Step into the captivating world of storytelling as we get to know Ruth Fishel, M.Ed., an author whose words in What Will the Neighbors Think? are engaging and captivating. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the inspirations, passions, and creative processes that breathe life into their unforgettable book. Whether you're a long-time fan or discovering their work for the first time, this is your chance to uncover the person behind the pen and get a glimpse into the mind of one of Austin Macauley's most compelling authors. 

Your background includes meditation and spiritual healing. How does spirituality influence your message in this book?

Before I got sober, I was an agnostic. Maybe there was a God, maybe not. But if there was, it was not for me. Then, when I couldn’t stop drinking and it was suggested that I ask for help from this God I didn’t believe in, I resisted. When nothing worked, I finally gave in and said, “If you’re up there you'll understand and if you’re not it doesn’t matter, but please keep me away from a drink for this day.” It worked!  And I stayed sober, and I came to believe in God.
 

From then on, I pray and meditate every day. I ask for the knowledge of God’s will for me and the power to carry it out. I turn everything over to the God of my understanding, practiced, to the best of my ability, a spiritual life, and learn to trust myself and live from my heart. I found purpose in helping others.

Your book touches on deep emotional struggles — fear, rejection, shame. How do you hope readers begin to heal through your message?

I hope my experience of emotional struggles and how I dealt with them and grew from them will give others courage.  A turning point for me was when the psychiatrist said I would be a better mother when I chose to be true to who I am. He said if I chose to go back home, I might drink myself to death. He encouraged me to go beyond my fear of what people will think and be true to myself.
As a result of turning the struggle over to the God of my understanding, I could look in my heart and be honest with myself.
 

Why do you think so many people are still stuck in the mindset of “What will the neighbors think?” even in today’s more open-minded world?

I think the desire to be liked, popular and accepted is a very normal need for most people. When people are different from the majority, when they think they won’t fit in, they often hide that part of themselves they think is unacceptable. And even though I must confess, a part of me still cares what people will think. This is nothing like what it was many years ago, but it is still there. It’s a very hard trait to let go. As I explained in my book, this has been passed down to me from many generations of antisemitism. But what I have learned is, even though I still might care, I don’t have to be influenced by it. I can live my life doing what I believe to be right for me.
more and more people accept our “differences,” there are still many who don’t.
 

If a reader is just beginning their journey to self-acceptance, what’s the first thing you want them to know?

That they are not alone. That many people struggle to believe in themselves, especially if they don’t fit into the popular or what they consider to be “normal” mode. That it’s healthy to accept yourself as you are, to follow your heart.  Prayer and meditation will and deepen your spirituality. And the sooner you can accept yourself, the happier you will be.
 

What was the process of writing this book like for you?

It was very painful and very joyful and all the emotions in between. Writing this book helped me understand I had done the right thing for me and that my purpose was to help others by sharing my story. I struggled many times and stopped writing many times because I did not want to hurt my children by making our story public. Sharing with them what I was writing and their encouragement to continue helped tremendously. I was willing to stop or write it under a different name if they weren’t willing. I felt a deep peace after finishing it, knowing that it could help people. I also felt a feeling of accomplishment, knowing we had helped a lot of people over the years.

Who is Ruth Fishel, M.Ed.?

Ruth Fishel, M.Ed., is an author, national retreat and workshop leader and meditation teacher. She co-founded Serenity, Inc. and Spirithaven on Cape Cod and publishes ‘Spiritlifters,’ daily inspirational messages dedicated to inner peace and world peace. Her books have sold nearly one million copies. They include Time for Joy, Time for Hope, Time for Me, Wrinkles Don’t Hurt: The Joy of Aging Mindfully, The Journey Within: A Spiritual Path to Recovery and Change Almost Anything in 21 Days. Her books are printed in many languages around the world.

You can visit her website at www.ruthfishel.com