Who Was Marie Antoinette? by Dana Meachen Rau

 Who Was Marie Antoinette? – A fashionable queen who was convicted of treason.

Maria Antonia Josepha Joanna (1755-1793) was born in Vienna to Emperor Francis and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. As a child, she often found her way with the tutors who were not firm. She played on the palace grounds rather than taking her lessons.

When she was nine, the arrangement for her marriage began. To strengthen the ties between Austria and France, a marriage was arranged between Antonia and the French dauphin.

Antonia was prepared for the role of French Queen. It was all about how to move gracefully and look stunningly, nothing how to act responsibly.

The French tutor, Abbe de Vermond, observed that Antonia knew very little. So he made her study religion, French literature, French history, and the French language but nothing truly practical.

On April 21, 1770, Antonia, now called by her French name Marie Antoinette left Vienna for Strasbourg where she was welcomed by French people.

On May 16, 1770, the wedding took place at Versailles palace.

After her wedding, she woke up to a strict schedule. Now, she had to learn resilience and follow the rules. It was a French custom to be “on display,” meaning other people including commoners could come into the palace and view what you were doing. Marie Antoinette didn’t like it.

She was surrounded by many people, but not having close and meaningful connections made her feel very lonely. People were critical and harsh toward her, corrected and nagged her every chance they had.

Her husband, Louis Auguste, wasn’t making it better for her. They were opposite in characters. She was fun and carefree. He was shy, often sad and serious.

After three years in France, in June 1773, she was presented to the people of Paris. She was welcomed very warmly which made her happy and hopeful. The people of Paris were as hopeful as her for a change. They wanted a brighter future. They were oppressed with taxes for a long time and wanted a change.

On June 11, 1775, Louis Auguste became Louis XVI. He was twenty and she was nineteen when they became king and queen.

They both were unfit to rule, but they had no choice.

Marie Antoinette was tired of the French rules and listening to her overpowering mother who tried to control her even from a distance. Marie Antoinette wanted to be herself. She enjoyed fashion. Thus, she set the fashion trends which many followed. She hosted masked balls every Monday. She made up her own rules and offended many important noble families. She was opposite of her mother who built a strong Empire.

Marie Antoinette, in a way, was revolting to strict rules. She wanted a complete freedom but you can’t do it at an expense of masses of people.

People started to dislike her, both noble and commoners.

Her mother sent Antoinette’s brother, Emperor Joseph, to talk sense to her but she didn’t want to listen.

However, on December 20, 1778 she gave birth to a baby girl who was named Maria Therese. The motherhood influenced her in a positive way. She became more private and dressing more simply at her pretended village of Petit Trianon. She didn’t want to connect herself with politics as it wasn’t her position. It was her husband’s responsibility.

As Marie Antoinette was away from the palace most of the time, people in real villages around France suffered and starved. Because of that rumors and gossip spread.

Then, she gave birth to two boys. Even though, she was absorbed with motherhood, it seemed that her early years as a queen tarnished her reputation forever.

French commoners were unhappy with royalty putting burdening taxes on them before she became queen. During her husband’s reign things only accelerated.

The damage was done beyond any repair. Everything was blamed on her.

One bad thing after another, including terrible weather in 1788 resulting in poor harvest put pressure on the King to do something for the common people, which he tried, but it wasn’t enough and commoners were determined to end the monarchy.

Marie Antoinette was accused of crimes she didn’t commit and was sentenced to death by guillotine like previously her husband.

This biography exemplifies a person who was put in a position she was unfit to hold. It brings to mind Kabbalistic teachings of a vessel receiving what a vessel hasn’t earned (receiving bread of shame). She didn’t know how to hold what she received, thus, leading to some form of correction, which she certainly didn’t know how to handle.  

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2015

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: If you recognize a pattern of something in your life, for example, something you want keeps slipping away from you, pause and ask yourself - Why is it in my movie? What is it teaching you about yourself? – David Ghiyam, Kabbalist

 

 

 

A quote that is often attached to Marie Antoinette - “Let them eat cake!” - is not true.

