Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am grateful for the copy of this book I received in exchange for a review. I am also grateful I have glasses to read the book with; fingers that work to turn the pages and I am grateful that I am grateful for the second hand sofa I am sitting on and for the roof over my head. I’m making a disclaimer: I am probably the worst kind of reader to review this book. As a psychotherapist for 30+ years I have learned that those with the least and those who carry the most pain and experience the greatest losses are also those who are most grateful. A parent with a dying child is grateful for another day; a homeless person is grateful for a roof over their head. Sitting in an oncologist’s waiting room you will find gratitude for a good test result; a good prognosis; alleviation of pain; gratitude for more time or for the simple and powerful gift of hope. Life is not fair, but sometimes life has a funny way of evening things out. What you’re not grateful for today you might not have tomorrow. So for starters; be grateful you could plunk down the $19.76 for a copy of this book instead of for medicine or for two weeks worth of food or for the cheap pair of shoes which is all you can afford. I think the author has good intentions. Studies have shown that attention to circumstances and things we should be grateful for improves mood and outlook. So this book is a good idea and will be helpful for some. For me, the book had as much substance and fluff as cotton candy. It was written towards a fourth grade reading level. I wonder how credible a woman is who appears to have everything to be grateful for, and who NEEDED to learn how to be grateful; can write a book on gratitude? She comes off to me as spoiled and self indulgent. I question the credibility of an author who cites numerous studies yet provides no references. She also cites the opinions of family therapists and other mental health providers; that without studies to back them up are only their personal opinions. This is a watered down version of many philosophies and studies. Consider that if you cannot feel gratitude you may be clinically depressed or physically ill or be in a situation that needs resolution and change. Meaning brings gratitude to our lives. Read ‘Man’s Search for Meaning” which suggests you not ask what the meaning of your life is but recognize what questions your life is asking of you. Victor Frankel writes. “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning. I hope this book helps some readers to find ways to be grateful. I also hope that at least one person will be grateful that they saved $19.75.