Tag: inspiration

Bitmo Sunday book review

Sunday Book Review, The Calm and the Storm by Martha Perez

Published on by dgkaye38 Comments

My Sunday Book Review today is for Martha Perez’s short, inspirational prose from the soul, one who has been ‘there’ with some of life’s soul wounding moments.. And in this short but inspiring book, the author offers words of comfort.

Blurb:

The Calm And The Storm: Inspiration that will keep you strong enough to keep going!

When you look at the reflection of the moon as the waves ease toward the sand, I am the calm. The wind blows, and the air is cool. When the waves are crashing on a dark stormy night, and the bat’s shadows reflect the glow of the full moon, I am the Storm.

“The Calm and The Storm” are 12 short quality chapters that will acknowledge what you go through in life. Not just what you go through now, but what you’ve been through before. We are all strong and powerful people trying to make the best out of life. If you want to be inspired, I wrote this with love. Even though I write dark stories, this book is made to get you through the dark days and appreciate the other days as well.

My 5 Star Review:

Martha Perez is soul inspiring. I have a few of her books awaiting to be read but I chose to read this short inspirational book one day when my soul needed soothing.

This book a collection of short chapters of words to inspire. It’s not about crying over wrongs and hurt, but finding the reasons to make it to the next day.

“When you feel your life is filled with darkness it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to not be okay. But then find that reason to continue.” ~Martha Perez

“When life breaks you, let it shape you. Don’t focus on the pain. Focus on the fight.” ~Martha Perez

“I fight with my pen. I fight when I type. My ink bleeds pain mixed with empty tears.” ~Martha Perez

Perez offers avenues of hope by referencing her own over-comings in life in small detail, helping to point others in a more positive direction despite obstacles. She speaks as though talking specifically to us, the reader. A good book to pick up again and again when your self needs a little lift.

©DGKaye2022

Book reviews by D.G. Kaye

Sunday Book Review – Big Magic – Elizabeth Gilbert

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My Sunday Book Review this week is for Elizabeth Gilbert’s – Big Magic. In this book, Gilbert takes us into her world of creativity by sharing her journey through becoming a successful writer with all the ups and downs along the way, while inspiring us to continue going after our dreams in any creative field, despite the odds.

 

 

 

Blurb:

From the worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love and City of Girls: the path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you’ve dreamed of.

Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work,  embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.

 

My 4 (1/2) Star Review:

Gilbert shares her inspirational anecdotes gained from her own life experience, which inspired her to push forward with her passion – writing.

Gilbert’s stories empower us to follow our own creative dreams and to look beyond the obstacles we encounter along the way as writers and artists. In this somewhat of a self-help book, although she states her intent of the book wasn’t to write as self-help, but more a book to share her own journey into the world of creativity and where her accrued experiences led her to becoming a successful writer.

The author empowers us into believing in our ourselves by encouraging us to go forward with our passions without expectations. This is a light read without instruction, but shared observations from Gilbert’s own writing life. She encourages us to write what we love to write about, not just for market, and shares how she overcame rejection, and how no book will appeal to everyone, and her interesting story about how her now famous book – Eat, Pray, Love got discovered. “Seduce the Big Magic and it will always come back to you – the same way a raven is captivated by a shiny, spinning thing.”

 

©DGKayewriter.com

Book reviews by D.G. Kaye

Sunday Book Review – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

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My Sunday Book Review is on Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. This was another book that was patiently sitting on my bookshelf awaiting my eyes. As a person who is guided by universal messages, I found this book the perfect read to ignite my belief that when we have the desire and passion to follow our dreams we should follow them.

 

 

Blurb:

A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho.

Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.

Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago’s journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

 

My 5 Star Review: Journey of the heart

An enchanting tale narrated by Santiago, a young shepherd boy living in Andalusia, whose dreams and aspirations lead him on a magical journey of self-discovery to follow his curiosity. His goal is to reach the great pyramids of Egypt and his travels lead him to meeting some interesting people along the way – some good, some bad – all of which have lessons to teach him.

