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Wings of an Angel
By Angel Logan
Xlibris Corporation (2003)
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (3/06)

The moment I saw “Wings of an Angel” I knew it was simply a gift,
waiting to be given to someone special. The light lavender cover and
art work send out a feeling of immediate relaxation. You open the
cover to find even more beauty inside. Short, eclectic prose blesses the
pages alongside coordinating colored art work that is quite beautiful and
creative. It seems as much thought went into the art work of the book
as the writing and the two combine together to give you the gift of
prose that will simply calm.

I see this book as a perfect gift for events when you’re not quite sure
what to give. Any spiritual gatherings where perhaps your faith isn’t
quite the same and you don’t feel comfortable giving something of their
faith, yet want to still bless them with something touching. Perhaps the
birth of a child, when the parent’s need a special gift to let them know
they’re special. Mother’s day, birthdays, any day that you simply want
to tell someone they’re special and thought of and need to take the time
themselves to enjoy a little peace with the world.

While it is a book of angels and finding oneself, it’s not a sappy
religious view that overwhelms the reader with issues and provoking
thoughts. Instead it has a calming effect, much like a warm lavender
filled tub does at the end of a stressful day. One of my favorite poems
in the book was “At Paradise Cafe”, with it’s ending verse that says
“Paradise Cafe is the place within your heart where music rings the
song of hope…” That particular poem reminds oneself of how
important YOU are, as you sit at the Paradise Cafe across from
yourself, for a moment to look deep within and make discoveries.

“Wings of an Angel” is a beautiful collection of poetry that gently
relaxes one from the inside out and somehow within it’s few pages of
beauty can bring you to an inner peace each time you open it. An
absolute work of beauty.

Beverly Pechin is a reviewer for Reader Views
http://www.readerviews.com

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The reading of a self-help book is known to produce a desirable and positive
reaction in the reader. We are fortunate that there is a group of authors who
have the unique ability to write in a manner that sows seeds of thought
which motivate those who are searching for self-improvement to find it. The
reader reacts with desirable action. However, a self-help book is not to be
skimmed through the same way that you might read a novel.

1. Concentrate

Read everything you can find about those who have had successful careers
in your own field. Also read success stories about people in other kinds of
work and find the common denominator. Read with a pen or pencil in your
hand and mark or underline the passages that speak to you.

2. The Author as Mentor

Read as if the author were a close personal friend and were writing to you -
and you alone. Look upon the author as your personal mentor whose
knowledge and wisdom will guide you to achieve your goals.

3. Know what you are looking for.

Recognise the principles that you need. Follow Abraham Lincoln’s example.
When he read, he took time for reflection in order that he might assimilate
the principles into his own experience.

4. Get into action - try the principles that are recommended.

See how you can apply these principles to your own situation and put these
ideas into action.

5. Read for general content.

At the first reading you can read for content, to grasp the sweeping flow of
thought that the book contains. But also take the time to underline important
phrases ands to make notes of important ideas.

6. Read for particular emphasis.

A second reading is for the purpose of assimilating specific details. You
should pay particular attention to see that you understand and really grasp
any new ideas the book presents.

7. Read for the future.

On a third reading pay attention to passages that have a particular meaning
to you. Find ways they can relate to problems you are currently facing or are
likely to face in the future. Test new ideas; try them; discard the useless and
imprint the useful indelibly on your habit patterns.

8. Read later to refresh your memory, and to rekindle your inspiration.

All of us may become discouraged from time-to-time. We should re-read the
best of our books at such times to rekindle the fires that got us going in the
first place.

Alan Moreton is an International speaker, writer, editor and businessman. Article reproduction permission is hereby granted providing the article is republished in its entirety, with author’s information and any links intact. Copyright 2006 by Alan Moreton

For the best self development books go to the Mastermind Strategies Library

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Lesson 1.
Category
Well Being
Plan to do this.

Stop blaming others for your shortcomings and failings in life.
Why should you do this?

What ever happened in the past is not a prediction of what will happen in the future. Take control of you, your thoughts, and your actions, so you may do something positive about your future life circumstances.
What happened?

