PSYCH As a minister and guest radio and TV lecturer based in California, Robinson regularly reaches an audience of three million people. Here he seeks to counsel those who find that they often make mistakes while acting from the best of intentions. He asserts that people who set out to be 'good' often sabotage themselves and their own happiness by taking on too much, suppressing anger, telling lies, as well as six other mistakes. Robinson helps the reader to identify and overcome these foibles, noting that change may be a long, painful process. His eloquent message is addressed to all who are striving to live good lives. Very similar to Louise Hay's spiritual teachings and offering an upbeat and honest message, this work belongs in all counseling and public libraries. Lisa S. Wise, Broome Cty. P.L., Binghamton, N.Y.-
As pastor of Montclair Presbyterian Church of Oakland, Calif., Robinson has counseled many people facing problems created directly by their efforts to be nice. He himself has suffered from trying too hard to be too much to too many, and has learned from personal as well as professional experience to identify the most common pitfalls of 'self-defeating' niceness, and the most helpful changes to overcome them. The nine 'mistakes' nice people make are, Robinson says: trying to be perfect, taking on too much, not saying what they want, suppressing anger, reasoning with irrationality, telling little lies, giving advice, rescuing others and protecting those in grief. Robinson explains the motivations behind these activities and gives practical advice on how to set boundaries, maintain healthy balance, assert oneself and 'still be a nice person.' Avoiding overt religious language, he undergirds his message by encouraging people to 'accept your acceptance' by 'the love that drives the universe.' Only then, he concludes, can they overcome the 'desperate need to be accepted,' which leads them into the nine mistakes. In a kind and loving way, Robinson offers just the push many people need to begin to set practical limits and to practice healthy self-assertiveness. (July)-
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