Trina’s Travel

Notable Women of Literature that You Should Know

Although the International Women’s Day was already commemorated last March 08, it shouldn’t stop us to celebrate the excellence, talent, and beauty of women. The world of literature has always been a great platform that showcases the brilliant female authors and their wonderful stories. These authors have been adding more color to the literary realm by contributing their knowledge and talent to create tales that inspires readers from different parts of the world.

Hence, listed below are the remarkable women of literature that you should know.

Margaret Atwood

Have you read The Handmaid’s Tale? What about Alias Grace? If you did, then you might already know Margaret Atwood. This excellent author was born on 1939 in Canada. She received her education from University of Toronto for her bachelor’s degree and Harvard University for her master’s degree. In her literary career, she has gained popularity because of her remarkable books that convey valuable and significant themes. Atwood has received multiple awards because of her books, such as the Franz Kafka Prize, PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Awards, Princess of Asturias Awards, and more. Most of her books tackle feminism, politics, and such.

Rupi Kaur

Poetry has been always one of the talks of the town. In today’s day and age, Rupi Kaur is among the promising poets that have inspired various readers to also tell their story through poetry. She is an Indian-Canadian poet known for her contemporary style of writing with her poets accompanied by interesting illustrations. Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers are her bestselling works, where the latter paved the way for her to be one of BBC’s 100 Women last 2017. Her poems tackle theme about relationships, sexual traumas, and more.

Eleanor Gaccetta

Only a strong woman can turn her back on her career to take care of another remarkable female. That is basically the story of Eleanor Gaccetta. She is the author of the Pinnacle Book Achievement Awardee titled One Caregiver’s Jouney. In her heartwarming memoir, Ellie narrated how her personal life was tested and was turned upside down after her mother needed her care following the incident that broke her hip. Being a private contractor and a professional is definitely far from being a caregiver. But, she sacrificed everything to attend to her mother — and, that is one of the bravest things a woman can do.

Anne Davey Koomans

If you are a fan of nonfiction, specifically biographies, then you probably know Anne Davey Koomans. She is the author of Beyond Barriers, a biography about David Davey as he battled polio and how he met Anne. Moreover, she is a firm believer of God and is a strong Christian. In 1994, Koomans had her first-ever copyright for Witness of the Innkeeper, which is a Christian drama. She has presented this spectacular drama more than 200 times in different places. Anne has always been fascinated with writing; you can see her talent and passion from her works. Regardless of the tightness of her schedule due to different events in her life, she didn’t fail to create a wonderful biography that has inspired many readers.

Sarah Kay

Ever heard of the piece When Love Arrives? Are you a fan of slam poetry? Then, Sarah Kay must be familiar to you. Kay is the poet behind B, The Type, and All Out Wild Wonder. Many readers and fans from all around the world look up to her because of her works, talent, and goals. She was born in New York City, New York and is the daughter of a Japanese American and Jewish American. She went to Brown University and Grinnell College. Sarah has already toured from one country to another with Phil Kaye to perform their works. They often hold workshops during their tours to help aspiring poets get better in writing their masterpieces.

Nelibeth Plaza

Children’s books play a great role in literature. If you love these types of books, then you may have already known Nelibeth Plaza. She is the author of Is it Santa? and The Red Oak Rocking Chair. Aside from being an author, Plaza has spent 25 years of her life on education because she was part of the New York City Department of Education. Nelibeth was an elementary school teacher and a former assistant principal. She typically likes mingling with kids and loves reading aloud in the four corners of the classroom.

How to Acquire New Knowledge amidst Pandemic

And just like that, a year has already passed and we are still dealing with the pandemic. But unlike the first few months, fear and chaos has been tamed down. Every part of the community did and are still doing their best to fight the COVID-19 virus — such as the government imposing safety protocols and the medical professionals developing vaccines. The public are also doing their part by following health policies and staying at home.

One of the greatest struggles in this day and age is perhaps the means of learning and education. Following the same academic curriculum might be a difficult to achieve since it can risk the health of every student, especially those that are vulnerable to the virus. Many schools from all around the world opted and conducted distance and online learning, which means students are given the opportunity to learn within the four corners of their homes.

Apart from the basic education that we are being granted to engage in, how could we acquire more knowledge in this type of setting where going outside and attending gatherings are limited? Well, here are some of the best activities that will surely help you improve or gain better information, substance, and learning that you can apply in real life and not just in school.

