Squeezing Good Out of Bad

by James N. Watkins

Squeezing Good Out of Bad": Top ten ways to not only survive but thrive with a lemon-fresh attitude as you face those lemon juice in the eye, life-puckering problems. The author has had his share of sour fruit (cancer, unemployment, depression, chronic nose hair) but provides a humorous look at the problems of life. Learn how to find hope and humor amidst horrific circumstances. When life gives you lemons . . . * Don't confuse lemons with hand grenades - identify the problem * Check the delivery slip 21 - determine if it's your problem * Sell them on eBay - profit from the problem * Paint smiley faces on your lemons - laugh at the problem * Join a citrus support group - share your problem * Use as an all-natural, organic astringent - grow from the problem * Don't shoot the delivery driver - forgive the problem-maker * Call in the Master Gardener - take the problem to a higher level * Grow your own orchard - live a fruitful life despite-or because of-the problem * Give off a refreshing fragrance - live a lemon-fresh life Praise for Squeezing Good Out of Bad "A book that will make you laugh, think, and start looking at those sour places of life in a whole new way. I really enjoyed reading it." Martha Bolton, Writer for Jeff Allen, Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Mark Lowry "Jim fills each page with thirst-quenching lemon aid! His humility and insight are all the more compelling because he shares the lemons of heartache in his own life. An uplifting and encouraging read!" Marybeth Hicks, columnist for "The Washington Times" "Jim helps us find perspective in those life-puckering situations, find power for coping, and even helps us find purpose in the pucker." Rhonda Rhea, author of "Amusing Grace" and "High Heels in High Places -Walking Worthy in Way Cute Shoes

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2009

Reviews

[Christy Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many years I have been a fan of the wit and wisdom of James N. Watkins. He weaves his natural sense of humor into serious subjects with seamless ease. And trust me, his sense of humor is warped like mine! Check out this “stand up” routine Moses could have given with his back against the Red Sea:

“Hey, how’s everybody tonight? Well ‘shofar,’ so good (rim shot). So, how ‘bout that Passover meal? Great menu if you have to be on the lamb (rim shot). Tough room. I’m dying like a firstborn in Egypt (rim shot).”

Having lived through many “lemons” in life, his words are also rich with the wisdom of personal experience and the compassion that grows out of it. Despite his funny chapter titles (below), the contents have significant helpful content for those of us in the puckering problems of life. When life gives you lemons:
• Don’t confuse them with hand grenades (Identify the problem)
• Check the delivery slip (Determine if it’s your problem)
• Sell them on eBay (Profit from the problem)
• Paint smiley faces on them (Laugh at the problem)
• Join a citrus support group (Share your problem)
• Use as an all-natural organic astringent (Grow from the problem)
• Don’t shoot the delivery driver (Forgive the problem-maker)
• Call in the Master Gardener (Take the problem to a higher level)
• Grow your own orchard (Live a fruitful life despite—or because of—the problem)
• Give off a refreshing fragrance (Live a lemon-fresh life)

I’d encourage you to pucker up for a fun read because we all need to laugh more and find fresh perspective to help us through difficult times. Pick up Squeezing Good Out of Bad at a sweet price right now.

This review, along with additional book quotes, first appeared on my blog, ChristyBower.com

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book after I heard the author speak at a conference, and I was not disappointed. He writes as well as he speaks. I love his sense of humor and his positive outlook even in the midst of life's trials.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great perspective on the lemons of life

In a humorous style, James Watkins shares great perspective on dealing with the lemons of life. The book is encouraging and down to earth, refreshing as a cold glass of lemonade on a hot day.

[Mary E. Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lemon Aide

Loved the book. Forever changed how I view life’s lemons. I highly recommend this book and will definitely follow this author.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even the title of this book prepares you for what is inside. Each of us have experienced those times when life serves up lemons. The thought of making lemonade rarely satisfies the churning that we feel inside because of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. And that is just with one to five lemons handed us.

Watkins turns up the heat of the crisis by addressing those times when, instead, a truckload of lemons is dumped on our front porch. Did you catch the hint of that in the title? The greatest value of book comes from the fact that he does not speak from a theoretical viewpoint. His book is based mostly on his own life experiences. Sometimes raw, sometimes humorous, Watkins is always personal.

At the end you feel like you just sat down at a coffee shop with a friend who gave you exactly what you needed to get through your latest shipment of life’s lemons. I recommend getting a printed copy. Read through it with a pen and marker. Finally, set it in a prominent location in the reference section of your bookshelf.

[Carol Heilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much I'm reading it again! James Watkins opens his heart ( and his veins) and shares some of his life's painful experiences, his lemons that sometimes came in truckloads. However, he doesn't leave the reader overwhelmed. He give specific ways to squeeze the good out of bad situations. He gives hope and encouragement where perhaps none were seen before. Thank you, James. So I'm reading again and taking notes this time around.

[Fire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Squeezing Good Out of Bad is an interesting book full of insight and advice. From the start the book is uniquely written, its all backwards and ends with the introduction. The way it is done is both intriguing and fun. It struck me as odd at first, but when I finished I though it was done really well and it flowed well and made since. This is full of advice on how to make the best of bad situations. I learned a lot from this book and I'm so glad I read it.

[Ron Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and simple read