12 Things I Learned From Louise L. Hay

“In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole, and complete.”
LOUISE HAY

Last night my mom read  words about Louise’s thoughts on death from one of her passages in You Can Heal Your Life. It says, “I joyfully move on to new levels of experience, all is well.”

It provided comfort those words.

Perhaps one of the greatest teachers, mentors, and promoters of self-love  passed away yesterday at the age of 90.  Louise L. Hay was a pioneer, she  started the self-help movement with her extraordinary blockbuster book, You Can Heal Your Body, 1976.  Ironically, her passing coincided to the exact day (August 30th), two years earlier of  her dear friend Dr. Wayne Dyer.

What does it take to Heal Your Body? Louise believe wholeheartedly in  positive affirmations, mental health, healing from childhood traumas, eating right, journaling, seeking the sound advice of a therapist, thinking positive thoughts, and so much more. In the 1980’s, she wrote a second best selling book, You Can Heal Your Life. This time around, the world took notice, You Can Heal Your Life has sold over 3 million copies, is a New York Times Bestseller, and has been sold in over 30 countries and been translated into multiple languages.

Through Louise’s healing techniques and positive philosophy, millions have learned to create a life of their dreams full of wellness in their bodies, minds, and spirits. In 1988, Louise was invited to be on The Oprah Show. She was invited to talk about the law of attraction and her philosophy of positive thinking and affirmations.

This is what Louise says about affirmations:

“I look at affirmations as like planting seeds. You put the seeds in the ground you don’t have the flower in one day. You make sure you give it water, it has good soil, you take out the weeds, you give it time.”

Here are 12 Things I’ve Learned From Louise L. Hay

1. Affirmations
2. Any disease is a result of unforgiveness.
3. Create Visualizations
4. Law of Attraction
5. Power of Gratitude
6. Mirror Work
7. Self-Love
8. Higher Consciousness
9. Intuitive voice of a higher power
10. We are all children of God/Higher Power
11. Loving Oneself is the key
12. The power of positive thinking will heal the mind, body, spirit

All is well.

Recommended book(s): You Can Heal Your Life, by, Louise L. Hay Buy on Amazon,
Manifesting Magnificence, A Personal Growth Workbook, by Gina Meyers and Dr. Allan G. Hedberg, Cecelia M. Klinger, Liz Longo, Linda Ferrari, and Alan Hill: Buy on Amazon, Bundles of Binding Time, Eternal Quotations, by, Linda Ferrari, Buy on Amazon

Food For Thought, Keeping It Sexy & Spicy with K.P. Phagnasay, by, Gina Meyers

stock photo of Spring or Summer Rolls

stock photo of Mango and Sticky Rice Dessert

    As a cookbook author and publisher, I am fortunate to make and meet a lot of creative friends. One such friend I didn't have to travel all over the world to meet, I met him at an event in Fresno a couple of years ago. KP Phagnasay is an American. Originally, he was born in Laos, in South East Asia, but his family came to seek a better life in The United States of America. Initially, K.P.'s family  settled in Hawaii, then they moved to a small town in Illinois and finally settled in Fresno, California. We had an interesting conversation about the history of food, traditions, and he shared some fun and yummy Laotian Inspired dishes. K.P. is an actor, photographer, web designer, stuntman, coach, video producer,  set designer, I could go on.

He also is a home cook and a gardener. He grows a lot of his own food. Here's what I learned in a nutshell, pun intended.

K.P. believes that food brings friends and strangers together. He believes that presentation is important, it must be edible, healthy, presentable. He enjoys looking in his fridge and creating something from whatever is in the refrigerator or garden. His personal motto is, "keeping it sexy and spicy." What that means  is he has a philosophy, an attitude, lifestyle approach. "Stop, and take a deep breath." He enjoys cooking Asian food, there are elements of his family tradition and influence in his cooking style. K.P. can spend hours in the kitchen, he finds it relaxing, a sort of therapy. He has memories of watching his aunts and mother cooking. He believes everyone needs encouragement, a dream to achieve.

Cooking to K.P. can give you ownership over what you put into your body. Keeping it, "sexy and spicy." To learn more about K.P. KP 1 Studios.

