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Soul Selfish: The Awakening of a "Good Girl"
Jane Wyker’s memoir Soul Selfish shows the way to happiness comes from within instead of looking to others to supply it.
Jane remained a ”good girl” into her mid-thirties, bent on pleasing others in the hope of receiving love. This all changed when she embarked on a courageous and passionate inner journey that led her to ownership of her talents, self-reliance and self-love.
Through insightful and spiritually uplifting stories, Jane invites us on her passage from “good girl” to empowered woman, as she slays the personal demons that many have yet to confront.
Let Jane’s journey inspire the possibility for you to become soul selfish, ever more willing to connect to your truth — your soul.
Jane remained a ”good girl” into her mid-thirties, bent on pleasing others in the hope of receiving love. This all changed when she embarked on a courageous and passionate inner journey that led her to ownership of her talents, self-reliance and self-love.
Through insightful and spiritually uplifting stories, Jane invites us on her passage from “good girl” to empowered woman, as she slays the personal demons that many have yet to confront.
Let Jane’s journey inspire the possibility for you to become soul selfish, ever more willing to connect to your truth — your soul.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2016
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Jane Wyker
1 book1 followerIn her memoir Soul-Selfish: The Awakening of a "Good Girl,"Jane Wyker shares the vast experience of her forty-six-year inner journey. Working in over a dozen different psychological, mind-body, and spiritual disciplines, she had the courage and faith to follow the guidance of many teachers and, ultimately, her own soul. Now eighty, she models a life that is created from within, demonstrating that sustained happiness rests upon soul connection. She is still learning.
A graduate of Cornell University and a former elementary school teacher, Jane was a pioneer in parent education. She opened her Parents School before "parenting" was a word and created communities for mothers to share and support each other with new child-rearing concepts. Participants in her school soon requested private sessions, leading to the start of her twenty-nine-year Family Counseling practice. Jane worked with individuals, couples, and groups dealing with self-development, marriage, parenting, career, and loss. She later turned her focus to presenting seminars for men and women in Fortune 500 companies, helping them to balance their work and family lives. It was a topic she understood intimately as she managed her thriving career while raising her four children and pursuing her own spiritual growth.
Jane's journey has taken her through marriage, parenting, divorce, forgiveness, loss, and new love. She has traveled the world, dancing the tango in Argentina, playing with her friends in Paris, observing the elderly practice Tai Chi in Hong Kong, and exploring the awesome sights of ancient Egypt. She has similarly navigated her inner world, continually examining her beliefs, releasing long-held pain, and forging an intimate and trusting relationship with her true self. She learned that when she is selfish enough to take care of her soul connection, love and wisdom flow. She believes that is true for all of us.
To learn more about Jane, please visit: http://janewyker.com
A graduate of Cornell University and a former elementary school teacher, Jane was a pioneer in parent education. She opened her Parents School before "parenting" was a word and created communities for mothers to share and support each other with new child-rearing concepts. Participants in her school soon requested private sessions, leading to the start of her twenty-nine-year Family Counseling practice. Jane worked with individuals, couples, and groups dealing with self-development, marriage, parenting, career, and loss. She later turned her focus to presenting seminars for men and women in Fortune 500 companies, helping them to balance their work and family lives. It was a topic she understood intimately as she managed her thriving career while raising her four children and pursuing her own spiritual growth.
Jane's journey has taken her through marriage, parenting, divorce, forgiveness, loss, and new love. She has traveled the world, dancing the tango in Argentina, playing with her friends in Paris, observing the elderly practice Tai Chi in Hong Kong, and exploring the awesome sights of ancient Egypt. She has similarly navigated her inner world, continually examining her beliefs, releasing long-held pain, and forging an intimate and trusting relationship with her true self. She learned that when she is selfish enough to take care of her soul connection, love and wisdom flow. She believes that is true for all of us.
To learn more about Jane, please visit: http://janewyker.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 8, 2016
This is a delightful and very insightful book that takes us on a journey though one woman life as she grows through the ages. I am no where near 80 years old, however so much of the training and teaching we give to our daughters is still evident today and I recognize so much of it from this book.
