Review - Keys to Living Joyfully by Sheri Kaye Hoff

Keys to Living Joyfully

by: Sheri Kaye Hoff

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (August 20, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440403945
ISBN-13: 978-1440403941
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches

There are many self help books out in the market today. What sets Keys to Living Joyfully apart, I feel, is the fact that the author really lets the reader into her life, while at the same time giving guidance that has helped her to truly achieve happiness, joy and well being. Also, the Keys that Ms. Hoff speaks of are very easy and not in the least difficult to follow.

In opening, Ms. Hoff talks of the tragedy of losing her brother, at a very young age, to suicide. She talks honestly of the hardships and poor choices in judgement that followed. Through this all, in the end, she discovers that she is not the person that she knows she wants/can be and she is not living the life that she truly wants - a life of joy and fulfillment.

Anyone - no matter the situation or place, can truly better themselves and all it really takes is a positive outlook and "retraining" oneself in their thoughts. When there is negative, do not focus on that, but rather turn that situation around in your mind and think of a positive outcome. Sheri Kaye Hoff breaks her book down into 7 chapters:

Moving From Loss to Joy

Is your Heart Thinking Right?

Inspiration

Living Joyfully

Time Management is a Gift, Not the Enemy

Abundance

Embracing a Joyful Life

Within each chapter, Ms. Hoff talks candidly and leaves a workspace for the reader to fill in and reflect upon. I have to say that the chapter on Inspiration was my favorite. I really liked how she gave the message that if one follows on inspiration, rather than sense of duty, they are more apt to accomplish great things. One such example is this book, Keys to Living Joyfully. It took many times of starting and stopping before Ms. Hoff truly felt inspired to write and complete her book. This final time, she had a sense that this was the right time and success would follow her.

Throughout Keys to Living Joyfully, Sheri Kaye Hoff talks of the importance of journaling and journaling daily. Once completing a journal, store it away where it can be easy access to look back and reflect upon.

Keys to Living Joyfully is a wonderful book that will remain in easy reach for rereading. I read through the entire book in just a couple of sittings, but will again go back, taking a longer time and filling out the areas within. This is a book that is very open, non "preaching" and will appeal to many people. There are many quotes throughout the book that I greatly enjoyed and I felt that the boxed parts (which are basically highlighted phrases, that are important) were a great way to draw attention to certain aspects that the author was really trying to point out.

Sheri Kaye Hoff has a wonderful writing style which makes Keys to Living Joyfully a very enjoyable read and the feel of chatting with a friend. I wanted to share a couple of passages that especially stood out to me:

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pg 30

"I began to realize how important it is to be able to know your gifts and dreams, to live in the moment, to work less hard and to let things flow. I embraced the fact that worry never is a good thing. I learned that I could control my thoughts, which then affects my feelings and the quality of my life."

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pg 38

" Think about how you think about these things. This is a gift we have as human beings - the fact that we can think about our thinking."

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pg 56

" I say a prayer daily that the right words come out of my mouth at the right times. Sometimes I have caught myself just as I am getting angry with my children. I have actually said aloud. "I need to stop talking now." and then shut my mouth. "

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pg 58

" You are wonderfully made. Everything about you is miraculous. Toss aside those self-doubts and criticisms. Celebrate, today, the miracle of you! "

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The quote about the children is something that I can completely relate to. I have found myself getting very upset with my children and simply stop and say that I can't talk to them right now, that I am too upset. This really does seem to be a wonderful and positive action.

I truly recommend Keys to Living Joyfully for anyone who is feeling in a slump, down or just wants to better their life and their outlook on life. This is a book that will be read and reread several times. If you know someone going through a rough time, this is the perfect way to help them out.

*overall rating 4.5/5

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About Keys to Living Joyfully:

This book, Keys to Living Joyfully, is an inspirational book on experiencing joy, peace, passion, and energy in daily life. It is designed to demonstrate the powerful roles of thoughts, action, and faith. The book is a merging of inspirational author, Sheri Kaye Hoff's spiritual life and lifelong experiences in leadership, management, and motivation. The ideas presented in the book are techniques and processes that have worked for the author and clients to produce life transforming results. Ms Hoff's heartfelt desire is to share her keys with you so you can experience living joyfully. Foreword is written by Michele Caron, creator of MyLIfeCoach.com

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Excerpt:

“Friends, I am writing this book for you.

Every one of us has a tragic moment, event, or deep sadness that changes our lives forever. We may wonder if we can feel love, happiness, or joy ever again in our lifetimes. At the same time, we may become deeply sensitive to others and more tolerant for the daily stressors in life. Our lives take a different path than one we imagined.

Maybe your pain is from a death, a lost relationship, and/or a deep hurt. After years go by, it is likely that you have resumed a “normal” life, but you may feel that you cannot experience joy again. Or maybe you did not have one huge life-altering event, but you feel a sense of overall disappointment in your current situation and do not see a way to change. You know at a deep level that your life is not the way you want it to be. You know there is a better version of you. A “you” that lives in the moment, loves, feels, breathes deeply, and contributes.”

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About Sheri Kaye Hoff:

Sheri Kaye Hoff resides in Parker, CO with her husband and three children. She is a Life Coach and owner of the Sheri K Hoff International Coaching Company. She teaches college classes as an adjunct faculty member and has earned her Master of Arts in Organizational Management. Her new book, Keys to Living Joyfully,offers a way of living a meaningful, successful and joy filled life.

Ms. Hoff is a personal and executive life coach. Spirituality is a vital part of her life’s work. Prayer and meditation are integral pieces of her daily ritual, which enables her to pursue her life’s passions and live a truly joyful life.

Her words on faith are derived from her own Christian walk and spiritual self-discoveries. Her action steps mix faith and years of leadership training, mentoring, and management. Sheri Kaye Hoff suffered the tragic death of her younger brother when she was a teenager and struggled for years to rediscover the capacity to feel joy and to enjoy her successes. She has a heart felt desire to pass on her knowledge and discoveries that have led to a truly transformational life. Ms. Hoff publishes a free weekly inspiration newsletter, Coach Sheri’s Weekly Inspiration Tips. The Sheri K Hoff International Coaching Company also offers:

* Teleclasses.

* Webinars

* In person small and large group Coaching

* Corporate Training

* Keynote speaking

* Seminars

* Individual Career and Life Coaching (For a limited time- receive a free introductory one hour life coaching session)

You can visit her website at http://www.lifeisjoyful.org/.

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