Several months back, I was given the book The Bridge: A Seven Stage Map to Redefine Your Life and Purpose.  I thumbed through it and thought, “Hmmm, very interesting, I’ll have to read this . . . someday.”  Well, while going through some personal challenges recently, I thought I should sit down with The Bridge.  I have to tell you, I could not put it down—I now know I will be referring back to it, time and time again.  I should have read this book long ago.
 
In The Bridge, Dr. Marilyn Powers and Steve Viglione clearly and “non-clinically” explain a path of self examination, decision making, emerging renewal, with eventual/ongoing personal radiance.  Not an instant cure-all for everything that ails your soul, the reader soon understands the work necessary to travel the road to a better life. The work may not always sit pleasantly on one’s mind or heart, but this book addresses the strategic issues and perceptions that must be dealt with and reconciled if you wish to develop a true and joyful life.

One quick example of how The Bridge has already impacted my life? Almost immediately after finishing reading it, I sat down and clearly wrote a “Vision” of how I see my life going forward.  I affirmed the environment in which I wanted to live my life, and under what terms and conditions.  Spelled out very vividly, I shared it with the world.  I am already seeing this purposeful initiative unfolding in my life.  Pretty cool, huh?

Learn more and purchase The Bridge at http://www.iamfoundation.org/marilyn-powers-books.html?bpid=382

On this Father's Day, I wanted to share a short passage from my forthcoming book; Drain You Brain, Find Your Mind....enjoy!

The Element of Compassion

The morning after the first surgery.  

    As I came to grips with my requirement for a readjustment of my self-image and the need to forgive myself, for some reason I began to ponder the necessity for compassion. I found this kind of peculiar. What does compassion have to do with a supreme understanding of what I was going through? I looked up the meaning of the word and it stated, “The sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others…” I was still a bit confused about what that had to do with me, so I sought some insight. 

    One of the things I did to try to lessen the self-imposed anguish I was going through was to say to myself, “Hey, there are certainly many who have gone through much worse than you are experiencing right now.” I tried to believe that, but somehow I found myself coming up short on imagining that anything could be worse than what was in my head right now. When you just can’t find it in you to look beyond your own suffering, it is very difficult to recognize and feel any compassion for anyone else’s suffering. So, I came to a point of resolution that I had to find a means to deal with my own fear, pain and self-doubt in order to be clear enough to show compassion for others. When I came to that level of revelation, it only lent further impetus to my pursuit of self-healing. 

   As I drew closer in my ability to deal with my problem through the inner Spiritual Tools that I was accumulating, it became more clear that my capacity to look beyond myself and forward to those who were in the same, if not worse condition, was indeed possible. As I pushed onward, this urge to show compassion was helping me by giving me a required sense of clarity. When I was finally able to abate my fear and self-loathing, I knew that the by-product of what I had accomplished would be the ability to assist others. That is the primary reason that I do what I am doing right now. That is writing down my story and explaining what I have gone through so that, if needed, you too will comprehend the truth that you can find a path by going within and seeking outer guidance and support to create your own tools of healing. I put this out as an expression of my Compassion for you and sincerely hope that you accept it and that it brings you awareness and divine solace.

Hello Friends...I wanted to share the first chapter of my upcoming book...I hope you enjoy!

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“As I Lay Dying…”

Here I am, once again, lying on a surgical table in Redwood City, California, preparing for yet another brain surgery.  At this point in my Incredible Journey, I have lost my ability to speak, the use of the right side of my body and I realize that if I don’t go through with this experience, I will most likely not survive.  You would think that after two brain surgeries a person would get use to it, but I am sure you never really do.  The fact that they just informed me that I would be awake for this one puts a whole new spin on the moment.  I had seen a television program about this type of procedure.  I am not sure whether it was on the Learning Channel or the Sci-Fi Channel, but it sure was interesting and, I must say, a little disconcerting.  Right now, I wish I had paid a little more attention to the show.  I am certain that if I do survive this ordeal at least it is going to make for some pretty interesting cocktail party chatter.  

I am thinking about trying to ask the surgeon if she could remove the memory of a few old girl friends while she’s in there.  I am sure that my health insurance doesn’t cover that; but, I guess, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

            They say that when you draw close to the end of your life, the moments that have composed that life pass before you.  With all of the incredible experiences I have had in my humble existence, I am sure I will not have nearly enough time to ponder on all that has made my wonderful life.  I have known and deeply embraced love, beauty, friendship, abundance, prosperity and, most important to me, the love of my beautiful child, Lucy.  I could not have asked for a better life and, if I do not survive this surgery, I can honestly say, I will be leaving this life in full gratitude and appreciation for what the Universe has bestowed upon me.

            The surgical team has entered the room and it appears that they are preparing for the “Grand Opening.”  Well, this should be interesting…

Below is a passage from my book that explains my revelations around "Silence" as I lost my ability to speak due to complications after the second of my four brain surgeries.

The Blessing of Solitude

Hello Friends!   The eBook version of Drain Your Brain, Find Your Mind - A Journal of Renewal has been placed for purchase right now via Smashwords.  It will soon be available through major online eBook retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple iPad iBookstore, Kobo (and Borders) and the Diesel eBook Store, and to all major smart phone platforms via app providers such as Stanza, Aldiko, Kobo and Word-Player.  If you would like to learn more about the book (and perhaps purchase an eBook version...) just go to the attached link below...