Read books

Books are definitely the best possible teachers that you can seek help from. There are different kinds of books that you can enjoy and spend your time reading. Some of them bring you to worlds that are extraordinarily beautiful while others take you into an informative journey within the bounds of reality. A great example of the former is J.R.R. Tolkien well-written book The Hobbit while the best example for the latter is Neil Griffen meticulous researched book From Science to Spirituality. Since COVID-19 has no plans to go away yet and we are still on the stage of vaccination, it is better to stack up your shelf and read great books for better learning.

Watch TV shows

You may think that the shows played on TV have no gist and value. I hate to break it to you, but there are really segments and shows that make you learn, inspired, and motivated without you knowing it. Just observed how cartoons help the kids get better at talking in your dialect and learn other languages. Channels like National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Animal Planet, Baby TV, and more are among the channels that you should check out. Their content has the ability to instill a handful of knowledge that you can bring as you grow older.

Check the latest news updates

Keeping up-to-date with the situations that are taking place in the society right now is vital. This will not just make you a better and more responsible resident but will also help you to be wiser and knowledgeable. Hence, it is essential to check the latest news updates in your area. You’ll never know how much wisdom and knowledge you can get and apply in real life. Another perk of this activity is that it can mold you to be a critical thinker and fact checker. There might be stories that will inspire you or news that urges you to create a difference.

Participate in online courses

Many academic institutions are offering online courses as of the moment. These topics vary from the sciences to the businesses to the liberal arts. If you think it through, it is best to invest in these types of investments. The money and time that you devoted will be returned with benefits and perks that you can use on your future career and journey in life. Some of these courses take at least 2-3 weeks while there are some that takes more time depending on what you have chosen. What are you waiting for? Enroll yourself now.

Try new things

You will never know unless you try. Therefore, you should try new things to gain new knowledge and skills that you can use in your life. There are many activities out there that promote learning and development, many of them can be done in the comforts of your home. Cooking, baking, singing, playing instruments, attending seminars, hosting online book clubs, playing puzzles, gardening, and painting are among the must-try activities that can help you become a better and more skilled individual.

God’s Great Exchange

Christian author Roslynn Bryant shares on God’s great exchange. Isaiah 61:3 speaks of many exchanges. One definition of the word exchange is that we get one thing in return for another. Usually when we go through an exchange, it is for equal or lesser value. But when it comes to the LORD, He always exchanges higher than what we originally had. The end result is always greater than what we had in the beginning. Society may see this kind of exchange as a loss but God sees it as a gain because it brings Him glory when He changes a broken person into someone whole, when He changes a person in bondage into someone walking in liberty.

And so, our text opens with the Messiah’s declaration of His power and purpose. It tells us that He has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring healing and deliverance to all who is touched by Him. The text also speaks of God’s people who have been troubled by their circumstances. They were struggling with discouragement from living in desolation. They were suffering from lack and loss. But the Lord declares that I will give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Now, He is primarily speaking about the nation of Israel. Yet, what God will do for His people Israel, He is able and willing to do for His Church.

So, the first exchange is mental. The Lord Jesus changes our thinking. He renews our minds. Instead of ashes that represent a defeated attitude and thoughts of loss, He gives us beauty that represents a healthy and flourishing outlook. He takes away the gloomy, negative thinking and replaces it with something beautiful and positive. We will find ourselves living this life in a hope that overcomes all circumstances. Yet, we are to choose to see things from God’s perspective and not our own. We exchange our outlook for His outlook. Society gives us a very dark and negative view on life but God’s Word shows us that life is so much more meaningful when we view it from God’s perspective. In the Bible, God gives us the purpose for life and instructions for living that bring joy to our heart and contentment to our souls. And even though we live in a fallen world and are at times touched by its troubles, we can overcome by keeping our focus on God’s Word and maintaining our hope in Him. Whatever we are going through, God has seen us passed this time and into eternity. So, we are to trust Him with our lives.

