The Self-Help Shelf

The Art of Calm
Roger Hutchinson
https://www.rogerhutchisonbooks.com
Morehouse Publishing
c/o Church Publishing Incorporated
www.churchpublishing.org
9781640656321, $24.95, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Calm-Spiritual-Exercises-Anxious/dp/1640656324

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Art of Calm: Spiritual Exercises for=
the Anxious Soul". author Rogert Hutchinson proves nn invaluable resource = for anyone struggling with anxiety, fear, or depression. A lifesaving and i= nspiring guidebook that empowers us to break free from the emotional bondag=
e of mental illness, "The Art of Calm" is a compendium of deep personal ins= ights and uplifting practical guidance.

It's a kind of therapeutic journey beginning by charting Roger's own devast= ating psychological descent -- which included panic attacks so severe they = landed him in the emergency room. When the medical system proved unable to = provide sustained help, however, a floundering Roger Hutchison turned to hi=
s faith for guidance. The healing path God led him on was nothing short of = miraculous, offering not only authentic spiritual renewal but also a profou=
nd sense of belonging in a world where he once only felt like a stranger.

Weaving these personal stories with thoughtful questions, journaling prompt=
s, and a wide range of inspirational practices, Hutchison has created a kin=
d of self-help tapestry of compassion, vulnerability, and action. At the en=
d of each chapter is a colorful variety of reflections and creative exercis=
es ranging from photography, music, and meditation to cooking, hiking, and = art that encourages the reader to get up and discover a more centered and p= eaceful life. The result is an essential tool for finding tranquility in th=
e midst of both inner and outer turmoil.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, exceptionally well organized and thor= oughly 'reader friendly' presentation, "The Art of Calm: Spiritual Exercise=
s for the Anxious Soul" will be of special value for readers with an intere=
st in a Christian approach to therapy and relaxation in dealing with the in= evitable stresses and strains of daily life in these troubled times. Inspir=
ed and inspiring, "The Art of Calm" is also available in a digital book for= mat (Kindle, $15.990 and is highly recommended for personal, professional, = and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections and reading li= sts.

Editorial Note: Roger Hutchison (https://www.rogerhutchisonbooks.com) is th=
e author and illustrator of nine books for children and adults including, T=
he Painting Table, My Favorite Color is Blue. Sometimes., Faces: A Love Sto= ry, and Sparrow's Prayer. There is prayerful poetry woven through Roger's w= ork, a gentle reverence in his tone and posture toward the heartbroken. Rog= er's mission is to use art, color, and poetic language to communicate love = and promote healing and hope in today's hurting world. Roger serves as the = Director of Christian Formation and Parish Life at Palmer Memorial Episcopa=
l Church in Houston, TX, and is a member of the National Alliance of Grievi=
ng Children and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as a Daily Practice
Laura Basha
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9781647424732, $16.95, PB, 152pp

https://www.amazon.com/Inward-Outlook-Conscious-Choice-Practice/dp/16474247=
39

Synopsis: Every day, we take in data from the world around us and store tha=
t data in our intellect. Then, without conscious awareness, we listen to th=
at data (a process we call "thinking") and use what it tells us to inform o=
ur decisions. But living our lives this way means always living in the past=
, and it limits us more than we think.

With the publication of "The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as a Daily Pr= actice", psychologist Laura Basha shares how to discern this habitual way o=
f thinking from the innate wisdom and common sense that we all have availab=
le to us at all times. Once we can see this distinction between personal th= inking from the past and in-the-moment, impersonal, diffuse thinking, we ar=
e awakened to the conscious choice point, which allows us to make choices w= ith awareness and to release judgment of ourselves and of others. We then c= onsciously create ourselves to be the best version of ourselves we can be: = our authentic, powerfully creative, compassionate selves.

A powerful guide to accessing one's own innate health, well-being, and wisd= om, "The Inward Outlook" is a fully accessible exploration of a principle-b= ased paradigm that educates people in the role thought plays in creating th= eir experience of reality, as well as a road map to cultivating inspired fo= cus, accomplishment, and peace of mind in one's life.

Critique: Of special appeal to readers with an interest in personal, psycho= logical, and spiritual self-help, "The Inward Outlook: Conscious Choice as =
a Daily Practice" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented. I= nspired and inspiring, "The Inward Outlook" is a very special life-enhancin=
g, and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library = Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted for personal rea= ding lists that "The Inward Outlook' is also available in a digital book fo= rmat (Kindle, $8.49).

Editorial Note: Laura Basha (https://www.whitebirdrising.com/laura-basha) i=
s a published author, professional artist, compelling and empowering speake=
r, and certified trainer. She holds a BA in Fine Arts, an MA in counseling = psychology, and a combined doctorate in clinical and organizational psychol= ogy. Through the years, the focus of her work has always been personal and = organizational transformation and leadership development, and she has been =
an international consultant, educator, and personal coach for thousands of = clients since 1978.

