Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #155813 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781402749995
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. You have to love a self-help book that extols doing nothing: The truth is, says Gottlieb, if we become comfortable with who we are rather than who we think we should be, then we will be less insecure. As a therapist, Gottlieb frequently sees people who are convinced that changing themselves or their circumstances would lead to happiness. Gottlieb disagrees. A columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and author of Letters to Sam (addressed to his autistic grandson), Gottlieb also happens to be quadriplegic, which makes him somewhat of an expert in self-acceptance. And while he says his condition has taught him to listen, learn and care deeply, one senses Gottlieb is a born mensch and a man with a big heart. Warm, wise, compassionate, humble and often funny, he displays not a shred of self-pity or false modesty. Best of all, his message has the unmistakable ring of truth to it: love rather than change yourself or anyone else. Trying to change others is about intolerance, which is at the core of so much enmity. We cannot find peace unless we are trying to help others find peace also. (Mar.)
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About the Author

Customer Reviews

What Does it Mean to be Human?
Daniel Gottlieb is one of the most compassionate souls I have ever "met." A trained psychologist, Gottlieb was in an accident in 1979 when he was 33 years old and was rendered a quadriplegic. Shortly following his accident, he "began to wonder what it really meant to be human."

What follows are stories and what he learns about himself, friends, family and patients.

Gottlieb began to study how humans (and pets) acted and reacted; their emotions, thoughts and feelings. He discovered that emotions are contagious.

He writes that we ask ourselves: "Who am I?" "Who am I supposed to be?" "Who should I be?"

"How do we find our identity in a world that insists your identity is defined by your achievements, by your beauty, by your power, by your youth?"

Gottlieb implores us to slow down and actually hear and see others and ourselves. He believes as we do more, we hear less--less of what other people are saying and our own voice.

The love Gottlieb feels for humanity is palpable in "Loving from the Heart." He explains that his body, almost 30 years after the accident, is starting to disease and that death could come at any time. But, he is without pity. Instead, his compassion for the human race is so strong and true that I found myself sobbing several times throughout the book.

He talks about our "national anxiety disorder" and offers advice for finding relief.

I loved this: "We are not important as individuals. And everything we say and do counts." Meditate on that one!

This book is a treasure.

By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.

Lessons in Being Where You Are
This is an enlightening book by a talented writer who touched my heart in his story about what it means to be human.

Like all people this author has suffered, but through his many roles, experiences, losses, and observation of the human condition he has discovered truth and is able to communicate his message in a clear and concise manner. The book discusses living in the moment, accepting what we are experiencing and how we are feeling because life after all is temporary. He tells us about his daughter's 3 legged dog and the lessons we can learn from it. The dog does not consider itself as having special needs. It just behaves like a dog and lives with the assets it has. Acceptance of ourselves just as we are will make us "feel more alive, loving, and compassionate...without categorizing our life events as good or bad, easy or difficult."

In this story Daniel Gottlieb tells us about his experiences as a Therapist, divorcee, quadriplegic, husband of a young cancer victim and father of children dealing with parental medical catastrophes. He coped with the death of his ex-wife and his parents and communicating with his autistic grandchild, as well as, his clients. He learned that what he really wanted was to stop wanting to be or have something that was not possible for him. In spite of his experiences he found peace in his life and helped countless others do the same.

I am impressed with this this author, his book and the fact that he is donating all of his royalties from it to children's health organizations and charities. Reading this book I felt the range of human emotions and have a much better understanding of what it really means to be human from a person with a much different perspective than I have experienced.

I recommend this book to people of all ages and walks of life. You will be glad you read it and will gain a new perspective of life.

Clone this man
Mr. Gottlieb writes what we feel but can't always express...his honesty about himself and his humanness are to be commended and his solutions to lifes injustices are wise and insightful!!! Clone this man and then spread him around the world...