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Journey from Head to Heart: Living and Working Authentically

Dr. Nancy Oelklaus
Loving Healing Press (2008)
ISBN 9781932690439
Reviewed by Lisa Heidle for RebeccasReads (1/08)

For 30 years, Dr. Nancy Oelklaus has been on a mission to help people improve both their personal lives and careers. In her new book, “Journey from Head to Heart: Living and Working Authentically,” Dr. Oelklaus focuses on the importance of moving away from the demands of ego toward a true, more authentic self. What separates this book from the majority of self-help manuals is the author’s awareness that many people in today’s world neglect to acknowledge the importance of personal faith and spirituality in the growth process, and in turn, are unable to integrate their actions with their beliefs.

Dr. Oelklaus believes that by not recognizing experiences from the past and not being accountable for our actions in the present, we are unable to genuinely connect with ourselves and the world around us. “Pride, perfectionism, people-pleasing, rebellion, stubbornness, and all other character defects that hinder potential and possibility,” can lead to addictions and keep people from being content.

She insists that speaking from the heart creates a “safe space for others to learn and change.” The phrase, “What I truly want to say is…,” allows people to focus and limit their language in order to effectively communicate not only their words, but their energy. Dr. Oelklaus also impresses upon the reader the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive people as opposed to negative people. She supports the idea through explaining mirror neurons—the brain chemistry that is created when we are in the presence of positive chemical energy as opposed to negative, energy-draining chemicals.    

Daily maintenance tools that enable the reader to stay on the positive path created are offered throughout “Journey from Head to Heart.” Utilizing prayer or meditation, reading inspirational quotes and implementing the process of “Ask, Release and Wait” when asking questions in order to build patience are just a few examples. By utilizing these tools, we are able to recognize the issues that keep us from focusing on important aspects and people in our lives.

In Chapter 2 of  “Journey from Head to Heart,” Dr. Oelklaus writes, “But there comes a time in adulthood when we must align who we truly are with what we do and how we act. When it’s time to become authentic—to realize our purpose in life, our heart’s desire.” Her voice resounds with sincerity, helping the reader know that authenticity is a gift we are all born with and, with a little internal work, can locate again. With a unique perspective on personal development, Oelklaus reminds us that enlightenment is a state of being that places us on the path to self-discovery. People believe that enlightenment is the destination, when in actuality it is only the beginning, the awareness that first we must discover where our soul resides before we can truly become whole.

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