The Courage to Be Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Growing Beyond Emotional Dependence

by Sue Patton Thoele

Book Overview

Geared to women who find themselves meeting the needs and wants of others without meeting their own, The Courage to be Yourself helps them break free from emotional dependency, enhance their self-esteem, and overcome self-limiting fears. This edition has been thoroughly revised and updated and includes a revised discussion of codependency and addiction.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0943233259
• ISBN13: 9780943233253
• Release Date: September 1991
• Publisher: Conari Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Buy 3 are a time. Hide one for yourself. The other two will ultimately vanish among friends and fami

This is the third or fourth time purchasing this book, when our adult daughters saw it and friends, they want to read it. Then I don't see the book again. It's that good. Please keep it in print. I hope I get to keep this one. It picks you up and about every 3 pgs you feel stronger, more intelligent, funny, in control of your feelings from here on out. Ready to stick up for yourself. Not going to allow someone to drag you back down. You don't have to read long chapters to feel better. It's like every 2-3 pages and your left with inspiration that you want to carry forever. Best gift you can give yourself, the girls and women you love. Should be on Oprah's favorite things!

Finally!

This is simply a great book! I have read any number of books on women's psychology, spirituality, and health. This book continued to engage me chapter after chapter; rather than requiring a specific set of religious beliefs or adherence to the author's pet expressions, this book simply presents ideas and reasons behind behavior and emotions, along with examples of people (including the author) who have suffered periodically from lack of self-esteem and emotional strength. While a lot of the text relates to mothers and wives, there is enough that is relevant for women who are neither. I am recommending this to all of my female friends, regardless of how strong and confident they are - reading this is not and admission of weakness, but rather an understanding of where our weaknesses may come from and how to prevent them from impacting our lives in a very negative way.

I highly recommend this book!

I was very skeptical when I picked up this book but despite the inevitable self-help jargon, I have found it profoundly helpful. In fact, I am giving copies to all of my friends as gifts. The basic concepts are laid out in an easy to understand manner and the tone is kind and understanding. Lest it be too philosophical, there are activities to help the reader identify her own issues and success stories supporting each topic as it is discussed. I highly recommend it to any woman even slightly interested in building her self-esteem.

Excellent!

This book was extremely helpful to me in a difficult time in my life. I highly recommend it to anyone who is living under the terrible dark cloud of low self esteem, whether brought on by divorce or other major events, or by harms suffered in childhood from unfeeling parents or others. The author really appears to understand, and offers a kind and loving help for getting out from under that cloud and into the sunshine. It is filled with kindness and compassion, and will help you on your way to finding happiness again.

A most awe-inspiring book to say the least...

My mother gave me this book back when my relationship with my fiance was failing and told me to read it. At the time I didn't get the message, that I was co-dependant and needed to work to be strong myself. I picked it up two days after my fiance finally broke things off with me and read it cover to cover. It has been three days since I read it and already I can credit a remarkable change in my demeanor, attitude and thought processes thanks to the various anecdotes and exercises in this book. This book alone jump-started me on the road to recovery from co-dependancy such that I swear it gave me rockets for my feet. Many thanks to Ms. Thoele for writing this book and having it done in such a thoughtful, knowledgeable and easily-accessible manner. This will definitely be on my "To recommend to Friends" list. Simply wonderful...

A must read for any woman who wants to enrich their life.

I have read this book for the first time over five years ago. It is a book that one will refer to again and again. I happened to stumble across the book while I was shopping with a friend who was in need of some self-confidence and esteem. I thought I did pretty well at being myself but after reading the book discovered that I wasn't! The book was filled with so many lessons. After finishing the book I felt like my life was filled with so many unexpected & exciting blessings. You must be responsible to make yourself happy. Others can't do it for you. You are not responsible to make others happy. Give it a try! I wrote to Sue Patton Thoele and thanked her for permanently changing my life after I read this book!