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/157639

Thanks to everyone who has supported the effort to push this project forward.  You are greatly appreciated!

Ahhh...on this wonderful Sunday morning I have finished doing a thorough edit of my work and will soon have it available to download through Smashword in most any eBook form you want it. I will keep you abreast of when it will be available. Yea!!!

Good Morning, Dear Followers!  I wanted to let you know that we will soon have Drain Your Brain, Find Your Mind available to you as an eBook (in most very eBook form) through a great site called SmashWords.  We will keep you posted on the progress and let you know as soon as the book is available.  I also wanted to thank the 458 (and growing...) people who are following our Book Gifting Program on Facebook.  If you would like to join the group ( and there is plenty of room!) you can go to www.facebook.com/GiftABook.  Thanks again for ALL of the early support we are receiving.  You are appreciated and we are extremely excited!

Good morning Dear Friends!

I wanted to share with you the new cover for my book.  I have come into association with a wonderful writer by the name of Barbara Stahura.  This amazing woman specializes in teaching Brain Trauma Survivor's the healing benefits of "Journaling."  In my discussions with Barbara,  I came to realize that my book actually blossomed from the journaling I did while recovering from my four major brain surgeries (I guess all brain surgeries are "major," aren't they?)  So, in response to this realization,  I have changed the name of my book to "Drain Your Brain, Find Your Mind - A Journal of Renewal."  This has provided a whole spin on the message, relevance and mission of my book and has added new energy to my drive to get the work published and in front of those who can really benefit from the story and the humble advise within it.

The Preface - Drain Your Brain, Find Your Mind

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               We live our lives as a series of experiences.  What we make of these experiences is simply up to us.  Experiences are created and defined by the moments that go into making them.  Those moments are composed by the presence that constructs our lives. Therefore, it is the presence that makes up the moments that make up the experiences that make up our lives. Get it?

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              With all the experiences that went into making up my absolutely blessed life, I never thought that I would go through the experience I encountered between August of 2005 and September of 2006.  It was a series of moments that changed my life in ways I never thought possible.  There was nothing that I could have humanly done to avoid or alter the essence of this experience.  All I could do was control what I could control. The decisions I made and the lessons I learned in the presence of this experience were strictly mine.  They could have been positive.  They could have been negative.  There really was not a whole lot of room in between. The ease with which I made those decisions and learned those lessons astounds me in retrospect and truly taught me the power of, and need for, “Living In The Moment.”  It is certainly not my intent to bemoan this period of time in my Journey for this was the most Spiritual thing that ever occurred in my existence…somewhat “perversely,” at times, but Spiritual, nonetheless.  I would not wish this experience upon anyone, but I do hope that, by reading on, you will take away an understanding and appreciation for the “Power of the Present” and how it molds our lives and the lives of those we touch.

                I am not intending this to be some deep-rooted manifesto on how to live your life in some prescribed manner.  I am not some “Guru,” “Self-Help Wizard” or “Life Coach,” I can assure you.  In fact, I am beginning to think that with the on-going immergence of so many self-proclaimed “Life Coaches;” that, in short order, there will be more “Life Coaches” than there are lives for them to actually coach.  I am just a man who lives his life just as you do.  I am not putting forth these writings to advocate some path for your self-renewal or salvation.  I happened to collect the tools to meet my challenges through the active involvement and study within a “trans-denominational” community, meaning that we share and recognize the tenets of all world religions believing that there is a common thread that runs through them all and that thread is God, Spirit, First Cause…however you care to define it.  This just happened to be the route that I took to deal of the challenges that came into my life.  It worked (and works…) for me.  I guess the point I am trying to make here is that I believe the route you choose to take is not what is important.  It is the joyful and personally fulfilling end result of your journey that is the crucial thing and the gaining of knowledge, self-awareness and the ability to extend those results that is ultimately important.  My only hope is that I can somehow convey to you what I went through, what it meant to me and how I found the means to come out the other side as a bit of a better Person, Father, Friend and Spirit.  I hope that these thoughts will somehow help you understand yourself, your situation and some of the tools available to you if you ever find yourself or a friend or loved one in a similar situation and state-of-mind that I found myself engulfed in. 

Okay, with all of that being said, let’s all gather around, join hands, close our collective eyes and sing “Kum-Ba-Yah.”  I hope your enjoy my story.

To learn more about Drain Your Brain, Find Your Mind visit...

www.wix.com/rogmay/brain

Learn More About My Book At...

www.wix.com/rogmay/brain

I Am The Light
Lyrics by Maura Leon
Music by Keith and Maura Leon

"What we seek we shall find; 

What we flee from flees from us..."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Amazingly...it was actually downhill from there!  

I can assure you, it was not easy to pick up chicks at a bar.

Welcome!

 

Welcome to my new blog site in support of my upcoming book;

Drain Your Brain, Find Your Mind

In this space, we will share our mutual thought, quips, jokes, pics and I will share excerpts from my book.  The BIG NEWS for us is our new partnership with The I AM Foundation (www.iamfoundation.org) to gift copies of the book to Brain Trauma and Stroke Recovery Patients and others who are facing challenges in their Lives.  
You can learn more about his program at www.wix.com/rogmay/gift.  
Hope you'll jump in and support us!!!