inspirational

The Creative Life: True Tales of Inspiration

barbara — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t heard of Julia Cameron, you’re probably familiar with her best-selling book, The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Creativity. This seminal book has helped many recovering and blocked creatives find their way back to a place that is nourishing and healing while giving them the tools they need to unblock their creativity. As Cameron wrote in her introduction to the tenth anniversary edition of The Artist’s Way, “Art is an act of faith, and we practice practicing it. Sometimes we are called on pilgrimages on its behalf and, like many pilgrims, we doubt the call even as we answer it. But we do.”

The Artist’s Way grew out of classes that Cameron gave on creativity to blocked creatives. The “notes” that Cameron had created for these classes evolved into a book that eventually became a worldwide best seller. The book has been used in prisons, hospitals, universities, and human-potential centers as well as by therapists and doctors. One of the core teachings of the book is an emphasis on tapping into the spiritual creative energy that is accessible to all of us through daily journaling that Cameron calls “Morning Pages,” and “Artist Dates,” during which readers are encouraged to embark on spontaneous fun outings of discovery to spark the creative process. Cameron has written a number of best-selling books since The Artist’s Way, including Walking in the World and Finding Water, but it is probably safe to say that none of them have touched so many individuals or inspired so much change in people’s lives as The Artist’s Way.

Cameron’s latest book, The Creative Life: True Tales of Inspiration is described in the book jacket copy as showing readers how to create lives that “nourish and sustain their art.” I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed in the book because it didn’t quite meet up to its advance billing. In this book/writing journal, Cameron invites the reader to be a fly on the wall in her Manhattan apartment and during her domestic and international forays. During this period, Cameron is finishing a book, collaborating with her creative partner on lyrics and music for an upcoming musical, coaching and mentoring artists, young and old, in the art of being creative, and traveling to London to hold workshops on creativity.

To be honest, I’m not sure if some of my disappointment in the book was related to the discovery that despite her successes as a published author, Cameron did not seem to be following her “true north” when it came to the writing of this book. Cameron continually questions whether she will be able to complete a book by deadline (presumably this book that is being reviewed). She writes at one point, “I feel like writing, but I feel like I have lost my voice.” While I understand that even famous and successful writers are insecure, I sensed as I read the book that Cameron was not entirely happy with the finished product, but felt pressured to meet her publisher’s deadline. As a result, The Creative Life: True Tales of Inspiration leaves the reader feeling somewhat let down and disappointed because it is, frankly, not in the same league as The Artist’s Way.

That being said, Cameron’s honesty and frankness about her doubts and insecurities about her writing and her ability to continue to create are refreshing and a testament to her willingness to continue to take risks for the sake of her art.

Written by: Gita Tewari, November 24th 2010

A Woman's Agenda 2011: Celebrating Movers and Shakers

beth — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000

By Karen Helm

Second Story Press

Whenever I walk into an office supply store, my heart bursts into song. Traipsing rapturously down the aisles of Staples or Office Depot, it's all I can do not to spin like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. Five subject notebooks and highlighter markers, White-Out and staples and hanging file folders, colorful Post-its of differing size: these are a few of my favorite things.

As someone with a fetishistic love of organization, I appreciate a good annual planner. While I generally keep my schedule and to do lists updated using a variety of paperless tools—such as Outlook's calendar feature and Google Docs—there are benefits to having a hard copy version of my schedule: at a glance, I can see everything on my plate without needing to pull out my laptop. It also allows me to step out of the weeds of my day-to-day commitments and reflect about my workload and my year. Finally, because I'm shortly going to be spending the next two years volunteering abroad, I want to have a tangible, coherent vision of what's happening in my life next, during months of transition where I will feel lost and out of control for long stretches of time—and possibly with minimal technology available.

A lot to ask of a planner, I know. Still, A Woman's Agenda 2011 seems a good fit for my needs. Solidly spiral bound and measuring roughly five inches by eight inches, the calendar is hefty enough to accommodate the details of my schedule I need while still being small enough to fit in a purse or messenger bag—and feel manageable. Each month has two blank pages for notes; each week has space for an hour-by-hour breakdown of your schedule. Unfortunately, the weekends get short shrift, with fewer lines allotted for tasks on Saturday and Sunday.

