A Life Cycle, Nicole Asherah's debut book, follows the introspective process of transformation after emotional hardship through poetic language. Asherah serves as a guide through the sections of her book while also allowing the readers to see the words as their own. A Life Cycle is broken into sections after a traumatic event that represents the final tipping point. What follows is The Shattering: a deep dive into the suffering of fully losing one's sense of self and safety, The Healing: a journey through processing layers of trauma to reach the root hurts of childhood, Light Shines Through: an exploration of reigniting hope and learning to find joy, and The Loving: a discovery of what love is and how the act of loving has much more to do with one's self than the person receiving the love.

This book transcends the genre of poetry because of its ability to universally help people process and name feelings that often elude words. This book is for anyone developing, hurting, healing, or becoming new versions of themselves. She knows this because that is exactly what she was doing when she wrote it: healing childhood trauma, processing a sexual assault, and learning how to experience joy.

Excerpt From The Healing Section of A Life Cycle:

#1

Sometimes losing yourself really means letting go

Of who you used to be.

You are not lost.

You are simply stumbling upon a version of you

You could only see in dreams

And more than anything you are mourning-

Mourning the girl you used to know.

For better or worse,

She's never coming back.

Let yourself grieve the innocence lost

And celebrate the wisdom found.

It is time to become the you that is now.

#2

Empathy lies patiently in the quiet.

It will not push through crowds

Nor demand attention.

It needs the form of a soft caress

From a vulnerable soul

To be accepted into the light of day,

But once accepted

It will plant seeds of hope

Produce plentiful harvests of love and trust,

Even when it wilts,

It only falls to the ground to rebuild.

And maybe empathy doesn't reach light often,

But once it feels its first glimmer of sun

It can never go back.

Winner of the LIVING NOW BOOK AWARD

Winner of the INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARD

A New Now: Your Guide to Mastering Wisdom Daily, Achieving Equilibrium, and Empowering Your Nobler Self is your chance to step into an omnipresent reality, a new now in which you can readily navigate your life successfully, happily, easily. Working with this guide, you can become a new you so that situations, people, thoughts, and desires are more easily negotiated moment to moment.

You have an untapped reservoir of awareness that you can learn to access to become wiser, achieve a state of equilibrium, and develop a clearer and stronger sense of your purpose for each day and this lifetime. The benefits awaiting you are many. Just a few are: clarity of mind, enhanced intuition, development of spiritual strengths and virtues, contentment and happiness, and knowing and achieving your purpose.

If you embark on this journey, here is some of what you will learn as you experience your New Now step by step:

- The treasure of 33 wisdoms, including the 11 Loving Wisdoms, the 11 Guiding Wisdoms, and the 11 Evolutionary Wisdoms

- The 10 Keys to Achieving Equilibrium

- The 5 Sources of Wisdom

- The 5 Prerogatives of Equilibrium

- How to empower and be your nobler self

About the Author
Goddart, Michael: - Michael Goddart, MFA, is the author of In Search of Lost Lives: Desire, Sanskaras, and the Evolution of a Mind&Soul, a winner of the American Book Fest Best Book Award, the Living Now Book Award, the Body Mind Spirit Book Award, and the National Indie Excellence Award. Soon after his family moved from Illinois to California when he was 10 years old, Michael started actively searching for the truth about death and how to attain everlasting bliss. He began daily meditation at age 19, and at 21 began to meditate for over two hours daily. His work as an international tax consultant and his spiritual quest have taken him to over fifty countries. Since 1974 he has journeyed thirteen times to India and also numerous times to England, Greece, Canada, Spain, and within the United States to be with those rare teachers whom he considers to be fully realized humans. Michael Goddart took his MFA in Creative Writing at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. His other books include BLISS: 33 Simple Ways to Awaken Further and Spiritual Revolution: A Seeker's Guide, which the Hollywood Spiritual Film and Entertainment Festival named Best Spirituality/Self-Help Book. Kindly visit www.goddart.com for interviews, excerpts, and endorsements.

"KC Love has written a must-read for anyone interested in learning the depths of Agape love. Agape teaches others how the smallest act of kindness can change a life. Read this book!!" -Mallory Beard, President, Beard & Associates LLC

Agape is a Greek word meaning love. There are numerous ways to describe this love, but in the Christian tradition, it is known as agape, or the love of God for humanity. In modern life, we can think of agape as a broader love-the love for humanity itself and the love for everyone facing the one thing we all have in common: the struggle of living.

• Readers will learn the importance of LOVE
• Readers will learn how to Let Our Virtue Emerge
• Love Never Fails
• Show that we have more in common than not

"We only have one life, it is precious, and sleep is an essential component in it. Readers, I urge you to take advantage of the life and experiences of this knowledgeable expert in this field, and embrace this essential guide. Not only will it improve your sleep, but also you can utilize the information it contains and take stock of your own personal journey, evaluate what is important to you as an individual, and then using the tools given in this book, go forward with the rest of your life in a balanced and healthy way. Highly recommended! —Susan Keefe, The Columbia Review

Did you know that sleep is a key component for a happy life? Research shows us it is. But with all of today’s technology and stresses, many people are getting less sleep or experiencing poorer quality sleep. This can negatively impact mood, concentration, productivity, physical health and, yes, even happiness.

As a practicing physician for more than twenty years, Dr. Venkata Buddharaju (known as Dr. Buddha to his patients) has extensive experience treating patients with sleep problems. And the number of patients he is seeing with sleep disorders is on the rise. 

In Better Sleep, Happier Life, Dr. Buddharaju teaches seven simple, practical, and natural methods to help you get better sleep in order to refresh your mind and body. Filled with wisdom from his years of experience as well as simple lifestyle changes, Better Sleep, Happier Life can help you find rest and refreshment in the midst of your busy life…and reap the benefits. 

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More Reviews:

“Dr. Buddharaju dissects the most complex sleep science into simple practical strategies that can be put to use by anyone!” —Murali Ankem, MD, MBA, Associate Dean School of Medicine at University of Louisville

“Dr. Buddha provides a much needed integration of science, patient experience, and common sense to guide both professionals and lay people in this underappreciated influence on our productivity, health and happiness.” —Sean R. Muldoon, MD, MPH, MS, FCCP, FACPM, Chief Medical Officer at Kindred Healthcare Hospitals

“Concise, easy to read... All you ever cared to know about sleep is incorporated in this fascinating book by Dr. Buddharaju, a well accomplished sleep specialist. A must-read for all.” —Kizito Ojiako MD, FWACS, FRCS (Eng), FCCP, Vituity Medical Director, Critical Care Medicine, Amita Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, Chicago, IL, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL

“Dr. Buddha gives readers exactly what they care about and need to hear--an easy-to-understand and practical outlook not only on how sleep impacts our physical health, but also how it strengthens our passions, mindset, and creativity.” —Shubha Vedula (Shuba) American Idol Semifinalist and Recording Artist

Author Bio:

Dr. Venkata Buddharaju (or Dr. Buddha, as his patients call him) is a fellowship-trained physician at the Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine.

He now teaches and consults at hospital intensive care units and pulmonary units as well as sleep medical practices. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and teaches medical students from UIC, Chicago Medical School and Internal Medicine resident trainees at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

He directs the Sleep Disorders Center and Clinic at Thorek Memorial Hospital in Chicago and serves as a Section Chief of Pulmonary & Critical Care at AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Chicago where he teaches Internal Medicine and Family Practice Residents while working in ICU as an Intensivist. Additionally, he is president of the medical staff at Kindred Chicago Lakeshore and Central hospitals. Dr. Buddharaju has numerous medical-device patents and is working to develop more patient friendly medical devices. Throughout his career, he has conducted clinical research, published his work in various medical journals, and worked to develop and implement high quality patient-care policies. He believes strongly that balancing natural healing practices with traditional medicine is important for the future of effective health care.

Book Excerpt:

Introduction

Over the decades, humans have gradually reduced the time they spend in quality sleep and are awake longer in a twenty-four-hour time cycle. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other studies, about 35 percent of US adults are not getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep on a regular basis. Even teenagers, who need extra hours of sleep (eight to ten hours), are spending less time sleeping. According to a 2006 National Sleep Foundation poll, 87 percent of US high school students get far less than the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep.

Some of the consequences of poor sleep are anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart attack, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, and an increased risk for motor vehicle and other accidents. In addition to these worrisome health consequences and sleep deprivation’s impact on the body and mind, America’s lack of sleep is costing billions of healthcare dollars.

Humans live an average of sixty to eighty years, depending on where they live on the planet. People live much longer in some parts of the world than they do in others. The people of Okinawa, Japan, report one of the world’s highest life expectancies. In general, across the world, human life expectancy has steadily increased with advances in infection control, technology, and medicine. However, one thing that has not changed is the medical community’s recommendations for sleep time and duration.

We spend approximately 40 percent—a third of our lifetime—asleep, which we don’t remember, except for occasional dreams. At sunset, our brain releases a chemical substance called melatonin, which makes us sleepy and helps us get into sleep mode. Wake-promoting hormones decline at this time of day, and sleep-promoting substances increase

with the onset of sleep. Caffeine, alcohol, or other substances we consume can interfere with this balance and cause sleep difficulties such as insomnia and poor sleep quality.

Our brain clock, called the circadian rhythm, wakes us up at sunrise, bringing us to a conscious level so that we can function optimally throughout the day. The longer we are awake, the higher the concentration of adenosine, a sleep-promoting neurotransmitter that we need at the end of the day.

This sleep-wake cycle has evolved over thousands of years in various species, including humans. This cycle continues unabated unless interrupted intentionally by activity, diet, stress, or other health conditions.

A good night’s sleep prior to a major performance—such as a musical concert, athletic match, important academic test, or corporate presentation—is key for optimal performance. A well-rested brain and body feel more positive and perform much better. On the other hand, students who stay up too late and sleep only a few hours prior to a major exam, do poorly on the test due to their lack of ability to focus. That’s because the information that was learned during their awake state is stored in memory centers of the brain during sleep, particularly in deep Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is when most dreams occur. They have not given their brain enough sleep time to process the information that they learned during the day. As a result, they do not retain the information they have learned.

The vicious cycle of sleepless nights and daytime worry due to less than optimal performance makes things worse. The two feed one another. But, by making small changes to your lifestyle and eliminating distractions, you can open up the door for more focused attention. This will lead to increased productivity at work and more success at both work and home. These changes should bring needed sleep and a chance to live a happier life. Lifestyle modification involves removing distractions. I hope you will find the information in this book valuable and helpful in bringing about the necessary yet simple changes to get better sleep and lead a happier life.

Chapter 1: Sleep Basics

Nature amazes me. As I sit writing this book, I wonder how the Earth is at a perfect distance from the sun, so that life here has just enough light and heat. I marvel at how the Earth has rotated around the sun for more than four billion years, creating our seasons, while continuing to spin on its axis, which causes day and night.

Nature plays a vital role in shaping sleep patterns for all creatures on Earth. Birds, butterflies, fish, mammals, and even plants respond to light-dark cycles. Humans can’t ignore nature’s long-established sleep patterns, either. Before digital technology, humans awoke with sunrise, spent most of their time in nature, and rested after sunset. They maintained natural circadian rhythms.

While other species have continued to follow natural patterns, human curiosity has caused us to seek improvements to our lives. We have invented comforts like artificial light, televisions, computers, and cell phones. But exposure to natural light at the right time of day is crucial to maintaining a proper circadian rhythm. Unfortunately, we are now constantly exposed to artificial light and technology inputs throughout the day and night, making it difficult for many of us to fall asleep.

