"Wicks persuasively engages anecdotes from personal experience and from literature to illustrate the impact of seeking authenticity, for oneself and others, by learning and being who we are. In today's environment, it is easy for individuals to get lost in aspiring or responding to unrealistic expectations, suggestions, or goals as painted by social media. Wicks counsels readers to have the courage to "confront unhelpful external influences" by embracing ordinariness and "modeling" a "lack of egoism in one's interpersonal relations," such that others may also be encouraged to become more fully themselves. Overall, the book is an easy read that nonetheless delivers a vitally important message. Although it would be a good supplementary text for some college courses, it is also potentially engaging and enlightening for the everyday reader." -- M. Hawthorne, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, CHOICE "In the chaos of our modern world, Robert Wicks elucidates the concepts of humility, simplicity, courage, and persistence as integral strategies to achieving inner peace. The Tao of Ordinariness provides a roadmap for achieving clarity and acceptance of the uniqueness of self as a pathway to contentment and resilience.

This is a welcome recipe as many of us struggle with ambiguity, uncertainty, and the pressures of modern life." --Patricia Davidson, PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN, Dean, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University "So much energy is wasted on seeking to be someone or something we are not, but in this engaging and entertaining book, Robert Wicks shows us the importance of being who we are. Bringing over forty years of clinical experience in helping others, and with wit and wisdom garnered from literature, philosophy, and psychology, this book is a great guide for everyone seeking to explore the possibilities within themselves." --Stephen Joseph, PhD, Author, Authentic: How to Be Yourself and Why It Matters "Learning to accept what life hands us may be our biggest challenge. The Tao of Ordinariness is a wise and timely reminder that being ordinary means living the truth of who we are by facing life just as it is." --Cheryl Giles, PsyD, Francis Greenwood Peabody Senior Lecturer on Pastoral Care and Counseling; Core Faculty, Buddhist Ministry Initiative, Harvard Divinity School "Robert Wicks takes us on an important journey-one of enlightenment and deep learning (and unlearning), if only we are open to listening, seeing, feeling, and experiencing what he shares with us. By peeling back the layers of interference from the world we have lived in and been influenced by, Wicks guides everybody who seeks the answers within. For all those who are open to embracing this process, this book opens the door to an important journey that can lead us to the happiness, contentment, and wholeness we each seek.

" --Jeffrey E. Barnett, PsyD, ABPP, Past President, Psychotherapy Division, American Psychological Association; Co-editor, Handbook of Private Practice: Keys to Success for Mental Health Practitioners.