The World's Best Book Summaries
Is self-sacrificing love genuine? Where can it lead? In The Road Less Traveled, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck asserts that self-sacrificing love is a myth. It’s not genuine love. If you believe it is, you are likely to end up with two destructive results: social sadomasochism and destructive nurturing. Read more to learn about this view of self-sacrificing love.
In what way is separateness a healthy aspect of relationships? Is growth as a couple more important than growth as individuals? In The Road Less Traveled, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck argues that couples should embrace separateness. It’s a myth that love prioritizes growth as a couple. In reality, love puts growth as individuals first. Only then does true growth occur. Continue reading to learn about the value of separateness.
When love is real, how do you know? What is it like? Often we throw around the word “love” too easily. Sometimes we use it with all seriousness—yet our definition is seriously wrong. It’s important to know what genuine love is, as it is a huge aspect of life. Keep reading to learn how to know when love is real.
How do meaningful relationships help prevent loneliness and depression? Why does the collective lifestyle of Amish communities help members avoid loneliness and depression? Meaningful relationships restore us to our natural states as social animals living in close-knit societies. This prevents loneliness and provides a support group that can help you heal from depression. Amish communities share everything and everyone is regarded as family. This style of collective living creates a connected community and drastically reduces the risk of depression. Read on to learn more about how meaningful relationships help prevent depression.
What are the risks of love? Is love worth the risk? The risks of love include loss, independence, commitment, and confrontation. It requires courage to take risks, and we grow when we exercise courage and act with love. Taking these risks also supports the growth of the people we care about. Keep reading to learn about the four risks of love.
What are the common myths about love? Do you believe any of them? In The Road Less Traveled, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck identifies five myths about love. Once you understand them, you will be better equipped to practice genuine love. Keep reading to learn five myths about love.
What is emotional discipline? What’s the healthiest way to handle your feelings? Emotional discipline doesn’t mean that you ignore your feelings. It means that you address your feelings in a measured way. You can avoid the traps of too little structure or too much structure—striking a healthy emotional balance—so that you can put more energy toward growth. Read more to learn about healthy emotional discipline.
Do you believe in effortless love? Or do you think that love takes work? According to psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, effortless love is a myth. Genuine love takes work, and work requires attention. He argues that listening with full attention is a critical act of genuine love for parenting and other types of relationships. He also discusses when love isn’t worth the effort. Keep reading to better understand how and why love takes work.
What is dependency disorder? Why is it sometimes confused with love? A common myth about love is that it is the same as dependency. However, dependency is a disorder in which the need for nurture takes over your life. Dependency disorder is parasitic, not leaving room for freedom. True love is interdependence, a healthy dynamic that thrives on freedom. Keep reading to learn more about dependency disorder and how it is different from love.
What is solution-based therapy? How does it differ from other forms of psychotherapy? Unlike many forms of therapy, solution-based therapy doesn’t look into the past. Instead, it focuses on the problem at hand. It helps you identify solutions by answering specific questions. Read more to learn about solution-based therapy.