Review of Things Can Grow Between Your Toes by Laurie Bolanos

I was given a paperback copy of this book to review and I read it to my four year old grandbaby. She loved it! Her five year old cousin loved it too! This book has cute, colorful illustrations and a very well written rhyming verse. The kids have already requested it to be read to them numerous times! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has children or takes care of children. It is fun, interesting and helps kids use their imaginations.  I give it a five diamond rating!  <> <> <> <> <>

You can find Laurie Bolanos' book at:

https://www.amazon.com/Things-Grow-Between-Your-Toes/dp/1938125479/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532852232&sr=8-1&keywords=laurie+bolanos

You can find Laurie at:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Laurie-L-Bolanos-535601639912587/

Amazon:  amazon.com/author/lauriebolanos

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13781882.Laurie_L_Bolanos

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/greengables32

My Interview With The Sacral Circle

I recently had an interview with Janie Terrazas from The Sacral Circle in which I discussed the background of my books and the impact that abuse and loss had on me in my life journey.  Life can be harsh and it can also be beautiful.  I believe that in order to deal with the hard times, we have to develop an attitude of gratitude and perseverance.

Kaleidoscope

Here is a fun piece I created while remembering the kaleidoscope toy I loved when I was a kid! It was fun to watch the colorful images seeming to melt into each other. A wonderland of shapes and hues in the imagination of a child!

Neon Leaves. A Fun Graphic Art Piece.

I love nature. There is nothing as soothing as taking a walk through a forest or on a beach. Anxiety slips away and peace comes to rest in my heart. I love Mother Earth. I love the trees, the flowers, beaches and lakes. Our planet is so beautiful.

This piece entitled Neon Leaves celebrates the diversity of trees that decorate our yards and forests. Without them we would be unable to live. Every day we need Mother Earth but so often we forget about her value and importance. This piece is offered with a great cheer to her beauty. May we always love and respect her!

A Beautiful Review For Finding Hope In The Darkness Of Grief, My Most Recently Published Book!

Finding Hope in the Darkness of Grief gathers Diamante Lavendar's own insights on how she charted a path through grief, and pairs free verse poems that double as uplifting admonitions ("There is so much more/To every instance/Than we can comprehend.") with prose and the author's lovely color art images.

From illusions of darkness and separation to the realities of harboring false beliefs and following the road to healing, Lavendar's verse and insights follow the process of not only recovery; but finding the kind of empathy and understanding from the healing process that strengthens other connections in life.

The juxtaposition of nature-oriented images and art with these admonitions lends a visual touch to the written word that enhances both with a structure and reinforcement that either alone could not have achieved.

Those who will benefit most from Lavendar's approach are readers who are seeking their own paths to healing and greater enlightenment, who can accept her candid assessments of what the process of grieving leads to ("Death is not an ending but a beginning to a different reality, not only/for the bereaved but also for those who have passed into eternity.").

This audience will relish the message of Lavendar's art and words and will discover not just a quiet comfort offered within the pages of Finding Hope in the Darkness of Grief, but a broader message that holds clues to finding strength from weakness and ultimately transforming grief into a growth experience.

Readers interested in finding opportunities from the great of adversities will keep Finding Hope in the Darkness of Grief close at hand for reflection, inspiration, and ultimately transformation. -Diane Donovan, Donovan's Literary Services, Editor Midwest Book Review.

Life In A Nutshell

Everything in life seems so important, sometimes dire-until we look at the big picture. The big picture keeps everything in its proper perspective.

Here is my digital art piece entitled Life In A Nutshell.  It's a great reminder to keep yourself focused on what's really important.

Enchantment

Enchantment begins when you start to believe in the unseen possibilities all around you. Enchantment opens the mind and imagination to amazing new perceptions and understanding.

I'll Always Remember

I'll always remember,

No matter how far;

No matter the distance

That divides where we are.

Because you have given me

A love so divine,

Forever and always

My love, you'll be mine.

The Beauty Of Having A Clear Conscience

Everybody talks about having a clear conscience. Teachers tell their students to act conscientiously, ministers teach about conscious behavior, counselors guide their clients on how to be more conscientious and society itself praises upstanding, conscientious behavior. It's something we should focus on it because it is important.

In this article, I will touch upon why it is important from a personal standpoint to have a clear conscience. This is a topic I've worked on most of my life and it's probably a topic you've heard about in one way or another for most of yours too. So here goes!

First, having a clear conscience lifts you up energetically. Everybody knows that when they do bad things, they feel bad. They perceive life in a much more negative way. When you know you're doing things for the right reasons it lifts you up. It makes you feel better about yourself and life in general. A clear conscience is a pathway to more happiness in life.

