What do you think?
Rate this book
Shift Happens: How to Live an Inspired Life...Starting Right Now!
Two caterpillars were crawling along a tree branch one day when a butterfly flew overhead. One caterpillar said to the other, "You will never get me up in one of those things." Shift Happens! is about personal alchemy and inner transformation. Some people "go" through life; and other people "grow" through life. Shift Happens! celebrates your unlimited potential to grow, blossom, and evolve—in spite of everything. It is a book of hope. The term personal alchemy describes the ability to take a piece of dirt, roll it around a few times, and fashion it into a pearl. This is what an oyster does. Personal alchemy is what your grandmother called turning lemons into lemonade. It is what old wizards described as turning straw into gold. Shift Happens! is about staying open all hours for miracles. Success, love, and happiness are only ever one thought away at most. One new perception, one fresh thought, one act of surrender, one change of heart, one leap of faith, can change your life forever.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2010
159 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Robert Holden
93 books107 followersRobert Holden, Ph.D., is the Director of The Happiness Project and Success Intelligence. His innovative work has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America, and media worldwide. Robert coaches leaders in business, education, politics and healthcare. His clients include Dove and the “Real Beauty Campaign,” and also Virgin and The Body Shop. Robert is a student of A Course in Miracles. He is author of the best selling books: Happiness NOW!, Shift Happens!, Authentic Success (formerly titled Success Intelligence) and Be Happy. Robert also hosts a weekly show on Hay House Radio called Shift Happens! Website: RobertHolden.org.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 20, 2013
This is not a book I would have chosen for myself. My grandmother thought it would be helpful to me so I gave it a try. My mind was open until Holden started to attack atheism and then, I have to admit, I shut down a little. There are pearls of wisdom to be found here but it's nothing new. The most helpful bits come from Taoist and Buddhist teachings. I'm afraid the pseudo-Christian 'Course in Miracles' stuff doesn't do much for me.
January 28, 2024
This is another book by one of my new favourite authors.
He tells us the book is about “personal alchemy and inner transformation”.
It’s about “staying open all hours for miracles”,
He tells us about “the Unconditioned Self”. It is the “real you”, your original potential.
He gives us an affirmation - “I am what I seek”.
We’re told that the fear that there’s something wrong with us is our greatest block to joy – there is no other block.’
It will look as though life is against us, as though others reject us.
There is nothing wrong with us, though our perception can be “sick”, or our thinking be off.
Shift happens whenever we practice unconditional self—acceptance, choose kindness instead of judgement, and forgiveness instead of self-attack.
The final and only act of healing is to accept that there is nothing wrong with us.
Try this exercise today. Make a point of looking for the good in everyone you meet. “Mentally bow to the light in everyone you meet today.” As you offer this light to others, so will you strengthen it in yourself.
The author’s father drank himself to death; he lived homeless on the street for ten years. His mother suffered deep depression and tried to kill herself twice.’
We all know what it is to suffer, But this is not our identity, who or what we are,
There is a difference between “I experienced failure” and “I am a failure”.
We are not our suffering.
When Robert graduated, he made a vow to treat people, not ilnesses. He will not define people as their illnesses.
Whatever we identify with, we attract more of. When we identify with suffering, we attract more suffering.
Shift happens when you let go of attachment to suffering.
Take time today to honour all your experiences. Smile, and let each one go. They are not us. Above all, you are not an illness, you are not made of pain, and you are not your mistakes,
Separation is the great illusion. The truth is, you are not separate from anything, ever. “There is no time and space between you and God. The same is true between you and your Unconditional Self.”
“Separation is the great disease of mankind.” It is because you are separate from the rest of life that you experience lack, struggle, conflicts, illness, and pain.’
Begin each new day with this prayer. “Dear God, Today I give up the thought of separation. Amen.”
Affirm to yourself daily.
“In me is all of Heaven.
In Heaven is all of me.”
The ego is not real: it is just an idea.
The ego is the sum total of all your small ideas about yourself, It sees you as separate, isolate, and cut off from the whole.
