Inspiration Books

This is a deep, thought-provoking book that is without a doubt evolutionary. Exploring the Seven Sacred Paths of Human Spiritual Development, Jamie Sams has presented a pattern for spiritual progress that can not be absorbed in one sitting, or even in one reading. I know I am going to have to read it again. A lot of it was over my head, and yet, without being academic. I could easily identify where I am spiritually today, and have some idea where I need to go next...still I know it is a spiral, and anything is possible. This book is an essential guidebook along the way that I think I'll be hanging on to. If you are looking for spiritual nourishment that doesn't turn into fluff, this book is for you.

I believe this statement reflects Jamie's chief goal for this book: this statement is listed in the authors note, preceeding the text. I don't think it is possible to draw a universal map of consciousness applicable to all humans. The chief reason being is that some folks never get past the 1st commandment let alone rise to metaphysical heights described in the text. Further, unless the reader has more than a beginners background in the metaphysical - or enjoys flipping back and forth between the text and the glossary - the reading can be difficult.

I gave this book five stars for what it DOES do, and that is a whole lot more than 99% of the metaphysical works I have read:

It paints a picture of the onesness of all existence, even though most of existence sees itself as seperate from everything else;

It bashes the notion that only enlighted earthly masters can achieve spirituality;

It clearly describes the downfalls of anyone being overimpressed with their spiritual progress;

It provides healers with a strong dose of reality: not to forget that therapy patients come to you because they are sick...there is pressure in them staying sick so you can make money;

It confronts head on the notion that a healer can see oodles of people on end: a handful may be too many;

It rightfully makes warriors out of beings immersed in the waters of daily life and it's endless tortures and misfortunes;

It superbly raises these tribulations to the status of lessons, encouraging hope and joy in the struggle;

It clearly points out that transformation is not a linear process;

It describes this circular process as seven different paths: this description allows readers to compare, contrast, and analyze later;

It describes the first hand accounts of Jamie in her path of transformation;

Read the book for yourself: you can't put it down.

This book is easy to read, with sensible suggestions that can be incorporated into your life with relative ease.

Jamie Sams once again takes us on a journey through the layers of our spirit by bringing a complete understanding to the path we walk.

Sams book certainly provides the reader with much material to ponder. It's definitely not the type of book to be read in one sitting and it's not a real "page turner". Instead, the truths Ms. Sams explores are best digested slowly. Perhaps this is most appropriate since she is describing a spiritual journey that lasts a lifetime and more. The diagrams are helpful.

I once wished that there was a grown-up version of the Girl Scouts for well-meaning women, like myself, who needed only a little guidance to get started. I purchased this book for my 81 year old mother and borrowed it soon after. I will now have to go back to the bookstore and buy more. I feel compelled to share this book with women I know and love. Knowing that the author died on United Flight 93 adds unbelievable weight to her words. It reminds me that no woman knows how much time she has left. I'm going to use this book to help me live, live, live!

What a great idea for a book!!! And the background on why this book was created was really touching...so glad this book was made!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I really like this book. It's got good tips in it, but it's definitely overly 'cheesy' to me. Some points in some topics are *somewhat*-to-completely obvious, so it gets a little tiring to skim through things I already know through common sense (and perhaps through being a little older than 12).

Also what I was somewhat annoyed by was the 'motivational' tips on each page where I can basically write that I'm going to get more organized or make sure I throw out old banking statements.

What I do like is the uncommon suggestions from real experts on such things. That's the sort of thing I bought the book for. So my suggestion to make the book better would be to condense things a bit, and don't suggest everything, only provide more helpful tips that most seemingly don't think about instead of a gen-ed guide to living.

You Can Do It! was an idea Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas had for a year before she died on September 11, 2001, on her way home from her grandmother's funeral aboard United Flight 93. Whether it was learning to cook, garden or scuba dive, Lauren was always trying something new. She is remembered by her friends and family as their personal coach and champion. It is a fine tribute to Lauren's memory that they completed this project on her behalf.

Lauren, a former Girl Scout, structured the book around sixty "badge activities." Mentors for each chapter become a cheerleading team, encouraging women to make our dreams a reality. In order to earn a badge, you need to follow the "badge steps." The badges are full-color stickers created by Toronto illustrator Julia Breckenreid.

