They have been educated in such a way that they place themselves at the bottom because "good" people do so.

"Semi-dark existence"
"Debbie Ford"

Debbie Ford presents an interesting perspective on the way people are brought up. Many individuals are conditioned to believe that being "good" means self-deprecation and putting oneself last. This kind of upbringing can lead to what she terms a "semi-dark existence." People may suppress their true desires and potential in an attempt to conform to the ideals of what it means to be "good." However, this way of life may not bring true happiness or fulfillment. It is important to question these ingrained beliefs and consider if there is a better way to live, one that allows for self-acceptance and the pursuit of one's dreams while still being kind and empathetic towards others.

Perhaps we need to reevaluate our definitions of "good" and find a balance that allows us to shine brightly without sacrificing our values.

This book aims to teach us that we all have positive and negative characteristics that we must accept one by one. Sometimes our bad feelings towards other people and their behaviors stem from the fact that we actually have those same characteristics within ourselves, but for certain reasons we may have suppressed them, and therefore we cannot accept their existence in others and get along with them.

At first, it tries to make us recognize and accept the negative aspects of our existence, and then the positive aspects and unique characteristics that each of us has individually.

At the end of each chapter, there are also exercises that aim to help individuals with self-awareness. Of course, I personally did not do the exercises. Perhaps one reason was that I did not have a suitable time and place to do the exercises, and another reason was that I felt that I could also obtain the beliefs that the author had in another way.

In fact, in my opinion, for Western societies or people who are not so bound by religion, perhaps this book can be helpful, but for devout individuals, there are so many complete and comprehensive teachings that perhaps there is no need for such exercises and the induction of ideas at least to this extent and degree. Personally, I feel that in a religion like Islam, we have so many special models that help us recognize the true value of our existence and regulate how we interact with others and the events of the world. Therefore, I think that the end of all psychology books that seek a healthy and free spirit can be found in the guidance of God and the regulations and models of Islam according to the Prophet Muhammad.

"What you don't accept doesn't let you live."

I learned about this book from my therapist.

I think another suitable title for it could be "shadow-work for the understanding of all".

For those who have never worked with their own "dark side", this reading will present a good starting point towards the understanding and acceptance of such practices. You cannot heal and become "you" without first working on what you dislike or bothers you.

For those familiar with the idea of "shadow", I see this book as a reminder.

"if you don't go inside yourself, you stay on the outside"

P.S.: What aroused some reticence in me during reading is the note of Christianity by invoking God repeatedly.

3.7*

Expanded version:

"What you don't accept doesn't let you live." This profound statement caught my attention. I first came across this book through my therapist. It seems to me that another appropriate title for it could be "shadow-work for the understanding of all".

For those individuals who have never delved into working with their own "dark side", this reading serves as an excellent starting point. It helps in the process of understanding and accepting such practices. One cannot truly heal and become their authentic self without first addressing the aspects that they dislike or that cause them bother.

On the other hand, for those who are already familiar with the concept of the "shadow", this book acts as a gentle reminder. It reinforces the idea that "if you don't go inside yourself, you stay on the outside".

P.S.: However, I must admit that during my reading, there was one aspect that aroused a certain degree of reticence in me. That was the repeated invocation of God, which gave the book a note of Christianity.

3.7*

This book places significant emphasis on the Jungian belief of embracing your darker sides.

Ford offers numerous exercises that are designed to assist you in becoming a more well-rounded and complete individual.

While there isn't anything that is truly novel and revolutionary within the book, she has managed to make the concept and the associated work more approachable and understandable for the average layperson.

By presenting these ideas in a more accessible manner, Ford has opened up the possibility for a wider audience to explore and potentially benefit from the insights and practices related to accepting one's darker aspects.

This can lead to personal growth and a greater sense of self-awareness, ultimately helping individuals to better navigate their lives and relationships.

Overall, although the book may not offer entirely new concepts, its contribution lies in its ability to make the Jungian belief more accessible and applicable to the lives of ordinary people.