A Quest for Well-Being

You have access to all the guidance and direction you need—it is inside of you right now. You may want to access it but really don't know how. That is what this book is about. It can help you remove obstacles in your way so the wisdom of your heart can be called upon. Awareness of and working with your obstacles allows you to be able to discern their impact and make new choices. By doing so, you can gain access to your heart's wisdom and the wisdom of your soul. Your heart's wisdom is profound and can speak volumes when sought and accessed through the methods outlined in this book. The tools outlined are ones that have really helped me in my life and also may help you in yours. By taking many small steps, it is possible to make big changes in your life. They may occur over a long period of time or there may be a series of small changes all happening at once. Whatever that is for you, know that it is OK and that it is your individual journey to take—there are no rules! – writes Della Reside Valeria interviews Della Reside the author of The Sweetest Thing: everyday exercises to easily access the wisdom of your heart. Della is also a Chakra Educator and the founder of Cellular Consciousness™ Healing which is a method of releasing trauma, past experiences, and emotions stuck in the body without having to re-experience them on a cognitive level. Her work helps people release what has been holding them back while allowing them to shift their mindset, increase self-awareness and move forward in life. She coined the term Cellular Consciousness™ in 2010 as the culmination of a career spanning over three decades in the medical field shifted towards alternative medicine. Della's diverse background includes a BMLT with a Degree in Microbiology, certification as a Brennan Integration Practitioner and as a Holistic Health Coach. Her training; personality and authentic wisdom allow her to easily weave the intricacies of science and healing into her online programs and private sessions. To learn more about Della Reside please visit her website: https://www.dellareside.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Valeria interview Danielle Aitken the author of Sarah's Story: Life After IVF: A Story Of Personal Triumph And Spiritual Growth Sarah's Story depicts one woman's journey before, during and most importantly after infertility by sensitively giving a heartfelt account of the reality and the emotional rollercoaster that is IVF, but it is much more than that. The story serves as a metaphor for anyone struggling to overcome adversity, as it shines a light of hope which leaves the reader feeling empowered by the ability we all possess to bring ourselves back from the depths of despair. Sarah's Story will move you from tears of sorrow to tears of joy as it provides a compelling insight into human potential and a person's capacity to turn their life around finding hope, meaning and inspiration where none previously existed. As a highly experienced nurse and midwife, Danielle Aitken has spent over twenty years working at the cutting edge of IVF in Australia. Now a counsellor and clinical hypnotherapist running a successful private practice, Danielle assists people to move through trauma and crisis by helping them to discover their inner strengths. When she is not writing, she is passionate about empowering people to achieve their goals and reach their true potential by working with the principals that are explored in the latter part of Sarah's Story. Sarah's Story, is a work of fiction based on the cumulative common experiences of countless numbers of women and men that Danielle encountered over twenty years of working in the area of infertility. This story is an inspirational narrative about self-discovery and transformation. It's a powerful story of love, life and resilience that leads the reader from the innocence of naivety through the emotional turmoil of unexpected despair and grief, then emerges out the other side as it skilfully illuminates human potential to triumph over adversity. After working in the infertility industry for over 20 years Danielle experienced first-hand the devastation that infertility can wreak on individuals, couples, friends and extended family alike. It can often be an insidious and unrelenting issue and there are many relationships that do not survive the experience. Danielle has utilized the insight and knowledge that she has gained on her own journey and sensitively displayed this throughout the pages of Sarah's Story. Danielle is blessed to be a mother of three beautiful children; Lachlan, Morgan and Rachel and stepmother to Jack. Grandmother to Imogen, Audrey and Brooklyn and she is currently excitedly awaiting the arrival of my fourth grandchild and she never takes this privilege for granted. The purpose of writing this book was to shine a light of hope in the darkness that illuminates the possibility that sometimes amazing outcomes can be born out of the deepest despair and each and every experience can provide us with valuable wisdom from which to create a new beginning. Danielle has just completed my second book; "THE RIPPLES. What Lies Beyond." To learn more about Danielle Aitken please visit her website: https://www.danielleaitkenauthor.com.au/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

