Picture this guy. He grew up with devout Christian mother and grandmother and had an absentee father. He was an Eagle Scout. Merit Scholar. Went on to get a degree form TX A&M and is an environmental engineer of some sort. He played by the rules. Did what he was supposed to do, but got away from his faith. Now, he has a huge mortgage, a mountain of student loan debt and 3 failed marriages. (I was the 1st one) The only truly good thing in his life that worked out the way it was supposed to is our 19 yr old daughter. He's just so negative and sour right now that he cant see that. He's miserable and lonely and has given up all his morals and standards when it comes to women. I have tried to get him to volunteer with the Scouts. I thought if he got involved with something he cared about, it would turn him around. No such luck. He's just so sad and angry and negative. Mostly over his failed relationships and being in debt, but he's taking it out on my sweet girl by pushing her away. He's coming to my house for Christmas and I want to get him a book that might help. His whole family will be around so nothing embarassing. Although his sister is getting him Match.com for Christmas. lol My current husband will be there, so nothing too nostalgic or personal. :0
I'm floored by your excellent reccomendations so far! I may pick up one or two for my husband and fil as well. I'm going to spend my day browsing your suggestions on Amazon. Keep the ideas coming. I'm really so glad I have actual people to ask questions like this of!
____@____.com! You are too funny. I know, it does sound crazy. It's not going to be an intervention or anything. :) They are getting each other Match.com. It's already agreed upon. Not an ambush. He's been on the Dave Ramsey financial diet for a long time now. That's part of his crabbyness, because he can't ever splruge on himself. I am not getting a self help book, just something inspirational. We have a great relationship and he knows I care about him. We all spend our holidays together and we always have a great time. He's looking forward to bartending the party this year. We are a family. We look out for each other. But thanks for making me giggle. What you described does sound pretty tragic.
How about Tuesdays with Morie? It's a wonderful book for anyone who needs to take a better look at life in general. In fact, all of Mitch Albom's books are very good.
Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff
Richard Carlson
It's a veru lighted hearted read.
What about the Steve Jobs biography?
Any book by David Sedaris is hilarious for some humor.....
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey? Or Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi?
On the more philosophical side, how about Your Word Is Your Wand by Florence Scovel Shinn or Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh?
I wouldn't want to be at THAT Christmas....his sister is setting him up on Match.com and his ex-wife wants to get him a "self-help" book. That whole situation is embarrassing.
How about something to do with your daughter? She is old enough now to also help put in the effort and try to get things on track. I would encourage getting his life on track as well as getting his financial affairs in order. A new girlfriend...not so much!
The Purpose Driven Life?
The Book of Man is a great book. It's not really a self-help book, if that's what you're looking for, but it is inspirational. It is a collection of writings by great men throughout history, and it has commentary by Dennis Prager (the author) about how we need more great men in society today. I gave it to my dad for his birthday, and he talks about it all the time. He loves it! I'm giving it to my husband for Christmas.
It's so thoughtful of you to want to do this for your ex. I hope he finds his way and finds joy in his life. Merry Christmas!
It's nice that you want to help him but people usually need to hit bottom before they're ready to change their lives. Your ex is sounding like the prodigal son. He may need to feed pigs a little longer before he realizes he has better options. Sorry he's taking it out on his daughter. That stinks. Good luck at Christmas.
This has nothing to do with his being down, but I am going to purchase the Michael Crichton book called "Micro" You know he wrote Jurassic Park, produced ER ...
Here is the link
http://www.michaelcrichton.net/books-micro.html
