The Present: The Secret to Enjoying Your Work and Life, Now!

This is a very good book, I have used it when mentoring employee's that have the ability to be more than they believe they can.

I'm surprised that no one has noted that this is Spencer Johnson's follow-up to his classic 1984 book "The Precious Present". When I first saw this book in fact, I thought it was just a repackaging and renaming of the original.But it is a new book that continues and expands the fable of the boy and the old man. I frequently still give "The Precious Present" as a gift to friends and loved-ones. Now I plan on giving those same people this new book, which deepens the message of the original book. I suggest you do the same - if the recipient appreciated the first book they will love this sequel too. There is also a convenient card included in "The Present" that contains a summary of the principles.Some people complain that the message of this book is too simple. Rather than a negative, I see the simplicity as a powerful positive. Knowing something and actually doing it are two very different things. Who among us could not benefit from a simple reminder of the power of living and focusing in the present? To reinforce the message so that I actually live it rather than just know it, I try to reread the original book once a month (it is very short and takes less than 10 minutes).I highly recommend both books.

The Present truly is that, a neat story that goes so much deeper than you'd think for 107 pages. While the format of a Young Person learning from an Older Person is familiar, this book presents it in a beautiful way. It is neither treacly nor patronizing, and anyone can find wisdom and comfort in it. Perhaps the best feature is that, like many of us, the student does not find a snap-you-fingers solution. He realistically must struggle with questions, self-doubt and confusion before finally finding The Present and being able to pass the gift to others.The first book I thought about when I read it was Shel Silverstein's classic The Giving Tree. The Present could well be another classic.

This easy to read book will affect the life of anyone who reads it. It warrants reading time and time again. It is perfect to give to the person who thinks they have everything. It is a suttle but powerful, positive, personality builder. It is one of the book we read to our children and grandchildren as well as a gift for special occasions. When it was necessary to move to another area, I gave a copy to my primary care physician. It generated the only "thank you note" I've received from any doctor. More than once The Precious Present has been a subject for the support group to which I belong. I rate this a 5 star book but that is far to low in my estimation!

I read this book thirteen years ago when a friend was in a coma in a hospital in Texas. Wherever you are in life, I think we could all use a little enlightenment that we are doing the 'right' things- or some direction on where to find these sought after 'untarnishable treasures' that make the joys more joyous and the pain worth it all in the adventure we call the human experience. This is a book for the handicapped, for the lost, the lonely, the numb, the bewildered, the confused, and yes... even for those who consider themselves to be well rounded and sucessful. Spencer Johnson has lived it, or he couldn't write it at the third grade reading level. He brings us all a little closer to that elusive me-I'm-glad-to-be person whether you are young or, old, rich or poor, happy or sad. You may be divorced, married, widowed/widower or single ...but the one thing you cannot remain after reading this book, is INDIFFERENT. After reading this book and incorporating it's message listen closely, and you'll likely hear someone say "Wow, I hope somday some one gives me..." well, you know. :-)