Looked & Learned Soulfully
342774
It is just so sad that whenever someone young and talented passes away before your eyes. Last year, when I had heard about the devastating death of Natalie Cole, I was uncontrollably besides myself. She had left behind 40 years of song that was soulful, breathtaking and showed she still was daddy's little girl gone brilliant. No matter what song she had done whether it was for her own success like Everlasting Love or Pink Cadillac, or showcasing the legacy and brilliant bravado of her great father, Nat King Cole, all the way to switching from soul and pop to a seductive songstress at heart with a song like As Time Goes By, Natalie was remarkable with each and every note. When I think of her most underrated gems, Take A Look is absolutely no exception, especially after the mammoth success she had with Unforgettable With Love two years earlier. The song definitely is very underrated from all of Natalie's great gems at the soul. It is a very elegant and enchanting song that remains true today more at the essence of how the younger generation had been abused, unloved and neglected from purpose. This is one of delights that really was true to Natalie Cole's heart, and one song I sincerely recommend you download to your music library.

Song: A
1398328
Although tedious and dense, the material covered by this book gives one much to reflect upon if one is capable of reading through it. Not to be undertaken by the merely curious.
I thoroughly enjoyed the mental superiority it bestowed while walking on campus with it in hand and in mind.
1818542
This book really touched my soul. It opened my eyes as a black young adult with so much growing up to do. It was not only relatable it taught me so much and i am grateful for have read this.
4594530
If Stars were unlimited I would go higher than the 5.  This book speaks at profound levels and experiences to your Soul.  It was beautiful, nurturing, informative, a one of a kind.
3973089
Many of these poems are in fact pocket-sized stories, told with a sort of naked grace. The words have an elegance, strength, & honesty that sweetly hypnotize the soul, free of pretension. I remembered many of these poems quite vibrantly after only one reading. They planted themselves snugly in my brain; capturing gentle shades of sadness & joy & longing.
This is a beautiful & powerful collection, an album of snap-shots of humanity.
3955731
The first thing that caught my attention about The Soul of a Leader was its subtitle: Finding Your Path to Success and Fulfillment. At first glance, in a book on soul and spirituality, that's not what I would have expected. It sounded too--well--too materialistic. But, on second thought, success and fulfillment elegantly sum up the contention by scholars of workplace spirituality that soul is good for business but also leads to deeply meaningful work.

Readers of Margaret Benefiel's first book, Soul at Work, will recognize again in this book a crucial distinction presented in its final pages: namely, the difference between what could roughly be called the first and second halves of the spiritual journey. Success characterizes the first half and fulfillment the second, but not without interludes of dark night in between, where neither seem possible. The diagrams of the spiritual path on pages 146-147 (for individual leaders) and 164-165 (for organizations) are alone worth the price of the book.  They chart the classical three-fold path of spiritual transformation (purgation, illumination, and union)--with a first and second dark night in between; and they show how it plays out in the life of a leader or organization over the long-term. As maps of the territory, I have seen none better.

Another elegant mapping tool--and this one is quite practical--is the diagram in the Conclusion that reminds leaders to check out four areas of soul: both their own individual inner and outer growth, and that of their organization. Simple as it is, this map keeps us focused on the total four-fold picture rather than only one or two of these areas. In a word, this reminder cultivates balance.

Elegant, too, is the overall division of the book into three sections--choosing the path, staying on track, and persevering to the end. Each of these, in turn, is divided into three sections. For example, choosing the path is divided into following the heart, finding partners, and daring to dream. As if that were not enough, each of these is divided into three. Following the heart, for instance, is divided into paying attention, taking the first step, and stumbling. This elegant structure enables leaders to zoom in and out--looking at the big picture, the mid-size one, and the small. I wondered if these divisions were overly neat and tidy until I realized two things as I read deeper into the book: they all ring true to experience, and dividing them into threes makes them memorable. Like an ingeniously crafted formula such as E=mc2, these divisions distill an enormous amount of information and wisdom into the most compact of spaces. Wow!

Like Margaret Benefiel's first book, this one is full of great stories--revealing, inspiring, opening out a wide window onto what might seem like a hopelessly invisible and elusive topic. The selection of stories is wide-ranging and diverse. I came away from them deeply moved, filled with hope.

If you're looking for a masterful interweaving of the theory and practice of spiritual leadership, this is the book for you!
3520933
Outstanding! Outstanding! I was schooled. Boy did I learn so much about our soul's plan. I now use this book as my guide. Could not put it down. Missed a lot of calls and meals. It was worth it. Thank you Nanci.
3193403
Well, I stayed up until midnight last night finishing "Be Still My Soul."  And, I have only done that a handful of times in my life.  The last book that kept me up into the wee hours was Cormac McCarthy's "The Road."  That should tell you a little something about my reading tastes. In fact, the last books I've read are "The Old Man and the Sea," "The Giver," All the Pretty Horses," and "Divergent." That may also help illustrate the fact that the genre of "Be Still My Soul," is not usually my cup of tea.  So many of the reviews of this book have summarized the plot, described the characters, and applauded the fine presentation of the Appalachian mountains. Therefore, I will leave that good work to the previous reviewers; instead I thought it might be helpful to share the impact reading this book had on me as a person.

