Out of adversity springs forth hope and knowledge - that is the premise behind "Waking Up on the Toilet: Real Experiences about Appreciating Real Life" by Aliya Fonseca. The book is broken down into seven chapters, each dealing with a different emotional crossroad - family tribulations, love issues, searching for peace, recognition of friends, boundaries, reality and self introspection.

This book talks about or narrates to us many different inspirational stories from people of different walks of life. There are so many stories contained in this book. Each story tells us about the experiences of these generous people. The stories are encouraging and a source of comfort. The authors also feel “…these stories will show one that no matter how different your situation may seem…you are not alone.” This feeling of closeness appeals to me and my friends. This book can help you flush some of your problems according to the experience of the authors.

Ms. Fonseca proceeds to give her readers some homework by asking questions regarding the chapter just read in her "Waking up Exercises" section. This exercise is geared towards helping you understand how the chapter just read might pertain to an issue in your life. By responding to the questions you will be able to find the answers to resolving an issue within you and enable you to flush out all the negative feelings associated with this problem in your life. You will then receive a list of feelings that you will acquire as a result of flushing away the negative emotions that have held you in their grip and rendered you helpless.

As simplistic as this may sound, it is usually the most-simple act that can be the most effective one. By enabling you to face your fears and anger you are putting a face and a name to an emotion that has been holding you back and the psychologically mental action of flushing it down the toilet releases you from the restraints of this negative feeling thus freeing you to experience a host of positive feelings. This will then supposedly bring about a feeling of "wholeness" and help you accept happiness.

I recommend this book because it can teach each one of us lessons that can help us in our daily lives. Most people, I think, would enjoy reading this book, especially those with teens. Waking Up on the Toilet: Real Experiences about Appreciating Real Life teaches the basic benefits of flushing negative experiences out of one’s life, so you can move forward enlightened and wiser. It certainly kept me flushing.

http://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Toilet-Experience-Appreciating/dp/142591...

Reviewed by Evelyn Duran for Reader Reviews

Author's Bio: 

20 year veteran of reviewing non-fiction books.