This oversight is compensated for, to an extent, by the inspiration that dots the pages of this calendar: every month has a feminist luminary. Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and American politician Shirley Chisholm both receive two-page profiles, as do several Canadian women like women's hockey team captain Cassie Campbell-Pascall. Every week also has an inspiring quote, presumably by the woman profiled at the start of the month (those these are unattributed, so this is an assumption). Finally, there is a list of feminist websites to visit for further inspiration and community.

While A Woman's Agenda 2011 is flawed, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Snag one for the on-the-go feminists in your life, as they start to reflect on what they'll accomplish in the coming year.

Written by: Catherine Nicotera, November 15th 2010

Are You My Guru? How Medicine, Meditation, and Madonna Saved my Life

barbara — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000

By Wendy Shanker

Penguin

Are You My Guru: How Medicine, Meditation, and Madonna Saved My Life is Wendy Shanker’s follow-up to The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life. It is a hilarious and inspiring account of Shanker’s battle with Wegener’s disease, a rare autoimmune disease that results in inflammation of blood vessels in various organs. Using her love of Madonna as well as her journey in trying to find treatment in traditional and alternative forms of medicine, Shanker dangerously treads Eat Pray Love territory but ultimately gives an honest account of her journey.

The book reads like an open conversation, and I could hear Shanker telling me about her struggles to juggle a fatal disease, her weight, and her stressful work life. Rather than writing as a distant and wise survivor, Shanker writes as a relatable source, another person struggling with her own conflict. Her strength is in writing about the struggles to maintain both physical and spiritual health, and how the two correlate. Rather than reading as a self-help novel, Shanker’s work serves as a self-reflection piece, serving as a conversation piece in understanding how we define health today, particularly as it pertains to women.

While Shanker clearly states that her book is her own journey with finding peace with her condition, Are You My Guru began to resemble Eat Pray Love in some of its more contrived moments of enlightenment. While Shanker used these moments sparingly, I was still hesitant about some of the conveniently “miraculous” moments of the book. Both Gilbert and Shanker speak of random moments of clarity, or messages from God in the most tight of situations. While some of Shanker’s more convenient moments (i.e something she prays for coming true at that moment), may be true, maybe the skeptic in me believes that those moments are there more for substance. Some may read her book and try to use it as the foundation of their own treatment of their own difficulties. However, Shanker is far clearer than Gilbert in cautioning readers that this was her own journey. Her book serves as an encouragement to find a regiment that suits the reader personally. Unlike Gilbert, Shanker maintains her ability to maintain intimacy with the reader.

Though I was more skeptical of some of the more “lucky” moments, where passages were stylized for the sake of substance, these moments did appear sparingly. I think the strongest aspect of Are You My Guru is Shanker’s relentless and honest optimism. Despite the hardships that are constantly thrown at her, she never asks the reader for pity, and that strength is inspiring. Shanker also changed my view of Madonna, someone that I did not really give much thought to as a feminist icon. However, her relationship with her idol is very poignant and entertaining.

Overall, I recommend Are You My Guru. Shanker is honest, vibrant, and hilarious, and I found her story to be thought provoking and well written.

Written by: Sara Yasin, November 13th 2010

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0000

By Gregory Boyle

Free Press

At times, I could almost hear my heart breaking as I read Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest who works with hardened gang members in Los Angeles and assists with reintegrating them back into society through his organization Homeboy Industries. Boyle founded Homeboy Industries to provide encouragement and support in the form of jobs and vocational training to former gang members who have expressed a desire to rehabilitate themselves.

Not only did my heart break more than once while reading Tattoos on the Heart, I found myself inspired by Boyle’s recounting of his experiences during the past twenty years in the barrios of East L.A. What kept this book from being flat out disheartening in terms of the obstacles that Boyle and the gang members are up against (Boyle has officiated at the funerals of hundreds of children, adolescents, and adults over the years as a result of gang violence) is Boyle’s sense of humor and faith that glimmers in the stories that he tells. His stories reminded me of homilies strung together to create a beautiful testimony to faith and humanity amongst tragedy and despair.

