Showing posts with label spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spirituality. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Explore 25 Compelling Inspirational Books

If you are falling into the trap of too much stress, you may painfully find out that it may adversely alter your health. Now is the time to indulge in a program of renewal. In the daily hustle and bustle of our lives, we need to learn many important principles in order to face some overwhelming and compelling situations: If we can develop focus, productivity, tolerance, patience, discipline, acceptance of good and bad, analytical thinking, and creativity, then we can change our situations. We have to learn how to follow up, take action, not procrastinate and not be a quitter. If any of these get out of balance, there is a strong possibility that stress and anxiety will ensue. When that occurs, even the smallest inappropriate comment or gesture could touch off an authentic bout of depression.

Anxiety can take over one's life even to the extent of causing certain medical problems. Although much of the stress we experience can be attributed to one's unyielding drive to achieve certain objectives; not to be forgotten is the immeasurable influence of the turbulent atmosphere that surrounds us.

There are many factors that can distort human behavior. When we are under pressure, poor judgment, inconsistent choices or even mistaken interpretations can influence our relationships. It is with this in mind, that the idea of escaping into some spiritual books captures our imagination with an array of appealing choices. When we inject breathtaking writing, gorgeous ideas, and the helpful recommendations of seasoned teachers, we have the ingredients to renew, recharge and rejuvenate.

Many of these books will seduce readers with small details and comfortable suggestions. These authors have a way of leading followers in finding the relaxation and reconnection they need. And as they are to discover, a quiet shift underlies all successful revitalization.

What is intriguing about this guide is that the books are so life transforming, so fresh in detail, that reading them might make you think you are watching a movie. Many powerful truths are subtly interwoven into the threads of these restorative and pleasing books. For the most part, the knowledge you gain will become etched into your memory with unusual clarity.

The Shack

Precious Gifts of Love ~ 366 daily reflections on the meaning and miracles of love.

Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey

Little Gifts of Sustainable Contentment ~ cultivate contentment in 7 key life areas.

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life (Gawain, Shakti)

StrengthsFinder 2.0

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

The Help (Movie Tie-In)

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life

Gift from the Sea: 50th Anniversary Edition

The Disappearance of the Universe: Straight Talk about Illusions, Past Lives, Religion, Sex, Politics, and the Miracles of Forgiveness

The Purpose Driven Life (QR Code Enhanced Edition): What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The)

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61)

You Can Heal Your Life (Gift Edition)

The Celestine Prophecy

Do the Work

Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Chrisian Spirituality

The Perks of Being a Wallflower [PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWE] [Paperback]

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life

The Secret

Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires

Tao Te Ching: A New English Version (Perennial Classics)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

History, Relaxation & Rejuvenation ~ The Promises of Rocheport, Missouri

The purpose of taking a stress free vacation is to relax our minds enough to get at what is deep inside our heads. Then we can convert the raw material of our ideas into something usable and meaningful. Going to a relaxing getaway has helped many people solve all kinds of business challenges and problems. A relaxing retreat can help generate ideas for work, home and family.

Rocheport, Missouri is a great off-the-beaten-track destination for those travelers who are looking for relaxation. It is a place far removed from the noise and commotion of city life. Here, our brains can think deeper, more thoroughly and more introspectively than under regular circumstances. The benefits of this getaway bring clarity, focus, productivity and new attitudes to our thinking. Obstacles in our mind are miraculously cleared.

Rocheport has an interesting history. It was a trading post for Native Americans and travelers in the 1800's. Lewis and Clark led an expedition to the point where the Missouri River and Moniteau Creek converge. In his personal notebook, Clark commented on the flora, fauna and pictographs he saw on the bluffs. Some historic structures still stand.

Conrad Yates, is the owner and innkeeper of Yates House Bed and Breakfast in Rocheport, Missouri. "Visitors come here to escape their average stressful lives," he explains. "People work too hard, and the demands are great. Having children is stressful. Parents have to deal with sports, school, and their appointments. It is challenging, so people love coming to a small town where the pace is different. It is much more relaxed," he concludes.

