Introduction to It's Our Turn Now Too

It’s Our Turn Now Too:

Fifteen True Stories from a Group of Most Interesting People
Compiled by Marianna John

It’s Our Turn Now Too is a collection of fifteen inspiring, true stories written by over a dozen people. Friendship, success, creativity, faith, loyalty, and individuality are a few of the subjects touched upon. There are also tales giving a voice to some of life’s other realities, such as personal experiences with reincarnation, manifesting, intuition, messages from those who have died, and unconventional healing. 

In reading It’s Our Turn Now Too you will most likely realize much of its vital and viable information will help you, or someone close to you, begin to look at life a little differently. Which in turn might be all that is needed to begin to successfully maneuver through it all, once and for all. 

This stunning collection presents a refreshingly different approach to motivational story-telling, with no shortage of insightful creativity. Filled with perceptive writing and original art with a flair to inspire, It’s Our Turn Now Too is destined to become a classic.

Introduction to It's Our Turn Now Too 

              

Hello to you.

Those who know me well understand I would much rather say I made a mistake than have any regrets. Though once I realize a mistake may have taken place, I tend to ask, “What did I learn?” since it has been suggested by many noted individuals that, if nothing else, what is seen as a failure is often just a turn in the road on the way to success.

My friend Peter is one who would most likely agree with the 'no regrets' statement of mine. He also tells the tale of a co-worker who had mentioned the importance of using can-I-learn-from-a-mistake observations. A different yet equally interesting story of Peter's appears in this book, along with some of my own writing, and that of a dozen other people.

The idea for this introduction came about because of personal experience. In October of 2008, looking to promote local art and things local people were passionate about, I had opened a store called　Southside Serendipity. However, in May of 2009, my shop unceremoniously closed its doors for the very last time. That was fine with me, really. I believed owning the place for less than a year had not been a mistake. Perhaps I would finally be given an opportunity to pursue my true passion: all things of a spiritual nature, with a major emphasis on reincarnation.

Over the remaining months of 2009, I gave oracle card readings at several area restaurants.　I also approached two local alternative care providers about offering past life regression as part of their services. The first business owner I talked with had personally experienced the benefits of connecting to some of her more troubling past lives. Nevertheless, the woman felt she could not provide such a service at her facility; she was trying to gain credibility with regional doctors and hospitals.

The other owner was initially interested in my helping her clients with unsettled situations from past lifetimes. Until a few weeks later when a friend mentioned the devil was now a part of her business, the devil being me and the service I would provide. The friend also happened to be employed by one of that woman’s corporate clients.　As a result, the second business owner quickly chose the security of continuing with the previously established cash flow, rather than work with me.

A year after my shop closed, I returned to the city where it had been located, this time for a card reading by a local witch. I had given the woman some of my unused store items and she was returning the favor. At one point during our encounter, pausing, she looked up and straight at me to ask, “If you had the chance for a second shop, would you take it?”

Hearing the hesitancy in her voice yet feeling a certain importance in her question, I also paused before I replied, thinking there was a bit more to this query of hers. It might be important for me to give not just any answer. Possibly, in my correct response, was an occasion for me to create a better future. Looking to have no regrets in this lifetime as well, my reply was “Yes, although I would probably do things a little differently.”

This book was available for sale as an eBook by the end of August of 2010, less than three months after my meeting with the witch. And in a way, it is pieces of my shop brought back to life. Quite a bit of the artwork illustrating the book was art that had hung on its walls. In addition, good friends and several new acquaintances who had supported and visited my shop during the brief time it was thriving, contributed the majority of stories.

While once more, I have the opportunity to pursue what I loved most about my former establishment -- the sharing of spiritual messages. Messages regarding reincarnation and intuition, as well as the importance of faith, hope, compassion, and love. Only now, shared with a much larger audience.

It has been said that all of life is cyclical, which can be both good news and bad news. Very good news if it’s your turn, but bad news if you are waiting your turn.

Well, it’s our turn now too.

You are about to read a refreshingly different approach to inspirational books, the energetic result of an incredible, collaborative venture. We who contributed to bringing it about are extremely grateful to have done so, trusting you will enjoy what has been assembled here.

