The Female Power Within: A Guide to Living a Gentler, More Meaningful Life

THIS BOOK IS THE KEY TO WOMEN COMING INTO OUR OWN--Truly a must read for any woman who wants to have more of what she wants in her life--notice that I said 'have' and not 'get.' Having what you want is a much more female way of handling life, 'Getting' would be a more aggressive or male way. Neither are wrong, but one is definitely more suited energetically to us women, and this is just one of the many interesting and insightful points that Marilyn Graman and Maureen Walsh discuss in this groundbreaking book. I am reading it for the second time and seeing things that I didn't even pick up on the first time through! This would be a great book for younger women to learn from as well to help them on their journeys in life. I know that I would have appreciated hearing some of this wisdom sooner rather than later.

I have to admit that the title is what originally piqued my interest in this book. "The Female Power Within" is not a male-bashing book or anything like that. It is a book on being true to yourself no matter where that takes you. In a world that defines power and success in terms like paycheck size, job title, number and size of deals closed and similar measures it is okay for you to define success and happiness by your terms. In fact, isn't your definition the only one that really matters to you?"The Female Power Within: A Guide to Living a Gentler, More Meaningful Life" guides the reader in learning how to achieve peace and happiness by realizing that "power" does not necessarily mean "aggressive" but greater power can be achieved through cooperation and communication, two of the traits more commonly found in women. The very factors that others define as power, such as aggressiveness, can be the same factors that actually limit your power. Be yourself, seek your goals, follow your own destiny and realize your power by doing so. This is a well-reasoned exposition on how to make your life more meaningful by being your "authentic" self. A recommended read not only for women but also for men that are not caught up in the "macho" image and are free to be their "authentic" self.

...if I had found this book before I found and bought and read a whole bunch of other self-help books related to this topic. This is a wonderful synthesis of lots of ideas that had been dancing around in my head for a year or two. When I read what Marilyn and Maureen said about these issues, I thought "Yeah! That's what I've been trying to say but I didn't know quite how to say it!" Although 'the work' that they describe isn't easy work to do, it will be a lot easier if you follow their gentle encouraging approach instead of stumbling around like I did. Don't just buy this book...buy two or three, because somebody you love will love it as a holiday gift.

Collaboratively written by Marilyn Graman and Maureen Walsh, and with the assistance of Hillary Welles, The Female Power Within: A Guide To Living A Gentler, More Meaningful Life is an insightful and highly recommended guide to developing inner strength, offers a step-by-step process to release personal power, and taking charge of one's own life. From identifying with our inner child, to visualizing the future and learning to enjoy life, The Female Power Within is an excellent and commended instructional to cultivating one's strengths and pursuing happiness.

Though, being male, I am not the target audience for this book, reading it none-the-less changed my life. Nurturing is a quality the writers call a female power, and this book has nurtured me. It did so by suggesting that I accept and love who I am. The simplicity of this, when really taken in, is earth-shattering and profound. I have not been this moved or changed by a book since I read Marianne Williamson's wonderful work, A Return to Love. Brava to the guidesses who have put this loving book out into the world.