Second, a clear conscience facilitates peace. We all know the feeling of having done wrong, of having said negative things to ourselves and others. When we come from a negative viewpoint, the result is a negative outlook. Once we do the right thing for the right reasons and live positively according to what we do and say, we are much more peaceful. It's a natural process and a great way to live.

Third, a clear conscience promotes healing. Have you ever tried to feel better while negativity swirls through your mind and heart? It's not an easy process. When we feel crappy, we act crappy. When we have guilt over our actions or motives we live on a level of dis-ease in all types of forms. A clear conscience gives us the ease and peace we desire, therefore facilitating health and healing.

Another reason why having a clear conscience is awesome is that it opens us up for new possibilities. Why? Because when we clear negativity and turmoil from our lives, peace moves in and we think more about our dreams, our goals and our perception of things. When we are in a space of openness mentally and spiritually, we are more aware of beautiful people and things around us. Therefore we are more awakened to bigger and better things.

Number five touches on the same idea. A clear conscience opens us up to our hopes and dreams. Not only because we are more aware of things around us but also because we are in a more positive space. We are more readily able to dream and facilitate actions that will bring our dreams into reality.

Another great reason why a clear conscience is a beautiful thing is that a clear conscience will bring you freedom. How? Because you're not stuck in the muck of "should've, would've, could've" and false beliefs. Negativity clouds the conscious mind like black smog. If you spend time contemplating false belief systems, (things like, "I've been hurt so badly I'll never recover" or "My life has been so hard I'll never be happy"), you'll see very easily understand why clarity of your conscience will bring you freedom. If you embrace forgiveness, love and the possibilities of good things happening to you, you will feel much lighter. As if a breeze of peace blew into your consciousness. You'll get a taste of freedom and you'll be addicted to it!

Lastly, a clear conscience allows you to change your belief systems. And that's a biggie when it comes to the pursuit of happiness! If you're feeling guilty, tied down by negativity, shameful and angry, you naturally feel that life is bad. You are depressed and downtrodden and believe things will never change. However, when you turn the tables on your mental processes and start doing things for the right reasons and motivations, you will feel the upswing of positivity begin to flow in your life. And as your conscience clears, VOILA! You suddenly have renewed hope and vigor! You believe you can change your beliefs. And that needs to happen before your beliefs will ever change.

A clear conscience is a beautiful thing and requires work. But there are so many benefits to living in that type of mentality that it's worth all the work that's required. So face your demons, put them to rest and begin the process of conscious living! You will be eternally grateful that you did!

Changing Core Beliefs

The first question you may have is, "What is a core belief?" Well, a core belief is something you've grown up with. Something you believe defines you as a person or defines the world in which you live. Many times core beliefs aren't easy to identify. They hide in our subconscious minds and sabotage us when we try to make changes in our lives. Core beliefs are things you learned to believe as truth when you were a child. Core beliefs are set up by the age of six when a person's personality has formed. Therefore, it is hard to come to terms with them-even to figure out what they are- without doing a lot of introspective work.

Many people dive into the topic of self healing with gusto. They read books, think a lot about what they've gone through and meditate. These are all great things to do when you're looking to make changes. But finding core beliefs is digging into your self talk at a fundamental survival level. It is stripping everything in your life, personality and belief system down to the core to find out what really makes you tick. The things you find at that deep personal level are your core beliefs.

Let me explain. Recently, (a year and a half ago), my youngest child passed away. It was devastating. It threw me into a state of questioning about my very existence. It made me realize that everything I thought I knew was a facade-a man made explanation for how the world worked and what went on behind the scenes spiritually. It also caused me to come to terms with the fact that I had a lot of changing to do. I went on a quest of sorts to examine my life and my theories of living. That quest brought me back to my childhood-to the time when I was in the birth to six stage. Once I began meditating and looking deeply into what made me tick, I began to realize things about myself that I had never paid much attention to:  the core beliefs that directed my behaviors and reactions. That was an eye opening journey!

