Customer Reviews

The Year I Saved My (downsized) Soul

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Carol Osborn's book "The Year I Saved My (downsized) Soul" hit my desk two days ago, and I read it! That in it of itself says a lot. Because I am a featured blogger and columnist for a variety of sites, including Vibrant Nation, and editor of my very own beloved newsletter, "Kick in the Tush Club," publishers and authors often send me books.

The hard truth of the matter is that while I would love to curl up with a yummy book on my fabulously comfy sofa and read, I am simply too happily busy, either working with my coaching clients, writing or carving out a slice of time in my day to walk, breathe, meditate and connect with family and friends! Oh, geeze, I forgot to eat healthy food! You get the picture, don't you?! The fact that I picked up and curled up into a contented little ball and read the book in two sittings speaks volumes!

"The Year I Saved My (downsized) Soul" is about Carol's tumultuous journey through recessionary times, and tells the tale of how she struggled to make sense of both personal and societal tribulation. In other words, she got `pinked.' Lost her job and was sent into the abyss.
Even though I was not hit by these recessionary times in the same way that Carol was - no pink slip, although I remain spinning from 401K failure - I voluntarily left the corporate world six years ago and purposefully reinvented and transformed every inch of my being, I related to Carol's paralyzing fear and confusion, and I found that as I was devouring the pages, I audibly yelled out, "Me, too, Carol - me, too!" too many times to count.

As Carol's story came to a close, I clapped - for Carol, for me, and for all who take a leap of faith and jump into the pool of life without checking to see if there is any water in it and are left standing ... on both feet!

9 Reasons to Clap: How Carol Osborn's new book "The Year I Saved My (downsized) Soul" brought me to feet!

1. Carol is my new BFF. I don't know Carol, I've not met her, I've not communicated with her via email or phone or in any way, and yet she is now my best friend forever. What a joyous read. Carol was talking with me. It felt like a heart-felt breezy conversation. Carol invited me in, opened-up her soul and shared her truth, which reflected my own.

2. Life is a circuitous journey. Life is not as one may think it is a vertical climb; it is in fact a circuitous journey. I for one have never done things in the order in which I was supposed to. There have been times when that `bothered' me, but no more. Carol, I'm ready to loop the loop with you, any time!

3. Don't hang your hopes on others. Oh my, how I wish someone would `save me' (or at least read and explain the freakin' manual to my new recording device.) Carol wished that as well (not the recording device part), but at the end of the day she learned that even when it looks like other people are going to save you, they either can't or don't. The best strategy is to "turn away from helplessness and take matters into their own hands." More empowering approach, for sure!

4. The death grip. The person who wins is the one who is willing to `let it go.' Trust in the fact that more opportunities and possibilities will present themselves. The `death grip' will only narrow your focus and limit your vision.

5. Resources aplenty. Each and every one of us is overflowing with resources, from resiliency and resourcefulness to our ability to laugh and love. Good to remember!

6. Clear space for the new. Let go of your past, your stories, your piles of paper and closets full of clothes that no longer `fit' your life and you will miraculously create space for your new self to emerge.

7. Relax into an expanded vision. Now that you have 'let go' and cleared your space, you can take in a deep cleansing breath and simply "relax into an expanded vision." When we are worried, confused, and `tightened up," our focus narrows. When we take in deep breaths, let it go, and relax, our focus expands. It's that simple!

8. Short books are simply delicious. Carol's book is 135 pages short. Okay, I admit it. I love it when you serve it up straight, without filler.

9. Large type rocks. The print in Carol's book is large enough. It's not a `large print book' but it's not tiny print, either. I hate tiny print. I love large enough print.

I am willing to bet that Carol will touch you, too, in similar ways and in different ways. I can't wait to hear how your conversation with my BFF Carol! ?

Visit Janice: [...]

Carol Orsborn writes well. The Year I Saved My (downsized) Soul covers a recent year in her life in which she looses a position in marketing, goes through a period of grief, anger and acceptance, and finds a new position which seems to be closer to her passion and purpose. Several of her previous books cover women boomer issues and many of them seem to help with problem solving for women.

In this easy-to-read book, Orsborn uses wide-spread references--from the I Ching to May Sarton--to emphasize her points. She cites the story in the Bible of Jacob's struggle with an angel of God saying that the struggle itself is what merited the attention. "Who wants to read a tale in which the heroine allows herself to become passively victimized by life's circumstances, refuses to take risks in a vain effort to hold on to the status quo, and settles for misery and mediocrity day after day?" She seems to be telling the reader that on the merry-go-round of life, one has to let go of the pole in order to grasp the gold ring.