How to Grow and Thrive After a Traumatic Loss? Few of us know how to navigate the territory of traumatic loss successfully. Sweet Sorrow shows how we can respond and grow stronger from loss and suffering. Written by psychologist and certified bereavement trauma specialist Dr. Sherry Cormier, Sweet Sorrow chronicles the decade following the loss of her husband, father, mother, and only sibling. Dr. Sherry's carefully considered work provides perspective on grief and healing over time. Its longer-term approach allows readers to have a more complete and accurate picture of the oscillations of grief over time. The book describes not only the immediate agony of the author's losses, but also the process of starting over and making a successful new life as a single person full of hope and joy. Sweet Sorrow combines Sherry's psychological expertise and clinical experience with the compelling art of memoir to illuminate the surprising ways in which loss survivors can grow and even thrive to achieve wholeness after heartbreaking, traumatic losses. Using findings from post-traumatic growth, as well as evidence-based psychological approaches, Sweet Sorrow illustrates through story and example: — Ways for grief survivors to start over — Tools to manage chaos and stress — How to let go, and to heal with new strategies and re-storying — Resources and recommendations for self-care — Tips and suggestions to respond creatively and helpfully to those around us suffering loss Sweet Sorrow is a work of inspiration intended to accompany readers through the processes of loss and grief much like a helpful Sherpa might guide a lost traveler. The author provides critical insight into the journey of death as experienced by a spouse. Valeria interviews Dr. Sherry Cormier. Sherry is a psychologist and consultant who engages in public speaking, training, and grief mentoring. She is former Professor at both the University of Tennessee and West Virginia University. Cormier holds a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University and both her master's and doctoral degrees are from Purdue University. She is the author of Counseling Strategies and Interventions for Professional Helpers (Pearson Education, 9th edition), and the co-author of Interviewing and Change Strategies for Helpers (Cengage Learning, 8th edition). She is the co-writer and co-producer of over 50 training videos for Cengage Learning. To learn more about Dr. Sherry Cormier please visit her website: https://www.sherrycormierauthor.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Valeria interviews Dr. Cynthia A. Bond Hopson. Whether you're describing who she is or what she does, Cynthia A. Bond Hopson, Ph.D., is indescribably wonderful! She's charming, confident, effervescent, and utterly amazing! With a knack for inspiring women and audiences of all ages and taking them on a journey of self-care, liberation and discovery, her brand of uplift is just what the doctor ordered. Mentor, sister, best-selling author, scholar, truth teller, public intellectual—any or all of the above–she's at home discussing higher education or helping women manage their time more effectively. She asked God to bless her with gifts that would bless others, and bless them she does. A world traveler, she and her husband, Roger, have traveled all 50 states, six continents, and are always ready for adventure. Their book of devotions for newlyweds and not-so-newlyweds, I Do…Every Day, was named #1 Best Selling Christian Book by Amazon.com. Dr. Hopson's newest offering, Totally Gracefull, Wisdom for Phenomenal and Grace-filled Women, (Innovo Publishers, July 2019) is a purse-sized 31- day dose of inspiration and empowerment. Along with Bad Hair Days, Rainy Days and Mondays, Too Many Irons in the Fire and They're All Smoking, and 31 is Thirty-Wonderful, A Prayer and Reflection Journal/Journey for Triumphant Women, Second Edition, she beautifully uses laughter and straight talk to joyfully move audiences from complacency to power. She is a gifted storyteller as evidenced through her groundbreaking tome The Women of Haywood, Their Lives, Our Legacy. Chronicling the lives of four professional women, she infuses their powerful stories of triumph with scholarly essays and reflections to provide rich context and additional insights. Her poignant letter to former First Lady Michelle Obama, was one of 100 selected for inclusion in the book, Go, Tell Michelle, a collection from African American women. The book became an award-winning stage play and