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Viața ca o țeapă
Crezi că meriți să suferi?
Te bucuri de viață?
Spui „da” când ai vrea să spui „nu”?
Ai senzația că toți ceilalți sunt mai importanți decât tine?
Nu te aștepți la nimic bun?
Te lași condus de aparențe?
Îți înfometezi sufletul?
Alan H. Cohen îți dezvăluie zece motive care îți transformă viața în chin și îți arată ce poți face pentru a îndrepta lucrurile.
Te bucuri de viață?
Spui „da” când ai vrea să spui „nu”?
Ai senzația că toți ceilalți sunt mai importanți decât tine?
Nu te aștepți la nimic bun?
Te lași condus de aparențe?
Îți înfometezi sufletul?
Alan H. Cohen îți dezvăluie zece motive care îți transformă viața în chin și îți arată ce poți face pentru a îndrepta lucrurile.
266 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
91 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
About the author
Alan Cohen
195 books214 followersAlan Cohen is the author of several self help books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
April 15, 2011
In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit I didn't finish this book. And this review isn't going to be very fair, because I'm going to rant about the genre as a whole.
Alan Cohen didn't invent the touchy-feely new age self-help book, but he did come up with an awesome title, which is why I picked it up. I've been on a quest for a do-it-yourself therapy book that doesn't sound like it was written by a maudlin weeper. Cohen has a no-nonsense voice, so I'll give him that.
And some of the advice in the book is good. Don't say yes when you mean no. Don't put other people on a pedestal. Do more of what's important to you, and less of what's important to other people. The problem is that if you take this advice literally, you could quickly become the most annoying, self-centered, irresponsible person on the planet.
That's the main problem I have with this book, and its ilk. You have to spend so much time weeding the chaff from the grain that it's less effort just to not read it. Take the advice "trust yourself." Cohen posits that hoary aphorism that children and animals are in tune with their subconscious, and are therefore wiser than us, and we should learn from them. My cat is afraid of the vacuum cleaner. I don't think that makes her wiser. Children trust their instincts, but they're also afraid of Santa Claus. No one wants you to act like a child.
He also hops on the "positive thinking" bandwagon, which I detest. There's a small truth to this in that if you expect an interpersonal outcome to be either positive or negative, your demeanor will generally bring about the expected outcome. But that's as far as you can take it. If positive thinking gives you positive outcomes, and negative thinking gives you negative outcomes, then people who have bad things happen to them have deserved it. Not only is that bullshit, but it's inhumanly insensitive bullshit. Good people get mugged, sunny people get cancer, and gloomy assholes win the lottery. Telling people they aren't successful because they aren't thinking positively will just make them feel worse.
Here's a particularly egregious example of how Cohen bends anecdotes to suit his point:
"Richard Bach wrote Jonathan Livingston Seagull in a few weeks. Bill Gates became a billionaire in a few short years. Julia Roberts rose to the top of Hollywood's A-list in her early 20s. Tiger Woods turned the golf world upside down before he was 21. Are these people just lucky?...No, they trusted their inspiration and did what they loved to do the most. Then, empowered by passion, they attracted the people and resources to assist them."
I cry shenanigans. First of all, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a short novella, and most authors who know what they're doing can write a short novella in a few weeks. Bill Gates wrote code for years and years, after having been bolstered by an excellent education and expert mentoring, long before he became a billionaire. Julia Roberts is talented and pretty, but hundreds of equally talented and equally pretty actresses are passed over for success because they aren't in the right place at the right time. Tiger Woods plays good golf because he practices, not because he thinks sunshiny-thoughts all day long. To prise positive thinking over hard work, determination and yes, luck, is a slap in the face of every bronze medalist who ever stood on the podium and had to nut up and admit that sometimes other people win.
Cohen also gives conflicting advice. He admonishes people to not judge by appearance, saying that appearance isn't important, and presents the story of a woman who got breast implants only to have them go horribly wrong. The implication here is that if you want to make yourself look better, there's something shallow about you. I want to remind him that we live in the real world, where a person's appearance can impact how many friends they have, how much money they make, and whether people think they are worth listening to. Sure, it's great if you can just accept yourself the way you are, but everyone else is going to judge you.
Which is the main problem I have with the touchy-feely, positive thinking type philosophy. I hate the horrible disconnect that comes from believing something which I don't think is true. I don't like the jarring feeling that comes when I had a gut feeling that I was gonna get that story accepted, only to have the rejection letter show up in my inbox. I don't like trying to get in touch with my childhood instincts when my childhood instincts tell me that ugly people can't be trusted, cockroaches are dangerous, and if I put my hands over my eyes, no one can see me. I don't like trying to tell myself over and over again that good things are coming. If they do, that's great, but if they don't, then not only do I have the not-good thing to deal with, but I've also been lied to by myself.
