Oh, Monkey! is about the Monkey mind. A little girl grows tired of her monkey telling her what to do so she asks her to stop or tells her she can’t hang out with her anymore. The monkey tries really hard and in the end they come to an agreement that works. We all have a monkey mind. You know the little voice that tells us we aren’t ‘enough’ of anything’. This book introduces the concept to children. Check it out here. OhMonkey
Gator on My Back came on the heels of Oh, Monkey. I had another story to tell. This one came from a personal experience. I have helped loved ones and friends through depression and seen their struggles. I saw depression as separate from them, a monster. Depression comes about without warning, it steels people and throws them into a deep dark pit. People struggle to get out. Depression is never talked about, hushed up and is often the best kept secret. I wanted to support and encourage people to talk about it and to reach out for help. Talk therapy is the first step and a good therapist is critical as part of the healing and in helping someone through. I created this book for everyone that has ever had an alligator on their back. Its the story of a young boy that wakes up one day with a slimy alligator on his back. The alligator begins to take control of his mind, change his thoughts and tell him he is no good, and will NEVER become anything. The boy becomes sadder and sadder. They set off on to find a better life, with some happiness. The alligator of course comes with him. Along the way he meets a friendly fox (which would be the therapist :) ) who encourages him to talk about his feelings. He discovers that when he talks about his feelings his alligator becomes afraid and runs and hides inside a cave. The boy begins to feel alive again once the gator is away from him and he realizes the hold he had over him. When he returns, he sets some new rules in place and diffuses the alligator’s power. This story shows that -Depression is not you. You hold the power to diffuse depression, with the help and support of other people and learning to talk about your feelings. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Canadian Mental Health Association. The book is available on Gator On My Back Site.
The Creativity workbook for Coaches and Creatives – contributing author.
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Forest Writing
Ta-Da….The Great Book of Journaling, How Journal Writing Can Support a Life of Wellness, Creativity, Meaning and Purpose.
This is the third book I have co-authored with a wonderful group of coaches and experts along with Dr. Eric Maisel and Lynda Monk.
I feel so honored to be part of this project.
The first book was the The Creativity Workbook for Coaches and Creatives: 50+ Inspiring Exercises from Creativity Coaches Worldwide. The second, Transformational Journaling for Coaches, Therapists and Clients: A Complete Guide to the Benefits of Personal Writing.
Dr. Eric Maisel is the author of over 50 books on creativity, and the creative life. I have taken several creativity coaching courses with him over the years. He is also the host of AMAZING world-wide deep writing workshops, (which I have also attended) and offers numerous courses and coaching for creatives. Check him out. @ericmaisel
In The Great Book of Journaling, I wrote Chapter 15, The Forest Journal. In my chapter I talk about my deep relationship with the woods, and how as a young girl I found fascination and mystery among the trees. I talk about the pros and cons of writing in the wilderness and offer exercises for you to help ground you while out in the forest, such as how to wake up your senses, unblocking and looking for signs and symbols in nature. I also talk about the joys of wondering and how to end your forest visit with a practice of gratitude. If you have always wanted to try forest writing but haven’t had a chance to experience it yet, it’s seriously worth a try. Who knows, writing in the forest may take you to some new, interesting places you’ve never been.
The Forest Journal, Chapter 15, is only one of many chapters in this lovely book that is also full of inspirational tips and practices from a variety of Journaling experts and creativity coaches, sure to help support your well-being.
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In Transformational Journaling for Coaches, Therapists, and Clients: A Complete Guide to the Benefits of Personal Writing, more than 50 coaches, therapists, and journaling experts from around the world share their best practices and explain in detail how they use journaling to improve their work with clients. In this book I wrote a chapter on journaling in a virtual group.
available on Amazon