And I, for one, wish you the awareness that you never lack for loving guidance, as you experience your turn now as well.

Sincerely yours,

Marianna

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"What a wonderful collection of inspiring stories." S.P.N.

"It is so well written." D.P.

"Very powerful." J.N. of Allentown, PA

"This is wonderful. I wasn't sure what to expect and I have to say, it knocked my socks off!
Between the artwork, the design, the stories, the continuity -- it is amazing all around,
and Rachael's story brought tears to my eyes." C.L.J. of Boston, MA

"I ... have found myself rereading certain sections. There are times when a person, even a stranger, touches your life and leaves a fingerprint that changes your way of thinking. I want to thank you for re-sparking a strength in me I had forgotten about." A.E. of Bethlehem, PA

"Just wanted to let you know that I read the pages you suggested, and I absolutely LOVED them!" T.B.

_______________

 

A Sample Story and Two Excerpts

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have
entertained angels without knowing it.” - Hebrews 13:2

The Man

by Elizabeth Dennis

Many of the lessons we hope to impart to our children are taught deliberately. I suspect equal amounts of lessons are received by children vicariously, from watching the world around them. There are those moments, however, when you see in your children more than you had ever hoped to teach. More compassion, more kindness, more love than you thought you were capable of sharing. And in that moment, the child ends up teaching you. Or perhaps, it is God teaching us through them.

In the winter when my daughter Rachel was six years old, she became ill with bronchitis, and then pneumonia. While our prayers at night were for her healing, she continued to worsen and was hospitalized repeatedly for days to a week at a time. Her lungs continued to deteriorate, and supplemental oxygen arrived at our home to become our constant companion.

Winter led into spring, and then Easter was suddenly upon us. Rachel was scheduled for a lung biopsy the week before Easter, and she knew again that she would be hospitalized for quite some time. She was surprisingly upbeat about it all, and continued to pray for the team of doctors that was helping her.

Fortunately, there was only one among her whole team who was not “kid friendly”. And during a particular examination, he had been rough and unsympathetic to her pain. Surprisingly, it was that individual Rachel prayed for that night, saying, “He really needs our prayers, Mom”. Chagrined, I had to agree.

The next day as we traveled past the hospital, I saw a homeless man walking along the road. He was often in that area. I had discussed the homeless with my children, though I had never really taken the time to point him out, or comment on him. But looking out the window that day, Rachel recognized his scruffy appearance and tell-tale garbage bag to be signs of his plight.

“That poor man,” she said, “We should stop and give him some money, and see if he needs anything”.

I explained that money given to a homeless man was not always spent on food; Rachel persisted. “What if we got him a grocery store gift card?” she implored. Having seen those sold at school, Rachel was no stranger to the ease of the gift card system and seemed unwilling to relent. Lugging her oxygen tank along in her backpack, we headed into the local store.

While waiting in line to pay for the gift card, Rachel wandered off to an Easter candy display. I scolded her, and assured her that the Easter bunny would bring all the candy she needed. With a determined look, she said, “No Mom, the MAN! The MAN needs something.” With that, she held tightly onto a chocolate Easter rabbit. “I want to get him this too,” she stated. And so we did.

Chocolate rabbit and store card in hand, we sought the man. Although being a wanderer, he had done just that -- wandered. The remainder of that tank of oxygen was spent driving up and down on nearby roads in search of him.

Finally, he was found. When my little six-year-old with an oxygen tube in her nose, her puffy steroid-swollen face displaying a bright grin, handed him the chocolate bunny the look on his face was indescribable. In that very moment, I could see this man as a child on Easter morning, holding a prized chocolate treat. In that moment I also saw him, for the first time, as a man. Not a homeless man, just a man. Someone’s son, maybe even someone’s husband, or father.

He gave her teary thanks. My heart ached for both this young girl with the huge heart and the boy who had grown into this man who, for reasons unknown to me, walked these near-by roads.

