It is because I know how frightened, lost and alone one can feel while stumbling along the rocky path that I have published this book. Originally, I wrote it for my spirit only. Over the last couple of years, however, I have shared it with an ever-widening circle of many of my family, friends and their friends and acquaintances, and I have been gratified and amazed to see their enthusiastic response. Many have reported feeling refreshed and invigorated by these writings.

Now, I share it with you because during my own struggles, I searched for and found little that could guide me step by step into happier times. I came across many wonderful books which correctly said self-love was key to living happily, but which did not show what exactly one needed to do to conquer the pain of daily misery. This book seeks to fill that gap.

These meditations and affirmations comprise a program to enable you to master the thoughts and feelings in your life and, therefore, create the joyful existence you desire.

Through my own experience and after years of research on personal growth and recovery from life’s traumas, it is clear to me that our greatest handicap in experiencing joy is what I will call a crisis of the self. Our deepest sorrow strikes when an unformed “self” or a flawed concept of “self” is forced by circumstances to confront its incompleteness or its flaw. The truth of the state of the self is unacceptable to the individual. That truth is so painful to face that the individual’s systems shut down, either totally, rendering the person incapable of functioning in society, or partially, with the person experiencing life in limbo.

I now consider that pain a gift, for it wakes us up. It presents right before our eyes problems that have been lurking unattended. It gives us the opportunity to fix whatever needs to be corrected if we are to lead fuller, richer lives.

In my own case, my painful experience taught me that I was an unformed “self”. I had no concept of a separate “me” that existed in the world. My identity was as part of my family, and, later, as part of a couple.

Through this painful period of my life, I also realized that what little sense of self I had was flawed: my identity was wrapped up in my work, and when my efforts proved less successful than before, I crumbled. I have learnt  that it is wholly possible to be an achiever, to have pride in one’s accomplishments and still lack self-confidence; pride in one’s achievements and self-confidence are not the same thing. You can have self-confidence or self-esteem only if you know yourself.

This experience has taught me to discover and enjoy my individuality. It has taught me that work — even the most fulfilling work — is something you do, not who you are. I now know that it is my lifelong duty to myself to know, nurture, preserve and honor my “self”.

Knowing, understanding and loving who you are works like magic in your life. It is the key that opens a door to a bright, beautiful world. It is an awakening that pervades every aspect of your life. It guides all your decisions and actions. Suddenly, you find yourself recognizing and avoiding situations that would cause you pain. And almost instinctively, you begin to gravitate to and create situations that would bring you joy.

INTRODUCTION
Life presents a door to a better way
A personal passage
Self-love is the key
How to use this book
Create your circle of strength

Read the Preface