Living Like You Mean It: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want

Living Like You Mean It

"Finally, someone is helping us get closer to our emotions and who we are—instead of further away from our power.?A moving and inspirational read for anyone in the challenging times we′re all going through."
—Melody L. Beattie, author of the New York Times bestsellers Codependent No More, The Language of Letting Go, and Choices

"What a joy it is to read Dr. Ron Frederick′s Living Like You Mean It. Well informed, accessible and engaging, this wonderful book is full of powerful strategies that will enliven your soul, enrich your relationships, and help you have a more deeply meaningful life. I recommend it with enthusiasm!"
—John Bradshaw, author of the New York Times bestsellers Healing the Shame that Binds You, Homecoming, Creating Love, and Reclaiming Virtue

"Ron Frederick is a master therapist and a gifted teacher. With energy and passion, he guides the reader through the vibrant inner landscape of the emotions. The tools and insights he offers can help prevent depression and anxiety. Even more, they point the way toward a vital and engaged life—a life fully lived."
—Henry Emmons, MD, author, The Chemistry of Joy

"With compelling insight into the way emotion shapes our lives, Living Like You Mean It invites us on a tremendously useful journey into the mind and brain?and shows us how the day–to–day ways we defend against feeling our feelings keep us from living the lives we really want. But no more!? Through practical suggestions, compelling stories, and powerful insights, this book dishes up a readily accessible plan to free us from the prison of our own fear of feeling.? Frederick is a liberating guide—and after joining him on this trek, you′ll be ready to feel fully alive!"
—Daniel J. Siegel, MD, director, the Mindsight Institute, and author, The Mindful Brain and Parenting from the Inside Out

"Brimming with heart and soul, and scientifically sound, Living Like You Mean It is a brilliant book for anyone wanting to get unstuck and live a happier, more fulfilling life."
—Marci Shimoff, # 1 New York Times bestselling author, Happy for No Reason, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Woman′s Soul, and featured teacher in The Secret

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

PART ONE: PREPARATION.

1. To Feel or Not to Feel.

2. How the Heck Did I Get This Way?

PART TWO: TAKING ACTION.

3. Step One: Becoming Aware of Your Feelings.

4. Step One, Continued: Becoming Aware of Your Defenses.

5. Step Two: Taming the Fear.

6. Step Three: Feeling It Through.

7. Step Four: Opening Up.

8. Putting It All Together.

Conclusion: Making a Choice.

Appendix: Seeking Professional Help.

Notes.

The Author.

Index.

Ronald J. Frederick, Ph.D., is a cofounder of the Center for Courageous Living, which offers innovative therapy, coaching, and consulting. He is a licensed psychologist and life coach with more than fifteen years experience helping people get the life they really want. Frederick is a senior faculty member of the Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute as well as the clinical supervisor of Park House, an outpatient program of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"Finally, someone is helping us get closer to our emotions and who we are—instead of further away from our power. A moving and inspirational read for anyone in the challenging times we′re all going through." —Melody L. Beattie, NY Times bestselling author of Codependent No More

"What a joy it is to read Dr. Ron Frederick’s Living Like You Mean It. Well informed, accessible and engaging, this wonderful book is full of powerful strategies that will enliven your soul, enrich your relationships, and help you have a more deeply meaningful life. I recommend it with enthusiasm!" —John Bradshaw, NY Times bestselling author of Healing the Shame that Binds You

"With compelling insight into the way emotion shapes our lives, Living Like You Mean It invites us on a tremendously useful journey into the mind and brain and shows us how the day–to–day ways we defend against feeling our feelings keeps us from living the lives we really want. But no more! Through practical suggestions, compelling stories, and powerful insights, this book dishes up a readily accessible plan to free us from the prison of our own fear of feeling. Frederick is a liberating guide—and after joining him on this trek, you’ll be ready to feel fully alive!" —Daniel J. Siegel, MD, director, the Mindsight Institute, and author of The Mindful Brain

"Brimming with heart and soul, and scientifically sound, Living Like You Mean It is a brilliant book for anyone wanting to get unstuck and live a happier, more fulfilling life." —Marci Shimoff, NY Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason

"Ron Frederick is a master therapist and a gifted teacher. With energy and passion, he guides the reader through the vibrant inner landscape of the emotions. The tools and insights he offers can help prevent depression and anxiety. Even more, they point the way toward a vital and engaged life—a life fully lived." —Henry Emmons, MD, author of The Chemistry of Joy