A Place Called Happiness

Life’s stresses, problems and pains can be roadblocks to inner happiness, stripping one’s ability to have a positive outlook. Despite these, one can still cope much better if he/she can find genuine happiness that stems from within. However, in a world as troubled as ours, how can an individual be truly able to find divine peace and contentment?This question, which has remained a mystery to many, has led author Dori Seider to write the book, A Place Called Happiness. This inspirational book provides a new, exciting yet pragmatic approach to achieving true happiness, even under the worst circumstances.

A recipient of the Fulbright scholarship, Dori has won writing awards and gained recognition for her humanitarian work. She is a music composer and jewelry design artist as well. Most of all, she is a teacher of Psychology, Education, French, and the History of American Women. Dori notes that it was her students in her Psychology of Stress that gave her additional inspiration to come up with this book about happiness.

A Place Called Happiness has so far been gaining overwhelming response from the reading public for seven years already. Dori, in fact, relates that she still gets feedback from people who expressed how the book has helped them in coping with difficult times in their respective lives. Others have also used the book to deal with the loss of a loved one or to simply gain enlightenment and inspiration. Dori was also pleased with how well the book was received when she spoke at a gathering by Barnes & Noble in Princeton.

Dori only has good words to say about her publishing experience with Xlibris. Upon completing her manuscript for A Place Called Happiness, she then went looking for a publisher that would meet her standards, namely efficiency and warmth. After working with Xlibris on her book, she realized that she didn’t go wrong in her choice of publisher. In fact, Dori has even recommended other authors to publish with Xlibris as well. She was extremely satisfied with her self-publishing journey that she decided to have her second book, Teach Me Something Real, still published with Xlibris. Promoting this latest book of hers is her current endeavor, and she is doing this through various television appearances.

Dori relates that her passion in her profession has given her the drive to inspire other people, thus the birth of A Place Called Happiness and Teach Me Something Real. This is the same kind of passion that other authors-in-the-making should possess, according to her. She further advises that they should write their most powerful experiences from deep within.

Finding inner happiness is the greatest gift one can ever have. This, coupled with hard work, compassion, a great sense of humor, and the ability to live and let live – all of which make up Dori’s philosophy in life – is what she hopes to show through her book, A Place Called Happiness. This is her testament to the fact that indeed, one can obtain true and lasting peace and joy.

A Place Called Happiness can be purchased directly through the Xlibris website or Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Get your FREE publishing kit now to start your own journey to publication.

Get It, Literally

I am pretty anal when it comes to spelling, grammar and diction. I am aware that I tend to annoy people with this behavior but I can’t help it. Some, on the other hand, just keep mum out of fear or concern that they might upset me.

I am sure that like I, you and everyone else have anal-retentive tendencies too. You may freak out when the toothpaste tube is pushed from the bottom and not from the top. Others may be very particular with organizing things, arranging them in distinct order. Even my friend tissue-blots excess grease off her pizza everytime we eat out. Can you blame me if it drives me crazy when people spell or speak poorly? I am not alone, as I am aware that many people share the same anal-retentive behavior as I do.

A book that really caught my interest is the Xlibris release “Literally Speaking (A Journey in Two Words” by Jennifer Hughes. This self-published book is an artistic compilation of clichés (trite expressions which have lost real meaning), idioms (vernacular inclined to a geographical area), homophones (words that sound alike but differ in meaning) and euphemisms (a means of expressing something instead of its literal meaning).

Loaded with catchy illustrations, Literally Speaking (A Journey in Two Words) takes you into an ongoing journey to language in a simple and fun approach. In this book, you will find the literal answers to your otherwise figurative questions such as the meaning of the phrase “chicken strip” or what in the world “beer battered shrimp” means, literally speaking.

Engage in the informative and the delightful in this book. It is bound to make you get it (pick it up); get it (understand it); get it (buy it) and literally get it (you do it).

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of Literally Speaking (A Journey in Two Words).

Love on Paper

Do you keep love letters?

I have had my fair share of love letters in my lifetime. I don’t clearly remember the very first time I got mine. All I know is that it was from a boy whom I really liked in fifth grade. It was scribbled in pencil on a piece of intermediate paper.

