Sheri's World

November 15, 2011

Healing Myths Healing Magic by Donald M. Epstein

Healing Myths Healing Magic by Donald M. Epstein is a book to challenge you to change your beliefs about healing that are actually just myths. Be ready to change your previous way of thinking about healing and huge changes can come your way!

Book Description

“Healing Myths, Healing Magic examines the deeply ingrained stories, or myths, we commonly hold about how our bodies heal – myths that can actually inhibit healing. For example: “I must forgive in order to heal,” “A person may be too far gone to heal,” or “Healing is not always available.”

The myths we accept without question have a powerful, magically suggestive effect on the way we interpret out symptoms, the way we heal, and the quality of life we experience. Our stories, or myths, can create the magic of healing in our lives, or they can stop the magic completely.

Dr. Epstein contends that unless we question the myths that control our lives, we will continue to make the same healing choices we have been conditioned to make, even if those choices are killing us.

In this breakthrough book, Dr. Epstein divides the healing myths into four categories – Social, Biomedical, Religious, and New Age. He exposes each myth individually, then suggests an alternative statement, or Healing Magic, to help us reclaim our body’s natural ability to heal.” – Healing Myths Healing Magic

My Thoughts

Healing Myths Healing Magic is a book that really spoke to me. Many myths about healing (and life in general) are set into our way of thinking from when we are young kids up to where we are now in life. Breaking these myths is not an easy thing to do. However, they can be broken with some serious thought and determination on your own part. I tried really hard to do this while reading the book, and I think that I have a few broken so far.

To really get the most out of this book, I suggest reading it through all the way. Then go back and read only one or two chapters at a time to really let it absorb into your knowing and consciousness. Actively work on transforming your prior beliefs so that they work better for you. When you feel that you have changed those beliefs, and then move on to the next few. If some you want to work on first, work on those – order isn’t really important.

This is a book that could really change your life and help you to heal. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Healing Myths Healing Magic, Amber Allen, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 11, 2011

11-11-11

Today is November 11, 2011 which is 11-11-11. To many, including myself, this means that it is a very spiritual day and possibly a gateway to better things coming into our lives.

One of my favorite authors, Doreen Virtue posted this on her Facebook status update for today:

“111111 in Angel Numbers is highly significant of a gateway energy opening where everything is possible. Please align your thoughts and feelings with our collective desires for a peaceful and healthy planet. The angels can uplift you at your request. Thank you for your contribution to this beautiful experience!”

Reading about and working with the angels is something I’ve been doing quite a lot of lately, and if you want to read more about them, I highly suggest reading angel books by Doreen.

Today at 11:11 AM I went outside and just sat on the porch looking out at the lake. Of course my new adopted cats interrupted my trying to meditate, but that was purrfectly okay because they are a precious gift. I haven’t mentioned them on my Blog yet, but I plan on writing up a very special kitty post about them soon. I just need to get them still enough to take some photos. They are very elusive when the camera comes out.

Did you do anything special today? Do you notice any changes starting today? I think I notice some change taking place, but exactly what, I’m not quite sure.

November 9, 2011

Archangels 101 by Doreen Virtue

Archangels 101 by Doreen Virtue covers 15 of the archangels. In this book, you’ll discover more about them, and also learn how to work with them to help your life. If you have been drawn to angels (or perhaps just this review) be sure to check this book out.

Book Description

“Legions of loving and trustworthy archangels watch over you, and you can develop an even closer relationship with them by learning their names and specialties. In this uplifting nondenominational book, Doreen Virtue guides you in connecting with her 15 favorite archangels. You'll read true stories from people who have received protection, miraculous healings, and amazing guidance from these beloved Heavenly beings.

