MSI Press Blog

  (The divine works in mysterious ways. I was looking at the mountains this morning. I don't know exactly what I was looking for, but I thought that was the place to look. And then this came up in my memories. It was the first piece I had published in a newspaper following the book [ A Theology for the Rest of Us ]. Besides the comforting thought, I had the distinct impression the divine was stifling a laugh.) When young children are hurt or sad, they want a kiss to make it better. Or a hug. Yes, hugs can work well, too. And ice cream. Ice cream is the best. As adults, however, we know that whatever the injury or problem, kissing it is not going to make anything better. It is ironic that there is so much pop psychology advice that, especially in times of crisis, we need to connect with our inner child. Idyllic notions of childhood aside, the truth is that childhood is often about feeling powerless and ever so small. There is a reason why children are so taken with dinosaurs. Dinosa

  Today's shared blog post comes from Dr. Frederic Craigie's weekly reflection: " How to Know a Person ."  Fred is author of Weekly Soul: Fifty-two Meditations on Meaningful, Joyful, and Peaceful Living . Book awards Book of the Year Award (gold) American Book Fest Book Award Finalist, Spiritual: Inspiration Reader Views Literary Awards, Silver Medal, Mind, Body, Soul Reader Views Literary Award, Silver Medal, Religion Kops-Fetherling International Book Awards Honorable Mention, Inspiration and Motivation Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Inspirational National Indie Excellence Award, Well-Being For more posts by and about Fred and his book, click HERE . For more posts on the topic of knowing a person, check out socionics books by Filatova and Quinelle.

  CHANGE OF HEART “I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.” --Ezekiel 36: 26   “I hate change!” If I received a dollar for every time a patient said that to me, I could work for free.   They often add, “Change replaces the familiar with the unknown. The unknown scares me.” In response, I remind my anxious patients, “If there is no change, you are dead. The future is always unknown, of course, because it does not yet exist. You are now in the process of creating your own future.” I also ask them,”Why are you here meeting with me, except to change?” They tell me how miserable they feel and powerless to do anything about it. Frightening change is the price of relief. Therapy is for healing and growth. Some of my patients imagine that their trying life circumstances cause their distress. In our work together they learn that only changing their minds and hearts, their outlooks, atti

  In today's shared post, Dr. Frederic Craigie, author of the multi-award-winning book (including Book of the Year winner), Weekly Soul , reflects on health and spiritualty. Check it out HERE . To read more posts by and about Fred and his book, click HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com. Want to communicate with one of our authors? You can!  Find their contact information on our  Authors' Pages .

  Each week Fred offers a short reflection in his Goodness of Heart blog. Check out this week's reflection HERE . For more posts by and about Fred, click HERE / Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com. 

  Congratulations to Dr. Frederic Craigie, whose book, Weekly Soul , was selected as the winner in the category of wellbeing in the National Indie Excellence Award competition . For more posts about Fred and his book, click HERE . To read more about book awards earned by MSI Press authors, click HERE .                                                  Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .

  Author Fred Craigie has just been informed that his book,  Weekly Soul ,  has been selected as winner in the well-bring category by the National Indie Excellence Award competition. Fred adds this award to a number of previous awards for this book: Book of the Year Award Winner (gold) Literary Views Awards Silver in two categories: mind/body/spirit and religion Kops-Fetherling International Book Awards Honorable Mention American Bookfest finalist See other posts about  Fred and his book .                                    Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .

  Julie Gentile, author of 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas and How to Stay Calm in Chaos , published an article in Yoga + Life Magazine , "3 Ways to Make Your Mantra Come to Life." You can read the article HERE . Read more posts about Julie and her book HERE.                                         Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter                           Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .

  Today's daily excerpt comes from 108 Yoga and Self-Care Practices for Busy Mamas by Julie Gentile: Meditate. Breathe. Repeat.  Meditation is magical. At first, I was hesitant to sit with scattered thoughts, but after attending many classes and workshops, meditation began to grow on me until it blossomed into a beautiful practice. It isn’t about completely clearing your mind of your thoughts. Meditation is sitting with your thoughts, without judging them, and noticing what feelings and sensations arise. Although traditionally practiced seated, you can meditate anywhere, any time. The more you meditate, the more you benefit. Reduced stress and anxiety, better concentration, and a better sense of clarity are just a few perks of a regular meditation practice. Where does the magic come in? Meditation helps uncover your true self—your genuine wants, needs, hopes, and desires. If there is an important decision you need to make, meditate. If you’re looking to find you’re true

  Book description: It's not easy to know what to do with yourself when you're grieving, anxious, angry, ashamed, or just feeling stuck. This little book offers a simple practice for releasing and relieving negative emotions, to help bring about a more compassionate, centered way of being with whatever is happening. Written by a psychotherapist and Jewish interfaith minister during pandemic times, The Little Book That Listens is like a series of Oracle cards with messages that comfort, encourage, uplift, and redirect. The power of self-healing is here for you. Book Review from Amazon - view more reviews there: I love this book of insight and tenderness towards Self. It felt like the language composed a maternal embrace, each page a reassurance from a high source, that I was loved. The book has received 10 reviews, all 5-stars. You can read the reviews and purchase the book from  AMAZON .   Julia Aziz has also published a book with MSI Press, Lessons of Labor .  To read more pos

  Here are our suggestions for Christmas book giving: Sula the Cat does it again! Sula, parish cat at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, is a cat with a special mission: to comfort people in need. Every morning, she spends time with St. Francis, patron saint of animals, and receives guidance for the day. During Masses, led by the Holy Spirit, she seeks out whomever God wants her to comfort, and they report that she brings comfort, indeed. In her spare time, she writes books. This time, she is writing about Christmas traditions and how she experiences them as a parish cat. Ever wonder where our various Christmas customs come from? Sula tells you about the history and the customs today, both mainstream American Catholic and Mexican American Catholic customs since both are part of her parish in California. Charmingly illustrated with an Eastern flavor by Russian artist, Zhenya Yanovich. Read excerpts HERE . Purchase the book HERE . People are often at a loss to find the right words to say in

  Sincere congratualtions to Dr. Frederic Craigie, whose book, Weekly Soul , took top place in the Foreword Reviews' Book of the Year Award.  From the award committee: "A collection of 52 meditations on meaningful, joyful, and peaceful living. The meditations begin with thought-provoking quotations from writers, journalists, theologians, musicians and artists, activists--and touch on themes of miracles, aliveness, purpose, laughter and joy, presence/mindfulness, activism, acceptance, gratitude, forgiveness, creativity, civility, and hope. In "Weekly Soul," readers will find a year's worth of affirmation and engaging exploration of wholeness and well being." From posts about Dr. Craigie and his book, click HERE .

  Excerpt from Weekly Soul by Dr. Frederic Craigie: -10-   The heart of most spiritual practices is simply this: Remember who you are. Remember what you love. Remember what is sacred. Remember what is true. Remember that you will die and that this day is a gift. Remember how you wish to live.   Wayne Muller   In May of 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was taking part in an equestrian competition in Virginia when his horse abruptly stopped before a jump, throwing him forward onto the ground. Unable to break his fall because his hands were entangled with the reins, he landed on his head and suffered a broken neck. The former Superman, Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down for the remaining nine years of his life. In the immediate aftermath of the injury, Reeve considered his profound disability and told his wife, Dana, that “maybe we should let me go.” Her response was, “You’re still you, and I love you.” Outwardly, of course, Reeve was not at all who he had been. Unable t