The more you love, the more you get what you really want. Love and egos cannot co-exist. Love is wholeness. Love detoxifies the ego!
Independence is inspired not by love, but fear, and not by wholeness but aloneness. “Independence is the ego’s attempt to be its own God.”
We are provided with some telltale signs of our being dysfunctionally independent.
We are exhausted.
We never ask for help.
We never let anyone give to us.
Intimacy is unfamiliar and scary.
You think being single is being free.
You try to heal on your own.
Atheism is your revenge on God.
Imagine, maybe all of the universe is here to support you.
God is a God of unconditional love. When you reach for God, you are simply reaching for the highest in yourself,
We’re told that the first law of personal alchemy states “The world changes when you do”.
Imagine for a moment that the world is not a physical place that is separate from you, but rather a projection of your state of mind.
Robert quotes Shakespeare: “There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so.”
What you believe will be what you perceive. A belief has no power othe than what you give it.
Shift happens when you change your beliefs.
These are few of the precepts introduced to us by the author But the book contains much more. I strongly recommend that you read it.
He tells us the book is about “personal alchemy and inner transformation”.
It’s about “staying open all hours for miracles”,
He tells us about “the Unconditioned Self”. It is the “real you”, your original potential.
He gives us an affirmation - “I am what I seek”.
We’re told that the fear that there’s something wrong with us is our greatest block to joy – there is no other block.’
It will look as though life is against us, as though others reject us.
There is nothing wrong with us, though our perception can be “sick”, or our thinking be off.
Shift happens whenever we practice unconditional self—acceptance, choose kindness instead of judgement, and forgiveness instead of self-attack.
The final and only act of healing is to accept that there is nothing wrong with us.
Try this exercise today. Make a point of looking for the good in everyone you meet. “Mentally bow to the light in everyone you meet today.” As you offer this light to others, so will you strengthen it in yourself.
The author’s father drank himself to death; he lived homeless on the street for ten years. His mother suffered deep depression and tried to kill herself twice.’
We all know what it is to suffer, But this is not our identity, who or what we are,
There is a difference between “I experienced failure” and “I am a failure”.
We are not our suffering.
When Robert graduated, he made a vow to treat people, not ilnesses. He will not define people as their illnesses.
Whatever we identify with, we attract more of. When we identify with suffering, we attract more suffering.
Shift happens when you let go of attachment to suffering.
Take time today to honour all your experiences. Smile, and let each one go. They are not us. Above all, you are not an illness, you are not made of pain, and you are not your mistakes,
Separation is the great illusion. The truth is, you are not separate from anything, ever. “There is no time and space between you and God. The same is true between you and your Unconditional Self.”
“Separation is the great disease of mankind.” It is because you are separate from the rest of life that you experience lack, struggle, conflicts, illness, and pain.’
Begin each new day with this prayer. “Dear God, Today I give up the thought of separation. Amen.”
Affirm to yourself daily.
“In me is all of Heaven.
In Heaven is all of me.”
The ego is not real: it is just an idea.
The ego is the sum total of all your small ideas about yourself, It sees you as separate, isolate, and cut off from the whole.
The more you love, the more you get what you really want. Love and egos cannot co-exist. Love is wholeness. Love detoxifies the ego!
Independence is inspired not by love, but fear, and not by wholeness but aloneness. “Independence is the ego’s attempt to be its own God.”
We are provided with some telltale signs of our being dysfunctionally independent.
We are exhausted.
We never ask for help.
We never let anyone give to us.
Intimacy is unfamiliar and scary.
You think being single is being free.
You try to heal on your own.
Atheism is your revenge on God.
Imagine, maybe all of the universe is here to support you.
God is a God of unconditional love. When you reach for God, you are simply reaching for the highest in yourself,
We’re told that the first law of personal alchemy states “The world changes when you do”.
Imagine for a moment that the world is not a physical place that is separate from you, but rather a projection of your state of mind.
Robert quotes Shakespeare: “There is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so.”
What you believe will be what you perceive. A belief has no power othe than what you give it.
