Bookstore Blog by Hope Martell

I would like to start sharing a blog with you on some of my adventures in the bookstore.

On this particular Sunday, Edwene Gaines was the guest speaker. I was so excited to be promoting her book " Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity" , I had plenty in stock and I was ready for a busy Sunday. I am starting to finally feel comfortable with the inner workings of the bookstore and ready to shine.

I wanted to get to church a little earlier than normal on this particular Sunday just to make sure everything was in its place. Feeling conf ident and ready for anything I switched on the computer and the pleasant doot doot doot sound that the computer makes when turning on, telling me all is well, was replaced by a very obnoxiously loud POP! Knowing something was seriously wrong my confidence started to waiver!

Steve & C.J. came down with toolbox in hand and proceeded to perform basic CPR on the computer, right in the middle of the bookstor e floor. As I watched the two professionals signal to eac h other that the computer had flat lined, I found myself wanting to sit with my head between my legs, wishing I had a paper bag to breathe into... Trying to think, what would Betty do, I picked myself up and found Rev. Patricia who gave me a reassuring hug and a blue envelope with $69 in change. Then, I reminded myself, "I still have the use of the credit card machine", "Wahoo", my spirits were rising and the bookstore was back in business!

What a wonderful service Edwene Gaines gave and her books were flying off the shelves. The credit card machine was working overtime…oh no… the credit card machine just quit, bookstore full of people, and once again paper bag nowhere in sight! Cyndee Pack, standing in line, said, "I think maybe I can help"... she was amazing! With the love and support of some great helpers that day, there were many great experiences that came my way and I decided to love what God had given me, a day filled with opportunities to be resourceful and creative! So thankful for everyone's patience! My first month as bookstore manager is now complete and I feel so blessed and grateful. I am living my Unity teachings of "CHANGE IS GOOD..... ALL THE TIME"

-Hope

COME IN and see our new gift selections, and don’t forget to put yourself on the receiving end of these delightful items, too!

Candles, including travel tins Rattan Reed Diffusers Glycerin Soap Dead Sea Bath Salts from Scented Soap & Candle Company

AND MORE - Browse around to find: Magnets Cards Incense Quilts (by Roleen Lewis) Jewelry AND many of the latest and classic New Age books. See our local artists Debbie Crews' new cards for every occasion and Raphaella Vaisseau's creative magnets and cards.

Reverend Patricia ordered "The 12 Powers" sets of soy candles for the Bookstore. She will be discussing one power a month for the entire year. Each month has a color; January is dark green for Divine Order. The scent is the gentle White Tea, and the candles cost $12 each. Collect all 12, or pick your favorite power color. Each candle burns without soot for 80 hours and won't hurt the environment.

Just About Books:

Children’s Section:

The anniversary edition of The Giving Tree is in our children’s section, a perfect gift for a special child or grandchild. It’s a keeper! Milton’s Secret by Eckert Tolle – yes, he has written a book for children using a backdrop of bullying to weave a compelling story of a bright boy named Milton who encounters difficult situations. Reverend Patricia asked for On the Day You Were Born celebrating the joy and wonder of anyone’s birthday. Children cannot help feeling loved when this book is read to them.

Adult selections include Reverend Patricia’s Picks:

The Instruction: A step-by-step program for realizing personal fulfillment. This book takes you through ten “doorways” to unveil the life plan your soul created before you were even born.

The Moses Code: James Twyman reveals for the first time, how The Moses Code is the most powerful manifestation tool in the world. I loved it! Soon to be a course given by Reverend Patricia

Living the Wisdom of the Tao: 81 short verses which encourage you to change your life by literally changing the way you think. This book encompasses profound ideas from Lao-tzu.

Soul on Fire: A magical collection of stories describing the awakening of spiritual powers of an Episcopal priest turned shaman.

The Magic Box by Egan Sanders A story about a young boy who encounters a Wizard who lives in the woods near his house. The Wizard guides the boy throughout his life with wisdom and kindness. Whether the Wizard’s box is magic or whether it gives the boy the self-confidence he needs to succeed is for the reader to determine. The book can be read at one sitting and includes the key to the box’s magic at the end. All readers, young and old, could grow from the secrets the “magic” the box contains.