There have been situations where people stepped, and even stomped me to the ground, both mentally and physically. It was not until evaluating why this was happening when an epiphany happened, a clarity I never had before; I was allowing these negative people and things to occur in my life. All the time, blaming others for their words and actions, and then the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. If I did not want others to take advantage of me, then I should remove myself from their presence, either mentally or physically. It is hard to say this to someone, more so to children who have no control over their circumstances, but then again, maybe they actually do have control to some extent.

Talking to their teachers, extended family, or neighbors, calling the police or child services for help is a start. How do you convey to anyone that he has the power to do anything if he does not have a strong mind and willing heart? Control your life from within yourselfit is that simple. If you do not believe you have control, then remove yourself physically from the situation. If you must remain in a situation, then cut off negative people and their actions in your mind; find a way to drown them out, as if you were tuning out commercials when watching television.

When bonus time had arrived, I overheard our supervisor telling our manager to exclude my job function from the bonus pool by transferring it to another department. Some people are mean spirited, and you cannot help them, just pray for them. I did not receive a bonus that year, allowing our supervisor to receive an even larger bonus. Everyday, as I passed our supervisor in the halls I would repeat this to myself, “You mean absolutely nothing to me, and this is only a stepping stone on the way to a greater life that God has promised me.” I could not change what happened but I could change my response.

Convincing myself that it was a learning opportunity, one that would make me more humble, to learn not to react negatively to others, to learn how to ignore some people and things, and to look forward to a better future. Take this truth to the next step, and you release blame and not allow it to consume your life by dwelling on its negativity but go on to take control of your life and actions to make you a better person.
How do you do this?

Changing the blame from them to me by questioning myself as to what I was doing to deserve this. Thinking it must be something I did. When I answered the question, I realized I was not doing anything. Therein laid the problem of who was responsible. Questioning, allowed me to evaluate other options I could use to change my circumstances. The options were to remove myself from the situation or stick to it but change my perspective. Instead of hoping for people or the circumstances to change, which were unreliable anyway, take the steps necessary to circumvent the problem. Never try to change a person. Offering suggestions may help, but ultimately I have control over my destiny, rather than the molds others have set for me.

Lesson 58.
Category
Goals
Plan to do this.

Success is the best revenge!

Why should you do this?

To the naysayer, to all those who said you wouldn’t amount to anything. To all those who treated you as if you wouldn’t amount to anything. To all those who acted as if you wouldn’t amount to anything. To those who acted as if they were better than you were. To those who thought they were better than you were. To those who mistreated you in anyway. To all those who boasted to you about themselves or their belongings. To all those who thought they were more beautiful or handsome than you were. To those who disrespected you in any form. To anyone who had an ounce of animosity towards you for no apparent reason. To those who got the better of you on a day when you were down and out. To those who kicked you while you were down and out. To those who tried their hardest to make your life a living hell. To those who abused you in any formSUCCEED!

What happened?

We have not reached the pinnacle of success, but we are definitely on our way through the goals we have established for ourselves, and continue to accomplish. In terms of education, family, friends and financial independence, we suppose, we have surpassed many of the individuals we have had the misfortune of meeting and who were previously mentioned. Intuition tells us this has created even more animosity towards us because we did not focus on them but on the goals and dreams, we have planned and have tediously pursued. The purpose of any naysayer, otherwise known as “dream busters,” is to take the spirit from those they encounter, and by not giving them the satisfaction, you are already ahead of the game.

How do you do this?

Whatever goals you have for yourself complete them no matter how stellar the performance might be, if the journey is on the road to success then do so, remembering that no dream is too big for reality. Take those steps in your life to enhance not only who you are as a person but also those around you. When the naysayer, hears of your success, he will have to, if only for a moment, reflect on how his behavior has had an impact on your life and who got the better of the experience. If success is not for you, then let it be for themyour motivation.

Caren A. Adams is a freelance writer and author of “Life 101 For the Young and Young at Heart!” ISBN 1-59457-835-4 (also in e-book format) at bookstores, http://www.booksurge.com and http://www.amazon.com mailto: amacapublishing@aol.com
http://www.booksurge.com/product.php3?bookID=GPUB00869-00001

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