best-seller. Dr. Bond Hopson earned the B.A. in Mass Communications from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), the M.S. in Journalism from Murray State University, and the Ph.D., in Journalism from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. In 2017, she received a doctor of humane letters degree from the historic Bethune Cookman University, and in 2019, the Thurston Group of Washington State awarded her a lifetime achievement award for her commitment to higher education. She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Association of Black Journalists, and the NAACP. She and Roger live in Cordova, Tennessee, and they have two children, Marcos and Angela, four grandchildren, Kiera, Terrell, Maya and Morgan, and great-grandson, Avery. To learn more about Dr. Cynthia A. Bond Hopson please visit her website: https://drbondhopson.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Am I on the Autism Spectrum? Why a Diagnosis in Adulthood Matters. The good news is that autism awareness and diagnosis have improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade. Detection is now possible at a very early age. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages screening for autistic features as early as 18 months. The bad news is that autism recognition initiatives have almost exclusively focused on early childhood. Low diagnosis rates of autism in adults who missed early detection have created a significant gap in our ability to provide vital assistance throughout the lifespan. As noted by T. S. Brugha (2011), autism appears to be just as prevalent in our adult populations as in children, although it has been "largely unrecognized." When an adult asks the question, "Do I have autism?" it's often challenging for her to fend off the strong opinions of others. Everyone, from her aunt to her next-door neighbor, freely offers a quick viewpoint on the topic. One says, "You don't have autism!" while another adds, "Besides, a diagnosis won't make any difference." As a content expert in the field of autism in the adult, Dr. Theresa Regan is grateful to be a voice that brings you hope and direction. Although, the benefits of receiving a diagnosis are too plentiful to list, she talks about the reasons a diagnosis of autism matters in adulthood. One of the reasons is Validation. Time and again, Dr. Theresa has met newly diagnosed adults who have tears in their eyes as they share their amazement at the validation that the diagnosis brings. They finally feel heard, and they understand that their experiences are valid and important. Many on the spectrum describe a history chronic fears that others have misjudged them. With a diagnosis, the autistic has words to express what makes her tick. One person said, "Now I understand how I'm wired. I feel so much relief." Be assured that it's not only the autistic individual who benefits from the validation a diagnosis brings. Family members search for ways, not only to understand their loved ones, but to describe their challenges to those outside the household. The spouse of an autistic adult expressed the frustration of seeking support from friends, only to have them disregard her experiences by saying, "All men are like that!" Clients and families receiving a diagnosis for the first time often remark, "I wish I had known this earlier!" Valeria interviews Dr.Theresa Regan. Theresa Regan, Ph.D., is a rare combination of adult neuropsychologist (specialist in brain-behavior relationships), parent of an amazing child on the autism spectrum, and certified autism specialist with the IBCCES. She is deeply grateful to bring validation, hope, and purpose to individuals and their families living on the autism spectrum. With this mission at its core, she founded and directs the OSF HealthCare Adult Diagnostic Autism Center in central Illinois. Her books include Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults and Understanding Autistic Behaviors. For more information and to join her new online autism community for free visit To learn more about Dr.Theresa Regan please visit her website: www.adultandgeriatricautism.com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Valeria interviews Rosemary Hurwitz the author of Who You Are Meant To Be, The Enneagram Effect. Rosemary's work speaks to the Enneagram Effect, specifically its wisdom and practice, on our lives, and what the trajectory for our lives can look like when we practice thriving, not merely surviving; in other words, when we are acting in alignment with who we are meant to be. If you are new to Enneagram inner work there is a personality type discernment quiz and a list of songs that Rosemary likes for each of the Nine Types. The Strengths and Challenges section for each type, while certainly not exhaustive, gives us a good feel for what each type can bring to the table of life. The Emotional Passion section – or as Dr. David Daniels referred