Explores the formation of shame and the shadow as the result of a difficult or abusive upbringing. Presents methods for pursuing a future with courage, confidence and motivation in creating a fuller and more rewarding life. Includes steps for self motivation, stages of perceiving compassion, levels of awareness and capacity for empathy and compassion as related to emotional growth. Includes explanations of extreme conditions in common sense language in comparison to psychological diagnoses offered in the DSM-IV-TR.