Therapeutic Notepad: A Path to Happiness and Well-Being

Happiness is a tapestry we craft from the myriad threads life provides – some coarse, some silky. Yet, it’s our choice how we intertwine them. Your life’s tapestry is your sanctuary; make it as resplendent as possible. Once woven, the threads remain fixed; time won’t reverse, so craft each moment, each connection, with care. Every instant is a potential stitch, every action a defining pattern. Relish each strand and moment, for time is relentless. Be the mastermind of your own intricate pattern. Avoid leaving gaps, lest your tapestry unravels. While it’s okay to seek guidance, remember, the significance lies not in the process, but in the magnificent final piece you create.

Owning, Growing and Being

‘A lived experience’ what does this phrase really mean? A lot of companies and organisations like to use this ‘expression’ when describing ‘you’, your family and or maybe even someone that you may know that looks or sounds like you. But do they really know you? Do they really want to know you? Or is it something else that they want from you?

This book explores some of the challenges and benefits of getting to know more about yourself, and considers what might make you ‘similar’ and or ‘different’ and or ‘unique’ within a multi-racial and multi-cultural society, especially those that might consider themselves as coming ‘from a minority group’ (with regard to race, sexuality, language, colour, income, etc.).

Finally, this ‘non-politically correct resource’ will explore some of the interpersonal challenges for working with charities, social care organisations, general workplaces, and the like. How ‘others’ (individuals and organisations) might see you – is it similar and or different to how they might see themselves, and to how you understand yourself?

Readers of this book might be surprised by some of the contradictions from those that might be working with you and or around you, maybe just because of who you are or who others assume that you are. The joy of this book is that it provides some practical strategies and answers for making the most out of ‘the now’ and living our best lives even in the complicated world that we may find ourselves in.

Helping Skills

Have you ever tried to help but you didn’t know how? This book gives you a step-by-step guide on how to listen, understand and guide people into solving their problems. A must for counsellors! This textbook of interpersonal and problem-solving skills should be a prerequisite for anyone entering the helping profession, or even just looking for ways to help loved ones through challenging times.

The How and Why of Surviving a Poor Prognosis Cancer

These incredible stories of pain and suffering, courage and determination will assist people newly diagnosed with cancer to position themselves in the best possible place for survival. Knowledge and understanding of the stories of survivors of cancer may also assist health professionals to best help those living with cancer, and the people who journey alongside them. At the very least these stories shed light on how a group of people, given the worst news possible related to their health, fought back against all the odds and lived to tell the tale. Awareness of the many concerns facing cancer survivors may inspire policy-makers, health professionals, even those remotely involved with someone journeying with cancer to initiate change in some way: to make a difference to the person with cancer’s struggle.

Although some cancer survivors recover with a renewed sense of life and purpose, what has often not been recognised is the frequently devastating toll taken by cancer and its treatments. Long-lasting effects may be apparent shortly after completion of treatment and/or many years later. Personal relationships are changed and wide-reaching adaptations to all aspects of life may be necessary. Importantly, survivors’ health is forever altered. Let’s face it; we are all involved here. All of us know someone with cancer, many of us have lost loved ones to cancer, many, too many of us will be diagnosed with cancer, given that one in three people in the world face a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime.

The Way of the Philosopher

The Way of the Philosopher touches on a wide range of philosophical ideas and perspectives. It opens by pondering the meaning of philosophy itself, defining it as ‘the search of truth’ and ‘the continual failure to get to the truth.’

The author then dives into discussions of logic, reason, the patterns of thought, living in the present moment, and having an open, questioning attitude. There are reflections on the purpose of emotions, the subjectivity of morality, the illusion of past and future, and the importance of authenticity.

Several chapters offer practical personal growth teachings, from cultivating self-awareness to overcoming fears and destructive thought patterns. Themes of freedom, autonomy, and self-reliance also feature prominently.

Throughout, author Abdul Shakoor aims to share useful life lessons and timeless insights. The Way of the Philosopher emphasizes cooperating with others, facing challenges with courage, removing the veils of illusion, and ultimately living by following one’s heart. While wide-ranging, the unifying message seems to be about seeking truth through philosophy and dedicated self-inquiry.

Positive People Win

She was tired of people telling her what she should be doing because deep down she knew, she wanted to leave him and the abuse behind but she was scared, she had three young children to care for and was penniless and didn’t know where to go, she had very limited qualifications and work experience and more importantly lacked the confidence and understanding that she deserved better. What she really wanted was for someone to save her, someone to tell her how, how can my life change, how do I do this? How do I become that confident person who fights for a better life?

Over the next 20 years Toni’s journey to self-discovery lead to many life lessons that were crucial in learning how to love who she was, to realise that the strength she needed for a better life was already inside of her, that she was actually powerful beyond belief and that her happiness was dependent on a choice that she herself was in control of and no one else. Positive People Win is a compilation of written learning material that gave Toni the knowledge and the tools she needed to help change her words, actions, beliefs and understanding that inspired and motivated her to be the person she always wanted to be and to have the life she always wanted to have. Toni shares the knowledge contained in her book to inspire hope and share the truth that every person has the power within to live a life they love.

