42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly powerful wounded healer, May 1, 2006
For twenty years, Dan Gottlieb has hosted a psychology call-in radio show, "Voices in the Family," broadcast from Philadelphia's NPR affiliate. For ten years, he has written a column for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Through letters and persons calling in, plus his psychotherapy practice, he has listened, observed, and learned about the cruelties, courage and compassion that touch us all. And as he writes in his introduction, "Books taught me a bit about psychology. But paralysis taught me to sit still and keep my ears and heart open so I could listen."
Dan has also for over twenty years of his fifty plus years been quadriplegic. In his introduction, Dan explains that quadriplegia puts the body at risk, and he feared he wouldn't live long enough to share with his grandson Sam lessons of life, or to be known by him. When Sam was two, it was discovered that he was autistic. Dan wrote: " I wept for Sam. I realized that I had more than ever to tell him. . . I wanted to teach him what I've learned about fighting against the kind of adversity that I face almost daily and fear he will face also. And I wanted to tell him how peace often happens when we simply stop fighting."
I have heard Dan speak at two Healing and Spirituality Conferences, so I know his ability to penetrate our defenses and reach those soft spots that many of us intentionally or unconsciously hide, i.e. the very places where we are most deeply human, compassionate, sensitive, and wise. So it's not surprising that Dan is able to do the same in his writing. Nor is it surprising that his publishers believe the books coming impact will be similar to "Tuesdays with Morrie". David Elpern, M.D. who has created physician wellness conferences over 20 years that included countless nationally recognized presenters, describes Dan as a modern day Buddha.
At one Conference where Dan presented, he told about how after his accident, he didn't know if he could make it as a quadriplegic, nor if he wanted to. But he would give it two years, and decide whether to go on, or check out. After two years, he had a conversation with his god, not the god of his religion, but of his spirit. He asked his god if god would give him the hope that he might be cured. His god said he wouldn't, so choose. He tried again, and asked his god if he would give him the hope of good health. And god repeated the previous answer. His god then said to him, "There is only one thing I expect from you, which is faithfulness, and one thing I will promise you, which is presence."
Dan also said his struggle before his accident was to be part of the "in" group. But after the accident, when sitting in his wheel chair, he noted that most people would not look at him, as though he was a non-person. He understood that. He was everyone's worst nightmare, being helpless and dependent, 24/7. He realized he could never be part of the "in" group...which freed him, to be himself.
Dan's speaking, and his writing, have the potential to enable us to find, enjoy, and live our deepest self. Dan is truly a powerful wounded healer. In Letters to Sam, Dan writes to all of us.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Book Can Change Your Life, May 23, 2006
Letters to Sam is a touching, soul-provoking work of art which I could not put down. I read the book in one day and did not want it to end. Each chapter took me further into the life of the author, and at the same time I recognized parallels within my own life. As Dan Gottlieb writes to his grandson, Sam, I could feel my own heart opening up. His writing is not only genuine, but generous; sharing the deepest and darkest moments in his life, but not leaving the reader in gloom. Instead, I was left with an uplifting love, and a deeper compassion for myself and others.
As I read the book, I began to imagine what it would have been like to have a grandfather like Dr. Gottlieb, someone who could guide and advise me on this journey of living. As Dan writes this book, he holds his grandson's hand, and that of the reader's as he weaves his masterful stories with meaningful insights and lessons. What a gift for a grandchild. And what a gift for the reader!
As an Executive Coach, I want all of my clients to read this book. Sometimes we go through our days in a daze of tasks, not stopping to smell the roses. This book gives pause to living a life not full of tasks, but one of connectivity to ourselves and to those around us.
I would doubt that after reading Letters to Sam, anyone could argue that their own humanity hasn't been deepened. The ultimate message Dan Gottlieb delivers is that we need to embrace our darkest side as well as our lightest side which will bring us closer to our desires for more harmony, peace and joy in our own lives.
Bravo!
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