ARTICLE - Review of “50 Shades of Grey”

 

The Huffington Post reported that EL Jame's "Fifty Shades" trilogy has outsold JK Rowling's seven-book Harry Potter series on Amazon's UK site. James has been named the best-selling author of all time at Amazon.co.uk selling over 40,000,000 copies of her book "50 Shades of Grey" since March. It is the fastest selling paperback of all time.
 
It is hard to deny that we love and will spend money on fantasy, whether porn or Potter. This book has been called "Mommy porn" as the fanbase is being composed largely of married women over 30. Hmmm…
 
Will this improve women's sexual lives? The disturbing and poorly written details would be worth it, if that were the outcome.
 
I have always found graphic descriptions of sexual encounters to be arousing in my body. My first sexual feelings, that I remember, came from reading "racy" stories in magazines I use to hide under my mattress. 
 
Sex and what arouses a woman is unique to her. The scenes in "50 Shades…" that created a positive visceral experience for me were when the two main characters expressed love and compassion for each other. Sex, without compassion, is the lowest form of relationship in my book.
 
The nature of the dominant/submissive aspect created a visceral feeling of anger welling up inside of me. The admitted need to control and bark orders which created pain along with the pleasure was where I felt very disturbed that this book was creating such a stir with women. Is it just a deep awakening we desire, which sometimes includes pain?
 
This idea of submission has made its way into new marriage vows approved in Australia where brides are promising to "submit" to their husbands as well as "obey" them. Even as I write this I am feeling the unease of this thought.
 
Before I explain what I believe may be beneficial about the book, I need to comment on the fantasy man syndrome. The main character, Christian Grey, was the image of the sexiest, richest, smartest and most talented man this side of the North Pole. I want us all to find a way to look past surface glamour, and find the true soul. It is not always easy. I fail in this endeavor often.
 
I found three redeeming thoughts from this odd book. 
 
A sexual relationship requires deep communication. Because of the provocative nature of the sexual requests in this story, communication was repeatedly stressed as necessary…verbal communicaton speaking your deep truth. We can all learn from this.
 
There was also a consciousness about choosing to enter into the relationship because of the extreme nature of the sexual demands. Conscious choosing is a key factor in creating any life you desire.
 
My final positive take away from this book is the encouragement of receptivity. The heroine was showered with gifts which she resisted, until she didn't. There was an air of giving and receiving that took into account value on both sides. It felt natural, until it went over the edge of kinkiness for me.
 
BEing the conscious optimist that I am, I invite you to reflect on your own relationships and see where you could:
 
- communicate your deep truth
- be acutely conscious of your choices
- give and take with love
 
There is wisdom in all things. It is up to us to find it. :) 
 

GUEST APPEARANCE - Healthy Alternatives

My thoughts on sexual healing are shared with Dr. Jerry Teplitz. His radio show "Healthy Alternatives" provides a needed resource for natural ways to treat health conditions. On this show, he discusses the healthy breakthrus with acupuncture for pain relief. To listen to this and my interview on sexuality, click the button below.

 

 

 

Dr. Jerry V. Teplitz dynamic, educational and entertaining keynotes and seminars have a long-term impact on performance enhancement and productivity.

 

Dr. Teplitz is author of 8 books and his latest, "Switched-On Selling," became a #1 Amazon Bestseller. He has given over 1700 presentations to more than 1 million people since 1974. Participants report becoming more positive, effictive, focused, energized, and productive.

Dr. Teplitz has earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. 

 

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FINDING THE FUNNY - Mirror Mirror

A young woman buys a mirror at an antique shop, and hangs it on her bathroom door.

One evening, while getting undressed, she playfully says "Mirror, mirror, on my door, make my bust-line forty four."

Instantly, there is a brilliant flash of light, and her boobs grow to enormous proportions.

Excitedly, she runs to tell her husband what has happened, and in minutes they both return.

This time the husband crosses his fingers and says, "Mirror, mirror on the door, make my manhood touch the floor!"

Again, there is a bright flash and both his legs fall off."

 

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be specific when working with magic! :-)

 

FINDING THE FUNNY - A Monk Story

A new monk arrives at the monastery.

He is assigned to help the other monks in copying the old texts by hand.

He notices, however, that they are copying copies, not the original books.

So, the new monk goes to the head monk to ask him about this. He points out that if there werre an error in the first copy, that error would be continued in all of the other copies.

The head monk says, "We have been copying from the copies for centuries, but you make a good point, my son."

So he goes down into the cellar with one of the copies to check it against the original. 

Hours later, nobody has seen him.

So, one of the monks goes downstairs to look for him.

He hears sobbing coming from the back of the cellar, and finds the old monk leaning over one of the original books crying.

He asks what's wrong.

The old monk sobs, "The word is celebrate."

