Customer Reviews

Suzanne Somers' 365 Ways to Change Your Life

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4 star:		(2)
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Out of curiosity and because I liked the warm tone of Suzanne's last two books, I picked up 365 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. It's a simple and sweetly powerful book. Ms. Somers uses examples from her own life--some profound, most common situations we can all relate to--to focus one's awareness on what it is to be human and what the possibilities are for moving through the daily nuances of life. She ponders human foibles while keeping her focus on how one can live more richly. Yet her book is not a preachy, pollyanna, this-is-how-to-live-a-perfect-life tome. I got the sense in reading the book that Ms. Somers would laugh at the notion of a perfect life. What she reflects upon is not perfection nor even the striving for perfection. Instead, she shares thoughts and examples from her own life that refocus one's perceptions in softly positive ways. In reading the book, I had the feeling of having a dear friend sharing her journal entries with me. The thoughts shared there are human, gentle, honest, and relative to life today. They're digestible little nuggets of wisdom easily carried with one throughout the day. What's also nice about the book is that you can open it at random and let whatever page you open it to "speak" to you. If you can take a few minutes to collect your thoughts before the day begins and another few minutes to reflect on your day at day's end, I recommend getting this book.

What a way to start (or finish) each day of the year 2000! I bought it for that purpose but could not wait to see what was in store, so I confess I have peaked at several days! Each time I found inspiration, comfort and tender words from the heart! She (Suzanne) has lived and survived more than any human should have to endure with beauty, grace and sheer will. What an inspiration to those of us who are 'survivors' --and aren't we all survivors of something! Thank you Suzanne--I'll enjoy spending a bit of each day in 2000 with you!

This book reflects the theme from the poem about the(man)in the looking glass --- that when you look in the mirror, you are the only one who really knows who and what you are. If you lie and are deceptive with yourself, this is the worst injustice you can do to damage or inhibit yourself from always moving in the direction of bettering yourself - which takes a lifetime to experience. She explains that mistakes and errors in judgment and behavior are essential to learning life's lessons and without these errors and mistakes we all could not move forward with our developement. It is what you do about your errors and mistakes that either springboard you forward or keep you from developing. If you continue on the path of not learning from your mistakes and blaming others by not taking responsibility for yourself, the only person that truly suffers is you. She instills that life is a journey and that it is enjoying the journey that is what we must experience, not the end result of something we perceive will or might happen. When you are able to accept yourself, you are able to accept others and appreciate the delicacy and preciousness of life and what we all have to offer to ourselves and each other. Appreciation, gratefulness and feeling blessed for the people in our lives and what we have, (not what we do not possess) are the cornerstones for living a fulfilling life. The messages contained in this book are affirmations that each person questions and wonders, strives and struggles and attempts to deal with life in the best way we WILL ourselves in our actions, words and deeds. To be a victim of the past, sadness, and attitude are issues we all are capable of changing. And these are only a few of the many messages throughout her book --- a book to keep for a lifetime of reference! Thank you so much Suzanne for sharing yourself and your life!

This book made me laugh and made me cry, but most of all it made me want to be a better person and to let go of old pain and mend a few damaged relationships in the process. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is miserable and doesn't exactly know why but who no longer wants to be his own black cloud.

First of all, this book is wonderful! Secondly, the reviewer named "Ian" has some research and reflection to do. Honestly, I doubt that he even read the book. He probably wants to blast someone who won't bite back and he knows Ms. Somers isn't likely to knock on his door. If you were to read a book on personal reflection and growth, wouldn't you want an author who has been through struggle and emerged victorious? Well, Ms. Somers grew up in a home with alcoholic parents, was a teenage mother and had been arrested for shoplifting. Now, she is one of the most enduring performers in show biz as well as one of the most beautiful and fit actresses and has one of the longest running marriages in Hollywood. I think she knows a thing or two about how to survive and thrive in an environment that isn't always so kind to women. She is an inspiration and her book gets right to the heart of self-improvement and offers the keys to unlock that struggle. Bravo!

After reading most of Suzanne Somers books, I've come to the conclusion that she has alot to offer us as readers. I am never disappointed with anything she has produced. I feel she puts her all into her projects, and there is obvious quality to this book. There is an honesty to Suzanne. She may not be a doctor or nutrition specialist, but she is honest and she is just offering ideas to us. Whether they work for us or not isn't the point. I think we need a shift in our thinking in today's society or this world is in deep trouble. This book suggests to us to think on a higher level and to go back to old fashioned values. We need more kindness and less animosity. I cannot understand why anyone would write a malicious or rude comment about this book. Why so much anger in the previous reviews? To me, I felt like reading this book was similar to talking to a good friend.

People will forget what you said

People will forget what you did

But people will never forget how you made them feel.

~Anonymous

"First learn much and then seek to understand it profoundly." --The Talmud

These are the types of ideas and quotes you will find in Suzanne's wonderful book. Sometimes we have the image of "Stars" living the perfect life. We imagine them having been born into the perfect family at the perfect time. We sometimes forget that they too are human and have to deal with conflicts in their own lives.

Suzanne Somers tackles these everyday worries, doubts and conflicts. She gives practical answers and advice on how to find joy in your life, turn obstacles into opportunities, learn from mistakes, resolve conflicts with family, realize dreams, and appreciate yourself so that others will too. While many may see her as perfect, she is human just like the rest of us and has a beautiful spirit. Through the pain she felt growing up with an alcoholic father, she learned lessons and realized that she could use the negative aspects of her life to teach her about herself. Suzanne acknowledges that the negatives in life are just as essential for growth as the good experiences.

