Interview with Sue McDaniel | Author or I.M.Heart
By Lauren Smith | April 30, 2008
The Virtual Book Review Network is pleased to interview Sue P. McDaniel, author of I.M. Heart.
Looking for a richer, more fulfilled life, but finding obstacles along the way? Learning to be aware of your feelings, accepting them and working with them will help you learn more about yourself and also become more aware of the world around you, as portrayed in I.M. Heart.
Sue McDaniel has a life-long interest in searching for understanding of herself and others. She is a teacher at heart with experience at all levels of education. A love of learning lead to completion of a Ph.D. and the search for understanding led to study of feelings and behaviors. I.M. Heart is her first solo publication. From 1992 to 1999, she co-authored five basic books and Learning, Changing and Leading: Keys to Success in the 21st Century, with Chet Dixon. This book and the workbooks accompanying it were used as teaching tools in the state of Missouri. Visit http://imheart.net/.
LAUREN SMITH: What inspired your journey to write I.M. Heart?
Sue McDaniel: My inspiration comes from both personal and professional experience. I’ve always been an emotional person – growing up in a culture where emotions were not understood or acknowledged. On my life journey, I’ve had some challenging experiences and struggled with repeating some patterns in relationships, worth or value of myself, and working through fear- based feelings. I’ve worked with myself to keep growing and learning. I‘ve watched myself stop or hurt myself, and have been interested in the “factors on the inside” that affect our behaviors and actions for a very long time – so wanted to share what I know.
Professionally, I’ve taught at levels from elementary school to college, and traveled as a trainer. I’m a teacher at heart and I’ve watched people stop themselves when they had so much potential to succeed. I also worked for the Missouri Women’ Council where the mission was to help women and their families succeed economically. I’ve watch clients get training and be on the verge of having an occupation with an income to sustain a family – only not to show up the first day of work. It’s heartbreaking for so much potential to be lost because we can’t get around the feelings related to fear. There are so many gifts awaiting us when we can heal these fear-based feelings and open up to accept the feelings based in love – personally, in relationships and spiritually. I like to see people succeed – including me. When we can take a step to move forward – maybe just one step – then other steps can follow. I .M. Heart gives people those steps — and the hope to keep stepping.
LAUREN SMITH: What did you do to prepare for writing your book?
Sue McDaniel: I’ve worked for years with others and myself, meditated, and used many techniques to heal and move myself forward. I’ve researched for talks and presentations on these topics. Over time, I’ve incorporated all of this into my own philosophy, so I drew from my own personal experience, creativity and teaching background. I avoided research while actually writing because I wanted this to come from I.M. Heart.
LAUREN SMITH: What main message – or messages – do you want readers to take from your book?
Sue McDaniel: I want readers to get the message that I.M. Heart is about connecting – in three ways. 1) First it is about connecting with your own feelings – all of them – the ugly, nasty, grimy ones as well as the happy, warm and fuzzy ones. The purpose in connecting is to heal those that hurt so that you can be less judgmental/critical of yourself and instead see yourself as worthy and valuable. This opens your heart to yourself – to be more loving, compassionate, joyful and hopeful. 2) Second, it is about connecting to others – at a more meaningful and intimate level – because you have healed some of your bumps and bruises – therefore you can give more of your heart because it is more open. 3) Third, it is about connecting to spirit – through an open loving heart. Spirit is love – we are love. Love is the most powerful energy in the universe. We are all connected through the love of spirit. Imagine the miracles we can create when we connect in the energy of love.
LAUREN SMITH: Facing up to feelings is a challenge many face; is it difficult for you to “practice what you preach,” or has writing I.M. Heart become part of the process that makes it easier for you?
Sue McDaniel: Facing up to feelings is a challenge for many because they are afraid that they will be hurt – maybe again and again! For many, it was bad enough the first time – why should I go through that again? I’m just going to bury this deep inside. However, that feeling just lurks there, silently waiting for a change to once again raise its head and remind us that we don’t want to take a chance on a new job, or relationship because — remember darlin’ you really got burned last time. Let me keep you safe – don’t do it. In reality, taking a step in spite of the fear is a growth step that could prove that history does not always repeat itself. This could be a chance to break the bonds of this fear and be free to experience wonderful opportunities.
Feelings are the internal driving force behind actions and behaviors and are a part of our lives, whether or not we want to acknowledge them. We all have patterns of thinking and feeling that have become habitual ways of responding to life. I’ve watched people stop themselves when a wealth of opportunity awaits them. Fear of success, failure, family, relationships, our own worth and value – can stop us dead in our tracks. Facing up to those feelings, honestly, so that we can understand them is such an amazing healing process. See my web blog – The Great New Years Eve Meltdown as an example to how sometimes we have to feel the pain – really feel it – and after the release we can change our perspective of a situation. If we hadn’t stopped to feel it, we would have carried forward a destructive pattern – but being with it to heal it – not to wallow, but to heal – can change how we see other people and the world.
The writing of I.M. Heart was a healing process for me as I documented what I had learned for myself. The clarification in writing it helped me to more fully practice it, and my understanding has expanded as I’ve tried to live it. I’m a human in process and am learning more as I practice this. Yes, it’s easier because I have healed some bruises and accept there are more to be healed. I’m healthier, and can be honest about how I feel – and still function without dumping my stuff on everyone around me. I recently had a bummed day and make an effort to interact in a super positive manner with others – while wallowing in the gutter. It was my deal and I knew I could let it process through, but not scatter my blues on everyone else. I’m stronger, more confident and accepting of myself even when I’m in the gutter.
Sometimes a situation or person instantly pushes a button and boom – the feelings are flying. How ferocious those feelings are is often a surprise can be overwhelming. Since they are “in my face,” I can’t avoid them so I acknowledge then and when I can give myself space to be with them and process them. For me, the people most likely to push my button are the people I love most. More insidious are those that creep up on you over time – a repeat irritation, disappointment, feelings of being alone or unloved, one thing after another goes wrong – and the negative feelings build. You ignore them, push them down and find your muscles tight, your gut in a knot, your patience being short, not sleeping peacefully – and then one more button is pushed and you can’t ignore them any longer. The bucket is full to overflowing and you need to empty it out – so take a look at the accumulation of feeling sludge to understand and heal it – and watch the pressure release.
LAUREN SMITH: How long did it take you to write the book – (was it longer or less time than you expected)?
Sue McDaniel: It took me about 6 months to write the book. The title came to me as a whisper one morning just after I woke up. I was in one of those half-awake, half-asleep modes and the words just kept floating through my head. Finally, I got up and wrote them down, and as the days passed, I realized that this was the title of a book. Then as I began writing the book gradually took form and I.M. Heart was born.
The initial writing time was about what I expected, but the editing and design work took longer. I originally drafted the character I.M. Heart and then a graphic artist enhanced my drawings. The graphic design of the book was done by a creative genius who can take my work and my concepts, click with those and create magic. Then I had to put all the other pieces in place and find a printer.
LAUREN SMITH: The cover of I.M. Heart is very striking, and the character – the heart shaped icon – is very appealing – how did you go about developing the look and feel of your book?
Sue McDaniel: The cover of I.M. Heart is my artwork. It was done before the book was written, in a moment of artistic inspiration. The book was not yet a seed in my consciousness when the artwork was completed – but when I started working the book, I knew the purpose of the artwork.
The title of the book, I.M. Heart, is a play on words. It is the title of the book, and the name of the character in the book. It also represents me, you and everyone else on the planet. We are all I.M. Heart, which really means I AM HEART since all of us have feelings. The character is intended to be cute and an inspiration to others. In every day life and especially when the going gets rough, I.M. Heart – the character – is a model for how to live with and process feelings, heal the hurts and grow in love. Imagine a scary or difficult situation in which you hold the image of I.M. Heart in your heart and mind – knowing that you are ok in this moment and will be just fine in the next - you can handle it. The character I.M. Heart gives hope!
I wanted it to be esthetically appealing, have lots of open space, printed in purple ink – a healing color, so that it would be more inviting to those who were reluctant to read about feelings. I wanted the book design to capture attention first, and then maybe people would be drawn in to learning about something new that could help them in their lives. It is an introduction to living with feelings.
It was my intent that this book be very user friendly, inviting to the reader in its entirety or to open a page and capture a message for the moment. In fact many people have told me that they have read it through and then gone back and read certain pages for specific points. Each chapter also has summary points and strategies.
LAUREN SMITH: What tips would you offer to anyone writing a book for the first time?
Sue McDaniel:
Writing the book is one thing – there is such satisfaction watching a page fill with words and knowing that those words make sense and then having a vision for the finished product. I love the artistic process. However, getting that product ready for publication is another animal entirely. Marketing it is an even bigger deal!
When you self-publish, there are a gazillion details that you have to handle, decisions to make and many times you are the lone ranger in this process. I would tell everyone to 1) Don’t give up on your dream because holding that book in your hand the first time is amazing; 2) Be persistent – most of the steps are not hard, it is just a process of “putting one foot in front of the other” until you figure out what is required; 3) Join some of the publishing organizations and ask them for help; 4) Build your own network of authors who have done this or are in process – so you can support each other; 5) Get help with the Internet marketing strategies – including a web site. They are key to marketing the book and this is still a foreign world to me; 6) Develop presentation for groups or meetings where you can sell your book; 7) Explore the options for selling books in large quantities to gift catalogs, businesses, organizations, etc; and 
Be sure to get registered with Amazon and distributors for sales. I’m sure there other ideas and I’m always seeking to learn more.
LAUREN SMITH: What can we look forward to from you next – another book, or something else?
Sue McDaniel: I have so many ideas I don’t know what to do with them! I love writing and being creative! There are plans for more books, marketing products and speaking topics.
I want to have an I.M. Heart rock or stone for inspiration and support as well as other items to remind people to live with heart. There are plans for I.M. Heart Stories – a collection of real people sharing stories of loving with heart. There are other I.M. Heart options – I.M. Heart Families. I.M. Heart Children or Teens, I.M. Heart at Christmas. The possibilities are endless.
I am currently co-authoring a book that based on abundance – offering solutions for seeing and living in more meaningful and enjoyable ways. The title is way cool and not to be divulged right now. We have plans to write other books together and I have three more titles I would like to write. In addition, I have another book, completed, but unpublished.
LAUREN SMITH: Is there anything we haven’t covered that you would like to include?
Sue McDaniel: I want readers to know that there is hope in healing those feelings that hurt. It changes your world when you no longer have to carry around those negative feelings that limit and restrain you. The world opens up, becomes brighter and is more fun!
I also want readers to know that I too am in the process of healing feelings and growing to love myself and others. On this road called life – I have my own set of potholes and sometimes I get lost on the highway. However, I don’t fall in a pothole as often and I can climb out of it in a shorter period of time. I am stronger under pressure, more open and willing to be vulnerable in relationships, and kinder to myself. My world looks different than it did in the past – more sunshine, hope and spiritual connection. I.M. Heart – I AM in process and so excited about the miracles to come. Blessings!!!
LAUREN SMITH: Thank you for taking the time to be part of this interview!
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The Return of Common Sense
By Lauren Smith | November 26, 2007
An Interview with the author……
Lauren Smith: What is your book about?
Felix R. Toro, M.D.: The book is about our need to return to Common Sense. We live in the “Information Age” were we receive instantaneous news and opinions from the Internet and 24-hour/day T.V. Experts, Special Interest Groups and Bloggers, presents contradictory information of how we should think, buy or vote. Even in the “hard sciences” like physics, Nobel Prize winners cannot agree on how the Universe works. So if these Nobel Prize winners cannot agree, how can we, the “none-experts”, integrate all these new uncertain information to decide today? By the process and cultivation of common sense; sound judgment not based in specialized knowledge. Since the last century, society has evolved into Special Interest Groups whose ideology discourages common sense. They usually advocate their single cause without considering all the trade-offs or how it will affect the rest of society. That is how we end with a patchwork of policies that do not make sense.
Lauren Smith: What inspired you to write it?
Felix R. Toro, M.D.: While I was involved in developing innovative mental health programs, a frequent comment was, “that makes sense and you are the one of the few psychiatrist with common sense”. While my first reaction was to thank them, after a while I started pondering what they meant. During the 1980’s there were more disagreement between the more than 100’s school of thought of the causes and treatment of psychiatric problems. The problem was that when the referring physician or family members asked different treatment providers for information, they would receive contradictory diagnosis, causes or ways to help the patient. Many providers acted more like Special Interest Groups, depending on how they were trained or their personal believes. Instead of accepting we did not know enough and were just managing uncertain knowledge in trying to help the patient, they pushed their beliefs or agenda. Many in the health field who takes it to the extreme are described as “Indoctrinologists”. A better way to deal with uncertain knowledge is thru the process of common sense, so you can be generally right and avoid been precisely wrong. While studying this relationship it became clear to me that common sense has been a defining character of the pragmatic American Constitutional Democracy which is been undermine by Special Interest Groups. As I am a physician, I have use examples in the controversial Mental Health fields to explain the need to return to common sense.
Lauren Smith: Do you think ordinary citizens can make changes or take back their
control?
Felix R. Toro, M.D.: Yes, we can do something about it. Let us remember that a Constitutional Democracy is based on the idea of Freedom, one citizen one vote. All individual votes count the same regardless of social position, wealth, or your beliefs. Special Interest Group Lobbies indirectly usurp this idea by concentrating money, power and influence in their agenda that does not considers how the rest of society gets affected. If you do not belong to that Group, your opinion or vote will not count as much, unless you develop or join a powerful group against it. Then the cycle goes on. We will be like in George Orwell’s Animal Farm were, “All animals are equal, but some more equal than others”. If you do not join one of the groups your one citizen one vote will melt away. We need to review President Lincoln’s
Lauren Smith: What an ordinary citizen do right now to live a more “common sense” life?
Felix R. Toro, M.D.: In our modern stressful lives, we depend on the short news report, press releases or advertisements. Many times there are just Special Interest Groups in disguise. If we cultivate common sense we will be able to deal with this contradictory and uncertain knowledge. I will give you the short version of how to think in Common Sense Terms: First be better at listening; understand what is the situation or problem you are analyzing. Good judgment is based on reality, get your ego out of the situation, “step back”. Avoid wishful thinking. We want things to go a certain way, but how things are, is not under our control. Good common sense is in tune with the way things are, and not what we want them to be. Be a little skeptical. Many times the situations or problems are consciously (or subconsciously) presented with the biases of the person or of Special Interest Groups. Remember knowledge is about the past, thinking about the future.
Lauren Smith: When do you feel we started losing our common sense?
Felix R. Toro, M.D.: Even tough Human Nature is such that we have always organize and belong to multiple groups, from tribes to religious or even sports teams, it is only over the past Century that “Corporations” have formed to push an Agenda. Originally most corporations were business legal entities. Over the years the courts have given them more a status of an independent person with rights and responsibilities. This has evolved into “none-business” Special Interest Groups and Lobby that end on been “animals (groups) more equal than others (individuals). You can get more information at my Web-site, www.commonsense-mentalhealth.com, where you can also purchase the book, thanks.
Topics: Mental Health | No Comments »
A Simple Touch of Fate
By Lauren Smith | October 25, 2007
An interview with one of the authors, Arlene Uslander….
Lauren Smith: Why did you write this collection of short stories?
Arlene Uslander: I (Arlene) edited a book for a young man who told me about how he would have died if not for the fact that his sister, who had a job that kept her away from home on weekends, had a strong premonition that she should drive home one Saturday night. She found her brother unconscious, rushed him to the hospital, and doctors said that if not for her going home that night, he would have died. I then began thinking about experiences in my own life that would have turned out very differently if not for the intervention of Fate or some Higher Power. And, I realized that there must be thousands of stories out there about the profound effect Fate has on people’s lives. I decided to compile an anthology of Fate stories, including some of my own, and when Brenda Warneka became my co-editor, she wrote about some of her own experiences with Fate. In fact, her story, “Fate on the Fly,” which was about how her husband missed being involved in one of the worst air disasters in history, because of the 50th anniversary party of friends, was the very first submission I received.
Lauren Smith: Why do you think the topic of “fate” is so interesting to so many people?
Arlene Uslander: Because it is something very mysterious, an unknown, causing one to wonder: Was that just a random coincidence or was it meant to be? For example, in another story in the book, “Honor Courage and Commitment”; Saving Jack Roush,” A a small plane is in trouble, just happens to hit near the home of an ex-marine, specifically trained “to save a pilot in an upside-down plane from a watery grave.” The question as to whether this was simply a random coincidence, or whether some kind of pre-determination (Fate, or a Higher Power) was responsible for the amazing rescue of NASCAR’s Jack Roush by the ex-marine is certainly open to debate. Many people, including us, the co-editors, could ponder this question indefinitely. Fate is a fascinating topic.
Lauren Smith: Can you share one story from your book that really exemplifies what your book is about?
Arlene Uslander: Yes. Here is a story that gave us goose bumps, but it is absolutely true.
Mother’s Voice
By Garnet Hunt White
I grew up “on the fence,” as we say in the Missouri Ozarks. Some people believe in extrasensory perception. Others dismiss it with bemused tolerance or persecution.
Many families in my community still believe in haunted houses and “bright, round moving objects high up in the sky.” Most look upon these people as “odd.” I wonder, are they?
My father was a farmer who traveled around investing in livestock and real estate. Many times, I heard him say that his subconscious, or intuition, often warned him not to travel, or told him to buy or sell, or not to buy or sell, something, and the advice turned out to be right.
Are we so set in our ways that we can’t understand or accept anything except what can be seen by the naked eye, or recorded on tape by the human voice?
I had an experience that will always be a wonderment to me.
My mother had a stroke and could not talk. My father kept her at home and had nurses with her round the clock. He also hired a speech teacher to work with her. My husband, Glenn, and I lived 100 miles to the east of my parents’ house. Three times a week, after the school bell rang at
Teaching school and traveling 100 miles to my parents’ home, and then driving the 100 miles back to our home in
One evening in May, 1983, I bid Mother goodbye, hugged my father, then headed the car for
I had been on the road about an hour. Suddenly, Mother yelled, “Garnet!” I awoke. The car was headed straight for a bridge rail and pillar. I slammed on the brakes and swerved the car away from the railing. I stopped. My hands shook on the steering wheel. My feet trembled on the floorboard. Shivering from head to foot, every organ inside me yo yoed up and down. I stayed parked for what seemed like an eternity.
Where did Mother’s voice come from? It had been in the car. How did Mother know I had gone to sleep? I had left my parents’ home an hour before.
Was I hearing Mother’s voice from my subconscious mind? How come Mother yelled at me just as my car was heading for the bridge? I didn’t know! I had fallen asleep; Mother’s voice had awakened me. I was scared; frightened that I had almost hit the bridge, and shocked at hearing Mother’s voice.
When I got home, I telephoned my father. The first thing he said was, “Your mother spoke. She called ‘Garnet’ and sat up in bed.You had been gone about an hour.”
That was right around the time I almost hit the bridge!
Through chattering teeth, I told my father about falling asleep while driving, and how Mother’s crying out had probably saved my life. Father told me he had had many experiences in his life when some unknown power had warned him of danger. He told me about some of the incidents, and that began to calm me, but I still had not regained my composure. I asked my father to tell Mother that I heard her call my name.
When I got home, I told Glenn about hearing Mother’s voice and said, “You probably don’t believe me.”
“Garnet, I believe you,” he said. “I could tell you of many incidents during World War II when the men in my squadron heard unknown voices or felt an unknown power. The reason I’ve never mentioned these things before is because many people aren’t ready to hear about extrasensory powers.”
My talk with Glenn helped relieve some of my tension. I didn’t fully comprehend how I had heard Mother speak. From the time she had her stroke, until she died 15 months later, my name, on that near fatal day, was the only word or time anyone heard her speak.
A Fate beyond my control decided what was to happen to me that day. After that, I was humble when I heard people speak about “strange” happenings in their lives. This occasion made me give credence to guardian angels and heavenly spirits.
I was in danger; Mother’s voice saved me.
********************************************************************
Lauren Smith: How tough was it to gather these stories?
Arlene Uslander: It wasn’t easy! We spent several years soliciting true, inspirational stories about how being at the right place at the right time, or not being at the wrong place at the wrong time, had a profound effect on someone’s life. Some people ignored the guidelines, making up stories, or writing stories that had very little, if anything, to do with Fate.
Lauren Smith: Did you find that many people have different views of what fate is? Why do you think that is?
Arlene Uslander: Yes, people do have different views of what Fate is. Some of our readers tell us that Fate is really a Higher Power that orchestrates our lives. Still others are of the opinion that we make our own Fate or Destiny. How people feel about Fate has a lot to do with their religious (or non-religious) beliefs. But one thing we have found is that there is never a group of people who all feel that same way about what Fate is which makes for lively discussions.
Lauren Smith: What do you hope your book does and what do you hope your reader gets from this book?
Arlene Uslander: One of the things we hope people will take away from this book is reassurance of how often things go right when they could have gone wrong. And, how often there is no explanation for the interplay of events that exist to make whatever happens happen, except Fate or a Higher Power. Of course, the stories often involve matters of life and death, and the good is inextricably interwoven with the bad, but living life successfully requires that we be philosophical and dwell on the positive aspects of things that happen. We hope readers will identify with that. A central theme that comes through to in many of the stories in The Simple Touch of Fate is the survival of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Many of the stories are bitter-sweet. In “The Train Not Taken,” for example, the writer, as a little girl, and her immediate family escape death in wartime
Lauren Smith: Are there any other anthologies planned?
Arlene Uslander: Yes. We are hoping to have a second Fate anthology published in 2008.
Lauren Smith: How can the book be ordered?
Arlene Uslander: It can be purchased through our website: www.thefatesite.com, or on www.Amazon.com and other online bookstores, and through brick and mortar bookstores. It can also be ordered through the publisher: 1-800-288-4677; International phone number: 00-1/402-323-7800.
Arlene Uslander of
Brenda Warneka, a lawyer with a private practice in
Topics: Spirituality | No Comments »
“No Experts Needed” with author Louise Lewis
By Lauren Smith | September 10, 2007
Lauren Smith: Tell us about the experiences that led you to write this book.
Louise Lewis: It all began just minutes after being “set free” (laid off) from my advertising sales job in high tech. I was a victim of the dotcom implosion. While sitting in the
Lauren Smith: What was the biggest lesson you learned from all of this?
Louise Lewis: Of course, to follow the words of Spirit, but that means to get quiet. Turn inward. And listen. Through this practice, I now know that my security in life lies within me, and not with a job or in another person.
Lauren Smith: Why did you decide to write a book about it?
Louise Lewis: I did not have a choice. Sounds strange, I know. But I was given the question “what is the meaning of life?” to ask me, and told to write down what came out of the adventure of asking people the question. You’ve heard it before, but I must say that the book wrote itself.
Lauren Smith: What do you hope this book will do for readers?
Louise Lewis: The moment a person just hears or reads about my book on “the meaning of life,” a wonderful seed is planted in their heart, mind and soul. From there, with a little gardening, the seed will grow and help guide the person to find meaning on their own path. Additionally, with each turn of the page, the reader is given many true-life examples of how amazing things can happen to anyone, every day of their life, if they choose to listen and follow the messages being sent them.
Lauren Smith: How did you come to communicate with “Spirit” was it something you’d
always done?
Louise Lewis: I was raised to follow the Catholic religion. Instilled early on was the belief that Spirit is always with me. Unfortunately, I was a typical kid and not apt to listen to anyone…let alone Spirit. I was about 30 years old when life served up the pressing need to ask (and answer for myself) a lot of tough questions — what is Spirit? What role does Spirit play in my life? Through this continuing process, I got better at hearing Spirit’s words. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of time. But when you’re ready to stop running into brick walls in life, you know it’s time to do the work.
Topics: Spirituality, Personal Growth | 1 Comment »
“Waking Spirit” author Shirley Cheng
By Lauren Smith | August 12, 2007
Lauren Smith: Shirley tell us about your miracle…
Shirley Cheng: My mother said that my birth itself is a miracle; she is so blessed that God gave me to her. Quite a few miracles happened in my life. I was diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at only eleven months old. I spent my early years in constant pain, and knocked on death’s door several times. My mother took me to
Lauren Smith: Was there ever a time when you felt you couldn’t do something, when you felt your disabilities were really in control of your life?
Shirley Cheng: Obviously, I’d have to accept the fact that I am wheelchair-bound, so I am unable to walk, run, or dance, though I dance with my heart. I am unable to see with my eyes, but my heart tells me all it sees. I do have physical limitations–plenty of them–but the thing is that I find other avenues to explore so I can still love the life I live. My motto is, “Although I’m blind, I can see far and wide; even though I’m disabled, I can climb high mountains.” Do I let my disabilities stop me from living the life I love and going for the gold medals in life? You bet not! Not before, not now, not ever. Life is too important and precious; no way will I waste my life. So my answer to your question is no.
Lauren Smith: What led you to write this book?
Shirley Cheng: This may sound odd, but what first led me to write this book is actually the title. I’ve had the title “Waking Spirit” in mind for three or four years, but I had no where to use it. I was a new author back then with three books. When I was twenty-three, I decided to collect some of the writings I’ve created from the past year into a new book, and I wrote dozens of poems within two weeks. Shortly thereafter, Waking Spirit was born. So the title was a huge motivator.
Lauren Smith: What do you hope people get out of this book?
Shirley Cheng: After reading Waking Spirit, I hope people will feel blessed about living, and will appreciate life, and all that it has to offer, more. I hope people’s passion about nature wonders and animals and insects will awaken and deepen. Life is a miracle, so treasure it, value it, as much as you can!
Lauren Smith: What’s the one thing that surprised you about this publishing journey?
Shirley Cheng: How some people cannot follow the simplest directions! Well, okay, I wasn’t surprised about this since I knew this long before this publishing journey. I honestly cannot think of anything that surprised me, either good or bad.
Lauren Smith: You’re such an inspiration to others, is there someone who inspires you?
Shirley Cheng: My beloved mother Juliet Cheng is my inspiration. She is very wise and good, so she sets great examples to others on what being a good person is all about. She’s the cornerstone and light of my life; the foundation of my happiness, strength, and success, besides God, of course. She supports me in all that I do. I wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for her.
Lauren Smith: What projects are you currently working on?
Shirley Cheng: I am publishing my fifth title, which is a parental rights advocacy book. I am working on my sixth title. It empowers others to empower themselves. True empowerment starts from within, and this book will act like a gentle nudge.
Lauren Smith: Besides writing, what else do you enjoy doing?
Shirley Cheng: I am a motivational speaker, so I love empowering, inspiring, and motivating others through my talks.
Lauren Smith: What is the next high mountain you’ll climb?
Shirley Cheng: The next high mountain I plan to climb is to get the eye surgery to hopefully restore my eyesight, then I hope to earn multiple science doctorates from
Lauren Smith: What advice would you like to give to others?
Shirley Cheng: Dance with your heart! When you dance with your heart, you are dancing using your heart, and you are dancing together with your heart, and as a result, you become a dancing heart yourself to lead others in your dance steps so they can dance with their hearts as well. Hopefully, the entire world can dance with their hearts by the end…
Lauren Smith: Is there anything you’d like to request from the readers of this interview?
Shirley Cheng: If you know any good eye surgeon who is both kind and skilled, please by all means let me know! If I can’t find Mr. Right, let me at least find Dr. Right! Please contact me via my site: http://www.shirleycheng.com
Topics: Personal Growth | No Comments »
An Interview with the author of “You’re Only Young Twice”
By Lauren Smith | August 11, 2007
Lauren Smith: What motivated you to write this book?
Lauren Smith: What do you hope your book can do for others?
Dr. Ronda Beaman: I believe “Young Twice” can re-define OLD™ and could begin a movement of appreciation and thankfulness for the gift of a long life.
Lauren Smith: Can you give us some quick tips to reawaken our spirit?
Lauren Smith: Is there such a thing as the fountain of youth?
Dr. Ronda Beaman: I believe there is a Fountain of truth..and this is it…you are lucky to be alive. At whatever age, whatever stage, you must celebrate your turn, make it a memorable day, each day, and grow young in the things that really matter; love, kindness, and worthwhile endeavors.
Lauren Smith: Do you ever get discouraged that we live in such an “age conscious” society?
Dr. Ronda Beaman: I am human, I teach at a university, I see everyday in front of me what my skin used to look like! But I try, everyday, to teach them to see what a young spirit looks like! I think as a society we are too prone to look at the surface level of things. There is a deeper, more meaningful layer, it isn’t as easy to access, but it is more valuable. So, rather than allow myself to be discouraged by how shallow things can be, I am constantly making myself encouraged to look beyond what the media and marketers pander..age, beauty, power, and promise are all unique and self defined…the more I can share that, the more encouraging I can be to others, the more we can begin to change the face of aging in this society.
Lauren Smith: What surprised you the most about the publishing process?
Dr. Ronda Beaman: I was surprised how welcoming, hopeful, and exciting it can be if you are really telling your truth and hoping to help others, there is always a market for that and someone who will believe in you.
Lauren Smith: So where to from here? What’s next for you?
Topics: Spirituality, Personal Growth | No Comments »
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search…
By Lauren Smith | June 18, 2007
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (Paperback)
by Elizabeth Gilbert (Author)
In buying this travelogue, I bought with the intention of joining along the author’s travels and ‘virtually traveling.’ I thought what a treat in in itself. She travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia.
Italy’s stories are just laugh out loud funny and so refreshing. The tales from India show a little more thoughtfulness as she is studying at a guru’s hideaway. And Indonesia is now winding down a year of fierce self study.
However throughout the entire book, the author has quite a delightful way of self reflecting thoughts and discussing some philosophical life questions in a light and playful manner that invites you to do the same. I found myself learning so much about myself and letting it plant little life questions in my head to ponder as I slept. Almost a subtle guide to philosophical and life questions we all should think about but never are triggered.
Loved it for the lightness, laughter, and thought-provoking discussions she brings to light. I read it with tremendous wonder.
Reviewer: J. A. Miller (Atlanta, GA United States) - Amazon.com
Topics: Travel | No Comments »