Impower You

I vaguely remember watching news about the fall of the Berlin Wall which divided Germany into two countries, one communist, and the other capitalist. I was only 10 years old and knew it was important, but didn’t know that much about why it came down. “The Year That Changed The World” by Michael Meyer is a great lesson in history. As a reporter covering the area for many years he got to see the domino effect of how the end came to be.

Michael Meyer journalist, The Year That Changed The World, Fall of the Berlin Wall — http://books.simonandschuster.com/

The drama unfolds through accounts of leaders and revolutionaries such as Egon Krenz who helped overthrow East German leader Erich Honecker, Miklos Nemeth the prime minister working for reform in Hungary, Vaclav Havel the outspoken playwright and future president of Czechoslovakia, and the fall of the terrifying and out of touch Ceausescus of Romania.

Along with other historical figures he brings to life the struggle of the heroes and the mistakes of the ruling party who changed Eastern Europe politics. I especially liked his take on USSR leader Mikhael Gorbachev as someone who believed in communism, but knew it needed changes. Gorbachevs stance never seems quite clear to his comrades, but his actions seem to show how at odds they were with what communism had built. I also enjoyed reading about the exodus the citizens of East Germany took after Hungary opened a whole in the wall, well really a fence, allowing movement out of the Eastern Bloc.

It’s a fascinating look at history that I highly recommend.

If you like this blog check out my books at Bookemon: http://www.bookemon.com/member-book-list/151519 or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007LMUEJ2

*The ads on this site are here because I haven’t paid extra money. not because I support the product or service.*

Book Reviews

My New Book “We Will Create Sustainable Change” is FREE on Amazon Kindle

November 1, 2013November 1, 2013 Impower You

My newest book “We Will Create Sustainable Change”(Up To You series) is published. To celebrate it is free for Kindle until November 5th and as usual it can read online at Bookemon.

It’s the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the world you depend on.

Eleven people from around the world have shared successful stories of sustainable environmental change. Learn about a variety of issues such as farming, sustainable urban areas, water conservation, animal rescue, and community partnerships. Each interview includes a blueprint for how they took action, what obstacles they overcame, and advice on how everyone can be an active participant in creating a better world.

This is the second book and special environmental edition in the Up To You series that encourages people to solve problems and create sustainable solutions in their communities. Check out the first book, “How Will You Create Positive Change?” to learn about 16 people creating positive change in their communities on a variety of social issues.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Will-Create-Sustainable-Change-You-ebook/dp/B00FWFLAT8/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_dnr_2

Inside this book you will meet the following environmental heroes:

Gemma Bulos – Global Women’s Water Initiative (GWWI)

Lisa Cahill – Tree People

Birke Baehr – Future Farmer

Jane Davis and Patricia Kington – Perth City Farm

Olivia Bouler – Olivia’s Birds: Saving the Gulf

Eliška Koderová & Martin Maška – International Forum of Social Studies (IFSS)

Khann Chov – Beardsley Community Farm

Victoria Whelan – Seed Festival (UK)

Sushanta Bhandarkar – Empowering Word Change

Read it on Bookemon: http://www.bookemon.com/book-profile/we-will-create-sustainable-change/311687

Happy Dia del los Muertos.

Empowering Discussions

Fashion Stomps Forward Without Starving Models

October 30, 2013October 30, 2013 Impower You

I saw a video today that brought joy to my heart. It is a fashion show video. At a younger age I used to enjoy and planned on fashion as a career, but eventually came to loathe its cattiness, mass-produced unsustainable products, unhealthy human models who deliver each outfit and lack of reflecting our diverse society of shapes and skin colors.

Once in a while a designer causes me to enjoy fashion in its purest form, self-expression. Street fashion is my favorite art form. You can go to the downtown area of just about any city or go to a college campus to see a parade of unusual, beautiful and sometimes confounding fashion choices. People of all ages, though the majority are young, express their personality and opinions through what they wear and how they wear it. Giving our world more color and patterns is a feast for the eyes and a reminder of our individuality.

