Review: `Find the confidence we need in ourselves and once found, how to develop it further.'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 9, 2014
Bede Draper has a background in religious philosophy (both Western and Eastern), has a Master of Applied Science in Social Ecology with major studies in critical perspectives in psychological practices, and has worked in consulting and training in the occupational health and safety industry. His interests are philosophy, sociology, psychology, comparative religion and Traditional Vedanta. His credentials for sharing this book about creating and nurturing self confidence are strong.Draper's approach is more that of coaching the reader than merely talking about aspects of self confidence. As he states, `Real self confidence manifests itself in what you do and how you do it'. His thesis is that self confidence is not simply positive thinking or positive feelings, but a state of mind that can remain intact in situations of negative thoughts, feelings, and criticism. In order to achieve that state he insists we must practice in order to develop self-confidence in every area of our life, that real self confidence is something that exists distinct from our mental and emotional reactions: it remains a constant in the face of negative thinking and negative emotional reactions. He defines the four main areas we need to be confident in: Living with ourselves, Living with other people, Living with our partner or spouse and the raising of our children, and Making a good enough living to support ourselves and our dependents.Draper includes topics that most people would not relate to the subject of self confidence. He informs us that our happiness comes from our way of living - not how others are - not how situations are, but how we live in relation to these things, i.e. the context in which we live our lives determines the meaning experiences have for us.Each of these important areas of thought Draper discusses thoroughly, giving the reader the feeling as though we are in private conversation with him. He includes his thoughts on how to overcome anxiety, fear, low self esteem, and bathes all of this practical information with the hue of Eastern philosophy - another way of saying `wholeness'. This is a practical guide presented by an erudite and tender man who cares about our finding happiness in a well-adjusted life. Grady Harp, January 14