Gratitude, on many levels, for old friends and good reviews
· ·

Gratitude, on many levels, for old friends and good reviews

Posted on:

A friend from my distant past contacted me recently. She sent a kind email and thanked me for something I’d done for her, all those decades ago.

My service to her was important, even life-changing, I say that honestly. But I also know that she would have found a way to do it without me. She was that kind of person: bright, energetic, personable, poised, competent.

And it was reciprocal. I learned from her. With my modest origins, I was something of an uncut gem in my early 20’s. There were things I simply hadn’t learned, like how to apply make-up and the value of a great haircut. You can get away with some rough shagginess when you’re young like that, but it sure does help in life to sport a slick of polish. My friend took me to her salon and sat me down in a chair and I received my first ever truly great haircut.

Everyone judges a book by its cover, and she helped me to foist a better one. I’m grateful.

At the same time, it felt really good to be acknowledged, to be recognized, for a kindness I had done. I’m sort of used to my good works going unnoticed, or even denigrated. Not by Sabin and my little one,  who are appreciative people, but by others from my past. I suppose I should be enlightened enough to follow the Bhagavad Gita’s advice, and do good things without attachment, simply because they’re there to be done.

But, dang, it does feel super good to be acknowledged and thanked!

In that vein, I happily thank book reviewer Psibabe aka Ashley Perkins of the Game Vortex site for her wonderful, thoughtful, insightful, and well-written review of my first novel Immortal. Perkins had read Fallen and some of my other novels and liked them, so she went back to read Immortal. Game Vortex is a big international gaming site, and I’m delighted to have the exposure. Good reviews feel pretty great!

So to Ashley Perkins and all the other book reviewers who have taken the time to read my books and write a review: Thank You! I know you have busy lives and yet you’ve done me a splendid service. I appreciate your time and thought.

 

· · ·

Spiritual Teachings I love

Posted on:

Spiritual Teachings I love.

Of late I have been reading Thich Nhat Hanh, The Art of Power (HarperOne, 2007). This is a beautiful book. It’s about true power, the power that comes from within, from the wellspring of goodness and truth within our souls.

I love what this spiritual teacher says about renewal and about the practice of love and mindfulness. So inspiring. I have just reached the part of the book where Thich Nhat Hanh talks about the declarations of love: “Darling, I am really here for you” is the first declaration. The second is, “Darling, I know you are there and it makes me happy.” And the third is, “Darling, I know you suffer. That’s why I am here for you.”
It’s wonderful to read these statements; they lead me into a deep reverie about love. I end up thinking about my beloveds and deeply sending them my love.
I also have been thinking about a Pathwork lesson on redemption. In general, I am guarded about the Pathwork. It’s not my path, it’s not for me. I find it harsh, rigid, inflexible, and unkind. But there are some interesting and compelling ideas in the Pathwork lectures, which were channeled by Eva Pierrakos, the wife of Core Energetics founder Dr. John Pierrakos.
The lecture in mind was about making restitution after real guilt. “Real guilt” is distinct from “false guilt.” We all do terrible things; that’s part of the human condition. Each of us has a shadow. The work of any spiritual path is to own and integrate the shadow.
At the same time, if we do something terrible, we feel badly about it–unless we’re a sociopath. Fortunately, in the spiritual traditions, there’s a method for returning to self-esteem, for rectification.
The steps are: own the action, apologize for it from the heart, and make restitution. This is about taking responsibility for our own actions. It is liberating, it is empowering. It is one of the foundations of the art of power.
Being Grateful
· ·

Being Grateful

Posted on:

Being Grateful.

I spend a lot of my time alone at a desk. When I am not writing, I’m shlepping my little one. Walking the dogs, shopping for dinner, folding the laundry, breathing through a sweaty yoga class. That’s my daily life–and I’m so grateful for all of those activities.

Then today I had a break in my routine. My lovely friend Lori was visiting from out of town. We went out for a vegan lunch and then wandered in the park. It was a beautiful warm day for wandering and talking. You know those times when you just talk and talk and talk with a friend, someone you really like and enjoy? And sometimes you start laughing together until you both cross your knees to keep from peeing, and all the hilarity of life washes up and out like sunlight? It was one of those times. A treat.

