The Art of Extreme Self-Care: 12 Practical and Inspiring Ways to Love Yourself More Kindle Edition

No matter what you've got to care for yourself genuinely before you care for others. That sort of self-esteem is the reality of a great life. Martyrdom and selflessness that looks good to others is the ultimate weakness. This is not new to me, I've always gotten it. Indeed, the worst lives have no self to them, no genuine depth except that which is apparent to others. Those sort of values do lead to suicides seen in the news outlets and giving up genuinely without living fully. Greatness is within genuine being there for yourself always and genuinely. That is the reality that leads to more life, not less. That is the secret to a great reality. The ability to say yes and no with depth. Not "play god", martyrdom or whatever. To them that have is a consciousness. To them that have not is a consciousness also. Although conflicted in areas, this is the reality that makes all bibles, philosophies, and epistemological documents and realities fair in that light. I end with two words: I understand.

Cheryl Richardson and her publisher, Hay House, have created a beautiful book, filled with exceptional wisdom, and perfectly timed.Because I had listened to the audio summary which was released before the book, I knew I would love Cheryl Richardson's latest book. I had so thoroughly enjoyed the audio CD set (see my separate review). But, my high expectations were surpassed when the book arrived and I experienced the physical beauty of this book. This book has the look of a coffee table style book with wisdom that exceeds the norm for such books. As such, this will make a wonderful holiday gift (and a bargain at that).Far more important than the beautiful packaging is Cheryl's wonderful message that is perfectly timed to arrive at a moment when so many people are stressed by the economic meltdown and all of its consequences. I can't imagine a more thoughtful antidote to these tough times.Cheryl has skillfully woven twelve elements into a divinely inspired mosaic of the notion of extreme self-care. She appropriately credits Thomas Leonard, who many consider the father of the coaching profession as we know it today, with introducing her to the concept of extreme self-care. She then introduces us to her own twelve elements, comprising extreme self-care, so as to create the potential for a yearlong program of self-improvement (for those who want to implement one improvement per month).This book is typical of the excellence with which Cheryl creates new material. The concepts are practical, well explained, and delightfully supported by a story from Cheryl's own life to illustrate the concept. As I said in reviewing her last book, Cheryl has moved from being a traditional teacher to a wonderful conversationalist who teaches by openly sharing experiences from her own life. So many self-help authors use stories involving others to make their points. Not so with Cheryl! It's as if she opened up her home and invited you to watch as she (occasionally) bumps through life. Her gracious humanity is one of her many personal strengths.So many of her stories brought a smile to my heart, as I pictured Cheryl having the experience and as I related to my own experiences with some of the very same bumps of life. "Hands off the Wheel" brought me back to the time when my business experienced significant growth when I finally let go of controlling every decision of my colleagues. Other sections, e.g., "The Absolute No List," provide me with opportunities for new personal performance gains as they are lessons I have yet to master.Cheryl's timing in releasing this material (the book and the audio) is so perfect. I believe we are headed for some very challenging times...times where self-care will be especially critical for all. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful guide, for such an important activity, during such turbulent times.PS I am confident that this book, like Cheryl's previous, will quickly become a well deserved best seller. I know that Cheryl's many female fans will treasure her best book yet. My one hope for the book, and for humanity, is that an equal number of males will open up their minds and hearts to Cheryl's profound wisdom. Judging by what I have observed by attending some of Cheryl's seminars, our male specie has been relatively slow in catching on to how much her wisdom could help. Hope springs eternal that this too will change.

Because I so enjoyed Cheryl Richardson's last book, The Unmistakable Touch of Grace, I have been eagerly awaiting her next book. Alas, it is not due to be released until January. But, in unusual timing, the audio summary of the book, the Art of Extreme Self-Care, is available before release of the book.This two CD audio package features Cheryl personally covering the twelve elements she has woven into a thoughtful mosaic of the notion of extreme self-care. She uses twelve elements so as to create a yearlong program of self-improvement. She suggests that listeners work on one element each month in order to give new behaviors an opportunity to root.This program is typical of the excellence with which Cheryl creates new material. The concepts are practical, well explained, and delightfully supported by a story from Cheryl's own life to illustrate the concept. As I said in reviewing her last book, Cheryl has moved from being a traditional teacher to a wonderful conversationalist who teaches by openly sharing experiences from her own life. So many self help authors use stories involving others to make their points. Not so with Cheryl! It's as if she opened up her home and invited you to watch as she (occasionally) bumps through life. Her gracious humanity is one of her many strengths.Hearing Cheryl on audio just enhances this very personal style of communication. Not once in the entire program does Cheryl preach at the listener...instead she effectively invites the listener to walk the road of life with her.So many of her stories brought a smile to my heart, as I pictured Cheryl having the experience and as I related to my own experiences with some of the very same bumps of life. "Hands off the Wheel" brought me back to the time when my business experienced significant growth when I finally let go of controlling every decision of my colleagues. Other sections, e.g., "The Absolute No List," provide me with opportunities for new personal performance gains as they are lessons I have yet to master.Cheryl's timing in releasing this material (the audio and the book) is divine. I believe we are headed for some very challenging times...times where self-care will be especially critical for all. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful guide, for such an important activity, during such turbulent times.At a time when many will be cutting back expenditures on holiday gifts, this audio is an inexpensive way to express your compassion for a family member, friend, or co-worker. It is a gift that has the potential to make a real difference, for the recipient, throughout 2009.

Just didn't work for me. This is the first self help book I've read, so I was desperately wanting to pay attention and love it. I found it very long winded and difficult to get into and that's because alot of time was spent on the author's marriage, job, her morning and evening routine. I tried to embrace the Karate Kid mindset of wax on wax off... Hoping eventually this material would lead to something that would help me. But I guess I got bored in between and missed the lesson or the thread. There are monthly exercises e.g say "I love you" when you see your reflection and try saying no more etc... I found it very easy to put the book down for a month and then forget about it the next month and eventually all together. I will try again at some point possibly after trying other books first. Maybe i can't connect to her style of writing and others will. But it felt like a stranger showing you 300+ holiday pictures of themselves with a different scenery in the background, over and over again. I really wanted to say 'this book changed my life' but that's not the case at all.

This book is a brilliant tool for anyone with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E or Fibromyalgia. It re-inforces the importance of putting ourselves first in order to get our needs met both emotionally and physically. We can take small steps at first and make small changes in our lives that have big impacts on symptom reduction.I recommend this book to all my clients.

I read the book in one sitting, but the format means that it would take a year of intentionally working through a chapter each month in order to completely transform your levels of self-care.There was nothing revolutionary in the book for me, but it was a great reminder of different aspects of caring for oneself. It's easy to digest and has lots of useful resources at the end of each chapter. Well worth the price I paid.

One of those books you keep to read again, great for dealing with life stress and when you get overburden

This book was the beginning of accepting its ok to like me as I am and do less and let others do their bit. I recommend this book to men and women who just can’t seem to focus on themselves and see self care as selfish. It is selfish for the right reasons. Self care is soooo important and when not done leads to burn out and at the extreme to break downs.