CHECK IT OUT

Whether you’re aware of it or not, September is International

Self-Awareness Month -- time to take charge and set your sights on

getting all you want from life. If all that sounds like too much to

handle, head for a Newport Beach Public Library, where dozens of new

resources may help you become the best you can be.

According to psychotherapist Doris Wild Helmering, the road to

heightened self-awareness begins with stepping out of yourself and

becoming an impartial observer of your own behavior. In her newest work,

“Sense Ability,” you may find strategies for detaching yourself from

events, along with ideas to help control anger, handle disappointment,

deal with criticism and reduce depression.

Even with high self-awareness, life can be a battle when it comes to

facing fears, conquering doubts and enduring losses. Yet by mastering

principles of combat, outlined by former Navy SEAL Richard Machowicz in

“Unleashing the Warrior Within,” you might identify your target, position

your weapons and achieve your goals with military precision.

Other take-action steps provide the basis for “Winning in the Game of

Life,” entrepreneur Tom Gegax’s coaching plan for wellness of body,

intellect and spirit. Written after Gegax answered a three-ring wake-up

call of divorce, cancer and a business failure, this approach to success

integrates Western business models, mind-body techniques and spiritual

wisdom.

Attitude, discipline, health and laughter are among the tools we might

use to improve our sense of contentment, according to “Mary Lou Retton’s

Gateways to Happiness.” In addition to describing how these gateways can

lead to joy, the celebrated Olympic gymnast includes inspiring stories

from renowned athletes in her guide to living a more satisfying life.

Fans of another popular celebrity will find tips for healing

relationships, creating tranquillity, committing to dreams and listening

to intuition in “Suzanne Somers’ 365 Ways to Change Your Life.” Using

personal stories to illustrate her affirmations, the TV personality

provides a day-by-day lesson plan for overcoming adversity and

celebrating life.

“Control is a myth,” writes Patricia Wiklund in “Taking Charge When

You’re Not In Control.” She contends you can still take charge by doing

what you can do, rather than waiting for situations to change or other

people to act. Based on the premise that being a victim is a state of

mind, Wiklund’s program of self-understanding offers numerous ways to

embrace your options by changing how you react to events.

Once you’ve taken strides toward emotional equilibrium, you might want

to switch the focus to your intellect with help from “How to Think Like

Leonardo da Vinci.” This six-cassette tape recording guides you to

explore critical principles for achieving success, whether you’re

learning to draw, mastering professional skills or just hoping to get

more out of life.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Tamara Henn. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.