Mango and Sticky Rice  Dessert

Recipe by, K.P. Phagnasay

1 cup of Coconut Milk

1 cup of Sticky Rice or Jasmine Rice

2 Tablespoons of Sugar
2 pinches of salt

1 Mango

Pandan (flavor option)

Directions: Soak rice in coconut milk add a bit of water to it (make sure you soak the rice) about an hour or overnight.

Cook rice in the rice maker(cooker..make sure there's enough liquid-I measured by using the  tip of my index finger to the middle line on the rice cooker, the traditional way of cooking the rice is by steaming. 

(option: I like using a PANDAN flavoring essence--you can get it an Asian local store. It comes in a bottle or you can get the actual plant, you will add that in  while you are cooking the rice, if using the Pandan plan, make sure to take the plant out and discard after the rice has been cooked. It adds a nice flavor and aroma to the rice.

Let the rice cook. Once the rice is cooked, add the sugar and salt. Depending upon your taste preferences, you may add additional sugar if you prefer it to taste sweeter, though the coconut milk gives it a sweetness.  My preference is brown sugar instead of white sugar. Mix well and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Once rice is cooked, use an ice cream scope (If you don't have an ice cream scope, use a spoon or rice paddle) to place on plate. Thinly slice the ripe mango and put it to the side of the rice or flair it out on the dish to give it a "Tropical" presentation. Add coconut flakes, coconut or vanilla ice cream to the side.

ENJOY!

Spring or Summer Rolls
(Spring or Summer, anytime Rolls)

Rice Wrappers
Vermicelli rice noodles
Shrimp (already cooked and cleaned)
Mint sprigs
Shredded carrots
Chopped cucumber
Romaine Lettuce

Directions: Follow the package directions for how to expand the rice wrappers, usually with water and a paper towel. Once your rice wrapper is malleable, first add washed and dried lettuce leaf. Continue to add ingredients, your mint springs, shredded carrots, chopped cucumber, cooked shrimp, rice noodles. Follow directions to roll your Spring or Summer Roll.
Spicy Sauce

K.P.'s Spicy Asian Sauce
In a small bowl, add a diced Asian chili, garlic, fish sauce, a little sugar, hot water, add peanuts (check for allergies) (crush them in the coffee grinder). Mix and squeeze a whole lime to top off the mixture.

To Thines Own Brand Be True, an informative questionaire, by, Gina Meyers

In our fast paced digital world where information is power, misinformation can result in disaster. Or information that you thought you dismissed, case in point, check out The Ellen Show, where weekly she does a Facebook's Most Embarrassing Pics and unsuspecting viewers that go on her show get a healthy dose of "reality" and embarrassment over photos that they posted on the internet.
As an author, publisher, and marketing person, I understand the fundamental importance of a good social media presence. What I feel is really important is that  you find the message that you want to share with the world. You can have more than one message, you can have more than one theme song.

My forte is in niche marketing, I love helping authors, artists, and business people to find their message. Please enjoy these branding questions that can assist you in finding your message. Please answer the questions and then shoot me an email or give me a call to set up an appointment. I charge $40 per hour for consultations.

Kindly,
Gina
http://www.serendipitymediagroup@gmail.com
(559) 449-1970

What goals are most important to YOU as it relates to branding yourself? Rate each one 1=low priority; 10=highest

_____ Make money by promoting myself, business

_____ Become known as an author, artist, expert

_____ Provide a service/educate to the public

_____ Raise awareness to a worthy cause

_____ Entertain/inform 

_____ Attract an agent

_____ Sell rights to a movie

_____ Build credibility/become known as an expert in an area

_____ Attract new clients to a business (if applicable)

Any other personal and professional goals for this branding campaign.

Please write a brief autobiography, noting your professional credentials and any lifestyle credentials that make you particularly well qualified, professional expert in your area of expertise.

 Backstory that makes you unique an expert in your field of expertise

Please list clubs, alumni groups, school, social, religious or business organizations to which you are affiliated with.

Please describe your personality:

What is the most controversial aspect of your message?

If applicable, what are the specific problems/challenges does your target market face that you can solve?

What are your FIVE key messages?

What three to five things do you want the media to know about you? Examples may include certain messages,  your background/education or accomplishments.

What ONE question do you most often get asked when people meet you/learn about what you .

Are there any relevant facts, figures, research you would like us to use in your press material? If yes, please provide website address.

Please list at least three mottos that you feel are relevant to current news topics, society, the world, or life in general.

Are there any additional comments you want Serendipity Media to know about you ?

If applicable, please send us, electronically, any video or audio clips of you that are good examples of projecting the image that you desire.

Thoughtful Thursday

 The World is waiting. It’s time for you to take flight.

The smallest detail can make the biggest difference.

We chose our experiences in life, for better or for worse.

What can we do to make our experiences on planet earth better for one another?

Practice loving kindness

Develop outstanding character

Enforce your love for yourself and others

Seek Christ

Be intentional 

Thoughtful Thursday

The choices you make turn the pages of your life!

If you have a story to tell, give us a call today: (559) 449-1970.

Hash Brown Quiche

3 cups of frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
4 eggs
1- 1/2 cups of milk
1 cup of cottage cheese or sour cream
1/2 cup of butter
Filling of your choice: green onions, mushroom, broccoli, spinach, bacon, ham, sausage
Seasoning: salt, pepper, garlic, herbs
1 cup of grated cheddar or swiss cheese

Directions: Spread butter into a 9-inch pie plate. Press hash browns onto the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate. Melt any remaining butter and drizzle over potatoes.

Saute veggies, spread over the hash browns. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, cottage cheese or sour cream. Utilize seasoning to taste, stir in the cheese. Pour over the filling. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 55-65 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for at least five minutes before cutting and serving. Can cook ahead of time and serve for lunch, brunch, or breakfast.

From Dream to Reality, Making your proposal into a book deal

From Dream to Reality

Making your proposal into a book deal

As a publisher, author, and marketer, I have found that many first time authors, myself included, think that everything will magically happen. Their book will look exactly how they envisioned it, they will have a million dollar best seller book on their hands and they will retire from their full-time job and live off of the royalties. While that is an exciting thought, it takes time and dedication and a lot of luck. There are so many elements to book marketing, especially today when we have access to the internet and have the ability to communicate with people from all over the globe. I wish that dream were a reality, but for 99.9% of authors this isn’t the case. So how do you realize your dreams of making a difference in the world with your book and your book reaching your intended target market? As cliché as it sounds, you need the right person or team to brand and market your image. Serendipity Media Group is my company, I created SMG out of sheer necessity to realize my dreams of indie publishing cutting out the middle man and streamlining the process. I couldn’t have done it without real world knowledge of the publishing industry and my marketing background. One of the first tips is to draft a really good book proposal and to choose at least two chapters from your manuscript. 3 Key Elements/Questions for your Book Proposal

• So what? What’s the reason for your book’s existence? What’s the unique selling proposition that sets it apart from others in the market?
• Who cares? This is your target readership. A unique book is not enough—you must show evidence of need in the marketplace for your work.
• Who are you? You must have sufficient authority or credentials to write the book, as well as an appropriate marketing platform for the subject matter or target audience.

Looking for help with your book proposal or press release, contact me today at: serendipitymediagroup@gmail.com

Author Gina Meyers speaks about branding for small business at The Fulton Film Company.

Author Gina Meyers speaks about branding for small business at The Fulton Film Company.

Tips on Branding Yourself in today's fast paced digital world!

Tips on Branding Yourself in today’s fast paced digital world!

 By, Gina Meyers

http://www.ginameyers.com

I am a versatile, enthusiastic marketer who is assertive by nature. How I got this way has something to do with birth order, first born and loud and proud about it.  I enjoy planning, developing and implementing marketing as well as public relations strategies. I’ve spent years marketing myself to: potential employers, potential clients, as well as Fortune 500 Companies. Many opportunities I have landed. I was fortunate to work for Xerox as well as Google Corporation. I am going to share my strategies and tips on how to brand yourself in today’s fast paced digital world.

In today’s internet savvy world, you need to get with the program.

Tip #1:

Become a Star Trek Techie. Know that a cat doesn’t just chase a mouse, that you actually know the vocabulary of the computer. I’m being factious, you don’t have to be a technological guru, just know your way around Facebook and Linked In and you’ll be good. If you want to add in Instagram and Snapchat, by all means be my guest.

Tip #2: To Thine own self be true.

What this means is to be ok with yourself, to know who you are and what you like. Are you an optimist or a pessimist, a home buddy or a world traveler, a bud light or champagne kind of person? Getting to know yourself and your likes and dislikes will help you to formulate a plan on marketing yourself.

Tip #3 Become well informed.

Did you know that in today’s fast paced digital world that the one that has the information and the ability to access it in a timely manner is the winner? This means that staying abreast of current trends in your chosen field is wise and prudent and helps you to grow and build the confidence to market yourself.

Tip #4 Sell the sizzle and not the steak

My ex-husband had a boss who used to say this. What it means is in order to market or sell yourself, you’re selling the idea of yourself, that’s the “sizzle”. It’s the best version of yourself. It’s the self you are on a good day.

Tip #5 Figure out your target market

The Beetles had groupies. You have a group of friends or followers who love most everything about you. What’s the idea of you that they gravitate towards? Once you find out who your target market is, you can then market yourself to that group or groups.

Gina is the owner of Serendipity Media Group, a global publishing, marketing, and promotions company. With Serendipity Media’s help, many authors have also found international success and recognition. http://www.serendipitymediagroup.com

Word-ly Advice

A survey asked managers what words attract them to  potential applicants. In whatever line of business you are in, knowing these vocabulary words can enhance your success with managers and future business clients. At Serendipity Media Group, we can create new, fresh biographies for your employees, we can suggest a lexicon of awesome words to add to your website to engage new customers, we can also help you rewrite your resume, your content on your blogspot, and much more. Give us a call at: (559) 449-1970 to request samples and pricing. Serendipity Media Group

Created

Volunteered

Increased

Ideas

Negotiated

Revenue

Under budget

Won

Achieved

Improved

Managed

Resolved

Launched

Meet Author Ellen Cummins

Meet Author Ellen Cummins

 By, Gina Meyers 

Author Gina Meyers

In my quest as a marketing, promotions and author, I am always seeking out interesting people and wanting to share them with the world. I recently volunteered to schedule authors for the Ripon Color the Skies Event this coming Labor Day Weekend. That didn’t quite pan out since the host of the event was unable to provide a table and chairs for the event so even better, I get to share who I discovered in another format. Without further ado, meet Ellen Cummins.

Ellen Cummins, a writer of fantasy fiction and romance, has been obsessed with anything that makes her heart flutter. From vampires to monsters to regular humans, she loves to write about remarkable beings with extraordinary gifts that bring a level of something good even though the odds are stacked against them.

Born and raised in Modesto, she spends her summers chasing adventures that make her breath hitch in her throat, or twist her heart into a knot! She’s a manicurist by day and a retail jewelry associate by night, taking care of three children, a home, and a husband when she’s not rocking out at a concert, burying her nose in a gut-wrenching novel, or watching Game of Thrones. Creating beautiful, thought provoking stories is something she’s very passionate about, and wants nothing more than to share them with the world!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ellen-Cummins-Author-Page-263390230476031/

Blog: https://ellencummins.wordpress.com/

Book sales sites: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ellen+cummins
http://beachwalkpress.com/ellen-cummins/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EllenCummins4

Marketing 411: Your formula for success

Marketing Tips

Marketing 411: Your formula for success

Marketing is a strategic exchange of products and services. Marketing creates a plan that causes a predetermined desired goal or result by focusing on externally related needs of a potential consumer who will find value in your product or service. Marketing is the creative execution of a plan to sell to an intended consumer a product or service. Niche marketing is honing in on a specific market also known as a specialized group of consumers. A consumer must perceive that the marketer’s product or service has value. A marketer has to take into consideration a number of components such as competition, price, and information in determining if their product is the most valuable to the consumer. The consumer or market must want to buy the product or service because they feel a need for the service or product.

Give us a call today at: (559) 449-1970 or email us at: serendipitypressinc@gmail.com

We can help you in the areas of promotions, publishing, and marketing. Serendipity, Promotions, Marketing, Publishing

Marketing 411: Your formula for success

Marketing Tips

Marketing 411: Your formula for success

Marketing is a strategic exchange of products and services. Marketing creates a plan that causes a predetermined desired goal or result by focusing on externally related needs of a potential consumer who will find value in your product or service. Marketing is the creative execution of a plan to sell to an intended consumer a product or service. Niche marketing is honing in on a specific market also known as a specialized group of consumers. A consumer must perceive that the marketer’s product or service has value. A marketer has to take into consideration a number of components such as competition, price, and information in determining if their product is the most valuable to the consumer. The consumer or market must want to buy the product or service because they feel a need for the service or product.

Give us a call today at: (559) 449-1970 or email us at: serendipitypressinc@gmail.com

We can help you in the areas of promotions, publishing, and marketing. Serendipity, Promotions, Marketing, Publishing

Remembering Patty Duke, an unsung hero

Call me Anna

Imagine being your best.

Not settling for mere imitation

Rather, giving your absolute best to the world.

The world may be raught with imitators and competitors,

But you are different.

You have set yourself apart from the rest

You heard the call, you answered it,

You made the decision

You didn’t make the decision to walk away

You didn’t make the decision to run

You didn’t chose comfort

You embraced

You embraced the spirit of what you believe

Who you are

You took your past and you trashed it,

You recycled the parts that have built your character

And your integrity

You’ve shed the rest

In a big garbage heap of no regret

But rather hope

The phoenix has arisen from the ashes

He is alive and borne inside you

He is real

Despite your best last ditch efforts you tried to leave yourself behind

But the phoenix was within you-ready to fly…..

Soar above the rest

There is no owner’s manual for life, but there are guides like the bible to help us along the journey. When I was a teenager, I read two life changing books: Keeping Secrets, by, Suzanne Somers, and Call Me Anna, by, Patty Duke Astin.  We lost an unsung hero yesterday, mental health activist &, actress, Patty Duke. It wasn’t that long ago that I saw her at The Orpheum in San Francisco in the Broadway Musical Wicked. Some may remember her in The Miracle Worker, others, Valley of The Dolls, still others may remember her cute teenage spirit in the tv show, The Patty Duke Show. However you remember her, remember that she was brave and courageous and took a topic, Bipolar Disorder and gave it a face. Though I am sincerely grateful to not be afflicted with such a disease, I have had family members whom I love and have loved dearly who faced the same demons that Patty so candidly shared with the world.

Meet Author Meisha Macillas, author of The Messy Minds Poetry Book

Make a difference Mondays

 

In our new format, Serendipity Press will be introducing you to people and concepts that “Make a Difference”, each Monday. Today, meet Meisha Macillas, author of The Messy Minds Poetry Book.

Describe why you chose to write a book of poetry?

I wrote a poetry book to start out, I have always had a love of poetry and how it makes me feel. I wanted to make others feel how poetry makes me feel, strong and not alone.

 

What was the process like?

The process was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. I was a little scared that I  was never going to pick all the right poems for my book.

Is it what you expected?

Yes and no. I never thought I would get as much love from my home town as I have received.

Tell us about why you chose the title?

 I needed something that expressed the poems inside. With the poems there was no true theme besides  my life struggle, I felt like a messy minds poetry book just fit.

 

What is your purpose in your writing prose?

To express all the things that I was never strong enough to say out loud. To help others who can't say what they feel out loud, giving them a voice that they can relate to.

How is your writing process?

That’s funny because I have been asked this question before and I never know what to say. I write anywhere and everywhere. I have no real process. I just feel something and write it down.

 

Have your dreams been realized in your writing a book?

I have taken a step closer to my big dream. But this is just a stepping stone to a much bigger plan for myself.

 

What is next?

 

I am currently working on a short story book. I want to continue writing books and hopefully can do so the rest of my life. I am so thankful for all of the help I have received by chasing my dream. I am very excited to see what life holds for me. I just know I am not giving up on my dreams until they are realized.

Buy your copy today!

Watch Meisha on Central Valley Talk TV

Make a Difference Mondays, Meet Richard Parenti, Part II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“If your happiness depends upon someone else being reasonable, then you are in a lot of trouble.”-Richard Parenti, Monday, March 7, 2016.

 

“You have control only over one thing and that’s your thoughts… You can choose the thought that makes you feel good or you can choose the thought that keeps you in the honey trap of negative thinking.” Richard Parenti

 

“One of the most important things you can learn in Yoga is: learn how to behave, be successful, be functional and productive in the material world so you may set an example for others.” Richard Parenti

 

I am very fortunate to receive daily affirmation texts from Richard. These daily words are positive, uplifting and remind me how essential living a purposeful life really is. What I mean by living a purposeful life is that I can chose to live a conscious life as opposed to a self -centered fast food approach to life. I can chose to in digest in my spirit nourishing words of encouragement and wisdom that can bring about internal change which translates to external change. Let’s start a change reaction whereby we live purposeful, meaningful lives.

I met Richard Parenti in October of 2014. He was seated next to me at The Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca, California. We hit it off instantly. Richard is a mentor, a yoga instructor, a teacher, an author and I consider him a friend. In life, I believe we are here to teach one another life lessons. Richard has had a wealth of experience in his life and he is willing to share it. To me, that is what being a mentor  is all about. Richard is the author of: Emotional Sobriety: Feel Good Secrets for Everyone, Balboa Press, 2013, and was a contributing author in, Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook, Serendipity Press/Serendipity Media Group, 2015.

 

Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook

Emotional Sobriety, by, Richard Parenti

Describe for us what made you decide to become a yoga teacher for patients with M.S.

In 2003, a young woman in a wheel chair came into the yoga studio that I just opened and asked if I would teach a yoga class to people with multiple sclerosis. I said I was not qualified and had no idea of what or how to teach such a class.

Her response caught me off guard. She said, “What if I bring 8 students to you for a trial class.”

Again I said no. Then she said, “I, not only will get the students, but I will train you as I have done yoga for several years, and I will collect the monies for you.”

She was stubborn. So thinking she would never find 8 students nor be able to get the money I said o.k.

We set a date to do a trial class. I never expected her to show up. But indeed she did with 8 people and handed me the money.

That’s how it began. And not only did she begin teaching me by giving me feedback, the rest of the class would often throw in their two cents. It was a new experience of letting go of control and opening up the door in me of being more compassionate and open up deeper to my own inner growth while teaching.

And now we have the longest ongoing MS Yoga class in Stanislaus and San Joaquin County. Also, for the MS Society of Northern California I train yoga teachers how to teach MS yoga. And I feel uplifted every time I teach this class, as the students are so appreciative of their progress and that I take the time to work with them. It is very fulfilling.

What are you working on now?

Now I am working on my giving my workshop, “Emotional Mastery” (Chitta Prasadanam) to yoga students learning to become teachers more often as well as mentoring individuals who are sincere in their quest to become God Realized, understanding that I too am on the path and I have many tools to offer others that have used and am still using.

And I am focused on spending more quality time with family and friends, and more time in the sun appreciating all that I have become, all my wonderful life experiences and all that I have been given.

How have the daily inspirational texts helped you and others?

They remind me to the deeper work I can still do on myself and from what others tell me it helps them understand certain aspects of spiritual growth or it also reminds them of what they already know and may or may not be applying in their lives.

 Can you please share some of your favorites?

            Live with joy

            I’m happy with dying and I’m happy with living. Both are appealing to me

            It’s alright

            So what

            Peace, love and family, all else is just noise

            I love we all get to choose what we want, whether we know it or not

You recently shared with your personal friends that you no longer fear dying, how did this come about?

It started six years ago when my mentor gave me an initiatory Sanskrit death mantra. Meaning, I was being trained to let go of the fear of dying and embrace a spiritual state of consciousness higher than the one I was at.

I have had enough experiences internally that showed me that I was not the body, but an Energy Being that was always in a state of Joy and Peace. So returning to the non-physical became attractive to me.

When I had this insight I realized I was complete within. I had no more mountains to climb. I had achieved all the goals I had ever set, save one, God Realization, which is an ongoing goal that can happened in any second or in many lifetimes.

Also, I had lived a magnificent life. I lived what most men dream about. I had no more attachments and somewhere along the line I let go of attachment to the body, my family and all things material. I was pretty amazed I had reached this level of consciousness, because not so many years ago I was the opposite.

This way of thinking and feeling was a most profound experience as I had just been diagnosed with cancer and given one year to live. And rather than be afraid I was happy with the idea of dying. It was appealing to me just as much as living was appealing. It was a new state of consciousness that was born in me at age 75.

 

Yoga Master, Mentor, Author, Friend, Richard Parenti

 

 

 

I met Richard Parenti in October of 2014. He was seated next to me at The Great Valley Bookfest in Manteca, California. We hit it off instantly. Richard is a mentor, a yoga instructor, a teacher, an author and I consider him a friend. When I needed a traveling companion for a book signing in Turlock in the summer of 2015, Richard put on his publicist hat and went along for the ride. In life, I believe we are here to teach one another life lessons. Richard has  a wealth of experience in his life and he is willing to share it. To me, that is what being a mentor all is about. Richard is the author of: Emotional Sobriety: Feel Good Secrets for Everyone, Balboa Press, 2013, and was a contributing author in, Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook, Serendipity Press/Serendipity Media Group, 2015.

 

What made you decide that your life needed to change?

In 1974 my life was abruptly interrupted by my wife asking for a divorce, my car being repossessed, getting fired, being locked out of my home and all my credit cards canceled all in one big swoop. On top of that I realized I had enough of drinking and drugs and that my life was going downhill in a hurry, so I quit.

Describe for us, how was the process of writing for you.

I had a habit of writing down on napkins my thoughts. My best friend one day said as we were having dinner, “Why don’t you take all those napkins you have saved up and show them to a published writer.”

I did just that. I found an eighty-year old author who charged $5.00 an hour for his time. He had authored 13 books, had owned his own ad agency and was still writing, but now for the fun of it he loved helping new writers, and why he charged so little he said, “I’ve made all the money I need. The five dollars is to buy myself some wine that my wife keeps hiding from me.”

He reviewed my napkins and told me to write a two to three page story of my experiences in Europe when I was involved in the espionage business.

I told him I had no idea of how to use grammar. He retorted, “That’s unimportant. That’s what editors get paid for. I just want to feel your style.

After I completed my first assignment, he said, “You got passion. You can write, but you’re right you know nothing about grammar” We both got a good laugh. That was 1982. Since then I have written many articles that were published, initially in all the major restaurant magazines nationally when I was in the restaurant business and then several articles in a prestigious international Yoga magazine over the last 10 years.

 When did you know what your true calling would be?

In 1974 when I got divorced and fired I had an internal experience that revolutionized my life. I went from being an international spy, jet setting around the world to looking inward as to what I had experienced and within a very short time I began looking for answers to what had happened to me. This led me to the science of yoga. Not postures, but the inner science that would lead me to an authentic path to God Realization within and being mentored by Swami’s from India.

Then it was in 2004 when I was in India on a 40-day silent retreat in the Himalaya’s that I got my first inkling what my calling might be. Initially I thought it was only for me to learn how to master my emotions, but after my return the United States it was revealed to me that this inner work of yoga, mastering emotions would be my life’s work, not only for me but for other people as well. Up to this time I had fun teaching the yoga postures, mediation and in talking about many of the other aspects of yoga that I knew about.

It wasn’t until later that I began teaching “Emotional Mastery,” in a workshop after I had tested it on myself for over 9 years. First, I offered it to the public, who had little interest. Then, I was invited by a yoga center to teach it to people who were training to become yoga teachers. That was when this work found a home, as the interest was genuine and they were hungry. I realized they had never heard of this in their yoga training before and were eager to learn more about the inner science of yoga.

 

Richard Parenti can be reached at: 209-380-5955