Archangels want to help you live a healthier and happier life. As unlimited beings, they can assist everyone simultaneously, and this fascinating book will teach you which ones to call upon for various situations. Whether you're new to working with angels or someone who has believed in them all your life, you'll want to refer to Archangels 101 again and again.” – Archangels 101

My Thoughts

Archangels 101 is an introductory book about 15 of the archangels including: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Chamuel, Ariel, Metatron, Sandalphon, Azrael, Jophiel, Haniel, Raziel, Raguel, Jeremiel, and Zadkiel.

Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Uriel are covered in more depth than most of the other archangels included in this book. However, these are the main ones that people work with the most. I don’t feel that this took away anything from the powerful messages in the book.

Each of the angels has background information about them, prayers you can say to have them help you, and also stories from people who have worked with them that will show you that they can miraculously help you in a vast amount of ways.

Before the angels can intervene and help you though, you must allow them to do so. Once you start along the path of working with angels, you will be amazed by how much they will help you. Doreen Virtue does brilliant work helping all of us realize this through her books, radio show, oracle cards, and much more.

With this book you’ll also discover the halo colors or colors most associated with each of these archangels, crystals and gemstones connected to them, and the astrological signs associated with the fifteen archangels featured in the book.

Unlike most books, this one is in full color and also includes artwork of angels. The colors and pictures are used wonderfully, and really makes you want to read it again and again. This is a beautiful book with a beautiful message.

If you have any interest in angels, enjoy Doreen Virtue’s books, or need help in some way with something, this is a great book for you to read. Yes, those statements can apply to pretty much everyone, so I highly recommend it to everyone to read.

* Thank you to the publisher of Archangels 101, Hay House, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 7, 2011

Review of The Sims Medieval and the Pirates and Nobles Expansion Pack

The Sims Medieval is a simulation game that resembles The Sims series of games, but it is quite different. In this game, you play as a hero and are required to complete quests to complete ambitions. Along the way, you can unlock items and clothing, but it is really all about the quests. The Kingdom that you build is up to you, and you can decorate it as you see fit. You can rule it with great power, or go on the side of peace – the choice is yours.

Game Description: The Sims Medieval

“The Sims go back in time and get medieval! The Sims™ Medieval takes The Sims into the Middle Ages with all new features, new graphics and new ways to play. For the first time, players can create heroes, venture on quests, and build up a kingdom. In an ancient land of adventure, drama and romance, players will be able to get medieval like never before.

Features:

o A living world of Sims in an age of adventure, drama, and romance

o Enhanced graphics, lighting, animations, and more lifelike Sims

o Create heroes, build up their skills and send them on epic quests

o Quests drive your kingdom’s story - Good or evil, cruel or kind, romantic or warlike

o Kingdom Ambitions – Choose a ambitious goal for your kingdom and work to achieve it. Will you kingdom be the most wealthy, most enlightened, a conqueror or a peacemaker? The choice is yours.” – The Sims Medieval

Game Description: The Sims Medieval Pirates and Nobles

“The Sims Medieval™ Pirates and Nobles Adventure Pack introduces new quests, treasure hunting, and hundreds of new objects for your medieval kingdom! Your epic story starts when the Pirates of Aarbyville and the Nobles of Tredony arrive in your kingdom, followed quickly by sword fights, love affairs, grand adventures and mysteries. Go treasure hunting to uncover hidden objects. Embark on new quests to help your kingdom achieve a new ambition. Stylize your kingdom and Sims with new pirate and nobility themed objects and wardrobe. The fun never ends with this new adventure pack!

Features:

o A New Kingdom Ambition – Can you end the war between Tredony and Aarbyville?

o New Quests that follow an epic story arc

o New Signature Objects – The Interrogation Chair and pet falcons and parrots

o New Traits a new Legendary Trait

o Over 140 Pirate and Nobility themed objects

o New pirate and noble outfits and hats

o Treasure Hunting, complete with maps, shovels, rare treasure and some surprising dangers” – The Sims Medieval: Pirates and Nobles

My Thoughts

The Sims Medieval is a completely different game than The Sims 3 or other Sims games. In this game, you don’t have the option of playing as any Sim in the Kingdom. You only play as the heroes, and you can’t just switch between them during a quest.

