Navigating The Storm
7 Truths to Mastering Our Lives
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‘Grandmother’, “If you want to learn to observe yourself, why don’t you try this. Spend the next few days noticing your thoughts? After a time you may begin to notice repetitious patterns of thinking; you may find yourself having thoughts that are critical or judgmental. You can give those thoughts a name such as, the judge, the critic or the victim.” ‘Spark’, “I guess I am willing to do it because I really don’t like feeling bad when someone spews their anger at me and especially when I haven’t done anything. Yeah, it’s worth it. Okay, I am going to give it a go.” They hug. ‘Spark’, “Love you so much Grandmother, and sorry I got a bit upset. You know that I always appreciate your insight.” Spark leaves with a strong sense of curiosity about what is going to happen by doing as her Grandmother suggested because she never liked feeling angry especially at those she loves. Over the next few days Spark is so surprised by how so many of her thoughts come from fear. This surprised Spark because she has always seen herself as such a positive person. A few days later Spark and her Grandmother meet up. Both smile, hug and sit on a big rock under a low hanging leaf creating shade. ‘Grandmother’, “Are you doing well? Were you able to observe your thoughts and come up with a name for your mind chatter?” Spark nods yes. ‘Spark’, (she smiles and shakes her head) “As I think about it now it’s kind of funny and even pitiful that I am actually a bit worried about what I observed. Because what I noticed is that I worry a lot.” ‘Grandmother’, “Really Sweetie, What about?” ‘Spark’, “Well like; will there be enough food? What if one of my brothers or sisters gets hurt or sick? What’s gonna happen when mom and dad get old? How much longer will you be here? Worrisome thoughts like those.” ‘Grandmother’, “Wow I had no idea you had all those worries.” ‘Spark’, “Strange thing is, me either until these past couple of days when I started observing my thoughts. So that’s why the name I have decided to give the ‘chatter’ in my head is ‘worrier’.” ‘Grandmother’, “That’s perfect, you know Spark, unfortunately most people tend to worry. It’s wonderful that you are so willing to make such an effort to grow. It is our ability to notice our chatter and name it that gives us the opportunity to start observing our thoughts?” ‘Spark’, “Got it! Observing our thoughts is the key to not being defensive or not letting others offend you, like I did with my sister.” ‘Grandmother’, “Exactly because by choosing to be the observer provides us the space to allow our self the time to not react. Also, being aware of what we are telling ourselves allows us to have control over how we feel. As we become the observer of our thoughts, we can begin to realize how our emotions are directly related to our thinking. Spark, the truth is your conflict with your sister is an opportunity for you.” ‘Spark’ puzzled, “An opportunity, for what?” ‘Grandmother’, “The opportunity to grow and begin to feel more in control of your life. When we are willing to recognize that we are reacting or being defensive, we can learn to step back and observe before we react. The real benefit comes from not allowing the outer world to have such a strong influence on our emotional wellbeing. Not only that Spark, once we can quiet the chatter and become an observer, we can begin to access greater wisdom from within.” Spark smiles and partly joking yet being honest. ‘Spark’, “Greater wisdom from within? I thought that wisdom comes from people with experience and books?” Grandmother smiles and chuckles a little. ‘Grandmother’, “That’s sweet; you’re not the only one who probably thinks that, but knowledge comes from many places. When we learn to switch to the observer and not just react from the chatter in our heads, we then can begin to consciously connect to our inner source of wisdom. Our wisdom comes from our spirit, and it is always connected to us and is the part of us that is not physical. Our spirit is also sometimes called our Higher expanded- self or Divine-self.” Spark looks a bit baffled.
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About the Book
What is the Origin of Life? Why do we exist? What is the Law of Attraction? How do we participate in creating our reality? Why do bad things happen to good people? Is this all there is? Through the adventures of several colorful characters, the authors skillfully illustrate vulnerability and offer guidance in understanding life’s challenges. Each section is supported by a host of practical tools, which transform complex ideas into simple, real-life contexts. Everyone who reads it will learn something new and invaluable - and that’s rare. - Evie Serventi, MSc, Dip.Psych, BAComms Sport and Exercise Psychologist in training Health and Fitness editor London, UK To be able to take such meaningful and deep concepts and truths and translate them into a fable that makes it all understandable is an amazing feat. These three authors have accomplished this wondrous challenge and given us a story of grace, depth and wonder, to live our life by. - Maia Berens Life Coach Trainer Spiritual and Personal Development Teacher Creator of YOU University This book has playfully and lovingly taken complex ideas of immense value and put them in easy to use lessons that can benefit any grade level. This revolutionary approach appeals to the best nature in all of us, and allows a dialogue between student and teacher that is a model for enlightened thinking and awareness in the classroom. - Troy Stevenson History Teacher and Debate Coach Portola Highly-Gifted Magnet School Tarzana, CA
About the Author
Beth Fortman-Brand Beth Fortman-Brand is an Intuitive Strategist (I.S.) for personal and corporate clients worldwide. For almost 25 years, Beth has designed and conducted numerous workshops and seminars in public and corporate arenas. The purpose of these workshops are to teach how to develop and successfully apply a variety of skills required for building and maintaining healthy relationships both personally and professionally. Not only is Beth engaging, dynamic, and witty, she is an expert in the “How-to” of living a successful lifestyle and creating healthy relationships. Beth’s “Medium”-like intuition provides her with the ability to see the truth in anybody’s “story”, thereby expediting the healing process. Beth is highly skilled in assisting others in learning to think, feel, and act from their heart instead of their head. Beth’s innate ability to tap into and hear an individuals higher self, guides them to consciously choosing to come from love rather than fear, thereby, allowing the unlimited possibilities of their higher, intuitive selves to be realized. Beth received her B.S. degree in Sociology from UCLA in 1986 with an emphasis on social programs, social policies, and psychology. She has studied and taught behavioral science and the dynamics of personal relationships extensively for the past 30 years. Since 1986, Beth has been a successful financial consultant and Business owner. Beth was recognized in “Who’s Who in Top Female Executives” in 1989. In 1979-1986 Beth taught cooperation workshops for teachers while teaching students at the secondary level for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Beth is an extraordinary communicator. She has a natural ability to connect with individuals and groups of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Therefore, Beth is able to teach anyone, who is willing, how to have successful loving relationships. Beth’s highly intuitive skills, intriguing career and life transitions have led her to share her transformational experiences for the benefit of others. Beth’s book The Power of Love, Living from Our Hearts (currently available in over 25,000 bookstores) provides effective tools and valuable information for transformation - teaching how to experience a life filled with amazing love, total peace, and great joy. Since 1995, Beth has been a consultant/advisor to Life Coaches, attorneys, financial consultants, and personnel (including top executives) of major insurance companies such as AIG, Allstate, Aviva, Travelers, Safeco, GE Cap., CNA, and Pacific Life. She is credited for being instrumental in the success of Medivest Benefit Advisors. Beth coaches/advises executives in the movie and television industry nationally, as well. Beth is also the Executive Producer of “Power Of Love Productions” and CEO of “http://www.blessourchildren.org” an on-line store assisting children's charities. Beth has appeared in, co-written and co-produced; Over 20 self-help, spiritually inspiring videos, and a documentary called “LOVE” addressing the legalization of same-sex marriage. She has also been working on projects that provide a bridge between the mainstream community and the LGBTQ Community through the creation of anti-bullying and inspirational video’s. Beth has co-written a screenplay called “Power Of Love” and is currently working on the pre-production process. Beth lives in Wood Ranch, California with her loving husband, Doug Brand. Matthew Schonbrun For the past 15 years, Matthew Schonbrun has worked as a criminal prosecutor in Los Angeles, and was a former candidate for Superior Court Judge. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, a Practitioner's license in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and is a Certified Reiki Practitioner. He is a frequent guest speaker at law enforcement seminars and Bar Association meetings relating to criminal prosecution methods, trains new attorneys in trial skills and oral advocacy, and is the published author of several legal, as well as meta-physical articles. He has spent much of his life actively engaged in the process of seeking answers to fundamental questions concerning our perception of reality and the world that we live in. Matthew is committed to being a conscious creator of his experiences by allowing the divine within to be the architect of his life. By remembering that we are all one being, Matthew strives to adopt a non-judgmental perspective allowing him to have a more expanded view of the world. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Jacky, son, Liam and daughter, Skye. Agnes Deason For over 25 years Agnes Deason has been a personal relationship coach. She has built a successful International practice in personal development and relationship skills. Agnes has designed and provides extremely effective foundational tools that increase an individual’s levels of creativity and sense of purpose. As a student and teacher of life and love, she devotes her time and energies to helping others find their true understanding of self. Agnes continues to learn about love as energy and the ways to use her inner sight to identify people’s core issues and themes. She has a remarkable ability to find ways to guide and assist others with healing themselves. Agnes teaches her clients how to bring balance into all aspects of their lives. She delights in encouraging people to bring divine love into everyday living! As a result of the individual wok she provides, her clients’ quality of relationships with themselves and others improve dramatically. Most importantly they experience a tremendous increase in self-acceptance and self-love. Agnes lives with her husband in WoodRanch, CA.