Open

Open Our Eyes is a wonderful book of poetry, filled with many truths about life in general. The author has a gift for telling things like they are, and that's what I loved about her writings the most. Whether you are searching for mediations, inspirations, or affirmations, Ms. Thomas has written something specifically for you.

I really enjoyed the poetry of Open Our Eyes. Everything in this book has crossed my mind before or I have discussed it with friends. The author is bold and courageous enough to write about it. This author is a powerful performer. I was able to see her in action in Houston. She is adorable, funny and personable. I felt as if I knew her all of my life. Buy a book for yourself and a friend.

A very bold book, with uncensored views. It had a story to tell. A story of African American life.

As an educator in a state correctional facility, I am always looking for reading material that can interest and inspire. As a human being struggling with the difficulties of my own little life, working with human being beings who for many reasons are going through the very difficult life experience of incarceration has assisted me in my own soul growth and the awareness of the one soul by which we are all connected.
Reading "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" before I read it in class with my adult incarcerated students aided that development. I bought copies of the book for my students to read in class. Each student practiced his story. Then read it to the class. We have had many soul-stirring discussions.
I have never been the victim of a violent crime. I feel very much for victims and their families. The sections of the book that moved me to reflect on forgiveness were the ones telling about the forgiveness of the victim's family member for the perpetrator. I have trouble forgiving small slights. To read about the forgiveness of a violent crime that led to a taken life...well, I am still working on that. We live. We think. We change. This book encourages new thoughts to enter my mind and new changes in awareness of the soul.

"Many of our 700 minors have been marginalized by their families and their communities. Many feel forgotten by God. Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul lets them know that they are not forgotten. It symbolizes care and compassion and it has been transformative for many of our youth. It's actually the most sought after book at juvenile hall. It would be great if we could get on the wish-list for another 200 copies of your wonderful book. Thank you so much for every thing you do."
Javier Stauring
Chaplain
Central Juvenile Hall
Los Angeles

I recently purchased and read "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul." Each entry touched my heart. I posted the poem entitled "Wasted Time" on my office door so all of the inmates in our program could read it if they chose to do so. One inmate came to me recently and told me that he reads the poem every night before he goes to sleep because it gives him something to think about in terms of making positive changes in his life, especially while incarcerated.

Therapeutic Community professional

This book was given to me as a surprise gift from a coworker. I began reading it one spring morning at six a.m. while accompanying my S/O fishing. As the morning sun shone on me and I sipped at my hot coffee, I became totally involved in the lives of the people whose stories enlighten and/or simply enrich the spirit. It is a true celebration of many aspects of what being a woman is about. There are so many sides to us, so much to learn about ourselves, so much to explore, so much of life to be absorbed. In our neverending quest to give and experience the precious things in life, this book is a wonderful roadmap to help us seek out that which we have yet to experience and to relive that which has already brought us joy. It is about all of what is right with those of us of the feminine persuasion and celebrates loving, sharing, giving, nurturing and growing. If there are any men who are still puzzled by us, maybe they should read a sampling of topics from this book. It will give them a greater understanding of some of what makes us the creatures that we are. And for those who do understand, it will draw them even closer to us and enrich their own spirits as well. I have since also given this book to several friends as presents, however, I also included a pocket-size package of tissues....just in case!!!

I absolutely loved this book. It brought out the best in me and who I wanted to be. With every story my heart was filled with many emotions and helped me be more sympathetic towards others. After I read the first couple of stories I wanted to buy this book for all my loved ones so they could share in these heart felt stories too. I could barely put it down. You must get this book today!

There are several books that enlighten you, and this is surely one of them. Then there are books that change you, books that you take with you for the rest of your life, and these you must share with fellow seekers. These are the books that have unconditionally inspired me to be a better person and that I recommend to anyone searching for inspiration. The first is "The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho" this book is all about a shepherd trying to find his treasure. In the end he realizes his treasure was the journey, the people he met, the souls that touched him(How beautiful!) The second is "Siddhartha by Herman Hesse" A brilliant tale of a man who gives up everything for a journey of enlightenment. On his journey he meets the Buddha, he meets ascetics, and he meets his...(I wont spoil it for you). The last one is for kids, but it is still beautiful. "The Butterfly by Jay Singh" is a tale about a caterpillar in search of her smile! One day this caterpillar realizes she can no longer smile anymore because she is living an inauthentic life. She musters the courage to leave the Silk Palace to find her smile and discovers a whole new world that was hidden from her. Buy them, read them, be inspired!

