Finding Your Own North Star : Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live

"The North Star -- Stella Polaris -- is a fixed point that can always be used to figure out which way you're headed. Explorers and mariners can depend on Polaris when there are no other landmarks in sight. The same relationship exists between you and your right life, the ultimate realization of your potential for happiness. I believe that a knowledge of that perfect life sits inside you just as the North Star sits in its unaltering spot. You may think you're utterly lost, but brush away the leaves, wait for the clouds to clear, and you'll see your destiny shining as brightly as ever; the fixed point in the constantly changing constellations of your life."--Martha Beck As the creator of Life Designs, Inc., Martha Beck has helped hundreds of clients find their own North Star and figure out how to fulfill their potential and create joyful lives through her lectures, seminars, and one-on-one counseling. In her new book, she shares her step-by-step program that will guide you to fulfill your own potential. You'll start by learning how to read the internal compasses already built into your brain and body -- and why you may have spent your life ignoring their signals. As you become reacquainted with your own deepest desires, you'll identify and repair any unconscious beliefs or unhealed emotional wounds that may be blocking your progress. This will change your life, but don't worry -- although every life is unique, major transformations have common elements, and Beck provides a map that will guide you through your own life changes. You'll learn how to navigate every stage, from the first flickering appearance of a new dream to the planning and implementation of your own ideal life. Based on Dr. Beck's work as a Harvard-trained sociologist, research associate at Harvard Business School, instructor at Thunderbird Business School, and especially on her experiences with her clients over the last six years, Finding Your Own North Star offers thoroughly tested case studies, questionnaires, and exercises to help you articulate your core desires and act on them to build a more satisfying life. It's exhilarating and frightening to change your life. Finding Your Own North Star is a trusted companion for the journey. Filled with inspiration, wisdom, and Martha Beck's trademark wit, this is the right book for anyone whose life ever took a wrong turn. From the Hardcover edition. "The North Star -- Stella Polaris -- is a fixed point that can always be used to figure out which way you're headed. Explorers and mariners can depend on Polaris when there are no other landmarks in sight. The same relationship exists between you and your right life, the ultimate realization of your potential for happiness. I believe that a knowledge of that perfect life sits inside you just as the North Star sits in its unaltering spot. You may think you're utterly lost, but brush away the leaves, wait for the clouds to clear, and you'll see your destiny shining as brightly as ever; the fixed point in the constantly changing constellations of your life." -- Martha BeckAs the creator of Life Designs, Inc., Martha Beck has helped hundreds of clients find their own North Star and figure out how to fulfill their potential and create joyful lives through her lectures, seminars, and one-on-one counseling. In her new book, she shares her step-by-step program that will guide you to fulfill your own potential. You'll start by learning how to read the internal compasses already built into your brain and body -- and why you may have spent your life ignoring their signals. As you become reacquainted with your own deepest desires, you'll identify and repair any unconscious beliefs or unhealed emotional wounds that may be blocking your progress. This will change your life, but don't worry -- although every life is unique, major transformations have common elements, and Beck provides a map that will guide you through your own life changes. You'll learn how to navigate every stage, from the first flickering appearance of a new dream to the planning and implementation of your own ideal life.Based on Dr. Beck's work as a Harvard-trained sociologist, research associate at Harvard Business School, instructor at Thunderbird Business School, and especially on her experiences with her clients over the last six years, Finding Your Own North Star offers thoroughly tested case studies, questionnaires, and exercises to help you articulate your core desires and act on them to build a more satisfying life.It's exhilarating and frightening to change your life. Finding Your Own North Star is a trusted companion for the journey. Filled with inspiration, wisdom, and Martha Beck's trademark wit, this is the right book for anyone whose life