"I Don't Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say," by Joyce Shafer - Book Review

"I Don't Desire to be Your Guru, but I have got got Something to Say" is James Joyce Shafer's gift to me. This book, short and easy-to-read, do me recognize that other books, sharing wisdom that I have read, were merely building up to this book. The book could be read in one afternoon, but why would you desire to? I took my clip reading this book and intentionally did not tag in it, high spot or flag any portion of it. I desire to read it again before I really draw the lessons out of the text.

Through an easy departure conversation in a cafe, lessons about how we see ourselves and the human race around us are shared between two people. Each lesson is one which I desire to enjoy – like a delicious amuses-bouche. An amuses-bouche is bite-sized morsel served before the first course of study of a meal. And its purpose is to tantalize (or amuse) the oral cavity and indeed tease the diner with what the chef have prepared for the followers courses. "I Don't Desire to be Your Guru" functions up an array of amuses-bouche – each lesson teasing me with the possibility of how my life could be altered, bettered, lifted by integrating these lessons into it.

In "I Don't Desire to be Your Guru," the loose narrative which environments these lessons is a immature adult female named AJ (though I say it could be a man, but as I am a adult female I surmise Ms. Shafer intended me to see AJ as a woman) who is returning to the land site where she had this life-changing conversation with Old Bill. She is returning 10 old age after the conversation – and Iodine suspect that of everything she learned in her conversation with this "guru," it could take 10 old age to really incorporate and reflect on these lessons as portion of your mundane life. And I, for one, can't wait to acquire started!

Book Review of "The Hiding Place"

The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom, is the ultimate story of love and forgiveness. It is the redemptive tale of an older woman and her family who become involved with the anti-Nazi underground movement to hide and secure Jewish people. Living in Holland, a neutral state, the Germans siege the country and enforce their strict regime on the citizens there.

This true story offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people capable of extraordinary measures. The Ten Boom family is an example of strong familial ties, of traditions steeped in religion and of values rooted in morality and humanity for all. Members of the family become imprisoned for work in the underground anti-Nazi movement whose goal it was to help aid the Jews from the furor of the Germans. Living their lives amidst the horrors of war, the Ten Boom family is confronted with unspeakable ills and forced to choose which side of humanity they will place themselves on. This affords the reader the opportunity to ask themselves if they would be capable of similar decisions if the times demanded it.

This moving account illustrates how one's faith may provide the moral fiber to one's character; allowing one to keep moving forward even amidst inhumane conditions, including the despair and lack of dignity of war.

Corrie's mother once told her that "Happiness isn't something that depends on our surroundings... It's something we make inside ourselves." This literally became her mantra as she faced insurmountable odds to achieve countless acts of humanity. An older spinster, caring for an ailing father, Corrie literally stepped outside her comfort zone, not only in achieving success in the anti-Nazi movement but in demonstrating a level of inner strength and resolve previously unbeknownst. Hers is a wonderful example of discovering your life mission in the midst of your own life.

While some may view the account as overtly optimistic and full of hope, the story certainly does not diminish the pain and suffering endured by those persecuted, including many members of the Ten Boom family, in the concentration camps during the Holocaust. What differs is that Corrie saw hope in every situation in which she found herself. She places her faith in the hand of God and realizes that with Him there are no accidents. Hers is the conviction that she is carrying forth the plan of the divine. She lives with the knowledge that defeat will come to the Germans.

Her new mission after the war is to help rehabilitate those who had suffered in the concentration camps; she even extends herself to work with those who betrayed their own countrymen. She went on speaking engagements all over the world to endorse her message of the love and peace that comes from forgiveness. Her life was a shining illustration of her belief that "the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do."

This begs the questions: Are we are allowing our own past to help shape our future? Are we prepared for the work in store of us? Hopefully, the answer is "yes".

Wish I May, Wish I Might... Book Review

Wish I May, Wish I Might. . .


by Barbara Elliott Carpenter


ISBN-10: 1420860100

Finding yourself is the greatest endeavor in life. Sometimes it takes great challenges or tragedies to help us to look within. Sometimes we get there through laughter and love. Mostly, it takes a lot of everything, ups and downs, to understand ourselves. In Barbara Elliott Carpenter's novel, "Wish I May, Wish I Might…" readers witness one girl's journey to inner self.

In 1954, Sissy Bannister moves from the place she knew as home in Illinois, to West Virginia. At 14, she isn't happy about leaving behind her world, but she soon finds a brand new one waiting to be explored. Making new friends is just the beginning. Sissy experiences differences in beliefs and attitudes in the people around her and begins to learn what she believes in herself. Desegregation, varying religious beliefs, and class relationships are all part of her lesson plan. Dealing with family trials and tribulations isn't easy either and Sissy learns how important family bonds are, many times over. A schizophrenic uncle, an almost missing sister, and the stories of her parents' lives are woven into her soul's fibers. Her friendships, with other teens and with other adults bring more chances to learn about life, and herself. As the years pass, Sissy grows into a young woman she can be proud of, holding on to her fiery youth but also embracing the heart-touching moments of her life.

Barbara Elliott Carpenter leads readers on a journey of small town America, coal mines, colorful characters, romance and fun, heartbreak and tragedy. "Wish I May, Wish I Might" evokes varying emotions, reaching out through vignettes of life that have a homey familiarity. Sissy is so real she leaps off the pages and into your heart. Watching her come into her own was a pleasure. Carpenter offers a memorable and enjoyable read. I laughed, and I cried, and I loved every minute of it. Well done!