Lori has a splendor to her soul that is a joy to behold. She’s wise and insightful and unbelievably well read. I can talk with her about anything, literally, anything, because she’s been through so much in her life. I enjoy her perspective and I learn a lot, just from hearing her think aloud. I’m so thankful she’s in my life.

Then I came home and my husband was in a sweet and protective mood. There’s a sick stalker in his life, someone persisting in trying to make contact with him even though he’s filed a police report. He was really appalled at the latest sick stalker shenanigans. He was cuddly protective of me, and thoughtful and concerned. He was grateful for me. Sometimes he is very sweet, and I am grateful for that, too.

 

Finishing FAR SHORE
· ·

Finishing FAR SHORE

Posted on:

Finishing FAR SHORE.

It gives me great, juicy, splendiferous pleasure to say that today I finished a novel: Book 3 of the After Series, FAR SHORE.

Tomorrow I will get back to work on one of my WW2 novels. I’ve been dying to work on it, it feels sweetly compelling to me.

But tonight, tonight I am celebrating: I have finished FAR SHORE. I like this novel. I took some risks; I am very interested to see how those risks play with my readers. I am curious to hear what my editor thinks. I am eager to get this book on its way and into the hands or ereaders of the reading public.

I am happy!

I wish I had a sneak peek of the cover to post, but I don’t, yet. Almost!

The WW2 novel is quite different from the After Series. I am quite happy to get to focus on it.

But tonight I am happy to have finished FAR SHORE.

There’s so much sorrow in life; so many unexpected challenges. Loss and grief lurk around every corner. It’s just the way of the human condition. That’s why I try to celebrate at every opportunity. So tonight, in my way, I celebrated.

I cooked chicken and okra and tossed a salad for dinner. In the evening, I walked the dogs down by the Hudson River and reveled in the blessing of the moment. My yellow lab Gabriel sensed my joy; he kept looking at me with his luminous eyes and wagging his tail. He’s my boy, that one. I came back and did a slow flow yoga class via my virtual studio Yogaglo.com, because it feels so good to open and soften and loosen my body. The body celebrates itself, when you open it that way, with deep breath that caresses every cell.

A celebration, a pleasure. YAY!

 

Great Review of THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE
· · ·

Great Review of THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE

Posted on:

Review of THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE

It’s incredibly rewarding, as an author, when a reader or reviewer GETS IT. When she or he understands what I am trying to say and do in the story I am telling. It reaffirms me and my work, it renews my sense of joy and possibility in my craft and yes, even in life. It just dazzles me with happiness.

I had such an experience reading this review of THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE. I like this novel,  and it has garnered mixed reviews. Some reviews have been scathing. Some have been wonderful. This review at ReadingReality.Net was intelligent and thoughtful and beautifully written. It pleased me endlessly.

“The story is about the incredible power of love to move, not just mountains, but actual universes, and that it is absolutely never too late for a second chance. Not even if you have to employ quantum mechanics to kick your own self in the teeth.”
Read the review in its entirety here.

Reading Reality

Coast Guard Beach: Bliss
· ·

Coast Guard Beach: Bliss

Posted on:

It’s not summer for me unless I spend at least a few days on a beach. Now that I have reached a certain age, I swathe my face in extreme sunblock, a hat, and even a shirt wrapped to block those wrinkle-causing UV rays. But the rest of me is exultantly ravished by the sun. The waves roll and lull me into a heavenly drowse. My limbs get heavy with salty sea air and heat. I am recharged and renewed. Bliss.

Of all beaches, the magical National Seashore at the Cape owns the biggest real estate in my heart. So imagine my keen delight when my cranky but beloved friend Paul invited us to Truro.

This year, the dynamic shoreline has sculpted itself into an inner moat and a berm set out from the shore. There’s a long natural sea pool for swimming, which is a gift. The exploding seal population on the Cape has invited in sharks, including Great Whites. I prefer not to tempt them, in case my wiggling silhouette puts them in mind of a struggling seal. I hear that Great Whites like to tear out the belly of the seal and gobble down the slithery, oily, tasty innards.

The sea is a place of primal experiences. We are primal creatures with salt water in our cells. Beaches are an integral part of who we are.