Next, the Lord Jesus gives us the oil of joy for mourning. Instead of leaving us in a deep, dark state of grief, He gives us His joy. Mourning is a natural reaction to loss or to losing circumstances, when we seem to be going backwards instead of forward, when things seem to be going down instead of up. The natural reaction is to mourn. But Jesus so wonderfully replaces this natural reaction with a supernatural response. The Lord gives us His joy through the Presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Great Stabilizer to our emotions so that we no longer have to be driven by our feelings but we are kept in peace by His love and power. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit through obedience and dwell in His Presence through worship, He rescues us from the extreme emotional highs and lows in life and brings peace and stability to our souls. This in turn brings joy into our lives for with peace of mind comes joy of heart.

The next exchange is that the Lord Jesus gives us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. There are times in this life’s journey when we become weary and heavy in heart. We seem to be going through life burdened with many cares. This heaviness weighs upon us so that it is difficult to break through. But praise is key in overcoming heaviness. When we praise God with words and songs of adoration and thanksgiving, Psalm 22:3 lets us know that God inhabits the praises of His people then Psalm 16:11 says that in His Presence, there is fullness of joy. In other words, when we praise God, He manifests His Presence and we experience joy. Joy is gladness of heart and soul regardless of situation or circumstance. So when we go through times of heaviness and sorrow, God says to praise Him. Not because He desires to please Himself with our praise but because He wants to exchange our heaviness for His joy. 2 Corinthians 3:17 states, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” When the Holy Spirit manifests His Presence in response to our praise, He delivers us from all the heaviness that had us bound. He brings us out of discouragement, despair, and despondency and brings us into joy, peace, and victory.

Finally, the greatest exchange is spiritual. It happened at the cross where the Lord Jesus suffered, bled, and died. There He exchanged righteousness for our sin, forgiveness for our condemnation, freedom for our bondage, wholeness for our brokenness, eternal life for our death. The Lord Jesus who is sinless bore the sins of the world in His own body so that all who believe in Him would have right standing with God. All who receive the Lord Jesus as Savior are called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, changed from sinner to saint, from children of wrath to sons and daughters of God.

Truly, God’s ways are higher than ours. He sees loss as gain, a setback as a setup, and weakness as strength. For it is in these times of loss, setbacks, and weakness that His power is made manifest in our lives and we experience His glory.

Different Cat Breeds that You Should Know

Cats are definitely one of the most adorable creatures. Imagine having to snuggle and cuddle these furry friends all day long, it would be the best thing ever. Cats are one of the most common pets. Somewhere in your community, there is a cat that is being showered with love and affection by its hooman. Aside from their beautiful fur, their purring and other characteristics made them catch the attention and hearts of people.

Their captivating appearance and traits made it through different platforms. In literature, for example, there are many remarkable books with cats as protagonists or supporting characters. The book William and Tibby Forever shows the eccentricities of the other cats by Hamblen, as well as the extraordinary adventures of William and Tibby, the cat protagonists.

Furthermore, you might be wondering how the cats in your region and other places are different. It is primarily because there are different cat breeds. If you want to get to know more about the diverse breeds of these felines, then here are some of the most famous and basic ones that you should know.

Persian cat

Persian cats have notably long hairs, round faces, and short muzzles. In other nations, they are referred to as Persian Longhair. Due to selective breeding, a wide array of coat colors and a bunch of flat-faced Persians were produced. There are different kinds of Persian cats, which are the Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, Toy and teacups, Chinchilla Longhair, and Sterling. The original Persian breed is commonly called the doll-faced Persian, wherein their physical features didn’t really change if you compare and contrast it to the images taken from the late 18^th century.

British Shorthair

You probably have seen this cat somewhere on social media. Well, who wouldn’t like this adorable British Shorthair? These cats were first introduced in 1871 at Crystal Palace in London. It has a short coat that requires moderate grooming. It is a domestic cat that is in medium size with an average life expectancy of around fourteen to twenty years. Cats of this breed are characterized as quiet, smart, faithful, low maintenance, and affectionate.

Siamese

One of the most popular cat breeds is Siamese. They are playful, smart, active, and affectionate cats. Siamese is of medium size and is slim. They have long legs where the hind is higher than the front legs. Moreover, they have a refined and glossy coat. What made them stand out are their tapered patterns that are in blue, lilac, chocolate, and lilac. Marilyn Monroe and Kesha are among the famous people who own cats of this breed.

