Customer Reviews

Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you haven't yet been "broken open" this book can help get you started. And it can do so in the most pleasurable, poignant way. Reading it is as good as hanging out with a really smart and funny close friend who's had a lot of amazing experiences in her life. Most important, someone who's been willing to learn, learn, learn from them all, and is now without the slightest hesitation sharing it all with you. Who can resist that?

Don't let the Publisher's Weekly review stop you from buying this wonderful book. The idea is not that we MUST embrace our evils in order to grow, but that we can use our times of depression,anxiety, or pain to transform us into more open people. I spotted it in Barnes and Noble the other day, bought it, and haven't been able to put it down since. Lesser calls this process of transformation "The Phoenix Process." She beautifully illustrates how difficult times really can help us grow by giving us the story of her first marriage and how the pain she endured during it made her better afterward. She also includes stories of others who have gone through their own struggles in life. Broken Open is well written, and interesting from the first page to the last. The stories in it are truly amazing and inspirational. I reccomend this book to everyone!

With Broken Open, Elizabeth Lesser has written a book that is more than capable of changing ones outlook on life. She explores the ways we can use the hardships we face in life to become better people. Through her own "breaking open" story and the true stories of others, she masterfully weaves a web of spiritual and emotional wisdom, showing how times of pain and strife can awaken us to new ways of living more meaningful lives. I'll never look at an emotional problem the same way again. The imagery that Elizabeth Lesser creates in this majestic work of literature is some of the best I have ever experienced. Not only is Broken Open emotionally educational, it is also interesting and entertaining. From the first chapter, you will be drawn into this book, only to emerge later on with a completely different outlook on the pain and strife of your daily life. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in having a more meaningful life, and anyone who likes to read amazing stories.

I really liked the concept of seeing all things we experience as part of our learning process rather than as dramas that tend to unravel us. I laughed and cried while reading this book and I passed it on to my daughter who is also a student of life trying to learn her lessons well.
If you realize we are all just bozos on the bus, you can smile at the rest of the bozos travelling alongside you and forgive those who caused you pain and maybe even thank them, one day, for helping you learn the valuable lessons you'll not forget easily.
Loved this book. I'm going to send a copy to my friend, another bozo trying to make sense of her life.

I thought this book was really good. It mostly helped you learn through other peoples experiences, kind of like a deeper Chicken Soup For The Soul, it didn't quite help me "break open/free" of my own problems, but it definitely was a good read.

Items were received in the time that they were guaranteed and the items I ordered were in perfect condition. No complaints at all! I definitely will be a returning customer

I'm in the process of RE-reading this book, it's that good. I've read other books but this one had an important differentiator... it gives permission to be imperfect in the healing process. I think it's important that people understand that reacting poorly is part of being human and it's how you move on from there that counts. I've purchased this as a gift for people I know who are going through tough times - great read, highly recommended.

This author shows how one can use their low times in life as a spur to change. She illustrates with poignant examples taken from her own life as well as those of workshop participants and even casual acquaintances met on airplanes. Because she writes so well with an easy, almost conversational tone, you can garner insights with little effort.
Death, divorce, remarriage, empty nest, illness ' all are covered and point to the humanity that links us all.
One warning: the Garabond typeface is small and hard on the eyes. Have your reading glasses handy!

In the prelude, Elizabeth Lesser says 'It was time for me to step boldly into the fullness of life, with all its dangers and all of its promises. Remaining tight in a bud had become a kind of death. The time had come to blossom.'
This powerful book is for anyone who believes that they are resisting the changes that are waiting for them and that it is way past time to emerge from the cocoon of their own fears and self-protection. In this book you will find many stories and a great deal of wisdom. Do you have a dream that you can't tell anyone because it seems to outrageous? I remember the day I first ran a 10k. those who knew me best said 'but you are not a runner'. Somehow the message was that if there was a runner hidden inside it would have emerged long before now. Months later, on a late warm summer evening, when I experienced runners high, the feeling after about 9 or 10 miles that you could run forever if you didn't need to get up in the morning, I was glad that I didn't let the box that others had me in constrain me from exploring just a little further.
Transitions and change take courage. This book may be what you need to help gain the courage you need.