So That Is What’s Possible

In the 12/27/13 issue of Entertainment Weekly, Stephen King ends his review of the book, The Interestings, by Meg Wolitzer, with this:

The Interestings addresses one of fiction’s great themes: how we make peace with our own shortcomings and make the best of ordinary lives.

It’s a great theme in real life as well: How do people rearrange and rebuild their lives when dreams die hard?

Like most people, I’ve seen countless friends and acquaintances aim for careers and stardom in creative fields like acting, singing, painting and writing, only to end up frustrated and disillusioned. The cold, hard truth is that most of

Namaste on Christmas Day

Whatever your faith, whatever your beliefs, may the spirit of Namaste guide you to see every individual as a beloved child of God and all the Great

Walking on Holy Ground

If you’re looking for a way to transform the world by transforming lives, here’s a profound and powerful way to do just that:

In every interaction you have with another human being, do your best to genuinely and authentically convey that they are valued, cared for and appreciated.

How to do that? It can be as simple as listening with affection and excitement. Or it can take the form of a warm, sincere smile and an honest compliment. Today, instead of giving a friend of mine a quick hug goodbye, I felt that something more was called for because she was in despair. So I

Tuned to the Right Frequency

Carl Jung coined the term “synchronicity” to explain evidence of the sacred in everyday life. Case in point: this story from Caroline Updyke of Short Hills, New Jersey, which appeared in the January 2014 issue of Guideposts.

TUNED TO THE RIGHT FREQUENCY

It was a station their radio wasn’t programmed to receive, but the connection was made, loud and clear

There’s a reason my husband, Eric, and I got satellite radio. It’s reliable. We live in a woodsy, hilly area, and just driving around town I used to lose my favorite station. Or the signal would get crossed with one from another station.

That never happens with satellite radio. We have it set to an oldies channel. The signal is locked in, the sound crystal clear.

That day I was especially glad to

Using Face Reading to Discover the Career You Were Born to Do

Click here to order Barbara’s book, which comes in PDF or iPad for $20 or in paperback for $24.99

What’s in a face? Plenty, according to Face Reading expert Barbara Roberts. In this video interview with Barbara, she explains how to interpret your facial features to identify the career you are destined for.

Click here to schedule your own Face Reading session with Barbara.

Click here to order Barbara’s books.

Click here to listen to “11 Lessons on How to

Jean-Claude, Don’t Mess With Chuck Norris!

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME’S EPIC SPLITS

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s video for Volvo collected more than 61 million views in its first 37 days. That’s impressive! But not nearly as impressive as Chuck Norris’ video response.

You’re good, Jean-Claude, but Chuck

Astrological Predictions for 2014 for Each Zodiac Sign

Laurie Baum

These astrological predictions for each zodiac sign for 2014 were written by my good friend Laurie Baum, MSW, a psychological astrologer and psychotherapist in practice in Encinitas, California. As you can see from her article, Laurie integrates the wisdom of natural patterns in the heavens with spirituality and psychological insights.

Click here for Laurie’s comprehensive astrological forecast for 2014.

You, too, can benefit from Laurie’s wisdom. She writes a free astrological newsletter about how planetary alignments affect our lives on earth. Click here to e-mail Laurie to subscribe at no cost, or visit Laurie’s website and click on “Free Email Newsletter.”

Laurie is a former newspaper and news magazine reporter who is profiled in the books Psychic New York and The 100 Top Psychics in America. She is the author of five books:

A to Z Acrophonology: Discover the Power of the Letters in Your Name

Everything You Need to Know About Your Astrology Sign

Whispers from the Cosmos

Sacred Mysteries of Egypt

Astrological Secrets for the New Millennium

Laurie also offers counseling appointments by phone. She will answer your questions about major life decisions and talk with you about the reasons you have incarnated, the lessons you are here to learn, where you are on the wheel of karma, and the psychological developmental cycles you have been through and are going through. She will look at current influences on your health, finances, relationships, career, and any relocation plans that may be necessary. She also will look ahead with you at the next seven years of your life. A reading with Laurie can help you take the next step in your life. Sessions, which are available via landline phone or Skype (audio or video), are digitally recorded.

To make an appointment with Laurie, click here to e-mail Laurie or call her at (760) 753-7676. Click here to visit Laurie’s website for more information.