American Bobtail Cat

American Bobtail Cats’ appearances might look wild; but, their physical features are definitely in contrast to their personality. These cats are loyal, affectionate, and intelligent, just like cats of other breeds are. They commonly have high self-esteem and are friendly. American Bobtails are also muscular and athletic. What matches well to these strong characteristics is their innate hunting gaze. Although they have firm and strong physical appearances, they are really friendly to kids and other pets and playful towards others.

Bengal Cat

Most cats seemed to be lazy and sleepy; but, Bengal cats for sure aren’t. They are highly active, playful, and loving. Bengal cats have nice coats that may appear in different colors, such as brown, gold, orange, ivory, rust, etc. Their spots also have varying colors, like from chocolate brown to black. These cats love the outdoors because they are enthusiastic and active. They like going on walks, playing with water, climbing in places, and more. Another perk of having them as pets is that they are low maintenance.

Sphynx Cat

One of the usual misconceptions about cats is that they are covered with fur. If you think that all these pawsome friends have thick and shiny furs, then you still haven’t met the Sphynx. Cats of this breed are hairless. They only have a curly coat that is really unconventional to what we imagine a cat would be. Regardless of their appearance, they are absolutely friendly to other pets, kids, and even strangers. They are also clever and affectionate.

Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold breed came into view after the farm cats in Scotland had an unpremeditated mutation. These cats are a crossbreed of domestic cats in both Scotland and England and British Shorthair cats. They are the descendants of Susie, a cat with peculiar folded ears discovered in the 1960s on the McRae farm. Scottish Folds are known to be sweet, adaptable, and loyal. Among the most famous cats under this breed are Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey, which are owned by Taylor Swift.

Remarkable Stories for Kids that Teach Valuable Lessons

Stories are inanimate teachers. Even if the readers cannot truly see them, the impact that they bring is so great that it can create big differences in the world. Every story, especially those tales that are intended for kids, has a lesson that makes readers inspired, educated, and entertained. What makes children’s literature more amazing is its ability to tell essential stories in the most innocent, wittiest, and lightest way possible.

If you are looking for means to keep your kids more engaged in learning while getting the fun that they deserve, then you should introduce them to books. We have prepared the best stories for children below for your kids to read and learn from.

The Song of Solomon the Snail by Caroleann Rice

Caroleann Rice authored the wonderful and witty book titled The Song of Solomon the Snail. When the smart snail named Solomon was little, he has no idea that his life would take a great turn. His dream was to become a clever and knowledgeable snail, and he really achieved this goal. As Solomon goes on his journey, he keeps singing his song. On his journey to be a wise and all-knowing person, he carried his home on his back and would constantly come in it to fill his curiosity in resolving his challenges and concerns in life with the help of his buddy named the Mighty Wondrous Voice of Love.

Is it Santa? by Nelibeth Plaza

Nelibeth Plaza has once again penned a promising book that brings out the Sherlock Holmes side of every reader. Mother Rebekkah has been making delectable Christmas cookies the whole. She organizes them in a wonderful gift basket that has been wrapped and attached with a red ribbon on top of it. Their family custom every Christmas is to bake and leave a special bunch of these cookies for Santa. However, the mystery broke out after Mother Rebekkah went home from fetching her three adorable kids from school. Her cookies were scattered in different places; thus, the question is: is the culprit Santa?

We Are the Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade

This number 1 bestselling book in the children’s Native American books category on Amazon was published last 2020. It is a picture book that was written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade and was awarded the Caldecott Medal of 2021. It is also a New York Times Bestseller. Moreover, the moment that the planet was threatened by a black snake; there was one person who stood up against this threat. The water was being poisoned by this monster, which put the lives of everyone at risk. But, a young water protector was ready to safeguard the Earth’s most precious resource.

Little Blue Truck’s Springtime by Alice Schertle

Published on January 02, 2018, Little Blue Truck’s Springtime by Alice Schertle has attained success and is currently the number 1 Amazon bestselling book in the children’s cars & trucks books category. This is also a number 1 New York Times best-selling book. The story centers on the Little Blue Truck that is on a road trip with his buddy Toad. It is definitely springtime because the sun is shining brightly and the flowers are blossoming beautifully. Who will Little Blue Truck and Toad will witness on their way to their destination? It’s for you to find out!

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Firefly Books published the gift edition of this beautiful book by Robert Munsch with illustrations by Sheila McGraw in 2000. There was a young lady who is holding her newborn baby. She gazed at him with loving eyes and slowly sang a song for the baby boy. The song expresses her great love for the baby. Thus, it started the tale that has touched millions of lives from all over the world. Since the publication of its first edition, this remarkable book has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. It also has sold thousands of copies that are in different languages, such as Spanish and French.

