Customer Reviews

Everyday Sacred: A Woman's Journey Home

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is an interesting book as the author warns at the begining that there really is no beginning or end. She's right. I found myself while reading the book dutifully from beginning to end, often going back and rereading sections.

THE AUTHOR REVEALS HER INSECURITIES AND THEY ALL SEEM SO FAMILIAR. However, what got me, was that the author was not a young woman. She is in her late 50s, early 60s. So much for outgrowing them. Well, I had hoped. She examined these insecurities and failings in a sense from a view, I had not expected; as if they were assets. Now that's a thought. She had difficulty accepting this notion at first and the book subtly pushes this to the forefront again and again. Fascinating.

THE AUTHOR'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER ADULT SON IS MARKED WITH MIS-COMMUNICATIONS THAT DOMINATED THEIR PREVIOUS INTERATIONS. However, by turning off the critic to herself, she was more accepting and could "hear" others better. This greatly helped her and her son communicate on a new level. Any parent who has children making that change from child to adult could really use help here. Any help.

THERE ARE PARTS OF THIS BOOK THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD AND OTHERS THAT WERE POIGNANT. The author relates a story, where she hires a professional organizer and within moments of this woman starting to do her job, pays her to stop and leave. The author realized that she did not want to have her organization methods changed, but wanted a different outcome using the same methods... Don't we all. Change requires...Change.

THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL POINTS MADE IN THIS BOOK, A REVIEW, SHY OF RECREATING THE BOOK, CAN'T DO THEM JUSTICE. The best a reviewer can say is Read this book, read it slow and think about it. It is very Zen Buddist in philosophy and gives great weight to the day to day things. However, unlike "Sweeping changes" a book centered in Zen philosophy around house cleaning and maintenance, this book does not focus so much on day to day activities directly, but the philosophies of day to day relationships with people. The word Synchronicity comes to mind here.

I PLAN TO RE-READ THE BOOK IN A MONTH OR SO. Books like this change in time. Next time I could write an entirely different review because different things will catch my eye. It is hard to write a book you can come back to over and over and in this the author has done a magnificent job.

This book is excellent. Sue Bender has an intimate way of writing--you feel like you're hearing from a good friend. I especially appreciate how she takes you through her thought process. She doesn't just serve up her insights--she shows you how she got there and in doing so takes you along for the ride. So you get to arrive at the same insights with the author; rather than just listening, you get to participate. This is warm, inspiring, lovely writing. Reading it was both illuminating and calming, and a true pleasure. I plan to share this great little book with all my friends.

What can I say? I love the cover of this book! The cover art is so beautiful in a simple way. Just looking at this book brings me joy, which is why I don't have the heart to line it up on a bookshelf!
Fortunately, I controlled my love for the cover design enough to actually open the book. The words and stories match the simple beauty portrayed on the cover (or is it the other way around...forgive my photographer biases) Sue Bender writes in an open and friendly way. Her stories are beautiful and inspirational. I believe that any reader would be able to find themselves somewhere among the pages.
While reading, I felt like I had made a new friend. I also appreciated the wisdom and experience that comes with her age. I am used to reading younger authors, but when I read Bender's work I couldn't help but think that "this lady knows what's going on."
Her desire for self knowledge and exploraiton are also very inspiring.
I would recommend this book for anyone who has found their way to this page, and I'm greatly looking forward to reading Stretching Lessons (I'll let you know what I think of that one, too!)

I bought all of her books at the same time and read them in
reverse order. No kidding! Each touched me and healed and
helped me. I am much more effective and sensitive to myself
now. I have slowed down, I have done what she suggests. I even
visited an AMish farm and bought chickens after reading this
and more deeply appreciated the experience after reading these
books. I can't tell you which taught me what, I just know they
are brilliant. I gave them to a treasured friend and encouraged
her to pass them on to other women seeking balance and enlightenment. I lived in Berkeley too...so it was fun to
revisit those memories!

This lovely little book with its attractive black & white drawings brings into focus, causes to be meditated, the sacred in the everyday. Now why would this be of importance, you ask? Well, with simple shifts of perception, each of us can find the sacred in our hurried & shallow lives. We can start each dawn refreshed & find, at day's end, that extraordinary gifts have come our way & it is the small acts that make every day of our life sacred. A loving gift from a husband to his wife. Highly recommended. Go find it!

The author's imagery of pottery and the begging bowl spoke to me deeply. I found particularly startling and soothing the sections on breaking the pots. This book speaks simply from the depths of the soul to encompass the whole person. The author wrote with an uplifting tone of humility, borrowing from everyday life and friends that was refreshing compared to most authors who have to know-it-all.

The title struck me and drew me in. I felt a certain familiarity to the author and found it hard to let go of the book when I finished it. I have given it as a gift to more than twenty friends and acquaintences. I have often checked the bookshelves of many stores to make sure they had a copy or two of it. I always make sure I have atleast two copies of it, one for me and one for a new friend.

It is the kind of book you share. You read it and pass it on to someone dear to you.

I loved it and would love to meet the author one day.

She is simply someone I would love to know. I am waiting for her to write another book.

I recommend to anyone that reads this review-buy this book. It is amazing.

Simply put, this is a book for life. I am a young woman who took this book with me as a student to Japan. I have reread it several times these past 4 years and have been enriched by Sue's simple wisdom. I also love the illustrations. This is a very special read!

I have listened to the tape version of this book on my journey to work and to Cape Cod at least five times. I never tire of Sue's message, but have yet to fully achieve her inner peace. Her voice is even a comfort as she seems fully human and vulnerable like most of the mothers I know. I have given this book as gifts many times and will continue to do so. She speaks to my soul. Now if I could just start with the one hour a day of cleaning out "that drawer!" Maybe today is the day. Thank you, Sue. Where and when are you speaking on the easy coast? I'll be there in a flash.

After witnessing the recent horror (school massacre) inflicted upon the Amish community, "Everyday Sacred" is a timely reminder that they and the human spirit will endure.

It reminds us to ask not what we lack, but to appreciate, daily, what we already have. My favorite quote from the book is: "Don't try for perfection. Trying to be good enough will be plenty."

I am giving it my highest recommendation because it is more than good enough - it is a spell-binding read!

Reggie Johnson, Success-Tapes.Com