My Observations II

These observations were made during the author’s twenty-five years with Recovery Acres Society, a special care facility for people with drug and alcohol problems. This includes fifteen years as a board member – including six years as board chair – and ten years as executive director. During that time, the facility was able to help hundreds of men, women, and families recover from addictions. It was a real privilege for the author to be a part of the facility and a privilege for him to share these observations with you.

Modern-Day Palmistry

Palmistry can tell you many things about yourself, others, and the world around you.

Discover:

• - if you will marry
• - how many kids will you have
• - what kind of person would suit you as a partner
• - your career path
• - what kind of work would give you the most satisfaction
• - how to get the most happiness and success out of your life.

All of this and more inside of Modern-Day Palmistry!

Lillian: A True Story of Multiple Personality Disorder

For most of us, the varied parts of our personalities are woven together and unified by our memories. But what happens when we have no memories? What happens when the components of memory (facts, feelings, and body states) are split apart and no longer relate to each other?

When this story began more than 40 years ago, doctors and psychiatrists were mystified by patients with more than one personality. The diagnosis at the time was Multiple Personality Disorder. Lillian was afflicted with this condition owing to severe abuse during her childhood. Her mind held each trauma separately. Each personality took over her body, developing a life and personality of its own.

Lillian’s aunt, Jean, became friends with 22 personalities. She played hide and seek with four-year-old Mary, taught five-year-old Amy to write, shopped for undergarments with Robin Jean, and communicated endlessly with each of the others. In the process, each personality revealed its beginnings. Over time, each personality revealed its own memories of their trauma and eventually became integrated.

This is an exquisite and beautifully written story of poverty, transgenerational abuse, mental illness, and the healing power of love, science, and spirituality.

As one reader puts it: “You will laugh, cry, turn away and come back again to its compelling truth.”

It Is Not About Love

All living human beings on this planet naturally seek happiness, wellbeing, and health for themselves and for their loved ones. We all have equal rights to enjoy our lives in a decent, peaceful, and joyful manner; plus, to have access to tools and methods for self-realization. Our lives are an expression of what we can accomplish through our efforts and commitments and sometimes we just need external support and guidance to establish the right path. There are ways to conduct our lives that are purely enslaving and unconscious, which bring diseases and dissatisfaction, and ways to conduct our lives that are subtle in nature, which bring effortless success and prosperity. What we choose can become our prison or our liberation. This book attempts to guide humans in the right direction.

In My Head

I was 40 years old when I was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD and ODD. Reflecting on my childhood, life all of a sudden made sense. These weren’t character flaws, but the way that my brain was designed to work.

As a parent to a neurodiverse kiddo, I knew that there were resources out there geared towards kids but when I looked for tools to use to organize my own brain, I came up short. I had survived 40 years without these resources, but now I needed to support and work with my brain rather than push it into spaces that it just isn’t designed to go in.

Instead of feeling disappointed and let down, I sought out to create a journal of activities that can help an ADHDer organize their brain, deal with intrusive thought spirals, find hope and create a space for emotional regulation. Truly, this isn’t just a journal of blank pages to dump out your thoughts (or feel overwhelmed by the vast blank pages), but a thoughtfully curated collection of activities to truly help you unravel and understand yourself.

In My Head – the ADHD Journal for Adults is a space to simultaneously get lost and find yourself in.

I Only Remember Grievances And Desserts

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” – Khan Noonien Singh

My more than 20 years of professional experience in the male-dominated career of emergency management has not exactly been a walk in the park. As less worn as the “path less traveled” may be, it is neither laced with ease nor filled with treasure. I have found it to be paved with judgment and spite. This was my experience as a pregnant teenager who insisted she would not be defined by the state of her body but forge ahead in life anyway. Although this was perhaps the lowest point of my life, I was able to find solace in cooking (particularly baking) and still decided to continue the path. And today, I can say that has made all the difference—which is the name of the chocolate truffles recipe I open with, along with the genesis of my difference-making choices.

On my career journey, I have encountered all dimensions of characters—the Cretin, the Quintessential Douche Bag, and the “Special Place in Hell” Vipers (made up of the Queen Bee and the BFF)—who have all attempted to rock the boat of my career advancement with their various strategies.

However, I have also encountered mentors who not only let me know I am not alone and provided astounding support but also stood by me and for me before others in the face of adversity. A combination of all these factors and the decisions I make along the way (some good, others, admittedly hasty and improperly reasoned) have culminated in the person I have become, both personally and professionally, and of course, a lot of recipes specially tailored to the various seasons I have had to go through.

I Have a Beautiful Brain, Compared to the Brains of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts

In this insightful and deeply personal exploration, Stewart Odendhal DVM PhD offers a unique perspective on the devastating effects of alcohol and drug addiction. Drawing from his professional background and personal encounters with addiction, Odendhal embarks on a mission to educate and deter young individuals from the lures of alcohol. This book is not only a narrative but a crusade against the widespread ignorance about the debilitating effects of alcohol on the brain.

Beginning with a startling revelation from a CT scan, Odendhal’s curiosity is piqued by the physical differences in the brains of alcoholics and drug addicts compared to those who abstain. This discovery propels him into an exhaustive research journey, delving into the science behind addiction, the societal implications, and personal anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the struggles with alcoholism.

With chapters detailing his own experiences with alcoholic family members, the scientific intricacies of alcohol’s impact on the brain, and a poignant account of his battle with smoking addiction, Odendhal’s narrative is both educational and deeply human. He reflects on his interactions with Alcoholics Anonymous members, exploring the gap between scientific knowledge and the personal experiences of those battling addiction.

I Have a Beautiful Brain, Compared to the Brains of Alcoholics and Drug Addicts is a clarion call for a more informed approach to alcohol education, emphasizing the need for early intervention and awareness. Odendhal’s dedication to this cause shines through each page, making this book an essential read for anyone touched by the effects of alcoholism or seeking to understand the complex interplay between addiction and the human brain.

Healthier Living

Healthier Living illuminates the path to wellness through wisdom, underscoring the Biblical adage that wisdom surpasses all earthly desires. This book emphasizes that wisdom, defined as the knowledge of what actions to take or avoid in various situations, is crucial for maintaining health and well-being. It blends practical advice with a personalized approach to health, highlighting the importance of understanding what actions to take in specific health scenarios, even when common sense might suggest otherwise. This insightful guide encourages readers to adopt a wise approach to their overall health and wellness journey.

Girl Grit

Girl Grit: Savage Not Average is the first book in the empowering Human Empowerment trilogy for women worldwide. Dr. Elinsky guides readers through a profound journey of harmonizing thought and emotion, exploring personal fulfillment and experience. She transforms her readers from doormats—controlled, manipulated, and walked over by others—into daredevils, fearless warrior women living without regret. Discover what it means to go from average to savage in this emotional, action-packed self-help adventure that will not only inspire you but also challenge societal conditioning to be a ‘good girl’ focused on serving and pleasing others.

In Girl Grit, Dr. Elinsky passionately challenges and dismantles restrictive gender roles, asserting that they limit our potential as women and undermine our purpose as equal human beings. As an expert in gender relationship dynamics, Dr. Elinsky draws on extensive research to critically examine the very fabric of our social conditioning. She urges, “It is time to wise up, rise up, and ascend to your highest potential.” Celebrating the worthiness and grandeur of women’s capacities, Girl Grit will elevate you to unimaginable heights.

Finally, Dr. Elinsky advises, “Do not read this book unless you are ready to revolutionize your life as you know it.” Learn what it means to become a fire woman and unleash your regal authority into the world. Girl Grit will set your self-esteem on fire.

Forever True Love

In our modern, fast-paced world, we often find ourselves juggling work, family, and personal commitments. Amidst this whirlwind, it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves and our deepest desires, especially the yearning for a soulmate. To discover true happiness and love, it’s essential to shift our priorities and perspectives. Slowing down, being present, and cherishing the little moments can illuminate the path to profound connections. Just as a garden blooms with a variety of flowers, showcasing nature’s harmonious dance of life and love, our lives too can flourish. Embrace your journey, let love lead the way, and step forward without fear of the unknown.

Fasting Expands Consciousness

Fasting Expands Consciousness is the first book that explores the psychological aspects of fasting. Bilka Baloh describes how to heal your body and spirit on all levels, from the subconscious to the superconscious, where the roles of fasting, meditation, and yoga are imminent and essential. She takes the reader through the history of cleansing the body, mind, and spirit, from Ayurveda to the first Essene philosophers, with a clear explanation of her knowledge, supported by the latest scientific research.

This book reminds us that the mind plays a primary role in how our body gets sick. If we accumulate toxicity in the form of emotional wounds, sadness, frustrations, disappointments, or false beliefs, our mental and emotional lives are in danger. And this has a significant impact on our physical well-being and the toxicity of our bodies. Therapeutic fasting takes place on all three levels, physical, emotional-mental, and spiritual.

Therapeutic fasting is a pre-prepared plan to get rid of toxins healthily, with as little stress and pain as possible. Fasting is a spiritual journey and a journey to oneself. Saints, sages, scientists, and philosophers have already talked about fasting. It is also increasingly popular among doctors. It is considered the best medicine that strengthens the immune system, improves physical and mental stability, and consequently helps us become stronger in health.

Cleansing the body is the basis for mental health stability and is the first pillar for building the desired life without disease and pain. Fasting enhances vitality and spiritual progress and eliminates old, unhelpful, and harmful thought patterns.

Dearest Father

Dearest Reader,

The most difficult part of life these days has been the ongoing battles between family and friends, once united on so many fronts, now unable to speak civilly to one another. Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience with your loved ones and have been left speechless. The hope is that you can find some answers within this book about why your relationships have changed.

During the past few years, it has been hard to hear the spread of untruths, and wonder if name-calling, blaming, threatening, or isolation is eroding conversations with members of your inner circle. And while our journeys through the past few years may not be exactly the same, surely, we can agree that the days and months leading into 2022 have been filled with anguish. Praying that our Dearest Father brings you some comfort, and that his messages help you find your personal truth.