Progress of my new book
I've been working really hard on this new book (my third) and it's a tough one :) Mostly because I'm digging deeper into myself than I've ever done before; it's all worth the effort though. Here's a place where you can keep up-to-date with my progress on it; just click on the book image on my website to be taken to a flip-book. I update it all the time. My website
The cover is a clue to the title :)
Much love as always
Renée Paule
The cover is a clue to the title :)
Much love as always
Renée Paule
1
New Book Extract
A teeny extract from my new book that I'd like to share with you all (it may still change a little).
"The road is long and the road is tough, but it is there and there is light at the end of it. We can overcome all hurdles if we refuse to be distracted or deterred by society, and it will try to do that. When we become the act instead of the audience many doors open for us."
Have a great end of the year.
Status Update ... or am I procrastinating? :)
I've been so busy writing and it's incredible that when we focus on our mind - information comes pouring in, often faster than I can write it down. The very things we fear dissolve when we face them. When we take the plunge and face a lifelong fear we shouldn't ever stop or turn back. I see it as diving into a pool; if you dive in ... you can turn back, swim to the other end or sink to the bottom. I know what I'd choose ... even if there are crocodiles. Roll on book 3 ... end of May 2015. I soooooo love this song and would like to share it with you. Don't Give Up
Much love,
Renée
Consolidation - Philosophy, Animated Gifs and Vegetarian Recipes
As part of a process of ‘Consolidation’ - the (possible) title of a chapter in the book I’m currently writing, I’ve merged parts of several websites that I manage. Here they are in ‘One’ website that shows my three creative traits. Re-formatted Website. The other websites have now been deleted. It’s great fun clearing these things up as the process clears our minds too, but the mind sure does put up a lot of resistance. Now … what else can I chuck out … ?
If you like vegetarian recipes and if you'd like to see some unusual animated gifs ... take a look.
Much love as always
There are two days left to enter my Goodreads giveaway for 'Just Around The Bend: Mas o Menos' Giveaway …
I also have a giveaway running for 'On The Other Hand: The Little Anthology of Big Questions' and that ends on Oct 18th. Giveaway
You have to enter to win one. Much love to you
The Prophet
I find it impossible to add words to this masterpiece of wisdom and insight. Highly recommended and thought provoking.
1
Illusions II: The Adventures of a Reluctant Student
I read this book back in February. Here are my thoughts.I have always loved Richard Bach but I can't give this book 5 stars based on loyalty rather than honest criticism.
I was expecting this book to feel insightful and new but instead I felt it held back a lot of emotion and feeling and I particularly expected at least some reflections on Richard's life while he went through this experience. I would have liked these to be spoken by Richard and not Donald Shimoda or the ferrets. What I'm trying to say was that this book held a wall up against any vulnerability or lessons learnt. At least it felt that way.
It was however, lovely to know that Richard is doing well and to hear about his courageous and fast recovery experience.
Perhaps naming the book 'Illusions II' leaves readers expecting the same high standard and insights as written in 'Illusions'.
I continue to cherish Richard's other books.
All Things Considered
The most wonderful thing about G. K Chesterton is that he’s a ‘thinker’. He doesn’t accept things at face value and doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not; he speaks from his heart. There’s still great value in Chesterton’s books and a great deal of wisdom can be found in them, for those seeking it. For example, in his essay ‘The Fallacy of Success’ in ‘All Things Considered, he states “A millionaire is successful in being a millionaire and a donkey in being a donkey”. Despite this book being over 100 years old we still write and produce books about how to be successful. In my opinion, Chesterton’s books are as valuable today as they’ve always been and it’s a pity the subject matter gets too little interest.
1
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
Surpass Physical and Mental Limitations Imposed on Yourself ...Fly with barnstormers above the clouds in this philosphical book written by Richard Bach. Let go of the twigs and rocks of the riverbed and go with the flow into a new world full of possibilities, messiahs and all the problems, and solutions that they encounter. In 'Illusions' there is a great deal to be discovered deep within ourselves if we just open our minds.
Donald Shimoda, the Messiah who has decided to quit, shows Richard Bach that boundaries can be crossed, wrenches can be levitated, we can walk on water and even swim in the earth. All we have to do is stop arguing for our own limitations and choose which path we wish to follow; or rather, which role we wish to play and in which movie.
This is not a comfortable book to read if you're happy living in the world as most people see and accept it. It suggests that we live in and create our 'own worlds', literally, and that we need to question the reality of it all in order go beyond the illusion.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
I must have read this book at least 20 times and each time I've been given a gift. Jonathan, a tenacious seagull, is bored with the mundane routine of his flock. He goes off on his own, striving to achieve perfection in flight no matter what the cost; resulting in his being exiled from the flock for not conforming to their society. After a great deal of battering and bruising from his aeronautical endeavours he finds that there are few limits to what he can achieve. After transcending he discovers, from his teacher 'Chiang', that the fastest he will one day be able to fly is at the 'speed of thought' and that he can go anywhere in the universe. The secret, he is informed, "is knowing that you have already arrived".Jonathan returns to a 'lower dimension' in order to share his knowledge and skills with other seagulls who want to learn them.
1
The Tao of Pooh
It would be easy to dismiss this book by its cover as a ‘child’s read’ and leave it on the shelf. That would be a shame, for this charming book portrays the principles of Taoism through the story of Winnie the Pooh - and the other characters - in such a way that it makes the reader stop… and think about life. Pooh lives in the ‘now’ without concern for things past or future; life just ‘Is’. Benjamin Hoff shows, through the adventures of Pooh and his companions, that a happier, more contented life is not such a distant or unachievable concept; it is just a question of changing the way we look at things."While Eeyore frets
... and Piglet hesitates
... and Rabbit calculates
... and Owl pontificates
... Pooh just is.”
This book has a serious message for mankind and Pooh and his friends make this an amusing and enlightening read. What is more … it might just change your life.
Lost For Words
Longden gets straight to the bottom of things from the start with what I consider to be one of the best openings I've ever read in a book. Longden's description of the 'unmistakable backside' of his mother barging its way into Marks and Spencers and her antics on the escalator with a pot of cherry yogurt left me in stitches!You'll be charmed by this ageing protagonist as her philosophy and unique brand of wisdom unfold. Her cats, plants and 'addiction' to copious quantities of 'Buttercup Syrup' combined with her unique way of 'selling' her house to potential buyers (by pointing out all its faults) cannot fail to amuse.
This book highlights the difficulties of declining into dementia from the point of view of her loving son who is also coping with the tragic loss of his wife and the difficulties of having a new partner who is blind.
The TV film based on this book seriously missed the 'plot'.
Travels with Puff: A Gentle Game of Life and Death
Yet another wonderful book from Richard, wherein he continues his personal journey through the maze of Consciousness, exploring places we fear to go in his unique way. Richard's companion for this cross country trek is a SeaRey (an amphibious plane) called 'Puff' who is as fascinating as Donald Shimoda in 'Illusions', a seagull in 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull', Dickie in 'Running from safety' and Laura Bristol in 'Out of My Mind' … all powerful and wise egos (and there are many more). Puff tells Richard; “I'm the cloud that's almost here, almost gone. I'm the wistful melody, known but half-remembered, calling you higher. I'm the wisp in the air no one sees but you, dear pilot. I'm the life no one else believes is true.” If you've ever wondered what life is really about, allow Richard to gently show you some of it's wonderful possibilities and from there, if you're willing … fly higher than you believe possible.Chapter 19 states “One needs to know what one's airplane will do and what she won't. That means becoming one's own test pilot, when what one needs to know isn't printed.” What a wonderful philosophy for life!
Richard wasn't kidding when he subtitled his book 'A Gentle Game of Life and Death' - I'd say it was an accurate assessment of his journey.
A must buy book.