"Genuine happiness, or enlightenment, is already within us; we have only to reveal it. As spring water rushes through open earth, so happiness flows through open lives." - Taro Gold
In just a few words of a good quote, you see the big picture or universal truth. This is a collection of Eastern Wisdom and contains quotes by Buddhist and Eastern thinkers such as Nichiren, Lao Tzu, Confucius, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Taro Gold sees these quotes as "guideposts." He believes in having an open mind and in illuminating your life's path with wisdom from great thinkers.

Taro also includes:

The Buddhist concept of the Ten Worlds
Short Allegories
Short Biographical paragraphs of Historical Figures quoted in this book
Longer passages for reflection
Common Sense Quotes
Universal Truths
Eastern Wisdom

An Iris represents Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor. Not only is the cover beautiful and filled with this flower, the entire books is beautifully illustrated in an ornate fashion. Almost every page has a beautiful border and then the quotes are in black ink and easy to read on cream-colored paper.

I've been contemplating the reality of how we become what we think. Lately I've been watching how my own thoughts change my behavior.

Taro Gold has included a wonderful quote from Mahatma Gandhi about this:

"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny."

This beautiful book will have me contemplating "thoughts" for a long time! An enjoyable collection of quotes to reflect on in moments when you want to think more deeply about life and your own journey to lasting happiness.

A book you will love adding to your collection.

"Genuine happiness, or enlightenment, is already within us; we have only to reveal it. As spring water rushes through open earth, so happiness flows through open lives." -Taro Gold

Taro Gold has spent much of his life living overseas. He has traveled to over thirty countries and has lived in Australia, Spain and Japan. This is the second book and larger edition of "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life." The author has also written extensively for international Buddhist publications and is currently living in California.

Quotes have always intrigued me because they contain condensed wisdom. In just a few words of a good quote, you see the big picture or universal truth. This is a collection of Eastern Wisdom and contains quotes by Buddhist and Eastern thinkers such as Nichiren, Lao Tzu, Confucius, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Taro sees these quotes as "guideposts." He believes in having an open mind and in illuminating your life's path with wisdom from great thinkers.

Taro also includes:

The Buddhist concept of the Ten Worlds
Short Allegories
Short Biographical paragraphs of Historical Figures quoted in this book
Longer passages for reflection
Common Sense Quotes
Universal Truths
Eastern Wisdom

An Iris represents Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor. Not only is the cover beautiful and filled with flowers, the entire books is beautifully illustrated in an ornate fashion. Almost every page has a beautiful border and then the quotes are in black ink and easy to read on white paper.

Some of the quotes do not have sources and are probably sayings passed down through many generations. These include Japanese, Buddhist and Chinese proverbs.

I've been contemplating the reality of how we become what we think. Lately I've been watching how my own thoughts change my behavior. Some of the quotes deal with the inherent nature of mankind or ask: "What is truth?"

Taro Gold has included a quote from Mahatma Gandhi:

"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny."

This beautiful mini-book will have me contemplating "thoughts" for a long time! An enjoyable collection of quotes to reflect on in moments when you want to think more deeply about life and your own journey to lasting happiness.

A book you will love adding to your inspirational quote-book collection.

I bring this book with me wherever I go, in my car or in my purse. I have an extra copy in my desk at work. I love it so so much -- makes me feel a lot better just to read one thought from it or one page from it now and then in the day. My husband keeps a copy by the bed to read us a thought before we get up each morning which often makes for great conversations.

I thought that this book was totally boring! I had to read it for a literature class, otherwise I would not wasted my time. Very slow. The author is great at his description of Montana, but his characters are so BORING!!!!!

This a book to treasure. Rowland has such an immense talent for creating setting, character, and mood; from the first pages, the reader is cast out into the vastness of the Montana landscape and then finds he does not want to leave. Pages turn quickly here, too quickly--you have to remind yourself to slow down and savor Rowland's loving descriptions, yet the characters themselves are constantly compelling you forward. Bloody, passionate, and gorgeous, In Open Spaces announces Rowland to the world.

This breathtakingly good debut positively floored me. It is at once majestic and intimate. The author presents a family of strong, unique characters who must act as one to survive the unforgiving open spaces of Eastern Montana -- even as the family members increasingly form and break alliances with one another. Rich in detail, the author's ranchhand roots clearly run deep. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interst in "guy stuff" (ranching, baseball, murder?), "girl stuff" (unrequited love, intrafamily dynamics, handsome cowboys) or just stuff (life during the depression, hitching rides in mail trucks, how to hold a cigarette).