I see myself in so many places throughout this book and while I have not made some of the changes this awesome lady has, I know that there is still hope for me yet! The message is clear! Empower yourself so that you can find your value, self worth, and enjoy love completely. Plus we can teach the daughters of the world this message too!
I am a bit jealous of this woman. She has done some amazing in-depth soul searching and learning that has made a complete difference in her world. But she shares some awesome insight for all woman to embrace.
If you are looking to the answers for questions deep inside you, this book will bring some clarity to light. I know I have work ahead of me to do.
Full review http://amidlifewife.com/soul-selfish-...
I see myself in so many places throughout this book and while I have not made some of the changes this awesome lady has, I know that there is still hope for me yet! The message is clear! Empower yourself so that you can find your value, self worth, and enjoy love completely. Plus we can teach the daughters of the world this message too!
I am a bit jealous of this woman. She has done some amazing in-depth soul searching and learning that has made a complete difference in her world. But she shares some awesome insight for all woman to embrace.
If you are looking to the answers for questions deep inside you, this book will bring some clarity to light. I know I have work ahead of me to do.
Full review http://amidlifewife.com/soul-selfish-...
July 19, 2016
Up to Earth.
A vivid portrayal of a woman's life from early years to her sunset years. It is rich with Jane's insight and emotional responses to just about everything and she includes a lot of life in this memoir. It is a fun read and fun to return to as new adventures keep unfolding. Jane's soul develops on the pages and Is fresh and fun filled with compassion and a truly loving spirit. I highly recommend this charming gem of a true story.
A vivid portrayal of a woman's life from early years to her sunset years. It is rich with Jane's insight and emotional responses to just about everything and she includes a lot of life in this memoir. It is a fun read and fun to return to as new adventures keep unfolding. Jane's soul develops on the pages and Is fresh and fun filled with compassion and a truly loving spirit. I highly recommend this charming gem of a true story.
October 6, 2016
As I inched towards midlife I started to realize the importance of giving my own needs the respect and value they deserved. So when I read the title of this book, I realized that it was one I certainly wanted to read. I’m happy to report that I was not disappointed.
I loved the authenticity and honesty of Jane Wyker’s writing. Taking us from her early years to the present time, the author shares her responses to life’s challenges. It’s rich with insight and really shows us the journey of a soul that struggles and grows, deals with loss, learns to forgive herself and live with compassion.
The book was successful in making me take a good look into my life, which any good book does.
I would recommend this wonderful, true story if you’re looking to get more authentic and live with soul.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the authenticity and honesty of Jane Wyker’s writing. Taking us from her early years to the present time, the author shares her responses to life’s challenges. It’s rich with insight and really shows us the journey of a soul that struggles and grows, deals with loss, learns to forgive herself and live with compassion.
The book was successful in making me take a good look into my life, which any good book does.
I would recommend this wonderful, true story if you’re looking to get more authentic and live with soul.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2016
This book rocked my world.
I’ve read many, many books on personal growth, spirituality, and female empowerment, but I have rarely encountered an author so vulnerable, sensitive, and deeply real in sharing her personal story with the reader. Jane Wyker is amazing. Not only was I completely sucked into the memoir aspect of the book, but I felt like certain chapters struck me like a bolt of lightning. “OMG that’s me!!!” I was shouting as I read about how hard it was for her to stop saying “yes” to everything and start learning how to say a healthy “no” instead.
When I reached the last page I seriously considered rereading it again immediately. There was so much to think about: female sexuality, our connection to the Divine, my connection to my own soul, what I really want out of life and how to get there. I know I’ll be rereading this book many times in the years to come. I will also be gifting it to every woman in my life who I dearly love.
Fabulous, fabulous book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I’ve read many, many books on personal growth, spirituality, and female empowerment, but I have rarely encountered an author so vulnerable, sensitive, and deeply real in sharing her personal story with the reader. Jane Wyker is amazing. Not only was I completely sucked into the memoir aspect of the book, but I felt like certain chapters struck me like a bolt of lightning. “OMG that’s me!!!” I was shouting as I read about how hard it was for her to stop saying “yes” to everything and start learning how to say a healthy “no” instead.