Shift happens when you change your beliefs.
These are few of the precepts introduced to us by the author But the book contains much more. I strongly recommend that you read it.
July 16, 2012
I seem to be in a Robert Holden kick these days, and for good reason I think: this guy obviously knows what he's talking about. He practices what he preaches, and it seeps through every word, every sentence he writes. He is honest and transparent, and doesn't hide potential challenges to his philosophy.
Because, let's get this straight: Holden's work presents a philosophy of life. It may be wrapped in self-help paper, but dig a little and you have a fascinating, and eminently positive, conception of human beings and human life.
I think that Shift Happens: How to Live an Inspired Life...Starting Right Now! is a great place to start if you're new to Holden. It is comprised of short, punchy essays that develop an idea or a topic, such as feeling stuck, relationships, and struggling. It is filled with inspirational quotes and stories of transformation, of people who were just a miserable as you feel and discovered that there was a better way.
However, I'm starting to hit a wall with Holden: as much as I am inspired by his writing, I'm having a hard time finding ways to do what he suggests: letting go of guilt, fear and expectations. He routinely suggests to release control and give it up to God (not the Christian God but rather a general idea of divinity). Not being especially religious, I sometimes have trouble relating to this advice, but I admit that everyone needs some spiritual nourishing in their life. So here I am, trying to understand this concept of God and trying to give my struggles up.
There's also a lot of talk about mediation, but little instruction on how to do it. In Holden's world, it seems to be simply a matter of sitting down somewhere and being still. And it might just be as simple as that, but a single paragraph giving basic instructions would be appreciated, if only in appendix.
If you want a quick inspirational read, I strongly suggest this volume. However, if you want to delve deeper into Holden's philosophy and approach, you can get Happiness Now!: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good FAST, which I have reviewed earlier.
This book matters because it is filled with wisdom that we simply have forgotten and need to relearn. If you even only read one chapter a day, you'll feel more inspired, more positive and definitely more hopeful. The secret? Live in the present.
Because, let's get this straight: Holden's work presents a philosophy of life. It may be wrapped in self-help paper, but dig a little and you have a fascinating, and eminently positive, conception of human beings and human life.
I think that Shift Happens: How to Live an Inspired Life...Starting Right Now! is a great place to start if you're new to Holden. It is comprised of short, punchy essays that develop an idea or a topic, such as feeling stuck, relationships, and struggling. It is filled with inspirational quotes and stories of transformation, of people who were just a miserable as you feel and discovered that there was a better way.
However, I'm starting to hit a wall with Holden: as much as I am inspired by his writing, I'm having a hard time finding ways to do what he suggests: letting go of guilt, fear and expectations. He routinely suggests to release control and give it up to God (not the Christian God but rather a general idea of divinity). Not being especially religious, I sometimes have trouble relating to this advice, but I admit that everyone needs some spiritual nourishing in their life. So here I am, trying to understand this concept of God and trying to give my struggles up.
There's also a lot of talk about mediation, but little instruction on how to do it. In Holden's world, it seems to be simply a matter of sitting down somewhere and being still. And it might just be as simple as that, but a single paragraph giving basic instructions would be appreciated, if only in appendix.
If you want a quick inspirational read, I strongly suggest this volume. However, if you want to delve deeper into Holden's philosophy and approach, you can get Happiness Now!: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good FAST, which I have reviewed earlier.
This book matters because it is filled with wisdom that we simply have forgotten and need to relearn. If you even only read one chapter a day, you'll feel more inspired, more positive and definitely more hopeful. The secret? Live in the present.
November 14, 2015
In the movie Jerry Mcguire the characters played by Renee Zeilweiger and Tom Cruise have an on and off romance. “You had me at hello,” is the most well known line in that film from Zeilweiger, when the Cruise character comes back to reconcile their relationship.
I thought of that line when reading Shift Happens! How to Live an Inspired Life … Right Now! by Robert Holden. Early in the book Holden writes “”If your God is not a God of unconditional love, get another God!” The unconditional Love of God is the basis of my spirituality, and when I read this line I thought “this book is going to be good!” Holden had me. Throughout Shift Happens Holden returns to this theme often, calling this love “your Unconditioned Self”.