She penned her thoughts on life in 365 daily meditations which I actually read in one sitting. Once you start reading and see all the lovely quotes, you will want to find more of them. At least I am that way and usually read a book in one sitting. This book was not designed to be absorbed all in one sitting, but when I review I like to get a feel for the entire book. I would suggest that you do only read one meditation and one thought a day. In that way you can apply the wisdom in this book to your life. Another way you could use this book is to read it completely and make notes as to what you want to change in your life. You will see that you have already learned so many life lessons just from being alive and listening to your soul.

Each of the meditations are followed by a spiritual affirmation. In each meditation she discusses something in life, gives examples from her past, reveals a secret or tells a story of an experience which changed her thinking. Through her words you will notice a love for life and a spirit filled with love.

An example of a "Thought For The Day":

"Today I will do something kind and generous for another human being - not to hear their praise and thanks but just because it feels good to do so."

While reading, I had a pen and paper to write down some of the wonderful quotes. I have noticed how people who enjoy life collect quotes. The small, yet profound sentences can truly take hold of your life and will change it for the better.

"Evolving is ourselves in motion, growing and learning. As this happens, we become better, more compassionate, forgiving, understanding, tolerant, patient, and mutually respectful of all living things." --Suzanne Somers

~The Rebecca Review

This is my first review, I felt a strong need to review this book, because I actually read it(unlike Ian). My mother gave me this book for Valentine's Day. I love it! I'm a junior in college and this book is perfect to keep me going for my goals. I don't have much time and the excerts are perfect length to read right before I fall asleep. Suzanne has a way of solving life's little problems. I keep this close to my bed wherever I may be(dorm, home, vacation). Ian, try actually reading the book before you express an unjustified opinion.

When I read a book in just a few hours, it typically means that I really enjoyed it . . . such was certainly the case with 365 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE by Suzanne Somers.

She presents essays for every day of the year that are based on real-life examples involving her own life . . . I could relate to many of them . . . and for those that weren't relevant to me, I could

see how they have affected the lives of others I know.

I particularly liked the affirmations Somers gives at the end of each essay . . . they might seem basic, yet too often we need to be reminded that:

Each day is another chance to get it right. Today I am going to concentrate on kindness, caring, accountability, decency, and love. I realize as a human being I make mistakes, but as I grow I use each bump in the road as a springboard for learning. Every day I will try harder to be the best person I can be, but I will not chastise myself when I fail. Failure is part of the journey, and I am grateful for it.

Or:

I will not wait until it is too late to tell those who mean something to me how I feel about them. The words, " I should have" will feel empty if I miss out on my chance.

I found myself continually taking notes on ideas that I could apply to my daily existence . . . the problem: there were so many of them that it was hard to narrow them down to just these few that I could present here:

Eliminate the word should from your vocabulary. Should is judgmental, inferring you "know better" than the other. Whenever you start any sentence with "You never" or "You always" or "You should," the person on the receiving end feels backed into a corner. Just as a snake strikes when backed into a corner, so too will we humans. What good is accomplished when you back someone against the wall? It would be constructive to say, "When you (blank) it makes me feel (blank)." For instance, "When you use that tone of voice, it makes me feel a fool." It would take an inordinate degree of insensitivity for the accuser not to apologize. Then the argument or accusations are over. Now you have been able to express your feelings without either person

being hurt. This is the art of communicating: expressing your feelings at the moment they occur, to keep them from building up and out of proportion, without wounding another while doing so. The only thing we "should" do in life is to make ourselves the best person we can be. That is enough to occupy ourselves for a lifetime.

Today I use the following exercise in my daily life, and I am amazed at how it has helped me in my quest to be a better person. When criticized, I agree with the person with whom I am talking, if in fact I can see the wisdom of their criticism. Suddenly the discussion shifts in its thrust. The other person is stopped midthought, and true and real discussion takes place. As a result we both learn something from the encounter. Usually we become closer. My mother did know best. I hope she knows it.

What is your gift? What is it you do well? When you know that, you will be able to live your best life through the giving of your gift. This is necessary to feel that your life has meaning. There is nothing more painful than knowing you have not discovered and developed your talent, that you have missed your opportunity to make your mark on the world. Discovering your true gift and

following it are essential to being happy. When you have not done the work to find what it is that you love, you will end up living with the realization that you are unhappy because you are living the wrong life. How many lawyers are sitting in their stuffy offices wishing that instead of going to law school, because that was the job that paid the most money, they had become a basketball coach? After all the schooling, it would take tremendous courage to announce that law wasn't all it was cracked up to be; that most of the work lawyers do is reading long, boring brief. The equation is simple: Do what you love, and you will be happy.

This book is a wonderful, uplifting book that gives you an insight into Suzanne Somers' life, while at the same time giving you inspiration and positive affirmations on achieving your goals and/or dreams. Suzanne gives a year's worth of wonderful, worthwhile advice. She reviews her past somewhat quoting from her other books like After The Fall and Keeping Secrets. And she uses that wisdom to her advantage, as well as the advantage of the reader. Her candor and wit are very refreshing. Suzanne Somers is definitely an inspiration to all those people who want to change their lives, but don't know how. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for answers on ways to change their lives. This book has been like a bible for me, and a lifesaver as well. It has changed a lot of my perspectives on life. You can be happy if you want to be. But it's up to you. You have to want to win.