Surrendering to Yourself

Iris Krasnow is back with her third tribute to the art of personal commitment, Surrendering to Yourself, a book that focuses on the importance of making life choices that lead to greater fulfillment. Those familiar with Krasnow's work will by now understand that her concept of "surrender" is slightly different than the norm; what she urges repeatedly with this book is for people to return to the activities that have brought them the most joy in the past. Previous titles (Surrendering to Motherhood and Surrendering to Marriage) were aimed specifically at women, and while this is written from the same perspective, it is broader in scope, with a central message that appeals equally to both genders. Inspirational interviews range from a CEOs with a passion for flying to the Yom Kippur sermon of Krasnow's rabbi, and while the topic at hand is often the author's personal search, it is no less meaningful to those who have not been stay-at-home moms. Gently different from more directly instructional manuals, Krasnow reminds us that, "However compelling these texts are and insightful the scribes are, in the end it is you, and it is I, who must figure out things for ourselves—our values, aspirations, the meaning of integrity". She's not about to provide a precise list leading to these discoveries—instead, she'll inspire you to get started on your own list. --Jill Lightner