Shift Happens! is a work to savor. The book consists of 55 short three to four page chapters ranging in topics from “There is nothing wrong with you” to “Get off your ‘yeah but’”. I really liked this format. It took me almost two months to finish Shift Happens but that’s because each chapter stands on its own. I took Holden’s inspirational writing in small doses – reading one chapter each day. This is not a book to rush through.
As a person who relishes reading books about spirituality and self improvement, this passage spoke to me:
“Many times I have watched people use self improvement as a covert form of self-attack—heavily laced with self-criticism, self-loathing, and a denial of wholeness,” Holden writes. “Self-improvement often starts with a perception of lack (i.e., I am not good enough, I am not okay yet, etc.). Unless this perception of lack is changed, you always end up where you started, in lack! No amount of self-improvement is enough. There is no rest.”
Am I reading self improvement books because I think something is wrong with me? If I am honest I must say yes, that is my motivation at times. Holden’s words brought me back to his “Unconditional Love” world view. There’s nothing wrong with reading self help material, I was reminded, but with the motivation of learning more about who I really am, rather than trying to “fix” myself.
Holden has many other nuggets of wisdom spread throughout Shift Happens. I recommend the book for anyone who would like a daily dose of positive inspiration to start their day.
This is another book review in my partnership with Hay House. I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
I thought of that line when reading Shift Happens! How to Live an Inspired Life … Right Now! by Robert Holden. Early in the book Holden writes “”If your God is not a God of unconditional love, get another God!” The unconditional Love of God is the basis of my spirituality, and when I read this line I thought “this book is going to be good!” Holden had me. Throughout Shift Happens Holden returns to this theme often, calling this love “your Unconditioned Self”.
Shift Happens! is a work to savor. The book consists of 55 short three to four page chapters ranging in topics from “There is nothing wrong with you” to “Get off your ‘yeah but’”. I really liked this format. It took me almost two months to finish Shift Happens but that’s because each chapter stands on its own. I took Holden’s inspirational writing in small doses – reading one chapter each day. This is not a book to rush through.
As a person who relishes reading books about spirituality and self improvement, this passage spoke to me:
“Many times I have watched people use self improvement as a covert form of self-attack—heavily laced with self-criticism, self-loathing, and a denial of wholeness,” Holden writes. “Self-improvement often starts with a perception of lack (i.e., I am not good enough, I am not okay yet, etc.). Unless this perception of lack is changed, you always end up where you started, in lack! No amount of self-improvement is enough. There is no rest.”
Am I reading self improvement books because I think something is wrong with me? If I am honest I must say yes, that is my motivation at times. Holden’s words brought me back to his “Unconditional Love” world view. There’s nothing wrong with reading self help material, I was reminded, but with the motivation of learning more about who I really am, rather than trying to “fix” myself.
Holden has many other nuggets of wisdom spread throughout Shift Happens. I recommend the book for anyone who would like a daily dose of positive inspiration to start their day.
This is another book review in my partnership with Hay House. I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
December 17, 2014
When I first started this book I thought it was like many other self-helps I had read. The more I got into it the more I realized it's nothing like any other book I've read. I really enjoyed the insight and philosophy Robert Holden shared about what we think about ourselves and the ruts we put ourselves in. So many times I found myself connecting to what he was teaching and it surprised me that he got to the core of some of my issues. He brought those out, put a name to it and gave me some tools to use. I enjoyed this book very much. I'll keep in on my Kindle and will re-read it from time to time.
June 23, 2015
Amazing book...I read it after Loveability. Must read. Very uplifting
August 5, 2015
It happens.
Shift happens! Only love is real. Shift happens. An inspiring book for an inspiring life. Fear is yesterday. Fear is yesterday.
Shift happens! Only love is real. Shift happens. An inspiring book for an inspiring life. Fear is yesterday. Fear is yesterday.