When you are working on an Ambition, you start a Kingdom from the ground up each time. This can be considered annoying, but it gives you the option of having different types of Kingdoms, and gives the re-playability a better spin.

When you complete quests, you gain points that can be used to add in new buildings and hero buildings to your Kingdom. Choose what you place wisely or you’ll waste your points on things you don’t really need for the ambition you’re on. The quests are fun, but can be repetitive if you choose to do them the same way each time.

The clothes and décor are all based on the Medieval setting of the game. I think that it stays true to this throughout the base game and the Pirates and Nobles expansion pack. The add-on also gives the option of better clothes and makeup, so if this is something you enjoy in your Sims games, be sure to get this expansion!

Overall, I do enjoy playing this game and the expansion. If you are used to the regular Sims games, it might take a few quests to get used to this style of gaming. However, once you do, I think that you’ll enjoy it too. Just remember that it isn’t The Sims 3, so don’t expect it to be. I recommend this game to all Simmers out there and to those who want to play a game based on the Medieval era.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Sims Medieval, Electronic Arts, and Gamers Gate for providing me with a digital copy of this game and allowing me to review it. All experiences and opinions expressed are my own.

The Outlaw Album by Daniel Woodrell

The Outlaw Album by Daniel Woodrell is as the title suggests – stories about criminals or outlaws. The album contains twelve stories with characters that will leave you thinking about them long after you read their short story.

Book Description

“Twelve timeless Ozarkian tales of those on the fringes of society, by a "stunningly original" (Associated Press) American master.

Daniel Woodrell is able to lend uncanny logic to harsh, even criminal behavior in this wrenching collection of stories. Desperation-both material and psychological--motivates his characters. A husband cruelly avenges the killing of his wife's pet; an injured rapist is cared for by a young girl, until she reaches her breaking point; a disturbed veteran of Iraq is murdered for his erratic behavior; an outsider's house is set on fire by an angry neighbor.

There is also the tenderness and loyalty of the vulnerable in these stories--between spouses, parents and children, siblings, and comrades in arms-which brings the troubled, sorely tested cast of characters to vivid, relatable life. And, as ever, "the music coming from Woodrell's banjo cannot be confused with the sounds of any other writer" (Donald Harington, Atlanta Journal Constitution).” – The Outlaw Album

My Thoughts

The stories in The Outlaw Album are harsh, yet somewhat relatable, which makes them that much more eerie of tales. This book contains stories from the Ozarks, but even if you’ve never personally been there, that is okay. Daniel Woodrell is able to take you there in these stories, and even though the stories are about crimes, they do make you treasure the area where the stories take place.

It could easily be read in one evening, but taking the time to savor each story is a better way to read this book, at least in my opinion. The characters are dynamic and their stories are memorable.

This is not a book for conservative readers to pick up. Sure, some may like it, but it is likely that this type of reader will not. However, if you enjoy stories with outlaws, criminals, and just overall good writing, you’ll enjoy this book.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Outlaw Album, Little, Brown, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 5, 2011

Discover The Gift – It’s Why We’re Here

Discover the Gift is a feature length documentary and motivational book by Demian Lichtenstein and his sister, Shajen Joy Aziz. Their journey is shared with all of us to help discover our own Gift. Are you ready to discover yours?

Description

“From award-winning director Demian Lichtenstein comes a stunning feature-length documentary that explores the basic but vital reality that we are each given a unique Gift, a purpose in our lives that is always seeking to express itself. Find that Gift and you can experience joy, power, fulfillment, freedom and unconditional love in ways beyond your imagination.

In Discover the Gift, Demian and his sister, Shajen Joy Aziz, narrate and present a simple road map to a journey of self-discovery that will change your life forever. Sharing their own heartfelt, personal stories of tragedy and redemption, the brother and sister are joined by many of today’s most influential transformational leaders who will inspire you, guide you, and ultimately enable you to begin your own journey to find your Gift and the life you were meant to live.” – Discover the Gift

My Thoughts

Discover the Gift is a remarkable DVD and book set. You don’t have to get both, but I highly suggest that you do. Reading the book and watching the documentary really gives you the best of both worlds for the Gift.