Little Wave and Old Swell: A Fable of Life and Its Passing by Jim Ballard This timeless tale recounts the journey across the sea made by impetuous Little Wave and his teacher, Old Swell. Their allegorical adventures promote discussion of the age-old questions: Where did I come from? What is the nature of life? What happens when I die? Little Wave’s discovery that he is composed not of water, but of energy, illustrates the truth that humans are more than just physical forms. The simple metaphor of a wave rising out of the ocean, learning important lessons, then sinking back to the place it came from, imbues a universal mystery with a charm both uncomplicated and strangely familiar.

The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer by Sergio F. Bambaren: Those of you who were fortunate enough to hear and meet Mr. Bambaren at his book signing at Unity would not be surprised by the sensitive, thought-provoking nature of his book. Mr. Bambaren poured out his heart to us, and although we did not know the nature of the challenge that he was facing, our positive attitude and welcoming hearts touched him. His book is about freedom and finding your right place in the universe. Daniel Dolphin knows that there is more out there than the tiny lagoon where he lives with his pod. He leaves his family and friends to pursue the ultimate wave, his dream. His search teaches him more about the world and the good and bad in human beings, but it also enforces his belief in dreaming. He returns to his pod and teaches them how to dream.

Book Review

Angels Sing in Me, The James Dillet Freeman Memorial Book, compiled and edited by Michael A. Maday and Philip White.

Angels sing in me - that’s what James Dillet Freeman thought when words and poems filled his head. He always had pen and paper ready for the messages. Did you know that he came to our church years ago and spoke? I wonder how many of you actually had the privilege of meeting him and looking into his kind eyes. I would love to hear from you about your interaction with him, however brief. (Please write it down and bring it to me in the bookstore, and we will put it on our website.) This large, beautiful, hardback book is a keepsake for those of you who have a special place in your heart for Unity’s poet laureate. Freeman was associated with Unity for more than 70 years as a minister, poet and author, and an educator and spokesperson for the movement. He lived to be 91.

To those unfamiliar with his work, think "Prayer for Protection," because he wrote it, and then there is his poem, "I Am There." Both of these pieces made it to the moon and were left there by our astronauts. Compiled by Freeman’s good friends and editors, Michael Maday and Philip White, instead of a chronological biography, they chose to divide his work into topical chapters such as God, Jesus, purpose, meaning, grief, faith and prayer. Many illustrations fill the book, not only of Freeman but flowers, birds, butterflies and trees - the things he loved. He said his mission was "to help people not to hurt so much." His body of work continues to prove that he fulfilled his mission. - Sharon Hamant

Ageless Body, Timeless Mind by Deepak Chopra, M.D. Deepak Chopra writes, "We are the only creatures on earth who can change our biology by what we think and feel. We possess the only nervous system that is aware of the phenomenon of aging... Our cells are constantly eavesdropping on our thoughts and being changed by them." That is the premise of his book on aging. If you already believe that we have control over our physical bodies to the extent that we can alter our cells by our thinking, you will gain further insight. If you have never thought about it, Chopra will educate you. It is controversial, and there are probably many scientists who would challenge his views, but many students of Unity would consider it quite reasonable.

Chopra backs up his premise with examples from leading researchers and studies on the effects of aging. He discusses topics such as quantum physics, the theory of timelessness, the science of longevity and the illusion of death. If you would like to reinforce your concepts or change the traditional view of aging and time that you have always known, take your time and study this well-written and innovative book. - Sharon Hamant

Other books to consider: You Can Have an Amazing Life in Just 60 days! by Dr. John F. Demartini Sixty inspiring laws that the author lives by and has taught to financial planners, corporate executives, health care professionals, actors, sports personalities and other professionals. Using an interactive workbook approach, you can apply one law a day and help yourself to an amazing life.

God Stories edited by Jennifer Skiff A God story is a miracle-like experience that proves God exists. Jennifer Skiff presents "reassuring, hopeful and unforgettable" stores about divine intervention. Each chapter is a complete story, so it is a good book to have on hand when you’re sitting by the ocean or waiting in traffic.

The bookstore is open Sunday from 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM, and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 AM to 3 PM.