Discover Gold by DonnaLee Overly is a part-memoir self-help book that encourages readers to mine for the gold that lies within themselves. Using stories, lists, images, questions, worksheets, anecdotes, snippets, quotations, personal experience, and advice from seasoned experts and personal acquaintances, Overly presents the material in an emotional, compassionate way. That's important in a world where uncertainty, illness, and potential loss of identity saturate society, neighborhoods, families, and individuals. In a time of crisis, this book is valuable; something to cherish and read again and again. The author is an experienced helping professional, and her caring shines through the pages in hopes of reaching the audience. Besides caring on a professional level, Overly speaks from her own adverse experiences. She doesn't just dole out feel-good advice without having any foundation.

One part stands out more to me over the others, and that's when Overly defines gold and what makes it valuable; what makes people cherish it and desire it. Discovering gold within yourself, as Overly writes in her book, takes courage. Courage to take an honest look inside yourself and ask yourself important questions that you may have been too timid to ask: Who am I, really? What do I want in life? From life? Do I have what it takes to pursue it, capture it, and own it? Overly's personal style leads you to believe that you can awaken your dreams, visualize them, and make them a reality. This is the gold that she talks about. As most successful people know, pursuing goals and dreams are more fulfilling than the success itself. Discover Gold asks you to set aside your self-defeating behavior, your negative self-talk, and link up with support systems and resources--whether that be family, friends, community, whatever--and start your dream today, or return to the one you may have had long ago.

Discover Gold: Search for The Gold Within and Reach for Dreams is a work of non-fiction in the self-help and advice sub-genres, and was penned by author DonnaLee Overly. In this concise and insightful guidebook, the author takes readers through a lifechanging discovery and a journey to become a person who pursues dreams instead of hiding away from the world. Utilizing her own personal transformative story, Overly combines this with the philosophers, experts, and advice-givers whom she has relied upon over the years in order to achieve her own dreams and go for gold. What results is an empathetic and empowering exploration of change, with advice to make it possible for anyone and everyone.

Author DonnaLee Overly has, first and foremost, crafted a highly uplifting book that is totally ideal for these times of isolation when we all need a pick-me-up and a chance to refocus on what’s really important in life. I loved the personalized nature of the work as it encourages us towards change in a way that suits us as individuals and adheres to the dreams and goals we have for ourselves, however distant they may seem. The friendly and accessible narrative style, when coupled with Overly’s own personal anecdotes, examples, and tales of struggle, gives a fully rounded experience of what it’s like to undergo hard work and real change but also shows how amazing the results are and inspires other to do the same. Overall, I would highly recommend Discover Gold for any readers looking for real experiences of self-help that work.

Discover Gold reads like a neighborly chat with your (honest) best friend. The author keeps the reader engaged with motivational stories, but doesn't shade the truth of the work one must undertake on the transformative journey. Months after finishing the book, I find myself opening up random chapters again to return to the soothing reassurance -- that by examining our lives and consciously thinking of our goals, we can begin on the path to change. Much applause for this wonderful book and talented author!