LIFESKILLS --- 8 SIMPLE WAYS TO BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNICATE MORE CLEARLY,
AND IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH by Virginia Williams and Redford Williams. Times Books/Random House, 1997
"Whatever you do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!" Quote from Goethe
PART 1 --- GETTING STARTED --- "Life-Skills" improves relationships and health!
1) The best of times, the worst of times
2) First, "Know Thyself"
3) Relationships matter --- the scientific evidence for effects on your health
4) Relationships matter --- the scientific evidence for effects on the health of others
PART 2 --- GROUNDWORK
5) Eight Major "Life-Skills"
[1] Identify your thoughts and feelings
[2] Evaluate your negative thoughts, negative feelings and options
[3] Communicate better
[4] Empathize with others to understand their behavior
[5] Do problem-solving
[6] Practice assertion
[7] Practice acceptance
[8] Emphasize the positive
6) Begin with a good relationship with your self! (p104-124)
To be effective in other relationships, first be respectful of and committed to the most important person in your life --- your self!
[1] Vision (p105-106)
While not oblivious to the past or the future, you stay mostly in the NOW! This MOMENT truly interests you --- look, listen, smell, think, feel --- intensely.
[2] Do you recognize aspects of yourself and others? (p106-107)
Be flexible!
Take time to slow down, to think. Say "NO" and don't feel guilty. Change your mind. Occasionally do less than you could. Accept most of your mistakes --- and those of others --- without being harsh to yourself or others.
When you need help, ask for it!
Equally often, supply support to others. This results in the right mix of giving and getting. If you expect others to like you, they usually will. Like yourself as well.
[3] Knowledge (p107-110)
[4] Effects on health and well-being (p110-112)
[5] Crossover (p112-114)
[6] Action (p114)
[6] Understanding yourself (p114-117)
[7] Acting effectively (p117-118)
(1) Consider acceptance (p118-119)
[8] Getting real (p122-124)
(2) Consider assertion or problem solving (p118-120)
(3) Emphasize the positive (p120-121)
Exercises (p123-124)
PART 3 --- INTIMATES
7) Your partner (p127-155)
8) Your young child (p155-172)
9) Your teenager (p173-191)
10) Your parents (p192-204)
11) Your friends (p205-218)
PART 4 --- ACQUAINTANCES
12) Your coworkers (p219-237)
13) Community (p238-259)
PART 5 --- DISTANT OTHERS (p261-)
14) Other Americans (p263-277)
15) All children in America (p278-293)
16) All human beings (p294-306)
[1] Vision (p294-296)
What would happen to our world if we made everybody family?(p296)
[2] Do you recognize aspects of yourself and others? (p296)
[3] Knowledge (p296-299)
(1) The current situation (p296-297)
[4] Crossover (p299-300)
(2) Present wisdom (p297-299)
(3) Effects on health and well-being (p299)
[5] Action --- Peace in the world begins with each of us (p300-304)
(1) Understanding ourselves and others (p300-301)
[6] Getting real (p304-305)
1. Identify your thoughts and feelings (p300)
(2) Acting effectively (p301-304)
2. Evaluate your negative thoughts and feelings (p300-301)
"I AM WORTH IT!"
(p300)
3. Communicate better and empathize (p301)
1. Consider acceptance (p301-302)
2. Consider assertion (p302)
3. Emphasize the positive (p302-304)
Role of "TRANSCENDENCE!"
Exercises (p305-306)
EPILOGUE --- The Caring Family (p307-308)
NOTES (p309-334)