I laughed, I cried, and I thanked God for a story that was able to stir my love and affection for He who is Jebediah to my soul - for Him who has prepared a mansion for me in glory, who loved me when nothing in me was lovable, who has given me everything in exchange for my depravity, who takes seriously my affliction, who is both steely and tender, and whose eye is on the sparrow.  Who doesn't need the occasional word picture of this beloved Friend? I appreciated that this story also reminded me of every rotten seed that ever rooted in my heart.  Yet it also speaks of the Good Seed that is able to flourish even in - especially in - trial. I think Joanne Bischof has done something marvelous in this book.  She illustrates the profound truth that the effect of genuine faith is never just the external, observable stuff, but is the internal transformation from which the new thing finds its motivation - and in so doing, brings both challenge AND comfort. Besides the fact that Mrs. Bischof is a fine writer and a great storyteller, there is something much deeper to her book than a rocky relationship.  And as she explores the depths of those things, she does not give way to sappy, convenient cliches.  Which, in my opinion, is tremendously helpful in understanding that redemption is neither sappy, nor convenient - in fact, it is often very far from both.

Lastly, some reviewers have commented that the harsh realities of both Lonnie's father and husband were upsetting to them.  Unless there is profound, unresolved trauma in your life in these areas, I would not let that stop you from enjoying this book, especially given the fact that the treatment Lonnie receives from these men is gently presented - and because it is essential to the storyline.  I highly recommend this book for its multifaceted ability to be a compelling read, a balm of comfort amidst trials, an x-ray into your own heart, an escape to the beautiful and harsh landscape of Appalachia, and a reminder that the dusty road of life brings hearty doses of both struggle and grace, but especially grace in the struggle.
2430316
Soulful discovery of the meanings behind the anima and animus of the living being...
4718765
Beautifully poetic and soulfully performed. A gift for the journey.
2205340
Beautiful book!  I am enjoying it aesthetically and learning a lot too. Looking at it is mood-transformative.
3112226
It was a wonderful book, and I learned a lot from this beautiful soul.  Eventhough I do not believe in reencarnation, there are very interesting revelations regarding the souls of children born with disabilities.  I recommend this book to anyone that is seeking answers to their questions regarding children with disabilities, their mission on this earth, and revelations of the future of Israel.  I have a son that has autism and epilepsy and he has a beautiful and innocent soul.
514314
How exciting to find myself deeply immersed in the unfolding and synchronization of the many bits and pieces of my Spiritual search - as I read word for word, paragraph for paragraph. For me, my journey finally made sense and the puzzle pieces finally fell into place. I think "Seven Spiritual Strategies" will do the same for you and I highly recommend this beautiful teaching as a way to better understand your journey.  It could just tie it all together for you, as it did for me.
2551018
I liked how we gradually learn the history of how and why Grenady has reached such low and desperate living conditions through intermittent chapters written from perspectives of past influential sources.  It is my favorite theme of a strong spirit and creativity struggling against harsh conditions, circumstances and negative forces and surviving with the support of goodness & beauty found within and in others as we allow it.
396681
I am a puppies & rainbows, happy-ending, tie-it-up-in-a-bow consumer.  I have enough reality in my face as a "honorary caregiver" myself.  I was hesitant to read about what I deal with day after day.  But this wasn't another book telling me what to do or how to feel.
These lyrical glimpses into one family's beautifully painful journey were soothingly cathartic to me.  It reminded me I am not alone in the day to day challenges.  It gave me tools & wisdom to carry with me courtesy of a loving husband & his observant, beautiful daughter.  Sure I cried - but it was because of the love story.  And I laughed - because we all have lived (or will soon enough) these moments that make you breakdown (& you will over & over again as a human.) But the gratitude for the precious moments they are, allows you to rejoice in the shared experience. READ THIS. I read it aloud to the one I help care for & she laughed & cried with me. The truth doesn't always hurt. It can console & heal & unify & make you a better human being. If I can become half the human being the CAREGIVER is in this memoir, I will have achieved something special.
2158283
While visiting the French Quarter in New Orleans, I came across a lady offering to read Tarot cards. I passed on her offer, but walked away remembering that Shane Ward's book was one I wanted to read. When I got home, I moved Shane's book to the top of the pile and was soon deeply involved in the mysteries of the Tarot.

Shane effortlessly induces the reader to reflect on the 22 Major and 56 Minor Arcana. In describing the classic illustrations, he teaches us how the cards harmoniously relate to each other in helping us understand and appreciate the evolving lessons of life. The lessons revealed are instructive, revealing, and motivational--and, as Shane points out, hardly black magic.

Shane reminds us that the philosophy of the tarot spans the lifetime of the soul, an inspirational observation that would, I suspect, appeal to most of us. On that note of enlightenment, I urge you to read Shane's book and find out for yourself exactly what is in the cards. In the words of Shane, "I wish you all good luck in your journey through life."
121171
I really enjoyed feeling as if I were present in the room as Wayne Dyer and Ekhart Tolle sat and chatted for a spell. I began with the expectation that I would be sitting in on a lecture, with clearly defined bullet points and a list of lessons learned. What I found was that the lessons were gently woven into the context of a friendly conversation between two wise souls. Among other things, Wayne Dyer shared his transformation from a serious diagnosis to vibrant health; Ekhart Tolle shared the importance of staying in the flow of Spirit and avoiding the pitfalls of egoic thinking-- not in a lecturey way; more in a "been there; done that; not going through that again!" sort of way. I will listen to this conversation again. It was an enjoyable way to spend two hours and to experience beautiful spiritual principles as they are masterfully applied in the lives of these highly conscious, heart-centered people.
Through their Book Nook Blogger's Community, Hay House was kind enough to provide me this collection for free in exchange for my honest opinion.