These amazing stories written for kids are truly precious. They do not only serve as teachers but also inspirations that the readers may take as they grow older. Children’s literature is indeed a great genre to explore and learn from.

Poetry: Sources and Inspiration

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering… these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love… these are what we stay alive for.” –Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass

Poems are great sources of inspiration. They make us laugh, fall in love, embrace sadness, look forward to new perspectives, and remind us of the beauty and grandeur that is life. These short literary artworks, often characterized by brief lines, numbered stanzas, and measured rhythm, have existed for thousands of years and have shaped nations, cultures, and ideas. But what exactly defines good poetry? Where do poets get their ideas? What are the sources of inspiration for timeless and classic poetry? I can think of five ideas that might answer those questions.

The Heart is Home to All Poetry

Human emotion is the oldest source of poetry. Long before Virgil, Homer, or Aeschylus, poetry already flourished in many ancient civilizations. Long before books and educational institutions, history already produced poets. The earliest forms of poetry were believed to be songs and chants about love, faith, fear, hopes, happiness, and grief. During the Classical Age, poetry is categorized as tragedy, comedy, or epic. Prior to that time, records also show worship poetry or songs and chants about faith and devotion. Today, faith and spirituality remain great sources of poetry. One modern example is poet Kathryn Coltrin. Inspired From My Heart by Coltrin is a collection of poems about God as a source of inspiration.

Extracting from Natural Sources

Many of us forget that nature is the most abundant source of inspiration. The rising and setting of the sun alone are enough to inspire you to write something about life. The changing of the seasons has inspired many poets and writers. The rivers, lakes, mountain streams, and even a simple afternoon rain can be a great motivation. Animals, flowers, clouds, trees, and fields are all waiting to be experienced and appreciated. There is no shortage of inspiration coming from nature. All you have to do is look at yet from another perspective. It doesn’t even need to be grand or complicated. What is important is you take your experience with nature and turn it into something special.

Adapting to New Forms and Style

Sometimes, writers have difficulty writing poems because they limit themselves to what is conventional and established. This doesn’t have to be so. Modern poetry has expanded the rules for creating forms and styles. The Dada movement and the rise of post-modernist art have paved the way for unique and fresh poetry. They challenged the boring and measured approach to poetry. And this was decades ago. So stop limiting yourself to a certain standard and explore the ever-changing styles and themes of modern poetry.

Inspiration Creates Inspirations

The past offers a wealth of inspiration waiting to be revisited. You can discover ideas from reading about classical poetry or not-so-distant works of literature. You can even find inspiration from your old manuscripts or drafts. Movies, songs, books, and other art forms are, in fact, also great sources of inspiration. You can examine their works, learn from them, or even borrow or improve on their works. The trick is to take a part of it and make it your own by expanding the theme or style or embedding something uniquely your own. To copy one’s work is one thing; to be inspired by another work and making a new one is another. Even great poets have done this at one point in their lives. Just do it.

Poetry in Progress is Also Great

Not all poems were written in one sitting alone, nor a brilliant idea already fixed on it. There are many great poems out there that were once products of progress. Some were tedious, some just ell into places over time. Most famous sonnets took months to finish. Many poems also took hours or just minutes for the poet to write. What I’m saying is that sometimes our experiences and emotions are works in progress. They reflect in our poetry, which is fine. Writing poetry is also like embarking on a journey. So go ahead and enjoy every word, every line, every stanza, every revision, and every session. Writing poetry is never a race, and some of the greatest poems are products of genuine progress.

The Beauty of Living in the Moment

“Be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the moment.” – Qui Gon Jinn

Often, we worry about the past or the future and forget about what the present is in store for us. While it is good to look back in the past for lessons, nostalgia, and familiarity, living in the past sometimes lures us into thinking it is comfort zone and contentment or cast doubt over our current disposition and outlook. It is also the same with overthinking about the future. We often think that the future is uncertain. Of course, it is. But it is also an opportunity for us to design a brighter future, one that is healthy, God-centered, and full of positivity.