I recall with fondness how one cutesy love note bore more cutesy love notes which led to something cutesy – more popularly known as puppy love. Alas, my mother read all the letters stuffed in my school bag and crumpled them into a huge ball of rubbish. Unfortunately I was too young to know the importance of stashing these precious scraps away from queer eyes.

I was 17 when I had my first boyfriend. He also wrote me love letters, which he’d usually hand me to my surprise. His letters didn’t say much, but were enough to make me swoon and fall even more in love with him at that time. I still have them, hidden safely somewhere.

My second boyfriend, who was sweet in every way, used to write me love letters with so much passion and creativity. One he had smothered in his great smelling perfume, another he had embellished with rose petals and tiny little beads and so on, never mind the bad poetry. (grins) I'd write him love letters too, with the hardest attempts at making mine more passionate and creative than the ones I received from him. I didn’t get to keep all love letters he had written for me, as I burned some of them after a bitter breakup.

I also keep letters from some admirers. I hardly ever read these notes but on instances when I pore over them, it never fails to flatter me knowing I have, in a way, experienced what it’s like to be adored.

In a world where everything is just a click away, love letters are slowly dying; its beauty nearing a halt. Hand-written confessions of love and affection are being conveniently replaced by email, text messaging and other techie means possible.

However, compared to these modern ways of expressing one’s feelings, the beauty of love letters lies in its surefire ability to draw emotional response. It can make you giggle, swoon, cry tears of joy or even embarrass you. Not to gloat, but I can only imagine how you’d react to one of my love letters which reads “What can I do? I’m deeply in love with you. I love you so much. ” Ha. I welcome whatever your response is, thank you very much.

If there is one thing I have learned about love letters, it is to keep them, or at least some of them. Love letters are a stark reminder of how you became someone’s inspiration. It is a written record of someone who poured his time and effort to weave words out of pure emotion, and it doesn't matter whether or not he is a gifted writer. Years from now, you will come across these letters and remember that at some point in your life, somebody loved you; that you were special in someone's life – even if the relationship is gone.

A book that caught my interest on the subject is the Xlibris release Love letters from the ‘60s by Chris Miller. This self-published book shows the bliss of first romance nurtured through love letters, which were written by a young Manhattan girl named Sally Logan to her boyfriend. Her love letters were intertwined with her weekly goings-on in the sixties – think Thunderball; Bob Dylan; the Mustang; space shots; Vietnam, race riots and many others. Love Letters from the ‘60s takes you back into the reverie of your first romance.

It's been a long while since I last received, and wrote, a love letter. It really makes me wonder...

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of Love letters from the '60s.

Image Sources: http://middlezonemusings.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/love-letters.JPG; https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=32850

FACT: Dog Owners Live Longer

You may not know it, but in US households, there are actually more pets than homes. Another interesting fact is that there are actually more pets than people in the country as well.

It is no surprise why more and more people are owning pet dogs these days. Aside from the usual companionship that dogs give, studies show how they can provide health benefits as well. This spells good news for existing dog owners as well as those who are thinking of getting a dog as their pet too. Here’s how owning a dog can help you live a healthier, happier and yes - longer life.


Reduces risk of heart problems. Studies show that dog ownership can actually do wonders for your heart, with rates of survival for pet owners with heart problems higher than those who did not have a pet companion. This is because contact with pets can trigger relaxation response. More recent studies also show that survival rates of pet owners with cardiovascular problems are higher than those without pets.

Simply put, pet-owning people may less likely die than those who do not, with the effect of owning pets independent of the extent of heart diseases.

Believe it or not, pet ownership ranks as the topmost contributor to recovery among patients with heart diseases. Interestingly, this ranks higher than factors such as a spouse or family support. Pet ownership is considered an important factor in assessing a patient’s prognosis for long-term survival.

Reduces blood pressure. Certain studies also show that owning a pet dog can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels as well as triglyceride levels.

Reduced visits to doctors. Pet owners have been found to have lower stress levels than non-owners. They are also noted to have lesser visits to their doctors as well.

Lowers Stress Levels. Pet interaction, such as with dogs, can lower the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for triggering stress levels in people. The ability of pet dogs to lower overall levels of stress perhaps account for many of their life-extending characteristics. For instance, a zealous dog can actually give a pet owner the opportunity not just to bond with him but also to get exercise as well.

Speeds up healing. The way a dog shows affection can actually speed up the healing process of individuals who may have physical injuries. In fact, a pet dog’s companionship can actually be good for overall physical strengthening as well.

Moreover, several studies show that dog companionship leads to lower feelings of loneliness especially for many senior patients being housed in nursing care institutions. This is because old aged fellows tend to have an increased need to be loved, accepted and to belong. Pets such as dogs or cats can give them the love and companionship that they need at this point in their lives.

Simply put, owning a dog, or any other pet is not only beneficial to a person’s feelings as well as sense of well being - they can also greatly contribute to a person’s longevity than those who don’t. Reasons may usually be attributed in psychological perspective, such as a decrease in levels of depression and loneliness, stimulating exercise, and enhancing nurturing and gaiety.

To say that dogs can contribute to longer life in humans is not all plain psychobabble. Studies have proven them so. I guess you now have more reasons to get a furry friend of your own.

Now you know why they say a dog is man’s best friend.

Having worked for the last fifteen years as a Dog Control Officer in Dutchess County, New York, author Marge Pizzutti shares what she knows and what you need to know about dogs in this Xlibris release. This self-published book is a collection of true dog stories that are sure to touch your heart, tickle your senses, inform and simply amaze you. Dog Tails also even contains humorous chronicles of the author's encounters with wild animals and cats as well.

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of this book.

Image Sources:

http://thedogtrainingformula.com/; http://www2.xlibris.com/

An Angel's Passing

Too often, many people who are affected with a terminal illness are not prepared when confronted with the idea of death, let alone accept their fate. They are usually shrouded with clouds of anger, denial, despair and fear about what would seemingly lurk ahead. Leading a normal life can be very difficult for those suffering from a terminal illness, including their loved ones too.

It takes a lot of courage to accept one’s fate especially when dealing with a chronic sickness. This has inspired Susan Lee to write down a story entitled ‘An Angel’s Passing’.

Having worked in an Arizona school homebound program for special and ill kids, Lee’s novel takes you into the life of ten year-old Meggie Cabot and her struggle with leukemia.

While many other patients find it difficult to deal with this dreaded illness, young Meggie took her fate in stride instead and embraced the condition she was in. She has learned that her sickness should not define her life and that it should not get in the way of her living normally.

Meggie Cabot’s journey not only inspires, but helps one understand that being terminally ill does not have to hinder you from still leading a happy, normal life. Her story shows that you can still live, laugh and learn more if you learn to wholeheartedly accept your condition and look at it with a bright eye.

A smart, heartwarming and well-told novel, an Angel’s Passing has gained favorable reviews by many readers. Lee is happy and proud that Meggie Cabot’s ordeal has touched the hearts and opened up the minds of many people.

Death is not the be-all and end-all of everything. It doesn’t always mean a loss. In fact, it is just the beginning of something new. People affected with terminal illnesses, as well as their loved ones, should understand how important it is to embrace and accept things as they come. Only then will one learn to be able to live a life truly worth living.

An Angel’s Passing can be purchased directly through the Xlibris website or Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Image source: https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=521

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Brain Food

SIX MYTHS ABOUT THE BRAIN

by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang

People get many ideas about how their brains work from entertainment or folk wisdom. But modern neuroscience has proved many of these ideas to be wrong. The facts are more fun - and more useful.

Myth 1: You only use 10 percent of your brain.
Truth: You use all of your brain. The 10-percent myth became popular with the self-help teachings of Dale Carnegie, as a way of helping people think about how to realize their own potential. But you need your whole brain, which is why strokes can be so devastating.

Myth 2: Playing classical music to an infant can make the child smarter.
Truth: The "Mozart myth" comes from a study that was done on college students, which showed a shortterm effect that was gone in half an hour. Though babies don't have the wiring to process all the complexity in classical music, they are mesmerized by it, which might be why they seem to like "baby videos" like Baby Einstein. However, a recent study showed that an hour a day of watching Baby Einstein was associated with slower acquisition of new words! Much better is for your child to learn a musical instrument. This activity involves active learning and is associated with increased cognitive achievement.

Myth 3: Drinking alcoholic beverages kills brain cells.
Truth: In very heavy amounts, drinking for years does cause brain shrinkage. But this shrinkage is usually reversible. Furthermore, the brain cells don't die - they shrink individually. So although drinking can be bad for your brain, in moderation it's safe. In fact, drinking red wine can even be protective, probably in part by reducing the risk of stroke. The safe amount is three glasses a day for men, and two for women - a total of one bottle per couple.

Myth 4: Games like Sudoku and Brain Age keep your brain young.
Truth: It is great to be mentally engaged, and puzzles can help you get good at a specific skill, like memorizing grocery lists or hand-eye coordination. But most evidence suggests that practicing a task only helps you get better at that particular task. Far better for mental function is physical exercise. Regular fitness training is especially effective in the elderly, who may suffer from gradual problems with "executive function," including planning ahead and abstract thinking.

Myth 5: In a noisy place, you can hear better on your cell phone by covering your other ear.
Truth: You can get a far better result by covering the mouthpiece while you are listening. This is because your phone feeds back all the room noise into the earpiece. Your brain is very good at separating left-ear sounds from right-ear sounds. By covering the mouthpiece, you create a situation that makes it easy for your brain to hear what's coming over the phone.

Myth 6: Vaccines cause autism.
Truth: Concerned parents of autistic children are drawn to this idea because during child development, the first symptoms appear around the time that children receive vaccinations. But in several countries, removing the additive to vaccines that is said to cause autism, thimerosal, has had no effect on rates of autism. Autism is a partially hereditary disease, and is caused by the inheritance of multiple "bad" genes. However, the identity of those genes is not yet known.

Article Source: http://www.welcometoyourbrain.com/

ImageSource:http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/20071017_Medicine_whitematter/Photos/head_and_brain.jpg

Interview with Barbara Roberts, Author of 'THE VINEYARD ON MULBERRY STREET'

Barbara Marolla Roberts, born in New York City, is a graduate of Skidmore College where she majored in art. She taught elementary school and was an executive recruiter before working for Pace University in Westchester, New York, first as the Assistant Director of Graduate Admission and currently as the Graduate Program Coordinator of the Master’s in Counseling Program. She resides in Putnam County, New York, with her husband. Click here to purchase her book.

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Six Questions for Barbara Roberts

Why and how did you go about publishing your first novel, The Vineyard on Mulberry Street?

My first novel was a story I felt needed telling for many reasons. I almost felt it was a mission and once I started writing it seriously and consistently, I didn’t stop; making many sacrifices until it was finished. But I loved every moment of it.

Was self-publishing your first option?

Self-publishing was not my first option, but after reviewing other options, self-publishing proved to be the most expedient way to go and less complicated than the others.


As an established author, what are the hardships you still encounter as a writer?

The biggest hardship as a writer is finding the time to write. I can only write in the mornings when it’s quiet and I have no distractions. It is very solitary but immensely fulfilling.

Can you say that the character, Catherine, reflects who you personally are: strong independent and enigmatic?

The character, Catherine, is based on my mother – strong, independent and enigmatic. I, too, am strong and independent, but not enigmatic. I am not as compelling or interesting a person as Catherine is.

What does your book have that will give readers a different turn from the usual forbidden love stories?

The moral code in America was stricter in the 1940’s and 1950’s. To deviate from the established norm, “Backstreet” love was not viewed at kindly. There was a great deal of stigma attached to non-conventional lives. I want the readers to know Catherine as a person, understand her dilemma and have compassion for her.

When Kirkus referred to her as “brave and loyal” it warmed my heart. That is exactly what I wanted to portray.

What is your view on writers who are afraid to take the self-publishing route?

I would recommend writers to take the self-publishing route, especially with Xlibris. My first contact at Xlibris was Cheryl Gratz, who was professional and helpful. She made the first step easy, and the following steps easier than one would think. The transition from one phase to another was not complicated.