Second Innocence: Rediscovering Joy and Wonder; A Guide to Renewal in Work Relati Ons and Daily Life

by John Izzo and John B. Izzo

Book Overview

Inspires readers to reclaim their idealism and find their sense of wonder again - - without surrendering their critical faculties Full of witty and compelling real-life stories ''What might happen, ''... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576752631
• ISBN13: 9781576752630
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A New Innocence

This book created a space in my mind, body, and heart for a new lease on life. This has had tremendous spillover effects for the best results in my marriage and relationship with my children. This is a wonderful piece of non-fiction, equally as good and life-altering as the "New Sex Now" DVD and "8 Minute Abs" videos. By all means, get in on this awakening right now!

Renewed my Spirit

Not only did I live through Child abuse, I also lived through Domestic Violence. I found solace in books such as NIGHTMARES ECHO and COURAGE TO HEAL. They gave me hope to try and change my life. SECOND INNOCENCE has given me my soul back. A renewal of my spirit. To let the past die out and begin again..I am so thankful that the three books I mentioned were there for me to move forward with. So grateful that SECOND INNOCENCE was written.I will recommend this book highly. Fran Dawson-Just a reader

Stop, Look at Life Afresh . . . and Act in Hopeful Ways!

Second Innocence is an outstanding book about how to regain our youthful enthusiasm . . . seasoned with our greater knowledge of how to be effective. Unlike many books on this and related subjects, Dr. Izzo provides many excellent questions and exercises to help make the lessons your own. He also tells many stories about his experiences as a minister, consultant, and unsuccessful husband that will resonate with you . . . especially when he talks about where he went wrong. Rather than trying to write a book of original thinking on the subject of becoming more childlike (rather than childish) with age, he has succeeded in writing a book with a universal message contained in many wise and deeply engaging stories. Let me share the table of contents for the book to give you some idea of its concepts and coverage:Second Innocence: A Chance to See GoodnessI Rediscovering Wonder in the Daily Journey1. Most of Life Is Rowing2. Full Speed Ahead in the Wrong Direction3. Reclaiming What We Left Behind4. Detours: They Not What You Expect5. It's a Great Life if You Don't Weaken6. Mr. Thom's Lesson: Living Our Ideals7. Reclaiming Awe and Wonder8. What Trees Can Teach UsII Rediscovering the Joy of Work9. Your Job Is Bigger than You Think10. What's Wrong with Rose-Colored Glasses?11. Getting Past Your Expiration Date12. Bake a Cake for the Office Troublemaker13. The Leader's ChoiceIII Rediscovering Innocence in Relationships14. Finding Perfect Love15. The Power of Not Now: Love and the Art of PresenceIV Rediscovering Faith16. My First Funeral17. What Question Rules Your Life?18. Miracles, Telephones and SerendipityV On the Road to Second Innocence19. The Simplest Wisdom . . . Start20. What If You Could Change the World?While many books on this subject seem aimed mostly at the young, Second Innocence seems aimed equally well at all age groups. This is the kind of book that you could share with your whole family and all of your friends . . . and receive great bounty in love and goodness and return.As I finished the book, I wondered what I could do to pass along its message . . . and I decided to sit down to write this review on the spot. What can you do to act with awe and wonder now?

Living a Magical Life

Magic to me is the unknown, I can't necessarily explain how the trick happens. For many years now I have been working on changing my life, from one of nothing going right, to one of joy and wonder. When I discovered the book Second Innocence, I was excited, here was someone writing on the magic of life, reattaching to the child like wonder that I had lost! In Second Innocence, I found many ideas of how to once more connect to that part of myself. I am at choice, I can choose to see the joy, or I can choose to see the negativity, it all depends which glasses I am choosing to wear. Thanks to Second Innocence, I have rediscovered joy in the simple things, the day to day, I put on my joy glasses in the morning and find I am constantly focused on seeing that joy! Since I have read Second Innocence, my life has taken another step into a life of joy and wonder. Pick it up and read it, you too can begin your own journey towards a life of joy and wonder. It is an easy read with many thought provoking questions. I read it once and then shortly after began it again, reading one chapter at a time and letting it sink in more deeply. Thank you John for writing this inspiring book.

Finding what I lost!

Second Innocence, rediscovering joy and wonder, what an apt title, this book really made me think about how I was choosing to live my life. I am at choice, I think this is one of the most critical statements in turning my life around. Second Innocence truly reminded me of this in many areas of my life, love, work and leadership. Since reading Second Innocence, I have been taking a little more time in the morning to choose my focus for the day, is it going to be on joy and wonder or will I let it go to its normal default of negativity and cynicism. I have found in taking those few extra moments to choose my focus, my life has begun to turn around and become more positive. Nothing has changed but my choices that I am making. In changing my choices, I am seeing a lot more positive things in my life. In Second Innocence, the author John Izzo shares alot of interesting stories and asks thought provoking questions that have helped me to see what viewpoint I was choosing. In knowing I am choosing, it made it easy, in that I could make another choice. Take the time and read it. You too can make new choices in your life.