Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World - Book Review

Title: Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World

Author: Scott Shigeoka

Publisher: Balance (Hachette Book Group)

Publication Date: November 14, 2023

Length: 228 Pages

About the Author
Scott Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and author.  He is known for translating research into strategies that promote positive well-being and connected relationships around the globe, including at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and through his groundbreaking courses at the University of Texas at Austin. 

DIVE into Curiosity and Transform Your Life
The author uses the acronym DIVE to explain how curiosity is our superpower;
Detach - Let go of the ABCs (Assumptions, Biases, and Certainty).
Intend - Prepare your mindset and setting.
Value - See the dignity in every person, including yourself.
Embrace - Welcome the hard times in your life.

Readers are encouraged to start practicing deep curiosity and strengthening our capacity to connect and be transformed by the people, places, and experiences we encounter.

My Thoughts
At the beginning of this book, the author describes himself as "a city-dwelling liberal Asian American spiritually queer professor and researcher from Hawaii." He quit his job and spent a year living out of his car and meeting people that he would not normally encounter. He visited rural towns, an Indigenous reservation in Minnesota, a retreat center where nuns and millennials live together, and even a Trump rally. He became a seeker.

This is really an awesome book. It explains the difference between shallow curiosity where we are just seeking information and deep curiosity which is about making someone feel heard, seen, and validated. 

The author goes into great detail about using the DIVE model to develop healthy and safe curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of listening and communication skills. Curiosity should always come from a place of genuine desire to know who someone is and how they became that way, not trying to get them to agree with our point of view.

Finally, Mr. Shigeoka suggests the following actions to begin our curiosity journey;

• Articulate curiosity as an important value.
• Embrace curiosity as an identity.
• Bring curiosity into the spaces you're already in.

After reading this book, I value curiosity and I am a seeker.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading experience.

Book Review: A Rebel Chick Mystic's Guide by Lisa Marie Selow

A Rebel Chick Mystic’s Guide: Healing Your Spirit with Positive Rebellion

Author: Lisa Marie Selow

Publisher: Hay House Insights

Date: November 26, 2012



About The Author
Lisa Selow is a professional psychic and spiritual coach who specializes in liberating women to live empowered lives with more courage and authenticity. Lisa has used her own brand of loving humor, combined with a punk-rock edge, in the healing arts since 1998. She lives in the Detroit, Michigan, area with her husband and several electric guitars.

A Positive Kind of Rebellion
Are you a rebel chick?

Would you like to make changes in your life that could help you live your true  calling and purpose?

Ms. Selow defines rebel chicks as "women who desire to carve out their own paths in every aspect of life, including spirituality."

This book encourages women to write their own rebel chick mystic's guide by using exercises with thought-provoking questions, journal prompts and quizzes. These exercises focus on making your own life plan, letting go of your inner good girl, embracing your true self, finding your life purpose and carving out your spiritual path.

This book is a journey.  The author is a guide and coach who will encourage you every step of the way.

My Thoughts
Lisa Marie Selow gives women permission to challenge the status quo and start rocking their life to the beat of a new and different drummer. She encourages women to learn from the lessons they have learned in the School of Hard Knocks and move forward to a fresh and rewarding future.

This book provides many opportunities to write, study and learn from your past experiences and from hopes and dreams for the future. It is really an encouraging course on self-esteem, healing and growth.

"A Rebel Chick Mystic's Guide" is a joy to read and offers life-changing opportunities for all who are willing to devote the time and effort necessary to work the program.  Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.

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Book Review: The Rules Of Life

This book is loaded with inspiration and common sense. The Rules of Life: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life", by Richard Templar, is divided into the following parts; (1) Rules For You, (2) Partnership Rules, (3) Family And Friends Rules, (4) Social Rules, (5) World Rules.
The author lists 100 rules that can help you live a happier and more successful life. The chapters are short and the book is a fast read. The challenging part is to process this information and put the rules to work in your life.
The very first rule is a tough one for me. Rule #1: "Keep It Under Your Hat." I am terrible at keeping secrets. The author advises the reader to keep the changes that you are making in your life as a result of reading this book to yourself; "Don't preach, propagate, try to convert, shout from the rooftops or even mention this ... just get on with it, do it quietly, and go about your daily life happily and smugly without having to tell anyone anything". So, I have already broken the first rule by writing this book review.
This is the kind of book that should be used as a handbook for growth. The author does not promote religious doctrine but he emphasizes that it is vital to have a belief system and to keep the faith. The rules for marriage are excellent and a gentle reminder to "treat your partner better than your best friend." The rules for family life will remind you that "there are no bad children" and "your children need to rebel to leave home."
The dedication of the book features the following phrase; "No Fear ~ No Surprise ~ No Hesitation ~ No Doubt." This book will give you a kickstart for the new year. You don't have to worry about writing your new year's resolutions ~ Just resovle to be a "rules player" in the new year.
I grabbed this book when it was offered as a free download on my Kindle 3. I listened to most of this book as we travelled to our Thanksgiving destination. I love the fact that every book is also an audio book on the Kindle.
The author has also written The Rules of Work, Expanded Edition: A Definitive Code for Personal Success (Richard Templar's Rules) about achieving success in the workplace.  I have not read this book but plan to do so in the future.