January 6, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it past the tenth chapter. It feels like a bunch of random blog posts that were compiled with perhaps a sprinkle of congruent phrases to try and tie them together. However, they lack any structure or direction. The chapters do not connect or build upon each other.
Don't get me wrong, the messaging is positive, encouraging, but unfortunately superficial and cliche. If you are in search of a book that offers bite-sized chapters that you can use to provide you with some extra positivity in your life, but without any foundation, then this could be a 5-star book for you.
Don't get me wrong, the messaging is positive, encouraging, but unfortunately superficial and cliche. If you are in search of a book that offers bite-sized chapters that you can use to provide you with some extra positivity in your life, but without any foundation, then this could be a 5-star book for you.
April 14, 2018
Way too fluffy and religious
The advice and topics generally resonated with me, but the rationale was based more faith than logic or evidence, and the “supporting examples” were weak. Also, a lot of the advice as the book went on became less actionable, things like “put love first” - whatever that means. Some good tidbits on gratitude, but otherwise I was unimpressed.
The advice and topics generally resonated with me, but the rationale was based more faith than logic or evidence, and the “supporting examples” were weak. Also, a lot of the advice as the book went on became less actionable, things like “put love first” - whatever that means. Some good tidbits on gratitude, but otherwise I was unimpressed.
August 11, 2021
Blissful read!
What an uplifting book! If you need a dose of positivity in your life, a belief in hope and love, here it is! Each short chapter delivers a meaningful point and is driven with an example from Holden’s wide experience. If you are a student of A Course in Miracles, this is an excellent companion book. I love this book!
What an uplifting book! If you need a dose of positivity in your life, a belief in hope and love, here it is! Each short chapter delivers a meaningful point and is driven with an example from Holden’s wide experience. If you are a student of A Course in Miracles, this is an excellent companion book. I love this book!
August 4, 2023
Good information and motivation
Good information and motivation. Someone could listen to this book daily if they wanted to stay motivated. Or someone could listen to this book each day to learn new lessons. Then again why not do both? The lessons and information are simple and easy to understand.
Good information and motivation. Someone could listen to this book daily if they wanted to stay motivated. Or someone could listen to this book each day to learn new lessons. Then again why not do both? The lessons and information are simple and easy to understand.
October 6, 2025
The book also teaches about learning to control our emotions and manage our state of mind. It reminds us that looking at a situation through a different lens can greatly affect the outcome. I like how it emphasizes the idea of “growing through life” instead of just “going through it.” However, some parts felt a bit dull to read because of the author’s wordplay and repetitive phrasing, I guess.
November 16, 2017
This book was "okay". I ended up skimming the rest of the book. Basically this book is telling me to "relax", which I do need to do, as like most people. We all have stress in our lives and this book has little clues as to how to relax and reduce stress.
May 14, 2022
I really loved the short format of the audio chapters. At around 5 minutes each, you can listen to a little a day or binge a block of them. Lots of good info here, and reminders of how to live better.
January 4, 2023
I received this as part of a giveaway. This book reminded me of a few choices I can make in my life that I have been neglecting. It's made me look inward and reassess my life. I will definitely be reading it again! There's a lot to take in the first time you read it.
March 13, 2018
GREAT BOOK
July 7, 2018
Shift happens
Surrender to God and let Him take care of you just like you are letting Him take care of the universe.
Surrender to God and let Him take care of you just like you are letting Him take care of the universe.
January 26, 2019
Brilliant!
December 25, 2022
Inspiring, Recharging
Loved reading this inspiring book. Each chapter is short enough to make it a daily habit, a daily goal, a daily intention to make the shift happen.
Loved reading this inspiring book. Each chapter is short enough to make it a daily habit, a daily goal, a daily intention to make the shift happen.
December 31, 2023
Very short and easy read. I think I wrote down at least 25 quotes from this book. I’m a sucker for self-help books and Holden’s excerpts resonated deeply with me.
