Lessons from Life after Kindergarten

Modern generations, particularly generations, X,Y, and Z, live with increasing rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, substance-abuse, and relationship dysfunction. What is causing this angst? What is the solution? Is the American dream on life support?

The American dream is a group of ideals and goals, which are born from the freedom of living in a republic. Distractions take our focus from our ideals and goals and puts it on something else. Something else is often a stressful event. These events prevent realization of our dreams by generating thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that shut out successful living. Suddenly we find our lives filled with relationship conflict and other forms of chaos. The American dream and chaos are mortal enemies. Chaos derails the process of reaching your dreams.

Lessons from Life after Kindergarten examines the issues producing distracted living. The author weaves together stories from the Bible, US history, his psychiatric practice, his life, and current events to illustrate the problem. Each story helps the reader understand how decisions from distracted living always produce an unfavorable outcome. Some questions begging for answers:

• Who am I?
• How did I get to be the person I see when looking in the mirror?
• What is psychotherapy? Will it help me change attributes I don’t like about myself?
• What are the processes preventing my finding satisfaction and contentment in life?
• Is my use of social media hindering genuine relationships?
• How does spirituality influence my decision making process?
• How to assess my worldview; is it assisting or blocking me from achieving my dreams?

Exploring these and other factors is your first step on the path to realizing the American Dream.

Chapters:

Newton, Hawking, Darwin, and Truth
How Quickly Your Mind Alters Perception
The D Words
The Beginning of Everything
The Door to Evil
Distraction, Confusion, and the American Dream
Lessons from Jack
Affairs of the Heart
Intimacy with Evil
Love Stories
I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing
Deception, Christianity, and Slavery
Talk Therapy, Introduction
Timothy, A Study of Distraction and Confusion
Ruth, Recovery from Abuse and Loss
Abigail, A Meditation with Christ
The Land that Time Forgot
The Conundrum of Homosexuality

Recent Feedback

Dr. Trudel, I am so grateful for our meeting and I want to thank you for your book. It helped me recognize that I have been trying for a long time to futilely practice “spiritual warfare” on my own. I have not developed a dependent and faithful relationship with Jesus because of trust issues I have not resolved. I’m not sure how I will resolve them but this was a big wake-up call in my life to a very fundamental spiritual issue. Thank you so much and I hope this feedback finds you well. - Jenni

This book gave me new and refreshing insights into my journey in life. I think it is a must-read for those who have more questions than answers about our thought processes, what influences our choices and decisions, and how we end up where we are in life. All of the important things to consider as we are looking for a better and more fulfilling life that what we have experienced in the past. - Bryan

I don't do a lot of reading but I did this one, cover to cover. Having met Dr and Mrs Trudel in New Guinea, working with them on the wards, and knowing them well for the ensuing 54 years, I was amazed at the insight he displays in his new book. Who knew he had all these thoughts deep in his soul as our relationship matured whether we were working side by side or cleaning the fish we kept for dinner, or in our dialog about world problems, especially here in the states. I purchased 2 books and passed them out to folks who I hope read them and passed them on again. A great gift for someone you love. - NPS MD

Dr Trudel’s book was instrumental in helping me to understand the process by which evil takes a foothold and is subsequently propagated into individuals lives and eventually the world. It was also key in teaching me what I need to do to be sensitive to the distractions and confusion that may otherwise lead me astray. Finally, Dr. Trudell provided numerous interesting and entertaining stories, “case studies” from his psychiatric practice, and practical techniques that showed how the power of Christ and his teachings can help me to recognize and resolve the many moral dilemmas that I will encounter on my life’s journey. - Bob