Life Coaching Insights
Another Zero: Bring the Joy Back into Your Life
by Giselle Marrinan
Book Review by Dr. Phil Noone, Senior Reviewer, The Book Hub Publishing Group.
Introduction
I first read this book in 2018, following its publication by Book Hub Publishing and was fascinated by its insightfulness into the challenges of our lives and how we might adapt and change to enhance our happiness and well-being. I loved it then and love it even more now.
Roll on to Saturday, May 9th 2020. I was idly eyeing a range of books I wanted to read and ‘Another Zero’ kept simmering in front of my eyes. I re-read it. And how apt it is. This is a book I recommend for everyone to read. It offers us insights into how to recalibrate our lives, particularly relevant in our current pandemic COVID-19 world. We have, in my view, reached Another Zero.
This book has landed into our laps right now when we most need Giselle’s intuitive knowing to help and guide us on our way. Giselle is a fountain of wisdom. This book is written from the ‘heart-space’ of a very authentic woman who details how she moved from the high achieving corporate work-space to one as a life coach where she uses her sensitivity, her connectivity and her loving-kindness to help others seek and find their true potential in life. Giselle’s writing reflects clear emotional depth, powerful insights into how we can enhance our well-being and reach our full potential. It uses a unique style with thought provoking questions on how we can, perhaps, make clearer choices and small changes that may result in greater happiness. It offers tips and advice that can be utilised to reset the balance in our lives.
It is written in a very engaging style. The layout of each chapter includes a mix of questions and exercises that help to raise our awareness and encourage self-assessment. In addition, it includes useful tips and interesting facts based on up to date research. We get glimpses into Giselle’s own resilience, work, and life patterns and how she embraced change in her own life. I especially loved Giselle’s account of her time spent in a hermitage at the foothills of the Ladie Brae Mountains in Sligo. It is funny, honest, authentic and genuine in every word: “I also packed the car with lots of food, the wrong kind of course, sweets, crisps, cakes. I remember being somewhat apprehensive of going on a ten-day silent retreat, not knowing what to expect… After roughly 3 days things changed. I changed. I fell into a rhythm of waking naturally in the morning, having a small breakfast, hiking into the hills, lighting my turf fire in the evenings and preparing a small supper. I was eating less and appreciating my food more. My mind became active in a more fruitful way” (Marrinan 2018:65).
You must read this book. It will change you. It is life affirming, life altering and as you read each chapter you will come to the realisation that we can all change. Guided and encouraged by the lighted hearted humour of Giselle’s exquisite writing, we are all encouraged to adapt a non-judgemental, kind hearted attitude towards ourselves and in the process make the changes we aspire to in our own lives, at our own pace.
I believe the current pandemic has forced us to stop, to contemplate, to re-evaluate, to re-wire our lives in new and innovate ways. We need not do it alone. We can do it in tandem with Giselle as we read, ponder and take heart with each word in this wonderful book. In joining Giselle with her intuitive knowledge, altruistic spirit and professionalism we can share in her courage to re-evaluate our lives and take small, tentative steps towards a different future, a different way of life and in the process impact positively on our happiness and well-being.
Having read Another Zero, I have decided that I will challenge myself to do something new for the next 3 months on each of the zero days: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 20, 30. Giselle, your book has inspired me in more ways than you can realise. You are an amazing life coach and I am so glad we shared some special ‘conversational moments’ in recent times.
Thank you, Giselle, for crafting and writing such a beautiful, inspirational book. Thank you @DrNiallMc of BookHub Publishing for gifting me this book and inviting me to review it. To conclude, I quote:
“In silence there is eloquence. Stop weaving and see how the pattern improves” Rumi.
THANK YOU