Why Me, Why This, Why Now?: A Guide to Answering Life's Toughest Questions Paperback – 7 May 2009

Everything went well

I was taken to a book shop by a friend who steered me to this book and said "buy it!" and I am very glad that she did. In subsequent years I have recommended it to many more people. But, you do need to be in a place of open-minded willingness to be able to appreciate the message. Cynicism, over reliance on one's own particular patch of intellectual division of labour, being convinced that you know how things work and what they mean - all of these things will negatively impact your ability to receive anything from it. I read it at a time of upheaval, emotional pain and confusion, facing up to the reality of a lot of past trauma - but having developed some spiritual willingness - and it was and is hugely helpful to me in shifting my paradigm and finding purpose. Indispensable.

Great insights

I've been a big fan of Robin Norwood's work ever since I first read her classic work, "Women Who Love Too Much". That book was instrumental in bringing the topic of relationship addiction into the mainstream.Her work has been vital to my own healing from dysfunctional relationships. Norwood has been a marriage, family and child therapist, who specialized in the treatment of chemical dependency and codependency.Her success after her publication of "Women Who Love Too Much" was followed by a series of traumas. She experienced a divorce and a life-threatening illness. While convalescing, Norwood entered into seven years of isolation and reflection. That period of her life gave birth to this book.She began to read books on astrology, palmistry, tarot, healing and reincarnation. She notes she was finally exploring in earnest what she'd always believed to be the correct focus of psychology: the study (-ology) of the soul (psyche).Gradually, her worldview shifted. As she continued to study, she began to realize that our life on earth is about learning, evolving and growing spiritually through our experiences.On p. 11, she writes, "When we can use whatever difficulties we have experienced in order to help others, then all our suffering and struggles are raised up and given purpose and dignity even beyond ourselves."On p.204, she offers some guidelines for healing ourselves:* Always look for the gift in adversity.* Never indulge in self-pity.* Never blame anyone else for your problems.* Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.* Seek opportunities to serve.* Learn to regard death as a healing.There is so much wisdom and depth in this book that is quite hard to describe it. It is a book that I'll return to often, especially if I'm feeling confused, discouraged, depressed, and need comfort. It gives the best insights into life that I have found in my quest to understand why I'm here.Robin Norwood has given so much of herself to millions around the world, and her work has personally been a remarkable gift to me. She is one of my heroines. I highly recommend this book, as well as all of her others!!

I received my book very quickly even though it was not on Prime.This is a very interesting book that offers help and answers to our existentialist questions from a different point of view and helps to cope with our daily problems.