Customer Reviews

How Much Joy Can You Stand : A Creative Guide to Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True (Revised, updated, and with new chapters)

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Whatever it is that is keeping you from following your dreams or filling your life with joy will be kicked out from under you in this wonderful motivational book. The author forces you to see how we put up our own roadblocks to happiness and we are the only ones that can remove them. Gently yet firmly the exercises in this expanded and revised, "How Much Joy Can You Stand?" will accept no excuses for not doing whatever it is you dream of doing/being. A catalyst to propel you toward a more joyful life. The title alone makes me bust into a smile.

I have read many "self-help" books over the years (e.g., Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity and "The Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart") which have inspired me and enriched my approach to life and tapping into my passions--what brings me joy.

But "How Much Joy..." is different.

I loved reading this book! I was quickly drawn in by Ms. Falter-Barns' engaging, humorous, and REAL perspective. And yet, she is able to deal with a diverse range of practical, psychological, emotional and other issues that keep us from truly knowing and doing something about our passions in life! The end-of-chapter exercises are provocative, fun and extremely fruitful.

Since reading this book, my approach to life has changed dramatically. I have been joy-stepping ever since--ideas flowing as never before, and most importantly, I am DOING despite all my busy life circumstances. I have found ways to reach out and problem-solve as never before despite the ever-present "lack of time". "How much Joy..." has also inspired me to read other books which have also been extremely helpful such as "The Everyday Work of Art: Awakening the Extraordinary in Your Daily Life" by Eric Booth.

"How Much Joy..." is a great investment in enriching your life and getting out of that everyday treadmill. Suzanne Falter-Barns is a power coach with depth and broadness of range that is not only inspiring but also down-to-earth.

"The popular belief is that inspiration 'strikes' us, like a lightening bolt from the sky. Actually, it's the other way around. In reality, we strike inspiration much the way miners strike gold. By ceaselessly working, reworking and reworking the old territory, sooner or later we'll run into a little nugget of something wonderful, something better. The more we dig, the more we'll find, until- if we're very lucky and very persistent- we hit the mother lode."
-Suzanne Falter-Barnes

Sleepy and cranky after a long day, I decided to read a few pages of a book I'd brought home from the library to help me drop off to sleep. Three hours later, I was still reading, barely able to see the pages through the tears running down my face. Blowing past all those so called "motivation" books, "How Much Joy Can You Stand?" dares to grab you, shake you by the shoulders and give you a well deserved shove toward living your dream.

Accepting no excuses, writer Suzanne Falter-Barns insists it is each person's cosmic duty to channel their unique perspective into creating something wonderful. With chapters such as "How to Get the Fire in Your Belly", "Where to Look for Inspiration" and "How to Pray and Work at The Same Time" she is your own personal cheer section, pulling no punches and with you every step of the way.

Whether you long to write the next great American novel or simply dream of opening your own laundry business, this electrifying book is a ladder for reaching the stars

Susanne Falter-Barns has inspired me to take action! After years of thinking "what if..." and reading other books on making creative dreams come true, she's given me that extra push to make things actually happen. I took the first steps - had a local show of my paintings - and got a great response. Was it because the book helped me break through fears? Encouraged seeing my dreams as realities? Whatever particular thing, it's beginning to work. And the process is fun, too.

There's a delightful little book on the market that everyone interested in personal change and growth should have in his/her library (actually, at the bedside would be better - maybe reading a chapter each night before retiring and doing the suggested exercise next day). It's "How Much Joy Can You Stand." Subtitled "How to push past your fears and create your dreams," this slim edition speaks volumes about life-changing behaviors, attitudes and beliefs. The author, Suzanne Falter-Barns, has been through it all, and she passes her wisdom along in an easy-to-read, conversational style. Read the reviews, listen to your heart, then order it!

This book is a deceptively quick and easy read. I say deceptively, because Falter-Barns has packed a load of useful wisdom and guidance into its 110 or so pages, laced with numerous engaging and instructive personal anecdotes.

Each of its 21 essays is only 2-4 pages long, and each is followed by an exercise designed to help you discover more about yourself or to jump-start your creative engine. Some of the ideas (seeing defeats as lessons learned) and exercises (record ideas and observations for future reflection) are familiar. Other ideas (work as prayer) and exercises (list the miracles that have happened to you) will probably be new. All of them are worthy of reflection, reinforcement, and practice.

If you are one of those -- and who is not, at some point? -- who is straining to break out of the cage of self limitations, Falter-Barns offers a key to the door. She has built this book on a foundation of knowledge built up over years in various creative pursuits and as a self- improvement seminar facilitator, and woven through it a healthy spiritual thread - subtle yet inspiring, and ever so practical.

Recommendation: Take two or so hours to read and absorb the book in its entirety, then place it somewhere within easy reach. On those days when your creative energies have dissipated or life's compass has sent you straight south, pick up this light tome, reread one or two of its short essays ("How False Modesty Kills Dreams," for instance, or "How to Make Time for Your Soul"), and commit yourself to one of its exercises. I think you'll find renewal and a burst of creative energy -- or as Falter-Barns might say, power in your vulnerability. -- Guy Olson, associate editor, "Global Issues"

...you'll love this new, expanded 'joytrip' offered by Suzanne. I incorporated one idea and an exercise from her first book in my workshops and the response was enthusiastic. I've picked up at least three new notions from this version, as well. If you're looking for ways to brighten up your life, try the Joy route. It's easy reading and there are positive, productive 'try this' exercises at the end of every chapter. I loved it - again!

Speaking from my own point of view when trying to pursuing my dream, I have faced the fear of failure. I think we all have in some way, more or less. We need encouragement to go on, and if we don't get it, we need courage to do it all on our own.

To me, failure is wisdom and something we shouldn't be afraid of. What's important is that we must never give up. The dream is out there and it's reachable if you don't give up. In some way you'll always be able to achieve it.

Author, Suzanne Falter-Barns is in her book `How Much Joy Can You Stand?' giving us inspiration and encouragement to never giving up on your dream. The book is based on other peoples stories as well as on Suzanne Falter-Barns own experiences. In the book are exercises to go forth and back whenever a situation occurs.

Take the advices from others and start pursuing your dream today. When you're 70 years old, it might be too late and you'll be annoyed over what you didn't do. Everything is up to you - get started!

I love this book! How Much Joy Can you Stand: How to Push Past Your Fears and Create Your Dreams is a rather small book absolutely filled with inspiration and encouragement. And it's more that that! There are exercises following each chapter, which tap into the pool of creativity inside just waiting to be explored. I found myself pulling out a novel I started in high school and started working on it again. It's been 20 years! "How Much Joy Can You Stand" is a must read for anyone who wants to dust off their dreams and create the life they really, really want!

I loved her first version...this one offers new insights, resources and inspiration. The format is wonderful and workable for those of us who need a kick in the pants every now and again (or all the time!) Read any chapter for instantaneous motivation to do what you need to do...it is full of thought provoking projects and helpful ideas to guide you to your purpose, creative source and/or livelihood. Don't be deceived by the size of the book...great things do come in small form!