Sometimes you do have to take a step back and care for yourself instead of other people, but the fact is, we are all interconnected in this world. You have to balance between, for example "staying out of unrewarding relationships" and "spending holidays with the family." You have to balance between not feeling guilty for things that aren't your fault, and acknowledging that sometimes you feel guilty because you did something wrong.
If your life really and truly does suck and you need a pep talk, and if you don't mind being talked down to, this might be an okay book to read. If you're a normal-to-healthy person who likes to follow directions, I'd stay away from this book. It will probably turn you into a selfish, narcissistic asshole who blames other people for their problems.
Alan Cohen didn't invent the touchy-feely new age self-help book, but he did come up with an awesome title, which is why I picked it up. I've been on a quest for a do-it-yourself therapy book that doesn't sound like it was written by a maudlin weeper. Cohen has a no-nonsense voice, so I'll give him that.
And some of the advice in the book is good. Don't say yes when you mean no. Don't put other people on a pedestal. Do more of what's important to you, and less of what's important to other people. The problem is that if you take this advice literally, you could quickly become the most annoying, self-centered, irresponsible person on the planet.
That's the main problem I have with this book, and its ilk. You have to spend so much time weeding the chaff from the grain that it's less effort just to not read it. Take the advice "trust yourself." Cohen posits that hoary aphorism that children and animals are in tune with their subconscious, and are therefore wiser than us, and we should learn from them. My cat is afraid of the vacuum cleaner. I don't think that makes her wiser. Children trust their instincts, but they're also afraid of Santa Claus. No one wants you to act like a child.
He also hops on the "positive thinking" bandwagon, which I detest. There's a small truth to this in that if you expect an interpersonal outcome to be either positive or negative, your demeanor will generally bring about the expected outcome. But that's as far as you can take it. If positive thinking gives you positive outcomes, and negative thinking gives you negative outcomes, then people who have bad things happen to them have deserved it. Not only is that bullshit, but it's inhumanly insensitive bullshit. Good people get mugged, sunny people get cancer, and gloomy assholes win the lottery. Telling people they aren't successful because they aren't thinking positively will just make them feel worse.
Here's a particularly egregious example of how Cohen bends anecdotes to suit his point:
"Richard Bach wrote Jonathan Livingston Seagull in a few weeks. Bill Gates became a billionaire in a few short years. Julia Roberts rose to the top of Hollywood's A-list in her early 20s. Tiger Woods turned the golf world upside down before he was 21. Are these people just lucky?...No, they trusted their inspiration and did what they loved to do the most. Then, empowered by passion, they attracted the people and resources to assist them."
I cry shenanigans. First of all, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a short novella, and most authors who know what they're doing can write a short novella in a few weeks. Bill Gates wrote code for years and years, after having been bolstered by an excellent education and expert mentoring, long before he became a billionaire. Julia Roberts is talented and pretty, but hundreds of equally talented and equally pretty actresses are passed over for success because they aren't in the right place at the right time. Tiger Woods plays good golf because he practices, not because he thinks sunshiny-thoughts all day long. To prise positive thinking over hard work, determination and yes, luck, is a slap in the face of every bronze medalist who ever stood on the podium and had to nut up and admit that sometimes other people win.
Cohen also gives conflicting advice. He admonishes people to not judge by appearance, saying that appearance isn't important, and presents the story of a woman who got breast implants only to have them go horribly wrong. The implication here is that if you want to make yourself look better, there's something shallow about you. I want to remind him that we live in the real world, where a person's appearance can impact how many friends they have, how much money they make, and whether people think they are worth listening to. Sure, it's great if you can just accept yourself the way you are, but everyone else is going to judge you.
Which is the main problem I have with the touchy-feely, positive thinking type philosophy. I hate the horrible disconnect that comes from believing something which I don't think is true. I don't like the jarring feeling that comes when I had a gut feeling that I was gonna get that story accepted, only to have the rejection letter show up in my inbox. I don't like trying to get in touch with my childhood instincts when my childhood instincts tell me that ugly people can't be trusted, cockroaches are dangerous, and if I put my hands over my eyes, no one can see me. I don't like trying to tell myself over and over again that good things are coming. If they do, that's great, but if they don't, then not only do I have the not-good thing to deal with, but I've also been lied to by myself.
