Since Taming Your Gremlin® was first published almost 20 years ago, Rick Carson has received hundreds of wonderful, heartfelt letters from readers expressing their appreciation for his book. Following are excerpts from a very few of them. Occasionally, we will rotate other examples onto this page.
"I picked up your book in Seattle before this trip began... Somehow, the process of going across the country to begin a job with so many possible difficulties with an open mind to enjoying myself has changed my life. . .The theory of yours that life is to be enjoyed is a remarkably simple one, yet it's amazing how many people believe that it is destiny that they accept and live with the daily pain that so many do. I did, for so long. And I'm still learning that it's a conscious choice. But, boy, what incredible things there are out here to enjoy."
Liniv,
from a Chinese fishing trawler
in the middle of the Bering Sea.
“My biggest problem with this book is knowing when to quit talking about it. You see, I carry it around with me in the car so that if I get caught waiting for an appointment, I can read it. This generates a lot of curiosity, which I am all too willing to expound on. I need to realize, not everyone is ready for this insight yet!! To me, it's like discovering the fountain of youth, I want to share it with all those I love (or even strangers!). . .I want to thank you for sharing your insight with me. Second only to the Bible, this book has had a significant effect on my life.
Barbara, Surfside Beach, SC
"I'd always thought of Gremlins as small purple or lime green colored cars, driven by computer programmers & old hippies going to Grateful Dead concerts.
Just finished Taming Your Gremlin®. Thanks for helping to identify my imaginary life mate. Stress, anxiety, depression... my Gremlin has a bag of tricks that would have institutionalized a normal person. Thanks for the whip and chair, I'm off to have more fun."
John, Hong Kong
"The delight of your book is that it turns the process into something more playful and puts the whole thing into a much lighter perspective. The sheer step of naming and picturing 'the gremlin' seems to take some of the power and lurking doom out of it all. Maybe even more important, it makes sense to me and fits very well with my experience of myself. This letter is therefore to say thank you for giving me hope."
George, Oxfordshire, U.K.
"After years of struggling, I finally had a great career and a wonderful woman with whom to spend my life, and still I was completely unsettled and miserable. Then I picked up the little book called Taming Your Gremlin®, and figuring I had nothing to lose, practiced its principles. . .Within a few weeks I was a different person! It has now been 12 years, and my wife and I have enjoyed 10 years of wonderful marriage and have a delightful daughter... there is a stark demarcation between my life before Taming Your Gremlin® and my life after. Rick's principles have gotten me through difficult times, lay-offs and family deaths that would have paralyzed my former self. Even now, 12 years later, when trying times come, I still turn to that simple little book; and it never fails."
John, Cheshire, CT
"One week ago I started reading your book, Taming Your Gremlin®. Six days ago, I started using your book. Four days ago was the last time my gremlin engaged me in helplessness, worthlessness, suicide discussion... I was drowning and didn't know that I was the one holding my own head under water - Thank you for giving me the tools to tame him and all his legions."
Penny, Kentfield, CA
"What was the best about your book was that unlike other... self-help notions I have tried it did not entirely set me up with just another goal of being who I am not. Your repeating the notion that I didn't have to try or have to change enabled a little crack of acceptance through which I accepted the ideas. I also loved the idea that it is a gentle process... without the demands of a job I have had a chance to notice the poisonous ways of my gremlin. He's quite the nasty guy - tormenting me with scenes from the past and making dire and dreadful predictions about the future is one of his main jobs. Thanks again for a tool that has really been a joy."
Sandra, Albuquerque, NM
"Recently, I was suddenly able to recognize why my life was so chaotic (i.e. the gremlin) and turned back to noticing him once again. My heartfelt thanks for all that you offer to the world."
Sarajane, Edmonds, WA
"I found your book completely enjoyable and inspiring. I believe I'm on my way back to wellness... never has it been so clear to me what needs to be done with my life."
Cindy, Los Angeles, CA
"I just finished reading your book, Taming Your Gremlin®. It is wonderful! I've been wrestling with my gremlin for over 40 years but never got to see what I was up against or knew ways to get a handle on him/her until now. I admire your insight and enjoyed your humor throughout the book! Thanks for sharing your wisdom."