to it, the "driving energy" – is next. Rosemary likes both terms because she thinks they help of our type (which then attracts within us the high end of our corresponding type) our authentic and happy place; our "heaven on earth." Conversely, we see what it looks like for us when we are stressed, in a state of unease, or in an absence of wellness. "House on fire" kind of stress can bring out the best in us, but the wellness map (arrows) shows us what we do to ourselves, where we go, and how we domino down when we choose to react from our "low side" to every day stresses. Rosemary calls this state your "hell on earth." Of course to one degree or another we can go in and out of these states of center and stress all day long because we are human. Our ease and inner security can go hand in hand with our authenticity, and our dis-ease may be influenced by When we do this inner work, of choosing security over stress, we pull in or attract the many resourceful gifts within our unique personality. It is when our personality is driven by Spirit, where we are perfectly safe, that we find ourselves directed, joy-filled, enough, secure, resourceful, and so much more. Rosemary Hurwitz, a married mom of four young adults, is passionate about an inner-directed life and she found the focus for it in the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a time-honored personality to higher consciousness paradigm used worldwide. Rosemary has studied and taught the Enneagram since 2001 certification. She gives Enneagram-based individual coaching for emotional wellness and deeper Spiritual connection. Rosemary has Certifications in Intuitive Counseling and Angel Card Reading and uses these wisdom traditions in her spiritual teaching and coaching. For twenty-five years, along with her husband, Dale, she gave Discovery Weekend retreats, patterned after Marriage Encounter, for Engaged couples. An Accredited Professional member of the International Enneagram Association. Rosemary has taught at Common Ground in Chicago and has been published in 9 inspirational compilation books, including No Mistakes, How You Can Change Adversity into Abundance. Her first single Authored best selling book is WHO YOU ARE MEANT TO BE, The Enneagram Effect. To learn more about Rosemary Hurwitz please visit her website: https://spiritdrivenliving.com/ For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

A disconnection from one's soul may present in many ways: anxiety, depression, obsessions, excessive worrying, suicidal thoughts, self-destructive behaviors, psychosis, mania, addictions, and phobias, among many other presentations Dr. Anna Yusim may see in her medical office. Traditional medical and psychiatric practice may attribute the above symptoms or illness to chemical imbalances in the brain that need to be fixed with medications. A deficit in serotonin leads to depression. Prozac increases serotonin and so cures depression. It's as easy as that. Or is it? In many cases, although medications can treat the symptoms resulting from a disconnection from one soul, they rarely treat the underlying etiology, which is the disconnection itself. Only by looking inside oneself and aligning with the deepest part of yourself can you address the root cause of the problem instead of the symptoms that result from it. Complete healing and fulfillment entails unearthing the root cause of the pain. In Dr. Anna Yusim medical practice, only about half of the patients she treats are on medication, which is a relatively low percentage for a psychiatrist. For certain patients, however, medications are a lifeline without which they feel they could not survive. Work of the soul is hard to do, even impossible, if you are so depressed that you cannot get out of bed, or so sleep-deprived from insomnia that you can barely function, or so anxious that you cannot leave the house, or in an opiate withdrawal so painful that you don't know if you will even survive the day. Engaging in soul work is necessary for complete healing, but it is predicated on first being able to function in this world. When clinically indicated, psychiatric medications can sometimes be the very tools that allow one to emerge from the darkness. In Dr. Anna Yusim's work, she delves deeply into the psychological and spiritual tools has have used with her patients and in her own life, to help them and herself connect to the soul and find greater fulfillment. In much of medicine, there is a longstanding, unfortunate split between science and spirituality. Valeria interviews Dr. Anna Yusim an award-winning, nationally recognized psychiatrist, speaker, and author with a private practice in New York City. She is a Lecturer on the Clinical Faculty of the Yale Psychiatry Department. After working as a neurobiology researcher with Dr. Robert Sapolsky Ph.D. and completing her studies at Stanford, Yale Medical School, and the