BOOK REVIEWS

By Sonia von Matt Stoddard

REVEALING YOUR EXTRAORDINARY ESSENCE
Practical Tools for Empowered Living
By Cynthia James

With much enthusiasm and positive direction, author Cynthia James teaches us how to move from the ordinary to the extraordinary by “busting the myth” of ordinary existence. Her inspiration and motivation are contagious; you will come away with renewed passion to succeed in whatever your heart may desire.

We live in a culture placing a lot of attention on possessions, other than the important connection to self. The extraordinary person is able to rise above the tangible asset to a place about not only being clear on our behavior and our environment, but thoroughly conscious of exactly how we are living and expressing ourselves.

Each title explores one area of personal development, such as love, trust, power and self-care, plus many others. The sub-sections explore each area with specificity. Then, we are given exercises that are not complicated.

The author gives us suggestions for using the book in ways that are more practical to us, such as taking one chapter at a time, versus trying to consume the entire book in one sitting. Included throughout are several affirmations that can provide a burst of action if your time is limited.

People can be remarkable when believing in themselves. By actively placing focus on appreciating ourselves and our strengths, and by using the exercises in this book, every day we will get closer to achieving our highest purpose.

Published by Thornton Publishing, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.CynthiaJames.net



MOONRISE
The Power of Women Leading from the Heart
Edited By Nina Simons with Anneke Campbell

An anthology with more than thirty essays from eminent female trailblazers. If you ever needed inspiration and advice for cultivating your leadership skills as a woman, you will find examples of how to find strength, re-examine priorities, nurture collaboration and find the best path to social, progressive and environmental change.

Compiled by members of Bioneers, a nonprofit educational organization that highlights breakthrough solutions for restoring people and planet, with articles by well-known authors such as Alice Walker, psychiatrist Jean Shinoda Bolen, playwright Eve Ensler, holistic doctor Rachel Naomi Remen and hip-hop performer Rha Goddess, as well as a social entrepreneur, a philanthropic activist, an ethno-biologist, and media educators, this collection is an extremely well-rounded bundle of wisdom from several age groups and walks of life.

Through discussions about knowing ourselves and our inner landscape, to developing our sense of purpose, the masculine style of leadership is first distinguished from the feminine. Then, we are taught how to recognize, pursue and nurture this feminine style.

Sustainability, social change, mentoring, cultural diversity, and the building of respectful relationships are all suggested, with a sometimes introspective, and always thoughtful view on how to reclaim preferred strategies, institutions and cultures by reconnecting with nature and living our life as if it is truly valuable and will make a distinguishing difference in the lives of ourselves, others, and our planet.

Published by Inner Traditions, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.InnerTraditions.com



THE WAY OF THE HAPPY WOMAN
Living the Best Year of Your Life
By Sara Avant Stover

If you are ready to be healed, to thrive rather than just survive, to restore your sacred balance, both within yourself and with respect to the planet, this book will help you find the deeper connection with yourself, and those with whom you share your life, so you will find what is truly important.

After the author, founder of the Way of the Happy Woman and a pioneer of teaching Yoga in Thailand, learns of a serious medical issue, she completely changes, reluctantly and painfully, her first and only “plan” for life.

What she finds is an entirely new approach to living, based on the four seasons of the year. She calls her path a more feminine one — one that brings forth a woman’s natural qualities of compassion, sensuality, nurturance, creativity and receptivity — all of which the world needs right now.

After an introductory chapter on the basics and encouragement to let go and change old debilitating habits, we are challenged to replace these with more empowering ones based on nature. Each chapter covers a season, beginning with Spring.

From yoga and nutrition to revitalization, transformation and celebration, to going back to basics, like composting, growing vegetables and creating fresh wholesome meals, the ideas we see are wonderful in the very simplicity and ease with which they can be substituted in order to enhance all areas of our life.

Published by New World Library, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.newworldlibrary.com



WABI SABI LOVE
The Ancient Art of Finding Perfect Love in Imperfect Relationships
By Arielle Ford

Based on the Japanese aesthetic of finding beauty in imperfection, we are introduced to the art of learning to illuminate the hidden beauty within a person that makes him or her your soulmate. Known as “Wabi Sabi” it honors all that is imperfect, im-permanent and incomplete, finding value in things that are modest, humble and imperfect. How we look at things and develop the emotional maturity to see beyond the surface shifts our focus to what is truly real, deep and profound.

Quirks and idiosyncrasies of our partners can grow from a simple annoyance to a problem that will destroy a relationship. The art of learning to love your partner’s imperfections is key to people acting and behaving in ways that are acceptable to the other. The author, an acclaimed leader in the personal growth and contemporary spirituality movement, believes imperfection is actually more valuable than perfection in the creation of a long-term committed relationship.

Ford offers us discussion first on the principles and choices of Wabi Sabi, starting with getting rid of our assumptions of the right and wrong ways of things. She asks us to question our beliefs and arrive at choice based on a fresh look. How to grow a generous heart, using humor and humility, as well as the personal art of happiness are all discussed here, along with wonderful exercises to reinforce this old-new approach.

Published by Harper One, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.HarperCollins.com



ANIMALS AND THE KIDS WHO LOVE THEM
Extraordinary True Stories of Hope, Healing and Compassion
By Allen and Linda Anderson

When we hear stories about animals and children, they most likely are a story about a boy and his dog. Here we are reminded that relationships with animals of all kinds can be special.

This compilation of stories features children and parents who face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life. With the help of their animals, they receive the love and motivation needed to overcome those difficulties. Some of the characters in this book could be labeled as shattered or damaged; however, the blessings of having a relationship with pets help them to overcome and succeed.

Animals can be beacons of hope, healing and compassion, as well as examples of extraordinary loyalty. The stories are arranged in three sections dealing specifically with these three ideals. We learn about the kindness of horses, llamas and chickens. Apparently, llamas are remarkable therapists, with an extraordinary sensitivity to humans. A special horse can bring you out of a desperate situation; a rabbit helps a young child with development problems communicate when other methods have failed. Each story illustrates the direct and positive correlation between animal and human.

Authors Allen and Linda Anderson are speakers and authors of thirteen books about spiritual relationships between people and animals. They co-founded the Angel Animals Network in 1996 to increase love and respect for all life through power of story.

Published by New World Library, this book is available at your local bookstore or www.newworldlibrary.com

Resonance
Nine Practices for Harmonious Health and Vitality
By Joyce Whiteley Hawkes, PhD

A master healing facilitator who has worked for more than two decades, Joyce Hawkes’ newest book mixes practical methods with sentient wisdom. Originally a research scientist, Joyce shares how her life changed dramatically after a near-death experience opened her to begin merging science with spirituality.

Already an energy-healing pioneer revealing how the intelligent operating system with-in our body’s cells is key to health, this book explores how to heal through cultivating the quality of resonance using nine paired practices.

Joyce has distilled the most important qualities necessary for healing to occur; becoming heart centered, clear-minded and compassionate. Resonance includes many stories that enliven her points of reference while skillfully weaving esoteric experience with cutting-edge research. One of the most interesting ideas shared in the book indicates that compassion actually stimulates us to take helpful action.

Joyce is an expert guide and this book provides many useful practices for professional healers to explore and bring to their own work, as well as anyone interested in personal healing. Throughout, the book sounds a note to deepen awareness and discover more coherence, leading us to realize that healing is very much about finding the chord of truth that resonates within.

Published by Hay House, this book is available at your local bookstores or www.hayhouse.com