Sometimes you do have to take a step back and care for yourself instead of other people, but the fact is, we are all interconnected in this world. You have to balance between, for example "staying out of unrewarding relationships" and "spending holidays with the family." You have to balance between not feeling guilty for things that aren't your fault, and acknowledging that sometimes you feel guilty because you did something wrong.
If your life really and truly does suck and you need a pep talk, and if you don't mind being talked down to, this might be an okay book to read. If you're a normal-to-healthy person who likes to follow directions, I'd stay away from this book. It will probably turn you into a selfish, narcissistic asshole who blames other people for their problems.
July 7, 2019
O carte surprinzător de bună și fermecătoare, cu un titlu destul de nefericit ales. E literatură motivațională, dar e o specie rară, scrisă cu umor și un farmec aparte. Partea cea mai importantă e că este cu adevărat o carte utilă, NU e una dintre cărțile acelea pline de sfaturi “goale” de tipul “Zâmbește și totul va fi bine!”.
April 9, 2016
Cartea aceasta mi-a schimbat sincer viata. Mi-a răspuns la atâtea întrebări! E ca o Biblie pentru mine. O recomand tuturor, indiferent de ce răspuns căutați, sunt sigură că-l veți găsi aici!
July 3, 2011
Ok, at first blush you read the title and think WTF? How is this going to help me? Well if you're looking for a self help book, or a little pick me up, or just some clever reading, then Alan Cohen's work in "Why Your Life Sucks, and What You Can Do About It" is a book you need to read.
He takes the new age metaphysics of The Secret, throws in some Tony Robbins, adds a dash of his own thoughts and turns out a book that actually makes sense!
Not since Lynn Grabhorn's "Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting" have I read a book and actually palm slapped my own forehead thinking "Oh, I get it now!"
And I'm not even finished yet!!!
He takes the new age metaphysics of The Secret, throws in some Tony Robbins, adds a dash of his own thoughts and turns out a book that actually makes sense!
Not since Lynn Grabhorn's "Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting" have I read a book and actually palm slapped my own forehead thinking "Oh, I get it now!"
And I'm not even finished yet!!!
March 22, 2017
Cred ca e prima carte din viata mea la care am stat 8 luni pentru a o termina! Cineva sanatos la cap ar fi lasat-o de mult din mana, dar eu m-am incapatanat sa o termin. Am tras de ea ca de jug, iar in cele din urma am izbandit. De ce am tinut mortis sa o termin? Fiindca, daca nu ma inseala memoria, este prima carte motivationala pe care am citit-o vreodata, si n-am vrut sa nu sfarsesc un lucru total nou pentru mine. Not my cup of tea, though.
“Viata ca o teapa” nu e o carte rea, insa, nefiind obisnuita cu genul asta de lectura, m-am simtit de parca m-a rugat o prietena sa-i citesc blogul, si eu ca o draguta ce sunt, am zis da, de ce nu, si s-a dovedit ca blogul asta e neverending!!
Am vrut sa citesc cartea asta special la recomandarea unui coleg de clasa, am cautat-o pe google si am dat peste o recenzie care cuprindea niste citate foarte interesante. M-a atras instant. Dar pe masura ce inaintam in carte, mi-am dat seama ca interesul incepe sa-mi scada.
Cartile motivationale chiar nu sunt pentru mine. Sunt pline cu tot felul de sfaturi si idealizari, si daca urasc ceva pe lumea asta, e atunci cand cineva incepe sa zica “fa asta, sau schimba asta si ai sa vezi ca vei fi cu mult mai fericit”. Prietene, viata nu merge asa. Da, fericirea, orice o fi ea pentru fiecare din noi, sta in atitudine si in felul in care privesti viata, si in modul cum raspunzi la ce iti ofera, dar uneori, oricat ai incerca, nu poti iesi din micul haos in care te afli, fiindca se intampla sa avem momente in care problemele curg ca la robinet. Asa e viata. Iar in momentul ala, orice sfat sau chestie din asta “cum sa ramai zen/cum sa fii optimist” ti ce pare cea mai mare aberatie ever.
Am observat ca este o intreaga nisa a cartilor motivationale, pe tot felul de subiecte. Sfatul meu: nu cititi despre cum sa traiti viata, traiti, asa cum e ea. N-am nimic cu oamenii care citesc astfel de carti, probabil ca si eu voi mai citi candva (am si “Iubirea ca o teapa”, de la acelasi autor, deci macar fata de cartea asta am o datorie de a o citi), dar nu prea des, si nu DOAR carti motivationale. Toti suntem plini de sfaturi, toti credem ca stim cel mai bine cum e cu fericirea & stuff, dar nu e chiar asa. Cartile astea sunt bune doar ca sa vezi ce functioneaza la altii si s-ar putea sa functioneze si la tine daca incerci, dar nimic nu e garantat.