The first chapter I turned to in the "Create" section was "Be an Author." I always love to see what other writers have to say about the writing life. In this one, poet and novelist Laurie Henry explains what she does (writes books including The Novelist's Notebook) and why she does it ("it's an engrossing challenge"). For "extra credit," there's some advice on "Getting Published." The chapter touches on every aspect of the writing life, such as what to do when you're not writing (read). Or to keep the momentum going, meet with other writers. Every chapter has an extensive list of resources as suggested by the chapter's mentor.

No dream is too big or too small the author reminds us. So readers can check out firewalking, beading or sewing. Practical advice is included on the subject of money, and inspiration is included for our inner lives through such activities as meditation. Maybe you don't know what it is you need mentoring for. As you browse through the book, you'll remember, "Oh, yes, that's the dream I put on hold." At the end of the book, you are invited to dream up your own badge.

I found the book's design, by Debbie Berne of Herter Studio in San Francisco, attractive as well as practical. An innovative approach to the table of contents, for instance, is a checkerboard in greens, white and black. It's visually appealing and reminds us there are many moves we can make as we dare, create, learn, play, deal, connect and dream--all headings for the sections of the book.

The book made me feel like an excited kid again. But this time my kid has a team of mentors to encourage me. You Can Do It! is an inspiring and encouraging springboard for girls of all ages. Young girls can learn of all the many possibilities, and mid-life women (or beyond mid-life like me) can be affirmed in knowing they still have a chance to learn something new.

The accompanying You Can Do It! Workbook is a place to Dream It, Write It, Do It, and it reminds you to turn your to-do lists upside down. That means your want-to-do's will be on top. The workbook has lots of space, guided exercises, roomy pockets for brochures, an address book for your support network. The inspirational quotes throughout were like the voice of a coach as I made my daily journal entries.

Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas pursued a career in marketing and advertising, had her own consulting company in Northern California and, most recently, served as account executive for Good Housekeeping. As the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States reported, "The nation owes a debt to the passengers of United 93. Their actions saved the lives of countless others and may have saved either the U.S. Capitol or the White House from destruction." Lauren's legacy lives on in the dreams and aspirations of women of all ages. The proceeds from You Can Do It! go to the Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation to support charitable causes that were of interest to Lauren.

by Mary Ann Moore
for Story Circle Book Reviews
www.storycirclebookreviewsorg
reviewing books by, for, and about women

A wonderful self help book for women who, after setting aside personal dreams and aspirations for the sake of others, seek to reconnect with their own unique dreams in life. Based upon the Girl Scout Model of the Merit Badge, Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas' book defines a step by step approach for a variety of accomplishments, big and small. Menors who are experts in the field provide guidance and advice.

For those who do not know, the author, Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, tragically died on United Flight 93. She had (and has still) a special gift for mentoring and encouraging other women. Very refreshing for today. Proceeds from the book, which was finished by her two sisters, goes to Lauren's favorite charities.

This is a very touching book through which the spirit of a vibrant, compassionate woman lives on.

This isn't the first time a book by Doreen Virtue has helped me. She does manage to get close to problems and to help the readers get close to them too. She creates a safe, understanding path for getting to the heart of issues; readers are lead gently to the core of the problems of obesity.

Virtue acknowledges that many therapists connect sexual abuse with being overweight, but she doesn't stop there. She delves into other reasons which many times do revolve around sexuality, but aren't limited to it. No matter what the reason for overeating, the result is the same - a person ends up weighing more than they want to be.

She explores different cases histories from her experiences as a therapist. Readers can relate to the pain and gain cycle no matter what their issues might be and can use the information to move forward in breaking the cycle.

It helps to have a friend read the book with you. You need support to face some issues and hopefully you can support each other. Find someone at the gym or in your weight loss group. She has a great section on the psychology of "plateau." Hint: there's no such thing as "set point" except in your head.

I'll admit, I spent a week fighting the book after I started it. I put it aside and went back to my old habits. That's why having a partner helped, we talked through the tough parts and I could pick up the book and begin anew. It's a great book to work through weight issues with a life coach or therapist too. It's not a diet book. You have to change the way you think in order to change the way you eat and move.

This reviewer is disappearing slowly but surely.
Doreen Virtue's book is being held as an accomplice in this case.