This book put Coelho on the map for the wisdom of words that made him famous – a classic literary masterpiece. We have much to learn through Santiago’s journey, teaching us to pay attention to our hearts and dreams through experience and omens as Santiago learns to analyze life through his journey. We’ll find love, adversity and true life lessons from this sensitive and wise young shepherd as he gains knowledge throughout his travels, only to discover he knew the secrets of his real desires all along.

This is a book you may want to read over many times throughout life as there are so many nuggets of wisdom we can take from it, and for those moments in life when we can use a little inspiration.

Inspirational Posts shared by DGKaye

Guest Post by Tina Frisco – Follow Your Passion

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Inspirational Posts shared by DGKaye

 

Today I’m delighted to have Tina Frisco share one of her inspirational posts with us. I think we can all feel that the world is in a tailspin, changing many aspects of life that we may have previously just taken in stride. But it’s a powerful change and Tina’s post is a good reminder to acknowledge, stand up and be counted and heard. Like Tina says:

“Now is the time to release old habits and beliefs, open our hearts and minds to infinite possibility, and accept the miraculous life awaiting our participation. It is time to follow our passion and create the world in which we want to live.”

Follow Your Passion

 Image by Lucie Stastkova

Image courtesy of Lucie Stastkova

 

(For the purpose of this article, passion is defined as a fervid and compelling desire to create that which serves the common good.)

 

A new Mayan Long Count Calendar began on 22 December 2012. For the ancient Maya, it was a huge celebration to make it to the end of a whole cycle, each being 144,000 days in length.

 

This new cycle ushered in The Golden Age of Enlightenment, an era of heightened energy awareness that commands our attention and demands our presence. It beckons us to open our hearts and see with our inner eyes. It stimulates us to create and share our light with the world. It insists we focus our intention on being and doing only that which serves the common good.

 

The effect of this new energy is evidenced in the global call for peace we now experience. The old patriarchal world order is dying; and as with any entity facing imminent death, it is rearing its head and digging in its heels for a last stand. We must not align ourselves with its push for continued existence, for it no longer serves. Its time has come to an end. We must align ourselves with the quickening vibration of Mother Earth. Now is the time to release old habits and beliefs, open our hearts and minds to infinite possibility, and accept the miraculous life awaiting our participation. It is time to follow our passion and create the world in which we want to live.

 

Upon opening our minds and hearts to this new energy, we are guided to identify that which no longer serves, give thanks for all it provided, and then send it on its way. We are moved to give birth to something new, something beneficial, something powerful. We begin to see clearly the face our passion wears, compelling us to serve its purpose.

 

Following our passion amplifies our awareness and raises us to higher consciousness. It fashions wings that give flight to our spirits, expanding our visions to behold the expansiveness of the universe and its inimitable possibility. It fills our hearts with gratitude as we experience the ease with which this virtue allows us to navigate the world.

 

Now is the time for all of us to stand in our power and make a positive difference in the world, no matter the depth or breadth of its reach, no matter the force of opposition. All beneficent creating is significant, regardless of scale, for Mother Earth is a great web. Any action taken by one is felt by all who dwell upon her.

 

From this point forward, let all action we take serve the good of Mother Earth and all of her beings. Let our thoughts focus on manifesting only that which serves the common good. Let our passion be blessed and our good intention be swift as an arrow.

 

Energy follows thought. It is time to think, feel, live, and be LOVE.

 

Where does your passion lie?

 

Until the next time, my friends… Namaste ❤

 

©Tina Frisco 2012/2017

 

About Tina:

 

Tina Frisco is an author, singer-songwriter, RN, activist, and student of shamanism. Born in Pennsylvania USA, she attended nursing school in New York and lives in California. She began writing as a young child and received her first guitar at age 14, which launched her passion for music and songwriting. She has performed publicly in many different venues. Her publishing history includes book reviews; essays; articles in the field of medicine; her début novel, PLATEAU; her children’s book, GABBY AND THE QUADS; and her latest novel, VAMPYRIE. She enjoys writing, reading, music, dancing, arts and crafts, exploring nature, and frequently getting lost in working crossword puzzles.