Ca si continut, nu pot zice ca a avut un mare impact asupra mea, deja am uitat mare parte din ce am citit, insa am subliniat cateva citate care mi s-au parut interesante:
“Daca nu esti destul de puternic sa alegi singur, nu-ti va ramane decat sa culegi roadele alegerilor gresite facute de altii.”
“Daca castigi intr-o intrecere de soareci, tot soarece ramai. Adevarata putere nu inseamna competitie, ci sincronizare.”
“A-ti imagina ca stii ce este cel mai bine pentru o alta persoana este o dovada de egoism feroce. Cand incerci sa joci rolul lui Dumnezeu, ignori faptul ca Dumnezeu se afla in prietenul tau.”
“Adaptabilitatea este importanta, dar nu cu pretul autenticitatii.”
“Agenda este un instrument de navigare, nu un lat pe care sa ti-l strangi in jurul gatului.”
“Amintirile sunt un dascal bun, dar o carciuma de mana a doua; treci pe acolo din cand in cand si pleaca repede. La fel se intampla si daca te uiti prea mult in oglinda retrovizoare: nu mai vezi drumul din fata masinii.”
“Viata ca o teapa” nu e o carte rea, insa, nefiind obisnuita cu genul asta de lectura, m-am simtit de parca m-a rugat o prietena sa-i citesc blogul, si eu ca o draguta ce sunt, am zis da, de ce nu, si s-a dovedit ca blogul asta e neverending!!
Am vrut sa citesc cartea asta special la recomandarea unui coleg de clasa, am cautat-o pe google si am dat peste o recenzie care cuprindea niste citate foarte interesante. M-a atras instant. Dar pe masura ce inaintam in carte, mi-am dat seama ca interesul incepe sa-mi scada.
Cartile motivationale chiar nu sunt pentru mine. Sunt pline cu tot felul de sfaturi si idealizari, si daca urasc ceva pe lumea asta, e atunci cand cineva incepe sa zica “fa asta, sau schimba asta si ai sa vezi ca vei fi cu mult mai fericit”. Prietene, viata nu merge asa. Da, fericirea, orice o fi ea pentru fiecare din noi, sta in atitudine si in felul in care privesti viata, si in modul cum raspunzi la ce iti ofera, dar uneori, oricat ai incerca, nu poti iesi din micul haos in care te afli, fiindca se intampla sa avem momente in care problemele curg ca la robinet. Asa e viata. Iar in momentul ala, orice sfat sau chestie din asta “cum sa ramai zen/cum sa fii optimist” ti ce pare cea mai mare aberatie ever.
Am observat ca este o intreaga nisa a cartilor motivationale, pe tot felul de subiecte. Sfatul meu: nu cititi despre cum sa traiti viata, traiti, asa cum e ea. N-am nimic cu oamenii care citesc astfel de carti, probabil ca si eu voi mai citi candva (am si “Iubirea ca o teapa”, de la acelasi autor, deci macar fata de cartea asta am o datorie de a o citi), dar nu prea des, si nu DOAR carti motivationale. Toti suntem plini de sfaturi, toti credem ca stim cel mai bine cum e cu fericirea & stuff, dar nu e chiar asa. Cartile astea sunt bune doar ca sa vezi ce functioneaza la altii si s-ar putea sa functioneze si la tine daca incerci, dar nimic nu e garantat.
Ca si continut, nu pot zice ca a avut un mare impact asupra mea, deja am uitat mare parte din ce am citit, insa am subliniat cateva citate care mi s-au parut interesante:
“Daca nu esti destul de puternic sa alegi singur, nu-ti va ramane decat sa culegi roadele alegerilor gresite facute de altii.”
“Daca castigi intr-o intrecere de soareci, tot soarece ramai. Adevarata putere nu inseamna competitie, ci sincronizare.”
“A-ti imagina ca stii ce este cel mai bine pentru o alta persoana este o dovada de egoism feroce. Cand incerci sa joci rolul lui Dumnezeu, ignori faptul ca Dumnezeu se afla in prietenul tau.”
“Adaptabilitatea este importanta, dar nu cu pretul autenticitatii.”
“Agenda este un instrument de navigare, nu un lat pe care sa ti-l strangi in jurul gatului.”
“Amintirile sunt un dascal bun, dar o carciuma de mana a doua; treci pe acolo din cand in cand si pleaca repede. La fel se intampla si daca te uiti prea mult in oglinda retrovizoare: nu mai vezi drumul din fata masinii.”