Rick Owens recently showed off his line of clothing, Vicious, in Paris with stomping women. Their faces growled and glared as they danced stop style down the runway. There were so many parts of this that made my heart leap with joy. Where to start!

The women looked healthy and did not resemble starving waifs.
Women with darker skin looked to be the majority.
Some women of African descent were allowed to have their hair naturally styled instead of ironed flat.
There was an obvious lack of cleavage because guess what pop culture, there are other parts of women besides our breasts!
The show was actually entertaining.

This is not the usual way of previewing fashion lines, but it should be. Watch the video on YouTube:

*Reference: http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/10/24/stomp-the-runway-the-choreographer-behind-rick-owens-astonishing-fashion-show/

If you like this blog check out my books at Bookemon: http://www.bookemon.com/member-book-list/151519 or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007LMUEJ2

*The ads on this site are here because I haven’t paid extra money. not because I support the product or service.*

Empowering Discussions

Pause and Think: News and Blogs That Will Make You Go Hmmmmm?

October 25, 2013October 23, 2013 Impower You

It is time to take action for change. Change in the way we do business, change in the way we treat half the world, change in how we elect leaders. In that spirit here are a few great minds sharing information that can bring about that change.

What if leaders had to prove their capabilities and intelligence, and had background checks like teachers and just about every other profession out there? Would you be more likely to vote? What if instead of party affiliation we voted based on job performance? Honie Briggs has some suggestions. http://honiebriggs.com/2013/10/12/save-the-date-november-4th-2014

What if we shamed rapists and brought facts to light instead of shaming victims? No other violence is excused like rape is. Why is that? Treye Green shares 7 things you need to know about Mathew Barnett, the 18 year old who raped a 14 year old girl in Maryville, MO. http://www.ibtimes.com/who-matthew-barnett-7-facts-know-about-accused-maryville-rapist-1433070

What if we paid attention to how well children enjoy this world? What if we learned to love ourselves by remembering what it was like to not have negative opinions about our bodies or capabilities? Michelle Minero, author of the Self Love Diet, shares her thoughts. http://selflovewarrior.com/2013/10/21/lessons-from-ninel/

What if we all started thinking for ourselves? What if we didn’t have corrupt news shows or fire throwing temper tantrum throwing radio talk shows polluting our airwaves with outright lies and hate? What if we paused to think about how ALL of our actions and words are affecting our health and happiness? What if we keep moving forward?

If you like this blog check out my books at Bookemon: http://www.bookemon.com/member-book-list/151519 or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007LMUEJ2

*The ads on this site are here because I haven’t paid extra money. not because I support the product or service.*

Book Reviews

Free Book From Amazon: Get Your Copy of “How Will You Create Positive Change” and Now You Can Read the Second Book in Series

October 18, 2013October 18, 2013 Impower You

16 people who are changing the world.

You can read about them and be inspired in this collection of interviews. “How Will You Create Positive Change” is a guide for anyone who wants change, but is unsure of where to start. It’s free for Amazon Kindle until the 22nd.

Sixteen amazing people from around the world have shared successful stories of how they created positive change in their communities. Each interview includes a blueprint for how they took action, what obstacles they overcame, and advice on how everyone can be an active participant in creating a better world.

These agents of change are championing for human rights, education, health, environmental sustainability, ending violence, eradicating poverty, mentoring youth, improving their communities, and inventing products that create a better world. They are different genders, skin colors and ages who live in different countries and have different beliefs. What they share in common is taking action.

You can get this book for your Amazon Kindle or to read on your computer FREE! This is a limited time offer that will only be available until midnight of Tuesday, the 22nd. http://www.amazon.com/Will-Create-Positive-Change-ebook/dp/B00CIITPAS/ref=la_B007LMUEJ2_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382042111&sr=1-4

Please share the link with your family and friends. Post it on Facebook. Inspire others to get involved in their communities.

Even more exciting news…

The second book, and special environmental edition, in the Up To You Series, “We Will Create Sustainable Change” is now available to read at Bookemon or Amazon.

It’s the air you breathe… the water you drink… the food you eat… the world you depend on.