Never did I realize the impact my core beliefs had on my existence. It seems to be something we overlook because they are so deeply buried under everything we've been through. Prejudices we've inherited from our families, false beliefs we've clung to as truth because of what we've been told, observations we've made because of who we've been surrounded by when we were young-these are the core beliefs I'm talking about. These beliefs have profound impacts on us because they are our built in survival instincts, whether true or false, surrounding how we live and what we do. And much of the time they're wrong. For instance, I was molested by extended family members from the ages of two to twelve. I thought I had dealt with the issue fully but I realized I had not. I still was internally waging war with a core belief that I was not safe. It is strange how we can gloss over such important issues as easily as wiping a dirty table. We figure as long as we can't see the dirt the problem is over. That couldn't be more untrue! If you're feeling dis-ease about anything in this life, it's time to do some deep, heavy introspection until you come to the belief system behind it. Because you will find a core belief to blame for every dis-ease you encounter. If you want to be a ninja in the game of life, it is up to you to find the underlying cause for every case of dis-ease you feel. And when you become your life ninja, you will find it. And it will free you! That is why it is so important to dig deep into your subconscious. Every lie you expose will bring you more glorious freedom! And isn't freedom and peace what you really crave deep down? Along with meaning and purpose?

I think those are the most important attributes that every person strives for. If you identify every false core belief, you will find yourself building more and more prosperous attributes in every aspect of your life. So be a ninja and begin your journey today!

Living Up To A Name Or Title

Some societies are concerned with names. Others not so much. But I believe that most of us know how important a name is. It is our brand-for life. The meaning of a name has an impact on the bearer.

Over the years I have come to believe that a name is vital to who we become and what we do with our lives. A name can inspire-for good and for bad. That is why I thought so carefully before naming my children. I am convinced that the first most important "brand" we give our kids is their name.

That being said, I also believe that society "brands" or "titles" people in ways that are less than beneficial. Labels, even if given with good intent, can cause pain. "ADHD, bipolar, depressive, obese, withdrawn", and so forth, do carry stigma which a person tends to take on over time. I do realize there must be a form of terminology to categorize certain things. But I believe it is better to let the bearer know it is not a badge or a sentence. It is only a way to help.

I love the people in society who have taken up this cause. Our words affect us whether we speak them ourselves or someone else speaks them over our lives. Words have an effect into our deepest belief systems. Words are important. They can heal and they can destroy.

My youngest child was born with a syndrome. She looked different from other people because of how her body was proportioned. People made fun of her. It was heartbreaking. But she was a spiritual power pack. Though she felt the brunt of their criticisms, she shook it off and kept on living. She was an amazing person. She ended up succumbing to her disease two weeks before the age of 19. I bragged about her because she was so tough-in a loving, living type of way. Though she was in pain it didn't stop her. Though others threw verbal barrages at her, she didn't quit. She told me she understood that they were in pain and she didn't let it sink into her soul. She was someone I greatly looked up to. An amazing person.

Over the years that I've been on this planet, I've been assaulted by many names or titles given me by doctors, family members and even some "friends". We all have. It's the way society speaks for the larger part of the population. Awareness has to be created regarding labeling and titles. I am very grateful for the lightworkers who have worked so hard to bring understanding to this topic. It is critical in the building up of each individual person as well as the totality of society itself. Watching what we say, what we brand each other, is vitally important. Light begets light. Love begets love. To inspire and to lift up is one of the main priorities we must embrace to bring ourselves and each other to a life of redemption and wisdom. And when we are living that life, we are extending understanding, mercy, grace and compassion on others as well as ourselves. We are branding each other as "valuable light beings with important purposes to share." What a beautiful, amazing world this would be if we all held that truth in our hearts. It would be a utopia, a meeting of heaven and earth, a unity never before known on this planet.

My humble submission would be this: to grow to love and understand ourselves in such a way that we can extend that love and understanding to others. Then we could brand each other with the truth: that we are, each and every one of us, worthwhile and capable of being our very best under the watchful eyes of spirit. Flowing as beautiful particles in a single ocean together with plan and purpose. Promoting good, peace and love. Then not only would we be happier and feel more worthwhile, but we could deal more successfully with the hardships this life brings.

Let's face it. This life isn't easy. There is much to learn, much to conquer. How much better we could learn and conquer in an attitude of gratitude, an attitude of compassion. I make this my personal mission. I pray you make it yours as well.

Namaste.

Fresh Bread

There's just something amazing about a simple loaf of fresh bread. The smell is intoxicating, the texture comforting and the taste of pure deliciousness! To me, there isn't much better food than fresh bread hot from the oven. Here is a picture to alight your taste buds!

So easy to do yet so satisfying!  Go bake a loaf and enjoy!!

Life Is A Game. Play It Well.

Dimension means a measurable unit of space. The dimension of earth occupies a space-but only a tiny space as compared to the universe.

The earthly dimension demands our attention. But often we give it the wrong attention.