 

 

Traits:

·         From childhood, she seemed to be opposite of her mother, she didn’t like discipline, and her tutors let her have her ways.

·         When she was prepared for the role of French Queen, it was all about how to move gracefully and look stunningly, nothing how to act responsibly.

·         There were certain rules at French court which she had to follow and disliked them. This didn’t lead her to learning resilience. This rather led her to building her resistance as she never received the needed support. It was all about criticism.

·         She didn’t receive any support from her husband as they clashed in personalities.

·         Even when the French people welcomed her warmly and she became hopeful, it didn’t help. She didn’t have the tools to build the right relationship with commoners who were already restless when she appeared in France.

·         She revolted at her mother, who tried to control her from a distance, and against the French rules by creating her own rules but that didn’t sit well with royalty.

·         Her extravagant expenses made commoners angry who started blaming her for everything, not matter if that was true or not. If you repeat a lie a few times, it becomes your truth.

 

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

There are different ways or tools leading to self-discovery. You have to find the one that resonates with you. It could be one of the ancient wisdoms or astrology or mediumship or something else. It doesn’t matter what it is as all roads lead to the same destination Oneness, understanding yourself as each of us is a unique expression of the same divine essence. The point is to seek your truth, ask questions, don’t rely on societal norms as that often mask the authentic you.  

 Always Connected by Suzanne Giesemann

Through her personal journey, the author relates how she went from being non-believer to creating her work by allowing natural flow of energy through her. Her story represents many others. A lot of times, it begins with losing someone and then searching for understanding and meaning in it. Thus, this book focuses on mediumship as many people find healing through this practice, and how to make those first steps.

You begin with meditation and setting intention which is important part. Then follow the steps:
B) a few deep breaths
L) lifting vibration by for ex. thinking what you’re grateful for or what makes you happy
E) imagine how your energy field expends
S) shift – trust you’re aligned to higher consciousness
M) merge – invite a nonphysical being to blend their energy field with yours
E) experience – be still, set all expectations aside

You can ask for specific signs to validate the message which you think you’re receiving.

The author relates the technique through many experiences which might be helpful in grasping the technical part which is very small part of this book.

The second half of the book is the dialogue received within her. She used the method explained in part one to receive answers to the topic she picked – forgiveness.

The author details how to trust your insights and higher guidance which are always available. She provides her channeling which gives further guidance how to trust what your own connection to spirit.

Who Was Jacqueline Kennedy? by Bonnie Bader

 Who Was Jacqueline Kennedy? – a world famous fashion figure and a beloved First Lady of the United States. As the first lady of the United States, she combined her love for arts and culture, which led to the White House restoration into historical site, and improving the global standing during the volatile time of Cold War.

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier (1929-1994) was born in Southampton, New York, to the wealthy family. However, the 1929 stock market crash reduced family’s wealth substantially.

From childhood, she loved reading. She was more like her mother, shy and loved horses. Her younger sister was more like her father, outgoing and daring. Their parents split when the girls were still very young, and mother remarried in 1942.

Throughout her young years, Jackie continued to withdraw. She preferred reading and writing poetry over socializing with friends.

At boarding school, she became editor of the school newspaper.

She wasn’t interested in becoming a housewife. She continued her education at Vassar College. After her freshman year, she took a trip to Paris during the summer time. She fell in love with Paris so much that she returned to Paris to study there during her junior year.

In order to be close to her family, she spent her final year of college at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

After college, Jackie was determined to find an interesting job. Her first job was at the Washington-Times-Herald newspaper answering phones and filing papers. Then, she became an Inquiring Photographer.

At a dinner party, she met John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a congressman from Massachusetts. When he proposed, she wasn’t sure if she should say yes as they both were very independent. He was twelve years older. She didn’t want her life to be taken over by politics. Eventually, they got married in 1953.