Doreen virtue shows us in her lovely book "Losing Your Pounds of Pain", that there is a connection between emotional pain and overeating.
This book has been a gem in supporting me in overcoming my emotional issues that have kept me locked in a place where I never thought I could overcome my problems with food and weight.
There are lengthy chapters about sexual abuse, that do get a little detailed, but she also talks about the pain of this moment and other childhood issues that may cause you to over eat.
I really enjoyed the last several chapters that are solution oriented, and have helped me tremendously on my journey. I would highly recommend this book.

Doreen speaks truth and honesty on compulsive and binge eating.

Anyone who has suffered from lose of control with eating will appreciate the depth and courage Doreen shares in this book.

I had high expectations for this book, thinking that I'd find some interesting facts and research on overall emotional overeating, not just related to sexual abuse. Sadly, this book is heavily laden with disturbing and very graphic accounts of sexual molestation, incest and rape. I had a hard time reading through the disgusting experiences related in the book.
I feel nothing but sorrow to think that a human being could be subjected to such horrible acts and hope that those can be healed and live lives full of love and joy.
While it provides some useful ideas, such as excercise,affirmations and visualization to release the negative emotions, the book also lacked a comprehensive plan to help victims of sexual abuse deal effectively with their pain. Directly from her book:
"To uncover the unresolved pain, you usually need to recall some painful experiences from childhood and/or adolesce and determine who the perpetrator was. If you blamed yourself for any abuse that you suffered, then you need to remind yourself that, as a young person, you weren't responsible for the abusive or neglectful actions of others -even if you somehow felt responsible at the time."
Ms. Virtue advises people to seek professional help and get involved in psycotherapy. She also suggests a low fat diet, which is a pretty archaic advise and proven not very effective.
Unless you have had a similar experience as those related in this book, I don't think it would beneficial to you.

I really appreciate this book. I loved the caring tone and the way the author seemed to reach out and give the reader a hug! I think that so many of the stories and descriptions spoke to my heart about myself and friends that I found myself calling friends or emailing parts of the books so we could talk ideas! This is a gem! Thank you for writing it, Doreen.

Why You Can Have Confidence in the Bible is a treasure! I wish I had this book 30 years ago. The title seems a bit academic and boring, but the book IS NOT! What a gift! Dr. Sala's engaging style of story-telling combined with factual research material is so refreshing. This book should be required reading in every seminary, if not in every church. If you have ever had any doubts about the authenticity or accuracy of the Bible, this book will encourage you immensely. I highly recommend it. It's a fun read and great resource!

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for [...] 05/08
The Bible is the bestselling book in history. You probably own one, but have you read it? Do you believe in its authenticity? Do you know you can trust the ancient words?
Harold J. Sala discusses this and many other questions in his book Why You Can Have Confidence in the Bible. I found this book very interesting, inspiring, and insightful. Sala explains the history of the written text. He discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls, The Da Vinci Code, The Gospel of Judas, and biblical prophecy. Sala does not stop there. He tackles the subject of evolution. Chapter seven proves the Bible does change lives. Sala offers examples and testimonies. With a style that is simple enough for the layperson to understand, Harold J. Sala reaches out to all people in an effort to show the authenticity, relevance, and divinity of the Bible.

Why You Can Have Confidence in the Bible by Harold J. Sala is a wonderfully written apologetic for the accuracy and authenticity of the Bible. Sala goes over familiar territory in several cases restating the archaeological discoveries that have proved many of the Biblical stories, but he writes in a matter of fact fashion that makes them both easy to understand and fresh in the reading. I was pleasantly surprised in one chapter to come across a short biography of John Cecil Trever, the first photographer of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Trever is my maiden name, and I've always felt an attachment to the documents because their discovery was aided by my second cousin (three times removed). But even Trever's biography is told in a way to aid in the understanding of how God works. He was in the right place at the right time with the right education and equipment to understand the magnificence of the discover and capture it on film. With each chapter Sala lays his case that the Bible is solid and believable. The most powerful part of the book is one of the last chapters that recounts several stories about the power of the Bible in specific individuals lives (you have to get this book just to read the story of the man who smoked his way through Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Ultimately, Sala acknowledges that belief in the Bible is a faith issue, and no amount of evidence, no matter how sound, is going to sway someone who doesn't want to believe. But for those of us who do, he makes it easier and meaningful.

