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Change It Up: Looking Differently at the Change You Want -- and the Change You Don't
Why do we love the change we choose (think makeovers and remodeling), but not the change that s chosen for us? Why do we limit ourselves to embracing only the changes we are wise enough to give ourselves? Change can be scary. It can even be painful. Change takes us out of our comfort zone and moves us somewhere we haven t been before. So how do we embrace it? How do we experience it without so much pain and maybe even with a little pleasure? Author and popular radio personality Amanda Dickson offers simple suggestions for integrating change in our lives. Included are tips for making easy changes that will help us get comfortable with the concept of change, suggestions for looking at our lives in new ways, and liberating perspectives on the changes we get to choose. For anyone struggling with change or fearful of change this book provides practical ideas to make that change easier.
- GenresNonfictionSelf HelpAdult
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2009
3 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 22, 2011
I got this book last year at Time Out for Women when I was dealing with a lot of changes in my life: my husband started a new job, Evan started preschool, I had a new church calling in Primary, and I had started to drive my son to school 45 minutes one way. Little did I know that I would be faced with even more changes and challenges now a year later. I loved this book and I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes that helped me gain a new perspective. A quick little book I read in a day...
1. "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin I may not be the smartest person around, but I know that I have been given the gift of being able to go with the flow when things get tough. I can survive!
2. "Forgiveness is not something you do for the offender. It has nothing to do with whether or not the other person even deserves it. You do it for you, for your freedom, for your life." This quote was very enlightening to me. I've always thought that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves, not others.
3. "Happiness is what is happening right now." This is something my sister and I talked a lot about while she was visiting this past week. Finding joy in your "new normal" life. So often we say, "I'll be happy when..."
4. "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." - Pablo Picasso I never thought I'd be one of those moms who could get up and get all four kids out of the house by 7AM everyday! But I'm doing it and we have all survived!
5. "Extend yourself. You'll never regret it. It's not possible to regret extending yourself in love." I often think I overextend myself with my library director job, preschool board member, PTO member, RIF coordinator, etc. But all of these things help me, my family, the community, the people I serve in my church. When I am doing service, I don't have time feel sorry for myself or get caught up in things that don't matter. I'm making a difference everyday for things I care about!
6. "Listening lets me love so much more fully than talking does." I still need to work on this in my life. I love those who listen to me and I've seen the difference I can make when I just take the time to listen.
7. "EGBOK - Everything is going to be okay." I love when my husband says this to me. Because it reminds me that it's really true. God loves me, my family loves me, and I have wonderful friends who love me and help me get through anything.
Change is a beautiful gift that helps us grow into the person that God knows we can be!
1. "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin I may not be the smartest person around, but I know that I have been given the gift of being able to go with the flow when things get tough. I can survive!
2. "Forgiveness is not something you do for the offender. It has nothing to do with whether or not the other person even deserves it. You do it for you, for your freedom, for your life." This quote was very enlightening to me. I've always thought that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves, not others.
3. "Happiness is what is happening right now." This is something my sister and I talked a lot about while she was visiting this past week. Finding joy in your "new normal" life. So often we say, "I'll be happy when..."
4. "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." - Pablo Picasso I never thought I'd be one of those moms who could get up and get all four kids out of the house by 7AM everyday! But I'm doing it and we have all survived!
5. "Extend yourself. You'll never regret it. It's not possible to regret extending yourself in love." I often think I overextend myself with my library director job, preschool board member, PTO member, RIF coordinator, etc. But all of these things help me, my family, the community, the people I serve in my church. When I am doing service, I don't have time feel sorry for myself or get caught up in things that don't matter. I'm making a difference everyday for things I care about!
6. "Listening lets me love so much more fully than talking does." I still need to work on this in my life. I love those who listen to me and I've seen the difference I can make when I just take the time to listen.
7. "EGBOK - Everything is going to be okay." I love when my husband says this to me. Because it reminds me that it's really true. God loves me, my family loves me, and I have wonderful friends who love me and help me get through anything.
Change is a beautiful gift that helps us grow into the person that God knows we can be!
June 29, 2011
A short refreshing reminder of what is important, change is not a bad thing, and everything will be okay!
July 29, 2017
This book encouraged me to make few changes in my life, just to keep it interesting! It also goes through different events that can happen in life that can change our "normal" and how to adapt.
October 8, 2022
Easy book to read in one sitting filled with practical ideas of how to incorporate and embrace even simple changes in your life and experience how change can have beneficial effects.
December 21, 2023
Pretty repetitive but definitely worth the short read.
February 9, 2014
This is one of those books that tries to be all things to all people. The author seems to be baring her soul. It is also one of those books that you could find an 'aha' moment. A certain word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph might be just what you need at that moment in time.
I found my 'Aha' Moment...
I always say to anyone/myself when faced with a decision to make a change, "What is the worst thing that could happen?". I think, other than the result being life threatening, I can overcome all obstacles. That is certainly a negative way of approaching a decision. Especially for me, who considers myself a positive person.
Ms. Dickson gave me a new approach: "What is the best thing that could happen?" 'Aha' Moment
Also, I found several insights that bear remembering.
