Constructive Living by David K. Reynolds - Kolowalu Books Paperback | Self-Help, Personal Growth & Mindfulness Guide | Perfect for Daily Inspiration & Stress Relief

While reviewing other books, I kept seeing recommendations for this book. So I bought it. What other reviewers said is true - reading this book can change your life. The writing is clear and concise and it motivated me to experiment and apply the principles as I understood them. I learned that right action quickly cuts through a lot of old, sticky ruttedness. I suddenly had new ability to accomplish things and I took leaps of forward movement. While it feels uncomfortable at first to choose new actions rather than to give into old negative habits, the new and far more satisfying consequences are well worth tolerating the temporary discomfort. Maturing isn't without cost and yet it's infinitely more satisfying than staying immature. (It helps to expect that choosing new behaviors will feel uncomfortable at first because they are new and unfamiliar. With enough practice, the new constructive behaviors will become the familiar and comfortable ones.) Taking right action seems to create efficiency of effort and brings more ease into life (no matter one's circumstances). I am more responsible for myself now and able to handle more responsibility. It also brought relief from anxiety. I'm blessed/cursed with the ability to see both sides of an issue and if I forget to apply right action, decision-making gets painful fast. Then I start to procrastinate and/or mercilessly second-guess myself (and sometimes others). Those habits sabotage many good things such as enjoyment of life, getting along well with others, and productivity. Right action and meditation is helping me turn those around. Taking constructive action in valued directions does build self-esteem. I'm running my life more often now as opposed to allowing emotion and circumstance run me. My loved ones have noticed the difference in our relationships and in my behavior. Life is far more meaningful and satisfying when I am able to welcome and deal constructively with reality rather than resisting, arguing, pouting, avoiding, and/or fussing... Like everything, the Morita principles also have limitations and they are discussed in the book. Finally, I think that lasting change of any kind requires us to act, move, behave in ways other than we have in the past. It isn't enough to read, listen, or think about something. We have to act. We develop new lives, habits, and outcomes by patiently practicing constructive new behaviors until they become second nature. I think Constructive Living likely works as well as we apply it. It's different than other similar books I've read however. The writing is clear, respectful, and intelligent. The author presents philosophy and theory but also exercises and concrete suggestions for how to apply the principles. It's easy to begin to understand the principles and motivating to apply them. Highly recommended.