Empowering Discussions

Becoming Aware of Traumatic Responses Helps Victims Become Survivors

October 9, 2013October 6, 2013 Impower You

How aware of your emotional responses are you? Do you fall down and give up or do you fall down and try again? Once we can be aware of our learned responses to tragedy or violence we can stop those assaults from overpowering us.

Those instances where we get knocked back down are what keep some people as perpetual victims. If we can’t see that it will get better, or focus on all we did accomplish then of course we don’t have hope. We will give up if we don’t have hope. That’s just human nature. I still get angry or sad sometimes, but I am strong enough to see that these are my normal responses to problems. It doesn’t make me weak, but stronger every time I notice a negative response and choose to behave differently.

Read about one persons experiences with this lesson on the “From a Whisper to a Roar” blog. http://fromawhispertoaroar.com/2013/10/06/lessons-in-battle-fighting-the-compensation-system She sums it all up with this statement “…psychological responses to traumas remain the same.” We are not perfect. We will face obstacles even when we are strong and successful. It’s how we learn to be aware of and stop those ingrained responses that allow us to move forward.

Once you know that there are actions you can take to reclaim your life than you can consciously choose to use that new skill to thrive. I am okay with having bad days. Finally being able to see that tragedy will scar, but not destroy me is the greatest gift.

What ingrained responses do you have that hinder you?

What ingrained responses do you have that help you?

If you like this blog check out my books at Bookemon: http://www.bookemon.com/member-book-list/151519 or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007LMUEJ2

Book Reviews

Literal News: An Outside Library, A New Archivist Blog, A World Wide Search for Books, and an Art Book Contest for Teens,

October 6, 2013October 6, 2013 Impower You

I LOVE to read! Yea, I know big shocker that a writer likes to read. I also love to read about projects considering literacy and books, cool libraries and such. Here is z collection of literal news I recently found.

library.outside — Outside library in downtown Carlsbad, CA. Photo Credit: Leah Oviedo

There is an odd library in the city of Carlsbad, CA. It is an outside wall covered in shelves stuffed full of books that are free for the taking. See the photo on the left. Granted some of the books were quite worn down, the majority are in good condition. You just can’t beat the social aspect of a free outside library. Visitors are encouraged to donate a book or some cash in the locked box, but this is totally on the honor system.

If I had loads of money I would just donate fifty or so of my own books and consider it both marketing and community support.

If you want to find an archivist to review one of your books you might enjoy this blog called the Treasure Trove. interestingly, she(my intelligent and talented cousin) also blogs about organ transplants from her experience as a organ receiver. http://christinageorgedotme.wordpress.com/books/

I recently stumbled upon a project to bring together books from around the world. The World Bookshop Challenge is a project to “to give an idea of the number of countries that have books represented on the shelves of the average bookshop.” http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/2013/06/12/the-world-bookshop-challenge/

For teen artists there is the It Came From A Book contest http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/?p=11009 where participants read a book and create a piece of art inspired by the story. It’s free to enter and the deadline is November 1st.

What Literal News Did I Miss? Please share in a comment below.

If you like this blog check out my books at Bookemon: http://www.bookemon.com/member-book-list/151519 or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007LMUEJ2

Empowering Discussions

What We Can Create: A Call for Enterprising and Intelligent People

September 24, 2013July 23, 2018 Impower You

I LOVE to read about people who design a new solution, create sustainable energy, and tinker until they innovate a better product. Building something from hand creates such a unparalleled feeling of accomplishment. Like child(or adult) who finally learns to read, it is so fulfilling to know that you are capable of fixing a problem or improving a situation based on your own intelligence.

Here are two stories of enterprising people and their amazing innovation.

Joyce Nansamba creates coal out of garbage and soil. Despite being 70 years of age she learned a new skill that conserves trees, saves money, and even helps her neighbors. http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/The+70+year+old+who+makes+charcoal+out+of+garbage/-/691232/1967820/-/10rwqrh/-/index.html

Luis Szaran started a program to share the power of music by teaching underprivelidged youth to play instruments. Soon they had more interested participants than instruments. With the help of a innovative man named Cola, they solved that problem by turning trash into musical instruments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqeaBonSPQA (there are subtitles)

What will you create?

