Questions for Your Daily #Journal with Erin Sands @TheDunesBook #AmReading #SelfHelp

The Dunes

By Erin Sands: Journal Questions

1.What opportunity are you missing out on, or what area in your life are you not getting the most out of, because you have not made the commitment that you need to make? Why haven’t you made the commitment?

2. In regard to your answer to question number one:

List five things you believe you are missing out on because you have not made the commitment.

3. Now list five positive things that could happen if you were to follow through and fully commit

4. For the next five to ten minutes sit and visualize the five positive things from your list. See yourself making the commitment and see each of the five positive outcomes unfolding in your life one by one. Allow yourself to feel the excitement and the relief of attaining these goals. After you complete this visualization exercise write this statement in your journal: Anything is possible when I commit.

5.When in your life did you make a firm commitment and see it all the way through? How did it make you feel? Who was blessed by it and how did your life benefit as a result?

6. Recall a time in your past when you let fear keep you from the blessing of truly committing to something and reaping the benefits of it. If you could go back in time, what advice and encouragement would you give yourself in that circumstance? What would you tell yourself to alleviate your fears?

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California, Erin grew up with an innate love for dance, theatre and the written word. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Erin began her career in the arts as an actress and choreographer. After booking several notable roles in television and film, Erin began to use her gift of writing in blogs featuring political and social commentary, as well as developing content for theatrical use.

Although The Dunes, is a divine departure from Erin’s previous writings it is by far her most cherished work to date. “I wrote The Dunes initially as self therapy because I needed to release some painful experiences and disappointments from my past. I had this thirst to walk in the complete fullness of life with joy as my constant companion. I had no idea what effect it would have on other people. But when I saw people read it and be released from fears that had held them back for years…when I saw people forgive and be able to walk in the freedom forgiveness brings…when I saw people commit and serve and how those things opened up new opportunities in their life, I was just humbled. Humbled by the awesome power of God and humbled that I had been allowed to go along for the ride”.

When asked why she writes, Erin pauses and reflects on the truth of her heart. “I write because although I am only now beginning to truly love the process, I have always loved the outcome. Like a composer, words become my notes. I string them together in song eliciting the response of my reader, grafting a picture of my soul. Where besides the written word can you effect change so utterly and so succinctly? What besides the written word can pierce the universal collective mind? Everything begins with a thought, but it isn’t until that thought is articulated in written word and those words passed down can life changing movement happen. It must be written, it must be expressed on tablet, and when it is, we all become greater, whether the writing be genius or fatuity, it has evoked thought and debate. Why wouldn’t I want to be apart of that phenomenon? Why wouldn’t I want to share my story, give my testimony…add my paradigm to the mix? Whether it is a novel, a poem, an essay or an article, it is humanity visited. An insight into a new or sometimes shared truth. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. And with that I live my life”.

If there was a journey that could masterfully change your life in seven revelations...would you take it? 

In life, sometimes the kernels of wisdom and the richness of revelation can be found in the most innocent of stories; and so it is with The Dunes. Join one man and one woman in an exquisitely simple yet remarkably profound journey as you discover with them that the mountain you must climb in order to live the abundant life of your dreams is located squarely within your heart. 

Illuminated in seven revelations; The Dunes carries the reader on a journey to not only examine the obstacles that are holding them back in life but to conquer and over come them as well. With each revelation The Dunes intimately calls on the reader as the journey companion to face a challenge…a dare if you will that requires an uncompromising commitment to change. 

In the family of faith-based self help books, The Dunes stands alone, simultaneously taking the reader from fiction to life and back again, equipped with a tailor made journal for the readers inner most secrets and reflections. The Dunes is part allegory, part testimony and part journal, but the best part is the healing it offers your heart. When you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and step into the miracle of your life…The Dunes awaits. 

CAUTION: Readers of this book are subject to significant changes for the better. Side effects may include frequent smiling and enjoying life in every season.

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Genre – Non-fiction

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Erin Sands on Facebook & Twitter

Website www.thedunesbook.com

What Inspired Me to Write Standing Stark: The Willingness to Engage by @CarlaWoody1 #amreading

What Inspired Me to Write Standing Stark: The Willingness to Engage

Author: Carla Woody

My inspiration for this book actually came first out of my own search—and then the lifework that resulted from it. So parts of the book have been with me for many years.

I’ve been mentoring people for over twenty years on how to live through their deeply held values. Most people don’t. I had to come to that myself. Depending on how out of sync you are, it can cause great emotional turmoil and feelings of loss. Over many years of mentoring, I’ve been fortunate to build relationships with such people who offer themselves as powerful conduits. It takes a lot of courage for people to engage that way. You can rediscover what you forgot. It’s life-changing.

The book tracks phases of spiritual development I call the “Re-Membering Process” that people tend to go through and offers tools to use in the process, as well as a primer on the esoteric areas that are usually shrouded in mystery.

I traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia in 2005 where I had the privilege of presenting workshops and sitting on a roundtable discussion at the 13th Annual Conference on Conflict Resolution whose theme was “Engaging the Other.” Aside from Russia and the US, there were participants and presenters from Israel, Serbia, South Africa, Palestinian Authority and a number of other countries.

I told the workshop group that I knew the “Re-membering Process”* to be true in my own culture. But I didn’t know if it would be valid for them and invited them to give me feedback. As I led them through the phases of spiritual evolution that I had identified, the issues that tended to arise and the path of progression, I saw a lot of heads nodding in agreement.

A number of people shared their stories. The outcome of that workshop deepened a certain meaning for me. There is indeed a common thread that runs through us all. We want the same things. Some of us find ourselves in horrific situations in which we feel helpless and hopeless. Yet there is a resident resilience in the human spirit that whispers to us: Something else exists.

In the prologue of Standing Stark I use the metaphor of tall pines, shorn of their bark, still standing in the forest. Here’s an excerpt.

The lightning strike oftentimes comes suddenly, a bolt unexpected. But there may well be a stirring before the charge and those who have grown the tallest stand most ready to receive.

In order to be ready, we do for ourselves what we know to do as best we can. Yet, there must be no striving. The striving of the material world has no place in this transmission. We need only send our willingness up as a prayer and merely stand waiting. This book is for those souls who hold themselves available—to be struck.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Nonfiction, Spirituality

Rating – PG

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Carla Woody on Facebook and Twitter

#Author Ty Johnson-Anderson & the Issue of #SexualAbuse @invisible_soror #NonFiction

What social issues interest you the most? 

If you can’t tell from my book and my platform, it would have to be sexual assault. We suffer in silence, thinking we are the only one going through the problem. We feel dirty, ashamed, guilty, stupid and a myriad of other emotions. It totally affects how we interact with people; it changes our entire intimate relationship dynamic. I for one will never be the same, and it has affected my marriage in more ways than one. But it’s nothing a supportive partner and time couldn’t solve.

Last book you purchased? Tell us about it.

The last book I purchased on Kindle was James Altucher’s Choose Yourself. The book is geared to get you in the mindset of not waiting on anyone to usher you into greatness. You are already great; you don’t need anyone to bless you off on that. Just do it!

Who do you admire?

I admire anyone who is strong enough stand up for themselves and overcome their perceived obstacles. I say perceived because nothing is impossible, however we often think what we are going through is insurmountable.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

I would say its creativity. I have a knack at looking at something dissecting and figuring out a way to get there or recreate it, although I don’t always follow through. But that’s what left-brain individuals are for.

What is your least favorite quality about yourself?

Definitely perfectionism and follow through. I always have so much going on that I often do not tend to finish anything. I get a spark of creativity, immerse myself in it, and lose interest. And if it’s not perfect, I get upset with myself a lot. 

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

I would have to say my daughter. My husband and I had a hard time initially conceiving, so after a yearlong deployment we tried again, and BAM! She lights up my soul.

What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

My bed and bedroom. I can travel all over the world, but I’m never as comfortable anywhere in the world as I am in my own room in my own bed. As soon as I get home, I am in my room, working on my business. The other rooms in my house get very little foot traffic and wear and tear from me.

What inspired you to write your first book?

It really just popped into my head on a drive home from work one day. I am the type to get a spark of creativity in the middle of a conversation. I found myself thinking about what change I want to inflict on the world. And to me the social issue of sexual assault was in the forefront. Children are barely talked to about safe sex, and are most likely not taught what acceptable behavior when engaging in sexual relationships is. We only know what we are taught and what we see. And I don’t know about you, but I never saw my mom engage in sexual activities beyond hand holding, hugging or kissing. So when I started having sex at 17/18 and it went far left, I had nothing else to compare it to. No one sat me down and said that I had to choice to not have sex with a boyfriend after I had already had sex with him. It seems obvious now, but I was 17. At that age we like to think we know everything, but we don’t. My only conversations surrounding rape dealt with “stranger danger”, my boyfriend wasn’t a stranger. Who knew…

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?

Opening myself up to criticism; it is a vulnerable experience. And with the personal nature of my work, I worry about the stigma that may be perceived about me. In addition, I often think about what others my think about the choices I made in my past situation. However, I get over this by focusing on the women I will help with my story instead. It’s like someone telling me that my baby is ugly. If that was to happen I would go straight into “Momma Bear” mode and defend her. So I try to avoid reading the critiques or take them in stride. The sting never goes away. It just has to be accepted.

Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it?

It’s been therapeutic. It has gotten me to unleash all the pent up issues surrounding my year-long sexual assault. It has gotten me to realize that I am not alone in the residual issues. It has opened up some emotional wounds; however, sometimes wounds have to get some air in order to heal. Keeping them covered will lead to a longer healing time.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

I have it a lot. To get over it I usually have a conversation with someone or myself. That usually gets my ideas to flow.