Introduction: "We want to see change coming, but sometimes it is a gift hidden behind wrapping paper; we don't know what's in there. It could be something we'll really like. It could bless our lives in way we might not have selected for ourselves, but that we'll embrace now that it's here."
Chapter 1 "You Look So Great, Did You Change Your Hair?
Practice by making small changes. They give you confidence when you need to make bigger changes.
Chapter 2 "Who's That Girl?"
"You are not your titles. You are not your roles. You are not the actions you take or the way people count on you. You are simply you-pure, beautiful, you."
Chapter 3 "The One Thing You Can Count on Is Change" Yada Yada Yada
The biggest change-your definition of happiness. Ms. Dickson suggests:"happiness is what is happening right now".
"You know how when you suffer one of the biggest challenges of your life, you often look back years later with fondness or even laughter...You marvel at how one of the worst times in your life could lead to one of the best times in your life. The trick to finding the happiness in those moments is to laugh sooner, not to wait for years to pass until the lightness lifts you up."
Chapter 4: "I Could Handle Anything but This, Not This"
Keep the book if...
Chapter 5: "Who Am I Without Her?"
Not applicable to me. It may be for you. Keep the book.
Chapter 6: "Oh! If You Had Seen Me Then!"
"Trying to get beautiful is a means to the end of 'feeling' beautiful.' We want the way we 'feel' when we think we're beautiful."
"This is the 'aha' moment. The way to feel beautiful at any age, with any body, is to shift the focus. We no longer need people to look at us to feel beautiful-we need to look 'at people'. We become the mirror for them" (I am still waiting for my 'aha' on this one!)
Keep the book and read this in a few years!
Chapter 7: "I Don't Know What Else to Do!"
Not applicable for my future. However, I have had this experience...loss of my job after 30 years in the work force. My positive self kicked in...I felt free. In fact, I took three years off before jumping back into the fray. I loved every minute of it. Now I am retired and I am enjoying every minute of it!
Chapter 8: "If You Never Change Your Mind, Why Have One?" (A potpourri)
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world." Norman Vincent Peale
"Our judgment can only be as good as our information." Author
"Are there any beliefs passed down in your family that you might like to let go of?" Author
"I knew much more then than I do now." Bono, U2 song
"The older I get, the more I realize I have yet to learn" Author
"The day you open your mind, even in a small way, to the possibility of changing the way you think, energy comes flooding in. You will be amazed at how much energy you were using to hold your opinions up in the air, like plates twirling on sticks..." Author
Chapter 9: There Is No Such Thing As a Habit As a Habit You Don't Want
"If you don't want to, you'll stop. That's how you'll know you don't want to anymore." (Credit for this quote given to Byron Katie/'Loving What Is.'"
Chapter 10: Everything is Going to Be Okay. EGBOK
'This too shall pass.'
Chapter 11: "Be the Change You Want to See in the World" Mahatma Gandhi
A lot was packed into this 130 page book. It will become a resident on my book shelf.
"Things do not change, we change." Henry David Thoreau
I found my 'Aha' Moment...
I always say to anyone/myself when faced with a decision to make a change, "What is the worst thing that could happen?". I think, other than the result being life threatening, I can overcome all obstacles. That is certainly a negative way of approaching a decision. Especially for me, who considers myself a positive person.
Ms. Dickson gave me a new approach: "What is the best thing that could happen?" 'Aha' Moment
Also, I found several insights that bear remembering.
Introduction: "We want to see change coming, but sometimes it is a gift hidden behind wrapping paper; we don't know what's in there. It could be something we'll really like. It could bless our lives in way we might not have selected for ourselves, but that we'll embrace now that it's here."
Chapter 1 "You Look So Great, Did You Change Your Hair?
Practice by making small changes. They give you confidence when you need to make bigger changes.
Chapter 2 "Who's That Girl?"
"You are not your titles. You are not your roles. You are not the actions you take or the way people count on you. You are simply you-pure, beautiful, you."
Chapter 3 "The One Thing You Can Count on Is Change" Yada Yada Yada
The biggest change-your definition of happiness. Ms. Dickson suggests:"happiness is what is happening right now".
"You know how when you suffer one of the biggest challenges of your life, you often look back years later with fondness or even laughter...You marvel at how one of the worst times in your life could lead to one of the best times in your life. The trick to finding the happiness in those moments is to laugh sooner, not to wait for years to pass until the lightness lifts you up."
Chapter 4: "I Could Handle Anything but This, Not This"
Keep the book if...
Chapter 5: "Who Am I Without Her?"
Not applicable to me. It may be for you. Keep the book.
Chapter 6: "Oh! If You Had Seen Me Then!"
"Trying to get beautiful is a means to the end of 'feeling' beautiful.' We want the way we 'feel' when we think we're beautiful."
"This is the 'aha' moment. The way to feel beautiful at any age, with any body, is to shift the focus. We no longer need people to look at us to feel beautiful-we need to look 'at people'. We become the mirror for them" (I am still waiting for my 'aha' on this one!)
