Tag Archives: Motivational Self-Help

SoulQuest: Your Journey of Self Discovery: Simple Tools to Self Love by Veneta Shepherd (Book Review)

We KNOW that our life is short and precious, and yet, we spend most of our time feeling miserable about ourselves.

We’ve been conditioned to hide our true feelings, our very essence from everyone, including ourselves.

We think that we CAN’T love ourselves.

The truth is that we CAN; we just don’t know HOW to do it.

I believe that our main purpose in life is to learn about ourselves, and then share what we’ve learned with others.

We each have a responsibility to define and pursue our own version of a meaningful and fulfilling life through a continuous process of learning to love, accept, and trust ourselves.

SoulQuest is a series of prompts and exercises designed to shift your perspective on how you think and feel about yourself, and shows you how to create simple habits that nurture your spirit.

I am by no means saying “Do things my way.” What I’m hoping to accomplish is to help you trust yourself enough to do things YOUR way.

Ultimately, I want you to stop beating yourself the hell up, because… How’s that working for ya?

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

SoulQuest: Your Journey of Self Discovery is a series of prompts and exercises designed to shift your perspective on how you think and feel about yourself. It shows you how to create simple habits that nurture your spirit.

Veneta Shepherd states early on that they are not a therapist. The information and the exercises they’ve gathered are based on personal experience and research. Since a medical expert didn’t write the book, it appeared less clinical and more personal. I found myself tuning in to their words instead of zoning out. Which, we all know, we’ve done in the presence of a white coat issuing their opinion on certain matters. 

SoulQuest: Your Journey of Self Discovery covered multiple areas, such as self-love, fears, the importance of watching what you consume, and forgiveness. In each section, prompts (in blue-bolded text) ask you to complete different tasks. For instance, list your accomplishments (especially the small ones). Write down five things you are grateful for in the last 24 hours. Pick your favorite body part and shower it with love all day long. Write down your fears. Give up eating high-carb foods for 30 days and assess how your body feels. For carb lovers like myself, giving up carbs will be a real test of strength.

Each exercise will prove easy for some and hard for others; therefore, everyone will find some aspect of the book that pertains to their lifestyle and life goals. 

There were many affirmations in the book that stood out for me. “Your spirit, your SOUL is MUCH more powerful than your fears could ever be.” “Self love is not about perfection. We are not meant to be perfect. We are meant to love, and learn and grow and share.” And, “When you can allow yourself to BE vulnerable, you also allow yourself to FEEL your inner strength RISING.”

SoulQuest: Your Journey of Self Discovery offers you, the reader, the tools to achieve self-love: the most important love of all. They clearly state that self love is not narcissism. “Narcissist demands to be the center of EVERYTHING, requires constant proof of love and loyalty, and their need is NEVER satisfied.” Self-love is the opposite. “Self love is compassionate, generous, forgiving, honest, and unconditional.” 

When we truly love ourselves, we are then capable of loving others. The writer states, “BEGINNING the process of self love is not as complicated as you might think.” While some may disagree, there’s no harm in trying the exercises highlighted in blue. Remember, there is no such thing as perfect. If you stumble in the process, don’t give up on yourself. Try, try again. Praise your accomplishments, no matter the size. Be kind to yourself. Take responsibility for your OWN happiness and keep reminding yourself you are strong, brave, and deserve happiness. 

Finally, the writer has created a FREE workbook to guide you along your journey. The link is provided on page 3. 

I recommend every reader of my review to take a chance on the self-help book. We all deserve love – from others and (most importantly) from ourselves. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

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Meet the Author


I am the oldest of seven, Mom to five (three on the autism spectrum), and Grandma to four (so far). I became a second degree Black Belt at age 51, a widow at age 62, and published my first book at age 66, my second at 68. I treat myself to popcorn every night, and laughter is my love language.

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SURRENDER – How To Break Free From Addiction by Julian Morgan (Book Review)

Do you want to break free of the shackles of alcoholism or addiction? If so, then this is the book for you. Compelling, brave, and strong, ‘Surrender’ tells the true story of how Julian Morgan recovered from crippling alcoholism, and how he stays recovered on a daily basis using a simple, straightforward process. This moving, authentic book details his journey, from his near-fatal struggle with denial, helplessness and anxiety, to a whole new commitment and faith, paving the way to years of sobriety. ‘Surrender’ is no harrowing drinking memoir – it outlines a strong, positive self-care plan for optimum recovery, including tried and tested tools and skills to keep sober, centered and calm. It also offers advice on dealing with triggers and relapses. A sequence of heartfelt and humorous poems offers further explanation and hope. Written from the heart, ‘Surrender’ will open locked doors and show a new path to freedom.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Surrender – How To Break Free From Addiction was born during the first COVID lockdown in the UK when Julian Morgan (the author) watched a documentary featuring interviews with inmates where they were questioned about the underlying root of their incarceration. The majority claimed their predicament was due to alcohol or drug addiction and their helplessness to fight its control over their body. 

Addiction can and will sink its teeth into anyone at any time. It doesn’t care about gender, skin color, social class, or where you call home. Surrender tells the true story of how Julian Morgan recovered from crippling alcoholism and how he stays recovered using a simple, straightforward process that he is now sharing with you.

