This book has helped me overcome some painful experiences in my life. If you want to really understand what letting go means, I'd also recommend a great companion of this book about relationships I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

I use the information in this book in my daily experience. Great tool! Healthy living!

Orange Papers verbatim:

The A.A. God:

The A.A. God is the generic brand that comes in a plain white box at the supermarket.

The A.A. God has a lot of will. He has a Will for everything and everybody, and everybody is supposed to do something to please God. Apparently, the A.A. God did not succeed in making the world the way that He wanted it to be, so both He and his followers have to be constantly changing things, trying to get it right.

The A.A. God is an authoritarian male figure Who closely resembles an Old-Testament patriarch, like Charlton Heston playing Moses.

The A.A. God is a dictator.

The A.A. God wants you to be a slave forever.

The A.A. God loves you the most when you are grovelling on your knees, confessing what a worthless sinner you are. Only then will the A.A. God do favors for you.

The A.A. God is highly illogical, if not outright insane. First, the A.A. God will stick you with the genes for alcoholism and make you a born alcoholic, then He will wish you weren't an alcoholic and an excessive drinker. Go figure.

The A.A. God has a grand plan for you: First, incurable alcoholism, and then, more incurable alcoholism.

The A.A. God is so harsh that He will condemn you to a horrible painful death by alcohol unless you properly perform your sycophant duties every day. The A.A. God routinely kills alcoholics who don't Work the Steps thoroughly.

When the A.A. God heals alcoholics, He only fixes them for one day at a time. For some unknown reason, God's magic wears off after 24 hours.

The A.A. God micromanages the world. He is constantly tweaking everything, pulling millions and billions of puppet strings to make things happen differently, to make things turn out exactly the way He wants, and to convenience some of his followers.

The A.A. God cheats at solitaire.

A decade or so ago a friend who was going through a rough patch in her life had a therapist who highly recommended this book of meditations. I happened to be in Barnes and Noble with her when she bought Melody Beattie's book, and after perusing a few of the passages, I bought one for myself. What a difference reading The Language of Letting Go made (and continues to make) in my life.

I've bought and given away several copies of Letting Go since that night in the bookstore in the hope that my friends will benefit as much as I have from these sage words of "gentle" advice and reminders that we deserve "the best that life and love have to offer." A few of my personal favorites are the reminders to be patient and realize that timing is perfect, that it's okay to say "no" sometimes and equally okay to say yes to what feels right and good, and that we are responsible for taking care of ourselves.

The realization that we are being divinely led and that we need to trust our Higher Power is reinforced throughout the book. Anyone interested in growth and self-care will benefit from reading it.

as a recovering addict I found ther were other areas in my life that needed work.
This little daily reader has hit home on many fronts and although the language of letting go is directed towards co-dependency I found a lot of answers between it's pages that help me daily. I recomend this to anyone just for an up lifting way to live.

I HAVE HAD THIS BOOK FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT VERY USEFUL.
I NOW GIVE IT AS A GIFT TO NEW WOMEN I WORK WITH IN A 12 STEP PROGRAM.

This is another wonderful insight by Melodie Beattie into codependency....the daily readings are very helpful!

This book is a priceless essential to my arsenal.So many mornings I may have a personal question or need for inspiration, and I turn to this writing.When one needs comfort,understanding, and compassion in troubling times they can find it in Ms Beattie's Works.

I bought this book along with another of Melody's. I think she is a very caring and understanding person and this book gives me daily readings to keep up my spirits and know that I am not alone and I can fix my own problems. I wasn't expecting a daily devotional type of book, but I am so glad now that I have it. They say one day at a time.. and right now that's what I'm giving.

Not what I expected it to be. More religious than I prefer and definately works with the AA platform which wasn't what I wanted.

Melody Beattie has an amazing way of inspiring and clarifying. I have loved everything that I have read of hers....Definitely buy this!

This book has an inspirational meditation for every day of the year. I have had mine for 6 years and I purchased 4 for some friends and they love it. It gives me things to think about for the health of my mind and soul on a daily basis. I love this daily meditation book.

Great daily meditation book for codependents. I love it! Every entry has something in it that really grabs your attention and has you saying "that's so me!" Great author, I love her.