Barbara
"Taming Your Gremlin® is a wonderful contribution to our world. I wish everyone would read it at least once... My recovery over the past months was hectic at first but now and especially with the help of your book it has become a life long journey that I am actually excited about. I (today-right now) feel such a sense of freedom in just noticing and being in touch with who I am and what I want."
Linda
"I had to write and tell you how wonderful your GREMLIN concept has been for me and my circle of loved ones. I bought your book during a debilitating illness last year and believe me it made quite an impact on me. You know, the usual AH HA experience we social workers are known to elicit in “others.” I was so ill at the time I read it that it took about 2-3 re-reads to actually take hold of the concept and understand. You have taken internal dialogue and its ramifications and placed it in a simple, non-threatening powerful symbolism."
Beverly, Pasadena, CA
"I want to express my appreciation for your wonderful book on taming Gremlins! I have read many books on awareness and related topics but until now, none of the former "hit." ... it is only thru your creative explanations, suggestions, & illustrations that I have come to comprehend. Thanks!"
Marilyn, Delray Beach, FL
"I have wanted to write you a letter of appreciation ever since I read your book. Firstly, I really enjoyed reading it - the illustrations are marvelous and I liked the way you wrote (“user-friendly!”). Also I appreciated your repetition of “noticing,” “playing with options,” & “staying in process” - by the time I finished the book, they were embedded in my brain and they pop up at the most helpful times!!
... I have a great appreciation for you. You have had a vision and stayed true to yourself. Thank you for your service to the planet!"
Sylvie, Cowichan Bay, British Columbia
"I just needed to let you know that I read your book, Taming Your Gremlin®: A Guide To Enjoying Yourself all the time. I gain so much strength from it & owe my life to its contents."
Melanie, Texas City, TX
"I have enjoyed your book! What a freedom! There is hope! Yes, it is so simple - not easy - but simple. I am grateful for this information, and grateful that it is available to others."
Carrie, Scottsdale, AZ
“Rick Carson is a master coach, teacher, and guide. He takes loving care to help each of his trainees develop a powerful, personalized style. He helped me tap into, free up, and channel my own gifts. As a result of Rick’s work with me I am more effective and confident in my work. Both I and my clients have benefited immensely.”
Barbara S. Cambridge, PhD
“. . .a valuable part of my Post-Doctorate Training. I heartily recommend the experience to all professionals in the mental health field.”
Terry Moody, PhD
“Training with Rick Carson is the opportunity to work with a true master guide. And Rick puts the cookies on the bottom shelf. It’s everything you wanted from graduate school but didn’t get.”
Stan Ferguson, LPC, LMFT
“Rick’s work has such universal meaning for all the disciplines in the helping professions. His style is deceptively simple, but it tapped right into my unconscious and lay there like a field of fresh daisies.”
Carrie Henderson, ACSW
“He has shown me how to address painful, serious, therapeutic and life situations with wisdom, compassion, and humor - best Burn-Out Medicine around!”
Barbara Middleton, ACSW
“Participating in Rick Carson’s training groups . . .has helped me become aware of, accepting of, and appreciative of the uniqueness of me. One of the best rewards has been that my skills as a counselor have improved greatly because of this personal growth experience.”
Vicki James, LPC, LMFT
“Rick Carson . . .will change the way you do therapy. I have gained more, both personally and professionally, from this training than I have in any course I’ve taken.”
Dan Kehoe, Counselor
“Training with Rick Carson is a unique experience. He possesses perfect timing and a remarkable intuition for what a client needs. I have recommended Rick to my peers and they have always thanked me for the introduction.”
Cathy Thomas, LPC
“I gain more insight in one training session with Rick than the majority of books that have been part of my training. Observing him work has increased my professional skills and reinforced my goals and self-confidence. I am eager for more. I highly recommend Rick’s program to any helping professionals.”
Jackie Agers, M.A., LPC
