Make A Difference Mondays, Meet Claude Ball

Claude Ball, began his story in Detroit, Michigan, off the famous street called The 8 Mile Road,  a desolate existence. Suffering many years from childhood traumas and adversities, he lived a “darkness” throughout his teenage life.

Poor, sexually molested by a trusted relative, removed from his mother and grandmother's’ care, placed into the foster care system, life for young Claude seemed bleak. Continuing down a path of poor choices, his teenage years consisted of  experimenting with drugs and alcohol  and becoming sexually active at a young age. Darkness enveloped his life.

Somehow, by the sheer grace of God, a spark was ignited in Claude. After hitting rock bottom, he became determined to turn his life around. He enkindled a relationship with The King of the Universe- Christ Jesus! That same flame is still on fire today. With a correlation of prayers, tears, and action, wonderful things began to happen: Claude joined the United States Navy, Got married and started a family and turned the rough road into a happy life.

SOUL Full of Heart is a heartfelt book full of hope, peace, love, and joy. It is an autobiographical inspirational book. Claude Ball takes you on a dynamic and suspenseful journey through his horrendous life and shares the powerful message of mercy and forgiveness. Claude's Website

Hear in his own words, how he turned his life around, and is making a difference in others lives.

What do you do in your free time?
I spend it with my wife and three daughters. We like to go out and eat at restaurants, play charades and funny walking game, go to the theater and watch a movie.

Tell our readers how you have made a difference in other people's lives?

Almost three years now, I have been speaking to (mostly) youth groups/Christian groups about my crazy life experiences. And just about every speaking engagement, I’ll have a few come up to me afterwards. Most people like how blunt I am about how to deal with adversities. This is what happened to me, but I refuse to let it get the best of me. Move forward and do your best.

What is the hardest thing you have dealt with?

The answer to this question, without a doubt, being taken away from my mom and grandma. I was eight-years old in my third-grade classroom, and was called down to the office prepared to leave. Had no idea that earlier that morning was going to be the last time I was going to see my mom and grandma, for what seemed like to me a lifetime. Directly, I was placed into the Shelter Care, a foster care system, in and out of three foster homes and never really knowing when my siblings and I were going to officially go home.

What brings you the greatest joy?
All my children: Angelica, Julia, and Claudia. I love them so much.

 Tell our readers about your book.

It’s an autobiography. An autobiographical inspiration, is what I like to call it. I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up off a street named 8 Mile Road. Eminem, the famous rapper, made his number one box office hit movie 8 Mile right down the street from me. Raised in poverty, sexually molested by an uncle at the age of six, placed in a foster care system, got into drugs and alcohol by the age of thirteen, and was in “darkness” as I like to label it, throughout my teenage life. Thankfully, I woke up one day and took control of my life with the help of Jesus Christ—The King of the Universe! My book is packed with well descriptive details of everything I mentioned and lots more. There are over seventy compelling stories that are juicier than you can imagine.

What is your favorite part of your book?
Besides Chapter 7: Bonus Tales Teddy Ruxpin, which cracks me up every time I read it, my favorite part of my book is the very last chapter: The End… Well, Almost Last Words. This was the hardest part of the book to write. It’s easier to write about my experiences, but to write a conclusion, capping off everything I wrote and its purpose and anything else was in some ways daunting, but very difficult. Creating a call to action was important to me. Finally, it broke through and it is powerful! I hope the readers agree.

How did you come up with the title?

After writing down about fifty or so title possibilities, I was quickly narrowing it down. I knew I had to stay away from having 8 Mile in it, in any way. With the combination of being told a lot in my life how big of a heart I have, and how spiritual I think I am, Soul Hearted was jotted down—Soul meaning two things in one word, “So” and “Soul”. Thinking for sure this was going to be it, months later, I was listening to one of my favorite oldies song by the Yard Birds Heart Full of Soul and decided this would be perfect! After researching titles already existed on Amazon, it was already taken or sounds exactly like it. Soon, A Soul full of Heart came to mind. I thought for sure this was the one. Then one day sitting in my “Lab” I was thinking, “Can my title be any better?” Then boom! Soul Full of Heart came out of my mouth and sounded much smoother without saying A.

Do you have any traditions?

Nothing unique really. As a family, we make sure go to Church every Sunday, celebrate our birthdays, Christmas, Easter, etc.

What do you like to do to relax?

Sitting on my chair in the living room and read an interesting book, sip on a glass of cabernet or amber ale or dark lager and watch a movie or a tv show with my wife.


How are you involved in the community?

My speeches have been an essential way for me to be involved in the community. Helping to spread a great message, especially to the youth. Hoping to get them to think twice about doing drugs and alcohol and to overall make good judgement.

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.