Ty Johnson-Anderson is the creator of The Invisible Sorority, a community of intimate partner sexual assault victims ushering one another into healing and thriving post-assault. Ty launched the movement, I Am Not Invisible, in an effort to humanize the victimless statistics. Once a young adult spiraling out of control, she has managed to emotionally liberate herself from her dark past and move forward to manifest her future. She lives in Edgewood, Maryland with her wonderful husband and beautiful little girl. Visit her at www.theinvisiblesorority.com

The Invisible Sorority will show you:

Why forgiveness can be your best healing tool

Several techniques you can use to heal your heart through mastering your mind via hypnosis and guided meditations

How to increase your ability to manifest your ideal future

How to embrace your tears to strengthen your emotional stability

Improve your sex life using several intimacy exercises designed to show you to live in the NOW

The invisible sorority is like a phone conversation with your best friend. It will inspire you to make positive changes in your life while helping you to ease the pain of your past assault.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Non-Fiction, Self Help-Abuse

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author

Connect with Ty Johnson-Anderson on Facebook & Twitter

#Free #NonFiction Showtime at the Apollo by Ted Fox @Kindleexpert

Showtime at the Apollo is the definitive history of Harlem’s world-famous showplace. Home to nearly every great black star including: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Richard Pryor, Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Redd Foxx, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn and “Bojangles” Robinson, – the theater still hosts contemporary luminaries like The Roots, Mary J. Blige, Chris Rock, Wynton Marsalis and Whoopi Goldberg. Numerous performers relate their own poignant, exciting and sometimes hilarious stories. Some 150 photographs – many never before published – are interspersed throughout.

For African-Americans, the Apollo was the greatest black theater, and a special place to come of age. For whites – including Elvis Presley and the Beatles – the Apollo was as close as they could come to the reality of the black experience.

Still thriving, the Apollo has exerted an unprecedented influence upon popular culture. Since 1934, the Apollo has been at the forefront of African-American music, dance and comedy. It’s legendary Amateur Night spawned countless stars. Renowned for having the world’s toughest and most appreciative audience, it is the place where, as Dionne Warwick says in the book,

“Everyone gave their best performance".

"The essential book, mandatory for the most casual student as well as the most ardent fan." – David Hinckley, Daily News

"Ted Fox made the Apollo come alive for me again."– Jerry Wexler, co-founder of Atlantic Records

"Ted Fox mows through the 20th century's mind blowing cavalcade of segregation byproduct, inhumanity producing creative transcendence. The survivors of the era provide Fox with a front-line document." - Raoul Hernandez, Austin Chronicle

"A wonderful book." – Tavis Smiley, National Public Radio

"I could almost feel and taste the Apollo again." – Doc Pomus, classic songwriter

"The definitive history of Harlem’s (and black America’s) essential theater." – New York Magazine

"Showtime at the Apollo is not only a history of that wonderful theatre, but also a fascinating insider’s view of the Harlem music scene." – John Hammond, legendary producer and talent scout

TED FOX is also the author of In The Groove a collection of interviews with men who have shaped the music industry. He produces and manages Grammy-winner Buckwheat Zydeco and lives in upstate New York.

Showtime at the Apollo by Ted Fox

Amazon Kindle US

Rating – PG

Genre – Music History & Criticism

4.8 (7 reviews)

Free until 24 January 2014

#Author Deidre Havrelock's Personal Moment - “How I Came to Jesus During my Exorcism” @deidrehavrelock

I regained consciousness on the opposite side of the room as the preacher said to me, “Deidre, it’s time to choose. You must choose now.” At first, I didn’t understand what he meant. Why did I have to choose? Who was I supposed to choose? All my life, wasn’t I choosing God? 

And yet choosing God wasn’t working. In all truth, I just wanted God to step in and save me; I wanted Him to put an end to this whole nightmare. I didn’t want to have to choose anyone. But then I remembered: God had sent DJ to help me and DJ had told me to trust Jesus. 

There and then I decided to do it. I would trust Jesus. I responded, “Jesus.” Just the one word. Immediately the spirits flew out of my body and a different, gentle Spirit came in. I knew this new spiritual presence was God. I began crying as God wrapped around me like a hug. I remember thinking, “I’ve finally made it home. God has come for me.”

We testify in accordance with what we know and have experienced.

…It’s time to learn and experience more!

The first book in this thought-provoking series explained how testimony relates to the Bible; this book will help you understand how testimony relates to living. Living…The Testimony will not only encourage Christians to reflect on who they believe Jesus to be (and why they choose to believe this), but it will also correct current misconstrued ideas as to what the Christian testimony is all about.

- a testimony is not about church;

- a testimony is not about God;

- a testimony is not about faith in general terms;

- this book contains numerous testimonies that will strengthen your faith in Jesus.

A strong Christian testimony is one that continually grows in the knowledge of Jesus, continually shares that knowledge boldly, while at the same time performs good works based on Jesus’ teaching of love—all while abstaining from works of darkness.

Because a biblical testimony deals not only with our belief system, but also with the way we conduct our whole lives, our Christian testimony becomes our most valuable asset. It is life itself.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Christian Living

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Deidre Havrelock on Twitter

Website www.deidrehavrelock.com

This book will be on sale for $0.99 during the tour