I received this book on Saturday and was not able to put it down. I began reading it at the coffee shop, intending to skim through it real quick before I wrote my usual blog post. Having two babies 2 and under I rarely read a ‘self help’ book cover to cover- I usually just speed read, getting the relevant information I think may be useful before passing the book along to a friend. About 15 minutes into the book I found myself stopping to write my name on the inside cover- this will be a book I refer back to again and again! I took out my pencil and began to underline (I almost never write in books but I had so many “a ha” moments I just didn’t want that moment of insight to slip away). I am pretty sure Mike (the author) did not intend for us to just rip through the book in one day, but I just couldn’t help myself! Now, I am going to go back through and begin working on the exercises and do some more journaling (and probably writing blog posts) about some of the things I find out about myself along the way.
One of the most refreshing things I found about the book from the beginning is the author is honest, open and vulnerable about himself. Instead of portraying himself as some totally enlightened guru, he lets us know he is a real person with the common struggles that all of us have faced. The difference is he is going to share what he has learned on his journey and how we can apply some of these insights in our own lives.
“We are not victims of our culture, family, or any of the things we have been taught in the past or are currently reminded of in the present. It is, however, essential that you acknowledge these influences, so that you can admit them, own them, and ultimately take responsibility for how you have internalized these messages and why it can be difficult for you to be authentic” Mike Robbins
As soon as I read the above quote I say -Yes! (I think I even said it out loud with a few glances over at me from the fellow patrons at Mountain Moka). In the book Mike explains some of the influences, challenges, feelings and beliefs that may make it hard for us to be our authentic selves, how to recognize these, what impact they have had on us, and then gives real tools to use and questions to ask ourselves so we can move toward speaking our truth.
“When we worry that people will not like us, we’re reacting to the place within us that already doesn’t like ourselves”- Mike Robbins
I also found myself smiling when mike discussed the inner “gremlin” which I have always called “the voice” – you know the one, that one that one of self criticism that tells you that you are not good enough, that you don’t fit in, that people won’t like or accept you, someone is going to figure out that you are not ‘all that’. Mike discusses how we can acknowledge the “gremlin” with compassion so it no longer runs our life.
” Noticing and owning our own inauthentic ways of being and acting is actually what gives us access to being more real in any given situation or relationship, and in the moment-by-moment experience of our lives” Mike Robbins
Part 2 of the book discusses the five principles of authenticity and how we can can put those into practice for ourselves.
1. Know Yourself
2. Transform Your Fear
3. Express Yourself
4. Be Bold
5. Celebrate Who You Are
All the principles build upon each other to show you how you can be more real in your relationships, work and life. I am just cracking open the potential of this book, the pages will be dog eared, marked on and the book will be attached to my hip (well my other hip, baby on the other side) for days to come! I will be buying quite a few more copies for my friends and family.
I know this book is going to continue to be absolutely transformative in my life. I can’t wait to share with you my journey as I apply these principles and have even more epiphanies about myself as I re-read the book.
The entire book is so empowering, I know this short little review did not do it justice but I am so excited about the book I just wanted to get this info out there in the hopes that other authentic mamas will purchase the book for themselves! I am not affiliated with the book in any way:) I just genuinely think this is the most eye opening book I have read in a long time. Thank you Mike Robbins!
Anyone interested in Participating in an email book club can join Authentic Mama yahoo group and/or on NING. I will be discussing my insights as I work through the book in the group- I hope you join me!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you so much for this wonderful review of my book – I am honored, humbled, and grateful to read what you wrote and to know that my new book resonated with you as much as it did. With the book just coming out two weeks ago, I’m just starting to get some feedback from people who have gotten it and read it. Writing a book, especially a book like this, feels to me a bit like standing in front a large crowd of people totally naked and then trying to pretend that I am not paying attention to their reactions!
Ah, to be human. Also, as the father of two little girls – Samantha (just over 3 years old) and Annarose (who is 8 months), I appreciate your blog and your message…I am grateful to be married to an authentic (and amazing, beautiful, kind, wonderful) mama…my sweet Michelle. I am incredibly grateful for her and excited that my girls have such a wonderful woman to look up to and learn from.
Again, thanks for reading my book and posting about it…keep up the great work!
With Appreciation,
Mike Robbins
Hi mike, thank you for stopping by the blog! I am so honored that you liked the review! There is so much great information in the book I was a little hesitant to write the review now because I know there is so much more I am about to discover. However, I am sure my reader will be reaping the benefits from what I learn in the book for days to come!
It is so wonderful that your wife is an authentic mama too! And your girls are adorable!
I am confident your book will be a bestseller!
Thank you again!
Thanks for this post. I particularly liked how you pointed out that a lot of the ways we’re trying to hide ourselves from the world are unconscious and it can take an outside observer to help us see them — the way we tighten up our bodies to protect ourselves when someone else is around, for instance, based on stuff that occurred really early in life.
Great review Angie. I’ll definitely add this to my must read list.
Srinivas Rao’s last blog post..If you build it they will come…focus on content not traffic
Chris, thank you for stopping by!Great insights! You are right, awareness of these things are a catalyst to change.
Good Srinivas! Thanks so much for coming by the blog:)