Undercurrents of Mortality, Forgiveness Buoy Compelling Coming of Age Story
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For Bill Smith, the end has always been in view. And perhaps, in some metaphysical way, his occasional confrontations with the inevitable end that awaits us all made Bill better equipped to emerge intact from each crisis. His life, in fact, has been a series of highly unlikely extensions. This is his story.
The Home Stretch, from award-winning author Wayne M. Johnston, features everyman Bill Smith (loosely based on Johnston himself), who, throughout his life, is confronted with extraordinary circumstances. His is a coming of age story in which the peace that allegedly comes with maturity is often shunted aside to make room for yet another crisis. It is also an uplifting story in its portrait of a man struggling to find personal integrity through challenging conditions.
From an early age, Bill grapples with depression. Raised in a religious cult, he cannot reconcile his own experience with the worldview of his parents, and although he’s bound to them by love and obligation, he rejects their beliefs. His father’s palpable disappointment in Bill leads him to contemplate suicide and to provoke his father into a confrontation with a surprising outcome that would redefine their relationship and alter the course of both of their lives.
Given to a physical, adventurous life, Bill becomes the chief engineer on a seagoing tugboat, and his tales of weathering gale-force winds and violent storms at sea provide metaphorical undercurrents for his fraught relationship with his father, his failed early marriage, his father’s descent into Alzheimer’s and his own battle with leukemia, which he is told will kill him. Just when Bill has come to believe he has put the worst of it to rest, he learns something more about his father that opens everything up again, except this time, Bill’s sister is the victim.
The Home Stretch is a poignant, ultimately inspiring coming of age story that weaves themes of mortality and forgiveness through life-defining moments of reckoning that many adults have to face head-on and learn to overcome.
Wayne M. Johnston taught English, Creative Writing and Publications at La Conner High School for 19 years. Prior to that, for 22 years he worked on tugboats, usually as chief engineer, towing freight barges between Canadian and West Coast American ports. In 2011, he won the Soundings Review First Publication Award for his essay, “Sailing,” and has published other essays locally. For his debut novel, North Fork, he drew from years of experience reading student journals to reproduce the way kids voice serious matters to a trusted adult. The Home Stretch is book two in a planned trilogy. North Fork was released in 2016 as a YA novel. The story is told through the voices of three 17-year-olds as journal entries for their English class. Bill Smith, the protagonist in The Home Stretch, is their English teacher, and The Home Stretch is his back story.
Johnston lives with his wife, Sally, on Fidalgo Island in Washington State where he is working on another book length project.
The Home Stretch Publisher: Black Heron Press ISBN-10: 1936364344 ISBN-13: 978-1936364343 Available from Amazon.com, BN.com, Target.com and anywhere books are sold
Trish Stevens Megan Thomas Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone
Providence Heights Brings Renewed Hope to Seattle’s At-Risk Women
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Seattle spends more than $1 billion per year on fragmented programs to support its homeless, according to Puget Sound Business Journal. This figure is staggering, yet offers no guarantees that these vital services will be available from one year to the next. Too much hinges on donations and government programs — dollars that hang in the balance relative to the local economy. Women and children are especially vulnerable to the dangers of living on the streets or in unsafe environments, and one woman who has survived unthinkable adversity has founded an organization unlike most others.
In 2019, Christine Soule launched Providence Heights, a Christian-based nonprofit designed to empower Seattle’s women in need through housing, employment opportunities and personal development programs. The organization’s business model includes multiple sources of revenue to generate a sustainable income, something Soule likes to call Capitalism for the Poor. Additionally, “Our unique retail space integration will secure revenue as well as provide apprenticeship, jobs and entrepreneurial skills,” Soule explains.
The initial Phase I launch will provide housing and resilient growth programs for approximately 100 women at risk of going under who simply need an opportunity to regroup and equip themselves to not just survive but to thrive. Also for those who have come out of a program such as the Union Gospel Mission and are fully prepared to commit to changing the trajectory of their lives.
Phase II aims to more than double the capacity and provide housing for more than 200 women, including those with children. Once the revenue stream is firmly established in this phase, Providence Heights will enter Phase III — the final phase — when the organization will replicate this model from city to city. They hope to also empower similar organizations to use its successful blueprint to help those they serve.
Providence Heights Founder and Chief Executive Officer Christine Soule is a lover of people and passionate about leading them toward a restored and dignified life. From her personal experience, she has great compassion for homeless and abused women. She co-founded The Purpose and is a philanthropist, author and inventor. Her recently released book, Broken and Beautiful, chronicles her remarkable journey from trauma to triumph. Christine is also a mother of five and married to Mitch, the love of her life.