The documentary for Discover the Gift is a visually stunning, and highly spiritual and motivational journey for your soul. Demian Lichtenstein really does a superb job directing this. It is similar to The Secret, but in a more relatable and visually appealing way. If you watched The Secret, and enjoyed it, or even if you didn’t quite get it, Discover the Gift gives you more applicable steps to reaching your Gift. I’ve watched the DVD a few times, and each time I find something else in it that I missed before. I think that this documentary should be watched multiple times as you are on your own personal journey to fully get the message.

The book for Discover the Gift was written by Shajen Joy Aziz and Demian Lichtenstein. On her own journey to discover her Gift, she realized that one of her Gifts was writing. It covers most of the same information as in the DVD, but it is written and gives you another way to discover your Gift. The eight steps to uncover your gift is easier to follow in the book, and allows you to reference when needed faster than you could find it on a DVD. Some of the beautiful artwork that is shown in the documentary is also included in the book, which I really love. The mandalas are gorgeous and can also be used to meditate with.

Watching the documentary and reading the book will have you laughing, crying, and hopefully on the journey to discover your Gift. If you’re lucky, maybe you can find out what your Gift is rather quickly. If not, keep watching the DVD and re-read the book. It will come to you, and when it does, you’ll know it and embrace it into your life.

Consider reading this review as your personal invitation to discover your personal Gift and to start fully living. I highly recommend both the documentary and the book for Discover the Gift.

* Thank you to the publisher of Discover the Gift, Harmony Books, for providing me with a copy of this book and DVD for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 1, 2011

FREE Meal Planning Made Easy!

I just came across this free meal planning service and seriously have to share it with everyone. It allows you to select the stores you shop at, put in what type of food your family eats, and then it helps you plan your meals each week based on the sales that are going on at the grocery stores in your area. What a fabulous idea! If you have a smartphone, you can even have the grocery list right on your phone, so you won’t forget it ever again. Love it!

On top of that… I also have some coupons for you for November!

Magic When You Need It by Judika Illes

Magic When You Need It by Judika Illes is a quick reference book for emergency spells involving money and your career, love, sex marriage, and children, home, and various other troubles. When you need a little help or a lot of help, these spells will help you!

Book Description

“Many spells and charms can take days or even weeks to complete. In Magic When You Need It, Judika Illes offers a collection of super-powered magic to help you right now. Is your career in a slump? Are you being visited by ghosts? Short on cash? Magic When You Need It can help with these problems and more.

Divided into four sections: Money and Career; Love, Sex, Marriage, and Children; Home; and Trouble, Magic When You Need It offers 150 spells to help you find a job, meet your soul mate, protect your home, and many more common (and not so common) predicaments. Using simple instructions and ingredients that can be found in your pantry, combined with easy to find magical oils and botanicals, Illes blends Old World and modern magic to provide the reader with safe, effective magical remedies for many of life's troubles. Carry this book in your purse, your car, or keep it on your kitchen counter for accessible magic year round.”– Magic When You Need It

My Thoughts

Magic When You Need It is a spell book for beginners or for people who have been practicing magic for years. The author collects ancient spells and new spells, so there is a good mixture included in the book to help you with just about every situation you’d need to use a spell for. Judika Illes writes in a very easy to read and understand way, so even if you don’t use any of the spells, it is still a fun read.

Most of the spells require certain ingredients to have it be effective. If you don’t happen to live near a magical shop that carries those ingredients, the author lists places online that you can shop at to ensure that you have access to the ingredients.