 

Books by Tina Frisco

 

Visit Tina’s Amazon Page to learn about all her books!

 

Connect with Tina Frisco

Website/Blog ~ https://tinafrisco.com
Amazon US ~  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009NMOFNY
Amazon UK ~ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tina-Frisco/e/B009NMOFNY
Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/TinaFrisco.Author
Twitter ~  https://twitter.com/TinaFrisco
LinkedIn ~ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-frisco-8230b255
Google+ ~  https://plus.google.com/116772512185963026434
Goodreads ~ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6497599.Tina_Frisco
Radio Interview ~ http://themagichappensnow.com/tell-me-a-story-with-annette-rochelle-aben/

Reblog Share - Smorgasbord Health - Deydration

Missed Opportunities – Guest Post… Tina Frisco

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Festisite Reblog

 

Today’s post is a reblog of a beautiful post I caught on The Story Reading Ape’s  (Chris Graham) blog, by Tina Frisco. Tina is reminding us not to waste a moment of opportunity to let someone know what we are feeling. Read her words below:

 

tina-books

 

 

How many times have you heard yourself say: “I wish I’d said . . .”?  Sometimes we’re simply a little slow on the draw. But sometimes we hesitate, afraid to speak what we’re thinking and feeling. Maybe we’re afraid of not being liked. Maybe we’re uncomfortable with effusive reactions. Maybe we’re afraid of confrontation. Whatever the reason, it’s usually based in fear. And that’s really too bad, because we’ve missed an opportunity to grow.

How many times have you heard yourself say: “I wish I’d told her . . .”?  If we’re reticent to pay someone a compliment — perhaps afraid they may question our motives — then we’ve robbed them and ourselves of a joyful moment. If we’re reluctant to offer someone criticism — perhaps unsure whether we’re capable of handling their reaction — then we’ve robbed them and ourselves of an opportunity to change.

And the world is in desperate need of heart-speak.

How many times have you heard yourself say: “I wish I’d done . . .”? Maybe it was something as lofty as starting your own business or as unimposing as dropping a dollar in the cup of a homeless person. But wherever it fell on the spectrum, it was a missed opportunity to act — perhaps even for the greater good. . . Continue Reading 

 

Note *** Tomorrow I’ll be on Annette Aben’s Blogtalk radio show- Tell Me A Story. We’ll be live at 130pm EST, but the podcast will also be available to listen to at your leisure by going to  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/themagichappens/2016/11/11/d-g-kaye-on-tell-me-a-story 

 

 

Source: Missed Opportunities – Guest Post… | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life

Book reviews

#BookReview – #Memoir – Finding Hope – Dorothy Sander

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book reviews

Today’s review is featuring Dorothy Sander’s book – Finding Hope, a memoir full of insight and inspiration on life and wisdom.

The Blurb:

Mounting life pressures, unexpected change or disappointment can leave us depleted and without hope. In this book the author gives her readers just the lift they need to make it through hard times. Packed with insight and inspiration, this carefully crafted collection of vignettes and quotes by some of the world’s greatest teachers, will help you right your ship and find balance in your life once again.

Finding Hope: Inspiration for the Midlife Journey by [Sander, Dorothy]

Buy this book on Amazon

My Review:  5.0 out of 5 starsLife 101

ByD.G. Kayeon June 29, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

A beautifully written book which stays with us long after it’s been read. Sander inspires us with her wisdoms about aging with grace – the hardships and the beauty. She delves into what many women begin to question about things and feelings that change as we age and how we become from our experiences.

Each chapter is followed by some inspirational quotes that we can go back to whenever we may feel the need for some uplifting.

Visit Dorothy’s author page HERE 

High heel shoes

Life is Short — Buy The Shoes!

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 High heel shoes

 

 

“Life is short—buy the shoes.”  This is a small sentence, although packed with some good advice. I took a little writing journal with me on my recent vacation and this quote was the title of the journal.

 

The cover had a pretty caricature of a girl, happily skipping among flowers while wearing pink stilettos, which captured my attention. Anybody who knows me, knows how much I love shoes, so buying the journal was a no brainer for me.