In today’s fast-paced life, freeing ourselves from the constraints and worries about the past and the future can actually help us achieve more in life. Living in the moment allows us to enjoy more and appreciate God’s blessings. We can establish healthier relationships with God and those around us if we live in the present.

What does it mean to live in the moment?

Living in the moment means channeling your energy, time, and passion to what is in front of you. Many mistake this as not looking at the past or thinking about what the future brings. That is not actually the case. Living in the moment consults the past and, in fact, looks forward into the future. A person living in the moment is actually doing so because he hast lessons from the past and wants to design his or her future. The book Live in the Moment by Barbara Lyons Slade states that living in the moment means finding having control over your life. Barbara Slade on Live In The Moment discussed how to earnestly live in the moment. Slade’s idea on achieving a healthier mental and spiritual well-being rests upon a balanced and God-centered disposition.

How to live fully and in the moment today?

Below is a short but very relevant list of advice on how to live in the moment, inspired by Barbara Lyon Slade’s own words. In this time of great pandemic and seemingly constant disarray, these ideas certainly can help dispel doubt, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. The trick is for us to develop a strong mindset and trust in God’s wisdom and His words.

Appreciate what you have. We are so preoccupied with what’s behind us and what the future holds or does not hold for us that we forget what we have- resources, blessings, people, and current opportunities. We may not have everything, but certainly, there are many things to be grateful for each new day. According to Slade, comparing ourselves to others and being too hard on ourselves is no way to live in the moment. Work hard, be thankful for what you have, and appreciate yourself.

Forgive others and yourself. The past can be a powerful ally. It’s the source of lessons, wisdom, and experience. But more often than not, the past also carries mistakes, immaturity, and trauma. If we are to live in the moment, we must let all those things that pull us away from our full potential and other possibilities. Forgiving those who have wronged us and forgiving ourselves for all those failures and shortcomings allow us to live in the moment and free from the clutches of the past.

Be both the dreamer and the doer. Finally, Barbara Lyons Slade reminds us that living in the moment also means dreaming about the future and working hard to secure that future. Truly living in the moment is listening to God’s voice and purpose every day. It means doing things that not only benefit your current needs but also help build a healthier, happier, and fulfilled version of yourself in the future.

Living in the moment is not one-dimensional thinking wherein we go with the flow and let things unfold. To enjoy life as it happens is easy if we can let go of all the burdens and start embracing what the present offers us, be it blessings, opportunities, people, and circumstances. We can face each new day with hope, optimism, and kindness if we allow God and positivity to guide us always.

Trusting God in Tragedy

Roslynn Bryant, author of Maximize the Season shares on trusting God in tragedy.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 states, “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

In life, we will experience both tragedy and jubilation. In times of jubilation when we laugh and dance, we enjoy gladness of heart and soul. But in the times of weeping and mourning, the pain in our hearts can almost be unbearable. Truthfully said, we are not sure what to do with the pain that we feel.

First, let us look at what we are not to do. One, we are not to speak irreverently of God by accusing Him of wrongdoing. In the Bible, there was a woman named Naomi who lost her husband and both her sons. In her pain, she accused God of dealing very bitterly with her. But at the end of her story, God blessed her through her daughter-in-law Ruth who re-married Naomi’s near relative. Ruth had a son who became the grandfather of King David through whose lineage came the Lord Jesus the Son of God. Naomi’s words seemed right to her at the time regarding God’s dealings with her for she was only focused on her loss. But in the end, she experienced great fruitfulness and an everlasting legacy. Therefore, looking at her story helps us not to accuse God of wrongdoing but to remember that He always proves His faithfulness in the end. Two, we are not to hold unforgiveness against ourselves or others. Unforgiveness brings bondage. It is better to forgive and release our offender and ourselves. We may be able to think of all the reasons why we should not forgive but that only keeps us in bondage. Let us forgive and be free. Another way of looking at forgiveness is extending mercy to others as God has extended mercy to us.

Three, we are not to shut down or become stagnant. We cannot stop living. As long as there is breath in our bodies, let us keep living. And the way we keep living is by moving forward. Some days, we will take two steps forward and other days, three steps backwards but don’t give up. We are to keep pressing onward until we go from surviving to thriving. Four, we are not to resort to sinful activities to ease the pain. How easy it is to find ourselves engaged in activities that are pleasing to our sinful nature just to ease the pain of our souls. But we are to resist the temptation to use sinful conduct as an escape. Five, we are not to give up on our relationship with God. In my times of tragedy, I realized that I may not have been able to do anything about losing my loved one but I was not going to lose God as well. I just could not afford a double loss. I could do nothing about losing my loved one but I could hold on to God.