This is a book of comfort that several times a year I get for friends that are going through rough times. The messages apply over and over regardless of the situation. It's a book that can be read through out a lifetime.

This is a great little book. I read from it every night and it only takes a minute or two. Nothing really earth shattering, but it just reminds me of things to think about to achieve the goal of letting go of unhealthy attachments, expectations, relationships, etc. Sometimes I feel like it was written especially to me; sometimes it doesn't really apply. But overall, this book is supportive and encouraging.

Never received the books. Second time this has happened. Don't Order from Amazon.

This is a book of comfort that several times a year I get for friends that are going through rough times. The messages apply over and over regardless of the situation. It's a book that can be read through out a lifetime.

This book is wonderful. A great addition to add to all my codependency literature. I use it daily and won't leave home without it!

This is a great little book. I read from it every night and it only takes a minute or two. Nothing really earth shattering, but it just reminds me of things to think about to achieve the goal of letting go of unhealthy attachments, expectations, relationships, etc. Sometimes I feel like it was written especially to me; sometimes it doesn't really apply. But overall, this book is supportive and encouraging.

Never received the books. Second time this has happened. Don't Order from Amazon.

I was given this book, which by the bindings you can tell was already well read, by a friend who is in AA. she told me to open the book to any page and just read, read out loud. As I began to read I also began to cry, something I don't do much. this book has touched me in places I didn't know I had, my soul. I have bought several copies of this book and have gaven them to friends I thought it could help and it has and now they too are buying copies and passing it along to their loved ones. I couldn't imagine my life without this book now. I Thank my very dear friend for opening up this new door for me.

This book is an excellent tool for one learing to cope without being dependent. Daily meditations/guidance is organized chronologically. The only bad comment I can male is that there is no way to look up a specific topic which is immediately pressing. But, this book is worth the $ to the ones who need guidance.

I absolutely LOVE this book. I have been in recovery for over 13 years. I bought each of my 6 sponsees this book, and my sponsor. Melody Beattie is awesome! Lisa Burton


Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

This book should be required reading by everyone! I have given away copies of this book, and have one of my own. I have learned more about life from this book - how to deal with it, handle it, and survive it - then any other book I've ever read.
Melodie Beattie lived it and we get to benefit from her lessons. Thank God for this gift!

This book tells you what it really means to let go and what happens if you truly let go. Many times we think we have let go of something in our heads but we are just in denial. Our heart has not really let go. This book has helped me overcome some of the most painful experiences in my life. After you read this book, you will feel very free and understand how life is actually quite simple and extremely beautiful.I would highly recommend this book if you are interested in understanding relationships at a deeper level.It opened my eyes and my heart to the blessings I truly have and could have.

I used one of the readings in this book and one of the readings in its sequel, "More Language of Letting Go," as the topics in a recent 12-step meeting I was called on to lead. I was a little bit fearful about using these books, as this was not a meeting of the 12-step program that might be most naturally associated with Ms. Beattie and her writings (although a close cousin). The second person to speak up after I opened the meeting for sharing confirmed my belief that these books were "spot-on," and so I have chosen that as the title of my review. (You know who you are, should you ever read these words, and I thank you once again.)

I first discovered this book just over two years ago when I experienced the first temporary break-up with my partner, a break-up that would happen several more times over the succeedings months and only recently happened in such a way that I intend to be permanent. At the time of the first break-up, I turned to this book for reassurance that I was not a bad person for wanting out. Now, two years later (and having discovered the sequel in the meantime), the affirmations I'm finding in it are much deeper and much more positive affirmations.

Of course, it's obvious from the title of the book that these little readings, usually about a page or so in length, are directed most specifically towards those who have decided that "letting go" is an appropriate response to a particular person, place or thing in his or her life. And it's amazing how often Ms. Beattie says things that I have personally experienced, although often without sufficient insight at the time to realize that I was experiencing them. It's as though she has the ability to put my feelings into words.

For me, the hardest thing to do when reading this book is to restrict myself to the reading for that particular day. I have finally given up. When I feel the need to, I just read on or skip to a different section of the book. I am always encouraged by what the author has to say.

I gave "The Language of Letting Go" five stars because that is the maximum I am allowed. If it were up to me, I'd give it a hundred. This book and its sequel are the best of the many meditation books I have been through. Most enthusiastically recommended.