November 1, 2013
Just by reading the title of this book it is apparent that Allen Cohen adds a good dash of humor onto the pages of, “Why Your Life Sucks: and what you can do about it.” Indeed, I would say that Alan writes with the same entertaining and lively style as Andrew Matthews who wrote such wonderful books as, “How to be Happy” and “Follow Your Heart.”
There are a great number of self-help books on the market and it is very refreshing to find authors who maintain their sense of humor while writing. Certainly, this is not to say that this book belongs in the “humor” section of the bookstore, it is merely a reminder that we often take life too seriously, especially when we are in the path of self-discovery.
There are ten main reasons that the author suggests for our life “sucking” and these are:
We give away our power
We expect our life to suck
We get fooled by appearances
We waste our energy on things that suck
We keep trying to prove ourselves
We say yes when we mean no
We think we have to do it all…
We try to fix other people
We starve our soul
We forgot to enjoy the ride
Each one of these aspects gets a good dose of personal examination by the author as well as some anecdotal stories and most importantly, a means by which we can examine and eliminate these obstacles. Of course, this still requires effort and a high degree of introspection on our part; however, by using the concepts in this book as a guide posts the journey to a better life is that much easier.
This book is a joy to read and it certainly presents the information in a manner that is poignant and not accusatory. Don’t let Allen’s sense of humor fool you, this book is still overflowing with wisdom and I believe that anyone can benefit from the information.
There are a great number of self-help books on the market and it is very refreshing to find authors who maintain their sense of humor while writing. Certainly, this is not to say that this book belongs in the “humor” section of the bookstore, it is merely a reminder that we often take life too seriously, especially when we are in the path of self-discovery.
There are ten main reasons that the author suggests for our life “sucking” and these are:
We give away our power
We expect our life to suck
We get fooled by appearances
We waste our energy on things that suck
We keep trying to prove ourselves
We say yes when we mean no
We think we have to do it all…
We try to fix other people
We starve our soul
We forgot to enjoy the ride
Each one of these aspects gets a good dose of personal examination by the author as well as some anecdotal stories and most importantly, a means by which we can examine and eliminate these obstacles. Of course, this still requires effort and a high degree of introspection on our part; however, by using the concepts in this book as a guide posts the journey to a better life is that much easier.
This book is a joy to read and it certainly presents the information in a manner that is poignant and not accusatory. Don’t let Allen’s sense of humor fool you, this book is still overflowing with wisdom and I believe that anyone can benefit from the information.
February 19, 2012
I didn't finish this book. I should say I couldn't finish this book. I got the distinct impression that there would be more harm done by reading the rest than good (and that it would be a waste of my time). I bought the book because it looked like it would be a slightly sardonic and amusing insight into life. What I found was a book in which the author basically rehashes a bunch of typical "self-help" mantras and does it in a rather patronizing fashion. He thinks he has it all figured out. Be skeptical of anyone who thinks they have it all figured out. Granted, if you are new to these kind of ideas the book may seem insightful and even somewhat helpful. For me personally, I find them uninspired and judgmental. One of the worst things you can do to someone is make them feel worse about themselves because they expect too much or thing negative thoughts or rely too much on other people for happiness. These are all very human things to do and aren't things you can just stop doing in a flash. And this guy does little to let the reader in on this very important detail.
August 29, 2015
"Indiferent ce faci,nu te multumi cu o viata searbada pentru a fi mai mult decat un simplu rid pe obrazul vietii."
November 27, 2022
This book helped me when I needed it after going through a very mentally and emotionally distressing (as most are, I’m not special here) divorce.
It was a good for me at the time book, which lead to me hanging onto it for years, but not re-reading it.
This was on my “keepers” shelf, which I am working on purging, and after reading the back of it, I decided I didn’t need to keep it as I don’t feel that my life sucks.
This book does seem to be very heavy on “self”, which is dangerous if that isn’t balanced by “others”. Always hard to walk that fine line, as life and circumstances change and we need to be able to adapt with them.
3, it helped me when I needed it, stars.
It was a good for me at the time book, which lead to me hanging onto it for years, but not re-reading it.
This was on my “keepers” shelf, which I am working on purging, and after reading the back of it, I decided I didn’t need to keep it as I don’t feel that my life sucks.
This book does seem to be very heavy on “self”, which is dangerous if that isn’t balanced by “others”. Always hard to walk that fine line, as life and circumstances change and we need to be able to adapt with them.
3, it helped me when I needed it, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2021
A really good book. One of the most motivating books I've read. I strongly recommend it.
