Finding the Joy in Today: Practical Readings for Living with Chronic Illness (Paperback)

~ Sefra Kobrin Pitzele (Author) "As the new millennium approaches, we find that one out of three people have ongoing-or chronic-illness to deal with every day..." (more)
Key Phrases: diminished health, Higher Power

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

These daily readings offer inspiration and hope as they address the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges faced by people who have a chronic illness and by their caregivers, helping both regain happiness and peace of mind by focusing on the joy to be found in each day. Key topics include living in the moment, giving and receiving, spirituality, choices, adjustment, and change

About the Author

Sefra Korbin Pitzele is Secretary of the National Sjogren's Syndrome Association and serves on the Operations Committee of the Minnesota Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. She is co-founder, co-publisher, and Vice President of ADVANTAGE: A Magazine for People with Chronic Health Conditions. She is often the featured speaker at health care conferences and on radio and television shows.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568383487
• ISBN-13: 978-1568383484
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,241,435 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finding the Joy in Today..., July 28, 2000

By A Customer

This book is a wonderfully, insightful volume that gives you just enough to ponder for each day. I find myself going back throughout the day to reread today's snippet. I have found many of these "daily reading books" to be repetitive and dull, but this one is great!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read at the right time, May 23, 2005

By	Deforest E. Hillyer "De Hillyer" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book approximately 10 years ago and put it on the shelf. I did not have chronic illness at the time, but I thought that such a day might come. In January 2005 I began using this as part of my quiet reading each day (the book goes from January 1 to December 31). I quickly realized that this is not only for those with chronic illnesses; it is also for those who work with others who are afflicted with some ongoing condition, be it physical, mental, or spiritual. This includes family members and friends, clergy and social workers, nurses and doctors, teachers, and even those who work a cash register in a retail store. In short, this book is for anyone who wishes to discover a deeper level of life and learn not to be afraid of that which we cannot control or limit.

The brief quotes alone are worth the price of this little book. These come from Greek philosophers and poets of old as well as from contemporary writers. Each day begins with a quote that underscores the topic for the day. Here are two: "Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment, and especially on their children, than the unlived lives of parents" (Carl Jung). "Just because everything is different, doesn't mean anything has changed" (Irene Peters).

The author arrives at the heart of the matter in each day's reading. As an active older adult who happens to be in very good health, I am being challenged to maximize my daily living as I reflect on the thoughts in this book.