Conversations with History
Posted on October 17, 2014 Leave a Comment
Conversations with History by Susan Lander is a unique glimpse into historical personalities, messages from the other side, and modern-day meduimship.
The author shares twenty-two individual interviews with a wide variety of personas, all of whom have a drive to share their hugely relevant insights for those of us in the here and now.
The book is a fascinating read with a wonderful flow. I felt as if I was sitting right there with the author as she visited with each person, in my own living room. Along with the interview, each chapter includes background information as well as further reading for each historical figure–and all are incredibly interesting and varied. I was familiar with some, but not all, of the characters, and after reading this book I have incredible respect for each of them.
Every interviewee’s message is truly relevant to our lives today, both specifically and as a whole. Personally, there were direct reminders and messages that spoke to exact situations that I am currently experiencing. To those souls, and to the author, I say thank you–messages received and greatly appreciated!
Not everyone Susan Lander wanted to interview made it into this first book–and I look forward to more volumes! I wondered about the reasoning of selecting 22, and if it had any relation to numerology. (Mr. Poe, I very much look forward to reading your interview soon!) Hopefully this is the beginning of many such published collaborations between the author and historical figures.
It does not matter whether you believe this work of authorship to be a true accounting or complete and total fiction, you will both benefit and be positively changed by reading it. The messages transcend your acceptance of the format: why not give it a whirl?
I was not financially compensated for this review. Hay House gifted me my choice of this book in exchange for my honest opinion of it, through their Book Nook blogger program.
The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss and Body Confidence
Posted on September 17, 2014 Leave a Comment
This book by Jessica Ortner is a further exploration of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), as also described in her brother Nick Ortner’s book. It is written specifically for women who wish to use tapping to lose weight. And it sneaks in how to lower your stress and appreciate yourself more!
The concept behind EFT is to tap on specific body energy meridians while consciously identifying current emotions and feelings about a particular issue (such as weight loss). Doing so through the steps taught in this book calms the body and rewires the brain–which results in restoring energy and balancing health.
I have to admit, I’m not a regular tapper. But honestly, I experience results when I do tap! Because of that, I am expanding my use from headache relief and stress detox to now also include weight management topics. This book is very helpful with that expansion.
If you’ve never tried tapping, now is the time. If you’ve experienced tapping, this will be a supportive read. This book is for anyone who is interested in including the emotional aspect of their physical health–regardless of weight!
I received this book from Hay House in exchange for my honest opinion of it, as part of their Book Nook blogger program.
Beyond Past Lives
Posted on August 21, 2014 Leave a Comment
Beyond Past Lives, by Mira Kelley, is an exciting exploration of self-awareness through the concept of parallel lives. Not only a fabulous spiritual growth read, this book rocked my perception with two specific concepts.
You are likely familiar with the thoughts that we create our own reality, and that everything really occurs in the present moment. With that in mind, the idea is that each choice we make (both large and small), creates the life that we are in–and that the choices not made also create our ongoing parallel lives. And that all of these lives continue to unfold further and further with each subsequent choice.
Think of a ginormous and beautiful tree, as it expands from a single trunk into a myriad of tertiary branches–and that each of those branches is constantly growing new leaves.
Now picture yourself as one of those leaves, and trace back through all the branches to the trunk coming out of the ground. Notice all the other branchings-out along the way, the other choices you could have made but seemingly didn’t. The thing is, you are each of those leaves–not just the one you are aware of right now.
Each leaf of the tree is you, each branch-path is a parallel life, and they all exist at the same time. The author declares that all lives are simultaneous, all are present moment. “Thus, each life is both still unfolding and has already been completed in the present moment.” (Kelley, Loc 535 of 3587, Kindle version.)
Yep, that’s the feel of a mind-blowing concept.
The really cool thing about this is the benevolent and loving exploration of self that comes with it. It’s all about learning and growing. As the author supports, “Allow yourself to know your magnificence.” (Kelley, Loc 1971 of 3587, Kindle version)
The other new idea for me when reading this book is a new way of looking at memory and the past. The author explores these not as fixed events (in any parallel life), but rather as a present thought about a possible past. She asks us to consider that “the past does not create the present. The present creates the past and the future.” (Kelley, Loc 2203, Kindle version) Sooo, my memories are not so much changing and fading, but rather my past is presently being created! And the more I grow and become in the present, that actually affects my past–which is then reflected in what I call my memories.
There’s that feel again, another mind-blower. Let me catch my breath.
Mira Kelley’s book is a must-have for anyone’s spiritual library. Its groundbreaking approach has something for everyone, whether this is your first foray into such topics or if you are accomplished in the field. Her writing style is flowing, it simply feels like you are having a conversation.
Hay House graciously gave me this book in return for my thoughts about it. I’m going to now visit my parallel lives where I didn’t choose this book, and encourage myself to go ahead and read it!
A Smart Cookie!
Posted on July 13, 2014 Leave a Comment
Our oldest child graduated from high school this year, and at his open house celebration we had custom cookies from Parker’s Crazy Cookies. What a fabulous experience working with this company was, I highly recommend it!!
Right from the start and at every step along the way, these people were creative, amiable, generous, and fun! They received a photo and returned a design, and after an enjoyable and very short tweaking process I looked at that drawing and completely saw my son.
Cookie design and the photo it was created from
The approximately 200 bulk, unbagged cookies I ordered arrived in fantastic condition, as they were packed with great care for shipment. (These made it from San Francisco to Northern Minnesota, there is no need to be concerned about the shipping process.) Parker’s even threw in a bountiful amount of extra cookies! The vanilla cookies are absolutely delectable, with a gourmet flavor that will appeal to a wide audience.
Jake and his cookie doppelganger
Finished, yummy product
You simply can’t go wrong with these cookies–the flavor, design process, shipping, and overarching customer service are absolutely impeccable. My entire experience with this company was hugely enjoyable! On a five-star scale, I give it a seventeen and a half. 🙂
Parker’s Crazy Cookies is an incredibly personable and professional business, and I will definitely be back for our other son’s graduation!
This is a great idea for graduations, weddings, retirements, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, Tuesdays…. What other celebrations and events would be a good excuse to repeat this fun?
Holy Shift!
Posted on July 11, 2014 Leave a Comment
Image from Hay House Book Nook
Holy Shift! by Robert Holden is a daily meditation guide from A Course In Miracles. By nature, this is meant to be a supportive supplement that enhances a person’s spiritual process. And it does.
The introduction is well worth reading, as it gives a quick background of ACIM as well as an overview of its guiding principles. And then it jumps right into the meat of the matter with daily guides for the calendar year.
Each day’s guide is a beautiful, poetic rendition of a particular line or lines from ACIM. They are short & sweet, easily digestible. The reference is also given per meditation, for ease of looking up the original words. (Don’t let what might be a new format become a roadblock; how to use the reference is user-friendly and explained in the introduction.)
The language of each meditation makes it understandable and personal.
You do not have to have read A Course In Miracles to get the most out of this book. If you have read it, you will still find this companion book to be inspirational.
Anyone who likes daily guides needs to have this book for their use.
Hay House has gifted me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion of it.
gina drellack 