This dimension demands that we take heed of its specifications. However, we need to learn that its specifications-in a large way- are brought about by our beliefs. What we believe comes true-good and bad. We directly affect ourselves and our personal space on earth according to what our core beliefs are. That is why we must carefully guard our hearts and minds.

Of course, the constraints and freedoms we experience in our lives here are also spiritually determined. There is a path we have chosen to take that we find ourselves walking day after day. Our beliefs affect that path moment by moment, day by day, year by year. Therefore it is important to believe in good so that we end up in a good place-not only here, but also after our game here is over. This is true regardless of what has happened to us. If our lives have been harsh, we need to believe in good all the more!

Earth is a learning ground. We've all come here to grow. If we grow tall in light and love despite our circumstances, we are winning the game of this dimension. Because, after all, "life" here IS just a game. But an important game. A game, if played right, of growth and wisdom. The stronger we are-the more able we are to live according to love and light-the more we evolve.

Hardship is the greatest teacher. If you're experiencing great hardship, you're learning invaluable lessons that will help you evolve into love, light, and truth. Embrace it to the best of your ability. After all is said and done, when you're standing in the light of eternity, you will understand that this life has only been a game of learning. So play it well.  You'll be really glad you did!

Breaking The Silence Book Trailer

 Here is the book trailer for my book entitled Breaking The Silence. Breaking The Silence is a story about my life and a dedication to those who have suffered abuse, loss, and addiction. Breaking The Silence has won six awards for Inspirational Fiction and was written to help others overcome hurtful issues as I have had to do during my lifetime. I hope that my story will help many people to find hope, peace, and healing.

Make Lemonade

Learning how to make lemonade from life's lemons is a test. It is hard, it takes grit and determination. It is not for the faint hearted. When I think of the tragedies people have experienced while on this earth it hurts and it humbles me. I myself have suffered deeply. So I can empathize with the pain that others experience. I have come to believe that the strongest warriors are those that are able to make sweet lemonade from the hardships of life. Through death, divorce, illness, mental pain, and other agonies, the people who rise up and stand tall and true are the heroes of life. I call them the peaceful warriors. Those able to cry freely in the face of angst and oppression. My hat is off to all of you. You are a mentor to me. I pray I may also be a mentor to others as I suffer the travails of having been abused, buried several children and dealt with other hardships. Life can be agony. But at the end of the day when we are reunited with our loved ones in heaven, we will finally be at peace. Ride the winds of life with mercy, grace and understanding. You will be rewarded in the end.

Sky Maiden

My new piece titled Sky Maiden!

The Sky Maiden lives in the essence of love;

With butterflies, rainbows and peaceful doves;

The Sky Maiden reminds us to give love a chance;

To laugh, to inspire, to embrace, to dance.

We Are The World

We are the world. Together we can create peace, love and prosperity for Mother Earth. It is up to us individually and as a community to make the dream of heaven on earth come true. We hold amazing power to change for the better if we make the decision to do so.

Sending Some Sonshine

Angels and fairies laugh and dance,

When we give God's love a chance;

Through landscapes and heartscapes so divine,

Love heals and stands the test of time.

Missing You

The truth of your love you left behind,

A treasure, a gift, that you hoped I'd soon find;

You helped me to learn and wished that I'd grow,

I never imagined I'd be missing you so;

Life seemed so harsh many years ago,

Now darker than I ever wanted to know;

I'm not sure how to handle this agony and pain,

As I look at your pictures again and again;

A mother's love is not taken for granted,

For children she prayed for and desperately wanted;

I'm not sure how I can go on living,

But I know you'd tell me to keep on trying.

I think of heaven and I hear your voice,

In my heart and my head where you left a deep void;

I wonder if maybe I'm losing my mind,

Because I'm wishing so hard you hadn't left me behind;

Celby, Jazzy, my beautiful girls,

My love, my passion, my yearning, my world;

Please tell me you're still here, right beside me,

And ask God to wrap me in his presence and hide me;

I beg Him to some day heal these misgivings,

So I know I can live in a state of forgiveness.

I am lost without you. 

Love Mommy.

The Gift Of Life

When life gets tough, it's not easy to see it as a gift. When we are hurt or bad things happen, life seems to be anything but a gift.

This is a world where we come to learn, to grow, and to understand. The only way to do these things is by living through good times and bad, in pressure and happiness. Learning from rough things is what we need to do. And eventually moving past them is what we need to do, but only after we've addressed the issues presented to us.

Life is a test and a testament. A test of whether or not we can get through hardship and a testament as to what we've conquered.

Through pain and turmoil, we learn about meaning in even the littlest things. Life is a gift: of growth, learning, seeking, finding, and understanding.