I personally believe in the power of daily practice of meditation and focussing on the moment at hand. Being mindful of whats in front of us is the key to life. This book helps with the task of living one day at a time and growing each moment. Highly recommended. Also, would love if you checked out my book which is similar, "Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present." Thanks and enjoy your daily journey.

I discovered this book years ago and have shared it with others over the years. I literally have given away my copy when a friend or acquantance could benefit more at the time. It is nice to find someone who is willing to share their knowledge with the rest of us.

I had been thinking about buying a book on this topic for some time to further my self improvement process.

This book is about so much more than letting go. It is also about personal power. When you let go of something, it loses its power to control you, and you move forward with your life in a more empowering way.

This book is set up with daily meditations on different issues. If you were to open any page at random, you would probably find something very useful. It is easily read, and as you read can feel the shift in your perception, as these simple to follow principles make a lot of sense.

If you are like most people, there are plenty of things you need to let go of, and you probably have no idea what some of these are. The first step is to identify that a change needs to be made.

Here are many ideas you can use to improve your life. There are too many for me to list in a review, but here are a few biggies:

Attachment, guilt, blame, seeking appoval, codependency, fear, doubt, controlling, family issues, perfection, martyrdom, denial, grief, anger, victimhood.

You replace these non serving beliefs with something more empowering, as you start to practice detachment, self approval, develop an abundance mentality, an attitude of gratitude etc.

There is a principle in psychology that if you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.

So,let go and move forward. Imagine how pleased you will be when you have made a lasting change in your life. All lasting changes in your outer reality are accompanied by changes in internal perception.

I highly recommend this book. If you were to find this review helpful, please click yes.

I was given this book by a friend who saw me going through some difficult times. This book is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! The words you find in these daily meditations apply to those of us who are "codependent" in other ways too! It applies to everyday life. You HAVE to get this book if you want some uplifting.

You don't have to know the 12 Steps to follow the daily meditations. It's a nice way to start your day, or to take a break in the day. Not "touchy-feely", so accessible to all people. Each daily topic varies in scope. Sometimes I open it up to the reading and say, "Wow. That is exactly what I need today."

Each passage is labeled for a day of the year and offers guidance, encouragement, and a reminder of personal progress. These snacks of emotional strength give fuel for positive meditation. If you are attempting to move on from a destructive, codependent relationship (like me), this book is wonderful for daily healing. While no single book is a cure-all, The Language of Letting Go can be one of many helps on a path to recovery.

As an alcoholic in recovery, it never occured to me that I'd also need to address unhealthy and painful co-dependent issues. This book is wonderful--inspirational, and easy to follow along, either day by day or by subject topic.

The daily readings help me to focus in on specific patterns, and generally help to remember that I grow when I nurture and love myself. What a life saver!!

(Note: Amazon lumps all Language of Letting Go products together. This review refers to ISBN#1401903479 which is a 50 card deck based on the book of the same name.)

"Today I will trust that the events occurring in my life are not random. My experiences aren't mistakes, and the Universe, my Higher Power, and life are not picking on me. I'm going through exactly what I need to go through to learn something valuable-something that will prepare me for the joy and love that I'm seeking." -from the Trusting in Life card

Melody Beattie, the bestselling author of The Language of Letting Go, has created a 50 card deck reminding us that we can ask for and accept the healing energy of God and the Universe each and every day. Based on her bestselling book, this beautifully illustrated deck inspires both self empowerment and present moment awareness. By truly living in the present moment, we can allow life to happen instead of trying to force outcomes. Relinquishing regrets over the past and fears about the future, we can make the most of every day. The Language of Letting Go Cards gently prods us to take a closer look at the limiting beliefs we've adopted, providing an empowering affirmation on each card.

A few of examples from the deck:

Accepting Change

"Today I will be open to the process of change. I will trust my Higher Power and believe that the place where I'll be dropped off is better than the place where I was picked up. I know that change is necessary to take me wherever I need to go."

Approving of Myself

"I will let go of my need for approval and my need to be liked. Instead, I will choose to like and approve of myself. The people who count (including me) will respect me when I'm true to who I really am."

