How Did I Get Here?: Finding Your Way to Renewed Hope and Happiness When Life and Love Take Unexpected Turns

by Barbara De Angelis

All of us find ourselves, at one time or another facing the unexpected and asking "How did I get here?" Whether because of disappointments in love, crises in health, family or finances, professional dissatisfaction, or events beyond your control, life doesn't look like you expected or intended it to. In this program Barbara De Angelis teaches you how to use whatever you're going through as a springboard for regeneration and rebirth.

With her remarkable blend of timeless wisdom, practical techniques, and down-to-earth advice, she helps you to:

*Recognize and understand significant transitions, turning points, and wake-up calls on your path
*Transform fear into courage, confusion into vision, and self-doubt into confidence
*Turn what appears to be dead ends into doorways

Written with Barbara De Angelis' trademark eloquence, honesty and compassion, and containing the treasures of her own thirty-five year quest for enlightenment, HOW DID I GET HERE is a more than uplifting, intimate and moving--it is a true transformational manual for achieving emotional and spiritual rebirth that will change your life.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Barbara De Angelis Ph.D. is one of the most influential teachers of our time in the field of relationships and personal growth. For the past twenty-five years, she has reached tens of millions of people throughout the world with her positive messages about love, happiness and the search for meaning in our lives. As a best-selling author, popular television personality and sought after motivational speaker, Barbara has been a pioneer in the field of personal transformation as one of the first people to popularize the idea of self-help in the 1980's, and as one of the first nationally recognized female motivational teachers on television.

Reviews

[Rain Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read this, so my impressions aren't exactly fresh. And, no, I do not intend to read it again. Ever.

That said, I should probably explain how I got to read it in the first place...
As it happens, I found some quotes from the book, and those were kind of nice - in a smartly ordered words, that we all use daily but in much simpler form, way - so I thought I could give it a try. Found it in a library, brought it home, started reading, and...

*digression*
Right now, I feel the need to point out I usually avoid the self-help shelf like the plague. Mostly because I believe you'll genuinely help yourself so much easier and faster by the very act of avoiding those crappy lines and mantras self-help books are full of.
The only exception in this genre (that I've found so far, at least, and not that I've tried too hard) is Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps: How We're Different and What to Do About It, and even that one is more funny than helpful, so there you have it.

Back to the point...
After I've finished reading Ms. De Angelis' book, I couldn't help but think what a lovely quote-maker she is. Obviously, except for the number of quotes I already knew, there was nothing in the book that would make (even feeble) lasting impression.
I imagine anyone could write these books, if only that certain anyone would have a basic writing talent, and a will to dedicate some time to rephrasing common, everyday thoughts into wise (but, oh so hollow) quotes.

[Judith the Book Gobbler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional self reflector. Excellent questions only you can answer for yourself!

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book on Amazon early July 2023.
The book was published in 2005 (almost 20 years ago).
The book contains 3 parts and 12 chapters and is 316 pages long.
I was quite annoyed reading the book. Some better insights in second part of the book.
This is purely self-help book and not on relationships as I initially thought.
3.5/5 due to good author’s writings and sentences.
For self-self, you have much more up to date leaders like Tony Robbins, etc.

[Masu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I learned a lot from it and it also made my tears drop, I really suggest to read it specially I you are dealing with issues at your life.

[Tina Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is deep, warm, transformative and life changing. I highly recommend.

[M Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that empowering as expected, but it is very grounded with stories. Typical inspiring book for leisure time reading.

[Marjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

helpful and beauty to find way of living

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of her better books. As the years have passed she has less of a Polly Anna presentation for her ideas on improving our lives - which always comes back basically to improving our relationships. In this one she deals more with loss and the grieving becausde of aging, illness, death of loved ones, regrets for things we did not do well etc. But I especially like the conclusion that "Loss with disillusionment is worse. It contains more than regret - but also anger, self-recrimination, and blame. It is grieving for what may have never existed in the first place. It hurts. It feels more than loss but the feeling we have been robbed - of time, trust, of the sanctity of memories". But she ends every book like a 12 steop program with god and acceptance, and placing ourselves in the hands of a higher power. There are many spiritual approaches I can connect with, but not the ones she presents. However the books are filled with great insights in many aras.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book quite some time ago and like to skim through it occasionally. She has good insight into people. When I first read the book I thought wow she must have really experienced some heavy duty things in her life to have such insights. Then I read that she wrote the book in response to one of her pets dying. It's been a while I read that so the memory is a little vague. Still, I liked the book enough to buy it. It truly doesn't matter how one obtains perspective and insight and can share it in an intelligible manner.

[Elizabeth Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

More than half the book is devoted to describing how we lose our way (basically, by not paying attention and falling asleep or checking out of knowing what's really going on) and what kinds of lost you might find yourself in (relationship troubles, health crises, job problems, etc.). DeAngelis moves on to a lot of talk about staying open to intuition, recognizing dead ends as opportunities for course corrections, and the like, then skips to "and then, things get better" without ever offering any practical suggestions for moving through tough life transitions.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Deangelis is very compassionate "been there, done that" kind of author, who truly gets to the heart of the matter. This book jumped at me at the right time and made a lot of sense, but sadly, didn't answer my questions - it just explained why I had them, and how to proceed in finding answers. It was packed with food for thought, and some of the quotes and stories moved me tremendously, so it was well worth the read.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't regularly turn to self-help books, but I don't have a therapist in my life right now so I am functioning as my own counselor. I have been asking myself lately, "How did I get here?" and this book jumped out at me from the shelves at the library. I am finding that I really like and respect the way Barbara DeAngelis phrases. She focuses on self-empowerment through honesty with your self. I feel more clear of mind after reading a chapter.

[Debbie]

This is my favorite book!!! Totally Love it. I have read it over and over. My copy is highlighted and dated througout the book.

I have several books by Barbara. I love her way of writing. This is her best book so far. It has helped me in my life. This book makes me go "ah ha, now I see".

I feel relaxed when I read this book.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the importance of focusing on today and what is good in life that I often overlook. The various poems and quotes throughout the book were very insightful. I jotted down several of their names to visit some of their works.

It took me a while to get through this book, but I find self-help books to be that way. :)

[Foujan barghian · Rating 5 out of 5]

well I have a huge crash on Barbara an' this one I think is the most effection work of her..

[Sylvia gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

i learned to respaect more of the stuff ive own and how to value things

[Kameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

For when your life goes off track and you have no idea what to do next!

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm probably rating this high because I read this book at just the perfect time in my life - when I was, as DeAngelis says, "shattered awake". Quite helpful for someone in crisis.

[Emily]

amazing

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a lot out of this book. I can't begin to summarize. If you are feeling lost in your life and not sure how you got to where you are she offers good points to help get back on track.

[Azam · Rating 4 out of 5]

useful for life

[M]

The intro looks solid unlike her other opinionated books

[Judy Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

An open, honest look at one's life, with personal assessments and an educated evaluation of our choices and consequences. Very good food for thought.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly what I need right now. I'm going through a life change and her words are inspirational and thought provoking. I plan to read it through again and do more reflection the second time.

[Yasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several inspiring quotes for every day life.

[Hafsa Sada · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very lovely book. I would read it again and again

[Gidget Brown-l pugh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled to read this book several times but unfortunately never got past the SECOND chapter. BORING

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words can express how profound this book has impacted my life and how it helped me to make necessary decisions. A must read for those finding their life and journey has changed all of a sudden.

[Tamara Steffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs guidance through challenging times. Barbara is a highly enlightened soul who gets what life is about. A must-have!

[Sahar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helped me this book. Thanks Barbara.
I found out that so many world have the same problems.