She wanted to be a supportive wife. Thus, she took a course in American history at university. She helped him in preparing speeches. But with time, she realized that this wasn’t her passion. She loved culture and arts. Jack’s passion was only politics. They started growing apart.

However, when he ran for presidency, she was very involved. The crowds loved her. When Jack won, she was only thirty-one years old.

She accompanied the new president on trips to many countries. The crowds were wowed by her elegance, beauty and intelligence. She proved to be an excellent First Lady and becoming a superstar.

As a lover of art, Jackie convinced the government to make the White House a national museum. She studied the building’s history and found treasures in dusty closets, attic and basement. She persuaded famous artists to donate paintings and worked with a gardener to redesign the Rose Garden. To help with the upkeep, she wrote a book and the money goes to the fund she set up.

She had an even bigger dream to create a cultural center in the capital. Again, she raised money and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened in September 8, 1971.

She also focused on her children. She wanted Caroline and John to have a normal childhood as possible.

After assassination of Jack in 1963, she moved to New York City where she helped her brother-in-law, Bobby Kennedy run for a Senate seat and he won the election.

Meanwhile, she became close with Aristotle Onassis whom she had met a few years earlier. He was twenty years older. Her family objected to this union. However, after Bobby Kennedy was shot, Jackie turned to Onassis who provided her with security.

They married in 1968 on his private island in Greece. Many objected to this marriage including his two children from his previous marriage who didn’t attend the wedding. It was a short marriage and not a happy one. Ari died in 1975.

In 1975, she became an editor and it was a position she loved.

In 1994, she died of cancer.

This biography exemplifies a woman who loved her independence as much as she loved arts and culture. She didn’t follow the cultural norms of her time. But when she decided to get married, she put her best effort to support her husband. In doing so, she realized that she also had to stay true to herself and went back to what she loved the most, arts and culture. She learned that she could do both follow her passion and serve the humanity along her husband’s mission.

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2016

 

 

  

TRENDING INSPIRATION: "Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad." – Jackie Kennedy

 

Traits:

·         She was shy as a child, and throughout her young years she continued to withdraw. She preferred reading and writing poetry over socializing with friends. – But this didn’t stop her from stepping into public spot as the First Lady.

·         At boarding school, she became editor of the school newspaper. – This was the job she got later in life after many experiences and loved this position the most.

·         Despite being shy, she wasn’t afraid of making bold decisions, and going outside the social norms of her time.

·         She fell in love with Paris during her summer trip after freshman year of college, so much that she returned to Paris to study there during her junior year. – She followed what made her excited about life. Many of us find excuses for not doing what excites us.

·         After college, Jackie was determined to find an interesting job - answering phones and filing papers may not sound exciting but for her it was more exciting than just getting married right after college.

·         When she met Jack Kennedy, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to get married. Once she did, she put her best effort into the marriage. – Through this experience she realized that she couldn’t follow her husband’s dreams as political arena wasn’t for her. She realized that she had to stay true to herself. Thus, she returned to art and culture. She learned that she could do both follow her passion and serve the humanity along her husband’s mission.

 

 

 

"I want to live my life, not record it." – Jackie Kennedy

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

 

The above words of Jackie Kennedy bring to mind the words of a holistic psychologist who says that we’re using subconscious mind 95% of the day – going back to Jackie’s words if you want to live your life you have to be conscious of what you’re doing every day. So far we’ve been conscious only 5%, the 95% is our recording.

 

 How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera explores the aspect of Self-Healing – the holistic approach. These days more and more modern day doctors who were total sceptics of holistic approach, turn inward and toward it after personal experiences.

The same happened with science which has merged with spirituality after many physicists having their own experiences (out-of-body or seeing energy).

We’re entering a new age so called Golden Age (from duality to singularity).

In this book, the author shows how to recognize the core beliefs, identify conditioned thought patterns and tune into your own intuition in a process of reconnecting to your true Self.

Past experiences and traumas, from early childhood, have lasting impact on us and our relationships, believes, and behaviors – product of physiological stress responses stuck in the body.

Holistic psychology focuses on the mind, body, and soul in the service of rebalancing the body. Indigenous and Eastern cultures have fully understood and honored the connection.

There is an awakening happening right this moment. It’s no longer “faulty genes.” Now, it’s the groundbreaking discovery of epigenetics – the impact of our daily environment on our health (reconnecting with nature and cultivating your passions is very important).

1.      Healing is a daily event (develop a habit of doing something that brings you joy every day, even if it’s just 5 minutes). You must go inward to be healed.

2.      Many things are beyond our control, others are within our control.

3.      A lot of times, we cling to something that is familiar – as it makes us feel safe. Take small steps to try something new every day – even if it’s a different route home. A lot of times, fear gets in a way of us doing something new. Thus, start with small steps. Otherwise, we get discouraged quickly if we try a giant step. Don’t let fear get in your way of having a fulfilling life.

4.      Take responsibility for your mental wellness – it’s very empowering.

The Conscious Self – becoming aware – is a big part of this journey.

Most of the time, we run on autopilot, a primitive, or subconscious, part of our mind. When we’re using subconscious mind 95% of the day, then it’s hard to make any changes, because we like comfort zone. Thus, setting intentions is very important, and start with small ones, with something you know you can follow through. Otherwise, you’ll face resistance. Subconscious mind directs us into default mode. We’re comfortable with expected. We don’t like unexpected. Break free from the cycle.

The author goes deeper into explaining different traumas, mind-body healing practices, the power of belief, how to deal with your ego, boundaries and setting them, and emotional maturity.

For those into holistic approach, this is an excellent guidebook.

Who Was Edgar Allan Poe? by Jim Gigliotti

 Who Was Edgar Allan Poe? – One of the most original American writers of all time.

Edgar Poe (1809-1849) was born in Boston, Massachusetts. When he was two, his father left the family and soon after his mother developed tuberculosis and died.

Edgar and his sister, each were taken by a wealthy Virginia family and lived closed to each other. So they spent time together. Their older brother was taken by grandparents who lived in Baltimore. They saw him once or twice a year and constantly exchanged letters.

Edgar was sent to school when he was five years old. He was a good student and he was liked by other students. He was good at languages and science, but at his heart was poetry.

Edgar poked fun at the business world in his poems. Maybe because his foster father, John, wanted him to go into business. John didn’t know how to be a loving father. The warmth and love Edgar received came from his foster mother Fanny.

At seventeen, he began classes at University of Virginia. He quickly became popular among students as he entertained them with reciting poetry or telling stories he made up himself. But he lasted only one year there as his foster father refused to give him more money.

Edgar didn’t like working for his foster father. So he moved to Boston where he tried to make a living by writing. It didn’t go well, so he enlisted in the army. He quickly rose in the ranks to the highest rank. With the help of his foster father, he was admitted to the West Point, NY. However, he didn’t like the rigid life and got kicked out.

Before West Point, he already lost his foster mother to tuberculosis, and the fiasco with the West Point ended his contact with his foster father.

Nevertheless, he vowed to make a name for himself. He dropped his last name Allan – of his foster parents and used Poe – the last name he was born with.

In 1831, he moved to Baltimore where he reunited with his grandmother and brother.

During his time, not too many writers were successful to make a living by writing. He still insisted on joining those few. The same year, he published his poems thanks to the fellow cadets at West Point who covered the cost.

In 1833, he entered a competition at Baltimore newspaper and won both contests for a poem and a story. He began making a name for himself.

In 1835, he became an editor for a magazine in Richmond. The same year, his short story in science-fiction was printed in a magazine.

Meanwhile, he married his cousin Virginia and they had a happy marriage.

He became successful as editor but that left little time for his writing. So he left this position and moved to Philadelphia to concentrate on his writing.

In 1838, his first and only novel was published, but it didn’t receive good reviews. He preferred writing short stories, but they were not selling.

In 1839, he published a gothic story in a magazine which became very popular and made him famous. Despite that he was still struggling to make a living. Thus, he returned to work as editor and continued to write stories. He wrote the very first detective mystery which became very popular.

He never stayed long in one place. He switched jobs frequently, either he quit or was fired.

Virginia went through tuberculosis which killed his mother, foster mother and brother; seeing his wife going through the sickness made him depressed.

The decade of 1840s was one of the most successful of his life.

In 1845, The Raven made him a celebrity.

In 1847, Virginia died and it made him very depressed and took toll on him.

On October 3, 1849, he was found outside a tavern in Baltimore nearly unconscious. No one knows how he got there and what happened to him. He died four days later.

This biography exemplifies a man who stood steadfast in his dream of becoming a writer even if during his time only a small number of them were able to make a living as writers. He was a complex man, deeply scarred by losing his parents at a very young age. It was even more deepened by loses of the people dear to him, and it was always the same claim – tuberculosis. Later in his life, it did take toll on him as he was battling depression. Nevertheless, he achieved what he set to do, and became very well known for it. His life is also a great example of how we should be careful not to judge others, instead taking time to get to know another human being. 

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2022

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Keep searching for what brings you joy. Edgar Poe kept searching for what brought him joy to write and what resonated with readers.

  

 

 

Traits:

·         He was a good student but from young age poetry was at his heart.

·         He didn’t like any rigid structure which is typical for those who like the freedom of writing.

·         During his time, not too many writers were successful to make a living by writing. He still insisted on joining those few.

·         When he won a competition for a poem at Baltimore newspaper, he began to make a name for himself.

·         He became successful as editor but that left little time for his writing. So he was constantly changing jobs in order to do what fit him the best.

·         He tried different genres in writing: poetry, short story, novel, gothic until he found what fit him the best and became well-read

 

 

 “Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence.” – Edgar Allan Poe

 

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:

There are different ways or tools leading to self-discovery. You have to find the one that resonates with you. It could be one of the ancient wisdoms or astrology or mediumship or something else. It doesn’t matter what it is as all roads lead to the same destination Oneness, understanding yourself as each of us is a unique expression of the same divine essence. The point is to seek your truth, ask questions, don’t rely on societal norms as that often mask the authentic you.  

 How to Be the Love You Seek: Break Cycles, Find Peace, and Heal Your Relationships by Nicole LePera

Relationships have always been essential to human survival. Yet they are often at the root of our deepest suffering. Our hearts crave relationships, but our nervous systems responds to threat and negativity because our nervous systems store all our past hurts and disappointments.

It’s not what we were told before - that it’s about compromise. Compromise leads to resentment. It’s about healing our past wounds.

Dr. LePera’s holistic approach to psychology, has attracted an international audience of millions, which offers a new path to healing our relationships.

She teaches how to recognize our unmet needs from our earliest relationships (parents, caregivers, friends) which create our current dysfunctional relationship patterns.

This last book of trilogy shows the way out of trauma bonds and into respectful and compassionate relationships.

There are no perfect partners or relationships. (We’ve been fed too many romantic relationships).
The important step is to turn inward: learning who we are, what made us the way we are, why are we reactive to certain scenarios.

Once you understand yourself, then you can shift to a fulfilling relationship. For some of us, it’s learning how to set boundaries and rejecting relationships with people who are just the takers. (If you’re familiar with how energy works. It all aligns. Meaning, we need to learn how to give and receive, and learn how to recognize just takers).

The author’s success is based on her own journey of discovery and healing, and how she went from a scientific mind, meaning a very academic, mechanistic outlook on the world – if it’s not scientifically proven, then it’s not real - to discovering soul and our connection to it through energetic field.

Despite becoming very successful, she felt consciously aware of how disconnected and unsure she felt about herself – who she was and what she wanted. Her journey began with realizing she didn’t share an emotional connection with her family, especially mom.

She used to say immediately yes to everyone, never considering her physical or emotional well-being, because she never wanted to come across as selfish.

She had to learn how to deal with uncomfortable feelings. For the first time, she saw that the most important relationship she had was with herself. She had to be honest with herself about her deepest needs and desires, breaking some of the conditioned habits.

We can be our authentic Self when we’re meeting our needs in three categories:
1. Physical needs: nourishing our body.
2. Emotional needs: to feel safe to express ourselves and to connect with and be supported by others.
3. Spiritual needs: connecting with our passion, purpose, creativity and imagination.

The author presents her shift, how she observed her own behavior and then reconnected with her soul which is the best testament to what she teaches about.

There is so much more in this book which is a wealth of wisdom.

She also talks about nervous system ladder composed of four groups: connector, distractor, pleaser, detacher.

She delves more into our nervous system containing Seven Conditioned Selves: caretaker, overachiever, underachiever, rescuer/protector, life of the party, yes person (people-pleaser), hero worshiper.

She explains how to use body consciousness to witness our emotions and how to align ourselves. Heart coherence occurs when brain, heart and emotions are aligned. Thus, leading to synchronicity.
She gives examples of breathing, grounding yourself in nature, and boundary setting.

For those into holistic approach, this is an excellent guidebook.

Who Was Ernest Hemingway? by Jim Gigliotti

 Who Was Ernest Hemingway? – one of the most famous American writers.

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was born in Oak Park, outside Chicago. From childhood, he was a curious child, exploring nature and being afraid of nothing. He also liked reading, especially adventure stories. This influenced his imagination.

His summers were spent hunting, fishing or reading.

In High School, he wrote short stories for school’s magazine.

His father, who was a doctor, and wanted Ernest to go to college, but sitting in a classroom for another four years wasn’t for Ernest.

His uncle helped him get a job as a reporter in the fall of 1917. He began reporting on news from the courthouse, but this wasn’t exiting to him. So he convinced his boss to assign him to crime reporting.

He liked working for newspaper, where he also learned a specific style of writing with short sentences, energetic words, positive focus, not using unnecessary words and adjectives.

During WWI, in 1918, he joined the Red Cross and drove ambulance in Italy. While delivering supplies to Italian soldiers, a bomb exploded and injured his leg. He was sent back to the US in January 1919.

Life in Oak Park didn’t offer adventure he was craving. In early 1920, he left for Toronto, Canada, where he wrote articles for the Toronto newspaper. Same year, in October, he was back in the US. He moved to Chicago and wrote articles about farming for a magazine.

Also, the same year, he met Hadley Richardson and they married nine months later.

His friend, who was a popular book author, recommended for Ernest to move to Paris if he wanted to become a serious writer. And that’s what Ernest did with his wife. In Paris, he became good friends with F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Meanwhile, he continued writing many articles for the Canadian newspaper. However, he wanted to work more on short stories. And he did, but he was also spending less and less time with his wife and son. They divorced in 1927.

Meanwhile, he met Pauline Pfeiffer and got married the same year. The same year, he also published a few short stories and one novel – The Sun Also Rises.

Following year 1928, they moved to Key West, Florida, where he became a fisherman. He also practiced boxing. He had a strict schedule. He wrote from morning hours until noon.

He had two sons with Pauline. Ernest had a complicated relationship with his father and the same was with his sons.  Ernest spent most of his time traveling and writing. He wasn’t around his sons often.

His second novel, A Farewell to Arms sold very well. After finishing a book, he’d take time to unwind and travel with Pauline or alone.

One of his trips was to Africa. As usual, his experiences provided plenty of inspiration for his writing.

In 1937, he agreed to report on the Spanish Civil War for the newspaper. During this time, he met Martha Gellhorn, a newspaper reporter.

In 1940, he divorced Pauline and married Martha. They lived near Havana, Cuba, where he wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls.

During WWII, things shifted again. Martha was a better war reporter than Ernest, and he was jealous of it. They got divorced in 1945.

He married Mary Welsh in 1946, who was also a reporter.

Between 1940 and 1950, Ernest didn’t write much.

When Across the River and Into the Trees were published in 1950, it didn’t receive good reviews.

His redemption was The Old Man and the Sea published in 1952 which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1953.

Following year, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. After this short novel, he didn’t write much.

After many injuries, his process of writing became slow. He also spiraled into drinking. He committed suicide in 1961.

This biography illustrates a complex character; a man who had a complicated relationship with his father, wives and children. However, he was good at following his natural instincts when it came to his passion for writing, which he connected with his adventures spirit. He was good at making himself a conduit of flowing energy for his passion. When he got bored, he didn’t get stuck. Instead, he looked for something new to reinvent himself and to improve his craft.

Source: Penguin Workshop, 2022

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: "There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." – Ernest Hemingway

 

 

 

Traits:

·         From childhood, he was a curious child, exploring nature and being afraid of nothing.

·         He liked reading, especially adventure stories. This influenced his imagination.

·         His summers were spent hunting, fishing or reading.

·         He started writing short stories in school.

·         His father wanted him to go to college, but he didn’t want to sit still. He wanted to do his own exploration.

·         His high energy and adventures spirit were good indicators for him what steps to take in life and he was acting on it consistently: moving to different places in search of the right place and position for him, searching for subjects that made him passionate about in writing.

·         When he moved to Florida, he became a fisherman and also practiced boxing – always exploring new ventures.

·         He was disciplined. He had a strict schedule. He wrote from morning hours until noon. – (That could be also an indication why he didn’t like to sit at school and listen to teachers. He knew how to explore the world on his own and to further turn it into serving higher purpose, not just himself).

·         Ernest had a complicated relationship with his father and the same was with his sons. – (He repeated the pattern, not breaking the cycle).

·         He liked exploring new places, and those experiences provided plenty of inspiration for his writing.

·         His third wife was a better war correspondent than he was, and he was jealous of it. – (He took it too personally. He understood the concept that no one was better than another human being yet he struggled to process it within his own life. - Unfortunately, this societal trait of competition is accepted as good, but the only thing it teaches is that we’re better than others - that is not a trait to be followed, even if it’s accepted by majority).   

·         After his biggest success, he spiraled down with drinking. - (When we receive what we wish for but if we’re not ready for it, then something follows that disperses it. If your vessel is not ready to receive something, then it can’t hold it. Imagine an overloaded ship with cargo, it sinks).

  

 

 

"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." – Ernest Hemingway

“Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.” – Ernest Hemingway

“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” – Ernest Hemingway

“The shortest answer is doing the thing.” – Ernest Hemingway

 

 

FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION: 

 Reflecting on above words of Hemingway, brings to mind Conversations with the Z’s: The Energetics of the New Human Soul by Lee Harris. We’ve been programed to think certain way which limits our abilities. It was said before yet ignored how powerful our mind is and how little we use it to our advantage. There is more and more people experiencing raised consciousness or what some call remembering. We’re starting to wake up to what we’re capable of and who we are. We’re not better than any other human being. War is a means of dividing and controlling people. We all have powers to end wars. Learn how to listen, observe, and seek your own truth. Don’t rely on standards or opinions. Question everything and everyone. There is so much more to life than a mediocre life.

 

“Lee Harris has been receiving communication from his guides, the Z’s, since 1999. He has made this wisdom available in a variety of ways, helping hundreds of thousands around the world, and now he offers these powerful messages in a one-of-a-kind and distinctly modern format. His channeling is presented in conversation with psychotherapist Dianna Edwards, who describes her work as “listening to hear.” Her questioning allows for a crystal-clear exploration of Lee’s method and a beautifully accessible way of encountering and absorbing the wisdom transmitted from the Z’s. You’ll learn to connect to your guides, interpret and learn from dreams, employ the magnetics of manifestation, and navigate the current environmental and cultural disarray. The material channeled from the Z’s is practical and meaningful — even transformational — for seekers with open hearts and minds.”