Maintaining Boundaries

"Today I will gain a new awareness of those areas where I need healthier boundaries. I will release my naýve assumption that the other person is always right. I will exchange that view for trusting and listening to myself, and setting and maintaining healthy boundaries."

Rescuing Myself

"Today I will not wait for someone to come to my aid. I'm not helpless. Although help may come, I'm my own rescuer. My relationships will dramatically improve when I stop rescuing others and stop expecting others to rescue me."

The Language of Letting Go Cards are 5.7 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches on thick, sturdy card stock. The vibrant glossy images feature the unique artwork of Elizabeth Rosen, and capture the thematic essence of each message. There is no companion booklet for these cards, and it's not necessary to have read the book to use this inspiring deck. I recommend these cards for meditation and affirmation, and for use in conjunction with self-inquiry and journaling.

(To see 6 card images from this deck, visit the Reviews section of JanetBoyer.com)

This book has daily reminders of what I learned in Codependent No More. It was a great way to keep the new thoughts and ideas fresh in my mind. I was a little afraid I wouldn't apply the new information in my life, but using this book daily helped me significantly.

I own an original copy and have used it year after year being it's not dated. When you are ready to get real with your recovery issues, even the hard ones, this one digs in the dirt. In short, she gets to the heart of the matter in a "real" way.

I have also found that the daily meditation's address something thats going on around me in some form. I don't have to like it! BUT, most of the days I do have to "own it" because I know it to be true. I need a calender of each meditation to stamp on my forehead to remind me daily.
Beattie is tuff and real but most of all positive and compassionate. I own many of her books and cherish each one.

I also like that I can use this book time and time again. Worth the buy.

I had to write to counter the review that suggested this book was unhealthy and wallowing. Maybe all the other positive reviews would be enough to counteract it, but I figured another wouldn't hurt. In short, this book is practical, positive and helpful, and very much consistent with core Christian teachings (and other faiths as well). I'm usually skeptical about these books, but I find the daily readings to be uncannily relevant and consistently helpful.

Written by the experts, it offers sound and invaluable advice on letting go and releasing yourself from co-dependency.

The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to work through the painful process of ending a relationship. I highly recommend this book!

John D. Moore, MS, CADC
---
Author of Confusing Love with Obsession

Melody Beattie's book "The Language Of Letting Go" is a tender caring work of art.
Gently she speaks to the spirit inside of us and lets us know that it is ok to be ourselves.
Something most of us are not use to doing, something we need to be allowed to do.

Her words are those of one who has tasted of the emotions that she shares and her advise is like sweet honey to the reader.
Sometimes what we need is just someone to say, it's ok to be you! The author does this and more.
A very well written meditation book that will soothe many that read the words between the covers of this work.
Recommended!

This book tells you what it really means to let go and what happens if you truly let go. Many times we think we have let go of something in our heads but we are just in denial. Our heart has not really let go. This book has helped me overcome some of the most painful experiences in my life. If you want to really understand what letting go means, I'd also recommend "The Ever-transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. After you read this book by Toru, you will feel very free and understand how life is actually quite simple and extremely beautiful.

I had just read Ms. Beattie's famous/infamous "Codependent No More" and was inspired by her revolutionary ideas: I didn't have to depend on others for approval; I didn't have to base my self-worth on how helpful I was to friends; I didn't have to over-react to everything that happened in my life; I didn't have to think negatively about myself; if I didn't cause the problem then it wasn't my responsibility to fix it.

As a teenager about to enter the "real world," it seemed all I heard from others was what I was "not" doing right. I should know more than I did and be more grateful for what I have; what college did I want to attend? Why wasn't I more ambitious? What's more, I was odd for being frightened by the fact that the world as I knew it was about to fall apart when all my friends moved away to college. Raised among drug addicts and alcoholics, it had been a difficult life thus far. And apparently, if what teachers told me was any indication, it would only get more difficult as I took on the responsibilities of being an adult. Melody's book gave me something that I so desperately needed and could find nowhere else: compassion.

