Everyone should read slowly...

I initially began as a skeptic, but after reading this book, I have truly become a believer!! It is an excellent book that comprehensively covers the topic of personal growth. There is an abundance of information within its pages, perhaps more than one individual might strictly require. However, it is essential that the entire book be read in order to obtain the big picture. Only by doing so can one truly understand the full scope and depth of the concepts presented. Once that is achieved, one can then dive in deeper and focus on the specific areas that they need to work on. This book has the potential to be a life-changing resource for those who are willing to invest the time and effort into reading it carefully and reflecting on its contents.

This book provides the experiential wisdom that one would anticipate from Dr Henry Cloud.

The text presents a practical and sensible framework for personal growth. It highlights the significance of self-awareness rather than self-obsession. In today's society, self-obsession has become a prevalent issue that affects numerous individuals.

Dr Cloud's insights offer a valuable perspective on how to cultivate self-awareness and use it as a tool for personal development. By understanding ourselves better, we can make more informed decisions, build healthier relationships, and achieve our goals.

The book is filled with practical advice and real-life examples that make it easy to understand and apply the concepts. Whether you are looking to improve your personal or professional life, this book has something to offer.

I really liked "How People Grow." It offers practical growth steps that are firmly rooted in clear spiritual principles.

This book beautifully bridges the gap between age-old spiritual thoughts and modern psychological discoveries. It serves as a highly readable (albeit at times a bit dense) guide for the entire human growth process, encompassing not only the spiritual aspect but also the emotional, mental, and even physical dimensions. True to its title, it comprehensively addresses all these areas.

One of the notable features of "How People Grow" is its strong emphasis on the growth group, one-another relationships, and the importance of time. It eschews the classic approach of seeking quick, "microwaved" results. This approach makes the book truly valuable and well worth the read. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in personal growth.

Thanks to Dr Cloud and Dr Townshend for this wonderful contribution!

This book was gifted to me.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have read it.

It is extremely long and dense.

To be honest, I really don't know what I have gained from it.

I had the feeling that there were a great many points made in the book.

However, none of them were elaborated upon sufficiently to truly enable them to be understood and remembered.

All of the examples of clients provided were so concise: the client has a problem, and then the client gets over the problem.

I spent such a significant amount of time on this book, yet I feel as if it was time wasted.

It is truly a great pity.

The original article may not be well-written, but it does contain some good material.

We can take this as a starting point and expand on it to create a more comprehensive and engaging piece.

For example, we could explore the specific aspects of the material that are good and why they are valuable.

We might also discuss how the article could be improved in terms of its structure, grammar, or style.

Additionally, we could provide examples or illustrations to further clarify and support the points being made.

By taking these steps, we can transform the original article into a more polished and useful piece of writing that better conveys its intended message.

One of the best books I have ever read, and I truly love reading!

I think the timing was perfect for me to pick up this book. Although the concepts presented are biblical and some of them I should have been familiar with, the way it was written really worked for me. It allowed me to apply all of the connections in a systematic and methodical way.

I deeply appreciate the author's effort to tie in the life lessons with the Word of God. It has been extremely helpful in sorting through my thoughts. In this way, I can grow and understand that it is not about worldly or selfish pursuits. Instead, it is more about looking at things from the perspective of what I am responsible to do according to God's word.

This book has truly opened my eyes and has had a profound impact on my spiritual journey. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking to deepen their understanding of God's teachings and apply them to their daily lives.

I listened to this on Libby. It was an interesting experience, but I found myself wishing that the author had delved into more depth. There were certain aspects that seemed to be just scratched on the surface, leaving me with a sense of curiosity and a desire to know more.

However, I guess that's what his other books are for. Maybe in those, he explores these topics in greater detail and provides a more comprehensive understanding. It makes me eager to check out his other works and see if they can satisfy my thirst for knowledge.

Overall, while this particular listening didn't fully meet my expectations in terms of depth, it did pique my interest and make me appreciate the potential that the author has to offer. I look forward to seeing what else he has in store for readers in his other books.

This is an outstanding book - an absolute must-read for each and every one of us.

It is filled with an abundance of professional wisdom and profound insights that have the power to assist us and those around us in identifying the crucial elements that can have a significant impact on our lives.

The author presents these ideas in a highly accessible manner, making it easy for readers to understand and apply. What's more, the book is enhanced by numerous helpful real-life examples that bring the concepts to life and make them even more relatable.

Whether you are looking to make positive changes in your own life or seeking to offer valuable guidance to others, this book is an invaluable resource that you simply cannot afford to miss.

It has the potential to transform the way we think, act, and interact with the world around us, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

So, don't hesitate - pick up this brilliant book today and start your journey towards personal and professional growth.

Great quick read about how we seek out and respond to truth in our lives.

Truth is an essential aspect of our existence. We are constantly on a quest to discover the truth, whether it be about ourselves, the world around us, or the events that unfold.

Our attitude towards truth plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of our lives. If we approach truth with an open mind and a willingness to learn, we are more likely to grow and make positive changes.

However, if we are closed off and resistant to the truth, we may find ourselves stuck in old patterns and unable to progress.

It is important to be honest with ourselves and others, and to strive for truth in all aspects of our lives. This may not always be easy, but it is essential for our well-being and personal growth.

By seeking out and responding to truth, we can create a more fulfilling and meaningful life for ourselves.

Spiritual growth is the core that links all different kinds of growth, such as emotional and relational growth. It is important to understand that growth stems from a position of spiritual poverty and humility. This requires a great deal of vulnerability and the willingness to endure pain. Moreover, growth can only be achieved within a community. It is essential to go back to each chapter ending and re-read "Tips For Growers." These tips provide valuable guidance and practical advice on how to cultivate growth in various aspects of our lives. By reflecting on these tips and applying them to our daily experiences, we can enhance our spiritual growth and, in turn, foster growth in other areas.

I am instinctively drawn to Cloud and Townsend’s work due to my profound interest in the intersections of faith, psychology, growth, and relationships. However, I always find myself leaving their work with a sense of dissatisfaction, as if it didn't quite strike the right chord. This latest encounter with their work has only reinforced that feeling.

Their semi-Calvinistic worldview poses a significant challenge when it comes to making consistent sense of addiction behaviors. They seem to be all over the place in this regard. Is addiction our fault, a result of our sin nature, or perhaps something else entirely? Their extensive section on “law” as the problem actually proves more than they might have intended, as it effectively invalidates divine instruction altogether. So, where does that leave us?

Every Cloud/Townsend book attempts to provide a comprehensive examination of a nearly bottomless topic. Just consider the numerous conditions, attitudes, and issues involved in personal growth. The consequence is an extremely scattered presentation.

There are indeed some good thoughts in this work for those dedicated to helping others grow. Balancing love and acceptance with truth and challenge is no easy feat, and patience with people is of utmost importance. Nevertheless, I can't seem to shake the feeling that I won't remember much from this book because there are simply too many wide-ranging suggestions.

Uncommon Common Sense

This remarkable book indeed delves into Christian principles. However, it diverges from the teachings of new philosophies that speak of "two" selves, namely the current self and the better self. Instead, it emphasizes the ownership of your entire self as a single, unified entity, encompassing both your goodness and your badness. This concept struck me deeply, and I was filled with a profound sense of conviction. I came to realize that God is not a complex and mysterious deity. On the contrary, He is a complete and integral person, just as we are. We are all individuals with a past, a present, and a future filled with hope. This understanding has transformed my perspective and has given me a newfound appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of the Christian faith.