Two months later, Rachel passed away. While pulling out pictures for her services, I came upon a page in a scrapbook that I had made for her. When she was a tiny infant, a photographer had placed wings behind her and a halo on her head, to capture her image as an angel. I had framed it for a memory book six years prior to her death. The caption in her scrapbook read, “If I could sit across the porch from God, I would thank Him for loaning me you”. I had no idea how true the message would become for us.

The shock of her loss was unbearable, and simple daily tasks were insurmountable. Even buying food seemed too painful to bear. Each list I drew up would unavoidably hold some item for Rachel that we no longer needed -- no more Lucky Charms, no “orange” cheese for grilled sandwiches, no favorite juices.

The first time I managed to drive to the store for groceries, as I approached the front of the building who should I see, but “the Man”. The tears began to stream down my cheeks, I couldn’t speak. He looked up and remembered me. And in that moment tears fell down his cheeks too, and I knew he understood.

This man who had lost so much - his home, his job, his pride - knew by my tears that he had lost a friend too. So together, we cried. The food went un-bought, while on a bench in front of the store, the two of us sat in our grief. In that moment I knew I had seen Christ as the shepherd in Rachel, and this man sitting beside me as one of His sheep in the simple, unyielding, insistent love of that daughter of mine.

Many friends and family heard this story at Rachel’s funeral. I told it not so much to inspire as to wonder aloud at the gift this child had been to me, had been to the world.

A few weeks after that, though, I was struck by a neighbor’s compassion.

The neighbor remarked that she had remembered seeing “the Man” as well, but had never stopped to help him. Lately however, she said she had begun to have what she termed “Rachel moments”. Times when she felt called on to do more, to be more, to have less so that others might have more. My neighbor’s family went on to read to inner city children, sponsor refugee families, and bless many others with their talent, time, and treasure. I am so humbled that God chose our little girl to inspire them, and many others.

Exactly two years and two days after Rachel’s death, a call came to our family asking us to host our first ever foster child. A little baby boy of six months, he is a joy to care for and has restored the laughter to our house, which had become a bit quieter since Rachel left. He is the child of a mother who is temporarily homeless. When we heard his story, we were struck with love and compassion.

While I have yet to meet his mother, I know that thanks to Rachel I can see her as a woman, a mother, someone’s daughter, and not as a “homeless person”. A woman who, just like me, is suffering through some sort of unfortunate circumstances right now. Part of me wants to foster her as well, and knows that somehow, we are. Because there, but for the grace of God, go we.

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself, The Bible (Luke 10:27, 29-37)

   "And so, who is my neighbor?" the expert in law asked Jesus.

   In reply, Jesus said:  "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers.  They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 
   A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man he passed by on the other side of the road.   So too a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

   But as he traveled that same road, a Samaritan - the fallen man's so-called enemy - came upon him.  When he saw the man lying in the road, he took pity on him. 
   The Samaritan went to the man and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.  Then he put the man on his own donkey, and took him to an inn to take care of him.  The next day, he handed two silver coins to the innkeeper.  ‘Look after him,' the good Samaritan said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have incurred.' "

   Jesus asked "Which of those three men do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 
   The expert replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

   Jesus told him, "Go, and do likewise."

---

"Can you get to a future if a past is present?" - Candace Bushnell

Remember to Ask

by Marianna John

“They’re going to need a lot more light over there.”

Those were the exact words I instantly ‘heard’ after reading a newspaper article stating the contract for a new casino had just been awarded to a nearby city’s Southside district. I hadn’t even known there was the possibility of a casino opening in our area. And although not a judgmental person, I knew what I had heard in the lunchroom where I was working that summer day in 2007. Since 1996, I have been a student of metaphysics, a word of Greek origin which means the science of reality beyond our five senses. Listening to one’s inner voice, or intuition, is an important concept. So I made a personal note of the message I’d received.  

A few months later in October, my life was very disappointing. Work had become unbearable. Though I thought I had finally met my true love, and figured out the world famous books that for years I was told I would be writing, both were going nowhere fast.

