by leeroseemery on August 20, 2010
The Marianne Williamson quote printed below is one of my favorite inspirational passages, so it did not surprise me when I found it in “The Little Book of Spirit,” that a friend recently gave me. “The Little Book of Spirit,” is a great read. You can pick it up and read one or two quotations, or you can read the entire book in one sitting. The quotations cover life’s many different experiences and the range of authors quoted is enormous. Poets, writers, politicians, and celebrities are quoted providing little nuggets of wisdom or witticisms. Sometimes just one thought can shift your perception or give you something to contemplate throughout a busy day. The author, Elaine Partnow, is also the editor of The Quotable Woman, which contains 19,000 quotes from notable and quotable women over the past 5,000 years. Both books are inspirational reads and make great gifts. What Mom couldn’t use a little inspiration?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.”
—Marianne Williamson
The Little Book of Spirit is a Barnes & Noble exclusive, you can purchase it on-line at the B&N website or at any one of B&N’s stores.
At $6.98, it is the perfect gift for every woman in your life!
by leeroseemery on June 20, 2010
I just finished reading, No Place Like Home, a beautiful memoir written by my friend, Brooke Berman. The book chronicles Brooke’s life as an aspiring playwright in Manhattan but is told through various stints in her many different living situations. With no money, piece meal employment, and a determination to keep her writing her top priority, during the course of several years, Brooke lived in 39 apartments in New York. Some were leases, some sublets, some friends’ couches, and some boyfriends’ beds, but all together they make up a fascinating and heart-wrenching journey as she searches to define the meaning of home.
For a short time, many years ago, Brooke and I were roommates in a downtown loft in the Sea Port where my sister and I were living, see page 142. It feels for me like a lifetime ago: my life BC…before children. (Think Sex & The City with less expensive clothes.) This is one reason I found the book such a great read. The world she describes, as a young artist, is one in which she is such a free spirit and, for that matter, a free agent. It was invigorating to re-visit and imagine such a time.
Although I have a personal connection to Brooke and the book, I think, when you read it, you too will share my admiration for the author’s honesty and humor throughout the book. Even as she lived through the most horrific times, she is able to find a laugh. No Place Like Home is moving, at times quite sad, but also funny. Most of all, it highlights a young woman’s dogged determination, resilience, and spiritual faith. This is a great summer read.
Brooke has a couple of great EVENTS coming up in LA this week where you can hear her read from No Place Like Home. These evenings would be a great date night, or if you have older kids it would be fun to take them.
Tuesday evening June 22nd, at 7pm, she will be reading at BOOK SOUP bookstore, one of the great LA independent book stores worth supporting.
| Details: BOOK SOUP TUESDAY JUNE 22nd. 7:00 PM
818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, CA. |
And Thursday evening, June 24th, The Young Storytellers Foundation, a local organization dedicated to increasing self- esteem and literacy in LA public school students, is hosting an evening where students will read pieces inspired by No Place Like Home. I know this will be a terrific evening, as Brooke has a way with kids, and I am sure that she will inspire them. Plus, there will be vodka.
!!!!!BOOK GIVEAWAY !!!!!
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE EITHER EVENT AND SEND ME A COMMENT AS TO WHY YOU NEED A GOOD SUMMER READ I WILL SEND YOU A FREE COPY courtesy of RANDOM HOUSE.
by leeroseemery on May 31, 2010
Betsy Brown Braun’s second parenting book, You’re Not the Boss of Me, Brat-proofing your 4 to 12 year old child, has just come out and it is so terrific. I met her at a book party last week and have been devouring the advice in her book ever since. I am also a huge fan of “Just Tell Me What to Say,” her first book, which was geared towards younger children. The reason I love Betsy’s books so much is that not only does she have wonderful practical advice, but her writing style is so clear and also quite amusing. Each chapter is so accessible that reading her books is a pleasure. Plus, because they are so well organized, I know I can quickly refer back to them when a particular issue comes up with my kids.
You’re not the Boss of Me, covers a wide variety of topics and issues centered around helping parents raise the kind of children we all strive for: honest, self reliant, respectful, unspoiled, empathetic individuals. But again, it is one thing to desire these traits for your child, and it another to master the techniques that will encourage these traits to grow. That’s where Betsy’s advice comes in.
Take for example this one section from Chapter Five in the book, aptly titled: “No, You Go to Your Room!” Although I am sure that all of you reading this have children that NEVER talk back – I found this chapter exceedingly helpful. The chapter discusses strategies for handling back talk.
When children talk back Betsy’s advice is:
-Don’t take it personally.
(Which I do!) Betsy explains that the child is “shedding feelings” and trying to lay them on you. Don’t take the bait.
-Back talk in fueled by your response.
(It really is! Everything just escalates when I take the bait.)
-Save your anger; do not engage.
(I am going to try this, because my anger clearly makes everything worse.)
-Put some distance between you two.
(Usually, I send my kids to their rooms, and then they don’t want to go and it becomes a big fight, making matters worse and they talk back more!) But Betsy suggests that the parent walk away instead, and not give the back talk all the attention.
-If you must say something , Betsy suggests the following: “I don’t speak to you that way and I won’t listen when you speak that way to me.”
(Doesn’t that sound mature and calm, and authoritative? I need to try that.)
“I hate you!” is okay.
(I become so upset when the kids tell me they hate me.) But here again, Betsy’s advice makes so much sense. She stresses that as parents we need to convey that we understand our child’s anger and that our relationship is so strong that it can withstand his or her expressions of anger. After “their fury has subsided” here’s what she recommends saying to them: “I know you were really angry at me when you said, ‘I hate you.’ Next time when you feel that way, let’s talk about it and I will try to help you with your feelings.”
I can’t wait to try out these strategies with my kids.
How often do you pick up a parenting book filled with so many practical tips and scripts that you feel that if you implement them you will genuinely become a better parent? I firmly believe that after reading Betsy’s books we will be.
You can also check out Betsy’s website and blog.
For Local Blog