Seed Thoughts for Loving Yourself: Cultivating the Garden of Your Mind Book Review

When I first met Suzanne Harrill, M. Ed, author of Seed Thoughts for Loving Yourself: Cultivating the Garden of Your Mind, I was in her "Acorn to Oak Tree" Workshop on self-esteem. Through the workshop she was planting the potent seeds that would become this timely and transformative book. I was just starting out in my adult life, looking for a guidepost by which to weigh and measure my pressing desires against my seemingly limited choices. I knew I needed something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on just what I needed. Then Suzanne gave us one of the premises on which this writing is based. In effect she said: If most of the people in the world can find their way to naturally healthier, higher self-esteem almost all of the challenges life presents us with would become opportunities. This rang true to me clearly. I knew right then one piece of what I needed was higher self-esteem.

Readers will find the "Acorn Analogy" in the opening pages of the book. Immediately following it is the insightful forward on by John Randolph Price, on maximizing the value of what "seed thoughts" have to offer us. Then, there is a basic explanation of self-esteem and how personal self-esteem forms part of the foundation for the quality of our lives, including the "Self-Esteem Awareness Inventory." The inventory will help readers experience how this applies for them, personally. Following the inventory, just before the daily readings there is a version of the 12 Steps of AA adapted by Suzanne especially to build self-esteem. This phenomenally versatile healing tool supports breaking the cycles of habit, addiction and co-dependence, while simultaneously building self awareness, understanding and compassion. There is a daily reading to address 365 different aspects of life and living, from "Adventure" to "Wise Use of Power," each with a companion affirmation at the bottom of the page. And, Suzanne artfully left the year undesignated, so that both our detail oriented and our feeling selves may take it up again, year after year.

This is among the most important pocket-sized books I have ever read. I recommend it to everyone who would enjoy experiencing richer, more complete happiness. To access Seed Thoughts for Loving Yourself and all of Suzanne's publications and services go to her website at www.InnerworksPublishing.com