THIS WEEK ON INSIDE THE WRITER'S CAFE (week # 1014): GRATITUDE AND LIFE CHANGE.

Alphatudes: The Alphabet of Gratitude by Michele Wahlder and What Matters Most: Living A More Considered Life by Dr. James Hollis.

These are two wonderful self-help books.

Written by professional Life Coach Michele Wahlder, Alphatudes illustrates how gratitude and the ABC’s can help us live a more stress-free life. This is a really lovely book. I especially enjoyed the illustrations that go along with each letter of the alphabet. Michele has taken the simple idea of the ABC's and assigned a quality to each letter. It's a great idea and one you can use in many ways in your daily life. Starting each day off reading a new letter of the alphabet from this book is one way to start your day with positive thoughts.

In What Matters Most, Dr. James Hollis urges the the reader to explore their own minds and hearts to discover a path to personal fulfillment. The book is filled with stories and great ideas for self-exploration.

To hear my interview with Michele Wahlder and James Hollis on my internet radio show, INSIDE THE WRITER'S CAFE broadcast by WebTalkRadio.net, just click on my hostpage link below:

http://webtalkradio.net/category/inside-the-writers-cafe-with-cheryl-nason/

There are interviews with many other authors there as well. Let me know what you think!

BETWEEN ME AND THE RIVER: Living Beyond Cancer - A Memoir

by Carrie Host

The author of the book, Carrie Host, is a fascinating, involved, vibrant person:

>She holds a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Colorado and attended the University of Seville in Spain.

>She and her husband co-founded the colorado Youth Program, a nonprofit that connects underprivileged children with nature and their community.

>She is a mother, a professional writer, a cancer survivor and volunteer.

>She serves on the Board of Directors for the Carcinoid Foundation (www.caringforcarcinoid.org, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to discovering a cure for carcinoid and related neuroendocrine tumors.

>She is also a member of Rock Mountain Team Survivor, an organization of 400 individuals who promote health, education and fitness programs for women affected by cancer.

The book is an eloquently and beautifully written journey of a young mother diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, cardinoid tumor. Carrie is an accomplished professional writer who crafts her story so that the reader feels the fear she feels, as well as the self-discovery she experiences.

There are funny stories in the book that will make you laugh, poignant moments with her children and husband and life-changing moments as well.

This is a lovely book of hope. It would make a great gift for an individual recently diagnosed with cancer, a person currently undergoing treatment, and/or a cancer survivor. The book is a look inside of cancer and treatment for those of us who have been lucky enough to not be touched by this terrible disease. What do you think?

To hear my interview with Dr. Asad Dean, a Hematologist/Oncologist and Carrie Host, author of BETWEEN ME AND THE RIVER, on my internet radio show INSIDE THE WRITER’S CAFÉ on webtalkradio.net, click on the link. http://webtalkradio.net/index.php/show-hosts/3213-inside-the-writers-cafe-hosted-by-cheryl-nason

All shows are available on-demand, so anyone anywhere in the world can listen any time. All shows are available as free downloads from I-Tunes.

THE SURVIVORS CLUB:  The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life

By Ben Sherwood

Did you know?

-Every hour, of every day 136 people lose their jobs.

-Every hour, 80 families can't hold on to their homes.

-Every hour, 330 people are injured in auto accidents.

-Every hour, 171 people are victimized by violent crime.

-Every hour, 160 people are diagnosed with cancer.

These statistics came from the book.  Don't you wonder who survives and thrives and who doesn't?  Who bounces back from adversity and who surrenders to it?  What do survivors and thrivers know about beating the odds that we don't?  This book has some intriguing answers to these questions.

The book explores "What does it really take to overcome life's greatest challenges? And what kind of survivor are you?"  There are true stories and some surprising research.  The author did personal research with the U.S. military survival schools and the FAA's airplane evacuation course.  He even underwent genetic testing to find out if he has the so-called "Resilience Gene."

One tidbit of information I found fascinating was about flight attendants.  I have always thought they were there for passenger comfort and to be helpful in times of emergency.  I had no idea that part of their job was to "profile" each passenger and determine which ones might be suspicious and to identify the ABP's (able-bodied passengers) who they could call on for help in case of an emergency.  ABP's are typically solo travelers who are alert, healthy, and physically fit.  They wear clothing that suggests they are some kind of military, law enforcement, or firefighter.   Thank you flight attendants for trying to keep me safe.

Readers are offered a unique opportunity to discover their own unique Survivor IQ.  Each book  comes with an access code printed on the underside of the dust jacket.  By going to www.TheSurvivorClub.org, you can take the test.  I did and found it very interesting.

The book is filled with interesting information that may just save your life.  What do you think?

hear the interview

MY BIG BOOK OF HEALING:  Restore Your Body, Renew Your Mind, and Heal Your Soul

By Echo Bodine

Due to the current state of chaos in our lives, this book seems so timely.  The author gives practical advice and solutions for "healing" eighteen illnesses, addictions, and "distractions," such as stress and depression, loss and grieving, fear and resentment.

All of us are under a tremendous amount of stress and stress is described as "the fever of burnout."  I found Chapter 7, Negative Feelings and Beliefs, particularly interesting.  There is also healing information from a gender specific standpoint in Section III. 

Not only are stress issues addressed, but also food and weight, relationships, parenting and pregnancy, intuition and so much more.

I enjoyed the interview with Echo very much and her book is one I plan to keep as a reference for myself whenever I need to be reminded of positive steps I can take.  What do you think?  

hear the interview