Book Review: Who Knew? 10,001 east Solutions to Everyday Problems

by Bruce Lubin and Jeanne Bossolina-Lubin, TELEBrands Press, reprinted from Castle Point Publishing, Fairfield, NJ, 2013

A good reference book for common household problems.  It starts with chapters dedicated to seven heroes: vinegar, baking soda, lemon, salt, vegetable or olive oil, aluminum foil and duct tape.  It is amazing how many different things can be done with these items.  For example vinegar will cool a sunburn.  Vinegar is also good for swimmer's ear.  Vinegar will kill the smell of burnt food, boil a cup with two cups water.  Baking soda can be used for fire prevention.  Lemon will help with cleaning burnt milk.  Duct tape can tape on a child's gloves if he keeps taking them off.  You can also use it on the handle of a tool to customize the fit to your hand.  Duct tape can repair a trash can lid.
This book also includes cleaning tips, tips for getting organized, pet tips,managing money, and giving items a second life.

Great to have around for thos special tips.  There are also similar things on Facebook and Pinterest.

**Book review: Outliers: The Story of Success

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, Back Bay Books, New York, 2008.

This is a different positive thinking book than any I have found.  The bottom line of this book is that the reasons for someone to be successful can be illusive; however he did say 10,000 hours is key.  Those who have become successful have spent 10,000 hours perfecting what they do, whether it is computers, or a sport, or music, or lawyering.  It takes time for those success thoughts to rise to the top.  However it says sometimes the thing that gives us those hours can be by chance, the year we were born, the month you were born, your way of getting experience etc.  It also sounds like he takes President Obama's opinion, "You didn't build that."  So in the end, I don't know what to think of this book.  Although the story of the Beatles and Bill Gates were very interesting.  I also like the bit about the Chinese and hard work.

**Positive Thinking Book: Ask...(LIfe's Most Important Answers Are Found in Asking the Right Questions)

This little book has a long title.  It goes on to ask 244 questions for an individual to make sure their thinking is on the right track.  It divides the questions into three sections:  Looking Inward, Looking Outward and Looking Upward.  Looking inward explores our self talk.  DO we ask ourselves the right questions so as to be ready to step out when opportunity comes.  Looking outward concerns our relationships with others.  Looking upward concerns our relationship with God.  Is prayer a regular habit? Are we Grateful?  Do we do what God asks?  Are we willing to ask, How can I help you God?
A very good book and can be reread to seek further inspiration.  It is written by John L. Mason.

**Book Review: Suicide: The Forever Decision

Suicide: The Forever Decision: For Those Thinking about Suicide, and for Those Who Know, Love or Counsel Them; New Expanded Edition by: Paul G. Quinnett, Crossroad Publishing, New York, 1987, 2011 printing.
I have been studying this book for some time.  Mr Quinnett writes this book with the intent of engaging those considering suicide, getting them to slow down and take another look, and then presents some of the things they should consider.  He starts asking people to take a step back.  And then take another look at how they came to this point.  One of the aspects of suicidal thought, is that we often have some illogical thinking, based on some erroneous ideas.  Quinnett does a very good job of looking at some of this thinking, and refuting it.
He warns about the danger of anger, and alcohol and drugs when mixed with thoughts of suicide. He has a very good chapter on family and suicide.  We should not attempt suicide to get at our family. 
He ends with a couple other ideas to consider.  What if I don't succeed, but leave myself permanently disabled or in pain or whatever.  And also what about those who are left behind.  He describes the act of suicide like a hand grenade.  Many people get hurt from suicide, not just the person who commits the suicide. 
He ends with talking of the help that is available, although he says professional help is not always needed.  There are clergy, family and others who can provide support.  He makes a good point, suicide prevention is one of the primary functions of mental health workers.  He also makes an observation that there are many causes of death, however suicide is tragic because it is one cause of death which is preventable. 

**Book Review: Diabetes: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Healthy Living Series

This is a  book of many stories, interspersed with practical advise about diabetes from Dr, Byron Hoogwerf of the Cleveland Clinic.  Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen edit the stories.   I think the most important thing I get from this book is motivation, and realization that diabetes is really a disease I need to worry about, and take care of.  I don't want to be dependent on pills forever.
The stories are repetitive, and tell the story of diabetes from several different angles.  As someone growing up with juvenile diabetes,and the parents or siblings of someone with juvenile diabetes.  
Also as being told as an adult that you have type II diabetes, and the consequences, life changes and what this means.  The doctor explains some of the things to be aware of in terms of taking care of you health when you have diabetes.
I enjoyed this book, but more than the practical information, I enjoyed the motivational stories presented.

**Book Review: People who need people Are the healthiest People: The Importance of Relationships

This book was co-authored by someone I use to know, Brent Q. Hafen.  He did his graduate studies at SIU when we lived in Carbondale, Ill.  His children were a bit younger than us.  He became a professor in the health field at BYU.  The other author is Kathryn J. Frandsen.  It is published by Behavioral Health Associates, Provo, Utah, 1986.

