Keep It Simple & Sane: Freeing Yourself from Addictive Thinking

by Barb Rogers

Inspired by the 12step saying, "Life is simple, it's people who are complicated," Barb Rogers points out in Keep It Simple and Sane that it's pretty easy to tell ourselves lie upon lie as we explain away bad behavior associated with drugs, alcohol, food, sex, work...whatever, in an attempt to feel better about our complicated lies. And of course, we can't do anything to simplify our lives because we're too busy keeping up with our complicated lives, so we drink, smoke, or shoot, to seek release in inappropriate ways to relieve the complications. But we never do. Through the telling of her own story and those of fellow travelers, Rogers encourages readers to wait, stop, and hold the phone Start with Mentally Simple (the opposite of Stinking Thinking) and just do it. Start small. "Grab a mental flashlight" and follow her lead to discover what you were thinking and how you might think differently. Offering 24 simple ideas in four sections (mind, emotions, spirituality, physicality), along with strategies and exercises to introduce them into your daily life, this book is for people on the simple path to wellness, for people who simply want to take charge -- to change the things they can change, accept the things they cannot change, and learn to know the difference without an operatic, addictive song and dance.

Genres: Mental Health

245 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

We walk with the author through a tragic story of addiction and loss and then enter and experience her restoration.
Sane...sensible...simple...suggestions
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She is a wonderful guide to those seeking encouragement for" discovering and maintaining a life of peace."
We enter physical, mental, emotional and spiritual checkpoints and hopefully emerge with knowledge and a sense of hope.
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I've given this 5* and will keep it on my personal shelf as a reference and a return to when circumstances warrant
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I hope to locate and read her book called Clutter Junkie No More.

What a great read!

[James Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring and uplifting read! Barb uses her tragic and difficult life experiences to demonstrate how to live life to the max and how to keep life simple. A must read!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected but with some good tips that may also apply if you are not an addict or have compulsive behaviour

[Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This pretty much validates the twelve step programs. A little preachy, but several interesting images...a t-shirt or a tombstone...on the front what you want people to see in you...on the back would be the real you.