Burt Levy is (I'm told) an accomplished Vintage racer who writes for a number of motorsport magazines covering that venue.

TLOR is set in 1952 and written in the first person. Protagonist and narrator Buddy Palumbo is just out of high school and working in a New Jersey Sinclair station for Old Man Finzio, much to the irritation of Buddy's father, who wants him to join his union at the local chemical plant. Finzio's Sinclair is a Warner Brothers cartoon come to life, with some mechanics so incompetent they actually drop cars off of lifts, all the way off so they land on the concrete on their sides.

Finzio's has one good mechanic, Buddy's mentor Butch Bohunk, but Butch gets permanently disabled while driving drunk. (Levy likes his characters' names to evoke a certain image--After Butch Bohunk, I started to expect to see Davy Dago, Sal Spic, and Pete Polack appear).

Buddy ends up becoming the head mechanic at the station, whose best customer is Big Ed Baumstein, a Cadillac-driving, cigar-chomping, oft-married, 350-pound scrap dealer prone to saying things like "Get a scratch on this baby and I'll use your head for a bowling ball." When Big Ed comes in one day with a new Jaguar XK120, his reliance on the station jumps to a new level. Buddy is the only one that can keep the XK running right, and when the Jag needs parts, Buddy goes to Westbridge Motors, the Manhattan importer where Big Ed bought the Jag. Here we meet owner Colin St. John and his parts manager Barry Spline. ...

The Last Open Road also reminds us that some things never change. There's always a little more horsepower to be had, a little weight that can come off, a little better airflow for a little more top speed, a little time saved on the next pit stop, another lap to be squeezed from the next fillup, and a little bit better shot at the brass ring, whatever form that brass ring may take.

Full of sly asides and good humour, this book is a must for persons who love vintage autos. The descriptions of road racing are the best I have read, you can really get the feeling of the race. The characters are very real and will be recognized by anyone who has ever participated in auto club activities. A truly excellent read

This is an excellent book that captures the ssence of sports cars, early sports car racing and life in general. The first time that I picked it up I intended to read for a few minutes before falling asleep -- 270 pages later I had to force myself to put it down at 2:00 A.M. -- I had to get up in three hours and go to work. This is the best book that I have ever read -- I've read my copy (a signed first edition) five times now. I even bought another copy to lend to friends and family.

Cameron Tuttle does not encourage we women to suddenly go out and do a Thelma and Louise on the unsuspecting back roads of the United States, but she sure knows how to have a good time. For all you gal pals who suddenly get the itch to just "take off" this book is essential to have in your purse, back pack, or glove compartment. Think of it as the kind of book you wish you had when you were a child on all those boring road trips, when you didn't know where you were going or how long it would take to get there. Now, you're in control. You have the road games. You have the laughs. It's even a handy travel diary! It's slim, it's chock full of fun and info, and it's inexpensive. It can't be beat.

I actually got this as a joke, since I'm taking a road trip this summer. I started reading it, and I couldn't put it down! It's a very quick read, hilarious, and actually offers some practical road-trip advice (like how to pee on the side of the road, or how to cook nachos on your motor). It also gives tips on fixing your car and finding cheap places to stay.
Whether you're planning on traveling alone or with friends, or even if you're not actually planning a road trip but might someday in the future, get this book, read it, and then use the pages for T.P. along the way, as the auther suggests. It is definitely something I will be taking with me, and although I probably won't have random wild sex with hitchhikers along the way, (hello, some is meant to be funny-- not serious), I might just make up an alias to use in places I stop, "jog the dog," or try to talk my way out of a speeding ticket, using the tips described.
This book is fun, fast and entertaining, and now I'm more excited than ever to get on that open road!

Ladies. Do yourself a favor, buy this book! Not only is it RIP ROARINGLY Hilarious, its stuffed full of genuinely useful information as well (I have actually used the "passenger side stall" what a godsend when past the roadside is basically a fifty foot drop!) and of course some not so practically useful but damn entertaining stuff as well.
(Who needs smokey eyeshadow..use the schmutz off your tires! one less thing to bring that takes up room otherwise used for your bad girl contraband!)

This book treats you like the intelligent bold woman you are.
With sound advice on just about anything and ANYONE you will encounter on your roadtrip of life.
Plus a hot pink sticker so you can indentify who else is "cookin under the hood"

When I read the first paragraph of this book, I was engrossed! I started to read it for a report. It gave plenty of information, and was extremely interesting. You feel like you are in the operating room. I affects your emotion. I highly recommend this book!

