Well. A book that might just explain everything.
A friend recently discovered it, and recommended it to me. I showed it to my therapist, who wasn’t familiar with it, even though it’s been out for almost 10 years.
If I indulge my most cynical thoughts, I’d say it isn’t more widely known because it’s clear there are an awful lot of people it applies to, and they spend a lot of money trying to soothe themselves with just about everything: substance abuse, religion, material possessions, other people.
More likely, it’s because the people who could use this info to become healthier, happier people — or at least, people who inflict less damage on other people — end up not being self-reflective people, which is the first requirement for change of any kind.
I would implore the next generation of this fucked-up family to at least give this book a try. I no longer believe there’s the possibility to heal my generation, but I do believe the next one can be happier. And I would always wish that for them.
The audiobook is on Libby, with no limits on borrowing at my library. There are some exercises available as a free pdf file as well.