January 1, 2024
Generally has a lot of good advice but a little repetitive
October 23, 2025
Absolutely amazing, have been sharing snippets with everyone I met
April 24, 2025
I’m sold on the author and see deep truth in his ideas. They led me to “profound” moments, practical breakthroughs, and deep self-diagnosis.
***
SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES. The feeling that “something’s missing” is not reality, just confusion; life is like a puzzle where you only notice missing pieces once you’ve laid everything out. Personal alchemy means turning lemons into lemonade and failures into growth. Some people just go through life; others choose to grow through life. The search for happiness is actually the denial of happiness already available.
THE POWER OF BELIEF. Most people clinging to “living in the moment” are actually locked in self-beliefs from decades ago. Our philosophy is usually not created by ourselves - we all have deep rooted beliefs about money, health, love, and especially about ourselves. Your self-belief shapes everything: what you think you deserve, what’s possible for you, what you attract or push away, what you’re open to or closed off from. Self-belief is a magnet and a self-fulfilling prophecy.
EMOTIONS AND HEALING. “Hurt people hurt people” - let that sink in. Emotions aren’t inherently bad - so allow yourself to feel everything, including sadness.
GENUINE GIVING. Giving isn’t loss. The ego tells you that giving love, hope, or support depletes you. In reality, the more you give, the richer you become. When you focus on getting, you never feel you have enough. Choose to be the person who brings happiness with you. Raise the mood of the room when you walk in, not when You go away ;)
SELF-IMPROVEMENT OR SELF-ATTACK? Self-improvement can be a sneaky form of self-attack - when it’s fueled by “I’m not enough,” it never works. No achievement, no number of self-help books or checklists will be enough if you believe you’re fundamentally lacking. The only way to grow is through radical self-acceptance; that’s your #1 goal. When you accept yourself, you grow naturally, without pressure. And just be happy for the growth!
MARTYRDOM AND SACRIFICE. Sacrifice isn’t love. It’s paying for what you don’t think you deserve, and it never fills that gap. When you play the martyr, nobody wins. If you think you’re unworthy, no amount of sacrifice will ever make you feel enough.
FEAR IS YESTERDAY. Fear comes always from the past experience; it’s an old story, not what’s happening now. You can dissolve fear by inviting your mind to reinterpret everything - step into presence without old beliefs.
LET GO OF CONTROL. Many people like to have control over others, believing this is freedom and power, but removes joy, spontaneity and creativity from their life. The most defensive people are the least happy.
COMMITMENT AND WAITING. Don’t wait for the relationship to be perfect before you go all in; lasting love requires commitment first. People are lonely because they wait to be loved instead of being the one who loves; they wait for friendships instead of being a friend. You don’t need a reason to be happy or loving. Try being “unreasonably” kind to yourself and everyone.
FEAR, EXCUSES, AND ASKING FOR HELP. You rationalize your fears and give “good reasons” for why you play small. Most of the resistance around asking for help comes from blocks like pride, feeling unworthy, or not wanting to owe anyone. Every time you refuse to ask for help, you’re choosing ego over connection.
***
SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES. The feeling that “something’s missing” is not reality, just confusion; life is like a puzzle where you only notice missing pieces once you’ve laid everything out. Personal alchemy means turning lemons into lemonade and failures into growth. Some people just go through life; others choose to grow through life. The search for happiness is actually the denial of happiness already available.
THE POWER OF BELIEF. Most people clinging to “living in the moment” are actually locked in self-beliefs from decades ago. Our philosophy is usually not created by ourselves - we all have deep rooted beliefs about money, health, love, and especially about ourselves. Your self-belief shapes everything: what you think you deserve, what’s possible for you, what you attract or push away, what you’re open to or closed off from. Self-belief is a magnet and a self-fulfilling prophecy.
EMOTIONS AND HEALING. “Hurt people hurt people” - let that sink in. Emotions aren’t inherently bad - so allow yourself to feel everything, including sadness.