Mr. Miller's style of suspense keeps us reading to see what happens next. He vividly portrays the progress of open heart surgery, step by painful and bloody step. The reader suffers with the parents and doctors with each failed operation on each child, but watching as each technical problem is solved makes everything ok in the end.

The reader learns about various congenital heart diseases of children, the symptoms, the physical descriptions, and the outcomes. Mr. Miller explains the procedures very well so no prior knowledge of surgery, medicine, or heart physiology is required.

My favorite part is the race with the Mayo Clinic to perfect the heart-lung machine. The Mayo Clinic not only loses, but loses almost comically. Another favorite part is how the pace-maker was invented. This story along with the heart-lung machine story make this book worth reading.

If you are interested in medicine, surgery, heart problems, medical history, medical technology, or just want to learn, then you will appreciate "King of Hearts."

Being an adult patient with a congenital heart defect, I was looking for some kind of hope that surgery would be promising for me. After reading "King of Hearts" not only was I amazed at how far surgery had came and how much safer it is now than then. I could not put the book down for wanting to know more about the peoples lives that went through the surgeries and the young Dr.s that performed them. Looking at the faces of the people in the photo's in the book made me feel even more like a part of that history. But what astounded me most was the determination of Dr. Lillihei to continue with reasearch after all his set backs. I can honestly say that G. Wayne Miller has made what some would consider to be an educational history book so interesting that I wasn't able to put it down.

"Genuine happiness, or enlightenment, is already within us; we have only to reveal it. As spring water rushes through open earth, so happiness flows through open lives." - Taro Gold

In just a few words of a good quote, you see the big picture or universal truth. This is a collection of Eastern Wisdom and contains quotes by Buddhist and Eastern thinkers such as Nichiren, Lao Tzu, Confucius, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Taro Gold sees these quotes as "guideposts." He believes in having an open mind and in illuminating your life's path with wisdom from great thinkers.

Taro also includes:

The Buddhist concept of the Ten Worlds
Short Allegories
Short Biographical paragraphs of Historical Figures quoted in this book
Longer passages for reflection
Common Sense Quotes
Universal Truths
Eastern Wisdom

An Iris represents Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valor. Not only is the cover beautiful and filled with this flower, the entire books is beautifully illustrated in an ornate fashion. Almost every page has a beautiful border and then the quotes are in black ink and easy to read on cream-colored paper.

I've been contemplating the reality of how we become what we think. Lately I've been watching how my own thoughts change my behavior.

Taro Gold has included a wonderful quote from Mahatma Gandhi about this:

"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny."

This beautiful book will have me contemplating "thoughts" for a long time! An enjoyable collection of quotes to reflect on in moments when you want to think more deeply about life and your own journey to lasting happiness.

A book you will love adding to your collection.

An Iris represents faith, hope, wisdom and valor. Not only is the cover beautiful and filled with flowers, the entire books is beautifully illustrated in an ornate fashion. Almost every page has a beautiful border and then the quotes are in black ink and easy to read on the cream pages.

There are two books by Taro Gold with the same name. This is the first edition or tiny version: 96 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.49 x 3.76 x 3.28. Lest anyone think I am reviewing the same book, the last one was 132 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.52 x 5.30 x 5.36.

After finding this version, I think the smaller book is my new favorite. Not only is it much cuter, you can easily put it in a small purse or keep it in the pocket of your favorite coat.

I was looking for a copy of the original book for a relative and found the smaller book. This is an example of when less is more. For some reason, I enjoyed reading this book more than the larger version. Perhaps it seems easier to absorb the information in smaller bites.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Become a master of words."

"To change our lives, we must first change our minds."

"The surest path is one dedicated to a greater cause."

I believe these must be the words of Taro Gold who writes extensively for Buddhist publications. Taro Gold has spent much of his life living overseas. He has traveled to over thirty countries and has lived in Australia, Spain and Japan. His thoughts reflect deep contemplation over life's purpose and how to live on this planet to encourage happiness in those around us.

For instance, he says: "Do something today to improve someone else's life." This could be easily accomplished by buying a book for all your friends and relatives for "just because" presents. I'm sending this to a relative on Monday who I think will just love the mini version.

Often I think we shelter ourselves from the wisdom of other cultures, religions and when we are more open to reading selections and thoughts, we can then deepen our own beliefs and add a beautiful new meaning to our lives. There are many universal truths and many are presented in this tiny book.