I read this book years ago and forgot about it. At a recent book club meeting, I noticed a similar picture on the book of a friend. I went in search to find it. It's second only to her first book, Plain & Simple, which I've enjoyed immensely and purchased several copies as books. A good book for our times.

I was given a copy of this book many years ago..it sat on a shelf for a number of years before one day I picked it up and started to read it. It is one book both men and women should read. I have given it as gifts at least 60 times and just recently purchased 3 more for gifts. It truly hits the soul...if you want to do something for "yourself"...read it!! You won't be sorry.

It's a great description of the Spritual Cure.... but we never analyze what was wrong in the first place... it's a type of Narcissism which in her case comes into conflict with her religious values and forced her to develop her spritual walk as a cure.

And it's a good cure, often overlooked because we neglect to name the Beast thats at the core.So the spiritual cure goes untried.

"Everyday Sacred; A Woman's Journey Home" by Sue Bender is a book about the author's spiritual journey while living amidst the Amish. Bender highlights that each day, and the 'everyday' within each day is sacred. There are many opportunities to experience sacred encounters in one's life, by focusing on appreciation of simplicity and the little things in life such as enjoying a warm cup of tea or noticing the beauty of flowers in your garden. All in all 'Everyday Sacred' offers clarity, optimism and hope amidst our modern world that is all too often hectic and stressful. What I enjoyed most about 'Everyday Sacred' is that reading the book really did take me on an experiental journey into the sacred; most remarkable! Congratulations Sue Bender on writing such an inspiring and successful book.

If you like 'Everyday Sacred' then you'll love NEXUS by Deborah Morrison and Arvind Singh, a successful, new age debut novel, an absorbing guide to the dazzling universe of spirituality in terms of life's joys and sorrows. NEXUS enriches our understanding of heart-centered, soulful living, enlightenment and compassion. All over the planet people of all faiths and backgrounds are suddenly experiencing an intense attraction for the wisdom and knowledge of NEXUS, a book that has already achieved top 100 status on several bestsellers lists! Nexus: A Neo Novel

After witnessing the recent horror (school massacre) inflicted upon the Amish community, "Everyday Sacred" is a timely reminder that they and the human spirit will endure.

It reminds us to ask not what we lack, but to appreciate, daily, what we already have. My favorite quote from the book is: "Don't try for perfection. Trying to be good enough will be plenty."

I am giving it my highest recommendation because it is more than good enough - it is a spell-binding read!

Reginald V. Johnson, Author, "How To Be Happy, Successful And Rich"

Most of people today have some kind of clutter in some area of their lives - be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. In her book, Denise shares her easy-to-follow four-week program dedicated to an in-depth clearing of old blockages, de-cluttering and cleansing of all four areas of our lives, and connecting with the wisdom of our soul. Lots of practical advice, useful tools and well thought-through exercises. Recommended!

This is an active book. What I mean by that is you are not going to sit down and read a novel. This books shows you action steps to take to clear out your life and create a new. It is an amazing and wonderful book we should pick up and read and act on , every year!!!!
Easy steps that really make you dig deep and change your life.

This book is a gem. Denise Linn is one of the top international teachers in spiritual and self-development. This programme is an excellent culmination of Denise's extensive studies with many different cultures, and their spiritual practice and her professional training as a complementary health practitioner. Soul Coaching consists of a practical easy to follow 28 day programme, which gently takes you through life changing processes, to clean up all areas of your life, in order for your inner voice to be heard. It is both effective and fun. The amount of effort you put in is up to you. I thoroughly recommend this book, as well as the Soul Coaching Cards that accompany the programme [[ASIN:1401908004 Soul Coaching Oracle Cards: What Your Soul Wants You to Know]. If you feel you would like further support, visit the Soul Coaching website which has a directory of Soul Coaches worldwide.