"Tourists don't have to drive their car anywhere," Yates continues. Rocheport is a beautiful place to stay. There is wonderful food to eat and they are not distracted by all the stuff going on. Couples get to pay attention to each other." He remarks.

Time away can be a potent adventure that challenges us to step back and evaluate our lives and personal decisions. It engages our innermost imagination and creativity. As Conrad Yates reiterates, "Many couples have lived for years in overstressed situations. They love themselves dearly, but forget it along the way. Here in Rocheport, the pressure is off, and everything is wonderful," he explains. "They actually notice each other again in a way they haven't noticed each other before. It is wonderful to watch a couple touch bases again. They come here and re-connect. I have watched it happen and I see it and feel it very deeply as part of what we do."

A vacation helps us to become more articulate about our ideas, and shows us how to become unique and creative. We can access knowledge we may have forgotten, and can cut resistance that allows for breakthrough idea generation.

How often do we wind up at a destination and don't have a clue about what to see or where to go? With an innkeeper's experience and knowledge, the problem is addressed immediately.

Mr. Yates informs us, "Our biggest travel category is couples getaway. We try to help them plan their activities. We give them a great couples experience." He elaborates, "We try to make sure that the guy has a great time. It is really not hard to do. Everything falls right into place. They respond, ‘Gosh, this is great, this is awesome, we will come back.' That is the very best compliment a business can get."

FEATURED PROPERTY: The Yates House Bed and Breakfast of Rocheport, Missouri is casual, quiet, unpretentious, comfortable, and superbly located in a historic town. The grounds and facilities are easy on the eyes, and a relaxing atmosphere is evident throughout the inn. Yates House is recommended to anyone who wants a good dose of serenity, privacy and rejuvenation. The inn encompasses all the warmth and charm of refined accommodations. It is a truly unique creation meant to be enjoyed by anyone searching for peace of mind. Starting from the splendid architecture of the inn, to the labor of love on the details inside, this is not a B & B inn to be taken for granted. More importantly, the service is considered warm, welcoming, and impeccable. Honeymooners come here to create memories that last a lifetime.

Anniversary couples return year after year to escape from the everyday pressures of work and the hustle and bustle of city life. They come to spend quality time with each other. The Yates House Bed and Breakfast is the perfect getaway for visitors whose ideal vacation is to just sit back and relax, but it is also the best vacation possible for those who want to shop, hike, bike, dine and enjoy the activities available in town.

Columbia is just 15 minutes away. The inn is midway (2 hour drive) between Kansas City and St. Louis, two miles north of Highway I-70. The inn is happy to accommodate special dietary requests, such as for vegetarian, low-fat, gluten-free, or low-sugar meals.

Upon arrival into the common area, visitors are familiarized with the property, and the history of the inn. The staff makes guests feel welcome with a tour. Before being escorted to their rooms, the staff explains the breakfast routine, other particulars and activities available in the area.

The Yates House B & B is recommended to anyone who wants a good dose of serenity. Just gaze at the beautiful blooming gardens situated around the property. It is a place where you can spend relaxing times with good friends.

SUMMARY: The B & B is a prime property located in historic Rocheport, Missouri. The recently built (1991) B & B is a reproduction of an 1850's roadside inn. It offers the tranquility and comfort of the country, yet is near all the city conveniences. You can watch geese and bald eagles soaring close by. The inn features sumptuous dining including a fantastic two-course breakfast. This along with great service makes for a delightful B & B experience.

ROOMS: The rooms are immaculately clean, spacious, comfortable and airy, decorated with tasteful decor and elegant furniture. Some rooms have a fireplace, a sitting area, and a jetted tub. The backyard gazebo offers superb views of the property overlooking gardens, trees, and star-filled nights. One room has a private entrance. Rooms come equipped with free WiFi, cable TV and DVD player. Bathrobes and signature toiletries are provided along with hairdryers. Some rooms have refrigerators.