The idea behind this book is that those who have good relationships are more healthy.  It takes several chapters quoting studies that talk about the health benefits of those who have good relationships, such as marriage, friends and children and grandchildren.   Of course the opposite of having good relationships is loneliness.  It says there are two types of loneliness, predisposing—characteristics of the individual and values—and precipitating—such as loneliness that follows an event. 

“No one is immune from loneliness.  Depending on your needs, your relationships, and your life circumstances at any given time, you may fall victim to feelings of loneliness and abandonment. 

Knowing the issues, and the benefits of good relationships, the book presents several strategies for improving relationships.  This include communication and touching, holding and hugging.  They present an introduction into how to communicate effectively—which includes listening.  They also introduce the topic of touch, and how touch is so important to our human journey. 

The authors also present a good description of a family which is meeting needs for relationships, vs a family which is showing signs of tension. 

This book was written in 1986, but its message is still relevant. 

**Book Review: The Go-Getter: A Story that Tells You How to Be One

This book was written by Peter B. Kyne and published in 1921.
This is an old book, but its message is timeless.  It tells the story of William Peck, a discharged private form the military who lost an arm, and had one leg shortened while serving curing WWI.  However he says he can sell anything, and now that he is finally out of the hospital, he calls for his job at Pacific Coast Lumber.  He goes over the head of the managers, to the owner, who can’t turn him away.  However, much more important than this, Cappy Ricks, the owner is looking for a leader who can take over shipping operations in Shanghai.  It is interesting to note that on the day he was hired, he shares with Mr. Ricks his business card, which would have taken a couple days to print in those days.  He decides to get right to work: 
“Count that day lost whose low descending sun
Finds prices shot to glory and business done for fun.”

He quickly proves his worth as a salesman, but then Cappy has greater plans for him, and proposes the test of the “blue vase.”  This is in exercise where the individual is given and impossible task, if he completes it he will be offered a high paying job.  The task is to purchase a vase on Sunday, and bring it to Mr. Ricks.  The instructions are vague, and purposefully slow.  Additionally it is impossible to get a hold of the store own or manager.  His leg hurts, and his amputated hand itches, but he eventually gets the vase for $2000.  He doesn’t meet the train at the agreed upon time, but overtakes it before it arrives at its destination.  He explains why he completed the task, even though it seemed impossible.  His commander in the services had a motto, “It shall be done.”  It is that attitude and kept him going to surpass the odds against him.  “It shall be done.”  How many of us could use such a motto in our own lives.

**Book review Dynamic Health: Powerful Strategies for Healthy Living: Dr. Jack Singer

Dynamic Health: Powerful Strategies for Healthy Living by Dr. Jack Singer and Bernie Siegel, Insight Publishing, 2006.  This book is a series of interviews conducted by David E. Wright with different people in the health profession; but not always traditional health.  It includes people from other areas including chiropractic and vitamins and mental health.  This is the first section by Jack Springer.  It presents evidence of the effects of our thoughts on health.

I found the content to be compelling and important to share.

Chapter one features Jack Singer as he is interviewed by David E. Wright.  Singer indicates that research shows that two out of every three patients at family practice have symptoms, but do not have a physical organic diseasing causing those symptoms.  Singer studies the effect of our thoughts and our minds on disease, including suppression of the immune system.  He blames our “internal critic” for much of what ails us.  The internal critic is that part of us that tells us something might go wrong, we can’t do it etc.  These negative thoughts impact our immune system.  They spark our internal self preservation measures, including tightening of the muscles, a shot of adrenaline, etc.  These mechanisms, are meant to be used on occasion, instead they are used hundreds of times daily, and this it is breaking our bodies down.  He says children are taught this attitude form the age of six to eighteen when they are subject to 148,000 negative comments by teachers, parents, friends etc as compared to 4,000 positive “you can do it” comments.  As a result our self talk 55,000 words a day, is mostly negative.  He points out that the health of optimists is much better than those with negative attitudes.  Confronting life with the attitude that it will work out in the end, it’s a drawback but not a catastrophe etc., leads to better health.  He also points out other attitudes that effect health.  A sense of humor can be key.  Twenty seconds of hearty laughing can equal three minutes of rowing for the health of the heart.  He points out his secret to better health.  One is to assert yourself.  Another is to forgive others.  Holding on to grudges does not help.  Being spiritual is another.  Having faith is important for health.  Next, to thank a mentor can be a big lift to our health.  This could be a teacher, or someone who had a profound influence on us.  I remember a few years ago my brother Charlie, going to his old football coach, and visiting with him, and making a small book of his memories of his coach.  This kind of thing is a big lift.  Another is to practice random acts of kindness, give up your space in line for someone who is harried, take supper or treats to a neighbor, or a kind word.  You can also volunteer.  Places I have enjoyed volunteers have been Scouts, Special Olympics, Mormon Helping Hands and coaching youth sports and officiating youth sports.  He says the most important key for health is relationships with family and friends.  These people are healthier and recover from disease faster.  Even those who are single can have important relationships with siblings and others.