Keep the book and read this in a few years!
Chapter 7: "I Don't Know What Else to Do!"
Not applicable for my future. However, I have had this experience...loss of my job after 30 years in the work force. My positive self kicked in...I felt free. In fact, I took three years off before jumping back into the fray. I loved every minute of it. Now I am retired and I am enjoying every minute of it!
Chapter 8: "If You Never Change Your Mind, Why Have One?" (A potpourri)
"Change your thoughts, and you change your world." Norman Vincent Peale
"Our judgment can only be as good as our information." Author
"Are there any beliefs passed down in your family that you might like to let go of?" Author
"I knew much more then than I do now." Bono, U2 song
"The older I get, the more I realize I have yet to learn" Author
"The day you open your mind, even in a small way, to the possibility of changing the way you think, energy comes flooding in. You will be amazed at how much energy you were using to hold your opinions up in the air, like plates twirling on sticks..." Author
Chapter 9: There Is No Such Thing As a Habit As a Habit You Don't Want
"If you don't want to, you'll stop. That's how you'll know you don't want to anymore." (Credit for this quote given to Byron Katie/'Loving What Is.'"
Chapter 10: Everything is Going to Be Okay. EGBOK
'This too shall pass.'
Chapter 11: "Be the Change You Want to See in the World" Mahatma Gandhi
A lot was packed into this 130 page book. It will become a resident on my book shelf.
"Things do not change, we change." Henry David Thoreau
January 28, 2014
Change is fun. Change is a dinner guest we didn't know was coming, a road closed that pushes us onto the loveliest side street we would never have discovered otherwise. Change is joy. Change is being and breath and vitality. ~ Amanda Dickson
A brief, but refreshing look at CHANGE -- it can happen unexpectedly, with planning, happily or sorrowfully, but certainly at some point in life, change will happen. An interesting reminder on how we need to adjust our reaction and attitude toward change.
A brief, but refreshing look at CHANGE -- it can happen unexpectedly, with planning, happily or sorrowfully, but certainly at some point in life, change will happen. An interesting reminder on how we need to adjust our reaction and attitude toward change.
September 7, 2010
My ward picked this book to read for the bookclub. I was a little hesitant about it because I don't particularly care for self help books, but this one was pretty good. It was a short read and had applicable principles that seemed pretty easy. Her experiences with change are inspiring and make it seem not so bad.
October 10, 2012
3 and a half
Some parts were 4 stars, but not enough. This could've been an article or two. Not enough substance for even a small book. Maybe that's why I got it for $2.99!!! But I must admit I have been changed in some ways by this book. I liked her line "There is no such thing as a habit you don't want." That made me think!!
Some parts were 4 stars, but not enough. This could've been an article or two. Not enough substance for even a small book. Maybe that's why I got it for $2.99!!! But I must admit I have been changed in some ways by this book. I liked her line "There is no such thing as a habit you don't want." That made me think!!
March 9, 2010
I absolutely loved this little gem. It has helped me look at change in a different way...and change is what I am experiencing in so many ways right now! I highly recommend this book. I just might sit down and read it again!
March 10, 2010
I love reading self-help types of books and this one did not disappoint. Amanda Dickson has an easy style that brought me right into her world, while not being afraid to consider mine. Filled with lots of motivational ideas for making changes in my life, a little bit at a time.
March 17, 2010
Bleh- I hate change in most forms... This was a pretty good book if you need a little inspiration- my favorite line was "Don't turn your life into a museum. Let it be a playground of thoughts and ideas and action."
January 31, 2011
3.5 stars. A really good book to help you put a positive spin and new outlook on what change really is and how we deal with it.
Read
August 13, 2010a fabulous read. Change does not have to be hard. we do little changes every day.
September 13, 2010
I enjoyed this book - I saw Amanda speak once and thoroughly enjoyed her - easy read!
October 4, 2010
A great quick read! Definitely some stuff in here that I needed to hear and need to hear over and over. Like EGBOK--everthing is going to be okay!! What a great writer and uplifter!
January 4, 2011
Great short read that is very motivating. Great for a plane ride or travel.
February 2, 2011
Great book about change. Very quick and easy read.
February 15, 2011
I enjoyed this book. It gives a new perspective on the inevitable change that takes place in every life. I was inspired to make a few changes of my own and it does give energy to life.
September 4, 2011
Cute and thoughtful. A quick and easy read. I just need to put more effort into becoming the person I want to be and not the one that just heads down the path of least resistance.
July 27, 2012
No one likes change but Amanda takes change to a whole new level. Now I don't look at change as a dread I look at it with excitement and joy! This will change your life...no pun intended.
September 15, 2013
What a funny lady. I watched her speak once and she was a hoot. I really wanted the book.
April 19, 2015
The whole idea of changing on purpose, changed me!
February 17, 2016
This book was enjoyable and easy to read. Each chapter covers a different topic about change in our lives; with stories, advice and encouragement. I'm glad I read it.
July 25, 2010
Quick read. Positive upbeat and good perspective
September 30, 2013
my theme for my 41st year!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews