SAVING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY JUST GOT EASIER!

“So many people wish, too late, that they had saved the stories of their late parents and grandparents. I want to help prevent that situation for others,” says Nashville personal historian Deborah Wilbrink. The journalist and former English teacher has assisted over a dozen seniors in writing and publishing their memoirs. She’s now writing a book about saving one’s life story or family history, with chapters about the people she wrote with and songs she penned about family histories, magic moments in life and mementos that generate memories. Quilters from East Tennessee’s Rose Center Quilt Guild are providing some of the illustrations. Wilbrink is also writing songs!  

Her book and accompanying CD are titled Time To Tell: Your Personal & Family History. Wilbrink is serving tips to start writing one’s life story and importantly, motivating the readers with stories from seniors who have authored their own personal histories. The songs will trigger those ‘Oh, I remember!’ and ‘I should do that!’ reactions. Whether you just want to enjoy the music, read the stories, or… start writing or recording your own, that’s for you to decide!  

Using treasured mementos from the past to inspire a story is one tip Wilbrink writes about. A year ago she volunteered to lead Show and Tell events with seniors. She heard about earthquakes, emigration, equators, equal rights. Other stories surfacing featured a vaudeville act, a typesetter, even a kidnapping in a cotton field. Some of those stories are in Time to Tell and the song “Yesterday’s Trash, Today’s Treasure.”  

 She wants to have the book and CD out in time for Mother’s Day.  For more about Deborah see www.perfectmemoirs.com  Follow the project at  

https://www.facebook.com/TimeToTellbyDeborahWilbrink  

Join Us for the Twist of Fate Book Tour!

My Spirituality

By Shawna C. Jones,

Author of Twist of Fate

Thank you for allowing me to blog on this topic today.

Spirituality to me is connecting with something greater than myself. I know there are many definitions, and I won’t even get into the specific religious ones. I believe spirituality and religion can blend, but I don’t consider myself a religious person.

I grew up with no religious beliefs, and I am grateful for that. It allowed me to choose what worked for me, and I didn’t get brain washed at a young age. I didn’t believe in God one way or the other. Perhaps God was invented by humans? If there was no God, would I be okay with that? The journey to finding your own truth may be a long one. But it’s yours and no one else’s.

Like most things in life, spirituality has to be experienced. It can’t be learned from a book or church service. In my book, I had a spiritual experience. It surprised me, since I didn’t expect it and, I don’t know if my mentor knew it would happen or not, but he must have felt I was ready to experience it. 

I would say that my search for my True Home became my spiritual journey. When I describe my home to anyone, they tell me it sounds like Heaven. And yet, I know it’s not Heaven. I don’t even believe in Heaven or Hell, but I do know there exists other dimensions and planets/stars, and even other states of consciousness. My home is a Star system of high frequency. It is called Astellerone (I’m not sure of the spelling). I get homesick just thinking about it. The good news is, I can travel there mentally at any time to be with my family and the wonderful beings that live there. Do I think I can advance even higher than that place? Quite possibly, but I don’t even know if I want to. It’s just too beautiful. And I belong there, which is huge for me.

That doesn’t diminish anyone else’s experience or place of origin. If you’re from Pleiades, Venus, Sirius, or other dimensions, you still shine a bright light on Earth, and help to uplift the planet. Most of us came here with a mission. We want to complete it regardless of what’s on our path. It relates to doing something for the planet or others here, whether to serve (help) others, anchor more light into Earth, honor all creatures (especially animals), or plant more trees. Whatever we do, we are careful to not cause more harm to a planet already in crisis.

I didn’t find my home until I had Chi Nei Tsang massages. We are carrying issues, blockages, and everything else from many, many past lives. We need to get rid of it. As Steve, my masseuse, used to say, “We’re putting more Christ light (Buddha light) into your body.”

I know this is my last life here, and I intend to complete my mission. I will resign from being a planetary healer, as I’ve done this too many times already. It’s someone else’s turn. As for this life, I intend to continue traveling, meditating, healing, and making this planet as bright as it can be. Mother Earth needs all the help she can get.

I hope everyone finds their connection to the Divine, whatever that may be. As Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

Thank you for reading,

Shawna

As part of the Twist of Fate Tour, Shawna is offering the following prizes to a random commentator:

A  $50.00 Amazon Gift certificate.

A half hour psychic reading of your choice of readers. (up to $60.00)

A $50.00 Starbucks gift card.

Enter to win your choice of prizes – a Rafflecopter Giveaway


Here is the full tour schedule--make sure to leave a comment!
May 26: The Reading Addict
May 27: Our Wolves Den
May 28: Writers in the Sky Podcast, Ezine and Blog
May 29: Deal Sharing Aunt
May 30: You Gotta Read Reviews
June 2: Sexy Adventures Passionate Tales
June 3: Welcome to My World of Dreams
June 4: Long and Short Reviews
June 5: Kinky Vanilla Romance
June 6: It's Raining Books

 

Angels Never Die Launches in Las Vegas, April 9-14

If you plan on being in the Las Vegas area next week, take a break from the slots and check out the book launching events for Gwendolyn McNutt's Angels Never Die, A True Story of Love, Loss & Faith.  

Gwen and her husband Henry always believed that God's greatest blessing was their six children. But when they lose all four sons to a rare blood disorder, their faith is put to the most agonizing test a parent can imagine. Angels Never Die is their journey of pain, hope and survival in the face of tragedy. It is also a powerful testament to the strength and bravery of their boys.     

If you're not going to be in Vegas, be sure to tune into the radio interviews!  



Tuscany Hotel
Book Launching and Signing / Dinner with the Author
255 E. Flamingo
Las Vegas
Wednesday, April 9th
3:00 PM - 5 PM - West Coast Book launching and signing
5 PM - 7 PM - Dinner with the Author

Radio Interview
Aspects of Writing with James Kelly
Live on VANR (VegasAllNetRadio.com)
Thursday, April 10th - 4:00 PM
This show will rebroadcast on KLAV April 22 nd at 2:00 PM (PST)

The Book Boutique
19 W. Pacific Ave.
Henderson, Nevada
Friday, April 11th
12 PM - 2 PM

Barnes and Noble
Henderson, Nevada
Stephanie and Sunset
Saturday, April 12, 2014
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Radio Interview
Community Angels with Josie Harrison
Sunday 5 PM - 6 PM (PST)
KLAV - 12.30 on the dail or KLAV1230am.com

The Coffee House on Water Street
117 S. Water Street
Henderson, Nevada
Monday, April 14, 2014
11:00 PM - 2:00 PM
 

Join Us for a Conversation with Novelist Tanya J. Peterson

What do you when your seemingly normal life is suddenly ripped apart by mental illness? Tanya J. Peterson explores this question in her new novel, Leave of Absence. It is the inspiring and disturbingly realistic portrayal of a man and a woman being treated in a mental health facility.

The book is all the more true to life because it covers both situational depression and a lifelong illness. One character has been hospitalized after the loss of his wife and child drove him to attempt suicide; the other is struggling with a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. The bond they forge will be the only reality they can cling to while in treatment.  

It was my pleasure to speak with Tanya about her love of writing, as well as her commitment to bringing awareness to mental health challenges and other social issues. Her previous book, Losing Elizabeth, is a Young Adult novel about a girl involved in an abusive relationship.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Tanya is from the Northwest, where she is a certified counselor and teacher. To learn more about her work or purchase the books, visit tanyajpeterson.com

Join Us for a Conversation with Author and Law of Attraction Expert Zaheen Nanji

It is my pleasure to welcome author and wellness coach Zaheen Nanji to the WITS podcast. Zaheen is one of twelve wellness experts from the U.S. and Canada who authored Unlock the Power of YOU: 12 Steps to Health, Happiness and Success. Specifically, she discusses her chapter, Attracting Your Ideal Weight. Zaheen is also certified in the Law of Attraction and owner of the Shanti Wellness Centre in Alberta. The Centre provides a host of services, from yoga classes to life coaching, for a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Zaheen doesn't just teach these methods, she lives them. As a child, she suffered from a serious stuttering problem that affected every aspect of her life. However once she learned to conquer her fear, stuttering no longer had power over her, and the behavior changed. Today, she is comfortable with interviews and is a sought after public speaker. She also hosts the radio show, Fat to Thin and has created a series of YouTube videos to help people struggling to overcome their weight issues.

Click here to listen to the podcast:

Like what you heard? To order the book, visit www.zaheennanji.com. To learn more about the Shanti Wellness Centre, visit www.shantiwellnesscentre.com

Visit her on Facebook
Follow her on Twitter

This Friday's Podcast Guest: Sola Olu

Sola Olu joins us this week to discuss her new memoir, The Summer Called Angel: A Story of Hope on the Journey through Prematurity. What began as Sola's journal has become a tool to support and educate other parents of premature babies.

Premature birth remains the number one killer of newborns in the United States. In fact, with approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies resulting in premature birth each year, the U.S. has one of the worst records in the world, and certainly among developed nations. The statistics are not only appalling, but surprising, and many parents are shocked, frightened and confused when as they attempt to navigate the world of the neonatal intensive care unit. After she and her husband endured this agonizing experience, not once, but twice, Olu was inspired to help others in the same situation. With equal parts information and emotional candor, The Summer Called Angel will help parents identify with the challenges of prematurity and preeclampsia, as well as the general NICU experience.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Like what you heard? Order The Summer Called Angel is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Join Us for a Conversation with Reverend Dieuner Joseph

Reverend Dieuner Joseph is well-aware of the importance of living a balanced life. He has spoken about it in his sermons and on his radio show; he has written about it in his weekly devotional and on his blog. But best of all, he lives it every day, and now he is sharing his guidance in his new book, Created to Live a Balanced Life: 8 Holistic Steps to Transformation.

Created to Live a Balance Life teaches us how to heal our spiritual wounds and become the best version of ourselves. It focuses on discipline, self-esteem, and faith as the necessary ingredients for success, and offers real-world advice on everything from diet and exercise to our relationships with our spouses and children. But the most important relationship, however, is the one each of us has with God, and Reverend Joseph helps us cultivate that as well.  

Reverend Dieuner Joseph is the CEO of the Holistic Transformation Center, as well as the founder of Imani Temple Baptist Church and Disciple Maker Ministry. He is the author of “Restoring Honor to an Honorable Vocation” and the writer and editor of the blog, “A Pastor’s Reflection”. He also produces an online weekly devotional called “The Wednesday Word” and hosts Reverend Dieuner’s Community Call, an interactive radio show on Talkshoe.com. Reverend Joseph holds a Bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College, as well as Master’s Degrees in Divinity and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has also studied at the University of Strasbourg in France.

Click here to listen to the interview

Like what you heard? Visit Reverend Joseph's website to buy the book and learn more about his speaking tour.

Tune in this Friday for Part II of Our Interview with Apostle Kevin A. Johnson

Last week Apostle Kevin A. Johnson spoke with us about Dust Collector, his inspirational guide to holistic transformation. This week, we welcome Apostle Johnson back to the WITS podcast to discuss his follow-up book, Sabotage.

With the same compassion he used in writing Dust Collector, Johnson’s new book teaches us how to banish negativity from our lives and embrace God's love. This negativity shows up in many forms, including drug and gambling addiction, as well as other destructive behaviors. Sabotage provides the tools to help us combat these “spiritual terrorists” that cause us to experience fear, despair and pain. In order to do this, Johnson believes, we must be positive in word, deed and thought. “Before defeat can occur in the physical world,” he says, “it first occurs in the mind. We must overcome this way of thinking and allow God to do the rest.”

Be sure to tune in this Friday to hear more about Apostle Johnson's extraordinary work!

Apostle Kevin A. Johnson is a minister, counselor, and writer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a minor in Pastoral Studies from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated magna cum laude and was twice-named Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He also received special recognition for outstanding service by former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist. In addition to his ministry and writing career, Apostle Johnson, along with his wife Terrah, owns and operates Just Breathe Ministries, LLC. To learn more about Apostle Johnson’s work, visit http://www.facebook.com/Kevin.a.johnson3  or email him directly at apostlekaj@yahoo.com

This Week's Podcast Guest: Apostle Kevin A. Johnson

There is a famous saying that “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Apostle Kevin A. Johnson takes this one step further in his new book, Dust Collector: Experiencing the God Who Collects Worthless Things and Makes Them Into Great Things in His Hands and for His Purpose. Join us this Friday for the first half of our two-part interview with this inspirational author and minister.

Dust Collector is a compassionate yet no-nonsense guide to holistic transformation through the love of Jesus Christ. It offers advice on everything from having a happy, Christ-centered marriage to overcoming childhood traumas. But the book’s most important message is not how God heals what others have done to hurt us, but what we have done to hurt ourselves.

Through our sins, addictions, and other destructive behaviors, we become bogged down. This is the “dust”, and it clouds our vision to all that is good in our lives. But, as Apostle Johnson writes, “a little dust on a silver cup does not make the silver worth any less!”, and like the silver, our dust does not make us any less valuable to God. He does not advocate that we try to rid ourselves of these bad memories, for this is often a painful and futile exercise; instead, he counsels us to simply commit them to God, for with His help, we can turn our junk into gold. Dust Collector provides an excellent, step by step process by which to rid our lives of the debt, dependence on drugs, and drama in our lives.

Apostle Kevin A. Johnson is a minister, counselor, and writer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a minor in Pastoral Studies from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated magna cum laude and was twice-named Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He also received special recognition for outstanding service by former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist.

In addition to his ministry, Apostle Johnson and his wife Terrah operate Just Breathe Ministries, LLC. They have five children.

Dust Collector is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Xulon Press.

To contact Apostle Johnson about his work, visit http://www.facebook.com/Kevin.a.johnson3 or email him directly at apostlekaj@yahoo.com

Join Us for a Conversation With Award-Winning Author Michael Loyd Gray

It seems that with each passing day, our society is becoming more and more obsessed with fame. We spend countless hours watching, reading about, and sometimes even stalking, those who have it. For many people, fame is the ultimate dream, even if it means they have to air their dirty laundry on a reality show to get it. Rarely does anyone consider the downside of living in this golden fishbowl, but award-winning author Michael Loyd Gray does just that in his excellent new novel, Not Famous Anymore.

Elliott Adrian is in many ways a Hollywood cliché: small town boy who made good; a movie star with a mansion, a collection of sports cars, and an entourage of sycophants to fulfill his every desire; another celebrity behaving badly, without a care for anyone but himself. But beneath the flippant, arrogant façade beats the heart of an empty, desperately unhappy man. After his latest alcohol-fueled stunt lands him in rehab, Elliott decides he’s cashing in his chips and leaving L.A.—and fame—for good.

Disguising himself with a mustache, a cowboy hat and a series of vehicles that have seen better days, Elliott escapes his golden cage and begins driving back to the Midwest. He is not sure what he is doing, but he knows he is driven by an inexplicable need to make things simpler. What he finds, however, is that his life is about to get a heck of a lot more complicated.

In creating the rich world of his novels, Michael Loyd Gray draws both on his own experiences and the many pearls of wisdom he has gleaned from literature, music, and movies. His work, he has said, is inspired by that of Ernest Hemingway, but also writers such as Bobbie Anne Mason, Ellen Gilchrist, Raymond Carver, Stuart Dybek, Daniel Curley, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Whether you are a published author, aspiring writer, or just someone who loves a good read, you'll thoroughly enjoy listening to Michael Loyd Gray speak about his love of literature and his own creative process. Click below to listen to the podcast.

Michael Loyd Gray is an award-winning author, journalist and college professor. Born in Arkansas and raised in Champaign, Illinois, he has also lived and worked in New York, Arizona, Texas, and Michigan. He has a MFA from Western Michigan University and a Journalism degree from the University of Illinois. His novel Well Deserved won the 2008 Sol Books Prose Series Award. His story "Little Man" won the 2005 Alligator Juniper Fiction Prize and the 2005 The Writers Place Award for Fiction. Not Famous Anymore was awarded a grant by the Elizabeth George Foundation. December’s Children, another of his novels, was a finalist for the 2006 Sol Books Prose Series Prize and is forthcoming in 2012 from Sol Books as the young adult novel, King Biscuit.

Currently, Michael is a full-time online English professor at South University, where he co-founded Asynchronous, the student literary journal.

Not Famous Anymore is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Join Us for an Interview with Author and Adventurer Leon Halfon

Leon Halfon is a very busy man. After all, life is short, and each day brings a new adventure for him to pursue. So it was a real treat that he slowed down long enough to discuss his new book, The Mathematics of Life.

The book chronicles Leon's amazing story, beginning with his early childhood on the island of Djerba and the horrible accident that left him paralyzed at the age of 7. He spent months in a wheelchair, angry at life, until a miraculous experience changed him forever. With a fortitude uncommon at any age, he overcame his paralysis and went on to live life on his terms. This meant joining a circus, working as a stuntman, and now, sharing his story to inspire others.

Sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic, the book dares us to do the most difficult thing of all: challenge what we have been taught by our families, governments and religions in order to discover our own God-given potential.

Click here to listen:


Like what you heard? Go to http://themathematicsoflife.com/ to buy the book or read Leon's blog. The Mathematics of Life is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This Week's Podcast Guest: Leon Halfon

It is not often we meet someone who has, not only complete confidence in himself, but a true understanding of this adventure we call life. It is even rarer that we meet someone who came to these realizations before the age of ten. Leon Halfon is one of those people, and it was truly a delight to speak with him about his book, The Mathematics of Life.

Leon would say his philosophy comes down to the difference between "believing" and "knowing". Born on the island of Djerba to a religious family, Leon learned his fair share of dogma as a child. But he had little reason to question it until the age of 7, when a horrible car accident left him paralyzed.

Leon spent months in agonizing pain, and many thought he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. But then he had a miraculous experience that showed him another way of living. He taught himself to walk again, climbed out his wheelchair, and never looked back. Since then his life has been one adventure after another, and now he has written The Mathematics of Life to show others that they too can live the life they want.

Tune into the WITS Podcast this Friday to learn more about Leon's inspiring journey!

The Mathematics of Life is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-0104947003/The-Mathematics-of-Life.aspx