Boyle is also well schooled in the street language of his homies, which adds even more reality and credibility to his retelling of events. This is a priest who used to ride around on his bike to some of the most dangerous parts of L.A. at all times of the day or night to tend to his flock. Boyle doesn’t share these stories as a means to laud his bravery or piety, but to tell the stories of lost generations of individuals who find themselves in a seemingly unbroken cycle of violence, and to remind us of their humanity. Many of these former gang members were abused by parents or left to raise themselves with no resources or role models. Boyle writes of taking some of his homies to a sit down restaurant for the first time and how these normal day-to-day experiences that we take for granted are as foreign to them as riding a spaceship. Boyle also tells of the death threats he has received as a result of his work from people who don’t believe gang members can or should be rehabilitated.

According to the text, there are:

1,100 gangs encompassing 85,000 members in Los Angeles County, and Boyle Heights had the highest concentration of gang activity in the city. Since Father Greg—also known affectionately as G-dog—started Homeboy Industries more than twenty years ago, it has served members of more than half the gangs in Los Angeles.

I laughed and cried while reading this book. Boyle has a master’s degree in English and has received numerous awards, including the California Peace Prize. He sprinkles quotes of famous spiritual leaders of all faiths throughout his text, including Mother Theresa and Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist monk, poet and peace activist. While I found this book painful to read at times, I also found it to be transformative.

Written by: Gita Tewari, July 16th 2010

Elizabeth Gilbert (01/25/2010)

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0000

Bagdad Theater

Portland, Oregon

I fell in love with Elizabeth Gilbert’s smart, poetic, humorous and utterly authentic voice while reading Eat, Pray, Love. In the four years since its release, I re-read the book whenever I need to be reminded that awakening and wisdom are rewards that await on the other side of suffering, if I can be true to myself and follow my heart.

I arrived at Portland’s Bagdad Theater to see young women buzzing with urgency and excitement swarming the ticket counter. The historic theater lobby with rich mosaic ceilings, stone columns, and lacy iron lanterns was packed with people holding wine, beer, and copies of Gilbert’s new book Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage (unfortunately my comp ticket didn’t include a copy of the book). Squeezing through the crowd, my friend and I were too late for seats on the main floor, but found comfy velvet armchairs and a good view in the balcony.

For twenty minutes Gilbert read from Committed and told the story of herself, “a bird who could dive,” and her lover Felipé, “a fish who could fly,” and their healing love which began in Bali while Gilbert was on the last leg of her Eat, Pray, Love journey. Deeply wounded by their first marriages, both had sworn never to marry again, but after a long time of Felipé flying in and out of the U.S. on ninety-day visas, Homeland Security decided enough was enough. “Like a stern, old-fashioned father” the U.S. government presented them with the options of separation or marriage, and so this unlikely bird/fish duo “had been netted.”

Following the reading Gilbert gracefully responded to questions, and the gushing of fans, for about forty minutes. Several of the questions belied assumptions commonly held about life after marriage, such as the notion of “settling down” and the expectation that Gilbert would somehow do, or be, less. Gilbert’s take was refreshing and conveys the quiet confidence of a woman who remains true to herself. Pets and a garden speak of her ties to a home-base, whereas her relationship (married or otherwise) exists in a realm that cannot be limited by walls and a roof, or even laws and social convention.

When asked about taking her husband’s name, Gilbert replied that to do so never occurred to her, and further, that the issue is a red herring that detracts from the more essential feminist issues surrounding marriage, including intimacy, privacy, and equal rights. Gilbert is a smooth and relaxed speaker, and she discussed her pre-nup, love life, affluence, and legal entanglements with candor. She also dispensed advice to aspiring writers on the virtue of discipline and the importance of following one’s curiosity.

Despite several cell phones going off, a writer’s “dump on” (I think she meant to say “pitch to”) Gilbert, and the feeling that I might be at an opening for Sex and the City rather than a book reading, I walked away feeling touched and inspired by Gilbert’s creative essence and self-possession.

Written by: Matsya Siosal, January 27th 2010

It’s Never too Late to Be What You Might Have Been

admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

By BJ Gallagher

Viva Editions

The title of this book is drawn from an adage that is sometimes lost on the young. Youth is often painted as an open road with endless paths leading to infinite dreams. The challenge that we face as we get older is maintaining the attitude that life still holds an abundance of opportunities and that we are up to the task of conquering them. Contrary to what society tells us, BJ Gallagher's It's Never too Late to Be What You Might Have Been proclaims that reinvention is not just for those without lines on their faces or traces of gray sprouting from their scalps.

In this volume, Gallagher offers a collection of inspirational anecdotes that touch on a variety of arenas where we might dream of starting over: careers, education, health, finances and love. The author maintains that in all of these areas, we are never too old to either fulfill old dreams or pursue new interests, and she provides a series of interviews as proof. Among her subjects are Elgene Doinidis, a woman who decided to learn how to fly in her middle age; Arnold and Raine Chanin, who became avid hikers in their sixties; and Gary Gwilliams, who ended a marriage after twenty years and then stumbled upon his soul mate.

In these stories about starting over and second chances, Gallagher does not dig deep. She does not offer a step-by-step guide or any kind of action plan for following one's heart. It seems that her sole point is to say that no matter who you are or where you are in life, you can still take risks and pursue your goals. While It's Never too Late to Be What You Might Have Been is an ultra-light, fluffy read bordering on advertorial by including the URLs for its interviewees' commercial web sites, it serves the purpose of patting the reader on the back and whispering in their ear, "Yes, you can do this, too!"

Written by: Beverly Jenkins-Crockett, November 25th 2009

Living Life as a Thank You: The Transformative Power of Daily Gratitude

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:53:00 +0000

Edited by Nina Lesowitz, Mary Beth Sammons

Viva Editions

The most wonderful part about the idea of practicing daily gratitude is that any person can do it. Unlike many concepts, like faith or prayer, which tend to be examined via certain religions or spiritualities, thankfulness is pretty universal. Living Life as a Thank You illustrates extensively how incorporating gratitude into one's life can draw enormous benefits for everyone.

This book serves up ten chapters full of stories about how learning to be grateful has changed people from all walks of life. Each chapter carries a theme, ranging from "the power of gratitude to make a difference in the world" to "gratitude in times of transition." Each chapter begins with an introduction, musings on the particular theme, then follows with seven or eight snippets from real people telling the specifics about how they have come to have gratitude play a strong part in their lives—some from epiphanies, some from years of training.

Throughout the book there are exercises, suggestions, and tips on how to bring gratefulness into your life, including a "gratitude tool kit" with proposals for ways to say thank you every day, how to make a "gratitude dream board," and how to adjust your schedule to make time for focusing on thoughts about what you are grateful for. There are also inspirational quotations peppered throughout the book, which I, as a bit of a quote-aholic, found myself writing down to give to others.

I've tended, in the past, to get turned off by "inspirational" books that speak of concepts too abstractly, but one of the reasons I really appreciate this book is that it brought a broad concept down into concrete stories that I could relate to. One of the editors, Mary Beth Sammons, is a popular blogger, which was interesting to discover because the whole book reminded me of the short, focused, pondering style of blogs. Reading this book felt very much like sitting down with a bunch of people from a variety of backgrounds and having them simply speak about what they are thankful for and how they got to having gratitude so strongly in their life.

For many years I have kept a personal list titled "Things That Make Me Happy"; it consists of small things that make me smile or feel uplifted. During rough times, I pull it out and read these tiny reminders of how amazing life truly is. Living Life as a Thank You argues in favor of this idea and adds how practicing gratitude every single day has the immense power to give us greater personal happiness, make us more satisfied with the present, help us celebrate triumphs, and make us generally healthier in body and mind. I found myself marveling that something so simple can do so much to change the outlook of our life, and I am grateful I was reminded of this by reading this book!

Written by: Lesley Kartali, November 24th 2009

She's Shameless: Women Write About Growing Up, Rocking Out, and Fighting Back

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Edited by Stacey May Fowles, Megan Griffith-Greene

Tightrope Books

Shameless is the magazine I needed as a teen. Instead, I relied on zines picked up from all-ages shows and record shops, with Ms. to fill in the gaps. Zines and Ms. have their place, but it’s heartening to see a need being met so well. In Shameless, young women have a chance to read (and write) about issues of real importance. The magazine’s title comes from its efforts to counter mainstream teen magazines, whose advertisements and features too often encourage shame of our bodies, brains, and differences.

Two of the magazine’s staff, Stacey May Fowles and Megan Griffith-Greene, have compiled the anthology She's Shameless, a slim book containing twenty-five short essays on living up to expectations, getting to know our bodies, developing relationships, learning from failures, and most of all, the power of the creative act. Most pieces are 2-3 pages long and will leave you wondering how anyone can say so much in so few words. In fact, my only complaint is that, with about 114 pages, the book ends too quickly. Contributors include previously anthologized writers, visual artists, activists, and musicians. When I read the contributor biographies I took copious notes because I look forward to reading the other work produced by these talented writers.

These stories are bravely, beautifully honest, the kind of honest that, in reading material as a teen, I only got from Changing Bodies, Changing Lives. As I read these stories, I could relate to so many experiences that I began talking aloud to the text. One story described the confusing experience of being fifteen with perfect poetry: “I had read The Story of O. But I had also just seen Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” I clapped my hand over my mouth in surprise, because I had the same pairing in my past.

My teen years were vivid, with seemingly ordinary moments transformed by Technicolor depths of pain, longing, confusion, and joy. The authors in She's Shameless let me know I am not alone in my clarity of memory. If we'd had this book, the creative women with whom I came of age would have read this anthology aloud to one another, shocked by how well these strangers could know our minds and hearts.

Written by: Lisa Rand, November 23rd 2009

My Mom is My Hero

admin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:11:00 +0000

Edited by Susan Reynolds

Adams Media

If you're searching for a warm, soothing bowl of soup for the soul, look no further. This collection of lovely essays on the importance of mothers is sure to strike a chord with every reader. Each of the fifty authors of My Mom is My Hero has contributed a very personal piece, describing key events, special memories, or extraordinary displays of love from Mom. Universal motherly themes emerge, such as nurturing, encouraging, giving, and forging life paths.

The contributors are diverse, including men and women of a variety of ages, representing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Each story is unique, enhancing the reader's understanding and appreciation of mothers. Some essays are uplifting, such as Kathryn Godsiff's "The Care Package Queen," which chronicles the author's mother's undying efforts to send goodies, no matter the distance. Others are inspirational, like "The Writing Desk," Charles W. Sasser's story of his family's lifestyle as cotton pickers and how his mother's sacrifices paved the way for him to become a writer. Still others are humorously bittersweet, including "There is No Such Thing as a Perfect Vacuum" by Chavawn Kelley, which will have readers smiling with nostalgia at the images of Sunbeam mixers and Electrolux vacuum cleaners.

What surprised me most about My Mom is My Hero was the variety of points of view and experiences it provides. I expected a collection of feel-good stories about the love of mothers, and I thought that was where it would end. But this book is so much more than that. Mothers are undoubtedly in the spotlight, but others receive standing ovations as well, including grandmothers, fathers, other relatives, and neighbors. In addition, we get candid looks at the life inside the writers' minds and families. Reading about how the writers and their mothers coped with tough situations and individuals is enough to get us on our feet, ready to take on the world. A great gift for Mom, or for yourself!

Written by: Amanda Moss, August 28th 2009

A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:49:00 +0000

By Margot Datz

Atria Books

Margot Datz’s A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids is a wonderfully colorful picture book for adults - the kind of book that should come with matching postcards, a calendar, and refrigerator magnets. Datz is both writer and illustrator, and she does a delightful job with both.

The focus of the book is how women can experience life to the fullest by living like mermaids. Mermaids, Datz tell us, came out from the sea long ago, and even though they have adapted to life on land, part of them still longs for the freedom of the sea. If you have ever felt like there was a wild, sensual creature inside of you longing to get out (and who among us hasn’t?), then you’re probably a landlocked mermaid. This book will help you to regain the tail that you lost so long ago.

Each page of the book has a little life tip accompanied by a whimsical picture of a mermaid acting it out. These pictures alone make the book worth it. Datz is a talented artist and her mermaids come alive on the page with a certain coy charm, appearing both ethereal and familiar at the same time. They are also racially diverse, which is encouraging since that is not the norm in these types of books.

The life lessons are about a variety of subjects, ranging from listening to your elders to being smart with money. The main lesson is to be true to yourself in all things - including the way you express your emotions, choose a life partner, or simply accessorize an outfit. All of these things, Datz stresses, are important in releasing your inner mermaid.

Nothing Datz presents in the book is new information, but she presents it in such a fun and entertaining way that you can’t help but be drawn into her mermaid world of love, life, and laughter.

Written by: Victoria Kroeger, June 12th 2008

Art Cards

admin — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:46:00 +0000

MWAH! Creations

Fun and spirit cheering: I love these cards so much that I don’t want to give them away! They totally rock. Not only because the art design on one of the cards – a bird perched under a tree – is cute and effective, but also because its simplicity evokes a kind of ethereality. The art feels like a poem on a page. The other card I admire has the caption "always trust yourself" written in a thought-bubble that dribbles from a black and white photograph of a woman bearing a confident and resolute expression.

Crafted from post-consumer recycled card, they measure a good 4 x 6 inches and come with professional-looking off-white envelopes. Not everyone, I feel, will appreciate these handmade beauties. They are nature’s products after all; crude and made with that special ingredient—love. Go to the stores if you’re looking for those mass-produced expert print-cards. For my part, I’m sticking with Tanis Alexis Laird’s unique style.

Write your own heart-felt words inside, as her cards are left blank. Who wouldn’t be grateful for a personalised message?

Truly inspiring, I guess I’ll have to let mine go, eventually…

Written by: Payal Patel, June 15th 2007

Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat

admin — Mon, 14 May 2007 13:27:00 +0000

By Kimberly Wilson

Inner Ocean Press

I don’t know about you, but for me, being a girl today is hard work. The stress of relationships, working, trying to stay healthy, managing a meager financial budget and just trying to figure out what to do with the rest of your life is strenuous and draining work for the body, mind and spirit. Luckily, Kimberly Wilson’s Hip Tranquil Chick is the modern girl’s guide to feeling strong, chic and ready to take on the world.

In this book, Wilson breaks down the philosophy of yoga and how it can be applied to enrich your everyday life—on and off the mat. On the mat, Wilson provides basic poses and sequences, such as “Healing Hip Openers” and “Energizing Sun Salutes,” that help you find strength and tranquility. Off the mat, Wilson lays out strategies to help you find your personal style, find your dream job, create positive energy at home and work, manage your money sensibly and nurture your social consciousness. Through the colorful illustrations, creative tips and specific tasks, Wilson provides the tools for you to find your inner “hip tranquil chick;” they will give you the power to transform concepts into action. After reading this book, you will realize that the basic principles of yoga offer you not only a plethora of physical benefits, but also a way of life. Wilson provides the modern girl with the ability to envision her future and help her take tangible steps (with excellent posture) towards achieving those goals.

This book is a must read for any modern girl looking for some perspective in this chaotic world, but please, take this one suggestion… read it slowly. With its wealth of information, this book can be slightly overwhelming. Wilson’s “hip tranquil chick” needs to find her personal style, create an awesome feng-shui room and, perhaps, even save the world. These things cannot be achieved after one quick read of this book. No, this book deserves to be read slowly. Soak in its richness. Take the time to seriously consider and understand every “tranquil tip,” “OMwork” assignment and inspirational quote. Take the time to master each chapter and section. Slowly follow the beautiful path that any girl, from the novice to the most experienced “yogini,” can follow in order to find and exude her “inner hip tranquil chick.” Namaste.

Note: If you want more Kimberly Wilson, check out her blog. There are some pretty interesting podcasts you should check out where she interviews other women doing great work. There is also information on book signings, retreats, and how to throw your own “hip tranquil chick” soirée.