February 29, 2008
Don't be fooled by the name or embarrassed to read the book in public!! This is an AWESOME book on helping you to reclaim your power and make healthy, active, choices to make your life better... just by how you focus your attention on life. I recommend that anyone read this book is they sometimes feel like their life isn't as good as it could be. And I really recommend that anyone just READ THIS BOOK! It can only make your life better.....
February 10, 2016
I loved this book! At first I wasn't sure quite what to expect but the title was humorous and recommend by Abraham Hicks in one of her talks I listened to. It was amazing! Had a great many a-ha moments and found Alan to be quite funny - which is a bonus because I genuinely enjoyed the process of reading it not just absorbing the information. I you feel drained or unhappy or want more energy I would really recommend this or even if you aren't its fabulous <3
April 22, 2016
Not recommended for realistic, pragmatic people or for persons who have some experience with good self-development literature.
I considered it slightly delusional, illustrating an unhealthy perception of the social web and everyone's role in it. A bad versions of Buddhist wisdom (in which every person is a little God).
I considered it slightly delusional, illustrating an unhealthy perception of the social web and everyone's role in it. A bad versions of Buddhist wisdom (in which every person is a little God).
February 3, 2021
Da, o carte din categoria "trăiește pozitiv, fii pozitiv, abordează o gândire pozitivă", bună de citit, de altfel. Are idei tari, de genul , "aha" sau "aaa, așa stă treabă", care te pot ajuta dacă le aplici, dar și idei care sunt de nivelul utopicului, de genul "neah, nu cred că e chiar așa". Asta reprezintă un punct în minus din nota cărții. Unele lucruri nu sunt chiar așa cum ne par nouă. Pot fi complicate, chiar dacă ți se par simple, și pot fi mult mai simple față de modul complex în care le vezi tu. Al doilea punct în minus este dat de modalitatea autorului de a aborda unele subiecte delicate care se află într-un domeniu ieșit din sfera lui de activitate. Nu prea poți să-ți dai cu părerea categoric, la modul "așa este, cum vă spun eu, nu cum ați fost greșit îndoctrinați", despre unele lucruri care, la origini sunt foarte delicate chiar și pentru domeniul din care fac parte. Dar chiar și cu astea, până la urmă am rămas cu un gust bun. Nu-mi pare rău că am citit-o.
May 13, 2023
"Viața ca o țeapă. Mic tratat antiratare"! Sună ca poveștile alea fantastice de dezvoltare personală, care cică o să-ți schimbe viața, vei avea noroc și îți va merge totul bine; ca și cum pocnești din degete! Să fie o altă dezamăgire (cu macaroane pe urechi), o pierdere de timp? Ei bine, mă bucur că m-am înșelat în privința acestei cărți. Alan Cohen combină umorul cu lucruri mai puțin plăcute, menite să te facă să-ți pui viața sub semnul întrebării, să devii conștient. De ce viața mea e așa? De ce îmi merge prost? Ce nu fac bine? Cum să am noroc, de ce depinde el?
"NOROCUL ȚI-L FACI SINGUR!
Viața ți-a tras țeapă dacă…
Îi consideri pe ceilalți mai importanți decât pe tine.
Viața ta socială nu are legătură cu cea interioară.
Spui DA când vrei să spui NU.
Încerci să-i schimbi pe cei din jur.
Ai uitat să te bucuri de călătorie.
Dacă nu-ţi foloseşti mintea, o va face altcineva.
Când te uiţi în oglindă, îţi place pe cine vezi sau numai ceea ce vezi?
Când viața îți trage țeapă, e momentul să te trezești din inerție."
"NOROCUL ȚI-L FACI SINGUR!
Viața ți-a tras țeapă dacă…
Îi consideri pe ceilalți mai importanți decât pe tine.
Viața ta socială nu are legătură cu cea interioară.
Spui DA când vrei să spui NU.
Încerci să-i schimbi pe cei din jur.
Ai uitat să te bucuri de călătorie.
Dacă nu-ţi foloseşti mintea, o va face altcineva.
Când te uiţi în oglindă, îţi place pe cine vezi sau numai ceea ce vezi?
Când viața îți trage țeapă, e momentul să te trezești din inerție."
June 18, 2017
Maybe a little lower than 4 stars, 3.8? But I'll round up. I enjoyed this book and definitely highlighted and tabbed lots of pages. What took the rating down to me was the overuse of metaphors. I'm fine with a couple personal stories that turn into a metaphor for life, but it got old to me. Some things felt repetitive. But overall, it's a good read. I struggle with self-help books because while I understand where they're coming from, he's writing this book as someone who is already established successful.