When I reached the last page I seriously considered rereading it again immediately. There was so much to think about: female sexuality, our connection to the Divine, my connection to my own soul, what I really want out of life and how to get there. I know I’ll be rereading this book many times in the years to come. I will also be gifting it to every woman in my life who I dearly love.
Fabulous, fabulous book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
November 16, 2016
Soul Selfish is a book that most of us can relate to. The author shares with us her life and how she was a people pleaser. She would do things she did not particularly wish to do in order to make others happy.
Do you have the habit of doing this as well? I know I do. It's been a struggle my whole life. I would try to do things to make others happy at the risk of my own happiness.
We all have to remember to stop and take time to do things that make us happy. If we don't fuel our own happiness we can't be the very best person we can be for our loved ones.
It's not being mean or selfish to say no, and to take time for yourself. It's actually a gift for our loved ones. If we have time to relax and recharge we are at our best for them.
Do you have the habit of doing this as well? I know I do. It's been a struggle my whole life. I would try to do things to make others happy at the risk of my own happiness.
We all have to remember to stop and take time to do things that make us happy. If we don't fuel our own happiness we can't be the very best person we can be for our loved ones.
It's not being mean or selfish to say no, and to take time for yourself. It's actually a gift for our loved ones. If we have time to relax and recharge we are at our best for them.
December 21, 2016
Being a recovering "good girl" myself, I could totally relate to Jane's life. I appreciated her courage to follow her heart and not letting others get in her way. Her story was hard to put down and easy to pick up. I looked forward to the times I could read again. It was well written. I enjoyed it!
May 16, 2017
I enjoyed the premise of this book quite a bit. For those readers unaware, it was part memoir and part "this is what I tried and worked for me." I had been hoping for a bit more of a how-to; yet after finishing the book I think the lessons are there, yet they're woven into the story of someone's life.
There is a part of me that wishes that I had the ability to take Jane out for coffee and get to know her better, as she comes through the pages as such a vibrant, lovely person.
I soaked up the book quite quickly as it felt sometimes as though I was listening to someone in a group therapy setting, versus reading a book (and this is not a criticism; it is instead a note on how the book flowed and how you just needed to know the next part of her story).
There is a part of me that wishes that I had the ability to take Jane out for coffee and get to know her better, as she comes through the pages as such a vibrant, lovely person.
I soaked up the book quite quickly as it felt sometimes as though I was listening to someone in a group therapy setting, versus reading a book (and this is not a criticism; it is instead a note on how the book flowed and how you just needed to know the next part of her story).
October 17, 2023
live ur life babygirl
"Passionate attention to my inner journey brought me from my "good girl" role to my soul. Decades spent unraveling my history, letting go of my false self-image and the choices that supported it while prioritizing pleasure delivered me to my own radiance. My seventy-fifth birthday party was a victory lap, a reward for my years of introspection. My self-love was mirrored back to me fifty-fold."
"Passionate attention to my inner journey brought me from my "good girl" role to my soul. Decades spent unraveling my history, letting go of my false self-image and the choices that supported it while prioritizing pleasure delivered me to my own radiance. My seventy-fifth birthday party was a victory lap, a reward for my years of introspection. My self-love was mirrored back to me fifty-fold."
June 16, 2019
Jane Wyker is a fascinating women who has written an amazing memoir that will inspire you to take time for yourself. I met Jane at her book signing — Soul Selfish: The Awakening of a “Good Girl.” She is a terrific speaker who brings her book to life, sharing from her heart. I bought the book and so enjoyed it. Easy to read, filled with wit, wisdom and many valuable life lessons!
January 6, 2023
I found this book to be very inspiring. But I will admit I did get bored a couple of times. Regardless, this was a quick and easy read with a great message.
It’s a wonderful book to read for the beginning of a new year, or if you’re beginning to start an inner journey. I feel inspired to step out of societal norms and focus more on myself.
It’s a wonderful book to read for the beginning of a new year, or if you’re beginning to start an inner journey. I feel inspired to step out of societal norms and focus more on myself.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews