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I’ve always loved books. Always. I want to share with you the ones that make a difference for me (and as for music, I read a bit of everything. So don’t hold your breath and expect something in special from me. I’ll talk about art book, novels, self-development and whoknowswhatyet). Hope you’ll enjoy 🙂

Since my teenage years, I have been devoring books about witchcraft, Wicca, Religion, Paganism, Buddhism, Self-development. I even create a forum that, back in the days, counted thousands of members with a few hundreds active ones. Some are still my friends now, more than a decade ago.

Books is where I learn. Books is where I discover. Books is where I escape. Books is where I can find the help to orient the compass that helped me find my North.

My Spirituality is not an area of my life I spread around. Fear ? yes, of judgement. Because we have to be honest: we, Humans, are pretty easily judgemental of others (what they do (or not), how they dress, their accent when they speak, what they do believe in (or not).
I had to loose all hope to get back to life. I was 17-18.

I learned to dig deep because I love understanding. And knowing. I learned that I have nothing to prove and that my Truth is simply that: MY Truth. My Faith is constantly moving, going with the flow, growing as I grow.

I wanted to share a bit of my credo with you:

I do believe in a «Higher Power». I call It «the Universe», or in French I call it «les Petits Vieux».
I do believe Jesus existed, and that he indeed was a special someone. But I am not really religious (sometimes, I wish I was. Would make it easier).
I do believe there is a good reason for everything. Everything. And everyone that comes my way, may the person bring love or hate. This is my job to figure out the lesson(s) and grow from it.
I do believe in duality.
I do believe that everything is energy.
I do believe we are all connected.
I do believe that we all have the power to change.
(and in so much more…)

I decided to try in 2013 not to buy too much books, but to read what is already on our shelves… Besides, we have an amazing public library service, that is free and has lots and lots of interesting books to choose from.
I had to make this exception though when I discovered this book, «May Cause Miracles» written by Gabrielle Bernstein. I remembered her from a video interview she did with our local Danielle Laporte (there is something unmistakable in Gabrielle’s voice) when I watched her segment with Marie Forleo.

It’s been a few months, if not more, that my Husband and I began talking about our Spirituality again. I miss our little pillow talks about Life, and told him so. We met through our Spirituality, so this is something that links us and that we have absolutely no taboo talking about together.
However, I felt something was deeply missing. I felt disconnected. I knew I was on the right path, but it was still not exactly it. And I could not pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

And once I realized what I needed, I just could not find a «how to get there»… until this book.

The cover kinda sells it for what it is: a 6-week (40 days) program, on which you work EVERYDAY. You have a morning meditation that sets the goal for the day. A positive affirmation you can use when you are facing the challenge of the day (for example for me, day two was yesterday and is about seeing things differently and choosing Love instead of Fear). «Love» is the term she chose to use to makes everyone agree and at ease, not religious nor too woo-woo either, it is Universal and everyone understands it (she clearly states that it does not imply sentimental love). And an evening journaling and meditation exercise.
Each day’s work build for the next one and so on. It goes gradually, which makes it less intimidating.

Gabrielle refers quite often to «A course in Miracles» which is a book written by Dr. Helen Schucman and part of The Foundation for Inner Peace.

you.have.to.work.it.to.get.it. I would love to say to you that simply thinking and it will become true, but right now I would be lying. I know that you have to go for your dreams. To say and feel and know this is what you truly truly want. And it is okay to deviate, totally okay.

Here is the video trailer for it:

I appreciate that she goes straight to what she wants us to understand (sometimes, the meaning of things gets lost in embellishments).

I needed structure and guidance. I find it in these pages. If you read me regularly, you know writing is part of my practice, and the evening ritual uses journaling to reflect on the day, which I love. It does not have to be pages and pages and can even be a simple list if it is what makes you comfortable. You can stay on the same day as long as you feel the need to.

When you purchase the book, you get access to two free meditations and other goodies that can be helpful along the way.

Have you heard of Gabrielle Bernstein ? Read some of her previous books, or this one ?

Would love to know about other people’s path in this process of becoming a Miracle Worker.

Hello !

This one of my review as a review reader for Hay House.
At the end of last year, I received serveral awesome books to review for Hay House, this is one of them. The other reviews will come soon.

“A course in weight loss, 21 spiritual lessons for surrendering your weight for ever” is written by Marianne Williamson.
The first time I heard of her was thanks to her famous quote I discovered in the excellent movie Akeelah and the bee (but it is misquoted in the movie, unfortunately). This quote about fearing our Light and success resonates deeply in me.

First of all, the book itself is beautiful; a green hardcover with golden embossed letters. And for me, even if i know i shouldn’t, the cover and outside of the book is what makes me pick it from the shelf at the bookstore or not.

