GENRE: Psychology self-help; inspirational
ISBN: PB 979-8-89656-051-7 / HC 979-8-89656-052-4 / eBook 979-8-89656-053-1
SERIES: (If relevant.)
PAGE COUNT: 102
AMAZON or FAVE LINK to BUY BOOK:
https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/bobs-booklist/#grief
THE REVIEW ITSELF:
By:
Glen Morris, originally at Amazon Australia
FULL REVIEW
Bob Rich’s The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement is a rare
gift—a book that transforms agony into hope with wisdom, humility,
and profound humanity. As a psychologist who recently lost his
beloved daughter, Natalie, Dr. Rich writes not just as an expert, but
as a fellow traveler in the valley of grief. This dual perspective
makes his guidance feel like a tender handhold in the darkest
moments.
**WHAT SETS THIS BOOK APART:**
**Raw Authenticity:**
Dr. Rich’s personal journey—especially his account of Natalie’s 19-month battle with cancer—grounds everychapter in heartbreaking honesty. His ability to find peace amid
sorrow ("Thank heavens, she is at peace now") offers a beacon to
readers.
- **Practical Tools, Not Platitudes:** Forget vague advice. Dr. Rich
provides actionable strategies like "scheduling grief" (dedicating
focused time to process emotions), mindfulness exercises, and his
"Seven Magic Bullets" for rebuilding resilience (e.g., creativity,
social connection, meaning). These are lifelines for those drowning
in loss.
- **Diverse Grief, Universal Compassion:
**
Whether mourning a child, spouse, pet ("furbaby"), or even an abusive relationship, Dr. Rich addresses each scenario with nuance. His case studies—from
parents shattered by guilt to widows reclaiming joy—resonate
deeply.
- **Science Meets Soul:**
Blending psychology research with
spiritual insights (mindfulness, reincarnation, forgiveness), he
respects all beliefs while emphasizing *what works*. His critique of
the "stages of grief" myth is particularly liberating.
- **Light in the Darkness:**
Unexpected humor and warmth
("cheeky stories") balance the heaviness, reminding us that grief
and joy can coexist.
**Standout Sections:**
- **"The Power of NOW"** (Chapter 4):
A masterclass in
mindfulness to anchor yourself amid emotional storms.
- **"Compassion for the Departed"** (Part III): Challenges notions of
eternal punishment, offering solace through love-centered
spirituality.
- **"Stuck in Grief"** (Chapter 10): Identifies barriers to healing
(guilt, anger) with compassionate solutions.
**Final Thoughts:**
This isn’t just a book—it’s a toolbox for the soul. Dr. Rich’s voice
feels like a wise grandfather’s: gentle, unwavering, and fiercely
hopeful. Whether you’re newly bereaved or years into a loss that
still aches, *The Hole in Your Life* will help you heal, grow, and
honor your loved ones by living fully again.
**A must-read for anyone with a heart that has loved—and
mourned.
**
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bob Rich retired from decades of counseling psychology in 2013. In that time, He
was a member of the National Executive of the College of Counselling Psychologists of the
Australian Psychological Society (APS) and served as an elected Director of the APS. It’s the Psychological society because, well, he lives in Australia. His daughter died in
December 2024. He had his 20th book published in her memory, and to put meaning to his
loss. That meaning is to be of benefit to as many people as possible in passing on the tools for grief counseling he used in his work, and for himself. The book has already won an award and was a finalist in a contest. One of his bad habits is to have fun even while talking about issues like bereavement, something his daughter also shared, poor thing.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER: Glen Morris is a leading voice in renewable energy — part engineer,
part educator, and part entertainer — with over 30 years of experience
designing, building, and teaching solar and battery systems that actually
work in the real world.
He joined Moora Moora Cooperative in the early 2000s, where he built his strawbale home with his partner of the time and raised two sons.Living completely off-grid on Mount Toolebewong, Glen doesn’t just talk sustainability — he’s been living it for over three decades.
In 2003, he founded SolarQuip, a solar installation and training business that helped shape Australia’s early solar industry. By 2015, Glen shifted full-time into education,transforming his old sheds into the Smart Energy Lab, a hands-on training and testing hub that supports both in-person and online learning. When COVID lockdowns hit, Glen pivoted again — this time intoonline media. He created a YouTube show featuring his alter ego, a “DJ Glenmo” who broke down complex solar and battery standards with humour
and street-style swagger. The character became a hit, blending technicalinsight with entertainment and helping installers make sense of Australia’s
ever-evolving energy regulations.
Today, Glen’s full-time gig is as a solar industry influencer,producing unboxing videos, installation showcases, and product highlightfeatures for manufacturers and distributors around the world. He also presents at conferences and workshops internationally, championing best safety, and innovation across the renewable energy sector. Beyond his professional life, Glen is a Justice of the Peace, a dedicated vegan home cook, and a hands-on dad to two teenage boys. Whenhe’s not filming or teaching, you’ll likely find him tinkering with networking gear or microcontroller projects, dreaming up new solar
gadgets and digital tools that make life off-grid smarter and simpler.
From strawbales to standards, Glen Morris continues to prove that renewable energy isn’t just his work — it’s his way of life.
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