AS IF
Maureen Delaney, PhD
Paperback, 100 pages
ISBN: 978-1-60910-222-7
Every now and then, people
need motivation, reminders of what they’re capable of. And every now and
then, a grand little gem is published and circulated, ready to inspire.
AS IF, by Maureen Delaney, PhD, is such a treasure. Short and
sweet, it’s packed with practical and motivational guidance to get
readers going with heartfelt ambitions. The premise of the book is this:
What if you were to act like the person you want to become, as if
you already are that person? From here, Dr. Delaney takes us on a
pleasant transformational journey. She shows how to achieve what we
desire through minor albeit significant adjustments in our attitudes and
actions.
Dr. Delaney’s approach is
refreshing in that it’s highly spiritual and, at the same time,
supremely down to earth. Her voice is friendly and conversational.
There’s nothing abstractly academic here to distract you from your
goals; the information presented is tangible and very accessible. She
includes real-life examples showing how people who’ve gone through the
worst of scenarios have nevertheless succeeded in developing traits they
want. Having a copy of AS IF is a lot like having your own life
coach guiding you step by step to a better, more joyful life.
The author points out how we
already “act out” parts on a daily basis. She shows how to apply this
skill we have, but may not be aware of, to improve ourselves. Using
theater as a model, Dr. Delaney tells readers how to set the stage, get
out of our comfort zone, and assume a new character. As though moving
forward through scenes of a play, she teaches how to develop and
strengthen certain attributes crucial to becoming a better person. This
theatrical approach is engaging and serves as a convenient way to
remember key points being made.
You’ll want to keep a
journal or notebook as you read AS IF because Delaney asks plenty
of questions meant to help you explore yourself, from why you do things
a certain way to how to learn from the past. In fact, she invites you to
journal. She offers tips and suggestions but encourages you to follow
only those you’re comfortable with. Dr. Delaney is serious about
ensuring that your transformational journey is a fun one.
In addition to sharing her
own insights, the author includes voices from other sources to bolster
her points. The end result is a sense that you are receiving wisdom from
many teachers, all of them working in collaboration towards your
personal success. I find this to be reassuring in a self-help book; the
reader sees a number of different perspectives on one particular topic
and, if one idea doesn’t quite click, another surely will.
Throughout the book, the
tone is warm and encouraging. Exercises, which include meditations, are
flexible. If something doesn’t work for you, not a problem – Delaney
offers other approaches to try. Inspiration abounds, through the
author’s own words and also through the many quotes included throughout.
By the end of the book, you will have gained tools to grow in attributes
such as patience, trust, and joy. Dr. Delaney also explains how to know
if you are making progress, and what to do if you need to get unstuck.
Customizable prayers are included to help you reconnect to the divine
essence of yourself.
The message of AS IF
is timeless and powerful: You are the star of your own show. You can
call the shots. As actor, director, and producer of your life, you can
become a better, more fulfilled person, regardless of what may come your
way. All you need to do is act as if you already are who you want
to become. Through her thoughtful, well-written, and inspiring guide,
Maureen Delaney gently encourages you on this most worthwhile journey.
With AS IF, you will enjoy the process of “becoming” and
appreciate the end results, without a doubt having plenty of fun along
the way.
Review by Graciela Sholander
For Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org