So of course he can take a mental health day and "focus on his energy" or spend time doing what he loves. It's frustrating when you're not in the position to make choices like that--I don't know. It's a good book but it can be frustrating (for me) because I want to implement the ideas and suggestions but some things I literally cannot do or I won't have a job anymore. Just a personal thing I guess.
So of course he can take a mental health day and "focus on his energy" or spend time doing what he loves. It's frustrating when you're not in the position to make choices like that--I don't know. It's a good book but it can be frustrating (for me) because I want to implement the ideas and suggestions but some things I literally cannot do or I won't have a job anymore. Just a personal thing I guess.
May 6, 2013
Read this on a recommendation - happy to say that my life doesn't stink enough to have enjoyed it! Basic stuff without any practical solutions. Yes, I'd like to just follow my dreams but drat, the mortgage payment and grocery bills do still come around and the cat box still needs changing! - Okay, it wasn't quite that bad. A quick glance over the table of contents though will give most of us a healthy reminder of things that can make life better; there isn't much reason to plow through it all.
August 3, 2009
I hate self-help books, but this had a great, breezy air about it that made its lessons delightfully easy to swallow. I didn't feel like the messages were being jammed down my throat, and when I did recognize myself in the pages, I didn't feel like a finger was being wagged at me either. Instead everything came through with a healthy dose of laughter making this a really great spirit-lifter.
May 6, 2012
This book really does answer what might be "sucking" the joy out of your life. Lots of good thoughts on how to get more out of life. It is very well written and has a lot of humor in it but still makes great points and gets it's message across in a very "readable" way. I can see from reading this book why Alan Cohen is one of Wayne W. Dyer's favorite writers. I highly recommend this book.
April 22, 2015
This is a self-help book. Many of its lessons may sound familiar, but they are far more enjoyable to read. Cohen writes with humor, freshness, and simplicity. This is a fun read that will also put your life on track.
December 8, 2014
Great messages! Great book! I would buy this book for all of my friends and family if i could and knew they would read it!
April 10, 2021
Îmi simt şi acum mâna tremurând pe clanţa uşii clasei. Am respirat adânc, am închis ochii, am spus o rugăciune scurtă în gând şi am intrat cât am putut de demn. Mi-am pus servieta pe catedră şi m-am întors spre clasă deşi aş fi dat orice să evit acest lucru. Le-am privit feţele. Unii ştiau şi stăteau foarte liniştiţi. Cei care nu aflaseră încă vorbeau între ei sau râdeau…
Dar buna lor dispoziţie avea să se transforme curând în spaimă şi consternare.
Am mai respirat o dată adânc, mi-am adunat toate puterile şi i-am salutat. S-a făcut linişte. Am mai ezitat o clipă, apoi mi-am luat inima în dinţi.
— Vă voi da o veste foarte proastă. Neliniştea lor era aproape palpabilă. Doctorul Doughty nu va veni astă-seară… de fapt, niciodată… a murit la sfârşitul săptămânii trecute.
S-au albit la faţă, iar eu am tăcut, dar am simţit cum mi se încleştează fălcile. Până la urmă, am reuşit să spun:
— S-a sinucis.
Clasa începu să murmure, apoi urmară lacrimile.
Am făcut-o şi pe asta!
Dar buna lor dispoziţie avea să se transforme curând în spaimă şi consternare.
Am mai respirat o dată adânc, mi-am adunat toate puterile şi i-am salutat. S-a făcut linişte. Am mai ezitat o clipă, apoi mi-am luat inima în dinţi.
— Vă voi da o veste foarte proastă. Neliniştea lor era aproape palpabilă. Doctorul Doughty nu va veni astă-seară… de fapt, niciodată… a murit la sfârşitul săptămânii trecute.
S-au albit la faţă, iar eu am tăcut, dar am simţit cum mi se încleştează fălcile. Până la urmă, am reuşit să spun:
— S-a sinucis.
Clasa începu să murmure, apoi urmară lacrimile.
Am făcut-o şi pe asta!
February 2, 2018
When I first picked this book up, I didn't take it seriously, both because of the title and cheesy graphics on the cover. Even so, something about it called to me, so I gave it a chance. I'm so glad I did!
I'm no stranger to self help books. I've read 'em all. OK, maybe not all of them, but A LOT. For that reason, there wasn't anything particularly new to me in this book, but it was the way Mr. Cohen presented the material that was helpful to me. His approach is somewhat in-your-face, which some may not like, but for me it worked.