Part one begins with the author opening up about his struggles with alcohol, everyone’s opinion regarding his drinking, and what led up to his time in rehab. He admitted he pretended to listen in group therapy sessions while secretly counting the hours to another sip of the ambrosia. His life became a recurring cycle of drinking, rehab, withdrawal, release, recovery, and back to drinking, each time more heavily. His addiction and the inability to keep the beast at bay caused an emergency room visit. Many readers who fight battles like Julian can empathize with every emotion the writer felt while lying alone for a week in the hospital. 

Julian had hit rock bottom and was ready for change. He was now prepared to seek help and actively participate in the process. He was all in! The healing process makes you look inwards, acknowledge weaknesses, and find ways to combat them. It’s imperative in the healing process to make amends and find a support system when you graduate from rehab. 

Those who have ever suffered from addiction will agree with Julian’s statement, “Addiction was my life, my daily existence, totally smothering me and dictating whatever I did, wherever I went, and poisoning every person I met.” Like many others, Julian reached out to a higher power to help him battle and control his addiction. However, his journey wouldn’t have been successful without going through rehab, discovering his triggers, setting boundaries, and not ignoring the three stages of relapse: emotional, mental, and physical. 

Relapses can and will happen, and feelings that arise from them can cause many addicts to give up, thinking, “What’s the point?” There might be those around you, family and friends, who feed into your self-doubt, shame, and guilt, causing you to sink further into the abyss. Julian gives sound advice on this situation, “Please do not forget that their opinion has no value at all unless you decide to give it any.”

Addiction will never completely vanish from our society. With that said, Surrender – How To Break Free From Addiction does give addicts the tools and hope that they will reach a stage where their addiction is not controlling their life, but instead, they are controlling it.

If you are suffering or have suffered from any form of addiction, I recommend you read the book. Sometimes seeing other people’s struggles and success propels a person in motion to try what they think is impossible. 

I wish everyone reading this review the best of luck! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

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Meet the Author

I travelled extensively overseas and have had a highly successful career in the security industry. I now concentrate on writing and poetry reflecting my journey with alcohol addiction, as only one in seven people worldwide suffering from alcohol and drug use disorder receive treatment.

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Measure, Mix & Marinate: Embracing the Key Ingredients to a More Fulfilling Life by Cheryl Schuberth (Book Spotlight / Author Interview)

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Every inch of kitchen counter space was in use. All five of us were busy measuring, stirring, rolling, sautéing, and baking. There was flour and oil everywhere. And most of us were wearing some of it. No one was thinking about clean-up, as we were simply trying to get the meal done so we could finally sit down and eat.
 
​​As a wife, mom and former corporate go-getter, Cheryl knows firsthand the frustration of trying to do it all and feeling that none of it is good enough. As the world slowed down for a global pandemic, Cheryl inspected her own life and who she wanted to become—who she needed to become—to serve at her highest level. Much of this discovery occurred in the kitchen during playful evenings side-by-side with her sons, husband, and mother. Their time together led Cheryl to realize that how you measure your priorities, mix them in with your life experiences, and marinate on and adjust to the results determines the direction of your life.
 
 
 
 
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Meet the Author:
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Cheryl Schuberth is a graduate of the University of California San Diego and a respected corporate leader.

As a wife, mom, and former corporate go-getter, Cheryl knows firsthand the frustration of trying to do it all and feeling that none of it is good enough. After twenty-five years leading and coaching teams in the male-dominated technology space, she stepped away from that world and embarked on a mission to enhance her relationships with her teenage sons and, at the same time, empower other working women to become more curious about their options and reevaluate their priorities.

She now coaches women to help them feel their best, increase their confidence, and put themselves at the top of the list. Cheryl lives outside Boulder, CO, where she enjoys hiking, skiing, and all things outdoors.
 

 

1.. How do you balance out time spent focused on writing?

(Cheryl)  I love the outdoors and picked up hiking again about a year before I started writing my book.  Hiking is not only great exercise, but there’s something about being in nature that calms me and brings perspective to everything else going on in my life. It’s definitely a great change of scenery from the four walls in my office and increases my focus while I am writing.

 

2. What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

(Cheryl)  I’ve moved to a new city across the country or world three times without having a job when I got there. The last and most significant was when my husband and I quit perfectly good jobs in Chicago and moved to Colorado without income lined up. This time was different because we had our two month old son on our adventure with us. It took a few weeks for my husband to find a sales position and then I chimed in with some consulting opportunities that led to a full time job.

 

3. What’s your favorite meal to make?

(Cheryl)  I love tackling the big meals – Thanksgiving, Christmas and other gatherings. I enjoy the planning aspect of it and ensuring that everything works together. If you’ve read my book, you’ll understand why that’s important in my house.

 

4.) What’s your favorite meal to eat?

(Cheryl)  I could eat Mexican food everyday. Especially tacos. Growing up in San Diego, good Mexican food was always around so I never got sick of it.

 

5.) What’s your favorite holiday or other celebration?

(Cheryl)  I love Thanksgiving. Not only because there’s no judgment for how much you eat, but because it’s just about being together. There’s no scrambling to find the perfect gift or stressing about how much you should spend. No one in particular is at the center of the day. You’re just there to be together and celebrate your relationships. We should do more of that throughout the year.

 

6.) If you could cure any disease, what would it be?

(Cheryl)  My dad was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease so I would definitely focus on that. It’s horrible to watch the people you love lose their memories and themselves, and be aware that they can’t do anything about it. It’s horrible for the person with the disease and incredibly painful for those who love them.

 

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Disclaimer: All questions and answers were constructed by the author and/or their representative. 

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