Inspirations: 101 Uplifting Stories For Daily Happiness (Expansion) Paperback – July 11, 2019

So I actually did what was recommended in the Foreward. When I first got my copy, I went through the table of contents and flipped through to chapters that I thought would be pertinent to me at this time in my life. My firstborn is heading off to college in a few weeks, her sibling is already feeling that loss and needs me even more, dealing with the daily grind, finding time for self-care, politics and all that entails today; I could go on but I started out just looking for "WHAT DO I NEED TO READ NOW?". After a few days, I found myself just picking it up and reading through...not looking for chapters all about ME but finding gems in everything that I came across. 'Beginnings', by Gilda Jill Cook, spoke to me. Taking the time to fondly think about your past and the loved ones who made you the person that you are today. "My Dance With Words", by Dr. Vicki L. High, put on the page my lifelong love of reading and how the written word can speak to me. "Stepping Into Your Sovereignty" by Vanessa Johnston, gave me a daily prayer that fits and showed me the importance of my like-minded friends that rally around me and our joint beliefs when I need them.I could go on and on but the point is that I'm using this book as a reference, not just for specific issues anymore but as a daily/hourly pick-me-up or as a way to give myself a new perspective whenever I may need one. It seems to fit my current 'stage of life' as a half-empty nester, single mom, daughter of aging parents, etc. and I appreciate the wisdom and acceptance that I'm finding between the pages. I can definitely recommend it to other folks in my same boat or anyone who is looking for some solace, encouragement or just a literary, pat on the back.

What a fun and fantastic book of 101 stories by all different authors, I am sure that they dpan ages, a diverse group of people who shared their wisdom in their story just in hopes of maybe hitting the right nerve or insight that gives the reader just what they needed in that moment in their life. This is a must read and must share with all your friends. A joy that I will reread just for the feel good aspect of the stories and maybe just maybe a story will grab me, pull me in and my heart will hear the answer that was meant to be discovered at that exact moment in time!A dear friend of mine is the author of the story " I hear voices". I have known Jamalyn Warriner for 43 years since she was just a pup! I can confirm her story because there were messages for me all during our friendship.The most vivid is one day in the early 80s as she was walking out the door to go to work, she almost bounced back and I asked.. what's wrong. She said it is like a barrier on the door and someone said "Not now". Because I knew her abilities, I got chill bumps.After about ten minutes she left. About an hour later went to work and Saw this major pile up being cleaned up, lanes blocked off.When I got to work She called to ask me if I saw this serious multi car pile up at 35 and 820.Yes I had and she told me tell me that had she left when she tried she would have been in it because it had just happened when she passed it.Her gift is amazing!

I received an advanced copy of this book and found it to be very inspiring. It contains stories from real people that choose to stand up and face their fears and challenges, from some very dark places, to find hope. It’s an easy read, it pulls you in and keeps your attention leaving you feeling better about yourself and where you can take yourself.Whether you’re spiritual or not, dealing with severe abuse or just everyday challenges of life, you will find a story that resonates and speaks your truth, empowering and enforcing the importance of hope, self-worth, and self-love. I think everyone can relate to situations in these stories.It made me understand that others have made it through the emptiness and loneliness that comes when you experience trauma and pain. It also affirms that there are amazing transformations and healing that come from our trauma. I loved how each author left no experience or topic not accounted for. Every author poured their heart and soul into each line. Their courage and bravery renewed my faith and changed my perspective in how I view pain and trauma – with Hope.

Resilience, this book thoroughly relates to the capacity and strength of the human spirit to overcome, to somehow find a way to spring back into the light after wondering through the dark.The stories shared remind us that we will experience many diverse challenges in the journey of life and of the importance that learning from each experience; affording us with new knowledge to carry us through.Isn’t our common goal to be enamored by life? The stories shared offer an inside look at life events as seen by the authors and gives the reader the wonderful opportunity to relate (and you will relate)!In every story I am reminded that God’s timing is perfect, that he is ever present and that his plan for us does not fail.This is a great read and a wonderful gift to pay forward.ENJOY

In today's world full of mass shootings and constant political fighting, it is easy to become overwhelmed and want to just withdraw from life. This book is the perfect antidote for such thoughts. Each story is told with such authenticity, it is like the author is right there talking to you directly, providing just the encouragement you need. In one of the early stories, the author says, "Each one of us has a story worth hearing." I'm so thankful that these writers were each brave enough to share their story with me--and you will be too. This book is the one I now turn to when the "sleep demons" wake me up in the middle of the night. A quick reading of one or two of its stories and I am indeed uplifted, inspired and refocused in a more positive direction.