I found Mr. Cohen's writing to be succinct and eloquent. He didn't mince words and he didn't waste any, either. He gets right to the point. I believe that if you take Mr. Cohen's words to heart and put them into practice that your life won't suck nearly as much when you're finished reading this book.
I'm no stranger to self help books. I've read 'em all. OK, maybe not all of them, but A LOT. For that reason, there wasn't anything particularly new to me in this book, but it was the way Mr. Cohen presented the material that was helpful to me. His approach is somewhat in-your-face, which some may not like, but for me it worked.
I found Mr. Cohen's writing to be succinct and eloquent. He didn't mince words and he didn't waste any, either. He gets right to the point. I believe that if you take Mr. Cohen's words to heart and put them into practice that your life won't suck nearly as much when you're finished reading this book.
June 23, 2017
It is difficult to select quotes from this book because almost every line or paragraph is a pithy quote about something. The author evidently subscribes to the Law of Attraction philosophy and so believes that people can create the lives they want primarily from their own beliefs. That everyone can be successful by embracing their passion. And so on.
Much of the book talks about dealing with relationships of various kinds and how you can restructure your relationships to get the most out of them.
There is not a lot in here that I would disagree with. But, as with most books of this type, there doesn’t seem to be much information about how to decide what your passion is, or find your center, or whatever it
Much of the book talks about dealing with relationships of various kinds and how you can restructure your relationships to get the most out of them.
There is not a lot in here that I would disagree with. But, as with most books of this type, there doesn’t seem to be much information about how to decide what your passion is, or find your center, or whatever it
October 27, 2016
I'm surprized to read that many persons didn't like or couldn't even finish the book. Because I liked it very much. When I first got it, I thought that it's something like a personal story, so I didn't read it for a long period of time. Then, when I actually discovered what it was, I enjoyed every single word and it gave me a pleasant feeling. It is true that we must let it go, live our lives the way we feel, without feeling guilty or exhausted, otherwise it will become like the title (in romanian) says: a hoax.
November 13, 2018
Mi-a plăcut tare mult această carte! Pentru mine reprezintă un ajutor în clarificarea anumitor preconcepții și în conștientizarea personală. Really helpful!
Iar ca o concluzie finală, mi-am dat seama că... nu toate lucrurile sunt chiar așa cum avem noi senzația că sunt. Și aici mă refer la cei care au multe idei „false” care nu sunt neapărat ale lor, dar nici nu conștientizează asta! E nevoie să cercetezi, să întrebi și să TE întrebi :) asta dacă îți dorești să îți trăiești TU viața ;)
Iar ca o concluzie finală, mi-am dat seama că... nu toate lucrurile sunt chiar așa cum avem noi senzația că sunt. Și aici mă refer la cei care au multe idei „false” care nu sunt neapărat ale lor, dar nici nu conștientizează asta! E nevoie să cercetezi, să întrebi și să TE întrebi :) asta dacă îți dorești să îți trăiești TU viața ;)
June 15, 2021
"Dacă aș avea doua pâini, aș vinde una și mi-aș cumpara zambile pentru suflet.
Dacă nu ești destul de bun fără medalie, nu vei fi destul de bun nici dacă o câstigi.
Dacă scoți la lumină ceea ce e în tine, acel ceva de va mântui.
Dacă nu scoți la lumină ceea ce e în tine, acel ceva te va ucide.
Toate probleme omului au la origine neputința sa de a sta linistit și singur într-o cameră."
Nimeni nu vorbeste despre necazurile sale cu obiectivitate.
Dacă nu ești destul de bun fără medalie, nu vei fi destul de bun nici dacă o câstigi.
Dacă scoți la lumină ceea ce e în tine, acel ceva de va mântui.
Dacă nu scoți la lumină ceea ce e în tine, acel ceva te va ucide.
Toate probleme omului au la origine neputința sa de a sta linistit și singur într-o cameră."
Nimeni nu vorbeste despre necazurile sale cu obiectivitate.
September 3, 2021
Such a good book indeed! The title sounds a tad cliche, but it really isn't!! It has great tips as tricks as to why some thing go wrong while they could be going good, if only we'd focus on making that happen...
April 1, 2022
It was entertaining. Some things are ok and some things sucks. :-) Such as go home from work at 17 o'clock to get more rest. How? If you work in a shop that closes at 18 o'clock. I would say, read it and take some advice or knowledge with you, but think about it before you do anything rash.
November 15, 2023
O carte provocatoare și plină de umor care explorează aspectele negative ale vieții și oferă perspective și soluții pentru a face față acestora. Cohen abordează teme precum autoconștientizare, schimbare de perspectivă și preluarea controlului asupra propriei fericiri.
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