Own Your Own Life

NOTE: This review is a WORK IN PROGRESS. folkse see the comment section below so you will understand why this section may have typos and such at this time.

I own the paper-back version off this book from years ago.

I am writing this product review from memory. I probably have the book in my camper right now. I wasn't wanting to take the time to look at it since I am in the middle of the countdown rush to finish nano wrimo.

I have worn those words but have had a change of heart, I am going to take a moment to get the book and have it on hand. I wish I could uphold a image for the cover.

Okay, that trip to my camper did not out this book in my hand. I know it it's probably there but I was not able to find it in the expected places. It might be on my bookshelf in my daughter's storage unit. It is not worth a trip there today (not this close to the end of Nano.)

It was not a completely wasted trip because I did grab a few. .several, actually...books to write product reviews on when I finish the ones I have uploaded right now.

So on to discuss Gary Emery's older book entitled Own Your Own Life.

I read this book when it was first published many years ago. Recently, I read about the author and his connections with God's who were ground-breakers in the field of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

I believe in the value of cognitive-behavioral therapy. I can't remember for sure right now if that is how Emery described his technique but I do know his ACT formula does incorporate both thinking and behavior so it surely qualifies.

What I remember about this book is that it had a positive impact on my life. I read it and applied the technique to some of the problems in my life at that time and was successful in making changes.

The book starts out with an overview of the ACT process. I have pasted the complete ACT formula below. This is from Gary's new book so might not be exactly what is going in this older book but it will be quite similar if not exactly the same.


Accept, choose, take action.

Perhaps the biggest thing Own Your Own Life did for me was to get the focus on my own actions.

Psycho-therapy in those days tended to dredge through childhood issues and try to find out why you did what you did based on wounds or ineffective parenting out whatever.

Finding out why did not particularly product changes lives.

Making different choices did.

Words to that affect might even be found in this book. It has been a while since I read it. I have found the same truths related in the world of others.

I also have found what was written in Own Your Own Life to have timeless value.

After giving his readers an overview of the process, Emery goes through specifics on dealing with the common problems that trouble us.

I do wish I had the book in hand, I would list the chapters that deal with specific issues. Suffice it to say the book can become a handy resource to have on your book shelf. Over the years, I have taken it down and simple turned to the pages talking about whatever problem had treated its ugly head in my life.

At the very least, Emery's words remind me to take responsibility for my own thoughts, my own words and my own actions.

Others can help us, encourage us, love us...but our daily actions will determine to a large degree what will happen in our lives - most especially our internal life.

I guess emotional relief comes through moving from a sense of powerlessness to the sense of power we get by realizing we have the opportunity to choose something different.

This is an older book on the subject but it is one that laid the foundation for many newer books and helped folks to ACT in their own best interests.

Someone interested in using cognitive therapy as a self-help intervention.

The ACT Formula: Accept your current reality. Choose to create what you want in your life. Take action to create it.

This is a quote from information about a newer book Gary Emry co-wrote on the same topic.

I am writing this and other product reviews as quickly as possible right now as I am trying to reach my goal of 50000 words for Nano 2014 . I am using Swype on my phone is kindle. I am very far behind right now.

Revisions and corrections well be made after the November event it's over. Lord-willing.

I am adding a link her to all my product reviews. Right now none of the newer ones show a rating. When and if I do come back and fix them (revise/edit/improve) I will add a rating. Then if you are interested in seeing the finished product... the finished product review, that is, you will be able to quickly see if they have been updated.

Here is the link:

http://www.writing.com/main/product_reviews/action/my_prs/user_id/ruwth

Created Nov 28, 2014 at 10:04pm

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