Heirlooms, antiques, and local artwork evident throughout the property, provide a glimpse into the regional culture. The property has several small gardens. All during your stay you can partake of complimentary coffee, tea, and beverages. Ghirardelli Chocolates are placed in the room.

SERVICE: Great service with a warm smile. The Innkeepers are well known for their genuine hospitality. The innkeepers are knowledgeable and provide efficient service to all of their guests.

AMENITIES: Known for an exceptional, and hearty two-course breakfast. Crème brulee French toast, and frittatas, are some of the items served. The owner collects antique furnishings that are interspersed around the house. The great room common area is the ideal reading room for visitors. It's a peaceful room with a variety of magazines and DVD's. People like to read on the porches or gazebo. 24 hours a day, coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate (in winter), beverages, baked cookies are available in the common area. There is a refrigerator, with beverages, in the common area. A bicyclist lunch can be provided upon request. The innkeeper, Dixie is a gourmet cook. Gourmet cooking classes are offered to guests on weekends or by customer arrangement.

LOCATION: The location is flawless for those who want to get away and feel removed from everyday anxiety and stress. The location is so convenient and comfortable that it is tempting to just stay inside and relax, but don't do it. There is a lot to see and do in the area. The inn is easy walking distance to restaurants, wineries, sightseeing, and local culture. When you feel like stretching your legs a bit more, the Katy Trail State Park, 225 mile rails to trail path, is one block away. Anheuser Busch Warm Spring Ranch of Clydesdale Horses is 10 minutes away. There are a few small galleries in town. Jewelry, quilts, local products, antiques and paintings are available in town.

CLEANLINESS: The inn is known to be spotless, especially the guestrooms. The gardens with natural plantings throughout are attractive. The beds and herb gardens on the property are well maintained. Overall everything, including the town, is quite picturesque.

VALUE: Compared to a standard hotel room, this property provides excellent value with a sense of town & country elegance. The rooms are designed to make guests feel relaxed, and cozy. The personal attention makes the difference. The guests appreciate being asked if they are comfortable. The staff is helpful without being intrusive."

To learn more about finding contentment: ~ www.sustainablecontentment.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: C.J. Good is a writer, keynote guest speaker, lecturer and award-winning author of "Little Gifts of Sustainable Contentment" and "Precious Gifts of Love" ~ self-help, motivational, and inspirational books available on Amazon. (Reviews 4.5-5 Stars / Look Inside) C.J. Good writes on topics about finding and cultivating contentment in seven key life areas. Her purpose is to write quality books that will make a difference in reader's lives. How we can feel better about ourselves and how we can interact with one another is the basis for ultimate contentment. Values such as integrity, love, compassion, understanding and inner peace are inherent in the writings of C.J. Good ~ Twitter: GoodAffirmation

CONTACT: Dixie & Conrad Yates, Innkeepers, Yates House Bed & Breakfast, Rocheport, MO 65279. Phone: 573-698-2129 ~ www.yateshouse.com

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Sell More Books With Amazon Listing Optimization.

Sell More Books With Amazon Listing Optimization. How To Promote Your Book On Amazon. You Want Your Book To Be Tagged On Amazon.
Authors, here are two free and easy action steps you can take to sell and market your books: If someone clicks on Amazon tags on your book page, you will have better numbers. If you receive helpful votes on your reviews, you will gain tremendous visibility.

1) Helpful Votes ~ “Helpful votes” pertains to star reviews written. Helpful voting is essential as it informs Amazon about which books need to be paid special attention to. Say your book had 2 reviews, each with 2 or 3 helpful votes. This is definitely better than zero helpful votes.

Now imagine if everyone that read this article voted on your reviews. All of a sudden these two votes could grow to 50 or 100 helpful votes. This would grab Amazon’s attention and could give your book the credit it deserves.

2) Tagging ~ Tagging is similar to voting but slightly different.