I found myself saying, “OK, I give up! I give up! Obviously, if I had been right about the guy and the books, they would be happening. I don’t get it; what am I doing wrong? You know me, I’m a team player. Give me a clue as to what you want me to be doing. Thy will be done, Thy will be done!” I wish I could say I was hopeful, but I said those words with more anger than I had felt in a very long time.

On the morning of November 2, 2007, I made my way to an appointment with an optician in the Southside retail area of the same nearby city. Over a sofa in his waiting room was the photographic image from a card I had given to a friend some days earlier. Unique about that wall-hung image of a woman standing alone on a hillside, was, my neighbor had made me those note cards from his son’s private photography collection months before my first visit to that doctor. And, it turned out Erik’s month-long exhibit was opening that very evening at the optician’s office.

This time a message without words was getting my attention.

After going back for the exhibit’s premier, I spent some time walking around the other shops in the immediate area. I found myself thinking, “This is all well and good if you are a name artist who can afford a studio in one of these buildings. Where would someone - like my daughter Courtney, or her friend Steph - go, if looking for a place to sell their creations?” Continuing my walk I found no place offering such a venue for local, start-up artists.

A week and a day later Courtney was with me when I went to pick up my new glasses, then look for available retail space. We found an empty former furniture store with the same number of the house where I had grown up. There I would open a shop, making it home to local artists as well as offering other items for sale which local people were passionate about.

By year’s end I had acquired a loan, quit my job, and begun both major renovations and business planning. Taking risks and living outside of the box are in my genetic make-up. All four of my grandparents came from Europe; on my father’s side were gypsies, on my mother’s side a village healer. And both of my grandfathers had owned shops in Pennsylvania near the city of Philadelphia. I found myself thinking the store was, in part, to honor that lineage.

My shop, called Southside Serendipity, opened in October of 2008. A number of people crossed my path there, looking for a life purpose. Talking with them I intuited - or sometimes they offered - their having come up with an idea, only to watch someone else make money with the idea.

Continued in the book . . . 

---

"Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness " - James Thurber

A Path to Awareness

by Peter Nelson

Moderation has been touted as the key to a happy and successful life since the beginning of both Eastern and Western human civilization. From the early Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, to the early Taoists and Buddhists, to the Greek and Roman philosophers, we have been bombarded with the idea of moderation.

When I was a senior in high school, I began searching for the keys to a good life. And for reasons I did not totally understand, my teenage rejection of standard Western culture didn’t fade as I transitioned into adulthood. So, the search continued.

In college, I was introduced to Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism. Interestingly, not in any class on religion or philosophy, but in courses on world literature. The work that impressed me most was the "Tao te Ching" by Lao Tzu. And the key concept I found there, was that of finding a middle path between two extremes. Each thing contained its opposite, but the path between those opposites - a middle course - was the most stable, the most balanced.

Moderation was the path to balance for me then, physically and mentally. As time went on, I began to understand and read the messages my body was sending me. I started to notice how I was affected physically, mentally, and emotionally by foods and by my physical environment. At times, I noticed a very out-of-balance feeling in my body. I couldn’t translate it then, but I knew that those bodily feelings indicated something in my body - and my body and mind working in tandem - was not in balance. I didn’t know what was causing the imbalances, but I began to become more aware they existed.

Although I missed the target as often as I hit it (or so it seemed) my goal, or intent, was to find the middle ground. Moderation. But moderation for me then - as it is for many people today - was all about the physical, empirical world, the reality of this world of ours as described by science. I didn’t know it then but that life choice was leading me not toward, but away from, my goal.

Though my mother had been a very intelligent and mentally active woman, she declined from dementia over the last ten years of her life. The decline had been painful to watch, and it instilled a fear in me. It was my understanding from family anecdotal evidence that my genetic makeup more resembled my mother’s family than my father’s family. In fact, it was said that I greatly resembled my maternal grandfather, who had died when my mother was in her early teens.

My mental processing has been important to me for as long as I can remember. My mind is working, seeking, evaluating, and being generally aware most of time. Much that is my life goes on within my mind. Therefore, the thought of losing this capacity aroused a significant fear in me. Because of my fear, I constantly watched the various signals from my brain, looking for potential problems like confusion and loss of memory, and the inability to focus. I began to tune in to the flow of information about brain function that was available online.