GENUINE GIVING. Giving isn’t loss. The ego tells you that giving love, hope, or support depletes you. In reality, the more you give, the richer you become. When you focus on getting, you never feel you have enough. Choose to be the person who brings happiness with you. Raise the mood of the room when you walk in, not when You go away ;)
SELF-IMPROVEMENT OR SELF-ATTACK? Self-improvement can be a sneaky form of self-attack - when it’s fueled by “I’m not enough,” it never works. No achievement, no number of self-help books or checklists will be enough if you believe you’re fundamentally lacking. The only way to grow is through radical self-acceptance; that’s your #1 goal. When you accept yourself, you grow naturally, without pressure. And just be happy for the growth!
MARTYRDOM AND SACRIFICE. Sacrifice isn’t love. It’s paying for what you don’t think you deserve, and it never fills that gap. When you play the martyr, nobody wins. If you think you’re unworthy, no amount of sacrifice will ever make you feel enough.
FEAR IS YESTERDAY. Fear comes always from the past experience; it’s an old story, not what’s happening now. You can dissolve fear by inviting your mind to reinterpret everything - step into presence without old beliefs.
LET GO OF CONTROL. Many people like to have control over others, believing this is freedom and power, but removes joy, spontaneity and creativity from their life. The most defensive people are the least happy.
COMMITMENT AND WAITING. Don’t wait for the relationship to be perfect before you go all in; lasting love requires commitment first. People are lonely because they wait to be loved instead of being the one who loves; they wait for friendships instead of being a friend. You don’t need a reason to be happy or loving. Try being “unreasonably” kind to yourself and everyone.
FEAR, EXCUSES, AND ASKING FOR HELP. You rationalize your fears and give “good reasons” for why you play small. Most of the resistance around asking for help comes from blocks like pride, feeling unworthy, or not wanting to owe anyone. Every time you refuse to ask for help, you’re choosing ego over connection.
September 8, 2015
This small book is filled with short 2-4 page chapters containing simple wisdom. We need to get out of our own way in order to change our life. We often live in the past, or the future and turn to fear and worry as a way to self destruction. When we live in the moment and move past the fear we will find that things are less difficult and much happier. Stop dwelling in misery and start living.
I like that you can pick this book up read a chapter gain an incredible amount of insight - you don't need to read it straight through, you don't need to do anything but take in the information and see how it starts to change your perception.
I look forward to reading more Robert Holden, I think more people need to be taught these simple truths to help us move ahead and stop dwelling on what holds us back. Shift Happens! is a good reminder book to keep by your side and pick up when you are feeling off, read a bit and move forward.
I like that you can pick this book up read a chapter gain an incredible amount of insight - you don't need to read it straight through, you don't need to do anything but take in the information and see how it starts to change your perception.
I look forward to reading more Robert Holden, I think more people need to be taught these simple truths to help us move ahead and stop dwelling on what holds us back. Shift Happens! is a good reminder book to keep by your side and pick up when you are feeling off, read a bit and move forward.
December 16, 2012
Extremely insightful and poetic, Robert Holden illustrated a simple yet most difficult pursuit in one's life-- true happiness. Our ego and neurosis is always in the way blocking us reaching the seemingly obvious goal, he is a great teacher to help us bring down the barriers we accumulated throughout the year.
February 6, 2013
I love Robert Holden, and I love this book! He is one of my favorite Hay House authors and radio hosts, and this book did not disappoint. I actually listened to the audio version, and will definitely be listening to it again (and, most likely, several more times after that)!!
Truly inspiring stuff! :)
Truly inspiring stuff! :)
January 10, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had positive messages to and encouraging words to inspire your everyday life. I don't normally buy books but this is definitely one that I will add to my small collection.
September 29, 2012
I am a huge highlight while read person.. I have marked this little book to death. Some of the "teachings" have even brought tears to my eyes. Just when you think you are finally healed, something ... this book... let's you know gently, you still have some work to do. Excellent book!
December 23, 2012
I love this book, Robert walk us through an incredible exploration of all the key topics needed to be happy and to have inner peace. Being such a young guy, it is incredible how much experience he has... Now this book is part of my collection of my favourites spirituality books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews