Wow! This topic is certainly a doozy. It immediately brings up a lot of emotion and recollection. To admit that I have been depressed is something that I do not like to do but to admit that I have had severe depression is quite another.
I have fallen deep within the well of despair many times and otherwise fallen clearly down that rabbit hole. I have ruminated and worried about what is, will be or has been. Upon much self-reflection, estimation and analysis through the years, I see depression as all the worries we have had in the past time period while worries in the future arises as anxiety in us. In either case, the biggest problem is that we are not living in the present moment, realizing and appreciating with gratitude all that is great and good already in our lives.
Depression is cycling through all the old, negative guck. It is remembering all that which did not go as well as we had hoped or would want it to be. It is about holding on with a firm grip like your fingers around a pencil that you do not want to let go of but that we need to let go of. We need to unclench our fingers from the object that we have spent so much time being attached to.
The thing is that the past is gone. What happened has happened. Even if you were abused as a child or if you were mistreated by deceitful people with ill, malicious or involuntary intent, what can you do about it? If it is possible or necessary for your soul’s growth to do something legal, then perhaps you should. Otherwise, let bygones be bygones, release and let go.
If you learned a lesson, it was valuable. Perhaps, you need to share this message of warning with other people in which case writing a book or sharing in some respects may be in order. Even when you have done so, you will still need to let go of it all and forgive in the end.
I ask that you and I live in the “present now” as Eckart Tolle recommends and see the value of this powerful everlasting moment for that is all there is.
Book: “Daily Self-Worth Journal for Women: A 60-Day Guide to Self-Improvement, Kris Jobson, Books Go Social, 2022
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I think it is important to start off with who Kris Jobson is. On LinkedIn, he is described as, “Creator, Artistic Director, Director, Choreographer, Producer, Writer, Dancer, Model, Actor, and Speaker.” He is definitely a creative whom I can relate to. I understand creatives because we tend to go inwards to find our source of inspiration. It is important to figure out who you are in order to expose yourself to the outside world in creativity.
I think it is important to note, as he does, that this is not to be used as medical treatment. There are people qualified to help you with trauma and many other issues or problem areas of concern.
I am reviewing both journal books for men and women because other than the cover, the orientation for both books are the same.
I feel as if much of this work is based on Kris’s internal dialogue based on counselling sessions. This is purely conjecture but his knowledge seems to have come from somewhere or perhaps years of studying and researching.
The areas he covers from self-love, self-confidence, to letting go and balance are all important key areas of life. I found the book repetitive because you were doing similar exercises for the different areas from writing out certain phrases, to breathing exercises, repeating affirmations and going inwards. I felt as if these would be assignments that a counsellor would give you after each session.
For a journal, there are some good areas to address individually and in a quiet place and space. I think you have to work the program like AA, NA, or OA to get to the root of the problems.
Having reviewed the book, I give the books both 3.5 out of 5.0 for his concern in wanting to help people and providing a framework for reflection. If I were the publisher, I would have reoriented the journal to cover more areas of concern and with an index or appendix that people could go to for the repetitive sections like the personal declaration sections and other continuing sections.
You may also follow Kris Jobson on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. He has his own website under his name.
Book: “Daily Self-Worth Journal for Men: A 60-Day Guide to Self-Improvement, Kris Jobson, Books Go Social, 2022
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I think it is important to start off with who Kris Jobson is. On LinkedIn, he is described as, “Creator, Artistic Director, Director, Choreographer, Producer, Writer, Dancer, Model, Actor, and Speaker.” He is definitely a creative whom I can relate to. I understand creatives because we tend to go inwards to find our source of inspiration. It is important to figure out who you are in order to expose yourself to the outside world in creativity.
I think it is important to note, as he does, that this is not to be used as medical treatment. There are people qualified to help you with trauma and many other issues or problem areas of concern.
I am reviewing both journal books for men and women because other than the cover, the orientation for both books are the same.
I feel as if much of this work is based on Kris’s internal dialogue based on counselling sessions. This is purely conjecture but his knowledge seems to have come from somewhere or perhaps years of studying and researching.
The areas he covers from self-love, self-confidence, to letting go and balance are all important key areas of life. I found the book repetitive because you were doing similar exercises for the different areas from writing out certain phrases, to breathing exercises, repeating affirmations and going inwards. I felt as if these would be assignments that a counsellor would give you after each session.
For a journal, there are some good areas to address individually and in a quiet place and space. I think you have to work the program like AA, NA, or OA to get to the root of the problems.
Having reviewed the book, I give the books both 3.5 out of 5.0 for his concern in wanting to help people and providing a framework for reflection. If I were the publisher, I would have reoriented the journal to cover more areas of concern and with an index or appendix that people could go to for the repetitive sections like the personal declaration sections and other continuing sections.
You may also follow Kris Jobson on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. He has his own website under his name.
Book Review: All For Love – The Transformational Power of Holding Space
Book: “All For Love: The Transformative Power of Holding Space,” Matt Kahn, Sounds True, 2022
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Matt Kahn writes a sincerely inwardly-looking book that covers his early years in particular and carries on from there. It is most obvious that his childhood has had a profound effect on his outlook and explains how he has come to the spiritual place where he is now at. He was deeply affected by traumatic events in the past and he shows the journey that he has been on.
Matt subtitles this book about holding space and its tranformative powers. According to Heather Plett, holding space means to walk alongside another person. Matt features a number of areas where you can hold space for people who are going through personal areas of concern.
I, personally, like the intentions Matt writes about. They are eloquently written and are down to the point of what needs to be sought after. They are beautifully written. I think, however, that someone does not have to get hung up with the exact wording. If something resonates, then type it out and print it out so that you can read it and reflect upon it. Otherwise, I think it is serves as a good starting point to create your own wordings and reflections. I believe in going inwards and choosing which words, phrases and sayings will work specifically for you personally. The intentions are like supplications from the Infinite – the bigger I to the smaller i.
For his efforts and exposing his vulnerabilities on his path provided by Matt Kahn, I give this book a rating of 4.25 out of 5. He has his own website under his name for more information and he has millions of views on his YouTube channel.
For more book reviews, check out my wordpress website under Mary Mikawoz specifically under the category of Book Reviews.
Book: “Walking Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness” Sara Shulting Kranz, Harper Horizon, 2020.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I found this book by Sara Shulting Kranz to be interesting. I found that her in-depth knowledge of trauma and PTSD is based on the fact that she has had to deal with it and go through it herself.
She understands more than just an empathetic listener. I won’t repeat her life story other than to say that she has gone through a lot. We all do but that is what is so wonderful about this book is that she gives you steps to deal with the trauma.
Sara gives you written meditations that you can read and then practice. After you are done the guided meditation, she gives you some questions to consider as you take your information gleaned from this process and reflect upon any and all insights. She asks that you write about it.
I find it interesting she mentions a little fact that since 2012, the number of people meditating in this world has tripled. That is significant and shows that there is value in following through with inner work including listening to your intuition.
After learning the six steps, she asks you to forgive yourself, the perpetrator and also the world.
In the meantime, Sara has also implemented a number of practical techniques of walking in nature including retreats through the Grand Canyon or standup paddle boarding on water. From Sara doing her work, she is able to give practical advice and not that just of a psychologist or counsellor who doesn’t have any personal terms of reference and can only reflect back to you what they have heard without any concrete suggestions or relevant life event experiences or tasks to pursue.
I give this book a 4.25 out of 5 for being a useful book that was interesting to read. She is on social media like Instagram and Facebook. She has her own website as well.
Book: “The Self-Love Superpower: The Magical Art of Approving of Yourself (No Matter What),” Tess Whitehurst, Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd., 2021.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book Available September 8, 2021
I was quite interested in recognizing how self-love could be a superpower simply by approving of myself/yourself. Overall, I found the author to be quite knowledgeable about many spiritual and psychological matters. I found she has incorporated many works from previous authors that I have read and whose books I have previously reviewed. It was nice to see these concepts being congealed in such a well-developed way.
I believe the author to be quite young as her references indicate someone of a younger age. This is not a problem other than many of the cultural and societal references she discussed were not in my sphere of knowledge or influence. So, for that reason, I would recommend this book for younger or middle-aged people.
One of the best insights or lines she has is, “I am choosing to need nothing, expect nothing, and even be nothing. And so I am open to everything.” She goes on to say how liberating it is to have this kind of thought. This is in line with Buddhist philosophy of non-attachment.
Overall, she does come up with some very good ideas but again, they are ones I have read in many other books but it is nice to see it collated here as an inclusive manner.
Tess also goes over chakras which for me was just a review. It seems most books I pick up nowadays include something about the chakra system. If you are new to this, then definitely read this.
Overall, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 based on the attempt to have a cohesive nature of spiritual philosophies and ideas in one book.
Book: “Press Here! Sensual Massage for Beginners: Your Guide to Pleasure and Intimacy,” Sydney Price, Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds, 2021.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book Available July 27, 2021
For once, I am going to do a short review of a book. I would rather have this book speak for itself. The title clearly gives the subject-matter away – “Press Here! Sensual Massage for Beginners: Your Guide to Pleasure and Intimacy.”
It is a good first step in those who are either young beginners or who are older and may have had hang-ups from religious doctrine and societal upbringing. It is non-gender specific so many variations of massage before love-making can be learned and practiced to be inclusive of many combinations.
The book has a number of drawn images to explain important body parts.
It also includes a number of flow charts to explain the steps in how to proceed, however, as I was using an e-reader, they were hard to follow because of the restrictions of the page formatting. If you know you may have to go back and forth between pages to follow the arrows, you will understand it a lot easier.
I would recommend this book for people who are willing to explore their sexual experiences.
I give the book a 3.75 out of 5 for attempting this delicate subject. However, I would have appreciated more information in explaining the actual various techniques of massage.
I have loved to read even as young child. I remember a book about a gate to a secret garden. I don’t believe it was illustrated but in my mind, I had a vision of something like this. I saw an archway that was not locked or closed off. It was open and inviting. It led into a beautiful garden that I imagined. It was full of incredible trees, plants, flowers bird and tiny critters. It was not only green but had a multitude of vibrant colours: the kind you would see in Heaven.
I took the original photograph and decided to “play” with it to create a perfect entrance way to my imaginary and fanciful, magical garden of creative potential. It is ripe with perspectives and possibilities as I hope my creative world is too.
Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.
Audiobook: “Dream Big: Know What You Want, Why You Want It, and What You’re Going to Do About It,” Bob Goff, Nelson Books, 2020
Audiobook Review by Mary Mikawoz
Book and audiobook available: July 23, 2020
It has been a long time since I have listened to an audiobook as I usually read paper copies or digital books. I used to frequently and regularly listen to Compact Discs when I was driving to work and back. I had quite the trek and so I was trying to use my time more efficiently and effectively.
The book by Bob Goff is a faith-based book about Jesus and God. Although it is religious, it is spiritual in thought. It is about your relationship to God and how you manifest/transform it in real life.
Bob Goff has had an interesting life from being lawyer to an advocate for children’s safety and well-being. He tells an interesting story of trying to save a 11 year old girl from sex slavery twice in India and the consequences of his good intent.
He has lived an interesting life and seems to follow through on his own advice with getting his pilot’s license, a motorcycle license after he drove the bike across North America and also starting and rebuilding for the second time a lodge in Canada after it burnt down. He has a loving wife and family.
I think the advice he gives is a combination between common sense and prudent advice. This book is especially suited towards younger people especially those in their 20s and 30s who are starting out in life and struggling. It may even apply to 40s, 50s and beyond if people are facing mid-life challenges and are looking for inspiration.
I found it to be a thoughtful book with some very interesting stories told by Bob Goff.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 based on the information written in a friendly, non-judgemental way. Aside from the audio book, it is available as a digital book and paperback as well.
Tags: Bob Goff, Mary Mikawoz, faith-based, faith, Jesus, God, Christianity, religion, spiritual, book, audiobook, paperback, digital, download, e-book, inspiration, interesting, India, children, abuse, self-help, self-development, intention, USA, Canada, advice, common sense, human, rights, mid-life, challenges, thoughtful, compassion, Nelson Books
This is a still life photograph of a box of Mandarin Oranges. I thought it would be interesting to unravel one orange and photograph the box against a hard wood floor. I like the contrast between what is covered and what is not. It is kind of like life and what we offer to people, that which we let them see on the exterior and what is really on the interior. It is the secret chapter of our life book that we do not let others read. I also added filters which highlighted the orange hues of the fruit and also the floor.
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If you are interested in prints, contact Mary directly at mikawoz@gmail.com.
Mary Mikawoz Creative Pursuits Blog 