Purpose and Possibilities by Elaine J. Brzycki, Ed. M., Henry G. Brzycki, Ph.D
The subtitle of this book, Purpose and Possibilities (BG Publishing), is “How to Transform Your Life.” And who doesn’t want to transform their life, especially after the year that we’ve had? This is the perfect book at the perfect time — if you’re willing to do the work. This is not a book to sit down and leaf through passively while lounging at the pool or at the end of a long, hard day. This is a book to read if you really want to transform your life.
The authors know what they’re talking about. For 40 years, Elaine J. Brzycki, Ed. M. and Henry G. Brzycki, Ph.D. have been helping people create happy, healthy, flourishing lives. They have written three previous bestselling books and numerous articles, have run personal and professional development workshops and their work has been used in over 50 countries.
MENTAL HEALTH EXTENDS TO GENERAL WELL-BEING AND A SENSE OF AGENCY
Part of being “human” is seeking deeper meaning in life. At the same time, just living life in our current contemporary society, according to the authors, can take a real toll on our emotional, psychological and physical well-being. Many of us end up with increasing levels of anxiety and depression; disconnection from experiences of joy, love, happiness, inner peace; and a lack of a sense of purpose in life.
The Brzyckis speak about the importance of self-understanding and placing mental health and well-being at the center of a good and successful life. According to the authors, “our usual way of thinking and talking about mental health is that something needs to be wrong … often we are not aware that just going through the motions in living daily life in a state of numbness or not living up to our own sense of human potential — meaning not using all of our natural gifts fully — are also indicators of lacking mental health.”
Purpose and Possibilities is written to help you achieve true and lasting transformation. What does the process of transformation look like, though? Here are just a few of the hallmarks, each addressed in this book:
- See and achieve your unique potentials in life
- Heal yourself from past traumas
- Transition to a new stage in life that is thriving and successful
- Connect with your innate passion to make a unique difference
- Access new possibilities previously unavailable to you
- See and feel the power of your hopes and dreams
- Live the life you were meant to live
A PRACTICAL GUIDEBOOK FOR GROWTH AND CHANGE
So, what can we do to find our purpose and live our possibilities? Turns out “it all begins with you!”
This is a guidebook with exercises, reflections and meditations to help you really get to know yourself down deep inside and to help you grow and change. It is a book about your life.
Just with the first few exercises and reflections of the book, I began to get a sense of what else is to come. The authors ask you to reflect on the eight dimensions of well-being (environmental, occupational, social, financial, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical), what has personal meaning to you, your integrated self (including self-esteem, self-understanding, identity, life purpose, etc.), your regrets and resentments, and much, much more. This work is invaluable.
In the book’s introduction, the authors say, “This book is for anyone who is seeking a higher purpose in life and wants to see and achieve new possibilities so as to create a happy, healthy, mindful, and flourishing life.” Isn’t this what we all want?
Dear Barbara,
Rarely in our 40 years of working with people on their most difficult issues and concerns have we found someone who really gets the importance of engaging in deep mental health and well-being work — you get it! Further, you have such a special and profound way of communicating the importance of complex and deep work in the field of human development leading to a “better self.” What a special book review by a special and talented professional – thank you!