Customer Reviews

Second Bloom

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At some point in our lives, many of us yearn for something different or feel that something is missing. What we're doing no longer has the meaning it once did. The authors of Second Bloom call this The Big Blank. This is exactly where I am right now--empty nest, growing old, bored with the norm. There's no pizzazz in my life. Reading this book was just what I needed to remind me to stop whining about my humdrum existence and do something about it. Maya Angelou said, "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

How do so many of us get to the point where we only look at ourselves one-dimensionally? Why do we define ourselves by what we do? One answer is that society puts definitions on our titles and assigns status to them. Another involves the status quo--it feels safe. If we change and grow it takes us out of our comfort zone.

Anne Marie and Michelle tell us we can just decide to make our dreams come true. And we don't have to let anybody break our spirits...not our husbands, not our bosses, not our children, not ourselves. Remember, you can't hear your inner voice until you quiet the voices of others. The book includes dozens of stories of ordinary women who rediscovered their passions, and is loaded with exercises and a planning template.

The authors have laid out a transition plan: define the issue, plan how to resolve it, define your values, be clear about your vision, choose your allies, list the challenges, assess your strengths and weaknesses, form your strategies, brainstorm the actions, then name it and claim it. Each chapter tells you how to accomplish these steps. It sounds like a big undertaking, but I think it would be worth the effort and it all seems feasible.

The chance to reinvent our lives and make a conscious decision to live differently doesn't give us an instant "get out of jail free card." It does, however, give us an opportunity to be different and explore a new path. We can own our lives because we have the power and that actually liberates us from having to find the answer to the helpless question, "Why did this happen to me?" We are the puppet masters in our own play.

Anne Marie and Michelle want us to use Second Bloom as a tool to help us get what we want. They firmly believe we must first ask ourselves what it is and then have a plan to make it happen. And once we get started, we'll probably be surprised to learn what we can accomplish.

I've already started my transition plan: I've defined the issue. I see that my biggest hurdle is to believe that I can overcome the hurdles! I think my number one obstacle is going to be me. So I'm on to step two: planning how to resolve the issue. I want this to be my vision for the the years ahead, because, after all, it is all about me.

by Doris Anne Roop-Benner
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I wish I would have read it last year when I was going through the "Big Blank." I would have understood that it's normal to go through this. Like the authors say, "The Big Blank sneaks up gradually, for no known reason, slowly killing your spirit." This definitely happened to me. I'm glad I figured this out last year, but I might have transitioned more quickly if I had read this book first. Their plan would have made things a lot easier to get started. Since reading, "Second Bloom," I have gained new insight and have used their steps to revise my plan. It's a very quick read and it gives you practical steps to rejuvenate your life.

Sometimes a heartfelt change of life is what one needs to be happy. "Second Bloom: 10 Steps to Reinvent, Rejuvenate, and Realize a New Life" is a guide to charting a new direction through one's life, using a unique and effective ten step planning tool. Step by step, the plan outlines finding the change a person wants to make, creating a vision of what one truly wants out of life, and dealing with the roadblocks in one's way to realizing that dream. Inspirational and thought provoking, "Second Bloom" is just what those in one of life's ruts need.

This book is by far the best purchase I made in 2008. I read the book, quit my six figure a year job, and lauched my own company. The best thing about Second Bloom is that there is an actual action plan in the back to help you realize your dream. If are asking yourself "what's next" or "is this it?" - this is the perfect read. Also, the perfect gift for someone who has lost their job....they will be so thankful.

I was on the fence when I began this book. Somewhere around Chapter 2 I fell off the fence and embraced the idea that I needed to make a change. Second Bloom is a great guide for anyone even thinking about making some major life changes. I loved doing the exercises in this book unlike several other self-help books I have read. I am on my way to an exciting new life - Thank you Anne Marie and Michelle.

I found this book to be a great guide to aid in making life decisions. I didn't think the book advocated divorce as much as it advocated having a plan, should such a decision be necessary. Whether divorce or career change, the book helps map a plan as well as ensuring your rationale for such change, whatever it is, is sound. It would have been helpful to have such a book as I dealt with a significant life change several years ago. It may have helped to instill more confidence in myself to make the change instead of second guessing myself over and over. I highly recommend this book as a self-help book when considering any type of life change.