This book is filled with stories of compassion flowing not just from humans, but from some of our furred and feathered friends as well. Through these stories we discover that among all living creatures there is evidence of an emotional connection, and often a response, to others in time of need. Read Beth Smithem's story, Rae, the Stray to discover what lengths a human will go to when she falls in love with a needy, stray dog. Read Maria Jordan's story, When Compassion Replaces Fear to discover how a nurse with a compassionate heart and nurturing spirit is able to gain the trust of an actively psychotic woman, helping her reenter society as a productive being. Read Ray Tapia's story, From Dungeon to Dignity to learn about his personal transformation from a life of crime to total rehabilitation - all because of a warden at the Nebraska Penitentiary, who believed that not all prisoners are doomed and took positive steps to rehabilitate as many as possible. Although the stories in this collection all contain feelings of warmth, tenderness, sensitivity and concern for the plight of another, compassion needs to extend beyond simply feelings, to acting on those feelings in some positive way. And herein lies the powerful gift of each inspiring story in this book - stories of compassion fulfilled, actions taken and results achieved to satisfy the best that lies within us.
When I was 4 1/2 years old, I remember being sent to my room for a nap, but instead of resting, I practiced printing alphabet letters - all over my newly papered bedroom wall. What I most recall about that day was having to stand behind the dinette door, perched next to my mother's old Singer sewing machine, until I apologized for my misbehavior. I couldn't understand why I was being punished for all my hard work, so I stood there for what seemed like hours, rather than say the simple words, "I'm sorry." Fortunately that inauspicious beginning didn't dull my enthusiasm for writing. I share this little story to give you a glimpse into me and my stubborn ways as a child. As an adult, I am more kindly referred to as "perseverant".After twenty years as an active educator, I continued to pursue my love of writing, soon becoming co-editor of a popular web-zine, where I created and authored a column,
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives. It was there that I soldified my special niche of investigative journalism
, and put those same talents to work while writing
Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery, for which I interviewed over one hundred women. I wrote my second book,
Tick Tock, Stop the Clock ~ Getting Pretty on Your Lunch Hour, as a collaborative effort with chapters by twelve aesthetic professionals,
to address many of the less invasive paths to beauty.
In between these projects, I continued to write inspiring stories to touch the heart and soul. Somehow I feel that Tales2Inspire™ is just a natural outgrowth and progressions from all that has come before. I can't wait to see what happens next!
