"Mind Shift" (Erwin Raphael McManus)

TITLE: Mind Shift - It Doesn't Take a Genius to Think Like One
AUTHOR: Erwin Raphael McManus
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Convergent Books, 2023, (160 pages).
 

Are we limiting ourselves from our true potential? In a difficult, drudgery, and sometimes discouraging world, we need inspiration to drive us forward. The author begins with a pessimistic question, "Are people simply structured for failure?" He then questions this very statement with a more optimistic angle, that perhaps, the problem is not the question but more about how we push back against such skepticism. While that is one big emphasis, author McManus's reason for writing this book is to promote" Mental health, mental clarity, mental toughness, and mental agility." In a surprising twist in his reflection on the popular Zombie series of movies, he notes that while most people see the zombies as the real problem, the uninfected ones fleeing or battling the zombies might be the ones who are "consumed by fear, hate, greed, and power." Violence inflicted by humans might even be worse than the zombies. Just like how the issue flips from zombies to humans, readers need to do a mind flip as well. This sets the stage for readers to journey through the 12 mind shifts. What does it take to make a mind shift? McManus shows us the way. In a book about the mind, he begins with the mind. In a world infatuated with achievements, materialism, and success, the first shift reminds us that people should be a priority. Success means nothing if we lose our friends. Learn to treasure our relationships more than using them as a means to our ends. The second shift has to do with fame or the downsides of pursuing fame. Just learn to show up for people you care for, without the pressure of needing fame to fan that desire. The third shift is not to let ourselves be defined by the number of people following us. Losing people is part and parcel of all forms of leadership. Our inner circle of people will always be faithful supporters. The fourth shift deals with the need to demonstrate what we teach, practice what we preach, and do what we say. Most people won't be able to concretize what we say until they see the principle demonstrated in our lives. Moving along, the fifth shift is about self-limitations.

"The Book of Boundaries" (Melissa Urban)

TITLE: The Book of Boundaries: Set the Limits That Will Set You Free
AUTHOR: Melissa Urban
PUBLISHER: Toronto, ON: Penguin Random House Canada, 2022, (368 pages).
 

Some of the most catchy statements about limits and boundaries come from commercials. One warns about driving under intoxication: "If you drink, don't drive. If you drive, don't drink." Another cautions us about the dangers of gambling: "Know your limits. Stay within it." If we look beyond these two social ills, we soon realize that limits apply to a broader sphere of life. That includes our personal and social boundaries. What are boundaries? How do we create healthy boundaries? Why do we need boundaries in the first place? What are the benefits of establishing boundaries? Author Melissa Urban is popularly known as the "boundary lady on Instagram." she shares how she boldly draws boundaries by expressing no to business proposals; limiting any interference on her parenting styles; telling friends where are the no-go zones; and even learning to be assertive with one's spouse. These are just examples of how boundaries can help us and others know, respect, and appreciate why we set boundaries. Healthy engagement needs healthy boundaries. Such boundaries are not there to control people's involvement but to communicate expectations. This is important lest people misunderstand the purpose. Before the author launches into the book, she shares her story of how boundaries saved her. Soon she discovers that it not only sets proper limits in her relationships, she feels free to thrive and help others thrive. 

"The Monastic Heart" (Joan Chittister)

TITLE: The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life
AUTHOR: Joan Chittister
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Convergent Books, 2021, (288 pages).

How many times have we heard people say: "It's a crazy world out there?" Saying is one thing. Learning how to respond is yet another. With the ongoing pandemic and the constant challenges of life, we all need a better way forward, besides simply taking a break, going away on vacation, or for more serious cases, going to a therapist. Many people struggle with finding a fulfilling life, and they substitute this search for fulfillment by aiming for wrong targets. Things that ultimately do not satisfy. In a world that increasingly says that they are not religious but spiritual, we need to pin down what exactly does that reveal about us. Perhaps, if we could tweak our search, and to direct our efforts to something meaningful, something that is helpful for the soul, it would make our living on earth not only more bearable but fulfilling. The premise of the book is to mine the rich ancient wisdom from the monastic era. This is far better than to adopt conventional pep-talk that often are superficial. Phrases like: "Relax, things will get better," or "Just try to think positive" simply do not cut it. In a world that are mostly distracted by issues and multiple perspectives, our hearts are crying out for something more focused and single-hearted on the most important matters in life. Like what the ancient monastics have learned, it is one thing to withdraw from the world, it is yet another to deal with the inner turmoil happening inside our hearts. This book contains 50 monastic practices that we can adopt to help us in the single-hearted search for meaning and fulfillment. It is meant not just for Christians, but for anyone seeking to find not just meaning but our responsibility in life. 

"The Art of Social Media" (Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick)

TITLE: The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users
AUTHOR: Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Portfolio Penguin, 2014, (208 pages).

Many of us are users of social media. It is quite straightforward to set up a Twitter or a Facebook account. With simple instructions to follow, one can be connected very quickly to friends both new and old, near and far, and best of all, free of charge. Even businesses are quickly getting into the fray, promoting their products and services through this new media. What about the rest of us? What about those who want to learn beyond the basics? How can one maximize the power of social media? This book reveals many tips in twelve chapters. Meant primarily for people already familiar with social media tools, this nook aims to provide "power tips for power users." Tips such as attracting greater attention with catchy profiles as well as something as basic as creating an avatar. Or providing ways to "feed the content monster." Kawasaki teaches us about content creation as well as content curation. The former is about our own works while the latter is about sharing worthy works of other people. He guides us through the planning, the use of Excel spreadsheets to plan, how to reshare posts, using aggregation services and so on. He acknowledges tips from others as well. More importantly, Kawasaki exposes readers to a whole lot more besides the titans of social media.  He teaches us how to create content well. I like the way he points out the four forms of good stuff: Information, Analysis, Assistance, Entertainment.

