Customer Reviews

Perseverance

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Several years ago when I was writing IN SWEET COMPANY: CONVERSATIONS WITH EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN ABOUT LIVING A SPIRITUAL LIFE, I had the great good fortune to interview Margaret Wheately for the book. Meg is recognized on five continents as one of the foremost organizational consultants of our time. She is smart; sharp. She is deeply perceptive and compassionate. She sees to the heart of things and easily opens herself in service to the Greater Good. Meg wants to make the world a better place.

Though her writing and consulting on organizational management continue, Meg's latest book speaks to the heart of human striving. PERSEVERANCE is a pocket-size prize that offers guidance on how to daily, consciously, choose to keep on keeping on. It is a handsome, richly textured little volume. Inspiring quotes from various world traditions, graceful watercolor images, and handwrought calligraphy enhance Meg's thoughtful essays on what trips us up and what paves our way, and elicit ways of looking at a situation that, in themselves, help lift us above the fray.

Finding fresh perspectives is foundational to Meg's approach to perseverance, to all her work "When we are overwhelmed and confused," she says, "we reach for the old maps, the routine responses, what worked in the past ... To navigate life today, we definitely need new maps ... The maps we need are in us, but not in only one of us. If we read the currents and signs together, we'll find our way through."

To that end, PERSEVERANCE takes a bold look at these currents, the ties that bind, what impedes us -- guilt, anger, fear, blame, boredom, loneliness -- as well as what supports our journey -- steadfastness, choosing, clear seeing, and play. Meg understands how these feelings, how our reticence to ask for what we really need and the names we call ourselves in the night all effect the direction of our lives. Thus, she urges us not to give in or give up; to examine our lives, our thoughts and experiences; and to "speak up about the things we care about." She encourages us to "rename ourselves," to "find a name that calls us to become fearless," that helps us develop our innate capacity for greatness and "calls us to our future self."

Meg's lovely book is both a meditation on perseverance and a call to action. It inspires personal transformation. It makes it easier to entertain the must needs inherent in the spiritual journey. It helps you feel less alone in the thick of things. Where we end up is always up for grabs. "Perhaps," as Meg says, "holding true to the vision and not losing our way is enough for one lifetime."

[...].

Starting with "Leadership and the New Science" and onto "Turning to One Another" and "A Simpler Way" Margaret Wheatley has informed and helped to transform my leadership and my life over the past 15 years. With the writing and production of this beautiful little book "Perseverance" Meg takes us to yet another whole level of appreciation for who we are and what we are capable of. Start on any page and you will find yourself (ourselves) in all of our ordinariness and all of our majesty. This book doesn't beg us to be anything but who we fully are and in that understand that we are worth something. When reading this book (actually using this book) one experiences not being alone. We immediately know that we are in the presence of another person who truly understands what it means to fully live in our common human dilema of simultaneously being alone and together.

This is one of those books that we refer to as a treasure and like treasures we want others to appreciate it but to please return it. We want to use it as a resource and also just look at it and know that we are holding something special. We may even want to display it as an invitation to others to join us in an inquiry about what we deem important in our lives.

I have already purchased 10 copies of "Perseveranc" as holiday gifts for my loved ones. I will probably purchase more as gifts. This is that kind of book.

Perseverance is superb! This little gem offers much for inspiration, introspection, and setting intention. This contemplative work could have only been written by someone who has traveled deep into their heart to find places of comfort, hope, wonder, and sustenance for a full and meaningful life. Perseverance is a book of grace for the mind, spirit and soul.

...but have glimpsed and dipped into this very affirming book; just the right thing to pocket or slip into a bag to remind myself of all my human 'frailties' and that I really am doing- and can do!- the best, right thing with what I have within me and my life right now. Positive and real.

This is possibly the best book I've read in 2011 (and I've read A LOT of great books.) I found I was continually amazed at how much of the book spoke to the varied facets of my life and the challenges of walking roads less traveled. For activists and revolutionaries, CEO's and leaders, the book is a breath of fresh air and welcome departure from the "ten steps to..." titles.

Margaret, if you ever happen to read this review THANK YOU. Not only for writing this book, but for being the type of person who could write this book.

--Cathy

This book by Margaret Wheatley is a treasure trove of wisdom, encouragement and calling forth of inner greatness. It is a splendid compendium for anyone who aims to live a life of depth and width as well as length.

This is a wonderful book, very inspirational, causes you to think deeply about how you are doing with your life

Margaret Wheatley produces another excellent accessible work on keeping things in perspective and the value of perseverance. I would read the rest of her work before reading this, but it's great nonetheless.

This book, by Meg Wheatley, is a series of little vignettes about how to be one who perseveres. I find this book very inspirational and beautifully written. I am a social work student and we need to be perseverant people; this book helps myself and my classmates to not be discouraged and keep going.

It is a small, but powerful book and great if you need a shot of encouragement. Turn to any page and you can find inspiration. It's a collection of quotes, artwork and short blurbs. I read a page before turning in at night.