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Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You by Deborah Norville
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Deborah Norville Edition: Hardcover Format: Bargain Price Published: 2007-10-02 ISBN: N/A Number of pages: 176 Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Book Reviews of Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for YouBook Review: Disappointingly superficial Summary: 2 StarsOne rainy day last week I wandered into a bargain bookstore and picked up Thank You Power by Deborah Norville. Initially I was put off by the airbrushed photo of the author, plastic-pretty dressed in corporate-glam attire (one should always be wary of a book cover that's dominated by the author's picture, unless it's a biography). But because I was feeling a bit flat, and the book was drastically reduced, I decided to put aside my preconceived ideas and purchase it. The cultivation of gratitude has long been a part of my spiritual practice, so I hoped a book on the science of thankfulness would lift me out of my slump.
As I progressed through the chapters, I was pleasantly surprised. The book is well structured, with quotes from notables such as Charles Dickens, C.S. Lewis, Brother David Steindl-Rast, and James M. Barrie. There are practical exercises including a Thank You Power checklist, a Gratitude Questionnaire, and pithy sayings--for example, "find a blessing in something bad".
Overall, I was enjoying the book and would probably have given it three or even four stars until I got to Chapter Six, ironically entitled "Stop Staring in the Mirror--Look Out the Window Instead". The chapter opens with the question: "Want to feel good about yourself? Do something for someone else." Nothing wrong with that. But then Deborah goes on to relate an episode from her life when she gave a lecture at the Dayton Junior League: "Those Junior League ladies were dressed to a tee: great makeup and hair, pretty spring suits, and some fancy looking footwear...The ladies laughed about how badly their feet hurt, but we all agreed: at times you have to suffer for beauty. Each of us might be enduring pain, but we felt like a million bucks wearing such cool shoes."
Deborah then notices the stage manager, a complete stranger with whom she feels an "instant rapport", dressed in Levis and tennis shoes, and takes it upon herself to tell her that she'd also look great in makeup and "superhot pumps" and exhorted the poor woman to stop being "one of the guys" and "embrace her femininity". That's Ms Norville's idea of doing something for someone else.
With feelings of violence, I stopped reading then and there. I don't know about anyone else, but if a buttinski like Deborah Norville came to me with such unsolicited advice, I'd have let fly with a few choice expletives that I won't inflict here on my gentle amazon readers. This author is just typical of the prevailing "extreme makeover" culture that leaves so many women feeling inadequate because they don't conform to the standards of beauty set up by such self-proclaimed fashion police as Norville and her ilk.
At the age of 57, I'm happy to have reached the point where I can go without makeup and wear my jeans and tennis shoes (or sweat pants and Crocs) with pride, knowing that true femininity and beauty come from within. And as far as "thank you power" is concerned, I'm grateful I could find a blessing in something bad: that I didn't pay full price for what ultimately turned out to be a disappointing and irrelevant piece of superficiality.
Denise Imwold
Sydney, Australia
Summary of Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You Thank You. Can such small words hold life changing power? Yes! Deborah Norville's groundbreaking and persuasive book argues that gratitude is the secret key to unlocking your full life potential. Rooted in science, presented from a spiritual perspective, Thank You Power details the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Norville brings together for the first time the behavioral and psychological research that prove what people of faith have long known: giving thanks brings life blessings. Beginning with those two small words, thank you, Norville shows how you can be happier and more resilient, have better relationships, improved health, and less stress. The list of benefits is long. You'll exercise more, be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a higher immune response, live longer, be better liked by others, and have more creativity in solving problems. Each of these outcomes is backed up by published research. The key? Gratitude. Ever heard the one about being able to catch more flies with honey than vinegar? If you want to eliminate many of the negatives of daily stress and better deal with the realities of your day, then read on. Deborah Norville may have found the real secret to happiness. You'll find the answer inside. --Dr. Mehmet Oz, Vice Chairman and Professor of Surgery, Columbia University; and Author, You Series Deborah Norville has proven that resilience is a big part of success. Success is power-and Thank You Power is aptitude and attitude at their most efficient and, therefore, most effective. Deborah has done a wonderful job with a subject that is important for all of us. --Donald J. Trump We've all heard it before-count your blessings, concentrate on the positive, say thank you-but actually putting it in to practice and becoming a more grateful person can be easily pushed aside in this hurried world. Deborah Norville, in her latest book, Thank You Power, clearly lays out easy steps to put you on the path to a more positive lifestyle. --Anthony Robbins, Best-Selling Author, Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power Your mother was right! You should say thank you about almost everything! Why? Because as Deborah Norville's new book proves, being positive and grateful leads to a happier, healthier, more successful life. And by the way, thank you for reading this, and thank you, Deborah, for writing this book. --Joan Rivers, Entertainer What a refreshing, positive read! Thank You Power makes me want to do everything I can to be grateful for not only the big things but also the sometimes hard details of my life. This is a formula that can make the whole world a happier place in which to live! --Harold G. Koenig, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center People who never complain, groan, or worry don't need this book. (They do need a lesson on honesty.) The other 99 percent of us will benefit from Deborah's practical and hopeful words. We need this message. --Max Lucado, Pastor, Oak Hills Church; and Best-Selling Author, 3:16
Subjects Books
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