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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Book Review: Living in the Rear View Mirror: From Substance Abuse to a Life of Substance


What is the consequence of allowing the pain of your past to create your life today? This compelling story is a case study in how our thoughts affect our reality. It shows how miracles happen when we embrace our own worth and become who we are meant to be.


Fiction or non-fiction Non-fiction
Genre: Memoir
Where did I get the book: Westwind Communications
Proudly supporting a Michigan based Marketing Firm!!! Yay!
Reason for reading: Review Copy


My thoughts:

I think Kim is a pretty brave lady. She's dealt with a lot over her lifetime and I couldn't help but be moved by her story. At times, in her adult years I found myself getting mad at her. I wanted to yell "BREAK THE CYCLE, QUIT DRINKING AND TAKING PRESCRIPTION PILLS!!" But unfortunately that doesn't happen until much later in her life. The one thing that I took from this book was how easy it is for young kids and teens to fall into the trappings of getting drunk or getting high. After reading Kim's story I totally understand how blessed I was with parents that gave me attention, validation, and unconditional love. Those children that don't receive those precious gifts from their parents are more susceptible to fall between the cracks and to check out. Kim tells her story with unflinching honesty and she never gives herself a pass on any of her past behaviors. This story could have turned out really, really bad, but lucky for her and for us, Kim was able to overcome her addictions and make her life into something worthwhile.

Quotes from book:
"Kim," Evelyn said, "it seems to me that your bad relationships lasted two to three years at a pop. Do you realize that after that amount of time you cross over from a victim to a volunteer?"
That was a good point.
p.221



Here's what I learned. The world owes me nothing because of what I've been through. I am a product of those experiences, and I have the choice to either make those lessons count for something or let them destroy my life. Each dy that I choose to dwell in the story of my past, I can't see the beauty of the day I'm in. Today, instead of looking for the slights that others perpetrate on me, I look for the kindness they give me. And I always find them. What you seek, you shall find. p.244


About Kim Vazquez:
Kim is a mortgage broker and former business owner who found her true calling in helping others tune into their spiritual guidance. Although it took 24 years from her first angel sighting for her to embrace her spiritual gifts, she now derives the greatest joy from using these abilities to improve the quality of others' lives. She conducts Angel Readings through her practice, works as a spiritual counselor, and offers workshops and seminars in Placer County, California where she lives with her husband. She can be reached at www.kimvazquez.com or www.journeywithangels.com

10 comments:

  1. I can completely relate to this book.....having been sober myself for manyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy years....This is something that I can wow relate....great review Staci! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  2. Brave gal, but I am not much for memoirs really.
    Great review

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  3. I often wonder how authors can stand to write characters that you just want to shake! I think really it shows their talent - it's like actors being a horrible person I guess. But still, I think if I wrote I would have to "fix" everybody right away! Especially since it is so much easier to do on paper than in real life!!! :--)

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  4. I think it's hard for those of us who don't have problems with alcohol and drugs to realize just how difficult it is for an addict to give them up. I love memoirs like this. Thanks for the review.

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  5. This sounds like a compelling memoir, Staci. Having grown up with someone with an addiction, I know how detrimental it can be on the family and on the individual. I am glad the author was able to get her life together--that's definitely something to be proud of.

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  6. Hi Staci,

    There's been times I wish I could go back in time and shake me! I'm just stopping in to say thank you. I appreciate your thoughtful review. Peace & Love, Kim Vazquez

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  7. It sounds like a good memoir, I am curious though how the author addresses addiction as a disease? I guess I will have to read a copy to find out! :D

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  8. You've got to admire any one who can overcome those kind of obstacles and then share it with others. nice review.

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  9. I think the author should be applauded for her courage and desire to help others with this memoir. I enjoy well written memoirs so I'll look out for this one.

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  10. In my line of work, I see a lot of people who have fallen prey to their addictions, particularly (these days) prescription pills. I've often wanted to get into my clients' heads and find out what led them to do the things they do...this might be a good one to read to enlighten me!

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