I love the page about achieving goals and the list of how negative actions arise from one or more of fourteen categories. The story about the stranded starfish being saved by a little boy is a beautiful way to illustrate hope.

It does seem we have been put on this planet to test our souls. This is a beautiful book which provides guidance and hope. I found reading the quotes to be a healing experience.

"Open Your Mind, Open Your Life" is calming to the soul and will encourage confidence, optimism, good judgment and courage.

-TheRebeccaReview.com

This book is a wonderful collection of ideas and thoughts which can guide one on life's journey. It seems to gently remove the word "enigma" from life as it profoundly teaches with simplicity and depth.

Each thought is incredibly powerful mainly because this collection touches and challenges not only one's mind, but it also reaches the heart and the spirit.

It seems that westerners have difficulty in knowing how to live life, and the eastern philosophers just have the innate ability to do so. We are too focused on analysis and we are not very action oriented, while they offer the path and emphasize the action. Knowledge without action is really useless.

If you want to recapture the magical warmth and joy of discovery, and smile as you ponder these words of wisdom, buy this book. It's inspiring, and well worth it's small price!

Another very inspiring book in the "Chicken Soup" series. I have read many of them and they are now a permanent part of my personal collection and I reread them often for inspirations.

The "Chicken Soup For The Writer's Soul" is one book that I bought without having read a few pages of it as it was nicely wrapped up in the bookstore. But due to my past pleasant experiences reading books in the "Chicken Soup" series, I just bought it. And guess what? This is the book that has given me the most impact.

I have all the while enjoyed reading and writing. But apart from building up a library of hundreds of books .. I have never really got down to any serious writing. But the funny thing is I have often been approached by friends and associates to write reports and letters for them, in particular, letter of complaints! Yes, I am very good at that. Hah Hah.

After reading this book, I finally knew why. The writer in me has been identified and recognised!!! Or should I say, "awakened". It never felt better than to discover something you would really love to do deep within you.

When I first started a website project, "The Great Minds Project" at AwesomeLife.Com, I approached many great minds from all over the world to help ... and eventhough many have generously agreed to share their knowledge for free with other fellow human beings, many have turned me down. Eventhough I knew it was a meaningful project, it was tough getting turned down time and again.

After reading "Chicken Soup For The Writer's Soul", I finally came to the realisation that instead of begging people to share their knowledge and success secrets in life, I might as well write them myself. Voila!!! I have found the answer. And that is precisely what I am going to do. Halfway through this book, GraciousHearts.Com is born. I will write and write .. true stories that will inspire people, insights that will move people ... lessons that will change people's lives ... just like this book.

Thank you so much and keep up the awesome work. God bless.

Sometimes words can't express feelings, but let me just say that I love Chicken Soup for the Soul books. As a writer, this one in particular strikes at my heart strings - I find myself crying, then laughing, then struck with enthusiasm for writing some more.

Once you've read any of the Chicken Soup books you are hooked. They are all fantastic. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen are special people, following their dreams. Both of them are very proactive thinkers, motivating thousands of other people to follow their own dreams - and I am one of them. Their proactive style mixes really well with mine. They have a knack for getting people to work with them and their books practically build themselves.

Mark Victor Hansen in particular, America's Master Motivator, always covers all of the proactive bases: smart thinking, system thinking, futuristic thinking, and positive thinking. If you want to be a good writer and have the kind of success and abundance that makes your life 100% livable - you should follow his advice. Some of the ideas he promotes are found in SUCCESS BOUND, another book built on learning how to live a proactive life that is God centered and fulfilling.

I now have a whole bookshelf full of Chicken Soup books. This is one of the best. It is serendipitous in that it will always bring the unexpected. If you have other friends who are writers, consider getting them this book. Needless to say, it has played a huge role in helping me to be a successful writer and businessman. Get the book and look for "Why I Keep Writing" and "Writing from the Heart" two excellent stories that will move you.

My recommendation to you is, take a few minutes each day and read this book over time. Let it inspire you, then, move out confidently towards fulfilling your dreams, knowing that success and abundance will be your destiny.

Best wishes for a successful and proactive future!

I have to echo the sentiment that this is a very inspirational book for the writers out there...especially the small time, novice writers like me. This is the perfect book to have around when you get another rejection letter from a publisher; just pick up the book, read about the paths the authors took, & feel revived...ready to get back to the grind with a newfound enthusiasm!! It even talks specifically about how many rejections some authors got on certain projects, before hitting the New York Times Best Sellers List. If you're a writer, you could definitely use this book to boost you back up after a rejection letter has gotten you down!!