From Publishers Weekly
Conari Press cofounder M.J. Ryan admits that while it's easy to be grateful for sun, rain and good food, it's much harder to practice gratitude in intimate relationships. But adding gratefulness to a relationship can help remind people why they fell in love in the first place, fuel happiness and even deepen love. In Attitudes of Gratitude in Love: Creating More Joy in Your Relationship, Ryan (Attitudes of Gratitude) presents a multitude of brief essays on not taking love for granted, ditching feelings of resentment, the benefits of relationship gratitude and giving in order to receive. The book's boxy shape and colorful cover make it an appropriate gift.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Cofounder of Conari Press and coeditor of the "Random Acts of Kindness" series, Ryan returns with another little feel-good book. Radiating enough cheer to perk up Archie Bunker, this successor to the best-selling Attitudes of Gratitude spins positive angles on being grateful for the hard work that characterizes long-term relationships (e.g., "The more you're thankful, the more you'll receive"). Each section is simple if generic and features an epigraph purer than the text. Aimed primarily at married couples, it basically screams "gift book"; if similar material (e.g., Amy Dean's Night Light) spikes circulation at your public library, fine. Chicken Soup for the Soul? It's more like popcorn. Purchase as needed.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Attitudes of Gratitude in Love FROM THE PUBLISHER
In the best-selling Attitudes of Gratitude, M. J. Ryan explored the importance of practicing gratitude in all areas of life. In this new book, she shifts focus to our most intimate relationships, and finds the practice of gratitude even more important. She begins by looking at how thankfulness and appreciation can benefit relationships and the people in them. Quoting the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu, she shows us how gratefulness creates powerfully positive emotions about our partners, a "kindness in feeling, which in turn generates more love. And isn't that what we all truly want?" What often prevents us from feeling gratitude is a series of mistaken beliefs, myths we cling to despite their destructive nature. We may believe, for example, that it's dangerous to be too happy, that we will be punished for our joy and lose what we most love. Or we may so fear the vulnerability intimacy brings that we try to protect ourselves-and end up protecting ourselves out of a relationship. Ryan explains how we can counter the force of these negative ideas by replacing them with more joyful, life affirming ones. Yes, intimacy inevitably makes us vulnerable. But a life without intimacy is a life barely lived. Every relationship offers many opportunities for joy -- if we but seize the chances we are given to be thankful. As M. J. Ryan writes, "Thankfulness is the mother of joy." Without it, we can too easily become numb. With it, we are awakened to all that is precious and beautiful in our intimate relationships.
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