Job Search Expert Delivers Proven Method to Help You Elevate Your Career
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If you’re unemployed, underemployed or simply in need of a more satisfying professional path, you are far from alone. 2020 gave us a lot of reasons to take stock in our career choices and realign our priorities. Why not begin the New Year with a new strategy for success that more accurately reflects your interests, talents and goals?
“Your circumstances can be incrementally, if not exponentially, improved,” writes career development coach Helen Horyza in her new book, Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of. “You can design an amazing career through a comprehensive, step-by-step pro-cess that will allow you to consciously manage your transitions and grow to your full potential.”
Elevate Your Career uses true stories about people from all walks of life and education levels who have reassessed their passions, pivoted their skillsets and created careers that are the perfect fit. How? Horyza explains it all and offers valuable tools that readers can use right away to reassess their own career paths.
First, the Elevate Career Cycle method, which is explained in the book, can help readers un-cover their passion by pinpointing their interests and unique talents. Also included with the book is a coupon code for the Elevations Career Assessment, which synthesizes values, skills, interests and personality in the context of contemporary careers. Individuals who complete the assessment receive a focused report complete with valuable decision-making tools. The result is a comprehensive model for smart and healthy career development.
No matter where you are in your evolving career journey — college student, executive or someone looking to course-correct — this book will provide you with the tools and the momentum you need to elevate your career.
Helen Horyza is an expert in the fields of career development and employee development, engagement and retention. She is an accomplished trainer, motivational speaker and executive coach. She holds a Master of Science degree in Career Counseling from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), and is a professionally trained coach through Coach Training International. She is a Nationally Certified Career Counselor (NCCC) and has over 20 years of experience uncovering talent and directing it to achieve extraordinary results.
Horyza is comfortable inspiring audiences large and small with her authentic, approachable style. She is the inventor and author of the Elevations® suite of assessments designed to assist individuals in career transition or to enhance employee engagement. Elevations® is utilized in colleges, universities and in consultant practices around the world.
She used her own advice to re-career and recently launched the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy, a training program for people interested in becoming career coaches.
For more information, please visit www.ElevateYourCareer.com or www.helenhoryza.com. You can also connect with the author on social media at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxts0YopKzHU_dnPmcQ_NHQ https://www.instagram.com/helenhoryza/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenhoryza/ https://www.facebook.com/helen.horyza https://twitter.com/HelenHoryza
Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of Publisher: Merack ISBN-10: 1949635384 ISBN-13: 978-1949635386 Available from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and Helenhoryza.com
Trish Stevens Robyn Peterson Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone
Words for All Shares Doctor’s Profound Connection with the Other Dimension
Dr. Pieter Noomen hoped his transformational journey would inspire others to widen their spiritual paths
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The late Dr. Pieter Noomen sought to forever change the soul of humanity through meticulously chronicling the communications he shared with a spiritual presence. His website, www.wordsforall.org, is a collection of profound wisdom and insights for anyone seeking an authentic connection with our Maker.
Dr. Noomen’s own journey toward experiencing a direct, personal connection with the One Who is Life began more than 25 years ago when he studied the work of Dr. Peter D. Francuch, who communicated with what he called “the Positive State.” Dr. Noomen would go on to significantly widen his own spiritual path and have extraordinary experiences on the spiritual plane, the details of which he shares on www.wordsforall.org.
As Dr. Noomen himself explained, “I can only say that the information came from a presence on my innermost spiritual level I was in communication with for some time. The words seem the result of my spirit merging with the spirit of life It/Her/Himself.”
Visitors to Dr. Noomen’s website can read about the 12 components of life through his 12 booklets: Oneness, Love, Life, Fire, Space, Connectedness, Progression, Effect, Freedom, Joy, Differentness and Harmony. Throughout his writings, Dr. Noomen avoids using the name of any deity, such as God, and instead uses what he refers to as The Seven Names, each of which relates on a human level to the situation at hand: One Holy, Love, Truth, Proper, Healing, Manifestation and Energy.
A minister and licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Noomen was a man of great introspection and awareness. He experienced a profound transcendent journey that led him to connect on a deeply spiritual level with a higher presence. He grew to believe that, either directly or indirectly, all life stems from one common source, and when we are able to connect with that source, we reach the highest level of existence.
Dr. Noomen freely shares the abundance of life-changing messages that were communicated to him on his website, www.wordsforall.org. Sadly, Dr. Noomen passed away in 2019, but his Words for All will continue to inspire people throughout the world.
An example from Dr. Noomen’s Wisdoms of the Week at www.wordsforall.org:
“We all know that anything can go wrong anytime: in nature, parts of our body, relationships and, of course, technical equipment. Even our mind can suddenly take a dip. All these wisdoms state that Life Itself is Love; however, it may be battered and damaged. This may be hard to hold on to in days of breakdowns and misery. Yet when we do just that, holding on to all Life’s true nature being Love, it brings us ‘home’ and is healing; spiritually, mentally and perhaps even physically. How do I know? Life in me shows me. We all can have a personal relationship with Him/Her.”
Kathleen Harrison Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 832.334.2733 Direct 281.333.3507 Main [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com
Success Stories Show that Low Dose Naltrexone Helps Many People with Autoimmune Diseases
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Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, psoriasis, fibromyalgia and other autoimmune conditions affect nearly 23.5 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health.
In her thought-provoking book, The Power of Honest Medicine, patient advocate Julia Schopick (with Don Schwartz) outlines a safe, inexpensive, often dramatically effective alternative to the costly, often-toxic treatments that doctors routinely prescribe for autoimmune and other diseases. It’s called Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), and The Power of Honest Medicine is filled with compelling success stories from people all over the globe who have experienced relief from their symptoms thanks to LDN.
“There is lots of evidence that LDN is a groundbreaking treatment for autoimmune diseases, helping many patients with these conditions to achieve remission,” Julia writes. “In some cases, it can slow or stop the progression of their diseases. In many cases, patients experience a life-changing relief of symptoms.”
In spite of its documented benefits, the use of LDN to treat autoimmune conditions remains largely unknown among the medical community and the public. Julia is committed to changing that.
The Power of Honest Medicine contains contributions from 18 people from around the world (the U.S., the U.K. and Europe), all of whom are eager to spread the word about how LDN helped alleviate their symptoms of serious conditions—such as chronic fatigue syndrome, Crohn’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia—when the higher priced, often-toxic medications they had been taking didn’t work. Also, with many of these conditions, the drugs doctors prescribe can cost thousands of dollars a month, compared with LDN, which costs around a dollar a day.
Additionally, The Power of Honest Medicine contains a section dedicated to helping readers understand LDN and why it has the potential to positively impact those suffering from autoimmune disorders. Plus, the book includes a chapter with strategies for helping readers convince their doctors to prescribe LDN—information Julia has been asked for again and again by her readers and by those who have heard her speak.
Ever since her husband’s death from a brain tumor in 2005, Julia has dedicated her life to patient advocacy and to sharing information about potentially lifesaving alternative and off-label medical treatments. Her first book, Honest Medicine, offered valuable insights supported by patient testimonials regarding the use of four underutilized lifesaving treatments: Silverlon, for non-healing wounds; intravenous alpha lipoic acid, for liver disease; the Ketogenic Diet, for epilepsy; and Low Dose Naltrexone, for autoimmune diseases.
Julia’s husband survived 12 years beyond any doctor’s prognosis, and she attributes this to the innovative treatments she uncovered for him. It’s been her passion since then to prevent others from suffering unnecessarily and having to juggle the side effects of toxic medications with the debilitating symptoms of their health conditions.
“I believe that LDN would be the standard of care for autoimmune diseases if Big Pharma didn’t rule doctors’ prescribing decisions,” she adds.
Julia Schopick is the bestselling author of Honest Medicine and her follow-up book, The Power of Honest Medicine. She is a seasoned radio talk show guest who has appeared on over 200 shows and is often invited back. Julia’s goal is to empower patients to make the best health choices for themselves and their loved ones by teaching them about little-known but promising treatments their doctors may not know about. Julia’s articles have been featured in numerous publications, including American Medical News (AMA), Alternative & Complementary Therapies, the British Medical Journal and the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Power of Honest Medicine: LDN, an Inexpensive Alternative to the Costly, Toxic Medications Doctors Prescribe for Autoimmune and Other Diseases Publisher: Innovative Health Publishing ISBN-10: 0982969031 ISBN-13: 978-0982969038 Available from Amazon.com
Trish Stevens Linda Oldman Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone
Simplicity of Non-Religious, Non-Discriminatory Spirituality
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Spirituality is distinct from religion and does not discriminate. It cannot! says Ravi Kathuria.
To some, the term ‘spirituality’ sounds mystical or complex, Ravi says. “It’s my mission to share with the world, spirituality is stunningly simple and as natural as sleeping.”
It’s also wholly inclusive and accessible to everyone regardless of caste, creed, religious beliefs, age, status, gender or sexual identity. No judgments. No preconditions, he adds.
By quieting our minds — by tapping into the spirituality that is inextricably woven into our DNA — we have the ability within ourselves to experience profound bliss, explains Ravi Kathuria.
“Learn to quiet your mind is the simple message the ancient Indian sages gave mankind,” he says. “Their message was not religious. It was a scientific discovery about human nature that can raise the quality and experience of life.”
Ravi demystifies spirituality and distinguishes it from religion in his thought-provoking book, Happy Soul. Hungry Mind.: A Modern-Day Parable About Spirituality.
Not a “pedantic” book about archaic dogmas, Happy Soul. Hungry Mind. is an emotional and humorous, easy-to-read parable that shares a series of conversations between two old friends who enjoy spirited discussions about the human journey and life’s challenges.
This format allows Ravi to organically capture the pressures of modern life and reveal techniques for calming the mind. He weaves in Spiritual Truths that boggle the mind and demonstrates how spirituality and modern living can synergistically and practically coexist. It may be the remedy we need in this world of stress and anxiety.
Ravi answers questions people have pondered for ages. “I share a definition of God that can change the course of human history,” states Ravi. “It can make the world more peaceful.”
Written for the modern reader, Happy Soul. Hungry Mind. is free from religious doctrines and makes spirituality accessible to the world’s 7 billion inhabitants. Spirituality benefits the religious and the atheists equally. You do not have to change your beliefs to benefit from spirituality, says Ravi.
“This is not our grandfather’s religious spirituality,” Ravi adds. “This is modern, practical — and simple spirituality! It is time to awaken the world as it yearns for true spirituality.”
Author Ravi Kathuria has been drawn to spirituality ever since he was young. A business thought leader, management consultant and executive coach, he has been quoted by the likes of the Wall Street Journal, NPR and the PBS Nightly Business Report.
His first book, How Cohesive is your Company? presented a holistic, cohesive management method that received great praise from top executives and business professors.
In his second book, Happy Soul. Hungry Mind., Ravi uses his analytical and intuitive skills to solve the complexity and confusion of spirituality. Happy Soul. Hungry Mind. is a work of spir-itual genius. Ravi lives in Sugar Land, a suburb of Houston, Texas.
For more information, visit www.HappySoulHungryMind.com, or connect with the author on Facebook: @HappySoulHungryMind; Instagram: happysoul.hungrymind; Twitter: @HappySoulHungry; and YouTube: Happy Soul. Hungry Mind.
Happy Soul. Hungry Mind.: A Modern-Day Parable About Spirituality Publisher: Seema Corp ISBN-10: 0982147554 ISBN-13: 978-0982147559 Available from Amazon.com
Trish Stevens Julia Vaughn Ascot Media Group, Inc. Post Office Box 2394 Friendswood, TX 77549 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com 281.333.3507 Phone
The Dog Lady of Mexico Gives Hope to Thousands of Unwanted Animals
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Alison Sawyer Current experienced a calling — a powerful pull that she couldn’t ignore — and gave renewed hope to the starving, unwanted cats and dogs roaming Isla Mujeres and set a profound example for others to follow.
The Dog Lady of Mexico shares Alison’s remarkable journey, which began when she and her husband, Jeff, were soaking up the sun on the Mexican island during a much-anticipated month-long honeymoon. The stray animals roaming freely seemed to be woven into the island culture — just another aspect of the backdrop. Until she took a closer look. First, a tiny, pregnant, toothless cat caught Alison’s attention. Then along came a dog with a litter of 12. The animals were suffering, disease-ridden and without any sources of food or clean water.
Alison’s honeymoon became the catalyst to a lifelong pursuit to save as many neglected cats and dogs as humanly possible. Her first rescue took place in 2001, and before she knew it, she was assisting with the creation of the island’s first spay and neuter clinic.
The Dog Lady of Mexico compellingly and accurately depicts Alison’s story through a character named Rose. Her valiant efforts to help stray dogs and cats eventually grew into the nonprofit Isla Animals, which offers free spays and neuters, low-to-no cost veterinary care, arranges adoptions, and runs owner education to help whittle the number of animals destined for the same bleak existence.
The problems Alison encountered were numerous. There are no veterinarians in many areas, so most of the animals are never vaccinated or treated for parasites. The average dog is thin, mangy, and tick and flea infested. Needless to say, they are not welcome inside the home so even dogs that have owners are subject to the same conditions as street dogs. Since most of the people can’t afford a car, and taxi drivers refuse to pick up passengers with dogs, they have no way to get to a veterinarian … and the cycle just goes on and on.
Readers of The Dog Lady of Mexico will experience a world very different from their own, and will see firsthand the blood, sweat, tears and, yes, even laughter, that accompany such massive rescue efforts. They get to share the journey of Rose, whose life takes an uncharted course into unknown territory, and experience the passion that changed a life forever.
Alison is a recipient of The Doris Day Animal Kindred Spirit Award, and in 2007 she was invited to Mexico City for the first Forum on Small Animal Overpopulation in Mexico. To date, Alison has spayed or neutered more than 20,000 animals and promoted adoptions in Mexico, the United States and Canada. Alison resides with her husband in Boulder, Colorado.