Orsborn writes humorously with self-deprecation about hanging on to her own expectations which were not realistic, then, surrendering to begin her job search again with fresh eyes. And, in a fairy-tale ending, finding an exciting and challenging new position. She writes, warmly, of the support of her husband and finishes with "As much as I've been able to make out so far...blessing comes as a by-product of one's audacious demand to live a life of meaning and the humility to know that controlling the outcome is not within your power..." The book includes an appendix summarizing what she has learned, resources and an interview with the author.

by Judith Helburn
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Being out of work is never fun. As someone who has had to rebuild my career from ground zero, I know how tough it is to go through these challenging times.

But, it can also be a tremendous personal growth experience if you're willing to examine your job in relationship to your life.

Perhaps that's why I loved this book by Carol Orsborn which details what she went through during the year she was out of work. She deals with the tough times head on, but leaves you with hope for the best possible outcome.

This book is the perfect balm for the job seeker's soul.

I needed this book. Carol's feelings and the unrelenting questioning absolutely resonated with me, as someone who was downsized just before my 50th birthday. She wrote so clearly of my jumbled questioning in the past year.

Without sounding whiney or unreasonably depressed, she really was able to articulate her legitimate, heart-felt, soul searching. I was struck by how strong she sounded, even in the depths. Even as "a worm" she didn't wallow. The glimmer of her "core self" was clear early on. I really congratulate Carol on persevering. She didn't settle for less; she kept looking for work that would "follow your bliss."

This book needed to be written. I have said a half-dozen times in conversations, "Think of all the photos we've seen from the Great Depression of people standing in bread lines and unemployment lines. Today so many people are going through such hardships, and there's no view of all the suffering on the front page." I think many, many people will respond very well to her book - and gain hope and strength. I have!

Her inspirational quotes reminded me of a story I read often in the first days after the shock of losing my job, and it echoes Carol's victory:
As the Chinese occupied Tibet, many of the soldiers showed great cruelty in regard to the subjugated people. The most frequent object of their atrocities was the monks. So as the foreign forces invaded villages, the monks fled to the mountains. When the Chinese invaders arrived in a particular village, the leader of the village reported to the Chinese commander, "All the monks, hearing of your approach, fled to the mountains ... all, that is, but one."
The commander became enraged. He marched to the monastery and kicked in the gate. There in the courtyard stood one remaining monk. The commander glowered at him. "Do you not know who I am? I am he who can run you through with a sword without batting an eyelash." The monk replied: "And do you know who I am? I am he who can let you run me through with a sword without batting an eyelash."
- Source unknown

This ws just what I needed to read!! I hate to admit but it usually makes one feel better that they are not in it alone. This was a great sharing of feelings and thoughts that I mostly agreed!!!

I recopmmend this book to anyone that has had any tough break and feels alone! This book will give you the understanding and a few giggles to allow you to realize that you will make it!!

I love Chapter 20 - "Always be prepared for anything - but expect the best" No better thought for me to read!!!!

I enjoyed Carol's new book so much I was reading excerpts from it to my husband, we laughed and cried! She captures lives challenging and touching moments as if you are right on the scene. We all have felt wounded. There are been times when I could not breathe. We know how we bury ourselves in our work. Carol has the skills, abilities and knowledge as a professional, a mom, a wife and an authentic voice that we all desperately need to hear. We are not alone. I especially like her thought of giving up the illusion of control,its true that you can't always stop bad things from happening. But you can't stop good things from happening either! Thank you Carol, three cheers for the resilient boomers! And as boomers make their new lives, new plans and yes even early retirement they can look here for less stress and more living - [...]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Truly, I am not just saying that, I I really did enjoy reading it.

Carol's predicament must be unfolding all over the US - I know it is in the UK. As the recession continues to strip away at service sector jobs it is having a horrible outcome for so many older workers. Whilst one person in ten, aged 18-24 is economically inactive, the figure jumps to one in four for people age 50 - 65. That is a terrible waste of talent.

Obviously, the book is from a women's perspective but I suspect that many of the emotions described are shared by older men. I know I have had a few of them!

In light of the current debate (if you can call it that) going about changes to the US health care industry and the UK's NHS it was also interesting to read how many times the link between employment and health insurance was mentioned. You need some radical thinking when you are approaching the Big 50, with no job and no health insurance.

I am so glad the story has a happy ending. I hope all goes well with [...] Hopefully our paths will cross at a 50+ conference somewhere on the planet.

Carol's book is a must read for anyone who wants to thrive regardless of conditions. It is beautifully written, substantive, inspirational and authentic. Her honesty is pure and humanity evident. The book is a treasure.

Helen Dennis
Co-author: Project Renewment: The First Retirement Model for Career Women

I have been a fan of Carol's previous books so I was not surprised to find myself unable to put this down. Her personal transparency makes it easy to identify my own fears and trepidation in dealing with unexpected change. Everyone who's ever been laid off, downsized, a victim of RIF, outsourced, uninstalled, or God forbid - "fired," needs to read this book. Carol offers no easy solutions or instant success formulas, but rather a gentle guide for maintaining our own authenticity in the face of unwelcome circumstances.