Success on Your Own Terms
James B. Rosseau, Sr.
https://jamesrosseausr.com
Career Press, Inc.
9781601633156, $15.99, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Success-Your-Own-Terms-Promises-ebook/dp/B07HVPJJRS

Synopsis: Passion comes from inside. Stoke it. Setbacks happen. Find your w=
ay around, over, and through them. Be willing to receive, then give back. P=
ay it forward.

Many young people (perhaps four out of five or more) are dissatisfied with = their jobs. Why bother to pursue a dream?

It's up to you to create your custom-tailored career and define success you=
r way. How? Combine your burning passion with drive, determination, strateg=
y, and commitment to pay it forward; and find and nurture mentor support, s= tay steady on your path, and see the fireworks. Success on Your Own Terms w= ill show you exactly how to do it.

Living parallel lives as a business executive, Christian hip-hop media owne=
r, and author, James Rosseau has merged the streams of his three passions t=
o make a difference in his own life and the lives of countless others.

Learning to make and keep six promises during his diverse career, with the = publication of "Success on Your Own Terms: 6 Promises to Fire Up Your Passi= on, Ignite Your Career, and Create an Amazing Life" Rosseau now shows young=
people how to develop a plan for themselves.

These stories, lessons, setbacks, and triumphs are drawn from the neighborh= oods of North Philadelphia to executive leadership, revealing new possibili= ties in an inspiring blend of smart strategy, hard work, and willingness to=
connect to help others.

Critique: Impressively informed and informative, "Success on Your Own Terms=
: 6 Promises to Fire Up Your Passion, Ignite Your Career, and Create an Ama= zing Life" is exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'user friendly' in = organization and presentation. While highly recommended for community, corp= orate, and academic library Jobs/Careers collections, it should be noted fo=
r the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in entrepreneurship=
, motivational management, company leadership, and self-improvement that "S= uccess on Your Own Terms: 6 Promises to Fire Up Your Passion, Ignite Your C= areer, and Create an Amazing Life" is also readily available in a Kindle ed= ition.

Editorial Note: James B. Rosseau, Sr. (https://jamesrosseausr.com/about) is=
a senior business leader, author, hip-hop artist, producer, and media. He =
is also a team-builder, alliance-creator, mentor, teacher, coach, and maste=
r strategist. Rosseau redefines achieving success with passion. A former ex= ecutive with Allstate and JPMorgan (both Fortune 100 companies) he is curre= ntly president of LegalShield Solutions, as well as co-owner of Christian M= edia Properties (HolyCulture.net) and overseer of Corelinkradio.com, a 24/7=
Christian urban music channel. He previously hosted one of the top five Ch= ristian hip-hop radio programs.

The Language of Trust
Ingrid B. Christensen
New Degree Press
https://www.newdegreepress.com
9798885044981, $18.99, PB, 230pp

https://www.amazon.com/Language-Trust-Communicate-Meaningful-Relationships/= dp/B0BTV2S92D

Synopsis: With the publication of " The Language of Trust: Communicate to B= uild Meaningful Relationships in Business and Life", author Ingrid Christen= sen provides her readers with an impactful and essential guide to the cruci=
al ingredient that makes relationships, businesses, and communication tick:=
trust.

"The Language of Trust" directly addresses the precise practice of taking m= eaning from one language and translating it into another, proliferating you=
r ability to connect with people all over the world, no matter what languag=
e they speak. Throughout "The Language of Trust", readers will learn how to=
nourish relationships and communicate authentically to build confidence an=
d deepen human connection.

Once you learn about developing an organizational identity, cultivating tru=
st with others, and prioritizing time for personal development, you'll get =
to do the work for yourself. As a leader, your ability to cultivate trust b= oth at work and home will have a profound impact on your personal and profe= ssional life.

Trust directly impacts everything-it's the key to unlocking one's purpose, = connection, resilience, and growth. Trust is a practice that offers transfo= rmation and "The Language of Trust" shows you how.

Critique: Eloquent, elegant, 'real world' practical, insightfully informati= ve, motivational, and inspiring, "The Language of Trust: Communicate to Bui=
ld Meaningful Relationships in Business and Life" is thoroughly 'reader fri= endly' DIY combination of instructional guide and how-to manual. Exceptiona= lly well written, organized and presented, and of immense value to readers = with an interest in Communication Skills,"The Language of Trust" will prove=
to be a welcome addition to personal, professional, and community library = Self-Help/Self-Improvement & Media Communications collections.

Editorial Note: Ingrid R. Christensen (https://www.ingrid-christensen.com) =
is an entrepreneur, business leader, and advocate passionate about providin=
g equal access to information to everyone, no matter what language they spe= ak. In 2006, Ingrid launched her company, INGCO International after witness= ing firsthand how translation and interpreting services truly bridge barrie=
rs and connect people from different cultures. Ingrid, alongside people dur= ing some of life's most vulnerable moments, in hospitals, courtrooms, class= rooms, boardrooms, and more, has observed how communication and trust trans= form relationships, empower the underserved, and gives a voice to the voice= less.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
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(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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