"Codependent No More" was so comforting that I wanted to "live" in its pages. I felt I had entered a new world, and I didn't want to leave. I wanted a way to remember everything I had learned from Melody Beattie about "owning my power" and being compassionate with myself. I wanted a way to "stay on track." I wanted a "guide," something of a daily ritual to keep myself mindful of the liberation she had introduced me to. To that end, I sent Melody Beattie a letter thanking her for her work and asking if she knew anything about "Codependents Anonymous" groups. I was honored to receive a reply, and she directed me to the national headquarters for CoDA. I began to go to the meetings at the now closed "Journey's Bookstore" in Beaverton, Oregon, and that is where I found this book, "The Language of Letting Go". These meditations helped keep me focused on what I had learned, and the meetings allowed me to share what I had learned. And this all enabled me to do what I had wanted: "live" in the pages of Melody's compassion.

Melody is a poet. These meditations are not "scientific" or technical, and they are not even really "meditations" per se - they are more daily reminders, notes from Melody, on how to find happiness within oneself, and how to be compassionate with oneself when such happiness seems impossible. There is no "fancy" language that will necessitate a dictionary, and no unattainable goals are suggested. There are no come-ons to suggest that your life will not be complete unless you buy her other books. These meditations feel like letters from a friend, a friend who enjoys her life and is happy to share her personal insights and situations she has learned from; that is one of the most enjoyable things about this book, the personal stories Melody shares. There is no "finger pointing" in this book. I very faithfully read one meditation per day during the remainder of my last year of High School, and it made life bearable and gave me hope that things would get better (they did). The underlying message of this book could be: breathe, smile, relax, let go.

If you are looking for a structured way to practice what you have learned from Melody's other books, I would recommend these meditations.

A beautiful, extremely helpful book of readings for anyone in any type of recovery (and who among us is not recovering from something?).

Wonderfully simple and to the point. She's made that all-important connection with the Divine and it's clearly coming through in her writing to assist us in our woes. When no one else is around to help ease the pain, open this book for an insightful pep talk and affirmation/meditation that will take the edge off your fear. The best way to use the book is to sit quietly (first thing in the morning is very good), take a few deep breaths and ask, "What's going on with me???" You'll be amazed when you open right to the appropriate passage.

This book was incredibly inspiring and helpful. It is the first self-help, take-control-of-your-life book that has ever really worked for me. I bought it at a time of turmoil when the deaths of several people close to me had me in a very *down* state of mind. I have also found it valuable in dealing with other people, not necessarily my own problems--of course, other people can be one's problems. Beattie manages to give us thoughts to live by in a non-religious yet spiritual context that is very appealing and very practical.

I have tremendous admiration for Melody Beattie's books. THE LANGUAGE OF LETTING GO is a particular favorite which I use daily as a source of connection with my Higher Power, and has been an important resource in my fledgling recovery from codependence and my desire to have healthy, loving relationships. There is a meditation and suggestion for each day of the year, making it possible to consider issues of recovery "one day at a time". It takes a great deal of courage to face codependency and begin a program of recovery; THE LANGUAGE OF LETTING GO is a valuable tool to use in the process.

Written for those recovering from codependency, these meditations are inspirational for anyone who yearns to step out of the patterns that keep us stuck in unhealthy relationships. Beattie is gentle but clear in urging the reader to move on.

I'll admit it -- I read this book through a crisis and a time of life that saw transitions everywhere. And while I'm still reeling from pain, and disbelief of the events that have happened to me in the past few years, I am already so much better from reading this book.

When I find myself tempted by defeating behaviors, reading one passage reminds me why I don't want to continue down that road any longer.

The funny thing is, I never saw myself as a codependent or as an addictive person. It doesn't matter what type of turmoil you're going through -- this book WILL remind you of a better way of life.

It truly is a lifeline. I keep a copy at work and am discovering I'll need one at home to. If you struggle with any type of negativity, this book can help remind you that it's really going to be okay.

I found this book not long after joining Al-Anon and establishing a daily devotional time. I was stuck in a long term emotionally abusive relationship and attempting to escape it. The Language of Letting Go showed me I deserved to be happy. It gave me so much hope for a better future. I still read it daily, its my bible. Thanks Melodie, this book helped me create a life!

I didn't know that there could ever be a book that could influence my life so much. It helps to lift your spirit, your mind and your body. I wish that everyone could read it. I bought a copy for everyone I love.