ever took a wrong turn.From the Hardcover edition. Leaving the Saints is an unforgettable memoir about one woman's spiritual quest and journey toward faith. As "Mormon royalty" within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Martha Beck was raised in a home frequented by the Church's high elders--known as the apostles--and her existence was framed by their strict code of conduct. Wearing her sacred garments, she married in a secret temple ceremony--but only after two Mormon leaders ascertained that her "past contained no flirtation with serious sins, such as committing murder or drinking coffee." She went to church faithfully with the other brothers and sisters of her ward. When her son was born with Down syndrome, she and her husband left their graduate programs at Harvard to return to Provo, Utah, where they knew the supportive Mormon community would embrace them.However, soon after Martha began teaching at Brigham Young University, she began to see firsthand the Church's ruthlessness as it silenced dissidents and masked truths that contradicted its published beliefs. Most troubling of all, she was forced to face her history of sexual abuse by one of the Church's most prominent authorities. This book chronicles her difficult decision to sever her relationship with the faith that had cradled her for so long and to confront and forgive the person who betrayed her so deeply. This beautifully written, inspiring memoir explores the powerful yearning toward faith. It offers a rare glimpse inside one of the world's most secretive religions while telling a profoundly moving story of personal courage, survival, and the transformative power of spirituality.From the Hardcover edition. New York Times bestselling author and Life Designs, Inc. creator Martha Beck shares her step-by-step program that will guide you to fulfill your own potential and create a joyful life. In this book, you'll start by learning how to read the internal compasses already built into your brain and body--and why you may have spent your life ignoring their signals. As you become reacquainted with your own deepest desires, you'll identify and repair any unconscious beliefs or unhealed emotional wounds that may be blocking your progress. This will change your life, but don't worry--although every life is unique, major transformations have common elements, and Beck provides a map that will guide you through your own life changes. You'll learn how to navigate every stage, from the first flickering appearance of a new dream to the planning and implementation of your own ideal life. Based on Dr. Beck's work as a Harvard-trained sociologist, research associate at Harvard Business School, instructor at Thunderbird Business School, and especially on her experiences with her clients over the last six years, Finding Your Own North Star offers thoroughly tested case studies, questionnaires, and exercises to help you articulate your core desires and act on them to build a more satisfying life. “Explorers depend on the North Star when there are no other landmarks in sight. The same relationship exists between you and your right life, the ultimate realization of your potential for happiness. I believe that a knowledge of that perfect life sits inside you just as the North Star sits in its unaltering spot.” -- Martha Beck A Memoir Of One Woman's Spiritual Quest And Journey Toward Faith. As Mormon Royalty, Beck Was Raised In A Home Frequented By The Church's High Elders, And Her Existence Was Framed By Their Strict Code Of Conduct. However, Soon After Martha Began Teaching At Brigham Young University, She Began To See Firsthand The Church's Ruthlessness As It Silenced Dissidents And Masked Truths That Contradicted Its Published Beliefs. Most Troubling Of All, She Was Forced To Face Her History Of Sexual Abuse By One Of The Church's Most Prominent Authorities. This Book Chronicles Her Difficult Decision To Sever Her Relationship With The Faith That Had Cradled Her For So Long, And To Confront And Forgive The Person Who Betrayed Her So Deeply.--publisher. Room At The Inn -- Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, I Am From Utah -- Inner Darkness -- The Milky Way -- The Kingdom Of God -- The Work -- Valhalla -- The Camel -- Oak Hills Fourth -- The World Of Allusion -- Miracles -- Elizabeth -- The Lord's University -- Dad Faces Death, Part I -- Nightmares -- The Light -- Dad Faces Death, Part Ii -- Blast From The Past -- Ran Dori -- Understanding Dad -- Silence -- Father Abraham -- The Mummy -- The Man In Tweed -- Herding Parrots -- Anger -- Paranoia -- The Stream -- Purity -- The Gang Bang -- Dana -- Dissidence -- The September Six -- Committing Publicity -- Personal Priesthood -- The Child -- Death -- The Tempest -- Designing A Life -- Paradise Lost And Found -- Epilogue. Martha Beck.