NYU Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Dr. Yusim felt that something was missing from her life. In her quest to find it, she traveled, lived and worked in over 50 countries, while studying Kabbalah, learning Buddhist meditation, and working with South American shamans and Indian gurus. Dr. Yusim has published over 70 academic articles, book chapters, scientific abstracts and book reviews on various topics in psychiatry. She has received numerous awards and distinctions including the National Institute of Mental Health Outstanding Research Resident Award, the American Psychoanalytic Association Fellowship, the William Webb Fellowship from the Academy for Psychosomatic Medicine, the American Psychiatric Institute for Research & Education (APIRE) Janssen Research Award, the Seed Research Grant from the American Medical Association, First Prize in the Sermo Resident Challenge, the Carta Fellowship from the World Psychiatric Association, the Janet M. Glasgow-Rubin Award for Women Leaders at Yale Medical School, the William F. Downs Fellowship for International Research, the Max Kade Fellowship, the Samuel F. and Sara G. Feinman Scholarship for Leadership, the Foreman Fleisher Foundation Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the Golden Award for Top Thesis written in the Humanities at Stanford University, the Hoefzer Prize for Top Essay Written in Stanford University Course, the Bessie F. Lawrence International Fellowship, and the National Science Foundation Scholarship. To learn more about Dr. Anna Yusim please visit her website: https://www.annayusim.com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

There is no doubt that our world is fueled by the power of technology and that we have before us the opportunity to utilize this power on a daily basis. Technology has blessed our lives and made it possible for us to know what is happening on the other side of the world within seconds. We have the ability to access information, to communicate around the world, to build businesses, to market material, co-create projects and reach millions of people, all through the use of technology. Our computers and phones have be- come appendages and there are times we feel as if we are missing something if we have not regularly checked in on social media or the information highway. Often in a crowded social space one will see masses of humans with their faces looking down at a screen, all eyes on the power of technology at their fingertips. Life has changed! The connection of the divine, of looking into the eyes of another, has shifted, instead, we look at a screen. At this time in human history, it is more important than ever for us to remember that we each have within us our own inner technology and it is calling us. Our inner sanctuary of divine wisdom is our intimate point of unlimited guidance, and if we ignore it, we shall be an out of balance society. Looking into screens for answers instead of looking into our souls. The key is balance! We can choose to appreciate technology and utilize it for all the blessings it gives us, while simultaneously cultivating our soul's calling as we re- member the power within. The merging, the dance of honoring the inner wisdom within each of us while activating the information highway through the use of technology is mind-boggling to think of all that can be created. It is not one or the other, it is the merging of both! To live a life of balance in the world today, we must cultivate and nurture our spiritual wisdom with as much focus as we use keeping up with the speed of technology. To illuminate the power of this inner technology, we must be awake – says Kim. Valeria Teles interviews Kim Stanwood Terranova. She is a woman of passionate power who assists individuals with experiencing true inner greatness and unlimited, authentic joy. She has been dubbed the chiropractor of the mind, and the master teacher of intentional living. Kim holds a license as a Practitioner of Truth from The Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, and she has also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Spiritual Studies. For over three decades she has immersed herself in the application and practice of universal spiritual truth and wisdom. To learn more about Kim Stanwood Terranova please visit her website: https://kimstanwoodterranova.com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

