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by John Calabrese, Huntington, NY
IGNITE THE GENI C’mon, admit it: You love easy books. And since we all have so much information to manage these days, when a book comes along that’s not only inviting in layout but potentially consciousness-altering, it becomes a must-read. Some readers might find parts of the book overly simplistic, but that’s the point: the authors ask lots of open-ended, profoundly thought-provoking questions that many people are too busy to think about – let alone ask themselves and then find time to ponder. But they also provide some very “grasp-able” answers, such as a beautifully eloquent explanation of quantum physics and how it clearly relates to the everyday quality of our lives (pp. 117-118), and how to shift thinking that keeps us stuck (pp. 73-75). Ignite the Genius is based on questions, explanations, pictures, and even a downloadable soundtrack. It’s is a book about introspection and growth, laid out in an inviting way that keeps you interested, a book you can “play” with and get something from each use.
SINGLE WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE: Romantic Escapades, Shifting Shapes, and Serene Independence Beware: this is a deceptively misleading book. At first glance, it appears to be just a collection of short stories written by women. Read one of them, however, and you are drawn into the honesty and depth of each true-to-life recounting of single life after forty. Some are mothers, others are not. But all are excellent writers who will captivate your curiosity. “Remember Me?” is an urgent reminder not to compromise the depth of your self-respect for the thin veneer of a fantasy – even one from thirty-seven years ago; “Detour” takes a different look at the social conditioning surrounding marriage; “My Last Two-Night Stand” is a middle-age, coming-of-age revelation; and “Heavy Petting” is a brilliant interplay of how tolerance of animals can lead to tolerance of men. More than simply autobiographical snippets, the stories form a template of wisdom for women in the throes of singlehood, at any age. Even men will benefit from the enlightening: what to expect, what to do–and not do–for them. Reassuring, empowering, and full of hard-earned wisdom, Single Women of a Certain Age helps middle-age, older, and younger women appreciate the value – and power – of their own company.
SPONTANEOUS EVOLUTION: Our Positive Future (And a Way to Get There from Here) Advances in biology and genetics are rapidly and radically transforming the very future we are all advancing towards. The key word is control, specifically referring to how the emergent science of epigenetics is shifting how we look at the very foundations of life, as well as our individual “destinies.” Although genes are responsible for our many and varied traits, epigenetics helps us to understand that we are very much in control of turning certain genes on and off by learning to think and live differently. New technologies prove that brain and heart activity are measurable outside the body, sometimes up to several meters, showing how human energies intermingle with, and shape, the surrounding environment … leaving us with far more influence over not only our bodies, but also the physical plane they inhabit. And, with evolution no longer relegated to the category of random, our fears about the future as an “unknown” begin to dissolve. Although detailed, the writing is personable and clear. Dr. Bruce Lipton (The Biology of Belief) and Steve Bhaerman present a vast, encouraging, landmark study in the science behind our individual and shared futures.
NURTURING SPIRITUALITY IN CHILDREN: Simple Hands-On Activities Defining spirituality is a very personal, intimate challenge for each of us. Think about how many books you’ve read, and all the roads you’ve taken, to arrive at a comfortable place with your beliefs, and then think about how to present all of that to a child! Nurturing Spirituality makes the process “child’s play.” A world-renowned child educator, Jenkins has a gift for making an understanding of spirituality accessible to any age group, deftly connecting the concept with the basics of a healthy psychology. In the activity “Only Our Thoughts Hurt Us,” for instance, the lesson is how “Unhappiness comes from our thoughts about the experience.” The adult readers – and their children – are guided to understand complex emotions and virtues such as (but not limited to) anger, judging, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, and trust. The beauty of the book is in its simplicity and innovation. All the activities are easy to do (10 minutes or less) and understand, and the author helps your children appreciate the point of each one by including a “lesson” with every activity (all ages and intellect levels are accommodated). Parenting is challenging enough. Let Nurturing Spirituality make the job easier and more sacred.
John Calabrese is the Editor-at-Large at Creations Magazine and has a private counseling practice in Huntington, NY. |
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US WITHIN: Discover Your Full Potential 
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