Some of my favorite spells included in the book:

Banish Ghosts (I am a paranormal investigator, so this will come in handy)
Get Cash Fast
Home Protection Spells
Protect Your Computer
Banish Bad Dreams

If you are interested in magic at all, this is a great book to have to quickly access the spell you need in a hurry. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Magic When You Need It, Weiser Books, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 30, 2011

Pure Magic by Judika Illes

Pure Magic by Judika Illes is one of the best intro books to learning about magic that I’ve ever read. If you want to learn about magic, spells, and more – this is one of the books that you want to read!

Book Description

“Pure Magic is a practical crash course for anyone who's ever envied TV witches. Or women who always seem to get the job, apartment, or date they want. Or people who can make their dreams come true. Judika Illes has written a spellcasting primer in down-to-earth language. "I consciously set out to write a book that would be different from any other on the market," Illes writes. "This book is jargon free. It contains information usually handed down from teacher to student. It focuses on the practical aspects of spellcasting in a clear and nonjudgmental way... No specialized metaphysical training is required."

What is required is that we become aware of the natural rhythms, energies, powers, and patterns of Earth and her diverse inhabitants.

Pure Magic offers a plethora of individual spells, plus concrete advice on how and where to practice magic, to rightly use words of power, and to cleanse, protect, and enhance your magic self. Work your way through it's easy-to-follow, step-by-step plan, and all will become clear. Learn to listen to Mother Earth, focus on your magical allies, gather the simple equipment Illes outlines, and follow the straightforward instructions, and you will soon be constructing your own spells and experiencing magic in your everyday life. Pure Magic is a book that beginners will follow rigorously and advanced spellcasters will refer to again and again for guidance and inspiration.” – Pure Magic

My Thoughts

Pure Magic is really an excellent resource for those beginning in magic. Judika Illes writes in a very easy to read way that makes it feel like you’re in a one-on-one class with her learning about magic.

I really enjoyed reading about the basics of magic, the different types of spiritual allies, and even tried a few of the spells. As a beginner, I found it all to be highly interesting and not intimidating to want to try it. The spells that are included in the book are aimed to be used by a beginner, but advanced spell casters could use them too.

If you are interested in magic at all, this is a very easy to read book that won’t leave you confused, and will help you to spark the magic in your own life. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Pure Magic, Weiser Books, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 23, 2011

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan is a memoir of the author’s own dark past, and how he rose from the darkness and started living in the light again. The author’s journey into Satanism lead him down a path that you’ll never want to take, and hopefully his story will help to lead others out of the darkness as well.

Book Description
“A life of difficulty and disappointment set 33-year old Michael Leehan up for the worst decision of his life—to make a deal with the Devil to follow and serve him. Practicing the dark arts that include ritualistic cuttings and blood sacrifices, while fine tuning his manipulation and control skills, Michael launched into a twenty year downward spiral that included job loss and detachment from loved ones, and even jail time.

But God had another plan that included a group of Christian men to love him and pray for him—even when it became evident his assignment from Satan was to kill their pastor, Craig Groeschel.

The life Michael Leehan lives today is an incredible testimony of the transforming power of God's mercy and grace, but is also a wakeup call to the church to be fully aware of the spiritual war that is going on all around them, and to the ultimate battle for their souls.

"I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:18” – Ascent from Darkness

My Thoughts
Ascent from Darkness is a dark read. It is a true story about the author’s life, which makes it that much more chilling. The author doesn’t claim to be a writer, but he does a very good job with telling his story.

Even though the author does find God again and comes out of the darkness, this isn’t really a very uplifting read. It is dark, depressing, and at times you’ll think the author was a bit crazy. However, knowing that Michael doesn’t continue to follow Satan forever did help me to keep reading the book. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t have read it or continued to read it.

Overall, I found the book to be decent. It isn’t great, but it isn’t terrible either. I do hope that it helps people who are in the same darkness that the author was in. However, if they are that far gone, I don’t think they’d be sitting down reading this book to help them.

* Thank you to the publisher of Ascent from Darkness, Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a copy of this book for review as part of their BookSneeze program. All opinions expressed are my own.