"Encounters with Jesus" (Tim Keller)

TITLE: Encounters with Jesus: Unexpected Answers to Life's Biggest Questions
AUTHOR: Tim Keller
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Dutton Press, (240 pages).

Another book by Tim Keller? This popular preacher and author has done it again. Writing as one who has benefited from an honest search about life's biggest questions, Keller lets the gospel of John lead the way. With his theological depth and biblical insights, Keller stands in the gap to bridge the first century text with contemporary contexts. Selecting ten passages from the gospel of John, the extremely well-read author bakes the questions with measured explanations.Beginning with a personal sharing of his own faith journey, Keller invites the reader, especially the skeptic to discover the answers for oneself not just to look for solutions but to come face to face with the beauty of Christ. He calls this, "Encounters with Jesus," describing how the skeptical student like Nathaniel who despite his worldly brilliance cannot grapple with spiritual depth that Jesus provides. Both the Samaritan woman (outsider) as well as the Pharisee (insider) encounter Jesus through different ways. Then there are the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary, who in losing their brother Lazarus, gains a greater insight into the Person of Christ, who is able to resurrect anyone. In the wedding at Cana, readers learn how a seemingly mundane shortage of wine becomes a sign in which Jesus reveals his glory. That very incident at Cana is pointing readers toward the grandest Feast of Feasts when the kingdom comes. These and several other incidents point to some of life's most pressing questions. The first five chapters cover questions such as:

• What is the meaning of life?
• What is the meaning and purpose of marriage?
• What is wrong with the world?
• Where and what is the hope of the world?
• What about life after death?
• What is faith all about?
• ...

The next five chapters deal with something more tangible for us: How do we personally encounter Christ today? Keller challenges us to encounter Jesus through an expanded description of the Incarnation: Christ among us. Jesus is seen as the Overcomer, the Intercessor, the Obedient Son, The Victor, and the One who will come again.

There are three reasons why I like this book. First, it is grounded in Scripture. Keller has a unique way of letting the Bible deal with the actual questions of life. This is especially so for the first five chapters where Keller leads us through a Bible study with him as a guide, using questions not just to trigger our curiosity but also to bridge one idea with the next. What is most insightful is the way Keller puts forth his interpretation. For instance, the wedding at Cana may lead many people to ponder why Jesus even bothers with the shortage of wine. When readers learn about the way the sign is pointing to the kingdom and to the glory of God, it makes more sense. Second, readers are given both a philosophical and scholarly treat each time they read a book from Keller. He quotes from theologians like Louis Berkhof, Richard Bauckham, and Jonathan Edwards. He cites classics from Dostoyevsky. He shares insights from modern poets and writers such as Annie Dillard, Philip Yancey, and even JK Rowling! Not only does he makes readers want to read these additional references for themselves, readers are taught to look at these external sources with an enlightened mind. Third, I like the way Keller stands in the gap to make the ancient texts resonate with modern minds. Believers come out encouraged to dig deeper into the Word of God. Non-believers can begin to appreciate what the Bible can offer. The book also challenges standard paradigms and understandings of the very ordinary stories in the Bible. Honestly, for some of us, bible stories can become so familiar that it is tempting to simply gloss over the texts. With Keller, we get a dependable guide to look at the Bible passages afresh.

One can benefit most by using this book within a group discussion setting.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.


conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Dutton Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Silence - A Christian History" (Diarmaid Macculloch)

TITLE: Silence: A Christian History
AUTHOR: Diarmaid McCulloch
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Penguin Books, 2013, (272 pages).

Noise is only one side of the coin. Silence is the significant other. This conviction underlines the premise of this book, written by Oxford professor and historian Diarmaid MacCulloch. In a world of noise and fanfare, dominated by a non-stop 24x7 production and expectation of something audible, something visible, and something significant only with at least a decibel, society may have unwittingly missed out on the significance of quietness, of stillness, and of silence. He begins with an observation about the dog whose howl and silence can both communicate something important. Using that as a bridge to his own personal life, MacCulloch then shares his own struggles about how orthodoxy tends to suppress him into silencing his own sexual orientation in the midst of opposition and controversy. In other words, he is asserting that even in his silence, he is communicating a powerful message from quiet evasion to silent protest.  Rather than the absence of sound, it is the refusal to utter words that constitute the strength of the protest. It is a reaction. It is a response. It is a rebellion. It is a refusal to yield to the conventions especially when sounds try to invade and threaten one toward becoming something or someone he/she is not.

Book Review: "Reality is Broken"

TITLE: Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World

AUTHOR: Jane McGonigal
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Penguin Press, 2011.

We have all heard of the common saying that computer games are generally not as good and as beneficial when compared to traditional sports. Parents worry over the countless number of hours their kids spend on the computer playing games. Psychologists warn of addiction. Yet, this book uniquely bucks the trend. According to Jane McGonigal, games are actually good for you. Not only that, it helps fix a world where reality is broken.

The basic premise of the book is that gamers in general find fulfilment in computer games simply because they recognize how broken the real world is. In games, they can achieve their highest potential. They can simulate models to solve the world's most pressing problems. They can collaborate with other gamers and build an online community that is real. Contrary to many accusations that games are escapist mechanisms, the author bravely turns the critiques of games on its head, by advocating that games have positive effect on fighting social problems. She describes her vision as follows: