Inspiring and Thought Provoking: D iz for Different Amazon Review

★★★★★ Camilla Downs has really written an exceptional book. She opens up about her own life so that she might truly help others find some insight into their own. I have had the privilege of belonging to a support group with her for children with chromosome 18 disorders and have found her posts there to be wonderfully supportive and hopeful and when I found out she wrote a book, I couldn’t wait to read it.

It was everything I thought it would be. As a mother to a four year old with special needs, it’ made me really think about my own life and relationship with my daughter. The one thing I have to say I took away from this book was the prevailing message throughout the book about “living in the moment’. Not letting outside distractions take away from what you’re doing or experiencing with your child or anyone else for that matter. It really hit home for me. How many times was I reading a book to my daughter and thinking about all kinds of other things or perhaps the tv was on in the background. I was reading the words but I wasn’t in the moment. I have become very conscious of that because of this book. I have had a tough time as of late with a lot of worries. I have a lot on my plate, but I now find myself sitting with my daughter and putting it all aside to really engage with her and with what we’re doing in that moment and it has made a huge impact. Learning to put aside all these distractions has made me more aware of her and even more in awe of what’s she’s learning and doing every day that I was before.

Thank you Camilla Downs for helping me to open my eyes. You have made an impact on my life and I’m sure the lives of many others. I am in the process of getting my degree in child development and I have now decided to focus on working with special needs families. You have inspired me to look into being certified as a special needs life coach. That is my ultimate goal. I would love to talk to you more about that sometime when I get closer to actually pursuing my certification. Thanks for all you do. You are an amazing woman, mother and spokesperson for so many. I wish you a long and prosperous career doing what you love. –Katelyn’s Mom – June 1, 2013

If you would like to write an Amazon review of D iz for Different go here (amazon affiliate link). It’s not necessary to have purchased the book through Amazon. If you have an Amazon account, you can write a review.

Book Musings: Gift from the Sea

“Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Passage from Gift from the Sea (amazon affiliate link) …. “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.”

This is another find from a used book sale. I paid one dollar for it years ago at a library book sale. I’ve read it several times and was called to read it again this week. This book speaks to my soul as it delves into simplicity and balance. It’s clear why this is the book I’m reading right now. My heart and soul crave simplicity. I’ve come a long way and continue my simplicity journey paired with natural and inspired living. Yes. I know why my hand went right to this book on my nightstand bookshelf as I was rushing out the door for yet another time of arriving late at an appointment.

At 138 pages it’s a quick read. One could read the book in one sitting, yet, you may want to read a chapter a day to let each chapter settle in and give yourself time to ponder what you’ve just read. Get it. It’s well worth it!