YOUR PERSONAL ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS

Illustrations by Kagaya, a Japanese digital fine artist.
Click here to visit Kagaya’s website.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19)
You will go through more than the usual number of changes in 2014. Some of the changes will come as a surprise without your prior awareness. Other changes will evolve slowly. For the most beneficial results, think about how to integrate the wisdom you gain from both the sudden changes and the slowly evolving transformations. A new life direction will naturally emerge as you take some quiet time, slow down and listen to messages from your soul. Your most active periods in 2014 will occur under the influence of two Full Moon Total Eclipses, one on April 15 and the other on October 8. Your power to initiate ambitious action will be at a zenith on April 15. Your diplomacy will prevail on October 8. Positive changes that support your growth will occur on February 26 and April 20. Introspect about how you would like to express your

Laurie Baum’s Astrological Forecast for 2014

Laurie Baum

This comprehensive astrological forecast for 2014 was written by my good friend Laurie Baum, MSW, a psychological astrologer and psychotherapist in practice in Encinitas, California. As you can see from her video above and her article below, Laurie integrates the wisdom of natural patterns in the heavens with spirituality and psychological insights.

Click here to read Laurie’s 2014 predictions for each individual zodiac sign.

Personally, I never had much of an appreciation for astrology and just didn’t care enough about the subject to investigate it further. Then two things happened.

First, I happened to read a chapter in a life-changing book that burned off the fog of ignorance and answered every question I had about astrology. It was written with clarity, precision, wit and wisdom, and I felt the subject come brilliantly alive for me as I read it. Click here to read that excerpt on astrology.

Second, I had an hour-long astrological reading with Laurie Baum. We discussed every area I could think of: health, relationships, finances, lessons in need of learning, major life changes to come. Not only did she nail everything—and I mean everything—about me, but she provided very helpful insights that will help me navigate the years ahead with more confidence and authority. It was uncanny: everything she told me aligned perfectly with what my intuition had long been telling me; but she also went far beyond that point and gave me much to think about. This reading with Laurie gave me a much deeper appreciation of the value of astrology and a more profound respect for its power. Thank you, Laurie!

NOTE: After this post appeared, Alan, a very spiritually minded friend of mine, e-mailed me: “Given your glowing recommendations I just sent Laurie an email requesting a reading.” Three days later, Alan sent me this note: “I had a wonderful astrology reading experience with Laurie. She was able to deliver insightful information in a comprehensive and compassionate manner. I found it timely and useful on many levels so I thank you for introducing me to her.”

You, too, can benefit from Laurie’s wisdom. She writes a free astrological newsletter about how planetary alignments affect our lives on earth. Click here to e-mail Laurie to subscribe at no cost, or visit Laurie’s website and click on “Free Email Newsletter.”

Laurie is a former newspaper and news magazine reporter who is profiled in the books Psychic New York and The 100 Top Psychics in America. She is the author of five books:

A to Z Acrophonology: Discover the Power of the Letters in Your Name

Everything You Need to Know About Your Astrology Sign

Whispers from the Cosmos

Sacred Mysteries of Egypt

Astrological Secrets for the New Millennium

Laurie also offers counseling appointments by phone. She will answer your questions about major life decisions and talk with you about the reasons you have incarnated, the lessons you are here to learn, where you are on the wheel of karma, and the psychological developmental cycles you have been through and are going through. She will look at current influences on your health, finances, relationships, career, and any relocation plans that may be necessary. She also will look ahead with you at the next seven years of your life. A reading with Laurie can help you take the next step in your life. Sessions, which are available via landline phone or Skype (audio or video), are digitally recorded.

To make an appointment with Laurie, click here to e-mail Laurie or call her at (760) 753-7676. Click here to visit Laurie’s website for more information.

2014 ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST
by LAURIE BAUM

The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, arrives on Saturday, December 21. The Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate the return of the light as the days will start to be longer after the solstice arrives.

The new year of 2014 will present many opportunities for profound growth. Karmic Saturn will spend most of 2014 in the depth-seeking water sign of Scorpio. And depth-seeking Pluto will be in the Saturn-ruled earth sign of Capricorn throughout the year, intensifying the trend toward cleansing, purification, and self-discovery. You may will feel an urge to avoid complex or tangled issues under this highly intense influence; but circumstances may push you to discover previously hidden information and feelings so that they may be untangled and healed. This process of unearthing, purifying, and rectifying is going on across the planet—notice all the drilling, construction, reconstruction, and destruction of man-made structures and natural resources. It can be a bit messy on the physical level, but it is a mirror of what is going on in our psyches. This is a time of clearing away the old to make room for the new.

The movement of karmic Saturn from Scorpio to Sagittarius on December 23, 2014, will give you the greatest power when you seek spiritual solutions. Saturn was last in Sagittarius from late 1985 to late 1988, so you will be revisiting and resolving

Yin and Yang . . . and a Life-Altering Vision

Yin (noun): In Chinese philosophy, the passive female principle of the universe, characterized as female and sustaining and associated with earth, dark, and cold.

Yang (noun): Lori Anne, author of this post.

Lori Anne Yang

Literally overnight, my friend, Lori Anne Yang, experienced a profound awakening that delivered her from the darkness of depression into the light of joyous gratitude and limitless love. It’s a wonderful reminder that changing your perspective can instantaneously change everything for the better. Thank you, Lori, for sharing your beautiful story.

LORI ANNE YANG’S LIFE-ALTERING VISION

Around the time I was 35 years old, after a devastating period in my life of prolonged sorrow, I had a profound experience of rebirth. I know it is cliché to say it is always darkest before the dawn, but for me it truly was.

It was a very black night, in the midst of a painful divorce and a life in complete upheaval and pain. I believed all choices in front of me led to even more pain for myself and everyone around me. I was at a point where choosing not to live felt like a very real solution to my problems. The thought of having no future became more comforting to me than any future I could foresee. I cried myself to sleep next to all the untouched pharmaceutical bottles I had gathered on the nightstand next to me.

I will never know if I would have gone through with ending my life that night, or if it was just a step I was taking in testing this option . . . moving closer to it to see if it still felt like the answer. I will never know because I

Review of “Through God’s Eyes” by Tasha Donahue

Tasha Donahue

I was honored that author Tasha Donahue reviewed my book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World, on her blog. Here is her review.

THROUGH GOD’S EYES: A BOOK REVIEW
by Tasha Donahue

I stumbled across this book at a Publishers and Writers meeting in San Diego. I was struck with the title, “Through God’s Eyes,” and a photo of the cosmos dramatically resembling an eye. WOW! I thought, what was inside? While I rarely review books, this is one I had to share with my readers, most especially as I recently spoke of better ways to handle your time and money at the holidays than avoiding a laser gun on Black Friday or spoiling your children with too many gifts.

Bolsta began sixteen years ago with an idea: He wanted to create a guide book that had the potential to change people’s lives. I opened the book and read what appeared to be an infinite

Spitting Into the Wind

Pure intentions and honorable actions do not always offer protection from hurtful accusations from those you had been close to. More than one instance comes to mind in which I acted with complete integrity and selfless service only to have wildly untrue accusations flung in my face. Sadly, I have seen the same unfortunate fate befall people I love.

When I am unfairly attacked, my first instinct is to defend my integrity by explaining why the accuser’s perceptions are so horribly off target. Up until recently, I believed that explaining my position with clarity and precision would always be helpful and productive.

I was wrong. Time and time again, I have learned that trying to reason with an unreasonable, irrational or psychologically damaged person is like

Kicking Off the “Through God’s Eyes” Crowdfunding Campaign

I admit it. I’m nervous. Today I’m kicking off the crowdfunding campaign for my book, Through God’s Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World. The above video explains why I’m launching the campaign and why it’s so critical to the success of the book and to changing people’s lives for the better.

All money raised will pay for the promotional costs necessary to launch this book further into the world. Whatever funds I receive in excess of this goal will help me do even more to promote it.

Click here to visit the campaign page for Through God’s Eyes on GoFundMe.com. You’ll find answers to these questions:

• Why should I care about this campaign?

• Everyone thinks their book is a masterpiece. Why should I put my trust in you?

• Do I get a free gift for making a donation?

• Is this a good book to give as a gift?

• What exactly are you going to spend the money on?

• Why don’t you just pay for

Perfectly Beautiful, Beautifully Perfect

This profoundly moving video delivers a powerful message that we all pay lip service to: Everyone is perfectly beautiful just as they are. But how many of us truly see perfection in the imperfect?

The models and their mannequins

The following article by Anna Hodgekiss of the Daily Mail provides the details of this extraordinary project.

WHO IS PERFECT ANYWAY?

A Swiss charity has created mannequins based on the bodies of disabled people in a bid to raise awareness that no one has a perfect body.

Pro Infirmis, an organisation for people with disabilities, worked with people suffering from scoliosis (a curved spine), shortened limbs and a woman in a wheelchair.

Each had a mannequin made to perfectly reflect their body shape—which, to their delight, was then displayed in a high

How You Can Help SevaChild Save Children’s Lives

My friend Rick Carlton is the founder of SevaChild International, India’s first national association of child aid organizations. As this four-minute video explains, the only hope for the 80 million Indian children who live in unimaginable poverty is humanitarian intervention.

INTRODUCTION TO SEVACHILD

I got together with Rick to make this one-minute video that explains how SevaChild is saving tens of thousands of impoverished children from Vitamin A Deficiency, which can cause blindness and even death.

As this thirty-nine-second video explains, Rick started a crowdfunding campaign to