I found some surprises for myself in these pages - initially I bought the book to assist some clients in their quest for living a life with intention. To my surprise, there were many areas of my life that I can change to also help me live with intention. It's an easy read with many steps to take in reaching a goal in life. It's part journal and part self-therapy. It supports the "process" of making changes deliberately and "soulfully". I recommend this to women, therapists, counselors, and anyone who is looking to make some changes in their life, their living situation, their life work. Judy

I had never thought about some of the ideas in this book like "Who I am is enough" and "Be gentle with yourself." This is truly a transformative book - I am a much happier, more balanced person after reading it.

Excellant book with some great creative ideas in it.

Easy to understand and read.

Great for a beginner.

This book has wonderful photos and projects! If you work with metal clay, you need to have this one in your library!!! AWESOME!

Great book! A must for those interested in working with metal clay. From the extremely clear explanations to the detailed step by step photos it is hard to imagine how one could go wrong with this "personal and private lessons" kind of illustrated text.

As someone who works with jewelry I found this book to be a most up to date source of both information and resources. I sincerely hope this is not the only book Ms. Duhamel writes, as I for one would be waiting for the next. If you are interested in technique as well as design, this is a must next to your bench.

This book "makes the creation of fine silver and gold objects a possibility for non-metal craftsmen." Indeed, Louise gives very precise instructions how to work with metal clay for someone who has never taken a class -- but -- it's still better to take a class for safety considerations because firing requires using a torch or kiln. A class will also help you to plan your design before opening a package of metal clay; once exposed to air, metal clay dries very fast, so it's important to know what you will need to accomplish before firing.

Metal clay is a relatively new product. Invented by Japan's Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, it is 99.9% precious metal and .1% binder. Jewelers in the US learned about the product in the mid-1990s and embraced it as enthusiastically as versatile polymer clay had been earlier. Like polymer clay, metal clay can be molded, rolled, stamped, and folded. Gemstones and glass enamel can be a part of a design in metal clay.

Louise carefully describes the various forms of metal clay and provides an excellent chart of temperatures and times needed to fire different clays. Although there is no waste with metal clays because you can re-hydrate scraps, you must be careful not to mix two clays that require different firing temperatures.

Twenty projects are shown in detail, from simple to more difficult. Jewelers who have struggled with solid gold granulation will be shocked to see how easy it can be accomplished with metal paste. A metal clay class and this book will certainly inspire you.

I recently started working with metal clay. As a result, I purchased a series of books in order to learn more. This book is by far the best I have ordered. I really enjoyed it because it is full of innovative, very creative techniques yet it also covers all the basics in detail. The directions are clear and don't make the beginner feel intimidated. This book guarantees that you won't be bored after you master the basics.

I came across this book at my cousin's home on a morning that I was feeling stuck. I decided to read an insert in the book and was unable to put it down. It has helped me to continue on a path that I have been touching on for a little while now, but not quite sure how to achieve. It is an excellent tool to help you stay in the moment.

The Little Book of Letting Go by Hugo Prather is a practical book about how to get peace and perspective in your life. It is very practical. Although written by a Christian, it is not preachy or overbearing. Atheists and agnostics would find it helpful too. If you feel you have fear, anxiety, worry, anger, or simply want to be able to stop spinning your wheels so much, this is the book for you. Lots of very specific examples and practical exercises that will allow you to get more in touch with yourself. It can help you to strip away the superficial so you can get down to what's significant for you.

This book is one of the best easy reading supports. Like any other support system in your life it should be a consistant, easy access tool for long or short term disturbances. You can't go wrong with this one.
You get so much for so little.

Blends Freudian psychology with pop Buddhism using vague language and empty metaphors to create an impractical guide devoid of meaning or depth.

Or, are you allowing your ego to get in your way of being connected?

A great passage in this book is:

"After the great rains, the lion was faced with crossing the river that had encircled him. Swimming was not in his nature, but it was either cross or die. The lion roared and charged the river, almost drowning before he retreated. Many more times he attacked the water, and each time he failed to cross. Exhausted, the lion lay down, and in his quietness he heard the river say, 'Never fight what isn't here.'

Cautiously, the lion looked up and asked, 'What isn't here?'

'Your enemy isn't here,' answered the river. 'Just as you are a lion, I am merely a river.'

Now the lion sat very still and studied the ways of the river. After a while, he walked to where a certain current brushed against the shore, and stepping in, floated to the other side."

Some of my most favorite quotes from this book are:

1. "We only need to be as we were created -- effortless,present, and free."

