As you read this book， be a participant. Be active. Assimil-<br >ate. Supply your own personal examples as you read. Take<br >~old of the material. Struggle with it， apply it to your own life，<br >est it， challenge it， discuss it. Involve yourself in this book.<br > A good way to begin your personal involvement is to<br >lse the ~ssertiveness Inventory" in Appendix A. Since all<br >~eople behave passively， aggressively， or assertively at<br >rarious times and in various situations， this inventory can<br >~elp you determine in which particular situations you are<br >ikely to be passive， aggressive， or assertive. Using the inven-<br >ory can point you toward the areas in your personal life and<br >elationships that you might like to pay attention to as you<br >ead this book.<br > Three Fundamental Principles<br > There are three fundamental principles underlying this<br >，ook: that individuals are response-able; that people continu-<br >lly make choices; and that God will direct you as you learn<br > think and behave assertively.<br >ndividuals Are Response-Able<br > Individuals have a God-given ability to respond to life.<br >Ve are not lifeless lumps of clay; each of us has a mind<br >nd a spirit responsive to God， responsive to self， and re-<br >ponsive to other people. We are alive， we are vulnerable，<br >re are capable of interaction. We can try ideas on for size，<br >re can experiment with new behaviors， we can test our<br >wn thoughts and perceptions as we bump up against<br >~e thoughts and perceptions of others. We can change<br >ur behavior， revise our thoughts， and come to new under-<br >:andings. We have the ability to respond to God， to ideas，<br >) others. We have the ability to respond to life!<br >