Hidden at the heart of nearly all spiritual and esoteric traditions lies the powerful teachings of the Mother Mantra. Its initiates have preserved its consciousness-expanding techniques for millennia. Originating in the ancient practice of shamanic yoga, this tradition allows us to perceive the full complexity of reality. It helps us see both the visible and the invisible, moving beyond the consciousness of duality that limits us to only the material world. Operating in this heightened state of non-ordinary consciousness, we can see beyond our subconscious programming and behavior patterns and understand our possibilities and powers. By removing all fear, it allows you to love yourself exactly as you are. In this spiritual and philosophical guide, initiate Selene Calloni Williams shares the healing practices and spiritual exercises of the Mother Mantra tradition. She explains how these practices bypass the thinking mind to access our higher spiritual consciousness, allowing us to awaken to the dream nature of reality and release us from all fear. She details the exercises and practices of the four-part Mother Mantra: The first series, which dissolves the constructs of the ego; the second, which invokes ancient spirits and deities for their aid in this endeavor; the third, where we experience a divine androgynous tantric union to transcend sexual identity and spiritually fuse with the divine; and the fourth, where the first three rituals are combined to unlock an expanded state of consciousness and a true seeing of the complexity of both the visible and invisible worlds. The author also describes the practice of the Egyptian mantra, a soul-making ceremony that unites the initiate with the Chthonian realms and attracts wealth and abundance, and the Mystical Marriage Mantra, which opens a path to authentic transformation and rebirth. Additionally, Williams presents five spiritual rituals, including yogic poses and exercises, that can be incorporated into daily life to allow divine communication through the chakras, awaken the mind and body from the aging process, and reestablish the universal balance between humanity and the divine. Valeria Teles interviews Selene Calloni William. Selene Calloni Williams, with a degree in psychology and master's in screen writing, has authored several books and documentaries on psychology, deep ecology, shamanism, yoga, philosophy, and anthropology. A direct student of James Hillman, she studied and practiced Buddhist meditation in the hermitages of the forests of Sri Lanka and is an initiate of Shamanic Tantric Yoga. She is the founder and the director of the Imaginal Academy Institute in Switzerland. To learn more about Selene Calloni William please visit her website: https://selenecalloniwilliams.com/en For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.

If you want to live a life of unlimited joy, follow these simple Atonement steps based on teachings from A Course in Miracles. (Do try this at home!) Learn how to surrender to your Higher Power and live to laugh about it. Through application, discover that healing and forgiveness are identical. When repressed fears rise to the surface, recognize that "problems" are really forgiveness opportunities. Give them to the Light. Only your willingness is necessary. Our forgiveness is our healing. Our forgiveness is sent forth to bless people whose current circumstances resemble those we formerly judged. We get to see our old storylines from the Christ point of view. That's how we know we are healed. It is a miracle. It's a testimony to the Love of God. There are Miracle workers blessing you every day. You will be given as much help as you are willing to receive. Your part will unfold in miraculous ways that you can't plan because you can't see the Whole. By allowing your mind to return to the wholeness of love, you will be available to serve the whole. You will be an instrument of blessing for the world. Wait, listen, and follow. You are on a Mission from God. You cannot fail because of Who is in Charge. Only your willingness is necessary and only what Unlimited Love would have you do is possible. – writes Pamela Valeria interviews Pamela Whitman. She teaches weekly classes on the Text of A Course in Miracles at Unity by the Shore in Neptune, New Jersey. She has led the daily national A Course in Miracles Workbook Conference Call since 2013. Pamela has been a frequent guest speaker at spiritual centers since 2005. Her "Miracle Revolution" and "Miracles" radio programs were broadcast on WLFR FM (91.7), Unity.FM and The Himalayan Broadcasting Company in Kathmandu, Nepal for ten years. Pamela hosts annual retreats for learning and relaxation. She is an ordained minister of A Course in Miracles and has practiced the Course since 1989. She is concert flutist with a degree in flute performance from the University of Michigan and has been the Principal Flutist of the Ocean City Pops Orchestra since1989. Pamela composes and records original music to promote inner peace. Her book Yield to Joy - the Miraculous Power of Forgiveness was published by DreamSculpt (Waterside Productions) in April 2020. It is available in paperback and ebook editions on Amazon.com. To learn more about Pamela Whitman please visit her website: https://pamelawhitman.com For Intro-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/aquestforwellbeingpodcast Podcast Page: https://fitforjoy.org/podcast ** Bio intro and outro one by Heidi Lynn Peters.