So, what do we do with the pain? First, we are to cry out to God in prayer seeking His comfort. The Father invites us to come before His throne with great assurance that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Second, we are to express our pain in a healthy way such as journaling, counseling, sharing our feelings with a friend, creative writing, drawing, painting, or doing a physical activity. These types of activities help us to release the emotional distress and promote positive feelings. We are body, soul, and spirit. By praying to God and engaging in healthy expressions, our whole selves will be ministered to in a way that will bring wholeness.

Now, let us look at trusting God in tragedy. Many times, tragedy is joined by a crisis in our faith in God. So it is very important that we consider how to maintain our trust in God so that our relationship with Him remains strong. Since our relationship with God is built on love, we come to trust God when we fully embrace His love for us. How do we know God loves us? He showed His love in sending His Son the Lord Jesus who suffered, bled, and died for our sins and rose again so that all who believe in Him can be forgiven of sin and restored to a relationship with God forever. Since God loves us so much that He spared nothing not even His own Son to save us from eternal condemnation, then nothing on earth or in this life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. As the truth of God’s love becomes real in our hearts, we will trust Him with our lives. As we seek God daily in prayer, study His Word regularly, and worship Him with songs and words of adoration and praise, God will draw near to us and His love becomes real to us. Then when tragedy strikes, we will be assured that God loves us, that He is with us, and that He is for us.

Works published by Roslynn Bryant:

Winning the Battle Within (2010)
At the Feet of Jesus (2010)
Becoming His Disciples (2014)
God’s Servant: A Guide for Christian Leadership (2016)
The Seven Fs to a Fruitful Life (2019)
Las Siete Claves para una Vida Fructifera (2020)
Maximize the Season (2020)
The Three Keys to Our Relationship with God (2020)

Ideal Books to Read to Keep a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul

In these trying times, maintaining great well-being might be a little too hard to do. Perhaps you have already devised a plan to somehow restore your holistic health, but you cannot just put it into action. But worry not; literature is here to save your day! You will be surely motivated to read books that center on the healing and transformation of your mind, body, and soul.

Self-help is a book genre that houses a wide array of books that revolves around self-care and self-improvement. These pieces might be the key for you to really jump-start your plan to be physically, mentally, and spiritually fit! Thus, here are some of the best books that you should check out.

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

This bestselling book by Daniel Kahneman was published in 2013 and has sold more than 2 million copies since then. The Nobel Prize winner will bring you into an innovative trip to the mind and elaborates on the two processes that drive our manner of thinking. The first system is fast, instinctive, and emotional while the second system is slower, more contemplative, and more rational. Moreover, the author uncovered the part where you either trust our intuitions or not. The book provides a practical and insightful reading experience, which can really create a big impact on your life.

Stretching to Stay Young: The Simple Workouts to Keep You Flexible, Energized, and Pain Free by Jessica Matthews

The illustrated edition of Stretching to Stay Young: The Simple Workouts to Keep You Flexible, Energized, and Pain Free by Jessica Matthews was published by Althea Press in 2016. It is one of Amazon’s bestselling books that tackle exercise, flexibility, massage, and pain management. According to the book, people’s bodies are intended to be used for movement. However, as you grow older, both your muscles and joints start to lose flexibility. Hence, they become tighter. Stretching is a more careful and simpler activity that can be done by everyone in order to control body pains and aches. This activity will also enhance your flexibility. Thus, this book serves as a guide for those who want to increase their flexibility as they age.

Healing and Transformation by Dr. Eric Alsterberg

The best books to read to restore your spiritual health is Healing and Transformation: Moving from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary. It is a how-to manual that will surely encourage you to acknowledge and get a better grasp on God’s voice that is speaking within you. Spiritual healing by Eric Alsterberg is being provided by this remarkable book because he included spectacular insights into discovering the wide array of life struggles and challenges. The book also helps you see these adversities from a different angle, such as perceiving them as chances grow holistically. Hence, it is the most ideal one to read if you want to mend and change your relationship with your beloveds, society, country, world, and yourself.

