Customer Reviews

Recovering The Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing (Vol. II, No.1)

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Recovering the Self: A Journal
of Hope and Healing
Volume II, Number 1
January 2010
Edited by: Ernest Dempsey
Published by: Loving Healing Press
ISBN: 978-1-932690-83-5

Recovering the Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing is the title of this quarterly journal created to explore the themes of recovery and healing through the use of various media. Each quarterly journal includes poetry, memoir, essays, fiction, psycho-education, humor and reviews. This specific issue covers topics that include recovery from an eating disorder, parenting, culture and ethnicity, abuse recovery, stress management, AIDS orphans and more. The contributors to this issue have a wide variety of life experience, education, outlooks and beliefs.

I found each offering to be heartfelt, and all contained useful advice and insight. I learned something from each of the contributors, and my time reading was well and usefully spent. Submissions for future quarterly journals are accepted on an ongoing basis; and I look forward to reading future volumes of this well written journal. Yearly subscriptions are available, as well as purchase of individual issues.

I think anyone with interest in psychology or simply any aspect of recovery would benefit from the variety of talented contributors. Something I find especially attractive about this journal is that it is not written with an eye towards just the professional reader, but anyone who is undergoing recovery from a trauma or impacted family members, coworkers or friends. They would gain useful insight and understanding.

I found this issue of Recovering The Self to be just as interesting (if not more) as the first issue. It has a great selection of book and film reviews, as well as interesting articles on abuse recovery and stress management. I particularly enjoyed the "veterans" article. Very interesting!!! I highly recommend this issue of RTS.

Recovering The Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing" Vol. II, No.3, July 2010
ISBN978-1-61599-048=1

I found this book to be a wonderful potpourri of articles and subjects. "Recovering Thy Self" is a quarterly journal that explores various themes through essays, poetry, opinion, and sharing of self. The writings come from authors from all four corners of the world. This book has stories from various authors dealing with personal growth, relationship and family, trauma recovery, living with disabilities, short fiction, travel interviews, substance abuse, addiction, and recovery. The articles pertain to personal struggles ...accepted, dealt with, and overcome. It shares the personal side of each author in very deep and meaningful ways. Some authors write of their own struggles, bringing a wonderful perspective to the subject, while others reflect on the struggles of others. This book incorporates their own personal journey and growth in a concise, well written fashion. I enjoyed the reflective aspect it brought. Each subject brings another level of depth and acknowledgement that we all have our own journey. The book is well designed and arranged so you can easily move from story to story. You can also read through it selecting topic, by topic of interest to you. Looking at the lives of others allows us to better look at ourselves. This book fosters human compassion and love. A wide variety of fact, fiction and emotion is available on every page. You can learn how to better understand and prevent spousal arguments to understanding how disasters lift the human spirit. Learn how assisting in the Katrina disaster changed eh life of one of the volunteers. Remarkable. Looking at the lives and problems of others truly helps us look at ourselves. It helps us find feelings, create opinions and reach deeper in to our own souls and lives. This book makes you feel more human, a kindred spirit of sorts. Sharing these pages lifts the human spirit and helps us better relate to one another. Healing brings hope and he who has hope has everything. This is a fun read that restores faith, especially in these hard, emotional and economic times. The authors are not only from around the world but encompass a wide spectrum of age groups and backgrounds. These are not only professional writers and therapists, but are written by just regular folks as well. This book brings human element for front and center. It's refreshing to have a resource to share and discuss with friends. I am looking forward to the next issue.
I received a complimentary review copy.

For this second issue (volume II,#1)Volkman and Dempsey continue the high standards set by their first issue. This issue continues to live up to its name and the promise it offers for hope, healing, and recovery.

From cover art to content of its 116 pages, this expanded issue provides a collage of writing styles ranging from memoir, academic, inspirational, fiction, and poetry in order to reach a span of readers who may respond more to one form than to another.

Here's a list from Bob Rich's practical guide to depression first-aid so that you can take immediate action:

Healthy eating
Satisfying sleep
Regular physical exercise
Regular fun
Creativity
Social connectedness
Meaning

Each article contains similar nuggets for health & healing. Order your own copy and find out for yourself.

Janet Riehl, author "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary"