Category: caring for ourselves


I’m taking back my neighborhood.Watch out litterbugs. September 2, 2014

Filed under: caring about others, caring for ourselves, Eco-friendly ideas, Have you noticed?, Uncategorized — 1 Comment
September 2, 2014

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It’s not my job, I didn’t do it! So what!  When speaking with some people regarding litter/trash along the roads that’s some of the words I have heard, among others. Attitudes regarding polluting God’s Earth, the beautiful home he gave us to live on, planet Earth. How dare we desecrate it.

The beauty of the land, waters and sky is just too much to all take in and describe with the reverence it deserves. We are so fortunate and so often it’s taken for granted.

I walk my dog every day along the road and then I go under the high tension wires near my house. Walking under the wires there’s an open grassy area that keeps my dog and I safe from the road traffic. There are also scrub trees and overgrown bushes and weeds along the sides of the utility property. It is fenced and does have plenty of poison ivy growing under the overgrown bushes. It’s not a bad place. I’ve seen stray cats, squirrels, field mice and rabbits. It’s sort of a little sanctuary for the animals. Occasionally the utility company comes and mows the tall grass and clears the weeds and vines from the mini power station. My dog and I love it, except when the local neighbors dump their yard trash there.

It’s bad enough that the roads are littered. People throwing garbage out the car windows because they don’t want to mess up their car, overturned garbage cans not completely cleaned up,  and pedestrians throwing their trash on the ground because they don’t want to carry it to a garbage can. So I have decided to be bold, to take the initiative to show that one person can make a difference.

I’m taking back my neighborhood. I’m making sure the entrances to the power line areas stay closed to the public (as much as I can), and I’m bending down and picking up the trash. I carry an extra plastic bag with me so I can do that. I do it in front of drivers, pedestrians and neighbors. I don’t care how I look doing that or who I do it in front of.

Hopefully the neighbors will get on board and be bold and not let anyone dirty their community. After all we live here, we need to protect our neighborhood, we need to look out for each other and our environment. Just because a lot of people here recycle, it’s not enough.

Be bold people! Bend down pick it up, speak up, take notice,take action, make your space and your neighborhood a pleasant place to be in.You too can make a difference.

By Merrian Webster definition;

gar·bage

noun \ˈgär-bij\

: things that are no longer useful or wanted and that have been thrown out

: a container where people put things that are being thrown out

: something that is worthless, unimportant, or of poor quality

According to Wikipedia:

Litter: consists of waste products that have been disposed improperly, without consent, at an inappropriate location:Trash may refer to: In garbage: Municipal solid waste, unwanted or undesired waste material; Litter

Trash may refer to: In garbage: Municipal solid waste, unwanted or undesired waste material; Litter

I think if I’m able to  I’ll use my old flower and vegetable seeds and sow them into the bush area and along side of the roads next spring so the animals, and maybe some people too, can appreciate the flowers and vegetables that just might happen to “show up” there.

 

 

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The Deadly Insidious Sin of Gluttony, it’s not just about food. August 20, 2014

Filed under: caring for ourselves, Have you noticed?, personal testimony, stories of inspiration — 1 Comment
August 20, 2014

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I am so sorry for the long gap in posting. I had many things going on. Working, packing to move, going to church, bible study, volunteering, brief social visits, doctor visits, well you get the picture. I was busy. Too busy, something I really don’t like to be anymore. I promised myself that since I moved back to New York from Florida I would not let myself get stressed and pressed. It almost happened, praise the Lord I think I caught it in time.

Then after I moved, I thought “aha” I’ve got a better handle on it and voila! It happened again. Since I was closer to work but further from the places I volunteered at and worshiped at, I had to adjust my schedule, and my gas allowance. I also see more doctors now. You have got to know that it’s just the way it is, as we get older that’s what happens. Wear and tear. All the times when we should have been taking care of ourselves were spent in postponement of self obligation. Either we thought getting old was never going to happen to us, we didn’t have the money or insurance, the transportation to and from, the doctor always gets me upset mindset, or being too proud to go to the doctors for only God knows why, we still need to do our routine maintenance and checkups. I have always tried to the best of my ability to take care of myself. Oh, I wasn’t  an athlete or superstar just a regular hard working person. I finally got medical insurance so now I can work on my physical self.

But my emotional self obviously needed more work. I did have a problem with rewarding myself for things well done. Whether it was a job well done, an accomplishment of a long term/short term goal, a friend in town or socializing with my friends kind of reward, it was a food reward. Years ago, I punished myself with food, I thought I was ugly, not good enough, always apologizing for something I had no control over, or my inability to deal with my life circumstances. My life was difficult in the past, praise the Lord that’s all behind me now.

When I realized that I hid behind food, that I punished myself with food, I was comforted by food, and that I had used food like many people use alcohol or drugs. I had an awakening. I thought I had it all figured out. But now for the flip side, I reward myself. Instead of telling myself, that the extra lunch money can go into an account I allowed myself to be blindsided and lost control. Going out to eat used to be part of my entertainment too. I would go out to eat and then the movies. Normal right? Except at the movies I had a large buttered popcorn, no drink or candy usually. Just water.

Geez Louise! I thought about this today as I sat at my favorite Chinese Restaurant, a buffet restaurant. Getting my usual two plates, one with meat and veggies the other with fish and seafood, I sat down to eat. Quietly by myself which is the norm for me since I left Florida. Sure I go out once in a while with my good friends but when they’re not around I take myself out.

While sitting there, eating, drinking my hot tea, watching others, I noticed most people, not all the people but most of them are obese. Now I’m overweight, not enough to require surgical intervention but I couldn’t help wondering about the sin of Gluttony. I have also noticed this at my chiropractors office. Most people that come in are overweight and out of shape out of shape. Interesting terminology, “out of shape”. As if we take on a new form, a disfigured self. I noticed that about myself. I looked bloated and puffy, my skin felt different, my body ached more.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary it’s:

Excessive eating or drinking, excessive overindulgence        

According to velocity.net (Ed Tarkowski) : 

It is a result of lawlessness where gluttony, rebellion, disobedience and the like just walk in and take over. Gluttony contributes to lawlessness because gluttony is excess, and that excess indulges the self and leads to a lack of self-control. The time or activity that one spends glutting himself takes away time from other things, and brings forth a life of irresponsibility. In order to justify the time spent on whatever consumes him, the glutton can’t be wrong because that might infringe on the freedom to do what he wants. Therefore, when things go awry, everyone else is responsible for the problems. The glutton has to fill himself with what he wants to do to satisfy self, and this is usually done at the expense of others. http://www.velocity.net/~edju70/1deadly.htm

Well, THAT was an eye opener. I’ve been working on my humility and disobedience and low and behold I read this. Yep, it’s true for me, what about you? How about this one?

The chief error about Gluttony is to think it only pertains to food. Some people can’t have enough toys, television, entertainment, sex, or company. It is about an excess of anything. There are at least three forms of Gluttony:

  1. Wanting more pleasure from something than it was made for.
  2. Wanting it exactly our way (delicacy).
  3. Demanding too much from people (excessive desire for other people’s time or presence)    http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/features/thesevendeadlysins/gluttony.asp

Geez Louise, I had no idea. I need to reel myself in and ask God to help me on this one. It’s more involved than just overeating and spoiling myself. I surely don’t want to be disobedient or stalk anyone. I’m trusting God and having more faith. I need strength, His strength. Help me Father.

 This sin is insidious, I need to pay more attention. There are many twists and turns on the way to Heavens gate. Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes once again.

Here’s some more resources on one of the Seven Deadly Sins:

The Holy Bible

http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/features/thesevendeadlysins/gluttony.asp

http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Gluttony/

http://www.upworthy.com/7-deadly-sins-map-how-does-your-state-stack-up

 

 

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Bullies everywhere Lord, what can we do? March 6

Filed under: caring about others, caring for ourselves, Faith, Have you noticed? — 2 Comments
March 6, 2014

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Lately Lord I have noticed more aggression around me. Driving on a well known main road near my home, on my way to work, the store, church, laundromat or going to my sons house there are just so many people pushing past me. I’m already doing a little over the speed limit as it is. Drivers that should yield when they are in a yield lane zoom past just to get in front of you. It doesn’t matter that some of them are passing down the middle medium where no passing is permitted. I have seen them pass in the middle, on the shoulders, good weather, rainstorms and blizzards. No regard for others, no regard for life, theirs or anyone else’s. Look at the slideshow. Do they look happy, joyful or contented? They look like they want someone to pay, one way or another they wll vent their anger and pain.

Customers in stores demand a discount or want to return a well worn or broken item, whether or not they have the coupon or requirements met or not. They harass and raise their voices to get their way. Or, they yell out, “get me the manager”. So  the manager will come and give them what they want because of wanting to give good customer service. Instead of making people accountable for their actions and behaviors we cave in. We are bullied in stores, in doctors offices, by insurance companies, government agencies,  just about everywhere.  

What is happening to us? What are we becoming?  There is anger everywhere, in music, movies, schools, homes, everywhere. We need to take a stand. I personally don’t want  to become like my enemy, you know who I mean, satan, the evil and nasty one. I want to be like Jesus. Goodness, peace, serenity, light.

Ever since they took prayer out of school, restricted parents from discipling their own children, restricted teachers and police offers from correcting our children and being so called politically correct, I have noticed a decline, a decay, a rot setting in. Bullies do what they do because no one stands up to them out of fear of reprisal/repercussion. Living in fear is not of God. It is of the darkness, the evil one, the liar. Bring light to the darkness, do what’s right. Bullies are in pain, have low self esteem , low self worth. They look to be idolized and worshipped. Look at me, I’m bigger, faster, better, stronger, meaner, tougher, louder, smarter, richer, more clever than you are. They’re also lonely, heart broken, love starved, sad and frightened.

Before we were saved by Jesus we were the same. Broken-hearted, helpless, crying out in our own ways.  So my suggestion is to offer these kind words to make a difference. ” I’m sorry if you thought I offended you. Please go ahead of me. Let me get the door for you. May I pray for you? Jesus loves us just the way we are”.

 If we offer kindness as if Jesus was actually standing there with us, then it makes it easier. Remember the Holy Spirit is with us once we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. When we set the example, speak softly, kindly, without malice or hostility, use encouraging words and forgiveness (turning the other cheek) we ourselves grow more in Christ. So when someone refuses to yield, I do. When someone wants to raise their voice at me and argue and harass, I lower my voice and try to be nicer. When governmental clerks try to make me accept unacceptable doctrine, I gently remind them that I  am a grown up citizen and I don’t work for them.

Take a stand, Stand up for Jesus, for yourself, your country, your life and for your future generations.  Remember we are children of God, we have royal blood in our veins. We have Abba Father. Let them know they can have Him too.

Blessings, Mary 

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I can’t believe my eyes. January 22, 2014

Filed under: caring about others, caring for ourselves, Faith, personal testimony — 2 Comments
January 22, 2014

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I’m trying hard to be a good Christian, I occasionally feel tempted to declare audible gasps, oh my’s, and Geez Louise’s’ . I see more people leaving the privacy of their homes in their pajamas, in slippers, pants way too big and drooping and sagging down on them. I see men and women wearing tight too small clothing over a rotund, spare tired body.  Don’t they look in the mirror when they get dressed? What do they see? I see and feel the sadness.

I’m overweight myself. The thought of me going out of the house with my belly fat hanging out repulses me. I try to wear clothing that’s a looser fit, you know for bigger people. I don’t try to fool myself into thinking I look good, refined, professional or more feminine by wearing thin tight blouses or low rise pants. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fashionista . I’m working on myself not just spiritually but physically, mentally and emotionally. I get it when the bible says my body is  a temple.

If the Holy Spirit is dwelling within me, He needs a livable place. I try to do regular maintenance. I know my body has issues. But I’m not going to fall for the flesh running my life. That’s a lie from the devil. I used to not even think about how I would look to Jesus. I thought well, he knows I’m a sinner. So that’s how I am. But then I just kept reading the Word daily, watched my favorite tv evangelists, read books,  listen to many preachers and figured out that what I believed was only partly true. Old school, Old Testament. Sure I faithfully believe in the commandments. I learned that those are the ground rules, then once you know the difference between right and wrong, you’re expected to move into the New Testament. The Old Testament is foundation, cornerstone building.  It lets you know, hey, what you’re doing or about to do is wrong.

Open your eyes. What do you see? Jesus wants us to get away from sin, clean up ourselves, take charge of our flesh and worldly things.  He wants us back, He comes looking for us. Can He recognize you? The New Testament is about His Grace and love. He wants us to learn about love, to love others and to love ourselves.

A false image is like a false idol. We do not worship false idols or any idols of any kind. Whether they’re movie stars, musicians,  athletes or models. We worship God, only God and we’re praising Him always in all ways for all we have and don’t have. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit, our Helper comes to dwell within us. I want to make Him proud of me. I want to remain humble and respectful.

At any time I can be called before The Lord. That means, my flesh has died. I’m dead, gone, a memory to friends and family. Standing before God the instant I take my last breath. How will I appear? Will I display a trashy image? Have I tried to do Gods will? I am accountable for my life. Me, myself.

I do not care what the world tells me, what horoscopes, cards, dice, bone tossing, tv, music, fashion or other people try to say or turn me from or toward. It’s my life, I choose not to give it to fantastical lies, strange beliefs or false traditions.

The Holy Spirit lives in me, my personal life and world are changing for the better.  I will care about my body, and whom I represent. I am Gods kid. It’s His group I long to belong to, not worldly groups or gangs. Not what everyone else is doing, saying, wearing or believing, but what my Heavenly Father wants me to do and how He wants me to live.

There’s something comforting knowing that it’s in myself to be able to please Him. To have Him look at me with love, knowing He’s the one that’s always truly loved me unconditionally. When I come before my Abba Father I want to hear “well done, my good and faithful servant.” I want my Daddy to be proud of me.

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Walking a narrow path. October 31, 2013

Filed under: caring for ourselves, Faith, personal testimony, stories of inspiration, Uncategorized — 5 Comments
October 31, 2013

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It’s not easy walking a narrow path. Trying to live like Jesus wants us to live. Trusting Him completely in a distrusting world. Satan always prowling around (1 Peter 5:7-8). Sometimes it’s difficult to make the right decisions about even just the simplest things. It seems like they escalate into something with a life of it’s own.

An avalanche going downhill, a rockslide, a waterfall. Turning into something else entirely when it gets to the bottom. If you look at it negatively, you might think, “wow, a huge powerful mess just wound up here”. Look at it positively and think, ” will you look at how awesome that is, see the new creation, see the might and strength of what that has become.”  

The avalanche has taken the weight off the mountain and moved earth and debris to the base creating new environment for plants and animals.

The rockslide creates new terrain also taking the mountains weight.

The waterfall as powerful as it is moves the earth and whats in the waters path to the bottom, a pool of churning water making its way yet again along and through the earth.

Powerful, dangerous, sometimes deadly events that through unplanned circumstances are transformed into something good or better than before.

The rocks or snow were dangling and really had no use the way they were,  it’s like the earth was shedding them. Shaking them off.

The waterfall couldn’t just end there at the bottom of the pool, it overflowed and spilled out to start again and start anew.

Being Christian is a lot like that. You die to self. When you surrender your life to Jesus, He takes the old and begins to make it new. When you commit yourself to living Christlike many obstacles can come against you. The pressure is on, things begin to happen. New level new devil. The commitment becomes more challenging. Time changes, conversation, habits, and normal routines morph ever so slightly. Friendships move on and slowly new ones are made. A reshaping, a new you. Sometimes you feel oppressed, or depressed but don’t give into it.

Trust God always. Pray to stay on the narrow path because it’s all worth it in the end. Become a new creation, go through the narrow gate ( Matthew 7:14).

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How’s your hearing, are you really listening?

Filed under: caring for ourselves, personal testimony — 1 Comment
April 25, 2013

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Lately I have been trying to listen, I mean really listen. What am I hearing? What can I hear? Since looking into mirrors is not something I was ever fond of doing I tried to develop a better sense of hearing.   I can tell a lot more about myself by listening.

Do I stick to positive words? Or do I fall back onto negativity? I don’t even like using that word. To me it pays homage to the devil. I try hard every day to speak good, not just do good. Not just to be a blessing, but to speak a blessing.

Compliments are of a positive uplifting nature. Have you complimented anyone today?  Have you told yourself how special you are to Jesus? I remind myself all the time that I am a child of God. I am Gods kid and He loves me. That is an awesome statement.It speaks life into me, it pushes out of my thoughts anything that Satan is trying to get me to believe.

If I believe in what Satan tells me to believe then I am not believing in Jesus or the Word of God. it means just the opposite. Satan is NOT my idol. He is a LIAR, a THIEF and he is whatever is NOT good, NOT of the Light or Truth or of anything positive.

Everyone at some point has unhappy , cloudy, angry or confused thinking. Remind yourself that those are all negatives.

Picture a traffic light in your mind when that happens. Red means STOP, do not proceed, do not move forward or turn. The color is even harder to look at, it’s a powerful color.

A green light means GO, proceed, move forward, turn if you like. The color is easier on the eyes, more pleasing, restful, graceful.

Perhaps you’re in between not sure yet, still on the brink, like a yellow traffic light. Moving forward but on the verge of stopping. Yellow is a warning light, a prepare to stop light, slow down  proceed with caution light. Not a stop light.

Whatever you need to visualize and retrain your brain  figure out what works for you. If I hear myself, or get feedback from others regarding not speaking Life into myself, or others I try to quickly correct myself. Yes it takes some personal work. It also mean  that I have been listening to the Word, and applying to myself and others. The rewards are everlasting.

How’s your hearing, are you really listening?

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Just when you think you’re doing so much better than before. Sunday 1/27/2013

Filed under: caring for ourselves, churches, stories of inspiration — Leave a comment
January 28, 2013

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 When I moved to New York I began attending the Church at the Movies (www.churchatthemovies.com  also called Grace Ministries) .

While in church yesterday doing my usual prayers before service  listening to the praise and worship team warm up, I thought ” I do the same thing all the time when I come here I wonder if it makes a difference?”.

When Pastor Roger Blackmore came out after the praise and worship leaders were finished he started again on his”Second Chance Salvation” sermon.

This week it was about Job. Now I heard and read about Job umpteen times but I took notes anyway. Pastor Roger asked the congregation a rhetorical question.

Where are You in God’s Love?  

Pastor Roger went on to discuss the deal the devil made with God, Jobs loss of ALL his children in one day, his boils and sores, his friends, his wife and Jobs lament. Yep, heard it all before, so what was different today?

 Job was a man that praised and worshiped God for everything he had and  lost, what Job missed was his relationship with God. Job longed for his past life, when he had good life and his children were still alive (Job 29:2). He longed for his lost youth (Job 29:4-Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house). But most of all he looked back and noticed he wasn’t as spiritual and faithful as he should have been (Job 29:2-Oh that I were as in months gone by, As in the days when God watched over me; NASB ).

He missed God’s care (Psalm 121:7  -The LORD will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; NLT) He missed his relationship with God more than he missed all his wealth, loss of health and children. He must have had an awesome relationship.

I sat there thinking ” I pray, praise and worship quite often. Just how often did Job?  Just where am I in God’s love? I want that kind of relationship with God.

I think I can have it if  I ASK.

 In Job 42:12 God blessed the latter portion of his life. God DOUBLED it. I want that! I want to walk around in Joy and gladness.I need to remind myself that God’s going to work everything out for me.

I need to TELL GOD I really need Him and allow Him to come to me where I am.

God’s a perfect gentleman. He’s not going to force Himself on you or me He will wait to see if you or I sincerely want Him.

 If you really want Him, just ask Him and then wait. Because everything’s in Gods time, not mine or yours.

Thank you Pastor Roger for a great sermon.

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Message received! I’m listening Lord. January 24,2013

Filed under: caring for ourselves, Faith, personal testimony, stories of inspiration, Uncategorized — 1 Comment
January 24, 2013

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Lately while doing my daily reading of the Word, listening to TV pastors, and also my inner spirit I have been hearing a repetition of encouragements and affirmations.I have been hearing messages of prosperity, wealth, health, restoration and renewal. some examples: Esther 8:2, Genesis 41:41-43,  Dan 2:48, Eccel 2:26, Jeremiah 29:11 (my favorite), Ezekiel 16:53. There are so many Scriptures to back up the blessings offered. I want to be restored, renewed, enjoy increase in my life. I refuse negativity, I embrace the good.

 I  live in a world where being accepted by others is what I once thought  I wanted to be. I thought being and doing what my friends did   was normal. I thought everyone around me was normal. I thought I was not normal so I tried to be “normal” like them . I was in bondage to many things. That’s the right word too, BONDAGE. Thinking I was a free independent person when I was not. Being a slave to money, accepting unacceptable behavior, being a workaholic so that I could attain a certain status or station in my life, being prideful and trying to get by like everyone else was. Doing things I never ever thought I would do. Little by little I was degrading myself, being cut off from what was good and clean and wholesome. I was a wreck, losing my self esteem and self respect. Chipped away little by little. Heavy shoulders, big burdens, ignorant of many things. For all my accomplishments I also kept getting knocked back on my rear. Over and over not knowing why.

I kept thinking God, I’m a good person, why God? Why is this happening? What is it that I’m doing wrong? One thing I did learn through all my trials and tribulations is that God does hear me. I just needed to recognize the answer when it  is presented to me.I had to have my eyes,ears and heart wide open. I had to RECEIVE the answer. It’s like an ah-ha moment. Okay I get it now. It’s not about me. It’s about Him. He’s my father, my Abba, my daddy. Like no father I ever had before. With Him I can do so much more than without Him. 

Thank God that I have been found and saved. Saved from myself, from sin, from Satan. I was a very lost sheep. Faking my way, hoping the next big catastrophic event would not spiral down to the pits of despair, desperation, helplessness and homelessness. I had incredible stress in my life.

It took awhile but  I am so thankful for who, what and where I am in my life. I have had many changes and losses but the  next changes, the good ones, the positive ones, I look forward to.  I have good Christian support systems. I try on a regular basis to do what I’m supposed to do in my  Christian life. Some days are more difficult than others. It’s not easy trying to live as Jesus wants me to live. But through Him all things are possible.

I believe in the messages, the affirmations of wealth, health, prosperity, and restoration. They don’t necessarily mean that I’ll be monetarily rich. I believe they mean that I’ll be a lot better off than I was before, when I was lost.

Blessings, Mary

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This is a repost of “Fighting the Dragon-How I beat Multiple Sclerosis” part 2 by Sandra Kischuk

Filed under: caring for ourselves, places and items for sale, stories of inspiration — Leave a comment
January 7, 2013

 

Living Beyond Limits Newsletter

Friend,

 

Over the past month, I have been attempting to contact free-standing hyperbaric facilities about the release of my book, Fighting the Dragon: How I Beat Multiple Sclerosis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was the first treatment that started the reversal of many of my multiple sclerosis symptoms and actually stopped what had become steady and persistent deterioration.

In mid-October this year, I took the book to the Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading. Most unknown authors’ meet and greet a lot of festival attendees. Many of these people attend to hear well-known authors speak, but buy few, if any, books from the “unknowns.” However, the theory goes, authors’ “face time” with the “potential audience” may produce future sales, especially if the writers hand out bookmarks or other promotional material with information on how to order their books.

My experience? I sold TWELVE copies of “Fighting the Dragon” at the Festival, mostly to people who had a family member, friend, or co-worker suffering the disease. “I’m giving this to my aunt for Christmas,” one woman told me. Another told me his copy was going to a cousin who lives in Germany. “A Christmas gift,” he said. I left the festival tired, but thrilled. The story was “getting out,” even as far away as Germany.

Ten days later, on Halloween (October 31), I dropped candy and 2 “bookmarks”—a 3”X4” Fighting the Dragon trading card and a bookmark advertising my children’s book, The Whose-its and Whats-its into the bags of the trick-or-treaters. Result? A few online (CreateSpace and Amazon) sales within the next couple of days.

On November 7, I set up a display of my books and gave a Creativity presentation to a writing group. The next day, I had another little “pop” in online sales—whether from Halloween or the speech, I’m not certain.  

In that same week after the festival, the doctor who treated me with hyperbaric oxygen called. “I just had a patient walk in here with your book,” he told me. “She’s excited about starting hyperbaric oxygen and low dose naltrexone. What can you tell me about LDN?”

I apologized that I had not yet gotten a copy of the book to him—his facility is a good hour away and I was hoping to set up some time to sit down and talk with him. However, I did explain the dosing to him and then referred him to Skip Lenz at Skip’s Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy that specializes in LDN. Skip was invaluable when I was working on the book, and probably the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to LDN.

I had tried to tell the hyperbaric doctor about LDN almost a year previously . . . but with the book . . . and Skip’s guidance, I think we may have gained a convert. I hope so.

About a week after I sent Skip a copy of the book, I tried to contact him to make sure he got it. He wasn’t available. Then, one afternoon last week, he called me. “I wanted to make sure you got my book,” I said.

“I did,” he said. “Guess where it is.”

“I haven’t the vaguest,” I said.

He then proceeded to tell me that he had gone to an International Leadership Conference in Moloba, Equatorial Guinea (West Africa). “I took your book to read on the plane,” he said. “When I got there, I talked with the Minister of Health and he wanted to see what I was reading.”

The end result? The Minister of Health absconded with the book and refused to give it back. “Expect something big,” Skip told me, “bigger than you can imagine, in six to eight months.” He gave me no further hints. Amazing to think that a self-published book which has been out for a month is now halfway around the world.

A few days later, I got a call from a woman in Canada who had heard of the book, but found she couldn’t order it onAmazon.ca. I redirected her to the CreateSpace site:www.createspace.com/3953919, and she called me a few minutes later to tell me she had successfully ordered the book. Createspace verified that the book would not be available on Canadian Amazon, but that anyone, anywhere in the world, could get it on Amazon.com. Now I know.

So, in between résumés, writer’s coaching, and editing, I am now planning the second Dragon book, where I will talk about how the therapies discussed in the first can be applied to other autoimmune conditions, cancer, and AIDS.

Today, I recontacted the hyperbaric facilities and talked with a man who told me to send the book to Michelle Obama and to contact local radio stations, and the major talk shows (Oprah and Dr. Phil). I’m having an interesting time wrapping my head around that one.

Curious how a thirty year path to what seemed total loss only four years ago could turn around and lead to something that appears to be doing so much good. I have been truly blessed.

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2012  All rights reserved 

Sandra Kischuk, Writer, Editor, and Success Coach

The writing on this page may be freely forwarded in its entirety and must include this copyright notice.    

The use of the material for any other purpose, in part or in whole, oral or written, or in any form reproduced, presented, or recorded, is only by express written consent of the author. 

*        *        *         *

Fighting the Dragon: How I Beat Multiple Sclerosis is available in standard print atwww.createspace.com/3953919

and large print at:www.createspace.com/3967215

Also on Amazon and in popular ebook formats.


See The Whose-its and Whats-itsat: www.createspace.com/3743939

See my coaching website at:        LivingBeyondLimits.com

See my writing website at: http://www.SandraKischuk.com

“I change lives.”

*   *   *

Sandra teaches online writing courses at Coffee House for Writers:

www.coffeehouseforwriters.com

– The First Edit: Finding and Fixing Your Writing Errors

– Your Personal Editor

– Grantwriting

 

Living Beyond Limits, 2107 West Fore Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
Blog: livingbeyondlimits.com
Writing site: sandrakischuk.com

E-mail: Sandra@LivingBeyondLimits.com

Phone:  813.935.7760
Living Beyond Limits | 2107 West Fore Drive | Tampa | FL | USA | 33612

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Be an adventurer not just a survivor. January 7, 2013

Filed under: caring for ourselves, Faith, personal testimony, stories of inspiration — Leave a comment

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My life has gone through many changes. In the past few years, some very dramatic and renewing life changing events. It was when I lost everything that I actually found so much more than what I lost.

I was a hospice nurse. I loved my patients, the families, and my job. For me, I was a  career hospice nurse ,and I loved it. It brought me much satisfaction in my inner self. I learned so much about people, compassion, families, family dynamics, pain and suffering, and most of all Spirituality. I was comfortable in knowing I did my job well. I took good care of my patients. I was committed to making them as comfortable as possible.

I have learned so much from my patients and their families. I am so very grateful for the privilege of caring for them.

When I first began caring for hospice patients I prayed often. For them and their families and also for myself. I asked God to help me be a good nurse and to be what He wanted me to be.

I prayed quietly to myself at the bedside of the dying. I prayed in my car, at home, in church wherever I was. I asked for understanding. When I had questions I prayed for answers. He ALWAYS delivered the answers to me in an “ah ha ” kind of way. I saw the answers right there,  right at that moment. It was always “wow, I can see what you mean”.

Somehow I began losing sight of Him. Oh I went to church, I still prayed, I was still a good nurse but slowly I got caught up in the world. The world of taking care of myself. Of making a living, taking care of my house, truck, pets and yard, paying my credit cards and household bills, the list goes on . I coveted things, I actually  worshiped  idols. The idols of capitalism. Don’t misunderstand me. I enjoyed shopping, hunting down things. Even though it was mainly thrift  and discount stores. Owning second hand items didn’t bother me. But putting work, the house, yard and material items before God is a big no-no. God is a jealous God. Even though they were not golden calves or statues of other gods, I put them first.

I still helped people though. I enjoy helping others. Helping others is a big part of my life. I feel it’s something I’m supposed to do. Not realizing I also needed help.

 Being blindsided. I thought, “I want to be like everyone else, a good citizen, have a good credit score, my own home etc”.

I didn’t realize at the time that it was okay to be me.Where I was in life, it was alright, hard working, dedicated, aspiring, alone but not lonely, always trying to do the right thing. I kept myself busy, not afraid to take little adventures. Go places near and far by myself. I learned not to depend on others for my happiness.

As much as I wanted to be like others I was deep down glad I was not. I never realized how much I was putting on myself. Proud of my INDEPENDENCE. I can fix almost anything. I can work more, I can do this, I can do that. Being independent I thought was a good thing. Actually it alienates people. Others think you never need help with anything so they stop asking you. They get put off by your independence, thinking you can do so much more for yourself you don’t need anyone.

Actually, I find that my  independence came from loss. No help to do things, to help get stuff done, to go places with, no one had time to comfort or console, to bounce ideas off of, or to share with. I became stronger in my resolve that I didn’t need anyone, I can do it. I became more independent. A cycle round and round. All the while praying to God,asking and asking so many questions.  Looking for why me, why not, how come?

Then my life changed. I got hurt at work. Went through all the required rehabs, surgeries, rehab again, insurance and job requirements.  Ultimately due to “economic forecasters” ( my terms) I and 26 other people, mostly nurses and home health aides were laid off.  Oh my gosh what a disaster! My life passed before me at the speed of light. What about my home, my credit, my, my, my. All about me. To make a very long ( 5 year or so) story short, I lost my career, my home, my physical self and wound up with a physical disability from my injuries, and severe arthritis from long years of hard  work. But yet I still wanted to go back and continue what I was doing just as before.

I had to accept my many losses. It was hard to do. I grieved often, prayed often and hoped for answers. I dealt with my grief, yes I grieved. I went through the grief process for each of my losses. I had to change.  I did that with God’s help. He put wonderful people in my path along this very painful journey. I became a born again Christian. I saw that God was always there, I had to get ME out of the way. I prayed the confusion to be cleared and I that I would have wisdom and healing. I have been fast tracking, hungry for the Lord. I realize my thinking before was corrupted by worldly things. I understand now what principalities are. I know I am a warrior bride for Christ. I have purpose and meaning in my life. I am into the Word first thing every morning. I get up earlier to do that. I verbalize my praise and thanks all day long. What I gained is so much more empowering. Life affirming. The veil is lifted.

I am on the biggest adventure yet! I don’t have to just survive or try to be like the other fish in the fishbowl. I trust in God, He will provide for me, He directs my steps. I am not alone, my eyes and heart are open.  I am on an awesome journey. A marvelous adventure! And I just love new adventures!

Blessings, Mary

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