What is Sleep?

Sleep is a need-based, reversible, unconscious state induced by changes in the brain. For sleep, people typically assume a supine or sitting posture, become immobile, close their eyes, and experience decreased response to external stimulation. Brain waves, eye movements, and muscle tone can be very different during the various sleep stages.

Sleep is as natural as drinking when thirsty. We can voluntarily postpone sleep in order to fulfill our daily obligations. We can yawn, move around, walk, talk, and even drink caffeinated beverages to fight our need for sleep. However, we can only do so much postponing before nature steps in to take over.

When we sleep well all night, we feel good the next morning and are happy and ready to handle life’s daily tasks. On the other hand, we can feel miserable, irritable, and not so happy after a night with fewer sleep hours or poor sleep quality. Ideally, people need a longer, uninterrupted, deep night’s sleep to achieve their best during their wake periods.

Without adequate sleep, life becomes miserable and we risk high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. We may also experience poor decision making and memory, feelings of stress, and be more prone to accidents. Studies have shown that the flu and pneumonia vaccines are more effective when someone sleeps well the night before the vaccination is given.

Sleep and the Brain

Interesting things happen in brain circulation during sleep, especially during deep sleep stages. Accumulated proteins, called amyloids, and other waste products and toxins are slowly washed away via a system of interconnected structures called the glymphatic system.

Sleep restores the mind and body so that we have the energy we need, can focus during the day, and are capable of cognition. While awake, the brain accumulates several waste products. Scientific studies have shown that sleep clears them. If not cleared, they may lead to neuronal damage and increase the risk of dementia.

A recent Boston University study that was published in Science Journal showed that water-like fluid surrounding the brain, called cerebrospinal fluid, pulses like waves during sleep and may help to flush out toxic, memory-impairing proteins from the brain. This study and others have shed light on how sleep disruption and lack of sleep can contribute to memory-impairing conditions like Alzheimer’s and age-related memory loss.

Bits and pieces of what we learn during our waking hours are stored in the brain in memory banks during sleep. This is called memory consolidation. It is one of the main reasons that learning happens primarily during deep sleep.

Sleep Stages

Sleep is divided into two main states: non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) and REM sleep. NREM is further divided into three stages. Normally, we enter into stage one of sleep 10 to 20 minutes after closing our eyes. It lasts a few minutes and then flows into stage two, which is another lighter sleep stage that lasts a little longer than stage one. Finally, the deeper sleep, also called slow wave sleep, of stage three arrives. This is when most of the body and mind restoration happens. NREM and REM cycles alternate every ninety to one hundred minutes with approximately four to six cycles during a seven-to-nine-hour adult sleep period.

NREM sleep comprises 75 to 80 percent of sleep time. It dominates the first third of the sleep period, with gradual progression from Stage 1 to 3 in slow wave sleep.

REM sleep, which accounts for 20 to 25 percent of sleep, occurs sixty to ninety minutes after sleep onset, and dominates the last third of the sleep period.

Sleep Duration

Most of the scientific community that studies sleep recommends 7-9 hours of sleep duration for young adults and adults (18-64 years of age) to maintain good health. Older adults (65 and above still need 7-8 hours of sleep, where as teenagers (14-17 years) need 8-10 hours of sleep, school age children (6-13 years) need 9-11 hours, Preschool age children (3-5 years) need 10-13 hours of sleep.

According to research, people who sleep six hours or less have significantly more lapses in psychomotor vigilance testing. Yet, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF),only 10 percent of American adults prioritize sleep over other aspects of life.

I once had a patient who was a cab driver. He worried about losing his driver’s license due to his declining health. He worked long hours, his blood pressure and blood sugar were elevated, and he had gained weight eating a high carb diet and not exercising or sleeping regularly. He drove a cab to pay for his son’s college tuition. Work up and evaluation found no sleep disorder. He simply wasn’t sleeping the required number of hours. After counseling on sleep, he was able to make changes to his priorities, able to sleep better and returned to a happy and healthy life.

“In today's world where we seem to have the answers to everything at our fingertips, trekking into the unknown reminds us to question everything. Because we are the only ones who hold our answers. Ayelet Baron guides you as you learn to say yes to life and experience it as never before.” —Tim McDonald, speaker, guide, and former Community Director at The Huffington Post

At a certain point in your journey, you may not know where you’re headed but you become more curious and courageous to experience life and all it has to offer. Your heart knows when you’re ready to take the first few steps. And once you do, nothing will ever be the same. No one can do this work for you; it’s your job to become fully aware that you are standing at a juncture of possibilities. Are you entertaining thoughts about a healthier direction in your life? Are you ready to experiment and try things on to see what actually fits you?

Through all of the knowing and unknowing, the visible and invisible, facts and mystery, loss and gain, sanity, and insanity of it all—you are here. Trekking into the unknown takes courage because it forces you to realize how much you don’t really know. F*ck the Bucket List inspires you to ask questions, dig deep, and create your own meaning. The story starts and ends at your own pace. 

This isn’t just another self-help book, spiritual book, or memoir—it’s an experience, beyond categories and labels, that asks each of us to tap into the universal wisdom that says we can live our lives our own way. This book is for anyone who is ready to question everything, and simply say f*ck it—or whatever words you choose to use—when something in life no longer serves you. Are you ready to discover the wonder of you (Book 1, for the Soul), trek into the unknown (Book 2, for the Adventurer), and trust your heart (Book 3, for the Health Conscious)?

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More Reviews: 

“F*ck the Bucket List for the Adventurer is a monumental read, that rare book which speaks to your deepest self. For anyone beginning to challenge the path they've been on, this book is a blueprint for changing your life, an excursion into wisdom and awareness that gets richer with each step.” —Lynnda Pollio, multi-award winning author, author of Trusting the Currents

“This book dispels common myths of what holds us back in our growth and dispenses practical wisdom for anyone on a personal development journey and who is asking the deeper questions. Ayelet cuts through the noise and helps the reader find the necessary focus to make peace with the past in order to truly stand in the present.” —Rick Snyder, CEO, Invisible Edge and author, Decisive Intuition

“F*ck the Bucket List for the Adventurer: Trekking into the Unknown is a primer for the courageous heart on the journey to true self-discovery. Ayelet does not do the work for you in this process of divine discovery but she points the way across the threshold. As she says, the way forward involves action and commitment to a goal which might seem hazy but she is there as a companion to accompany you on perhaps the greatest adventure of your lifetime. The journey to YOU!” —Flicka Rahn, musician, author, sound healer and educator

“Ayelet Baron speaks directly to that still, small voice in your head whispering that your life could be healthier and more meaningful. Read this book and step into the adventure that is your life.” —Anne Janzer, author of The Writer's Process

Author Bio:

Ayelet Baron is a visionary author, healer, and global futurist. She was recently recognized on Forbes as one of the world's top female futurists. In the midst of a very successful career as a global strategy executive at Cisco Systems, she went through her own transformation. She wrote this book trilogy because she wished she had this universal guidance when she started on her own journey. Her dream is to help unleash millions and millions of people, who are ready to do our inner work, and become the architects of humanity.

Book Excerpt:

Introduction: There is Another Path

The wind is a powerful force of nature that we cannot actually see—but we can experience it in other ways. We only become aware of the wind when we hear the trees swaying against it, or see waves rippling in the ocean, or feel a breeze caress our faces. The wind reminds us not to deny or ignore the natural human impulse to explore the unknown with curiosity. The wind, like our breath, reminds us that we’re alive.

Imagine, for a moment, that you’re a magnificent apple tree. You have deep roots that are constantly seeking minerals and water to keep you alive. You’re deeply connected to the Earth and trust in its guidance as you connect and communicate with other trees, fungi, and plants underground. Some of your roots break away and follow an unknown path as you continue to nourish yourself—and in that one act of expanding, you find yourself choosing a different direction. Your roots battle through some extremely hard soil and break through to survive.

The people who walk by on the sidewalk notice that your roots have created cracks in the concrete. They talk about cutting you down, ridding the sidewalk of the messy tree that doesn’t understand its place. A debate begins on what to do with you, and your life depends on their decision. Some see you as a hazard and want to take you down for disturbing their pathway. But there’s Ruth, a wise woman who sees you and reminds everyone that you provide delicious fruit

and much needed shade. “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations,” she says. “Maybe it is we who need to become aware of the cracks in the sidewalk and adapt accordingly?”

When we live in a concrete jungle, nature feels separate and becomes a place where we schedule walks or time to breathe. But when we realize that we’re always living as part of nature, there is no separation. We have the opportunity to go within ourselves through healthy practices that help us reflect deeply on who we are. In nature, time stands still, as there is only the light of the day and the darkness of the night to become familiar with.

It is easy to meditate in a quiet room or on a mountaintop, but can you meditate in a crowded space? Jiddu Krishnamurti, a twentieth century philosopher, helps us see that, “One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end. The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end—you don’t come to an achievement; you don’t come to a conclusion. It is an endless river. You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing and dance and write poems and suffer and understand, for all that is life.”

Living Out Loud

This isn’t just another self-help book, spiritual book, or memoir—it’s an experience, beyond categories and labels, that asks each of us to tap into the universal wisdom that says we can live our lives our own way. I’d like to share upfront that this book is not for everyone. It’s for those of us ready to start questioning everything, and to simply say fuck it—or whatever words you choose to use—when something in life no longer serves you. This book will help you become more aware of the choices you make. It will help you come to truly know yourself and understand your purpose as a living, breathing, healthy creator of your life. We were born to color with vivid imaginations and live like never before in unity—not conformity or uniformity. Are you ready to discover the wonder of you (Book 1, for the Soul), trek into the unknown (Book 2, for the Adventurer), and trust your heart (Book 3, for the Health Conscious)?

The F*ck the Bucket List book trilogy has been created not to dictate meaning, but to inspire you to ask questions, dig deep, and create your own meaning. The story starts and ends at your own pace. Once you connect with your own rhythm, you can go on an adventure of a lifetime. These books, like a journey, are a collaboration with the expansiveness of the universe. There are many expeditions we will explore together when we step into the unknown. These expeditions will encourage you to acknowledge the invisible bars that may be holding you captive, allowing you to free yourself from some of the most constricting barriers you’ve built. These barriers aren’t made from material like steel, but rather are infections of the mind, such as believing fear-based stories that jail you in an invisible prison of misbelief.

This book will guide you toward accepting that there is always a way to live a life of meaning. It’s up to each of us to become aware of this, accept it, and weave our lessons into an integrated web of life. No one can do this work for you; it’s your job to become fully aware that everything’s here to be discovered when you let your kindness, beauty, truth, and power shine through with your abundant natural light.

You stand at a juncture of possibilities. Are you entertaining thoughts about a healthier direction in your life? Are you ready to experiment and try things on to see what actually fits you? By doing so, you’re opening yourself up to opportunities that were not available until you acted on them. Every action you take, and every thought that precedes it, ushers you into a connection of probabilities and experiences that were not available before. It’s up to you to take the action necessary to better understand what’s healthy and toxic for your wellbeing. By just taking a few small steps, you can (and will!) get closer to understanding who you are and why you’re here. You have within you every capacity to create. Imagine a life where you have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself. Imagine what might happen if you decided to adopt the bold mindset of an adventurer and trek into the unknown. The possibilities are endless.

Are you prepared to take some brave and adventurous steps toward changing restrictions in your life and opening up to a broader range of imagination and transformation? If so, you might discover the universe encouraging you to address your own darkness and guiding you to step into your own light. In doing so, you will find yourself clearing away parts of your life that have caused you pain and hardship. You very well may experience some mind-boggling breakthroughs or mystical moments as you reach deeper into the wisdom and abundance of your soul.

Isn’t it interesting that we have constructed our current healthcare system to mainly focus on our physical bodies and assess whether they’re ill or healthy? Much of the medical community addresses depression, burnout, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues, as well as a host of physical issues, with chemicals or psychiatric solutions. This is, of course, because there’s more money to be made by dispensing medication to people suffering from a host of diseases. But what if there was a natural alternative to holistically healing ourselves?

Physicists like Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein and Max Planck introduced the quantum world, which we cannot physically see, filled with vibrations and frequencies. Planck invited us to become aware of the connectedness of our universe when he said, “Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are a part of the mystery that we are trying to solve.”

We accept, in faith, a whole world that is invisible through smart devices, microwaves, radio and television waves, and now, the Internet. What if we started accepting what is in our hearts and let our intuition and deep knowing serve as our internal compass? Our bodies need a balance of the physical and the spiritual to live in harmony. Without this, life falls out of whack with our soul, and we lose our connection to both the visible and invisible worlds around us.

Trekking into the unknown is not just a physical journey—it’s about getting in touch with your courage and humility and discovering what has been hidden or suppressed within you. This means exploring both your light and dark sides. It means addressing some of your biggest fears, wounds, and subconscious programming—as well as your unrealized potential. Trekking into the unknown means embarking upon a journey of seeing the weaknesses and the gifts that you’ve been hiding deep within yourself, out of fear of criticism or rejection.

One of the reasons I’ve dedicated my life to sharing these universal messages is that I wish I’d had books to tap into when I got lost on my path of trekking into the unknown—simply to let me know that I wasn’t alone and I wasn’t going crazy. I read, talked to a lot of people, and forged unlikely partnerships, but what I found still left me mostly depleted. This trek often took me down rabbit holes searching for answers, or somebody to guide my journey, only to find people trying to convince me they knew everything when they didn’t. I had a hard time when they told me they knew how I felt or that they had been in my shoes. They may have believed they knew what I needed, but in the end, they didn’t have a clue. They were not me, and I was not them. And we were all doing our best.

I am a voracious learner and when I recognized that they were making shit up or were too focused on “saving” the world, I simply took the action to walk away. They would talk about the vast importance of love, yet they struggled to express it, and clearly had their own traumas to deal with, like everyone else walking the earth. With some, I experienced firsthand the challenging relationships they had with their own children, and the pain that surrounded their own inability to access the love they talked and preached about. I listened intently, but too often, their actions didn’t match what they were saying. This helped me learn to identify who was toxic and who was healthy for my wellbeing. This helped me move away from the hero, victim, and villain stories of our time so I could experiment with what was possible for me.

I didn’t want to fight for my life anymore in a world designed for division, suffering, and just survival. I wanted peace and a renewed sense of sanity in a world where I felt I was simply going crazy. There was no one to talk to openly about what I was going through, and I lost many friendships and relationships along the journey in pursuit of living life my way. I realized that some people had never been healthy for me, though I had once thought they were. But the people who matter deeply to me are still here. Every day is another opportunity to learn as I step into my own uncharted waters without a manual, referring only to my internal compass and the currents to guide me to live out loud in my own way.

My own journey has raised many questions, and I’ve gained wisdom from questioning the different expeditions I’ve experienced. This is what inspires me to encourage you to venture beyond your perceived safety or comfort zone and understand the invisible bars that may be holding you back—and the doors and windows that are waiting to swing open when you’re ready to acknowledge them and live out loud in your own way. No longer needing to mask who you truly are.

Every single one of us experiences challenge, trauma, and heartbreak. No one is spared the opportunity to fully experience life. But how we choose to respond is personal. As we wonder, imagine, and expand our hearts and minds beyond what we can physically see and perceive, we’ll be able to access more information from within ourselves and our natural surroundings. There is a flow to life, and one of our biggest opportunities is to be curious enough to explore the unknown.

We were born into a natural world where the earth, air, space, water, and fire harmoniously play with each other. Beyond our physical environment, humankind created man made systems like the military, the government, education, business, and many more that we’ve been taught to adapt and conform to. Is it really so insane to believe that we could live in a world without war and conflict? Or in a world with an alternative means of education or healthcare?

This is one of the biggest challenges we each face today: resisting the societal conditioning that tells you that you must accept and save these existing systems that no longer serve the vast majority of humanity. Are you going to continue to believe in the programming our ancestors created when it was based solely off self-preservation and survival? What about thriving? Isn’t that more appropriate, now that we have evolved as far as we have? Isn’t it time to question everything about your current reality? Isn’t it time to find your roots and discover with healthy eyes what programs, beliefs, and systems are hurting you at the core? Isn’t it time, most of all, to begin imagining and creating healthy systems that truly support you and lift your spirits with pure joy?

By aligning with nature, you may choose to explore whether the Earth has started a major reset without us. We are each at a point in time of healing and letting go of what no longer serves us. Many of us are already striving to become more aware of the unhealthy aspects of our lives. Identifying those unhealthy aspects can empower you to step into the role you play in creating a healthy, fulfilling life for yourself—where you’re thriving instead of merely surviving according

to an obsolete playbook. If you’ve begun this journey or are looking to start, a great way to begin is by making conscious choices about what you consume.

Trekking into the unknown means facing yourself and what’s possible for you as a creator of a healthy life. When you start following the compass of intention, curiosity, and courage, nothing will lead you astray. Are you constantly living in the past and playing the same character or role in someone else’s comedy, musical, drama, thriller, mystery, tragedy, or horror show? Like the Earth, are you entering a time of reset? Being curious about the unknown and focusing on your opportunity to create—without the external divisions of old systems and societal programming—allows you to experiment with healthy scenarios for yourself with other adventurers who are willing to question, experiment, and co-create.

Some Walks We Take Alone

Wherever you go, there you are. This saying reflects our tendency to constantly want to be going places, as though escaping to a different location will change our reality. But no matter where we go or what we do, we take ourselves and all our baggage with us. When you feel restless or stressed, it might be helpful to channel your feelings into going inside yourself rather than filling your time with external distractions. Sometimes, you may just need a change of perspective, and that’s what many of us are being called to do now. We are relearning how to embrace joy and balance in our lives. This is an opportunity to question whether you’re being true to yourself or

compromising in some way. This journey asks you not to be afraid to be your true self and express yourself in whatever way feels healthy to you.

True freedom is experienced when you unleash your full potential by going deep into the corners of your mind and freeing it from the known. I hope that these words that were entrusted to me can help you apply practical ways of developing your personal power. The universe is here to give whatever level of push you may need, so you can move in whatever direction you feel called to take.

Life is different for each of us. You are at your own stage of understanding why you’re here, and how to use the gifts you’ve been given. It is the trek of a lifetime, and there is no overnight formula for success. It’s personal and fluctuates as you grow and learn how to nurture your body, mind, and soul. Nothing remains stagnant. There’s a physical and spiritual evolution that is unfolding when you become fully aware of reality and step into the unknown.

The true human journey is one of love, forgiveness, compassion, imagination, courage, and a deep connection to the intelligence of nature. The Greek philosopher, Plotinus, reminds us, “The stars are like letters that inscribe themselves at every moment in the sky. Everything in the world is full of signs. All events are coordinated. All things depend on each other. Everything breathes together.”

Through all of the knowing and unknowing, the visible and invisible, facts and mystery, loss and gain, sanity, and insanity of it all—you are here. While you may go to bed dreaming of paradise or wake up from a nightmare where you visited hell, you must always remember that every experience is an opportunity to understand your state of mind. For many of us who are busy living our lives or making a living, trekking into the unknown may mean being still—a place we’ve been unconsciously avoiding because we fear what we might discover.

Being yourself is a gift. When you choose to invest in yourself, you can also begin to transform your mental models by accepting that what seemed to work in the past may not be the healthiest way to engage in the future. You may have been taught not to burn bridges, but life teaches us that some bridges take us nowhere and that it might be more beneficial to abandon them altogether.

All you need to pack on your journey is curiosity and courage. A young person may decide that she wants to leave the big city she grew up in to create a community around a healthy way of living—which is also very ancient. Her dream may be to focus on regenerating the land by tapping into what’s truly essential in her life and those she cares for. It may be an extremely foreign choice for her family and friends to understand, and some may call her crazy, but it takes the crazy ones who marvel at the wonder of possibility to trek into the unknown. Our world is calling us to create individual and collective visions, aspirations, and realities that we have within us. We are being guided into the unknown to forge healthy paths, accept each other, respect varying perspectives and, above all else, to care deeply about ourselves, each other, and the planet.

When you accept that no one really knows what is best for you, things will break open and fall apart. Our culture has claimed that success can only be achieved when referring to decaying principles and obsolete ideologies, such as relying on authorities for answers instead of looking inward and asking yourself what feels healthy for me.

When you don’t comply with the status quo and societal norms, you’re often shamed, blamed, and ridiculed. Isn’t it interesting that you were most likely taught loyalty to others before yourself? Why have so many of us placed our faith, trust, and loyalty in the hands of politicians, business leaders, brands, influencers, philanthropists, musicians, movie stars, and celebrities? How could anyone, outside of you, possibly know what’s best for you? And why do you believe they have your answers? It’s healthy to shed limiting beliefs and the toxic people in your life who are holding you back. It’s healthy to abandon bridges that go nowhere and clear a path to trek into the unknown. There’s no manual where you’re headed, because you don’t need one to get to where you’re going. Curiosity, courage, and the mindset of an adventurer is all you’ll need to venture into a journey of a lifetime.

Trusting Ourselves Creates Alchemy and Synchronicity

We choose whether or not to consume healthy or unhealthy beliefs, foods, and products, and to excuse hurtful behaviors and allow people to treat us in healthy or unhealthy ways. Our beliefs, and the way we have been conditioned, help us justify these choices, while turning our backs on healthy behaviors, beliefs, and people that can enrich and support us. There are millions of reasons why we can’t align our minds with our hearts and continue to do what’s deemed “right” and “good” at our own expense. But once we become aware that there is another way, we must take responsibility for how our lives are orchestrated. Being responsible means that we’re fully accountable for whatever we create—be it healthy or unhealthy. There will be more revealed about this throughout the book as we explore the power behind being the architects of our own lives.

We have the power to choose to not be what others want us to be, regardless of how angry or disappointed they may become. Society, government, friends, and family seem to have a clear idea of how we should live our lives, but that doesn’t mean we must yield to that idea. When we choose a path, we learn whether it’s healthy or unhealthy for us, and continuously make course corrections and upgrades. When we continuously reach into the past and take the same paths we’ve always taken, we stay stuck in our rut and can only see the shadows reflecting in our caves. Life is for the living, and while there’s sadness, grief, and heartache, loneliness is a choice, as we explored in F*ck the Bucket List for the Soul. Life can also flow with abundance when we allow ourselves to experience health, joy, and play.

When you believe that you will never be or have enough— whether it’s money, food, emotions or something else entirely—you will experience thoughts and actions that stem from a place of lack. Unlike society, which teaches a scarcity-mindset, nature teaches us there’s enough for all of us as we experience the warmth of the sun, the radiance of colors, and the intelligence of trees and fungi beneath our very feet. In his book, Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures, Biologist Merlin Sheldrake states that he was drawn to fungi because they consist of a variety of humble yet astonishingly versatile organisms. By simply doing what they do regularly, such as, “eating rock, making soil, digesting pollutants, nourishing and killing plants, surviving in space, inducing visions, producing food, making medicines, manipulating animal behavior, and influencing the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere, fungi are a truly fascinating thing. Fungi’s work is transformational—for instance, they turn biomass into soil and recycle dead organic matter back into organic life. They also

have a dark side, with poisonous varieties. And yet, they are mostly invisible to us.”

What mindset are you bringing with you every day? What baggage are you carrying around? Can you see what’s scarce or abundant in your life and the universe? You can look for the demons in the shadows, call out the evil ones, and judge yourself for not being good enough. Or you can become aware of what you’re creating and allow yourself to take a step into the unknown. As the architect of your life, you have the power to shift your thought process to better assess what and who is healthy or unhealthy for you. What type of life do you want to create? What world do you want to co-create? Here you now are—aware and curious enough to dare. What do you choose to bring with you on this journey and what will you leave behind?

Albert Einstein reminds us that, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”

Are you ready to embrace your adventurous side and take a walk into the unknown?

Enjoy your adventure!

With deep gratitude,

The Universe with Ayelet

“Ayelet Baron is fierce with faith that to buck the system and trust our hearts is an act of radical self-care. Forget fear, frustration, formulas and false beliefs. Find fortitude within these pages to follow your heart to a more fulfilling, health future. Full of provocative questions and expeditions, F*ck the Bucket List for the Health Conscious will reframe your sense of what’s possible for yourself and our collective courageous future.” —Shelly L. Francis, author of The Courage Way and Founder, Creative Courage Press

You are being invited to the biggest transformation on the planet today and it’s up to you to take the first steps. You may not know where you’re headed, but you’re becoming more courageous and curious to experience life and all it has to offer.

When you are health conscious, you become a dynamic creator of your life. You can no longer afford to sit back passively and complain or blame the world or anyone outside yourself for your problems. Why? Because you can no longer be satisfied with the world the way it is now. You consciously choose to step out of being told how to live your  life. 

F*ck the Bucket List for the Health Conscious serves as a wake-up call for anyone who is no longer satisfied with the way things are, and an inspiration to anyone who is trekking into the unknown.

There’s no going back when you’re walking through a gateway of awareness. You can easily lead yourself into a healthy world of possibilities. You are already on your way if you’re engaging with this trilogy. The rest is in your hands. What if by tapping into your heart you’re already here, and you allow yourself to play and experiment as a health-conscious creator? What then? What’s whispering to you? Are you ready to listen?

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More Reviews: 

“‘You are not alone,’ Ayelet Baron assures us in this heart and mind-blowing third book in her visionary F*ck the Bucket List series. If you are becoming more awake and aware, this book is an insightful call to action, a compelling invitation to take charge of your own life from someone who walks the talk.” —Lynnda Poliio, multi-award-winning author, Trusting the Currents

“Ayelet’s book(s) is a roadmap for those seeking to challenge their norms and achieve enlightenment. A must-read for powerful creators who care deeply about the world around them.” —Ahad Bandealy, founder & CEO, Get A-Head

“For years, if I stumbled and lost my way, I have turned to the writing and wisdom of Ayelet Baron to find my way back to myself again. She masterfully guides us to trust ourselves, and to travel our most purposeful path. In this powerful, insightful, and essential third leg of the F*ck the Bucket List trilogy, Ayelet invites us to dance with the possibilities pre-built into our lives—to shift from being a consumer to being an adventurer and creator. If you are seeking to enhance how you trust yourself, pursue meaningful work, and open your heart to completely new possibilities, this book was written just for you!” —Bill Jensen, best-selling author of Simplicity, The Courage Within Us, and The Day Tomorrow Said No

“Our heart wants only the best for us. Ayelet’s third book in the F*ck The Bucket List trilogy compels us to go within to uncover the deepest desires within our hearts. Trekking into the unknown is about trusting our inner voice, the calling within our heart. No one else knows what is best for us. Only we know what is best for us. We are the creators of our destiny. We must let the magic of our hearts guide us to create happiness, joy, and freedom consciously.” —Carol Chapman, Host of Hearts Rise Up Podcast and Community, heart-centered guide, author, speaker

“Sometimes you come across a trilogy of books that speak to you deeply and personally. Except to nod your head in agreement, feel the challenge of going against the grain and the exciting pull of personal adventure. Ayelet Baron will take you on a trek into the unknown, one from which you will never want to come back.” —Kay Newton, author and midlife strategist

“The timing of this book couldn’t be more perfect. As our world continues to change, so many people, myself included, have been forced to look deeply at the ways we work and live, at how we relate and connect with one another, and how we choose to take care of ourselves. Already so many norms have been blown apart, giving us a huge opportunity to change our course. What do we keep? What do we leave behind?

As the leader of a community of female founders where we regularly connect, collaborate and co-create, this book is particularly valuable for me, as I suspect it may be for others. It is a guide to not only how to ensure you care for yourself, but also in exploring new ways of caring for each other as we build new paths together.

F*️ck the Bucket List for the Health Conscious is an excellent guide to the questions we will have as leaders of the new world. It opens up possibilities for us all as to what’s next. Don’t miss the opportunity to have Ayelet as your guide.” —Jenn LeBlanc, author, Changing Tides: Powerful Strategies for Female Founders and Launching for Revenue, and founder, Changing Tides Movement and ThinkResults

“Ayelet Baron’s trilogy of F*ck the Bucket List is truly an empowering read. Ayelet poses questions that are critically important for this time in our evolution and more importantly-for our survival. Many of us have been so conditioned to giving our power away by yielding it to the status quo that we have lost our individual voices and as a result, compromised our collective future. Ayelet reminds us that we each have a voice and provides the space to explore what that is and to unapologetically use it. A must read!” —Tammy McCrary, artist advocate, author, and founder of Artistology

“F*️ck the Bucket List for the Health Conscious: Trusting Your Heart helps us examine the unhealthy role fear plays in our world by exposing stories of influencers and experts we have been conditioned to trust. It helps us discover, at our own pace, what and who is for us, and who isn’t, by listening deeply and questioning everything. We learn that we don’t need to stay in a divided world of winners and losers. We begin to see the abundant opportunities that lie in front of us. This may be the last book in the trilogy, but just the beginning of creating what’s possible in our lives and our communities.” —Tim McDonald, former Director of Community, The Huffington Post 

“F*ck the Bucket List trilogy is a primer for the courageous heart on the journey to true self-discovery. Ayelet does not do the work for you in this process of divine discovery but she points the way across the threshold. As she says, the way forward involves action and commitment to a goal which might seem hazy, but she is there as a companion to accompany you on perhaps the greatest adventure of your lifetime. The journey to YOU!” —Flicka Rahn, musician, author, sound healer, and educator

“F*️ck the Bucket List for the Health Conscious is an extraordinary ‘radically change your life’ curriculum to listen to the ‘whispers of your heart’ and finally be bold enough to live YOUR unique and beautiful life. Grab a pencil and paper because you’ll get busy doing imaginative and inspirational practices in the first few pages of this fabulously written book! 

Ayelet, with the Universe, gives us a ‘Divinely Disruptive’ story about what’s not working in our human design. She exposes the fears that drive our decisions in health, relationships, love, money, and what we’ve constructed in this ‘Houston we’ve got a problem’ reality. And then she offers up the ‘Medicine’ from both her very personal life experiences and many beautiful people who have undergone their own transformation to provide potent truths that instantly enhance your life.

Ayelet’s years of being a sought after corporate wiz to a futurist with wisdom borne from loss, faith, trauma, truth and most importantly selflove and service to help others thrive is a gifted guide. In each Chapter/Expedition, you’ll find ways to ignite the True You. And through your imagination, boldness and courage, you’ll take the steps right here right now to manifest your Soul’s purpose. And how to reconnect to your best friend ever—Nature! A key ingredient for living in deep love and unity with Grand Earth and each other.

Take your time on this best ever summer read! I felt myself getting so excited to get to the next Expedition because something magical happened to me on my own journey to live a wildly spontaneous and joyful life! The F*ck the Bucket List trilogy inspired me on such a deep personal level that I now have a grazing plan to restore Bison habitat near the New Mexico border to heal the soil and Soul of GrandMother Earth on the land I call Oniya, which means ‘to breathe.’ This book guided me to go deep inside myself and continue charting the course for a healthy life filled with possibilities.” —Tara Sheahan, founder, Conscious Global Leadership LLC Oniya ‘Restoring Bison and Biodiversity to heal GrandMother Earth’, and Breathelab ‘Natural nose breathing to rewire for happiness’

Author Bio:

Ayelet Baron is a visionary author, healer, and global futurist. She was recently recognized on Forbes as one of the world's top female futurists. In the midst of a very successful career as a global strategy executive at Cisco Systems, she went through her own transformation. She wrote this book trilogy because she wished she had this universal guidance when she started on her own journey. Her dream is to help unleash millions and millions of people, who are ready to do our inner work, and become the architects of humanity.

Book Excerpt:

Introduction: Listening to the Whispers of Your Heart

When we set out on a journey, we usually know where we’re going—often we think we do, when we don’t really have a clue. In November 2016, I took a leap of faith and left San Francisco to start a new adventure. I moved to a remote town with people I thought I trusted. I had never heard of Lund or the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia before, but during my first visit, I fell in love with its natural beauty, expansiveness, and tranquility. Living close to the ocean had always been a dream of mine but living in a rural community was entirely unknown to me. I had spent much of my life in large urban concrete jungles (cities) and was accustomed to having easy access to anything I desired, be it work, entertainment, art, healthy food, or friends. But I left it all behind to trek into the unknown—to explore possibilities.

The intention of creating something purposeful was exciting, and my enthusiasm and trust blinded me from truly seeing that the people I had bet on were not healthy for my well-being. They talked a good game, and I allowed myself to be hooked into their vision, but when it came to actions and creating what was most needed in unity, there were always excuses and reasons why we couldn’t do it. The talk was louder than the ability to execute something meaningful, together, in community. And it wasn’t anyone’s fault that it all fell apart. But the real reason I came to this town was not to build something with them but to have a place deep in the rainforest to connect with nature, become health conscious, and let these three books flow out into the world.

Sometimes our biggest gifts are disguised as what society calls failures and disappointments. Healing is an inside job. Challenges become problems when we allow ourselves to react without taking the time to think and feel through situations. Sometimes our heart is calling us to weed out what is obstructing the energy at our core, and many of us have learned not to listen to its call. But strength comes from facing our challenges and moving away from the norm by transforming them into our greatest opportunities. When we can look at a challenge and examine its root cause, we take a step toward self-awareness and mastery. We are always free to choose our own experience and adventure, even at times when the external world is calling us to take sides and fight for our lives—which is the current story of our times.

I had two choices: stay in an unhealthy partnership or listen deeply to the warnings my heart was whispering. I did not know at the outset of this expedition that I had come to this peaceful little town to get in touch with my own roots, learn from nature, and heal. And in 2020, when the global pandemic was unleashed, I felt gratitude to the universe for providing me with these choices, because if I had been successful with these partners, I would have ended up with a conscious leadership academy at the edge of the world that no one could travel to because of the lockdowns. And once again, I tapped into the universal wisdom that there are no accidents. Maybe the Universe conspired to help me practice my ability to adapt to change?

Nature teaches us that deviating from the norm and staying in flow is how we thrive. And it need not be a battle of survival. The natural world thrives when it adapts to change by becoming stronger and more resilient. While the hungry bear may have climbed the plum tree in our yard and snapped a branch with its weight, a new branch is waiting to emerge and flourish with new fruit. A healthy tree will always find a way to birth new fruit despite the hardships it faces. Each of us has been gifted and wired with this same potential, and our heart is simply waiting for us to tap into our true abilities and flow with our natural rhythms.

Living in the midst of nature entirely changed my life and provided an opportunity for me to learn from her pure fierceness and beauty. I learned to connect with the heartbeat of the earth and listen to the deep whispers of my heart. I was reminded that we are not separate from nature and that there’s a natural flow to everything. But by no means has it been easy. Like any of us, my inner self was waiting patiently for me to begin a healthier chapter in life and unlearn much that had been stuffed inside me by those who had walked their own paths before me and felt they knew what was best for me. I learned to ask questions and get to the source of everything, because no one had my answers, especially people who didn’t bother to find out what my questions were because they had a predetermined agenda of their own.

Sometimes our destination is not clear, and it’s hard to face the unknown because we’ve been led to believe that we should always have clear goals in order to achieve success in life. Why else do so many of us greet every New Year with resolutions? Why would depression, burnout, loneliness, and stress-induced diseases be spiraling so high among so many of us? Why have we been brought up to believe that we’re here to achieve more and more success? Why have we been taught that happiness itself is a destination, and we’re seen as “losers” when we fail to attain it?

When we travel along our path, we can become increasingly aware that there is no destination in life—just life itself. Many well-known authors have written about being present and appreciating the moment—a task that has proven to be challenging for many of us, as it’s out of alignment with societal pressures to achieve and become a “someone” who is celebrated and known.

One Day You Break Free 

You may not know where you’re headed on your path, but at a certain point you become more courageous and curious to experience life and all it has to offer. And this is where you may find yourself right now. The rest of your journey is in front of you, mysterious and unknown. The darkest hours can be behind you when you do your work and choose to trek into the unknown. And to do so, you jump into the third leg of our journey where you wholeheartedly begin to trust your heart, your intuition, and the deep whispers of the universe. When you start listening and becoming fully aware of what’s healthy and what’s toxic for you—when it comes to the people you put in your heart, the beliefs you put in your mind, and the food and products your body consumes—you become a healthy, conscious creator of your life.

As more of us awaken to the voice deep within us, we will understand that when we come together in unity, not conformity or uniformity, our collective journey on this planet will also transform. There are stories in this book of courageous people who are transforming education, fashion, health, and agriculture, for example; they are included simply to make you curious enough to connect with them and with others who are creating healthy systems. Instead of trying to save or fix our broken systems, there is an opportunity to create what is needed most.

Each of us is here to do our work in addressing our wounds and traumas in our own way; we dove into this in the first two books of this trilogy. You are the only one who can lead yourself out of your own darkness to live a healthy life. What if you could have more joy, less stress, and more energy to play? What would it be like to no longer frantically obsess over “achieving” or winning the good life?

We are all fumbling along, doing the best we can with what we know and have. As we explored in the first two books of this trilogy, it’s up to each of us to direct our attention and energy toward what and who is healthy and away from what and who is toxic for our mental, emotional, and physical health. Intentions are key as we take our first steps in being consciously aware of whether people have healthy intentions beneath their words and actions. And we are always seeking to understand the root cause of our own intentions and actions. We have an opportunity to become increasingly aware of whether we are acting out of fear, guilt, shame, or a sense of having to be responsible. This is where living in alignment and tapping into our heart guides and directs us into healthy actions and outcomes and away from stressful situations and people.

Had I not moved to Lund, I would never have met my friends Janet and Rob Southcott, who are part of a local community creating Blueberry Commons, a cohousing and food security cooperative in Powell River. They are beautiful, heart-filled people who have brought joy into my life. Rob was a paramedic for many years and is now on the local city council, and Janet is a talented artist and writer. It was serendipity that we met, since I have mostly kept to myself and have not integrated into the local community, except for most of my wonderful neighbors.

Over long dinner conversations, we explore the edges. We talk about how our current reality is based on values and assumptions that we are separate individuals competing for our very survival and success. In this story, we are victims of the world where there are heroes who will save us from it all, if we choose to put our trust and faith in them. But what if we choose to take a different path and deeply question this construct that no longer makes sense to many of us? What if we looked inside ourselves and saw the beliefs, values, and assumptions buried there and questioned whether they were really ours? What if we no longer believed that we are victims of a system that is making us sick and truly understood our capacity to cocreate what is needed most right now? What if we became aware that we don’t have to be victims of a dying system but can create what we need?

The old structures are falling apart, and it’s a divine opportunity to become aware that anything that separates and divides you from yourself and others is unhealthy. When you remember you are part of nature and start listening to your heart’s internal guidance and igniting your imagination, then what emerges will be healthy thinking, a healthy ego, and healthy living. Do you realize that you didn’t come to this planet only to suffer, survive, achieve, and fight for your life? This is an old soundtrack that no longer serves many of us, and isn’t this a great opportunity to listen to something that resonates with who you truly are?

No one is coming to save you. No one has your answers. And think about it: if they did, would our world look the way it does today? There is a false belief on the planet that our political, financial, legal, health, education, and many other systems are the ones you must adhere to. But in reality, most of those no longer serve the vast majority of us. And until you go on your own journey and unlearn and uncondition from what no longer serves you, you stay trapped in a divided world, rather than choosing to spend your life writing healthy stories for yourself.

Leadership is not outside yourself, and it’s your time to understand that you don’t need false prophets, leaders, or profits to have a full life. It’s time for health-conscious souls to take our place in history and step into our power. Were you not born for these times? Can you see yourself stepping out of the manual of how you were taught life should be, to trek into the unknown and follow your heart’s calling?

This isn’t just another self-help book, spiritual book, or memoir— it’s an experience, beyond categories and labels, that asks each of us to tap into the universal wisdom that says we can live our lives our own way. I’d like to share up front that this book is not for everyone. It’s for those of us ready to start questioning everything and to simply say “fuck it”—or whatever words you choose to use—when something in life no longer serves you. The F*ck the Bucket List book trilogy has been created not to dictate meaning, but to inspire you to ask questions, dig deep, and create your own meaning.

Each one of your stories starts and ends at your pace. Once you connect with your own rhythm, you can go on an adventure of a lifetime. These books, like a journey, are a collaboration with the expansiveness of the universe. I hope you take many things out of them that help you lead a healthy life by questioning everything. It’s up to you to realize whom you trust and where your power lies. As for me, I can no longer afford to put my trust in the hands of politicians, philanthropists, business leaders, or any one person. A hero-or-victim society is simply not for me. I want to cocreate and weave with deep compassion, knowing that there is another way to live a healthy life than what I was sold and taught.

Can You Dance with Possibilities?

Life is shaped from the inside out, and much is possible when we dance with the possibilities it abundantly offers us. For some reason, we’re taught not to hurt others but that it’s okay to imprison ourselves in a world of never-ending fear and conflict. “Courage,” Plato wrote, “is knowing what is not to be feared.” And that’s what I love about truly being human: feeling into everything—from joy to grief—and becoming consciously aware of who and what we’re consuming and creating with. As we amass life experiences, with the richness of our own adventures in failure and success, we learn not to sweat the small stuff by squandering our energy on things that don’t matter or that are toxic to our well-being.

My hope is that you discover what matters most to you, when no one is looking or judging, and listen to the deep whispers of your heart while standing grounded in Mother Earth. Living each day from your heart, regardless of how young or old you are, is the boldest and most authentic journey you’ll take. The philosopher Confucius, in The Analects, depicts the cycle of life as a journey that takes you closer to your own heart and the Divine. “At 15 I set my heart on learning. At 30 I took my stand. At 40 I came to be free from doubts. At 50 I understood the decree of heaven. At 60 my ear was attuned. At 70 I followed my heart’s desire without overstepping the line.” Can you change your story and follow your heart, at any age, and dance in possibilities?

It’s up to you whether you layer more items on your bucket list or simply slow down, pause, feel deeply into your being, root in the ground, connect with yourself, build your community, and share your natural beauty with the world. There’s no real need to struggle during your journey when you realize there’s no destination and that “getting there” is playing a part in someone else’s story. What if, by tapping into your heart, you’re already here, and you allow yourself to play and experiment as a health-conscious creator? What then? What’s whispering to you? Are you ready to listen?

Enjoy your journey!

With eternal gratitude,

The Universe with Ayelet

“More often than not we forget we're on a journey of our own choosing. This excellent book gives us a compass for finding joy, meaning, and fulfillment on our own terms.” —Jonas Koffler, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Hustle: The Power to Charge Your Life with Money, Meaning, and Momentum

The universe is full of wonder and wisdom… and so are you.

All around us—in nature and deep within our hearts—exist endless opportunities to learn, create, unlearn, overcome, contribute, love and be. You find yourself wondering whether there’s much more to life than you were told. But often, we are so immersed in the chaotic pursuit of “success” as defined by society that we simply don’t make time to experience the universe’s wonder and wisdom and to trust our inner connection to it. If you are ready for this to do your inner work, then join us on a journey of a lifetime.  

• Would you like to unlock the vast possibilities of your life?
• Are you willing to question everything in order to unleash the power of your own imagination? 
• Are you open to living a more intentional life in which you consciously decide what is uniquely healthy for your mind, body, and soul, and let go of what is unhealthy?

Leave behind the exhaustion, overwhelm, burnout, stress, anger, fear, blame and judgement of society’s decaying systems and reveal yourself to the universe in all your wonder. Life will never be the same. The journey will be intense. It is not for the faint of heart. But as you learn how to access and trust the universal wisdom within your own heart, your life will begin to shift dramatically. We are here to create, not suffer through outrage and despair. We are born to color the world with our vivid imagination and live in unity, not conformity or uniformity. Come and learn how to unlock your calling. Join author, futurist and healer Ayelet Baron, in the first of a series of three books, as she takes you on a journey deep inside yourself in which you will learn to trust the currents, live the life you were meant to live, and become the courageous pioneer our world needs right now.

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More Reviews: 

“This book is especially timely in this volatile era where living a healthy, meaningful, and uplifting life by understanding more deeply one’s self and thus one’s ability to do so makes this book a must-read. I was touched by the specific, actionable insights and examples Ayelet Baron provides to put us on that path.” —Kare Anderson, Emmy-winning journalist, author and TED speaker

“I LOVE the book! Have you been trying to shut out that voice in your head telling you it’s time to make a change? Sure, it’s scary, but isn’t it scarier if you don’t listen? Can you see yourself staying in the same ol’ same ol’ forever and really feeling fulfilled in your heart and soul? Read this book and Ayelet will help you find the answers you’ve been seeking to live your fullest life. The big secret? It’s been right there, within you, all along. Your own curiosity will be the catalyst for the change you know you need.” —Janet Fouts, Mindfulness Coach, Speaker, Author, When Life Hits the Fan

“Ayelet Baron’s trilogy of F*ck the Bucket List is truly an empowering read. Ayelet poses questions that are critically important for this time in our evolution and, more importantly, for our survival. Many of us have been so conditioned to giving our power away by yielding it to the status quo that we have lost our individual voices and as a result, compromised our collective future. Ayelet reminds us that we each have a voice and provides the space to explore what that is and to unapologetically use it. A must read!” —Tammy McCrary, Artist Advocate, Author, and Founder of Artistology

“Written in the language of the heart, F*ck the Bucket List is a wake-up call for all who are awakening. F*ck the Bucket List is a destination you might not have known you were seeking until you arrived here. Ayelet Baron explores the illusions of a failing world and asks us to step into another potential, one rooted in the heart of courage and emerging self-awareness. Reading F*ck the Bucket List was like speaking to the best part of myself, the part who truly knows who I am and what is healthy for me.” —Lynnda Pollio, Multi-award-winning Author

“In this book, Ayelet Baron offers us powerful life lessons to inspire and guide us. Recommended!” —Ross Dawson, Futurist, Entrepreneur, and Author

Author Bio:

Ayelet Baron is a visionary author, healer, and global futurist. She was recently recognized on Forbes as one of the world's top female futurists. In the midst of a very successful career as a global strategy executive at Cisco Systems, she went through her own transformation. She wrote this book trilogy because she wished she had this universal guidance when she started on her own journey. Her dream is to help unleash millions and millions of people, who are ready to do our inner work, and become the architects of humanity.

Book Excerpt:

The Beginning: Introduction

F*ck the Bucket List was created to help you become aware of whether the beliefs, people, and lists that you bring into your life are healthy, or unhealthy, for you. It’s dedicated to those of us ready to do the most rewarding work imaginable—asking you to face your fears, your wounds, and become more aware of opportunities around you. It will challenge you to experiment with the vast possibilities of your life, suggesting that each and every one of us has the ability to create a healthy life—despite the deep societal conditioning that tells us otherwise—when you step away from how you should live your life, and step into your own power with curiosity, compassion, and courage.

I was told readers usually take fewer than sixty seconds to decide whether or not you will read a book, so I’d like to state up front that this book is not for everyone. It’s for anyone ready to start questioning everything, and to simply say fuck it—or whatever words you choose to use when something in life no longer serves you. It will help you become more aware of the choices you make, where you’ll truly know yourself and understand your purpose as a living, breathing, healthy creator of your life.

I wrote this series of books because I wish I’d had this guidance when I began my journey in 2012. As author Toni Morrison’s wisdom advises us, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” This isn’t just another self-help book, spiritual book, or memoir—it’s an experience, beyond categories and labels, that asks each of us to tap into the universal wisdom that says we can live our lives our own way. We’re facing a timeline split right now, and how we each respond and navigate our life is critical, as many of us are hurting and at the same time being asked to let go of the current programming and build the bridges that are needed. There’s no one coming to save us. What we need most right now is to tap into our power and remember that we’re powerful creators. Futurist Buckminster Fuller’s words are here to remind us that “we are called to be the architects of the future, not its victims.”

There is wisdom when you become increasingly aware that this is the era of living in higher levels of awareness and unity, and what and who you choose to consume matters deeply. No one has your answers since they don’t know what your questions are, and learning how to ask questions and explore possibilities is part of the way to creating what is possible for yourself, your community, and the planet.

There’s another way to address our wounds and fears, and what you’ll discover is how you can heal, share, build, and create healthy paradigms like community networks and systems, for example, that serve us. Sometimes the only love that exists is the one we create for ourselves. If you are reading this, you’re most likely one of the courageous pioneers our world needs right now. You may be ready to put down your sword because you understand that in the world we’re creating there’s no reason to war within yourself or with others.

An eye for an eye simply keeps us divided and blind. Martin Luther King Jr.’s energy joins us here: “It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny … Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” 

A Journey Filled with Lessons and Deep Gratitude

We were born to color with a vivid imagination and live like never before in unity, not conformity or uniformity. Are you ready to discover the wonder of you (Book 1 for the Soul), trek into the unknown (Book 2 for the Adventurer), and trust your heart (Book 3 for the Health-Conscious)?

Life always provides us with opportunities to learn—when we choose to embrace them. I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned by facing the challenging people that have shown up on my path. I’ve come to understand that while people are simply doing their best, some are not for me. I’ve had many opportunities along the way to learn what and who is healthy for me—and when to simply walk away (and sometimes run) from toxic people and situations.

I am as thankful for the tough times as I am for the openness, generosity, and love that I’ve received as I continue pursuing my life’s work of opening hearts and minds in a world where every living being on the planet matters. I’ve come to understand that it requires a shift in how we think, how we behave, what we consume, and how we create. It starts with journeying within ourselves, exploring how we can begin living as creators while remembering how to fully connect with others in community—with a vivid imagination, strength of conviction, the curiosity of an adventurer, and the spark of pure, authentic love.

You hold great power and an inner ability to navigate your life. The noise and chaos in the external world continues to increase but the true question is whether you are able to trust yourself and let go of deep seeded fear, sadness, or anger. It’s okay to feel into each emotion but freedom comes when you learn to let them pass through you. When you hold on to the past with everything you have, you will experience more of the same. The unknown can be frightening or exhilarating. By breaking through false safety nets and entering uncharted waters, you reclaim your power and freedom. Letting go means making space for your wildest creations.

The wisdom of our elders continues to shine a bright light in our world. In The Republic, Plato shared, “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” Are you ready to get started?

Chapter 1: Initiation: Embarking on a Health Path Takes Guts

It’s 8:30 a.m. You’re rushing to catch your morning train to work. From the moment you woke up, things haven’t gone as planned—the yolk from the egg you were wolfing down while rushing out the door dripped on your shirt, the milk for your coffee was sour, and you missed your train when you got delayed in unbelievable traffic. All of these events could lead to starting the day with a negative state of mind, inspiring you to feel as though you should have just stayed in bed since nothing was going “right.”

A crappy mood might then influence every moment of your day—unless you choose to shake it. You can bring it along or you can choose to see that the vast majority of things around you are actually working and you’ve simply hit a few bumps in the road. You may be relieved that you changed out of your egg-stained shirt when you later realize your client was wearing the same exact one. You also ran into an old friend you haven’t seen in years when you took the later train, and the world was still intact.

Now, it’s six months later and you get up to go to work. But this time, you must stay in your house and not go outdoors. There’s a lockdown that prevents you from taking a train and being in traffic. Everything in your life has changed in a flash, as life often will, and you’re missing your local coffee shop, getting dressed up, and the hustle and bustle of your “normal” life. You have more work than ever before because everyone is at home and you may now be responsible for your kids’ every need, caring for your elders, cleaning the house, and everything else that you need to take on, because there is no one else to do it. But perhaps being indoors will create an opportunity to pause so you can go on a journey inside yourself and question everything.

We would be delusional to imagine life as a never-ending ordeal, but that doesn’t mean we should not feel our frustrations and disappointments. This whole notion of being happy and positive all the time is not healthy for anyone, as there are real bumps along the path that are here to teach us how to truly be human. Just like we can become aware of our state of mind and choose to shift it, we can imagine what we want to create in our world and make it real when we begin to become aware of the importance of trust, relationships, and community as the key currencies of our time. We don’t have to run away from it all; our opportunity is to face it all with a sprinkle of healthy fear, wonder, and awe.

When we forget that we control the volume of our lives, the noise around us will get out of control. Observe the news programs you’re watching, take note of the stories you’re listening to and the friends and colleagues you’re hanging out with. Do these sources share stories of inspiration? Or are these stories ones of fear and sadness about atrocities and injustices going on in the world?

By consciously changing the channel or selecting different people to befriend, we make a choice regarding what we allow into our lives and surround ourselves with. It doesn’t mean we ignore what’s happening in the world, but rather that we are opting to live with higher levels of awareness in terms of our own role in the choices we’re making, fully aware that the external noise will continue to increase for a while.

Each of us is standing at the intersection of the present moment and future possibilities. We each have our own initiation to life. I would guess that when you were old enough to start asking questions about why you’re here and what the meaning of life is, those questions mostly went unanswered—and probably all you were taught was to trust those older than you because they know what’s right and wrong, what’s good and bad, and how to be successful in life.

You were most likely conditioned to believe that being positive was more appropriate than sharing what was truly going on inside of you. Someone might have told you that to be a responsible human being, you must get to your job on time and your morning routine shouldn’t have any glitches. The glitches were your failures on the road of perfection, predictability, and productivity. But did anyone make an effort to understand you and answer your questions? And are you still asking these questions with renewed curiosity?

BOOK YOUR LIFE JOURNEY

We invite you to join the journey, as a leader of your own life, to discover the wonder of you—where life is simply an adventure and work is just a part of it. Enter the gateway of possibilities and leave the manual of how life is supposed to be behind, saying “fuck it” as often as you need to.

There are many of us on this journey, each at our own intersection. It all starts with the conscious decisions we make about our lives—and the most important decision is not buying into the notion that what we do for a living defines who we are. On this path, we’re able to sit back and experience the journey as it unfolds, as nature is here to teach us that change is constant and there is never a need to rush.

Change doesn’t need to be scary. It can, and often does, bring rich experiences into our lives. Remember that what got you to where you currently are may no longer be useful to you on your journey forward—and don’t forget to look out the window during the journey, as you may see something spectacular or scary that you want to experience, or something you are passionate about creating.

What’s most important is understanding that humans did not create the earth or the ocean, but we did create the concepts of education, work, employment, retirement, health care, leadership, business, money, justice, fairness, ownership, and success. We set the price of gold and coal. We placed prices on our natural resources from fuel to soil. We’ve genetically modified our food sources. We’ve created borders and property lines. And now, we decide whether we work to live or live to work. And maybe there’s even a third option that we have yet to imagine about how we could live our lives fully that has nothing to do with employment?

Many of us have been so engaged in the hustle and bustle of pursuing a successful life that we have simply not had the time or energy to be aware of the choices we’re making or what we’re assigning value to. And we may be exhausted, overwhelmed, burned out, stressed, angry, humiliated, scared, and simply spiraling within the very decaying systems society has created, forgetting that we are capable of creating a healthier alternative for ourselves and each other. We have the power to choose how we invest and engage with life. We get to say yes and usher in what’s healthy, and we get to reject what’s unhealthy with a “Hell no, thank you!” We have the power to trust our intuition and connect deeply with what’s meaningful for us.

When we choose to prioritize a healthy way of life, it’s in our power to do just that by reimagining and creating it ourselves. It’s far from easy, but we can start trusting the currents of life: swimming upstream and downstream with curiosity and grace. We have to be honest—not just about what we want, but what we are actually prepared to create. Every person who takes action to create a healthier life for ourselves shifts the collective environment. It truly is powerful to know that by changing our own lives, we’re contributing to the change of our society—and world—as a whole. Isn’t it time to reimagine what is possible?

We’re witnessing the breakdown of many of our institutions and systems, and many of us are feeling helpless and lost. How do we take the first step out of the conditioning that has led us to have mentalities of outrage, judgment, fear and criticism of what is happening in the world? A constant need to fight for our lives and survive. But we can become aware and realize that blaming and shaming only creates deeper divides and doesn’t serve anybody. Our opportunity is to become increasingly aware of the veil of reality, and begin trusting our guts when something doesn’t feel natural or healthy. And there’s a lot that is being revealed in this moment, which has always been here, as there’s nothing new under the sun.

Many of us have not yet fully awakened to the possibilities and opportunities that surround us. Many of us are still stuck in the programmed belief of fear, ingesting news of doom and gloom broadcast to us from every part of our world, and everything that this fear-based mindset brings to our planet. We may also have experienced our parents fighting or have gone through some trauma early in life, which made us very fearful and shut us down. It created a fear that we must fight for our life and simply survive. This teaches us to go to war every day, trying to solve our problems by applying flimsy Band-Aids to deep wounds, unsure of how to look inward and identify how we got injured in the first place.

We’ve been taught to suck it up to fight the next battle or live in a delusion of making this world “better.” Billions of lives, money, and resources have already been sacrificed to save this world and yet the same hatred, fear, anger, and struggle pour through its veins. The fight for our lives keeps us trapped in a divided world (by design), repeating our history over and over. In a winner-takes-all paradigm, no one truly wins for very long.

It is highly unlikely that whatever we resist can simply transform into something peaceful. In a podcast about his groundbreaking book Winners Take All, journalist Anand Giridharadas shares that “We talk about doing more good, but we never talk about doing less harm. We talk about giving back, but we never talk about how much these people take and the structures of taking. We talk about changing the world but we never talk about the ways in which they are shoring up the status quo that benefits them and predictably and reliably shuts other people out.” When all of our energy is used up fighting, what is left for us to actually birth? Why take sides when we can create something in the world that exemplifies what we envision?

Do you want to spend your precious life fighting, competing, and winning at all costs? If you do, then you are simply not ready for what this book has to offer, and that’s perfectly okay. Part of the journey is becoming aware of what is and what is not for you. There’s no reason to perpetuate more fighting, judgment, or blame. But if you are here to be the best you can be and are curious to start letting go of what no longer serves you, this is the start of an adventure that will take you where you’re ready to go.

"It's Carrie Bradshaw meets Brené Brown, and we're here for it. Heart Boss is the laugh, the cry, the hug, and the spark we all need right now." —Katya Libin and Amri Kibbler, co-founders of HeyMama

Women are doing it all: running companies, nurturing marriages, raising kids, volunteering on boards, and still making Pinterest-perfect cupcakes for the class party, thank you very much.

But we're exhausted.

We're running on hamster wheels and popping Xanax, and in our most private moments, we're wondering the scariest question of all: "Is this it?"

I've been that woman. The harried workaholic. The unhappy wife. The frustrated mom. I was even in a passionate relationship with a woman for two years before marrying my husband. Life is complicated, friends.

The point is, I found my way off the treadmill. This book is me extending my hand to help you off yours.

You are not alone. You are worthy. You are powerful. And you can own your life in such a way that you'll stop asking "Is this it?" and instead start saying "This is it "

Heart Boss is the story of how I learned to let my heart be boss. And, hopefully, it's a story about how you can get there too.

More Reviews:

“Regan is a renegade leading us back to our original boss—our heart, the ultimate voice of authority. Heart Boss is pure entertainment. It's equally inspiring and aspiring." —Amy Jo Martin, investor, Founder/CEO, New York Times bestselling author, and host of the Why Not Now? podcast

"Heart Boss is like reading the diary you never had the guts to write yourself. It's a raw, honest, soulful coming of age, complete with childhood wonder, family hysteria, drunken nights, good sex, falling for the wrong ones, finding the right one, and letting go of everything you should have been to become exactly who you are. Love, love, love." ­­­—Leslie Morgan Steiner, New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Love, Mommy Wars, and The Naked Truth

Author Bio:

Regan Walsh is an executive coach and life coach who finds joy and fulfillment in helping women worldwide lead lives that sizzle. She has worked with thousands of women from Nike to Wall Street and has been featured by media outlets nationwide, including Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Today, Fast Company, and more.

Regan’s own journey has been fraught with self-inflicted stress, unsatisfying busyness, and plenty of needless striving. Thankfully, it has also been a journey of intentional searching and incredible transformation. Regan believes life’s greatest honor is to be exactly who you are, whoever that is. Regan helps women realize that person, be true to her, and find not just happiness, but contentment.

Independently published with Houndstooth Press

Are you a professional who is on a spiritual path but doesn't have much time for philosophical inquiry? An executive who gets things done at work but seeks higher joy? An entrepreneur who wants to make a dent not just in business but in the universe? Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots is for you! In it, unconventional and highly successful coach Dr. Srikumar Rao distills and condenses valuable life lessons, from ancient sources, literature, and his own experience, into quick-to-read, easily digestible chapters.

Through Dr. Rao's compelling parables, you will learn how to:

• Achieve great success while remaining as serene as a Zen monk
• Feel radiantly alive every day and bursting with gratitude
• Bounce back from disaster so quickly that others didn't even notice you were down
• Jettison dysfunctional mental models that prevent you from soaring
• Banish the incessant mental chatter that is sapping your energy
• Bring joy into your life and annihilate your fears
• Help others reach heights they never dreamed possible

And this just scratches the surface. As a bonus, the book includes a self-assessment to help you implement the chapters' lessons. If you apply the concepts in it, Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots will make you prosper in all areas of your life.

It's time to take back your life—one step at a time. Many individuals face setbacks and life-altering obstacles. This self-help workbook allows readers to reclaim their lives from dysfunction and pain.

It's no surprise that inmates face these turmoils and challenges in the extreme. Prisoner No More helps readers find solutions to their anger management, depression, and anxiety through spiritual, financial, and relational discovery.

Dante Kun's 15 years of experience teaching anger management, conflict resolution, and pre-release classes at Pelican Bay State Prison and his current position as Clinical Supervisor of a drug treatment facility allow him a unique perspective into the struggles many people face—especially those who are down on their luck. Focusing on the exercises presented in the workbook allows readers to delve into the solutions that will help them grow. This guide is for anyone who is willing to do the work to create change in his or her life. Get ready to journey within the world of you—and learn who you're meant to be.

AUTHOR BIO

Dante B. Kun is a Clinical Supervisor at a treatment center. By day a mundane counselor, but at night in the dreamworld he fights mutants and saves the planet. While he loves nature, he fully realizes that the beautiful sounds of nature are creatures hunting each other or trying to have sex.

"Lisa creates an energetically safe space for people to explore what creativity means." -Nadia Clifford Sr Director, Engineering Program Management 

"With her honest, smart and patient voice, Kramer gives us creative tools, resources and hope...for a more caring, equitable, and compassionate world." -Cathy Rose Salit Founder of Global Play Brigade, CEO Emerita of Performance of a Lifetime, author of Performance Breakthrough (Hachette 2016)

Are you ready to reignite your creative power? Rediscover the powerful tool that we all possess in this inspiring book.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to reconnect with your creative spark, this book will guide you on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. You'll discover how to tap into the creative and collaborative power that will help solve problems, build communities, and develop a stronger creative economy.

Through its practical advice and thought-provoking exercises, this book shows you how to embrace an important part of yourself that many have forgotten-the joy of creativity. With its message of hope and possibility, it invites you to join a movement of creative thinkers and doers who are working together to shape a better future for all of us.

Don't let your creativity languish. Let's create together and make a difference in the world!

A 2023 Wall Street Journal Bestseller

"As someone who's had the privilege of being a part of many chapters of her story, I can vouch for its authenticity. Through Lori's words, readers will find inspiration, courage, and a renewed faith in the power of determination and resilience." -Paul M. Hatch, Founding Partner and CEO, Vestria Capital

"There are a lot of valuable lessons to be learned from Lori's story... I liked how this book didn't just focus on her wins but talked about the challenges she faced. The book is no fluff..." -Seattle Book Review



Running with Grace is [Lori Van Dusen's] story of triumphs and defeats, told to inspire the reader to never give up. -Readers' Favorite

Nothing about Lori Van Dusen's childhood indicated she'd become one of the nation's top independent financial advisors. She was born prematurely on the wrong side of the tracks and with a genetic blood disorder. Her parents divorced when she and her twin brother were less than a year old. But her big, boisterous, loving Italian family, led by her beloved grandfather, a first-generation American with only an eighth-grade education, taught her that the only limitations in life are those we impose on ourselves.

As a young person, Lori wanted to sing on Broadway, not manage money on Wall Street. But in 1986, this quiet, serious young woman walked into the rough-and-tumble, eat-what-you-kill world of Shearson Lehman Brothers and never looked back. She fought her way to the top by thinking outside the box and working her ass off despite the jeers, insults, and sideways glances. Her secret weapon? A need to prove herself so strong she could outwork anyone.

But Lori's trajectory to the top was not a straight, upward line; it was a rollercoaster. She hit the pinnacle of success only to have it ripped away in a legal battle with one of the biggest banks in the world. She was raped by a PhD candidate at Harvard, swindled by a business partner, and battled two life-altering medical diagnoses. None of that, though, would compare to having the two people she loved most in the world taken way too soon.

Despite the fear and pain, Lori remained hopeful and resilient. In this memorable, poignant, and inspiring memoir, she shares her lowest lows and highest highs as well as hard-earned wisdom from her bumpy personal, professional, and spiritual journey. Life was never meant to be fair, she learned, but we must keep running with grace if we are to find purpose and joy in the face of adversity.

"A skillfully written account of a complicated life. Tightly constructed, moving along at a pleasant clip with lots of brisk dialogue." -Kirkus Reviews

"A personal yet universal tale that is canny, engrossing and distinctly inspiring." -Self-Publishing Review

"As Goliath grew, we grew."

Born to impoverished, Italian immigrants in 1960s Canada, Domenic Aversa is creative and restless. He shares a busy but happy home with his hardworking father and doting, strict, traditional mother.

When his childhood reputation as a troublemaker drives him to juvenile delinquency and his mother to uncontrollable anger, Domenic decides the best way to overcome adversity is not to rebel but to stare it down. Determined to prove himself, he is drawn toward increasingly difficult and dangerous challenges around the world. He supervises abandoned and abused children, trains delinquent military cadets, starts a business in the violent underbelly of the Soviet Union, takes down white-collar criminals across America, and even joins the war on HIV/AIDS. He faces each giant, stone in hand, determined to overcome adversity and help those in need.

Closer to home, his mother, Benedetta, puts on a cheerful façade as a pillar of the community. But with increasingly severe health problems, she is facing a Goliath of her own within a healthcare system unequipped or perhaps unwilling to help. As Domenic's compass slowly points him back home, he realizes saving his mother might be his toughest challenge yet.

Benedetta and Domenic's close, complex mother-son relationship is the backdrop for this poignant and inspiring memoir that reminds us that there is more than one way to slay a giant. More importantly, each challenge offers an opportunity for growth, resolution, and acceptance.

Ancient teachings inspire this contemporary, actionable method that leads you out of the "stuckness" of ordinary life toward joy, fulfillment, and abundance.

Imagine life as a hot air balloon ride. You constantly aspire to go to higher altitudes for smooth, happy sailing. Yet each time you try, your sandbags pull you down to bumpy lower altitudes, where you face challenging situations, difficult people, and negative thoughts. You feel stuck, lost, and confused.

As a former finance executive, Arda Ozdemir found himself feeling exactly like that. After years of suffering from chronic health issues, depression, and anxiety, he decided to take matters into his own hands and found relief in unique meditation and self-awareness tools like Qigong, Reiki, and Yoga Nidra. From his journey of awakening, he developed the Rise 2 Realize POWER Method, a practical five-step process to guide you out of suffering and emotional pain toward your higher personal and professional potential.

The Art of Becoming Unstuck: your personalized journey through consciousness in search of ultimate happiness is your guidebook for life. As you read it, you will learn how to identify, understand, and release your sandbags in order to rise above your destructive habits and realize your ultimate happiness.

Embrace what life has to offer and discover who you really are.

The bestselling book on the power of relationships includes tons of real-world stories and in-depth guidance for making connections in both the online and offline world.

In this zippy read packed with true-life stories, Jen Nash explains how the opportunity to connect is everywhere and how we can get more than we ever dreamed of out of life if we make the effort to lean in and say hello.
Get inspired when you realize that making time to connect is the most productive thing you can do to thrive at home or at work. In fact, as you read this fun, fast-paced book you'll see how powerful connections support your happiness, health, and well-being.

Although it's packed with relatable stories and smart snippets of insightful research on how we listen, talk and crave connection—Jen Nash also gives you lots of practical tips for making connections on a daily basis. Not sure how to follow up with that amazing human you just met on a bus, plane, train or an event? It's in the book. Not sure how to connect more deeply on social media? Also in the book. Jen Nash breaks all sorts of situations down, and really digs into why building our social capital and growing our networks is the most valuable thing we can do to expand our lives.

Whether you want to go to more parties, get a better job, make more money, or be a better person—reading this book can give you practical strategies for doing it all. A happier, more successful, and more fulfilling life is within your reach and The Big Power of Tiny Connections will show you the way.

Author Bio:

Some authors are shy and a little withdrawn...but not Jen Nash. As a Connector in Chief, Jen Nash helps people add more meaning to their lives through connections. She is a master facilitator, author, sought-after executive coach, and corporate trainer/speaker. Not surprisingly—her Masterful Storytelling corporate training garners rave reviews when it comes to helping support employees become more audience-focused, connection-minded, and grounded when they speak or present.

With over twenty years working as a senior consultant for Fortune 100 Pharma, Health, Tech, and Finance giants, Jen Nash now regularly inspires and supports leaders at firms large and small—to deepen their connections in support of all the good things in life: happiness, growth, and sustained community.

Born in Canada and raised around the world in such countries as Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia, Jen loves to try her hand at speaking a smattering of many languages. She studied Communication Design at Parsons School of Design and The New School in New York City.

Named one of Entrepreneur’s “9 Must-Read Books To Prepare Entrepreneurs for 2021”

"…an exuberant testament to the ways positivity, curiosity, and self-reflection can help one discover purpose in life. [Knego’s] life experiences serve as a testament to the power of maintaining an open-mind while pursuing one's passions." —Publishers Weekly

Do you wake up every day feeling like you’re going through the motions, that the hundreds of choices you make have almost no impact on the people around you?

Many motivational books will tell you that in order to better the world, you must first better yourself. But you really only need to change the way you see yourself and the world around you will change.

What you do every day matters and inspires others. By sharing your story, you can motivate and encourage those around you—and in doing so, change the world.

Everyone has a story, and in The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You, Simone Knego takes you inside her unique journey and the extraordinary moments which have shaped her life and defined her mission. Sharing the lessons she’s learned from life’s ups, downs, and laugh-out-loud moments, you’ll be inspired to discover your own journey, and to go out into the world and be the good. The world is waiting for the Extraordinary UnOrdinary You, and you already have everything you need to get started, simply by being you.
 
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"Simone is an inspirational leader and role model who teaches by her wonderful example.… Many are recipients of her generosity, mind, and spirit." —Mark Wilf, owner/president, Minnesota Vikings, board chair, Jewish Federations of North America

"Simone takes the reader on a journey that is refreshingly authentic and utterly heartwarming. It is a bold and beautiful reminder that every decision has a ripple effect, every failure comes with a life lesson, and it takes ordinary actions to create extraordinary impact." —Alison Lebovitz, host of The A List, PBS

"The inspiring story of the Knego family is a must-read for every family that wants to be inspired to give more, care more, and love more. A true blessing for our times." —Lori Palatnik, author, international speaker, and founding director of Momentum

"Simone's authentic, heartfelt stories take her readers on an extraordinary journey. Through her life's adventures, she shows us you can make a difference right where you are, simply by being you." —Ethan Zohn, Survivor Africa winner and two-time cancer crusher

"The world would be a better place if there were more Simone Knegos. She is talented, passionate, and a proven leader who has lived a life of honor,grace, and dignity. She has a lot to teach us all." —Ari Ackerman, co-owner, Miami Marlins, entrepreneur/founder ofBunk1.com

"Simone's ability to really connect—whether you are an audience of one or thousands—is unparalleled. She is not merely willing to share her journey but is thrilled to. Simone's passion is contagious—how often do you meet someone who inspires you, energizes you, reassures you, teaches you, and challenges you?" —Jenna Corman Mandel, associate vice president, National Women's Philanthropy, Jewish Federations of North America
 
Author Bio:

Simone Knego leads an ordinary life filled with extraordinary moments. As a wife, mother to six children (and three dogs), and a serial entrepreneur, she splits her time between her family, businesses, and personal growth. She's realized the small choices she makes every day to do good actually have the power to inspire others. Simone shared that message during speaking opportunities she received as co-chair of the National Young Leadership Cabinet for the Jewish Federations of North America. With this book, she hopes to inspire you to embrace life's ups and downs and realize the impact you're making on the world.

 
Independently published with Lioncrest Publishing

We are born to be happy. Somewhere along the way, our lives get cluttered.

To find your recipe for happiness, you need to know what matters most to you; have strong beliefs to support taking the necessary next steps; and actually do the kinds of things you want to, while letting go of the rest. You also need to be willing to share your desires with the world-something that is often challenging. This is where The Happiness Recipe comes in.

With actionable steps for closing the gaps that are often present along the path to happiness, Rebecca Morrison shares insights on how to start living a happier life, starting right now.

By decluttering your days of the "shoulds" and the "have-tos" and focusing instead on what actually matters, a road toward fulfilling joy will be laid before you. No matter how busy or overwhelmed you feel, this book will help you identify what has been standing between you and your happiness, so you can focus your energy on changes that will meaningfully impact your existence.

The Happiness Recipe is a grounded, approachable, and tactical guide to finding joy. By sharing the tools necessary for understanding what matters most to your happiness, Rebecca Morrison gives you the key to believing in and achieving the kind of happiness that is possible for everyone.

Unlock the boundless potential of your inner power and live a life of fulfillment, creativity, and healing.

Discover a world where the limitations that once held you back dissolve, paving the way for the life you've always yearned for. With Liz L'Eclair's guidance, you'll craft thrilling experiences, harness health, abundance, love, personal power, work contentment, and even a touch of fame.

• Learn to protect yourself from negative energies
• Embrace the brilliance within you
• Tap into the powerful minds of geniuses, both living and those who have left their mark on history
• Contribute new creativity
• Heal mental and emotional wounds
• Use your unique personality for remote sensing, influencing, and gaining insight into various places and situations

With these newfound skills, you'll become a powerful magnet, drawing in everything your heart desires. Liz L'Eclair guides you towards developing a higher consciousness, allowing you to recognize your own inner beauty and attract people, wealth, and prosperity.

Explore the art of soul and personality healing, not just for yourself but for your friends and family. The Light Within is your gateway to understanding the limitless possibilities of energy and consciousness. Liz L'Eclair's wisdom will empower you to navigate this world with grace and purpose, forging a path to a brighter, more fulfilling life.

About the Author
A native of Ireland, Joseph Murphy (1898 -- 1981) was a prolific and widely admired New Thought minister and writer, best known for his motivational classic, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, an international bestseller since it first blazed onto the self-help scene. His pamphlet How to Attract Money first appeared in 1955, and likewise entered many editions. Murphy wrote widely on the auto-suggestive and metaphysical faculties of the human mind and is considered one of the pioneering voices of affirmative-thinking philosophy.

"A kick-ass combination of charm and ballsiness..." -- Joanna Coles, Author, Executive Producer of The Bold Type

How does a girl who was told she would spend her life in a wheelchair become confident and successful? She decides to become unstoppable Standing 4 feet 2 inches tall, Lauren Ruotolo was told at a young age that she was destined for life in a wheelchair because of a rare genetic disorder called McCune-Albright syndrome. Lauren didn't accept this news, and decided to flip the script. She ditches the wheelchair for her preferred method of transportation: stilettos. She threw out the "disabled" label in favor of authentic self-discovery. And she turned her small stature into a big, beautiful life full of love, joy and success.

Along the way, Lauren learned a lot about living large despite life's obstacles. From her unique, upward-facing vantage point, she shares tips, secrets and hard-earned wisdom. If you're a woman who wants to conquer today's hectic world, Lauren's fun, offbeat life philosophies will give you the tools you need to carve your own unique path to self-confidence, happiness, and success--no matter what obstacles you face--and you'll have a blast along the way

About the Author
Ruotolo, Lauren: - Lauren Ruotolo is a respected author, speaker, and entertainment content marketing leader for many global brands, including Johnson & Johnson, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping and TV Guide Magazine. She was nominated as Innovator of the Year (W.IN Forum NY), Rising Star of the Year for New York's Women Agenda, and was awarded the Woman of the Year at the Glamour Gals Glammy Awards and Girls Inc. (New York Chapter). She currently lives in NYC.

“For women eager to take control of their road to career success—and men ready to insist on gender equality—this is a must read.” —BookLife by Publishers Weekly

Discover your inner DIVA and take control of your career today

From the creator of the DIVA Method®, Kisha Wynter, comes a transformative guide for women navigating the corporate world. Your Power Unleashed: How Savvy Women Use Courage to Get Promoted, Get Paid, and Find Fulfillment is for astute businesswomen ready to unlock their full potential and achieve unparalleled success.

Drawing on the insights and lessons developed in Kisha’s coaching programs, Your Power Unleashed® lays out practical strategies for corporate women looking to succeed in their careers, with a special emphasis on the nuanced needs of women from diverse backgrounds.

• Break free from self-doubt and imposter syndrome as you embrace newfound confidence and resilience. 
• Navigate organizational politics strategically with practical tools to increase your visibility and gain influential allies. 
• Cultivate a robust network of advocates, mentors and sponsors to propel your career. 
• Step confidently into the winner’s circle at work, fortifies with savvy strategies to shield yourself from professional landmines.

Discover the transformative DIVA methodology that has already impacted thousands of women globally—now accessible to anyone ready to own their greatness. Become your own advocate and thrive professionally with this roadmap to fulfillment and authenticity. Your quest to actualizing your highest self begins here.

More Reviews:

“Your Power Unleashed is more than just a guide for career advancement; it’s a manifesto for living a life imbued with purposeful power.” —Lisa Nichols, New York Times Bestselling Author, Founder & CEO Motivating the Masses, Inc.

“Your Power Unleashed provides genuinely useful advice to help high-performers do fulfilling work while embracing their authentic selves. Kisha offers actionable steps for leaders to effectively coach and use their power to champion female talent within their organizations. This approach fosters a more inclusive environment and also drives innovation and success. Full of inspiring stories and practical strategies, this book is a refreshingly insightful read.” —Khozema Shipchandler, Chief Executive Officer of Twilio

“Practical, relevant, and strategic ... Written like a personal coaching session, this book provides a playbook for doing the internal work necessary to succeed professionally, while challenging corporations to create environments where women can thrive.” —Elaine Lin Hering, USA Today Bestselling Author of Unlearning Silence

Author Bio:

Kisha Wynter is a distinguished leadership consultant, executive coach, speaker, author, and the innovative mind behind the DIVA Method®. Renowned for her expertise in fostering inclusive cultures within organizations, Kisha collaborates with businesses to ensure environments are created where all talent thrives, regardless of their backgrounds.

A former HR Leader for Corporate Audit Staff, Americas, General Electric’s premier executive development program and expert on women in leadership, Kisha brings a wealth of knowledge to every venture she pursues. Her work spans 50+ countries and multiple industries—impacting organizations like Baker Hughes, Chief, Lundbeck US, and many more.