The cover of this book was especially hand painted by Liz Childs – an Australian Aboriginal artist. It is an abstract of the Tree of Life and its meaning is wisdom and knowledge.

Volcanoes: Child Abuse, Rage and Recovery

“Volcanoes is searingly honest... a lucid probe into the devastating effects of childhood trauma. But it’s more than just an analysis - Volcanoes has a building-block process for recovery. It’s a must-read for any survivor battling with rage.”

Rod Phillips, Chairman of the Board Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse

“This is an informative and comprehensive text for those who have suffered severe trauma and for those professionals in the healing sector. Using clear, detailed, and precise language, Lindsey takes us on a thorough and exhaustive analysis covering all aspects of the human journey through healing and back to wholeness.”

Hetty Johnson, Founder and Director of Bravehearts Inc.

“I enjoyed Reading this book very much. It integrates Tomkin’s affect theory into trauma work very nicely.”

Gershen Kaufman, PhD. Author of The Psychology of Shame: The Power of Caring.

“I found the group brilliant. It opened doorways to deal safely with emotional issue from the past. I was also able to pass on the skills to other survivors - with astonishing results.”

Janelle Sansom, Group Participant and Support Counsellor.

Your Sacred Calling: Awakening the Soul to a Spiritual Life in the 21st Century

Wake up to your Sacred Calling Richard Harvey's third book will assist you in discovering how to go about saving and preserving the sacred principles for leading a truly spiritual life. He will be a guide for your discovery of emotional and spiritual freedom and will illustrate how to guard, protect, and treasure the sacred-spiritual truths in order to live from your heart.His unusual approach dismisses, refutes, and argues against popularly conceived ideas about spirituality. Instead, on these pages you will find innovative ideas - philosophy and practices - that are offered in heartfelt response to the critical challenges that Harvey believes we face today.Most importantly, this book will encourage and empower you to create and refine your own sacred calling.Author Richard Harvey is a psychotherapist and spiritual teacher. He is the founder of Sacred Attention Therapy, a radical, innovative, psycho-spiritual approach to human growth and development. For nearly forty years he has helped thousands of people find greater peace and fulfilment through his workshops, trainings, and private practice.  

Your Children's Party and How to Plan it, Run it, Enjoy it

Remember all you mums, dads and carers: I’m sure you know a lot of these tips, games and ideas, so use this book to help you plan and run your party, and make it a great success!

Yoga De-Mystified

"Shiv Sharma is an inspiring yoga teacher who is also a scientist. His upbringing in India gave him a sound understanding of the development of Indian philosophy whilst his subsequent scientific training instilled an essential desire to explain the world and seek justification for whatever is asserted. As a yoga teacher, he applies these principles by separating what is non-testable, or downright wrong, from what is measurable, understandable and repeatable; his mantra in class is to question, understand and apply well-directed effort." - Dave Plummer, ex-Head of Medical Imaging, University College London Hospital and Lesley Whitby

Yes, Shaman Can Wear Jeans

Despite its quirky title, this is a serious and moving book about the ways of the shaman and how they can be applied to life in the modern world. The author speaks from her experience in learning and teaching, and presents the methods in an engaging, sometimes humorous, and personal way.Nicola describes topics such as science and the essence of shamanism, the body’s energy field, as well as practical paths to take, such as the medicine wheel, nature painting, treasure maps, vision quests and breathing and meditation.Written in a light-hearted way, this book encourages us to know ourselves honestly, empowering us to take the opportunity to be the difference in our lives rather than thinking someone else or something else needs to change. A very readable and useful addition to the self-help genre.Yes, Shaman Can Wear Jeans is a very readable self-help book about the spiritual methods used by the ancient tribal shaman, with specific application to the modern technological world and relationship problems. With sections on breathing and meditation, our authentic selves, energy and shadows, and how our beliefs shape our actions, the author draws on her own extensive experience as a shaman, using entertaining and moving examples of real-life situations. The quirky title gives a flavour of the writing, which treats this serious subject in an approachable manner.                                                                                      – Press release

Who's In Charge?

Who’s in Charge?, written by Eddie Gallagher, is a book aimed at helping parents unravel the mysteries of violent and abusive children. For those who don’t have difficult teenage children, this book will come as something of a thunderbolt as the misery that some parents and families endure is not well-documented or discussed. For those whose children are reasonably normal and average, this will come as something of a relief! Never again will you complain about sour faces, bad moods and bombsite bedrooms.Eddie Gallagher’s main objective is to explore the facts and expose the taboo that surrounds the concept of children perpetrating violent acts upon their parents. However, Who’s in Charge? contains a mine of information about family relationships, about emotions in general and stacks of advice about good parenting, so this is a book that every parent would benefit from reading. It will also be of interest to professionals and academics as there has been little written on this topic, and nothing with such scope. Candid, non-judgmental, certainly not sanctimonious and full of humour, Eddie Gallagher is able to take this difficult and largely hidden topic and expose it. Other topics are covered which would be of interest to any parent – the effect of social media and the internet, an increasing lack of respect towards authority in society – and the author also touches on the issue of violent abuse between adults within relationships plus the input of healthcare professionals and the moral minefield they face, all in all a veritable mine of information. Accessible, relevant and easy to read, every part of this book will impact someone somewhere, whether they have children or not.