2. "Guilty and remorseful thoughts do not help, heal, or comfort the person you think you have hurt. In effect, you are simply making the same mistake all over again; you attacked this person; now you are attacking yourself. Attack is the problem, not the answer."

3. "What do I believe that makes these circumstances important enough to be upset?"

4. "If I imagine this situation deteriorating or this person's behavior getting worse, what specifically do I see happening to me?"

5. "Some things are simple, and here's one of them: You can either relax and let go of your life, in which case you will know peace. Or you can try to control your life, in which case you will know war."

6. "Awareness, more than any other factor, is the key to cleansing your mind and making it whole."

7. "True communication is remembering that everything is relationship --- that, regardless of the appearance, no one stands alone."

8. "I see what I decide and react as I choose."

9. "As someone said to me recently, 'The next time you think there is some situation you can control, try doing it when you have diarrhea.'"

I chose this book because being fully in the present moment, no matter my history or lack thereof with my interlocutor, gives me choice.

As I read this book, I was happy to have found many places where I agreed with Hugh Prather, and some places where I wrote in the margins that I disagree.

One part of this book that was of particular interest to me was the exercise that Prather takes readers through in how to be socially involved with difficult people (breath your way into responding to who you are, in the presence of who that 'difficult' person is).

This is a book that I didn't want to put on the book shelf, amongst the books that I've read, because I felt compelled to look back through many pages, where I've highlighted things that I will apply in my life.

I lead a Bible study with 26 leaders who lead others. I found many helpful comments about leading and inspiring others to lead. I plan to use several of the sections for training and encouraging leadership.

I went to a John Maxwell seminar several years ago entitle "Winning with People". This seminar changed my life. I bought several of his books at the seminar and he graciously signed them for me. Go for Gold is a book that not only inspires you but it educates you also. Using some of John's techniques I have been able to change my life and see real results. The SECRET to achieving things in life is people and John Maxwell gives you the tools to interact with people and he truly has a heart for people.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in making changes in their lives and their environment. It makes you stop and think on deep levels.

Shapeshifting is a great book in my opinion. Perkins has traveled far and wide to work on behalf of indigenous cultures and their wisdom traditions to help sustain these communities and their ancient ways. As founder of Dream Change Coalition, Perkins has done as much as anyone (with the possible exception of Al Gore) to work to change human consumption patterns and corporate hegemony now destroying these cultures.

Shapeshifting tells a powerful tale of healing and wisdom lost on Eurocentric Peoples. Shapeshifting is more than a personal practice invoked by shamans of the jungle and Andes but a practice of human transformation on multiple levels and contexts of awareness. Perkins is engaged in an endeavor to shape shift human hegemony and preoccupation with consumption to create sustainable outcomes for the earth on all those who live on her.

This is a great book by a modern visionary and activist of the highest caliber.

In "Shapeshifting," John Perkins, author of the bestseller "Confessions of an Economic Hitman," shares lessons he has learned from shamans in the Yucatan, the Andes, the Amazon, the Middle East, and Indonesia. Shapeshifting was a new concept for me, and I was amazed to learn that there are shamans who can supposedly transform themselves on a cellular level into another form, such as a tree, a bat, or a ball of energy. Indeed, many people might be skeptical of these accounts, as well as Perkins' account of his own shapeshift. However, skeptics can still benefit by thinking about shapeshifting at a more metaphorical level. Perkins himself has transformed from an "economic hitman" into an author and activist working to change people's perceptions, and both individuals and institutions can benefit from similar shapeshifts. Indeed, Perkins hopes that indigenous wisdom can help to transform our core institutions into ones that support a sustainable world. Deliberately suspending judgments on what is possible as I read this book, I felt my awareness expand and gained a new appreciation for the power of the mind/ spirit.

John Perkins takes the reader on a spellbinding journey through shaman rich cultures around the world--but particularly those in Central and South America. He shares both his self-doubts and his insights as he "shapeshifts" from economic hitman to a kind of enlightened dream weaver. Written in a relaxed, conversational style, Perkins gives just the right amount of detail and description of his experiences. This is the kind of book that makes one ponder and deeply reflect on life's journey. It really is a "shapeshifter".

Trust your inner voice and read this book. I think we can all learn from other cultures.