Rebirth

Photo by Joshua Earle

What is spiritual adversity? I actually had to do a bit of research before I wrote this post. The word came up when I was looking for a quote for rebirth. Funny how looking for one thing leads you to another.

Have you ever been through something so difficult it rocks you to your core? I’m sure that while you are reading this you can think of more than one time in your life when you’ve been challenged. How did you get through it? If it is happening to you now, how are you coping?

When I went through spiritual adversity twenty years ago, I had very little tools. I relied upon myself. I didn’t want to bother other people. I kept my sadness to myself and isolated. Depression inched in and I felt as if I was down in a deep well.

Finally I knew I had to do something. I reached out for help and guess what, people helped me. They threw a rope down the well and pulled me out slowly. I started to see the light. The light was bright and shiny.

When I began my ascent, I was willing to talk to other people about how they had overcome adversity. They shared their own struggles, life lessons, and stories of renewal. They were a beacon of hope.

It became clear that people who relied on a power greater than themselves were the ones who were doing better in their struggles. If you prefer, you can go ahead and do it all by yourself. I tried that and it didn’t work. Heavenly power keeps me more centered, happier, and yes, healthier.

This spiritual adversity was the beginning of my new life. It gave me tools in my toolbox. I have used those tools many times since.

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Isiah 41:13

Special greetings to those celebrating Palm Sunday, Easter or Passover today. 

Hallelujah Anyway!

How do you begin? The answer is simple: you decide to. Then you push back your sleeves and start writing–I.e., scribbling words down on paper, or typing at a computer. And it will be completely awful. It will be unreadable s*#t! You won’t have a clue how it account to anything, ever. And to that, I say, Welcome. That’s what it’s like to be a writer. But you just do it anyway. At my church, we sing a gospel song called, “Hallelujah anyway.” Everything’s a mess, and you’re going down the tubes financially, and gaining weight? Well, Hallelujah anyway.

-Anne Lamott, recently on her Facebook page

This endearing part of a recent Facebook post by Anne Lamott only cements me further to her. No one speaks to my inner author quite like Anne.

Despite the swear word and a few teensy typos, I decided to run this quote as is because it motivates me. I want and am seriously ready to venture beyond my weekly blog posts, book reviews and such and write something of quantitative value.

Anne Lamott and Me! On the occasion of my most recent birthday!
Anne Lamott and Me! On the occasion of my most recent birthday!

For the last couple of years, I have wanted to write a non fiction book about Grace and my coming into the Light. A fellow blogger friend of mine has a book release TODAY and I am so inspired by this! (Go Heather!). Can I say it? To write a book and get it published is a really big dream of mine.

Anne is right. The best thing to do is just get started. This can apply to any dream- a new job, new contacts, new life- you name it. Just get started. And as Anne said it may be awful but so what! At least we got started.

Is there something you have been procrastinating about? If you’re interested, we can tag each other in our dream project. Tell me about it in the comment section below and we’ll cement our commitment. I am going to write my book and you are going to _______________.  If you’re overwhelmed at the moment and can’t take on another thing, just offer a few words of encouragement or your favorite quote about energy, motivation or desire.

Seriously, let’s do this together….xo

Activate your Goodness

Hello Friends!

If you remember a while back, I signed up to be a blogger/book reviewer for Hay House Publishers. This is my second book review.

Activate Your Goodness” by Shari Arison is a motivational, feel good book. On the front jacket is a quote by Bill Clinton I want to share with you. He says, “Shari, your work has impacted the world in a profoundly positive way, touching lives everywhere in your everlasting pursuit to make the world a better place.”

I expected to be razzle dazzled by this book, especially after reading all the endorsements. And in many ways, it is impressive. Ms. Arison survived a challenging childhood, three marriages and divorces and came out of it all, transformed and with a strong desire to do service for the greater good.

Her father was the founder of Carnival Cruise Lines and she makes it clear that he struggled financially for many years before he succeeded in business. Ms. Arison served on the Board of Directors for her father’s company and started The Arison Foundation. In 2007, she created “Good Deeds Day” in Israel and it has since gone worldwide.

I have to admit though that I was expecting something different from this book. Looking forward to some author introspection, I was surprised when Ms. Arison delivered only a small chapter on her childhood and nothing on her (three!) marriages or divorces. Her words at one point were this: “I felt that for years, in order for people to understand me, I had to bang my head against the wall. I managed to move a few walls and break a few glass ceilings, but I began to feel overwhelmed, tired, and sick. “ That’s about as deep as she goes with her own personal feelings.

The rest of the book tells us how to do good for ourselves, our family, our community and for humanity. The rewards of doing for others are endless and I agree with this. Ms. Arison has examples of powerful, motivating situations and chronicles them in a simple, friendly manner. If you belong to a group or organization looking for positive ways to integrate into a community in a more service oriented fashion, this book could be very helpful.

Though overall I was not impressed by her writing, I was impressed by what Ms. Arison has accomplished and what she continues to stand for in her life. Best wishes to her for continued success with “Good Deeds Day.”

And of course, here is my disclosure per Hay House. I get to choose the book I wish to review, it is given to me free of charge, and I am not compensated for my endorsement of this book. This review is my personal opinion.

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