Know Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Wholeness, Radiance & Supreme Confidence

In "Know Yourself" Barbara Rose did an outstanding job of bringing insight where I previously had confusion or uncertainty. There is a chapter covering abuse that helped me un-do more hurt from the past than I thought it would, and for that I am grateful. I wanted to quote directly from the book from page 98 because I feel this can help anyone, which is the purpose of this great book. "Letting Go of Criticism Another part of cherishing others is to, with loving compassion, let go of any criticisms made of you; blame the criticisms on illusions the people had at the time; for had they had healthy and pure minds, they would not have taken anything out on you. Instead of blaming them, cherish them for being your teachers--and for teaching you how to feel self-value despite anything they may have said or done. Do not ever take to heart hurtful comments others make. Do not make them a part of your being. Know yourself and you will know truth. Know who you are. What you believe in. What feels right and true for you. If you dream of changing your career because of the passion you feel for a new field, enjoy the process; never let anyone stop you with their illusions of so-called failure or impossibilities. Nothing is impossible. I learned this saying: "Whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, you're right!" If your heart is pulling you in a certain direction, then this is a part of your truth, and you must honor it. This is where a solid sense of self comes from. It comes from knowing your truth. You can be sixty-five years old and decide you want to go back to school to become a doctor because you have always really wanted to help people. Go back to school! Don't ever let chronological age hold you back. Many people, both men and women, have uplifted countless lives and have achieved their greatest self-actualization later in life. Wisdom is the hallmark of a life lived from the heart, without judgment, and with compassion for all others. No matter what it is you want to do, do it because it is a true expression of who you are. The joy you will experience by honoring what your heart and soul came into this life for will far outweigh the pain and disappointment you will feel if you don't honor your truth." There is much more that I can quote from, much more that has helped me. While doing the written exercises, simply and clearly spelled out in the beginning of the book, I experienced what many people call "A-Ha" moments. Each one brought more about what was holding my back into my awareness, and then following the guidance in the book I was able to un-do the old, and replace it with truth that feels much better! I read this book twice so far, and am now re-reading it again. It's an excellent book for anyone male or female!

Make no mistake about it, Know Yourself is one of the best I've ever read because it covers it all. Each stage of life, what's been missing inside ourselves, how to regain what we feel we've somehow lost inside, and the chapter on abuse is right on target. That would only apply if you've been abused and the nagging effects of it can make you feel that you're not worth much at all until you discover you are. One of my favorite passages comes from page 46 during the written exercise part of the book. It says in quotes: "The choice of what to put on your list is all yours. No one on this earth can create your life. No one other than you knows exactly what you love, what brings you joy, and what fills your entire being with passion. What you are about to write is the real you that lays beneath should's, societal expectations, cultural attitudes, and what you have been taught that opposes what you feel is true for you. Now, it's writing time to bring the real you to up to the surface on the following pages." Know Yourself taught me how to turn my attitude about myself around. It did its job and then some. It has been a gift to me that I'm sharing with friends.

I've read several of Barbara Rose's books, and have loved them all! Her style of writing is such that you feel like she's one of your best friends - someone who truly cares about YOU and your happiness. I could actually feel her love & care beam forth from each & every page! What an awesome feeling! "Know Yourself" is a wonderful guide for helping women remember just how special they are. Through the many exercises and self-reflecting questions, you are taken on a personal journey to find yourself - your true self - which may have become hidden underneath layers of negative sef-talk, self-defeating beliefs & the need to please others at the expense of yourself. I believe that one of the main goals of this book is to help guide you, the reader, to a place where you can begin to live life passionately & authentically in the moment - and to remember that the joy is in the process, as opposed to being tied up in an end result (like I'll be happy when I lose 30 lbs.). The author's willingness to open up, and share many of her own life experiences along the way, helped me to realize that she's not only speaking from "book-learning", but that her knowledge came from living through many difficult situations, and sharing her experiences of what worked and what didn't to help her get on the right life path for her. Overall, this is an insightful & enjoyable read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to better their life by learning who they really are, and then being authentic to that true self.

The process by which Barbara Rose wrote this book has amazed me to the degree that I am in point of fact taken back at the wisdom in this work, and the insight it has brought into my consciousness. She writes with the wisdom of a pure transformational expert, and has introduced concepts in this book that I have not come across before. I read this book twice already, and I know I will be re-reading it again. Some of the key areas that deeply engaged my mind are: "Freeing the mind of pain" "Retraining your mind" "Desires and outcomes" "The path to inner peace" "Wisdom on the path to wholeness" "Knowing yourself and trusting yourself" "From thought to action... and "Releasing self judgment." Her process of transformation that takes you from inner fragmentation to wholeness, radiance & supreme confidence goes deep, and spans each area and stage of life. She leaves no stone unturned, and addresses core issues with a flair that is simultaneously humble, understandable and enlightening. This is by far the best and most unique book I have ever read for authentic personal transformation. Additionally, the beautiful color interior style and detailed design make it an impressive gift for anyone you care about.

After years of trying to feel whole, radiant and supremely confident, I've read many books that have been useful, but I never read a book like this one, where the exercises given, and the guidance through the process from not feeling good enough, and why, to actually getting it, and feeling myself change my perspective about myself took me out of the labyrinth and gave me a whole new way to view myself. A lot of ground is covered in this book, and I needed the information that gently guided me through a transformation. I released old beliefs I've been carrying inside for my entire life. I felt a new courage emerge, the "real me" underneath the old fears come to the surface. The book itself is lovely. It brings a soothing feeling to the whole experience. In the area of self worth, and for overcoming a lifetime of feeling not good enouogh in all honesty, this is the best book I've ever read. I highly recommend it!