Written by: Lisa Norton, May 14th 2007

On My Own: The Art of Being a Woman Alone

admin — Mon, 14 May 2007 02:50:00 +0000

By Florence Falk

Harmony Books

In today’s society, there’s no shortage of dialogue from women about the downfalls and loneliness of being single. Romance and the stability and reciprocal affection it brings is arguably one of the most fundamental desires for many.

On My Own reconstructs what is means to be a woman alone, and emphasizes the value of solitude. Her book is a notable publication that efforts to debunk the double standard of single men as strong, coveted bachelors and single women as undesirable spinsters. Containing short personal anecdotes and memoirs to analyses of cultural and pop culture pieces (both historical and contemporary) that refer to women being alone, Falk resists the notion that to be female and single is something to be ashamed of - that single is not an adjective connotative of failure or personal shortcomings. Instead, she insists that to be single is a valuable opportunity with capacity for self-growth, introspection and empowerment. She uses literature ranging from Ibsen’s A Doll House to Steve Martin’s Shop Girl, which perhaps was methodologically used to relate to women of diverse backgrounds, age groups and interests.

There is analysis given to a number of issues women often face, such as a desire for attention from others and the tendency to be hard on oneself. Falk is, after all, a psychoanalyst with two decades’ worth of experience. Thus depending on the reader and their personal experiences, this book can either resemble a liberating self-help book or a piece that simply offers new insights into one’s relationship status.

Written by: Yujean Park, May 13th 2007

Regaining Control: When Love Becomes a Prison

admin — Tue, 01 May 2007 02:44:00 +0000

By Tami Brady

Loving Healing Press

Sad to say, I wasn’t really too surprised by Tami Brady’s intended bombshell statistic that only 1% of the world’s assets are in the name of women. It has been my personal experience that I’ve met very few women who aren’t either overt or covert aggressive, control freaks, or - at the other end of the extreme - fearful and dependent. Both types are insecure. Globally speaking, it’s still a man’s world out there, although thank goodness for Oprah patiently guiding jittery herds of women toward a higher consciousness!

Anyone who has experienced how freeing it is to make her own money, express herself and feel proud of her accomplishments wishes all woman could enjoy the feeling of personal power. To me, it is the feeling of really and truly being alive. So, in my opinion, any book that helps women lacking in self-confidence to step up to the plate of positive and balanced empowerment is a welcome contribution to the self-help section in the bookstores.

Tami Brady’s _When Love Becomes a Prison) is a well-organized quick read featuring workbook pages where the reader can list her strengths and weaknesses, make a detailed portrait of her perfect world and evaluate how she feels on a number of issues. The title of the book at first made me think it was just about abuse, but the book really has to do with breaking down myths about dependence and independence. And learning how to free one’s unique inner spirit.

Brady writes, “Specifically, we’ll focus on reversing situations of unhealthy dependence in order to break free of control, regain self-esteem and increase self-reliance.” That’s a huge journey and this book is a helpful step along the way. It also features a dynamite resource list and bibliography.

Written by: Cheryl Reeves, April 30th 2007

There’s Always Tomorrow

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:23:00 +0000

By Alison Ray

Chime Entertainment

When I opened [There’s Always Tomorrow], I was first taken with the layout and colors of the cover and inner jacket. The boldness of the red and the muted blue really complimented each other and gave the sense of class and distinction. I also thought Alison could be a model if this singing thing doesn’t work out. With a slender build and long, flowing reddish brown hair, she is quite striking.

When I slipped the CD into my player, I was almost immediately hit by the tone of the singer. To me she sounds a little bit like Cyndi Lauper, who I grew up listening to. She has that high pitched tone to her voice with a slight warble. Unfortunately, Cyndi Lauper is not one of my favorite singers. However, I did like the message the song embodied. I also like the fact that the words of the songs were displayed on the inner jacket; it makes for a more enjoyable listening experience.

While the message and lyrics are good, I was not drawn to the singer’s voice. I think the vocals could have been stronger to really portray the message of this song, which is that not matter how you feel today, there’s always tomorrow. Life is ever changing and one day is never like the next. Just hold and believe that there are better things to come. This is a message that we all should try and remember when those darker moments in life rear their ugly head.

Written by: Amber Whitman-Currier, April 29th 2007