FINDING THE FUNNY - This 60 Year Old Woman…

This 60 year old woman was walking along 5th Avenue when she heard a voice from above. "You will live to be 100."

She looked around and didn't see anyone. 

Again, she heard, "You will live to be 100."

Boy, she thought to herself, that was the voice of God. I've got 40 more years to live! So off she went to the plastic surgeon. She got everything fixed from head to toe.

When she left the plastic surgeon's office, she got hit by a bus, died, and went to heaven.

She said to God, "You told me I would live to be 100. I was supposed to have 40 more years. So how come you let the bus kill me?"

God said, "I didn't recognize you."

GUEST APPEARANCE - The Empowered Healer with Susan Allison

Susan Allison is a gifted healer, and radio host. She interviewed me for her show last week, and between our combined experiences of natural healing, it was an inspiring hour of what is possible. To listen to the whole show, click the button below.

Santa Cruz therapist Dr. Susan Allison has a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and has maintained a private practice for 20 years. She was honored as a “Woman of the Year” in California by the Santa Cruz Women’s Commission for her counseling work with adolescents. She currently works with individuals and groups to bring about healing, using traditional therapies, as well as hypnosis, process therapy, shamanic journey, and energy medicine. Susan is also an ordained and licensed interfaith minister who loves to offer prenuptial counseling and perform wedding ceremonies.
 

 

 

The published author of three books:Conscious Divorce, Ending a Marriage with Integrity (Three Rivers Press), Breathing Room: The Leaving of a Marriage (Park Place) and Empowered Healer (Balboa), she has received many awards for her writing, and has been published hundreds of times for her non-fiction and poetry. Her passion for service is reflected in her new book, Empowered Healer: Gain the Confidence, Power, and Ability to Heal Yourself, in which she inspires readers to become involved in their own recovery process. When she is not working with clients or writing, she enjoys a quiet life near the ocean. 

Her website is www.empoweredhealer.com.

GUEST APPEARANCE - The Spiritual and Irritable Show

I had the great honor to be interviewed by media personality and Life Coach, Lisa Phillips, based in Sydney, Australia. In addition to her Amazing Coaching Practice and radio show "The Spiritual and Irritable Show," she is a community activist who has spearheaded a campaign "Donate Your Socks For the Homeless." She is a real dynamo…listen into her high vibrational spirit by clicking below.

 

 
 
 
 
Hi, my name is Lisa and I am a Success Coach based in Sydney, Australia.  My passion in life is helping people really love, accept and believe in themselves. I love to see people grow during the coaching process and reach out and fulfill their wildest dreams! In particular, I gain great satisfaction watching my clients change from believing they are not worthy, deserving or good enough, to transforming into empowered, loving and responsible individuals who treat themselves like the amazing special people they truly are.
 
Prior to becoming a success coach, my background was in Finance and Change Management, where I worked in over thirty countries around the world. However, I always felt that this was not my real passion in life but I lacked the confidence and know how to take action and do anything about it. I just felt that the bus of life was driving me round and round wherever it wanted, whether I liked it or not! What I didn't realise at the time, was that I am more than capable of driving my own bus in exactly the direction I wanted my life to go!
 
I decided to get into Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Success coaching at a time when it seemed that my life was falling apart around me. I had recently lost my job, got divorced and moved far away from my family and friends. This decision totally transformed my life and I have never looked back. I did not realise at the time what a positive impact coaching would make to all areas of my life. In particular, it allowed me to increase my self esteem and confidence, and really believe that I was good enough to have the life I wanted to lead!
 
My life is a continuous journey, and I have experienced endless positive changes.  I am now totally committed to helping individuals have a joyous life. My formal training both in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Life coaching have enabled me to develop a holistic approach that is tailored to individuals allowing them to make an effortless transformation in their lives.
 
In addition to my formal training, I have completed workshops and courses with many of the world’s leading self development experts, including Debbie Ford, Doreen Virtue, Erkhart Tolle and Louise L. Hay.
 
Lisa is also a regular contributor to many Australian magazines including Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Weight Watchers and Dolly.   She also appears regularly in the media and runs her own ' Spiritual and Irritable' radio show .
 
Lisa is also the founder of the ‘ Donate Your Socks for the Homeless’ campaign. 
 

FINDING THE FUNNY - Talk Like an Adult!

The Grade 2 pupils returned to class after the long weekend. 

Their teacher told them to tell their classmates about the weekend, but to use adult words in telling their stories.

First Pupil: "I visited my Nana." 

Teacher: "Please use adult words, you visited your Grandmother."

Second Pupil: "I had a ride on a choo-choo."

Teacher: "Please, you had a ride on a train."

Third Pupil: "I read a whole book by myself for the first time."

Teacher: "Excellent. And what was the name of the book?

Third Pupil: "Winnie the Shit."

 

Our children are watching us and listening to us!