Glad No Matter What: Transforming Loss and Change into Gift and Opportunity

I'm a huge fan of Sark and have read all of her books over the years, so though I am more than a little "biased" when it comes to her work, I'm also well-acquainted with it.No matter where you are in your life or what you are facing, there is something to help you within the pages. So sit down and meander as you will. What you need will find you.This time around I found Sark's deeply personal sharing over the breakup of a relationship and the loss of her mother and a beloved pet, to be incredibly helpful. Few people are as open and honest about ALL the feelings and stuff we go through. What I love best about Sark is that she doesn't pretend stuff isn't happening or pretend everything is perfect, she embraces it all, goes INTO it and emerges with new wisdom and new ways for us to change our "relationship" to our issues and feelings.Unlike other books on similar topics, you don't feel judged or foolish for not being able to quickly adopt change or instantly "get" and embrace some of the thoughts and ideas. Sark is REAL and that's part of what makes you listen and learn. Because if she can feel as bad as she does at times, and yet come out of it and find the blessings, so, too, can we.The book was very inspiring and this time around, I immediately started doing some of the "work." Meanwhile, I filled up a notebook with my own notes and thoughts inspired by her various riffs.Sark is funny, clever, soulful, entertaining, aware and real. There are many authors we like and would love to meet, but after all these years, I'd love to meet Sark in real life and have her as a real life friend.Reading her books, it's almost as if she were there with you, in a way we wish all our best friends could but few can because honestly, Sark is also very clever.I've now given this book as a gift to several people (of all ages) and most recently recommended to a young woman who is contemplating divorce."Glad no matter what" is a great title and a great challenge, but it's one that Sark makes us feel as if we can choose and live every day, no matter what.Life is about change and loss and this may be one of the best and most accessible books to address the topic, in the way only Sark can.Thank you, Sark.Just one heads up: If you have only recently lost a loved one, you may not be quite ready to read certain portions of the book. But they are the words you'll cherish when it's time.

I have been reading SARK for years, encouraging those I train in Stress Management to read her also. Her background and reaction, creating positive from negative is a lesson most of us struggle with, although I believe we have the natural ability to learn. I didn't really know what this latest book was about until I saw her interviewed. I lost my husband almost 2 years ago and then my mother last year. I have been realizing that I have never really allowed myself to grieve their loss, as this pain, coupled with regrets and guilt, was just too hard to let myself feel. SARK's book helped me a great deal. I felt like I was given permsission to miss the good in both relationships and yet to still recognize what was also most annoying, without feeling guilt. I gave myself permission to be human, to grieve, to miss and to let go of painful memories, loving and enjoying the years I felt blessed to have them. This was truly a gift and allowed me to wake up with a sense of moving on. I could appreciate SARK's practices to ask for and create the miraculous of every blessed day I am alive and to love and open my heart with gratitude for those friends, family and yes, my pet cat through which I can receive and express that love. Death is part of life and the lesson is always Love.Thank you SARK!

Sark has a way of expressing and describing feelings as I've never seen. I am only reading a few pages at a time to let what she says sink in and touch the parts of me that need expressing. There is a common trend of positive, accepting, feeling your feelings in much of the things I'm reading these days. However, Sark pinpoints these and brings them to the surface so that you can easily examine what is happening in your own life. As usual, she is entertaining and endearing. She is also very real for those of us still examining our whys and "how the heck did that happen?" She lets us see our part in our life and puts us back in there to work it out for ourselves to come out even better than if we were to have just endured the experience. I always look forward to opening her books to any page and feeling a slice of her perspective. Witty, smart, truly sensitive and such a valuable enlightening tool.

I LOVE SARK! I have ALL of her books, she's so incredibly inspiring, vulnerable and lives her life from the inside out. This book so hit the spot for me as I've ended a relationship and really need to take some time to heal. I love all of quotes, exercises, stories and wonderful ways to heal. On the road to happiness, there are many bumps and bruises, but connecting, being vulnerable and facing things head on, is the only way. She shows you how and supports you every step of the way. I would be sad if I didn't have her books to help me through all of the lessons of my life. Thanks SARK for always being there!

My copy of "Glad No Matter What" was loaned to a person who needed it at the time. She might still be needing it, so I bought this copy so my shelf of Susan's books would once more be complete.SARK's books chronicle her life. They emerge in color and with strategies to help her readers deal with various aspects of life that we all hold in common. Whether the topic is being organized, or becoming prosperous, or becoming a writer or being a better friend, she has important and creative and "doable" messages for us.This book came out of a time in her life when a relationship that she valued highly had come to an end. Susan shared with us that always-present "other side of the coin."

excellent ! thank you...

Having read most of Sark's previous books, I looked forward to getting this one. I wasn't disappointed, it was full to bursting with her colouful take on life, with generous scoops of her wisdom and knowledge. Her books are enriching and help to point the way to a happier, joy filled way of living. Highly recommended!

From my perspective, this is SARK's most comprehensive book. It is filled with personal examples, stories and best of all excellent tools and resources to assist you in transforming loss and change. I highly recommend it!

Insightful and extremely helpful.