When I was told I could receive this specific book, I felt it was right what i needed. Perfect timing as since a few months I am in a healing process regarding my body image.

Here are a few words by the author about the book:

This book is a retraining of your consciousness in the area of weight, turning your journey to weight loss into a spiritual quest. As you restore your spirit, your body itself is reminded of its natural intelligence. By getting back to the truth of who you are, you will get to a place where all your problems with weight have disappeared.

The book is divided in chapters that each corresponds to a lesson. But don’t worry: there is no timeline; you do it at your own pace. For example, it took me quite some time to digest lesson one. I am only at the beginning of lesson 4 right now.

I think that we all struggle with our body weight once in our life. Either it is because we think we are too fat, or because we would need to get some shapes.
It took me years to admit that I have eating issues. And it is hard for me to say it out loud publicly here because it is really a struggle. I used to eat very very little and then I started to overeat, which is still an issue I am fighting currently. Until a few months ago, I was sometimes eating compulsively for many reasons (from being bored to being in a Spleen period…).
But once you face it and want to take steps to fight it, having some support can be very helpful. This is what this book is for me.

I am someone who deeply believe in the power of intention and of positive thinking. I also know by experience that my spirituality and my body are linked.

In her book, Marianne Williamson exposes what the holistic and spiritual reasons of having eating issues can be and how to get rid of it forEVER. Yes. This is not another book with impossible diets.
I don’t tell you it will be quick and easy because it will not. This is a journey you begin. A journey to recover the body you want to have, the positive image you should never have lost.

If you are used to journal, this will be even better as writing along this sacred journey is highly recommended. There are white pages at the end of the book made for it, or you can of course use your own journal. Getting it out by writing is VERY helpful because it helps actually seeing what you were hiding to yourself.

I do believe that we can get over it and even if it takes time, even if it is a struggle, we can eventually get back to our “normal”.

I just want to talk to you a bit about one thing. Marianne Williamson refers a lot to the Divine, to God. I am spiritual but not religious. I am used to this kind of reference and to shift “God” by “The Universe”. So don’t let it block you if you don’t believe in the Catholic form of God. I really loved this passage in the book:

“In Alcoholics Anonymous, there is the notion of a Higher Power, or God as you understand Him. And that is fine for our purposes. It doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you call on it. The point is not a name or a word or any religious doctrine or dogma. The point is a spiritual principle that  becomes a living reality, affecting both body and soul: that a power greater than the mortal mind, in you but not of you, can do for you what you cannot do for yourself.“

You can learn more about the book right here: A course in weight loss

Here is Marianne Williamson talking about it:

You can easily find the book in Barnes & Nobles in the US.
Or in Chapters in Canada.

I have two copies of the book so I really want to give one away to someone who would need it. Maybe this someone is you ?
Let a comment here. It will end in a week, on Monday March 7th at 12pm pacific time.
Only open to people in Canada and the USA, sorry but this is an heavy book.

Heya !

I’m really please to talk about the new Louise L. Hay book that is released today: “Experience your good, NOW“. As you know, I am an Advanced Reader Reviewer for Hay House and I was thrilled to read this book.
Did you ever wonder what are the Positive Affirmations everybody seem to talk about, and how it concretely work ? If the answer is “yes”, this book is what you need. It’s also perfect if you want to improve specific areas of your life but don’t really know how to do so.

First of all, I love two things about this book: its square size, that can fit my handbag really easily (as I already told here, I have the habit to read to books at the same time: one while I’m alone in the public transit, and the other one at home; so I need a book that is not too big nor heavy for the bus).
And the second thing I like the most is that a CD is included with the book, so I can listen to it wherever I want (I put it on my iPod). I loved this principle with her book “Yes, I can do it” that has also a CD included.

This book makes me happy because it does not guilt me for the negative thoughts I can sometimes have (about myself or about anything). Because yes, I’m aware that regarde Positive Thinking, people tend to either think it’s awesome, or it’s bullshit. When it comes to the power of Manifestation, we forget that the thinking is most of the process but it’s not the only thing that we have to take care of (I may talk about it later if you are interested).  I must confess something: a few years ago, one of my dear friend had the habit to use Positive Affirmations; when she told me “every morning, I look at me in the miror and repeat a few positive sentences”, I repressed a laugh and thought it was weird. The first impression is not always good, we have to keep our mind open to what we don’t know.
Today, I know it works because I experienced it. I’ll tell you a short story: I used to be very sick since I was born. Every winter was kind of terrible as I got every virus that crossed my way. About two years ago, I was fed up with always being sick and I told myself “My health is good, my body is strong and resistent”. And I started to felt that way, I let go off the fear of getting sick, and trust me or not but I never got sick again as I was before, or for two days maximum. Because my mind and my body are now balanced together…

Here is the index of the book:

Introduction
What are Affirmations ?
Affirmations for Health
Affirmations for Fearful Emotions
Affirmations for Critical Thinking
Affirmations for Addictions
Affirmations for Forgiveness
Affirmations for Work
Affirmations for Money and Prosperity
Affirmations for Friends
Affirmations for Love and Intimacy
Affirmations for Aging

Some final thoughts
About the author

I was also a lot inspired by what Louise Hay says before her introduction:

Affirmations are like planting seeds in the ground. First they germinate, then they sprout, and then they shoot up through the ground. It takes time to go from a seed to a full-grown plant. And so it is with affirmations– it takes some time from the first declaration to the final demonstration.
Be patient.

The metaphore with the plant talks to my Soul, it connects with something inside of me. I hope it is the same for you. It reminds me of a page I made in my Journal last year, a seed slowly growing to see the sky and go out of the ground, with a root firmly attached in the earth…

The book is original in the way for each area, it starts with a check-list of emotions related to this area. Then, the author explains us some things, and propose us some exercises to shift our way of thinking; at the end of each part the emotions of the beginning are reviewed and linked with a positive affirmation to erase it and build the positive thought that will replace it.
If you have a Journal, use it as a companion through this process. I don’t recommend to write directly on the book, as you may want to do the exercises and check-lists more than once.

And you know what ? In celebration of the release of this book, Hay House is offering the chance to win a spot on their reknown I Can Do It ! Caribbean cruise !!! It happens from January 28th to February 4th 2011.
Enter to win at www.ExperienceYourGoodNow.com
I dream of attending this cruise for more than a year now, it surely is a life-changing experience, in my opinion.

Do you use Positive Affirmations in your life ? How did you discover it ? Tell me about it, I’d like to hear your stories 🙂

In this week prompt, Jamie precises that we can see it two ways: financially or otherwise. What do you wish to invest in ?

For me, it will be both financially AND otherwise.

For about two weeks now, I think a lot about creating my own “business” regarding my art and what I love to do, guiding people who wants to. It’s something I already had in mind, but the Universe put some HUGE signs on my way lately. I just cannot ignore them.

I wish to invest in my Dream to become a guide, a healer, an artist. A mix of all these.

It means I’ll have to invest money, for marketing, for supply, later for an office (kinda).
I started concretely yesterday, by signing in for Kelly Rae Roberts first online workshop: Flying Lessons. I invite you to check it out if you’re like me: wanting to make a living from your passion, avoiding current mistakes and learning some useful basis.

I know I can do it, I have a total faith in this project even if at this time, it is still a little bit blurry, the clouds are being pulled away one after the other.
It’s the right time for me to seriously think about it and take things in hands. And I am not in a rush, I want to do it right and properly.

I wish to invest time, and Love, and courage for the achievement of this dream project.

Hello Sweetie Pies !

Today is a new Inspiration Monday. So everybody say with me: “Yipaaaaaaaaaaaa” 😀

For this one, I want to share with you my current reading.
Indeed, I want to thank Anne-Marie Jobin for this discovery because I feel that it will empower me and help me a lot lot lot in the writing of my book.
Because yes, it’s not a secret, I started writing a book. An autobiographic one (and yes, I hear this voice whispering in my hear “what ? a book talking about your life ? but you’re not even 25 years old yet ! what do you want to talk about ? why would people care ? you won’t be believable, poor little thing !………………” my Gremlins can be really harsh).

I bought this book “The Power of Memoir, How to write your healing story” by Linda Joy Myers last week after discovering in online on the website Journal Therapy suggested by Anne-Marie for all the interesting training classes they offer.
The author guides us in eight steps toward the redaction of our Memoirs. She is describing everything from the earlier stage (before even starting writing) process in the work of writing what we have to say, our truth. She helps us to know how to search for memories hidden, how to pass by some rocks in the road we may encounter.
She makes us dig deep inside, looking for the “WHYs” that motivate us and gives us tip to keep writing no matter what.
The book is really made to help us use the Memoir Writing in order to heal our past. Wether we want it to be published or keep it in the family for the future generations to come.

It reassures me so much and I’m just at the beginning at the book for the moment.

I’m thinking of taking the class to go deeper afterwards, if I feel the need to do so… I’ll keep you updated as I go on the reading of the book 🙂

Since last week, every piece of my future is finding is own place in my mind and my Soul is singing in the perspective of all this goodness that will come !!

You can buy it on Amazon if you wish; here is the link.