I found the cute little journal while looking around in the stationery section of a gift store in Arizona. Every time I picked it up, it reminded me not to hem and haw over little decisions in life which we tend to  let grow so grand sometimes in our thoughts. And I bought it.

With so much sickness and evil in the world, we shouldn’t be burdening ourselves with petty worries. We have to remember to have gratitude in the little moments that make us feel happy.

If we come across some item that makes us feel good and brings us a smile then I say indulge. You like it, you buy it! If it doesn’t cut into your life savings or living budget, and it brings you joy, then go for it!

“Sometimes it’s the little things in life that bring us pleasure and can fill a dark day with sunnier skies.”

Life is short
Life’s too short, found in a storefront window in Sedona, Arizona

 

 

©D.G. Kaye, dgkayewriter.com 2015

Today's thoughts

Overwhelmed, Take a Breath

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Today's thought

I’ve barely been home for two weeks from a beautiful vacation and I already feel overwhelmed. My self-imposed clock is something I put upon myself daily. I give myself a daily list of things that should be accomplished so as not to carry over for tomorrow’s list. If I don’t make this list I feel as though I won’t remain motivated. But there are just times when daily life interferes with our schedules, and those are the times that seem to make me feel as though I’m smothering when I struggle to keep up.

When I returned from vacation, I had the usual catching up tasks to contend with such as: thirty loads of laundry, and almost two hundred emails I failed to open. Don’t even get me started on how behind I got on my reading blog posts and subscriptions. But that was all to be expected with unpredictable internet at sea and a very social holiday. It just seems as though I’m trying to cram as much as I can get done in one day because I’m a firm believer in ‘Don’t put off for tomorrow what can be done today.’ I remembered this as a child and it stuck with me. What if something happens and I can’t get everything done on my calendar? I panic about how much more there will be to do tomorrow. I believe it’s called anxiety. I’ll tell you. . . I exhaust myself!

Even with good intentions, life has interruptions and I am left prioritizing what will fill my tomorrows. I’ve had quite a few interruptions on my planned writing days since I’ve moved. I’m not yet 100% settled in my place yet, or my mind for that matter. There are still repairmen coming and going, there is some very noisy underground repairs with jackhammering that vibrate all the way to my tenth floor on a daily basis. My husband hasn’t been well since we’ve returned from vacation. Hence, he’s been home most of the time and that throws me off my game. He’s also had his second eye cataract surgery this week and other follow up appointments.

My intentions were to finalize my newest book’s first draft and start typing it into the computer as well as work on blog posts, catch up on other blogs, visit my social sites, catch up with my new writing group, cook, clean, pay the bills, grocery shop and most of all, go visit my beautiful aunt who is in palliative care living on borrowed time.

Writing is my solace and when I can’t get enough time to write I begin to experience anxiety, feeling as though everything is happening too quickly and I just want to stop and take a breath. My self-imposed clock  is always ticking in my head, pushing me to get things done in case. . in case what? In case tomorrow’s obstacles give me more than I can handle for the next day?

Each day I wake I am still surprised to find where I am when I wake, I’m not yet used to my new surroundings. I can’t help but wonder if I will adjust here or if my desire to move away from this city is so strong that nowhere here would make me happy. Do you ever feel like you’re not living in the place you belong? I do. But I haven’t yet found where it is that I do belong.

Ironically, an author friend of mine Jane Carroll, who writes fabulous books about looking at life with a positive spin, using her alter-ego ‘Bertha‘  as her inspiration for positivity and as the main character in her books, had messaged me on Facebook. (You can check out Jane’s Becoming Bertha and Bertha-Size your life and get inspired.) Jane was beginning a series of questions she invited her readers to ask her and Bertha so she could answer and put the questions on video and eventually in her newsletter. Jane messaged me in a frazzled moment I was in and asked me if I had a question for Bertha. How opportune I found Jane’s question when I replied, “How do I deal with being overwhelmed?” Hours later Jane messaged me with a glimpse of her answers she put together in this video. True to her Berthaisms, she was decked out in Bertha’s favorite colors, hot pink and chartreuse.