What problem do you need to solve?

If you are proud of a problem you solved please share it in a comment below.

PS. If you enjoy this blog you may enjoy my published books. You can read, leave a comment, and purchase my books on Bookemon or Amazon. Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing this blog.

Empowering Discussions

With So Many Options, What Will You Choose?

September 1, 2013September 1, 2013 Impower You

Don’t tell me you have no choice, don’t whine about how unfair your situation is, don’t act as if you are out of options. Even if it is your last action on this earth, you have a choice. You can go one way or another.

When you realize that you have a choice, that you can always make a decision the world opens up to you. You see possibilities that previously seemed to not exist, but were actually just hidden from view because you continued to make similar choices and stay on a familiar path. It is all about CHOICE. Obviously in life we are thrown into positions or tragedy that we did not create and that are beyond our control to stop. Yet when this happens we are capable of choosing how to react. We choose to move forward or to live in the past.

A simple example, is a person who loses their arm. They didn’t want to lost that precious limb, but it happened and now they must relearn basic motor skills. They must choose to either become weak with pity or strong by moving forward.

I lost my money by choosing to spend it on things that I wrongly assumed would make me happy. I lost myself by believing what the bullies said. I lost my happiness by allowing myself to only feel sadness. I lost a few great jobs because I chose not to seek help for my depression. I wasted time and energy because I chose to hate others and focus on all that was negative. I was choosing the same paths over and over again for about 17 years. In and out of depression I would go. I lost my friend to a bad and sudden choice on her part. That was when I had enough.

I chose to look around and take paths that were foreign and a little scary. I stumbled, fell, broke, and put myself back together again. It has been rough, but I am making choices that are leading me to happiness, to success, to my passions. I lost my comfortable income by quitting a job I didn’t like. Now I am working at what I love, writing books and teaching self defense, to create an income that will once again be comfortable.

Thanks to the wisdom that comes with age, I can see the most likely outcome and make smarter decisions. These days my choices are well considered. My future choices are totally and completely in my power.

What great choices have you made?

What bad choices have you made?

What have you learned from all of those choices?

PS. If you enjoy this blog you may enjoy my published books. You can read, leave a comment, and purchase my books on Bookemon or Amazon. Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing this blog.

Empowering Discussions

Black and Atheist; Just Another View on Religion

August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 Impower You

I don’t write a lot of posts about religion because it is such a touchy subject that can be so easily taken the wrong way when read online, but once in a while I read something great and have to share it. I am not anti-religion. I refuse to live in an ANTI way. I am FOR peace, not against war. I am FOR equality, not against hate. Because for me and many of you readers, life is better when we focus our attention on what works, not what fails. So for all you struggling with balance between religion, faith and atheism this is for you.

I just read ” A Back-and-Forth Between Two Black Atheist Brothers” and couldn’t agree with the two writers more. They hit a very sensitive but important nail on the head. Other than the obvious destruction of culture or genocide, colonialism has a nasty history of forcing religion onto those that survive a take over. It’s a great way to continue your beliefs, but it also takes away the rights of natives to hold on to their own beliefs. Forcing your beliefs on another is just flat-out wrong. My favorite line in this back and forth is here: “We would be interested in us!” One of the most annoying things about religion for me is how it steers people away from individual freedom, responsibility and growth.

Black Excellence Blog, Conner Augustus Jr., Philadelphia Youth Project

Individual freedom means respecting yourself as a unique individual who is capable and allowed to make your own choices. Individual responsibility means not blaming your mistakes or creating a scapegoat out of a god or deities, Individual growth is learning to love and respect yourself completely and not reliant on your “creator”.

We all have our own ideas so please leave a comment below, but keep it polite or it won’t ever get published. There is no room for intolerance here.

What do you think about religion, is it good, bad or somewhere in between?

Why do you feel that way?

Author: Impower You

“The Year That Changed the World” Book Review

Fashion Stomps Forward Without Starving Models

Pause and Think: News and Blogs That Will Make You Go Hmmmmm?