Early in 2010, I began to notice some physical issues were beginning to dominate my life. A numbness and weakness in my legs, as well as pain and cramps in them, along with lower back pain. I’ve walked a lot in my life, at times up to five miles a day - not very moderate! I found that daily walking was very uplifting, and adding meditative walking was even better. However, my back and leg issues caused me to reduce my daily walking, sometimes logging less than a mile a day. I used some meditative techniques and directed energy to alleviate the pain and dysfunction. That helped a bit, though it didn’t get me to where I wanted to be.

Continued in the book . . .

_______________

Marianna John

A student of metaphysics since l996, Marianna looks to present herself in a venue that highlights her strengths and integrity. As Spiritual Life Coach and Ordained Non-Denominational Minister, she uses and teaches various techniques such as meditation and past life regression to assist in the mental, emotional, and physical healing of others.

It's Our Turn Now Too marks Marianna's first venture as a visionary author. To see what she has planned next, click on this link to South Mountain Publications' page entitled Under Construction

Visit her at Facebook: Marianna or on LinkedIn at: Marianna



Stewart Brodian

Stewart might best be described as a Renaissance Man of Communication, using his talent and creative energies to pursue publishing, music - both as a performer and composer - visual arts, and broadcasting.

He is currently utilizing that bountiful energy and ability to write, produce, and perform in short video pieces for television.

To see what Stewart is up to at the moment visit him on the web at: www.webspawner.com/users/brodianpage/index.html



Mr. Imagination

Early in his career, Gregory Warmack was a Chicago street vendor creating jewelry from beads as well as random pieces of necklaces and earrings. He carved African masks from tree bark, while using rocks and cardboard as templates for his paintings.

After the life altering experience mentioned in It's Our Turn Now Too, he came to be known as Mr. Imagination or 'Mr. I', and saw his humble beginnings left far behind as he acquired world famous status as a truly imaginative artist.

Visit him at www.misterimagination.com and check out his recent activities at www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta.../visual-arts-preview-mr-826795.html

Victoria Helm

A Life Transformation Coach, Victoria has guided thousands in connecting with their passions, potential, and purpose. She has gone one step further as a pioneer in the field of Life Coaching, using her powerful system of Personal Mapping which incorporates numerology, astrology, Positive Psychology, and her guided intuition.

Victoria travels the United States teaching her Re-Energize Your Life Workshop, which assists in transforming lives by opening up entirely new living plans for the participants. She has appeared on both radio and TV, and has authored her personal story in It's Our Turn Now Too.

Visit Victoria and FIND your Passion | FOCUS your Energy | FLOURISH in your Life by going to: http://www.victoriahelm.com/

Peter Nelson

For the past couple decades, Peter has been seeking knowledge of the nature of reality, both personal and societal, or cultural. "I found that one can learn a great deal from stories, particularly stories of the personal experiences of others that changed the way they saw their lives.

Working with the stories and the authors of It’s Our Turn Now Too provided me with much insight into the various ways in which people saw not only their lives but their place in the universe."

Peter is also interested in healing, through both spiritual or energetic means, as well as through the use of medicinal plants.



RD (Randy) Riccoboni

RD (Randy) Riccoboni is an innovative American-born painter, originally from California, and influenced by his early years living in the Connecticut suburbs of New York City.

A self-taught artist who began painting at age four when he got into his mothers paint-by-numbers, he credits encouragement by family and teachers in public school for his drive and the inspiration that led the way to his success as a speaker, best-selling author, and inspirational visionary. In 2007, he moved his popular Beacon Artworks Gallery into the beautiful Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

The artist resides and paints in San Diego, California and you can visit RD at: http://rdriccoboni.com/index.htm


David Thompson

Highly regarded as an adventurous entrepreneur, David has always explored life to the fullest.

David's passion is helping people succeed. David's focus now is teaching people how to build priceless relationships and to create wealth, collect wealth and preserve wealth.

Website: www.numisnetwork.com/remarkable
email: remarkableteam@gmail.com