The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli

Published in 2014 by Harper Paperbacks, The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rold Dobelli is surely the book to check out. It is an enlightening book that examines human psychology and logic, which is the perfect one for those who desire to avoid cognitive issues and create greater choices in different factors of their lives. Moreover, it is a book full of simplicity, clarity, and substance that will shift your way of thinking and change your decision-making process in creating choices for your career, home, and daily routine. It showcases at least 99 brief chapters where mostly uncovers the most typical mistakes in judgment and ways of avoiding them.

The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington

For those who take sleeping for granted or have trouble sleeping, then The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington might be the best book for you to read. The book promotes reconnecting the bond between you and sleeps in order for you to control your life better. The author examines all the up to date science on what is really happening while we are sleep and dream. Huffington also explores the sleeping pill industry and the other methods of addiction to the innovations that derange your sleep.

Thrilling Sci-fi Books That You Should Never Miss Reading

When you heard of the terms “science fiction,” various images will come to mind. Perhaps you will immediately think about alien invasions, space crafts, flying cars, extraordinary creatures, alternate universes, and other out of this world or innovations of science and technology. There is just something so fascinating about sci-fi that makes every reader in the world get excited in turning the pages and finishing the story.

Among the great science fiction authors of all-time are George Orwell, Orson Scott Card, Andy Weir, Ernest Cline, Ursula K. Le Guin, and more. If you are a sci-fi fanatic or a reader who wants to explore a brand-new genre, here are the best titles that you should check out.

A Journey to UltraDimensions: Time Is of No Essence In this Ultra Dimension by Kourosh Naziri (Cyrus)

This amazing book by Kourosh Naziri brings you both action and adventure in one story. This was published on October 06, 2020, by Readersmagnet. It is also packed with lasers, rays, torpedoes, and other cool stuff brought by science and technological innovation. A Journey to Ultradimensions follows the story of Captain Houshmand, a courageous man that is bound to be married to Delaram. But before their marriage, her bride was suddenly abducted by Xinterrian and was brought to an unfamiliar area. Captain Houshmand is about to embark on a brand-new adventure in order to save his bride. On his way to planet Earth, the protagonist discovered that he alone and lost in ultra-dimensions.

The Stranger: The Genesis Project Series Part One by Greg Van Arsdale

Greg Van Arsdale’s The Stranger is the first book of his sci-fi series called The Genesis Project Series. The story tackles mystery, action, and science. What is being highlighted is the journey of John Doe who turned out to be a very important person who is the pioneer and inventor of an alternate world. His greatest challenge is to recall his identity, but the only guy who can help him — Jack Logan, is his arch-nemesis who wants nothing but to remove him from the world. As the story progresses, the stranger started to remember pieces of his memory after an inventor and psychiatrist utilized a device that worked on him. Hence, the stranger is on his way to start the greatest journey of his life.

Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

This classic science fiction novel was written by Polish author Stanislaw Lem. It was originally written in his native language and published in 1961. It wasn’t until 1970 that its English version was released. It centers on the tale of a group of scientist who is on a research facility. They are trying to study and analyze an extraterrestrial intelligence that appears to be a wide sea on the nominal heavenly body, which they refer to as Solaris. The planet is nearly enveloped with a sea of gel that is discovered to be an individual, planet-entailing entity. Because of the impressiveness of this book, it was adapted into multiple films headed by remarkable directors.

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Published by Bantam Books in 1992, Snow Crash has become one of the most popular sci-fi and cyberpunk books of all-time. The book touches a wide array of subjects including history, philosophy, computer science, linguistics, and more. It showcases how the Sumerian language is the brainstem’s firmware programming language. According to the Snow Crash, this particular language is apparently working as the human brain’s BIOS firmware. Some of the important characters of the book are the following: Asherah, who symbolizes a linguistic virus that acts the same as the viruses found in computers; and Enki, a god who made a counter-program that he referred to as a nam-shub that made people speak diverse languages to safeguard themselves from Asherah.

Neuromancer by William Gibson

Neuromancer is William Gibson’s promising science fiction book published in 1984. It is also among the best cyberpunk books in literature. This debut novel of Gibson won numerous awards including the Hugo Award, Nebula Award, and Philip K. Dick Award. The story revolves around Henry Case, an over and done computer hacker who was recruited for a one final job. Without him knowing it, Case is about to face and battle a strong artificial intelligence.