisdom feels like a precious gift. Her counsel is profound and meaningful in such challenging times.' -- Marianne Williamson 'In Embracing Uncertainty, Jeffers describes, with brilliant clarity, how to deal with ambiguity in life. The exercises in this book helped me learn how to reach within myself and find certainty. Like Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, I'll be quoting this classic over and over again.' -- Mona Lisa Schulz, MD, PhD, author of Awakening Int 'Original, courageous and brilliant! Jeffers alters the mind without drugs, freeing it to free us to become ourselves. ' 'Susan Jeffer's books are always fun to read, and she has done it again with Embracing Uncertainty. She leads the reader through the art of enjoying life in her own unique style!' -- Louise L. Hay, Author of You Can Heal Your Life an

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Mobius (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340830220
• ISBN-13: 978-0340830222
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,727,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Jeffers PhD is a world-famous author who has helped millions of people overcome their fears. She is also a workshop leader and media personality who specialises in the areas of personal growth and relationships. She lives with her husband in California. Her website is www.susanjeffers.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life, March 27, 2003

By 

P. Berinstein (Agoura, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Embracing Uncertainty: Breakthrough Methods for Achieving Peace of Mind When Facing the Unknown (Hardcover)

By the time I had finished reading Chapter 1 of Susan's wonderful book, I had made a life-changing decision. The large house my husband and I loved had become a burden in this wretched economy, and we were agonizing over whether to downsize or struggle to hang on. "What if we'll never be able to own such a fabulous house again?" we thought. "Are we failures because we haven't been able to keep up with the Joneses?" "What will happen to us now?" The fear, longing, and possible disgrace were eating us alive. Then I found Susan's book. Stop hoping and start wondering, she counsels. Look at life not with fear, hope, and expectations, but with curiosity, she says. "I wonder how this will turn out" is the attitude to take. Turn your life into a story, one in which you can't wait to get to the next episode to see what will happen. Boom! Her advice knocked my socks off. I've never been able to resist seeing what's around the next corner. I decided to let the house go, and my husband agreed. Let the adventure begin!

I once knew a woman who claimed that she was so optimistic that she could even look on the bright side when someone was dying of cancer. I never understood what she meant, but I've kept her mysterious statement in the back of my mind all these years. Susan's book made my friend's statement clear at last. When you can infuse your life with meaning and purpose, find the positive in both good and bad experiences, and use everything you've been through as an opportunity for learning, you can be optimistic in the face of hardship. Susan tells of a holocaust survivor who found fulfillment in helping other concentration camp inmates; a stroke victim and a quadriplegic who lived full, meaningful lives by focusing on helping others. It can all be done by letting go of expectations and making the most of what we have here and now. After all, as John Lennon said, life is what happens while you're making other plans.

It takes courage and ingenuity to follow Susan's advice, but I promise that if you do, you will be transformed. I know this from my own experience, not just with the house, but from thinking back over my life. Think of it this way: You can continue to suffer, or you can embrace uncertainty and find golden nuggets all around you.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book!, March 22, 2005

By 

David Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Embracing Uncertainty: Breakthrough Methods for Achieving Peace of Mind When Facing the Unknown (Hardcover)

Embracing Uncertainty was one of the first self help books that I have ever read.

I found it so helpful that it motivated me to find and read more books that would help me as much at achieving peace and happiness in my life.

Jeffers provides 58 simple exercises that can be practised throughout your day to help you deal with the challenges of life.

I've yet to find another book that offers so many tools to help teach you to control your mind. I use two of the exercises so much that they are now second nature to me!

The first exercise helps me whenever I find myself worrying about something and I can't seem to stop.

I simply tell myself that I'll worry about it tomorrow every time the thought comes up. It's a great mind trick saying you'll worry about it tomorrow when really you'll never let yourself worry about it. This exercise has let me enjoy the present moment without wasting it on useless worrying.

The second exercise that I found very useful was to teach myself to stop `hoping' for things. Instead, I only let myself `wonder' about what might happen. Wondering instead of hoping stops me from feeling disappointment that can come when something I hope for doesn't happen. A `wondering' world is a much easier one to be in than a `hoping' world!

There are 56 other good techniques in Embracing Uncertainty so I'm sure if these two don't quite speak to you, you'll find at least a couple of others that will make your world a lot better.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Comforting Self-Help Book I Ever Read, October 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Embracing Uncertainty: Breakthrough Methods for Achieving Peace of Mind When Facing the Unknown (Audio CD)

I have read Embracing Uncertainty by Dr. Susan Jeffers a couple of times and I find it the most comforting self-help book that I have ever read. Seldom is one provided with so many wonderful tools to overcome the stress and anxiety caused by the troubled world around us. Against the background of the current world crisis, a lousy economy and the constant threat of terrorist attacks, we all need help to keep calm and balanced, and I found Dr. Jeffers's advice to be ideal in terms of leveling my personal equilibrium. Now, I can approach each day with much more confidence and handle the uncertainty in the world without feeling fearful and stressed. Further, the book is filled with such common sense advice that's so clearly stated, it is accessible to everyone. I can't recommend this highly enough! A great gift for loved ones...