Amazon will allow users to select fifteen key words they feel should be associated with a book. The user can post those to that product on its Amazon page. For example, if a customer enjoyed a Children’s Book, he or she could tag that book with keywords like: bedtime story, great read, book recommendation, fairy tales, kids age 5-10, or any similar keywords that describe the book. Here is what tags look like on an Amazon page:

When a user enters these “tags” or agrees with “existing tags” a number in parenthesis is displayed. This number indicates how many times Amazon users have used this keyword to describe a product. Each keyword/tag (if you click on it) will take you directly to a community. In this community the books with the most tags are displayed in order of popularity.

If you go, for example, to the Amazon page for “Precious Gifts of Love:”

http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Gifts-Love-C-J-Good/dp/1453720502

You will see this book currently has 15 tags. That is a good number to have as each Amazon user can only vote up to 15 keyword/tags per book. You will also see the number of times people agreed with these keyword/tags.

For instance let’s take the tag “inspirational” ~ this tag has 6 agreeing votes.

Click on the link inspirational and you will be taken to that community. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/tag/inspirational?ref_=tag_dpp_cust_itdp_t&store=1

When you browse around you can see which books are being featured as the top books for this community.

“Outlive Your Life” is number 1 with 289 votes, “Revelations” is ranked number 7 with 97 votes. If "Revelations" got more than 98 votes for the key word "inspiration," it would be one of the best ranked books in that community.

Here is how tagging can benefit you directly. When you tag a large amount of products on Amazon, you become a contributor on the community page. If you tag 20-30 items, your picture profile could be displayed there.

Amazon is all about interconnectivity. Thus everyone who comes to this community will see your picture feature for having tagged numerous products with that keyword.

Amazon is a new channel for distribution and is still a little baffling. Authors will serve themselves well to use these methods for promoting and ranking their books. It is entirely possible for a writer to increase sales and visibility if he or she is willing to spend a few minutes everyday.

In this environment, authors are becoming self-promoters and marketers. They should construct an intelligent marketing plan that contains 3-4 marketing strategies.

For the next twelve months ~ put your energy and effort into marketing your book every day. Give this process everything you have got before you make a judgment as to whether things are working or not. Patience is essential.

Tagging and voting is part of having an Amazon optimization program. Because Amazon is so new and such a leader in this type of arena, authors should pursue it with enthusiasm. Words cannot express how important participating on Amazon is. Never before has there been such an outlet where an author can make a substantial difference in propelling sales of his or her own work. It is up to you how successful you want to be, your actions will make it happen.

This blog has initiated a free program to help fellow authors called: Reciprocal Tagging. The way it works is: We will tag your book with 15 keywords, if you will please Tag ours.

Would you like to submit your book to be tagged?

1) Provide a list of 15 keywords separated by commas so we can copy and paste it.

2) Provide the Amazon link (URL) to your book.

3) Provide your name, website and email address in case we have questions.

(15 tags maximum allowed)

4) To tag our books, please click the links below:

BOOK #1: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Gifts-Sustainable-Contentment-1/dp/145284416X

BOOK #2: http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Gifts-Love-C-J-Good/dp/1453720502

KINDLE #1: http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Gifts-of-Love-ebook/dp/B0046RELMG

KINDLE #2: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Gifts-Sustainable-Contentment-ebook/dp/B003V8BKAW/

5) Copy our tag list and paste it in the TT area (light gray print ~ "Tag this product window") underneath the "add tags" box on the book page. Don't use the "add tags" box as it tends to cut off the keywords. Click enter.

6) Also click the "like" logo next to book titles.

7) Click: "agree with these tags?"

8) Note: Kindles and Paperbacks must be tagged individually. (Here is our tag list)

gift ideas,sustainable gifts,special gifts,christmas,NY Times Bestseller list,bestsellers,self-help,love,relationships,inspirational,spirituality,travel deals,airlines,romance,kindle

For reciprocity, please provide your details in the same format:

Send via email:

goodconnie@sustainablecontentment.com

www.sustainablecontentment.com

Or post on this blog in comments for other authors to see.