Cover Image: Thank You. I’m Sorry. Tell Me More.

Thank You. I’m Sorry. Tell Me More.

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Thank you for the ARC

Fantastic self help booked based on 3 phrases, not for everyone but I really enjoyed working through this.

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Thank You. I'm Sorry. Tell Me More.
by Rod Wilson
Pub Date: January 11, 2022
Nav Press
I liked this book. In this simple yet profound book, clinical psychologist Rod Wilson introduces us to the sacredness of these familiar but forgotten sayings. What impact do these sayings have on our relationships?

When we say, “Thank you,” we acknowledge the way others impact us.
When we say, “I’m sorry,” we acknowledge the way we impact others.
When we say, “Tell me more,” we acknowledge the way we impact each other.

Try it. Read this book and be encouraged and equipped to deliver kindness in your speech. As you engage with these three phrases more thoughtfully and speak them more frequently, you will enjoy a life full of deeper friendships and joy. Thanks to Nav Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I am glad to recommend this book.
4stars

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As society becomes more fractured, fragile, and frantic, relationships become colder and more hostile. Without close friendships and healthy relationships, the world is poised to go from bad to worse. Without human relationships, the best technological advances and scientific prowesses cannot lead to human flourishing. This point has been noted by author and clinical psychologist Rod Wilson who observes how the Creator of the Universe singled out the need for relationships through his declaration that "It is not good for man to be alone." In the creation week, the LORD declared everything good and the creation of human beings as "very good." All of a sudden, in Genesis 3, He uses the negative clause to say that as far as companionship is concerned, it is "not good" for Adam to be alone. Instead of mere theories and concepts, Wilson shares many stories to highlight how the three phrases are critical to repairing, restoring, and redeeming our relationships. With a shrewd eye on modern culture and a deep insight into the state of human relationships today, he warns us about the tendencies of people to become engulfed by the cultural rains of "entitlement, victimization, and individualism." He then supplies a new umbrella of hope via gratitude, remorse, and care, respectively. Through stories, he leads us through the whys and the hows of these three actions to "change the world."

Part One is about saying "Thank You" to turn attention away from ourselves. It keeps us from whining constantly about self-entitlement. Wilson offers reflections from nature, that there are many things in life that are already gifted to us. He shares about his own stay in the hospital after a heart attack about the gift of being healthy. He points out the many examples in society that we can be thankful for. From clean toilets to airline greetings, restaurants to fundraising events, he shows us that gratitude can be applied everywhere.

Part Two challenges us from within, to humble ourselves and acknowledge our faults and weaknesses. This is particularly challenging because it requires us to see things from another person's perspective. Some people do better with qualified apologies. True remorse will have none of that. We cannot "dance around" the situation and eventually let it slide. That can be permanently damaging. What would make it even more difficult is that our apologies might not elicit a positive response. Wilson also shows us a variety of circumstances surrounding "I'm sorry," something which should broaden our range of applications.

Part Three opens the platform for conversations. In a world that reeks of individualistic concerns, simply having a conversation can be a powerful way to share and to care. Wilson gives us tips not to talk too much but to learn to listen with understanding. He reminds us about the risk of vulnerability, a price we pay in faith in exchange for developing better relationships.

My Thoughts
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There is a time to make space for others and a time for ourselves. If I were to summarize what this book is about, it would be the creation, the healing, and the expansion of space. The first saying creates the space that could disarm even the most hostile situations. The tone needs to be appropriate otherwise it could be viewed negatively. The second saying heals the space. In situations where people have been hurt, true remorse needs to be felt and understood by the other party. The more prideful the person is, the more difficult it is to apologize. I appreciate the way the author shares a wide range of applications for us to consider and to apply. The third saying expands the space. We need more conversational moments in an increasingly inward-looking society. I get the feeling that the constant cry for more community life is an aching symptom of our individualistic and lonely society.

Written in quick bites, each chapter is only about 1-2 pages long, ending with a moment for us to "pause and reflect." Just like his lectures and talks, the chapters do not have lots of theological jargon but simple concepts illustrated by real-life events or examples. Like a book of wisdom, Wilson compiles snippets of his life experiences and thoughts into this very readable volume categorized in three helpful ways to relate to people. There is no meaningful life without meaningful relationships. Concluding with the call to love one another, the author has a subtle refrain: Let our life speak.

Dr. Rod Wilson (Ph.D. York) served as President of Regent College from 2000–2015. Originally trained as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Wilson pursued theological training after completing his doctoral work. He has been involved in the field of counselling and consulting for over thirty years and has held various positions at Tyndale College and Seminary in Toronto: Professor, Dean of Students, Vice-President, and Academic Dean. In 2004, Dr. Wilson received an honorary doctorate from Trinity Western University in recognition of his gifts of leadership and acuity of vision.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers, NavPress, and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

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Good stuff here. Not everyone will like this since it requires the reader to essentially come up with their own answers. So it really is self help in that sense. But the 3 phrases in the title give clues. This book is a set of scenarios and situations where we are asked to contemplate how we could react or learn. I like this simple little book, and I'm sure many will find it helpful.

Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!

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The book is not what I was expecting from the description. I really enjoyed the beginning where the author explained the purpose of the three statements and I was under the impression that the rest of the book would be more of the same. What it actually is is a collection of short blurbs on how to use each statement. Overall, it was an okay read but I wish the stories had been integrated more into the overarching theme rather than disjointed blurbs.

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Thank You, I'm Sorry, Tell Me More is a biographical book full of anecdotal stories based around these three sayings and the authors' experience of them over the years. I agree they are very important and some of the chapters resonated with me. However a lot I couldn't relate to and the stories didn't really hold my interest. I think it will really appeal to some people, especially those with religious or even political leanings but it didn't quite grip me. It is an important message though and I hope the book reaches many people. Thank you

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