Some titles
On October 20, the latest book by Albert Espinosa was put on sale, The secrets they never told you, which is already among the best sellers. But there are countless titles of self-help, motivation or personal growth that are in the market. They cover the shelves of neighborhood bookstores or large chains. Massive presentations are made, television interviews with the most media names ... Anyway, they are and have been in fashion for a long time. And they are sure to continue to be successful.
But is that success deserved? Yes, they try to help, advise, recommend or only tell of an experience of improvement that the authors truly believe will help others. And of course it is totally legal that they can make a profit for it. Simply time - for any writer - already has an invaluable price. But is this really so? Have you read any? Do you think they work? I confess that I have not read any. Maybe I haven't needed them (yet). Let's see…
The network is full of inspirational phrases (anonymous or not), positive messages with backgrounds of idyllic landscapes and blue skies. We all read them, sometimes with more interest, sometimes with skepticism, wanting to believe it, or simply curious. Those allergic to public kitsch and in public suffer from hives with the majority, but We accept its reality and why not? That it can work for others to inspire and expire one more day. So why can't they work in the form of books?
I recently saw Albert Espinosa in El hormiguero. I already knew their Red Bracelets or on If you tell me, come, I'll leave everything ... but tell me, come. And, like everyone else, I know his formidable story of self-improvement which, without a doubt, is one hundred percent admirable.
Myself I have participated altruistically in a solidarity book in which photography and literature are mixed to tell 30 stories of 30 children with various rare diseases. But a solidarity book is not a self-help book. It is only intended to publicize those cases of struggling lives, and the economic benefits are often used for the cause. This book is about raising funds to improve the quality of life for these children.
Self-help or motivational books have the most direct purpose. We all go through bad or gray streaks, we all look for an answer, a reasoning or an idea when things go wrong at some point. And we listen to the message that these books provide us: Look what happened to me or look what I know what I have learned, what has helped me, what you can apply to yourself. To me it has worked. You try. Why won't it work for you too?
So I have also taken a look at several other titles such as those of Rafael Santandreu, those of the Punset (father and daughter) or the Bucay on duty with their fiction incorporated. Or that The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, of which the sixth edition is already underway. How far away is that of Who has taken my cheese?, by Spencer Johnson! But of course, those titles induce a glance.
Rafael Santandreu and Luis Rojas Marcos
Y I ended up doing a survey among friends and acquaintances. Some, with a past of hard life blows of their own or very close to them, have been able to find ways to weather the emotional storm with readings like these. Some answers have been that to guide themselves between so many words of motivation and encouragement they have preferred to value the author for his preparation or professional knowledge. Thus, it is the psychologists or psychiatrists of recognized prestige who usually take the palm of credibility. An example would be Luis Rojas Marcos or the aforementioned Santandreu. In fact, his books are among the most valued and sold.
However, maybe the light they can throw is not so powerful or so real. And when it comes to a true emotional rehabilitation, you have to go to the professional who is also more real than the best, most inspiring and most motivating words in print. Yes or no? Can we see that light through these books when we are in a crisis of blackness? I leave it there.
and I still remember the book: good luck that it also sold a lot published in the publishing company EMPRESA ACTIVA by the authors: Alex Rovira and Fdi Trias de Bes
Hello Mariola, I have read several self-help books and related to spirituality. Each book has given me mental tools and / or a new way of seeing reality to overcome a specific problem. A book does not change anyone's life, unless that person decides to change their way of perceiving reality, partially applying the knowledge shared in the book. But I am sure that other people this type of books will not be of any use to them. When you have very serious problems you have to turn to health professionals, expert lawyers, etc.
We agree. Thank you very much for your comments.
As much as reading helps us in many aspects of our life, nothing and, when I say nothing is nothing, it can help us if the person, by himself, does not see the solution to his problems.
Psychologists, the spouse or friends can speak to us. Until you decide that you have to leave your tunnel, you will never see the light of the end.
These self-help books are only useful as long as you realize that you have a problem and that you are willing to solve it.
The rest are words and "cashiers."
It can be said louder but not clearer, Isabel. Thanks for the comment.
Very good debate Mariola, I think that a self-help book can clear your mind or strengthen if you have some uncertainties about yourself, but when the problem becomes something more serious, the professionals are the ones who count to guide you in the search for the light and peace.
However, I have read some like Santandreu's, specifically his Glasses of Happiness, and they provide a positive energy to take into account.
Like everything in this life, to the people who are helping them, they are welcome.
Greetings Mariola,
I personally don't trust cataloged self-help books very much. I think that on many occasions they treat situations from a very subjective point of view and without appreciating that we are not all the same. In any case, of course, I really appreciate that many people use it to improve and advance in aspects that condition them and therefore, if they achieve this end, welcome.
A abrazo.
Thanks for your comment, Alex. In short, it is a debate that gives a lot of itself.
Self-help books bore me as much as professional-psychologists, etc.
Since I read the book 'the secret' I think I have gotten sick, strange spasms give me when reading certain titles, as it will be that more than 2 years ago I was given a book entitled 'inevitably happy' by Manfred Lütz and I have not looked at it yet despite having very reliable recommendations