Its time to celebrate. Its been a long time coming, but the book is here!

Three years ago I began the journey of writing this book 'On Angels Wings - My flight from trauma to grace', and now it is done. Its here people, therefore a celebration is in order. Quick aside, for those that know me well, I already have a gold medal in this department as would celebrate the sun shining if I could.

Deep breath, pause, Yes the book is here!!!
I am nervous, grateful, self doubting, excited and thrilled, I did it.
It has been three years of long, hard, painful, thrilling work, and its worth it already.
I know its value lies in even one person feeling hope after reading it, so my wish is for many to read it.
I would love people to feel the impact that finding hope can bring.
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This seems to have already taken on a life of its own, and although I secretly believed it would, I wasn't prepared for the speed at which it has. This without it being available or sold at any outlets to date!

Let me share whats happened:

• I collect the book from the printer who advises this will help many people - as after reading it himself, he realised the enormity of the words and how it can help people he knows who are struggling to rebuild their lives. They too have suffered abuse as children.
• I phone my Detective contact in the Police, aiming to give him a copy. He's running late so advises me to drop it off at reception. The cop at the desk looks at the book, looks at me and then begins telling me his story around his sisters and siblings and what they suffered. He asks if I will be speaking on this.
• I drop into my local Post shop to purchase delivery packaging for books to media, bookstores etc. I am happily going about my business, when I get stopped by the owner who asks if the book I'm sending is mine. Once affirmed, he then suggests helping me by providing a book signing opportunity, prime book displays in-store, and advertising, as he likes to help local authors.                                                                                                      

Hello!! The book isn't even out there and this is happening already. I have had several friends approach who know me well and therefore some of my story. They have talked to loved ones, friends etc and experienced reactions that are surprising, yet not surprising.

• One woman, after being told about my book, burst into tears and discussed what happened to her at a young age.
• Another, through a different friend, asked to go for a walk and then confided that she had never told anyone this, ever, but that she too had experienced sexual abuse as a child.
• A mate of mine told me a story of his friends growing up and what they suffered at the hands of a well known paedophile.

I think the lid is going to come off this underbelly in NZ, and I believe its not only right that it does so, but that its time, time for the truth to be revealed, time for people to find their voices, and time for the shame to be handed back to the real owners - the perpetrators.

On a personal note; for those that always stood by me and supported me through this, I thank you. Knowing you were there kept me going, and for that I will always be grateful.

The book is now live and available on my website Gloriamasters.com, Amazon.com and Bookdepository.com
The best option for NZ buyers is to order directly off my website as it is much more cost effective.
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​While watching a show on Netflix where a woman appeared to be gliding across a tight wire high up off the ground, I realised two things: I don’t like heights and my balance is nowhere to be seen.
 

Timing is interesting because we don't always understand why something is happening the way it is at the time it is. Usually we are impatiently expecting a situation to occur when we want it to and we either push or try to control the situation so that everything appears in front of us in the exact way we require it.

​Perception is interesting because whatever we perceive something to be becomes our reality. Not necessarily other people’s, just ours. We seem able to look at the exact same situation and come away with a different view on it totally believing we have the only view that matters, in other words, the right view. So how is that possible, how can perception vary so widely between people, groups and countries?
 

​I was reading Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth the other day, and one line in particular stood out; ‘Treat the situation you are in as if you had chosen it’. His thinking was that we might manage it differently if we came from a place of acceptance and openness.

​Sometimes we have no idea of the impact we have. Sometimes we can tell straight away, we’ve just got it wrong, and other times we have no idea. We don’t always understand why.
But at least we’ve said what we wanted to, right?
Wrong.

​The problem with things ending is that they don’t check in with us first. If they had bothered, they would find we’re not interested right now, thanks anyway. We like to control who we say goodbye to, end a relationship with or even how we get to share final moments of a loved one’s time on this earth.

​I think kindness is underestimated, it has a power beyond what we could possibly imagine and an impact that spreads far and wide.

​Like most of us starting the new year, I decided that setting a vision would be helpful and set me on the path for a new improved version of myself. 

​Is seen as having strength in the face of hardship, being able to withstand the challenges that come our way with fortitude and determination. Sometimes this happens easily, sometimes not so much.