Forgiving Ourselves: Getting Back Up When We Let Ourselves Down

by Wendy Ulrich

Book Overview

SUB TITLE:Getting Back Up When We Let Ourselves Down

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590388577
• ISBN13: 9781590388570
• Release Date: February 2008
• Publisher: Deseret Book
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A great tool

This book uses principles of CBT to make sense and provide perspsective on the essential use of forgiveness for ourselves and others. Allowing us the opportunity to be acccountable and grow while being human and make mistakes. A wonderful format and a great tool.

Mormon or not, an excellent aid on your search for peace

This book has so much to offer! Written for and directed to Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), it presupposes a knowledge of the goals and concerns of that church. But any person seeking a balance of peace and productivity will find welcome help in managing the guilt that comes when we don't meet our own expectations. And, though not associated with 12-step organizations, I think Forgiving Ourselves will make a wonderful companion read to 12-step materials. This book honors the ambition of those who truly do want to make themselves better. It doesn't help us arrive at self-forgiveness through pooh-poohing the notion that we should always be working to improve ourselves. The author validates the goals of people who want to improve themselves (in moral and personal ways, rather than the financial success that is the goal of so many of today's self-help books). At the same time, her warmth and empathy, her genuine caring for those who suffer from self-imposed guilt, provides real and effective support, and relief, for those whose harshest judge is often themselves. Though Mormons will take for granted the unspoken assumption in the book that we are all working toward personal perfection, non-members might find it surprising to discover how deeply committed serious Latter-day Saints are about reaching for perfection while hanging on to their humility--a tough job! And church members may be grateful for the author's position that we must accept ourselves where we are now, and surprised to discover how much latitude their church offers in accepting themselves as they are now, rather than insisting they start from perfection. Mormons have some arresting, rather sensational, doctrines that tend to capture the attention of casual lookers, and which may prevent casual investigators from seeing the deep river of spirituality and devotion to Christ that is also a hallmark of the faith. Without preaching Mormon doctrine, this book brings into clear focus the faith's remarkable emphasis on a personal quest for perfection with humility. Mormon or non-Mormon, I can recommend this book as one that will help you on your road to peace, while at the same time validating your desire for growth. For those traveling that road, any help is welcome--and this is good help indeed!

Profound Ideas

There are concepts in this book that I've never encountered before. One of the most powerful is the differentiation between God-given weakness and Satan inspired sin. Weaknesses are tools that I can use (with divine help) to reach my eternal goals. Sins separate me from God. Learning how to distinguish weakness from sin allows me to humbly seek help for the one and to stop the other. The distinction between the two frees me to move forward with hope. This is just one of many thoughtful insights this book has to offer. I think it is life changing.

Very Helpful

Wendy Ulrich has done a splendid job of outlining in a pragmatic way a process for forgiving ourselves. As i think back on mistakes I have made in my life, this is clearly the hardest part. It's one thing to forgive someone else for something they have done, but the regret that follows mistakes is harder to let go of (at least for me). Wendy's book provides a way to get to self forgiveness. That's a big deal.

captivating

I was captivated with Wendy Ulrich as a speaker so was anxious to read her book. I was just as enthralled with her as an author. Her words are well researched and written. I loved the summaries and scripture references to help myself rediscover these powerful words that she reminds us of. I enjoyed and appreciated the roadmap that takes each of us to the goal of forgiveness to reap the joy in our redemption thus peace in our heart and soul - all if we believe and trust in God. It was/is a great read that took me from cover to cover in one evening.