The Generosity Network


Book Description

The Generosity Network is the essential guide to the art of activating resources of every kind behind any worthy cause. Philanthropist Jeff Walker and fund-raising expert Jennifer McCrea offer a fresh new perspective that can make the toughest challenges of nonprofit management and development less stressful, more rewarding—and even fun. Walker and McCrea show how traditional pre-scripted, money-centered, goal-oriented fund-raising techniques lead to anxiety and failure, while open-spirited, curiosity-driven, person-to-person connections lead to discovery, growth—and often amazing results. Through engrossing personal stories, a wealth of innovative suggestions, and inspiring examples, they show nonprofit leaders how to build a community of engaged partners who share a common passion and are eager to provide the resources needed to change the world—not just money, but also time, talents, personal networks, creative thinking, public support, and all the other forms of social capital that often seem scanty yet are really abundant, waiting to be uncovered and mobilized. Highly practical, motivating, and thought provoking, The Generosity Network is designed to energize and empower nonprofit leaders, managers, donors, board members, and other supporters. Whether you help run a multimillion-dollar global nonprofit or raise funds for a local scout troop, PTA, or other community organization, you’ll learn new approaches that will make your work more successful and enjoyable than ever.




Hyperbole and a Half


Book Description

#1 New York Times Bestseller “Funny and smart as hell” (Bill Gates), Allie Brosh’s Hyperbole and a Half showcases her unique voice, leaping wit, and her ability to capture complex emotions with deceptively simple illustrations. FROM THE PUBLISHER: Every time Allie Brosh posts something new on her hugely popular blog Hyperbole and a Half the internet rejoices. This full-color, beautifully illustrated edition features more than fifty percent new content, with ten never-before-seen essays and one wholly revised and expanded piece as well as classics from the website like, “The God of Cake,” “Dogs Don’t Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving,” and her astonishing, “Adventures in Depression,” and “Depression Part Two,” which have been hailed as some of the most insightful meditations on the disease ever written. Brosh’s debut marks the launch of a major new American humorist who will surely make even the biggest scrooge or snob laugh. We dare you not to. FROM THE AUTHOR: This is a book I wrote. Because I wrote it, I had to figure out what to put on the back cover to explain what it is. I tried to write a long, third-person summary that would imply how great the book is and also sound vaguely authoritative—like maybe someone who isn’t me wrote it—but I soon discovered that I’m not sneaky enough to pull it off convincingly. So I decided to just make a list of things that are in the book: Pictures Words Stories about things that happened to me Stories about things that happened to other people because of me Eight billion dollars* Stories about dogs The secret to eternal happiness* *These are lies. Perhaps I have underestimated my sneakiness!




Reflections


Book Description

Do experiences in your life influence your perspective about your future? Life is a wonderful gift to mankind. Provided you live it, love it, and cherish it with great exuberance and a positive mindset. It’s impossible to write without being influenced in some way by your life experiences, whether intentionally or otherwise. But one has to mine value from these experiences rather than be blindly led by them. Serving for more than 36 years in three different uniforms, experiencing various ups and downs, different terrains, altitudes, and places: it was more than an exhilarating odyssey. The interaction with varied personalities, colleagues, mentors, friends, and subordinates moulded his attitude to face enormous challenges and, at times, adversities coming his way with confidence in the right frame of my mind. As a medical professional in Armed Forces, Surgeon Captain Mohan experienced many unusual events that possibly very few medicos could ever imagine. He survived the brush with death three times. Maybe it was his destiny, but each experience added to his confidence and prepared him to take on further challenges pretty smoothly in life. His knack for rolling into adventures helped him accept a few dangerous assignments head-on and come out of them with laurels. Here in this book, you go onto a rollercoaster ride, reading those selected genuine experiences that made his life more than a celebration.




Reinvention 2.0 Edition


Book Description

Reinvention – 2.0 Edition is all about reinventing the existing you. The canvas of your life is always blank and you can paint a completely different picture than you ever painted before; your past does not equal your future. Our stories can either liberate us or detain us, depict us as hopeless victims or hopeful champions, feed us anguish or thankfulness. Life is monotonous; eliminate distractions and focus on the fundamentals of life by finding ways to experience joy in the mundane of life. The beauty of any reinvention is that even though it is difficult to start, the person you often become is even better and stronger than before. Everything in life is contagious—who you are with, the words you hear and read, the things you see, and the things you seek out to learn. Make sure you are infected with the secret special life-saving virus that propels you each day to live a better life than the day before. And, while reinvention is incredibly important—the ability to push yourself out of your comfort zone and into new territory is one of the most tried and truest ways of keeping people interested in who you are and what you’re doing. You are no longer defined by what you did or what someone did to you. Yesterday has been taken care of, and a wonderful tomorrow awaits you to rewrite your story, reshape your identity, redefine your outlook and rephrase what you say to life. Your new life is with you and the future is bright. Don’t look beyond the horizon, don’t get tempted—it’s just a ‘chimera’ you will never understand. Complex as it is, focus on what you have in life—reinvent yourself. Life is calling. Where are you! Go, claim your legacy—make a Magnum Opus of your life. Be the author of the 2nd edition of your life story—give it a name— Reinvention – 2.0 Edition.




And I Don't Want to Live This Life


Book Description

“Honest and moving . . . Her painful tale is engrossing.”—Washington Post Book World For most of us, it was just another horrible headline. But for Deborah Spungen, the mother of Nancy, who was stabbed to death at the Chelsea Hotel, it was both a relief and a tragedy. Here is the incredible story of an infant who never stopped screaming, a toddler who attacked people, a teenager addicted to drugs, violence, and easy sex, a daughter completely out of control—who almost destroyed her parents’ marriage and the happiness of the rest of her family.




Sermons on the Couch


Book Description

A friendly and affirming collection of 52 secular essays with interactive journaling prompts for those seeking spiritual connection and comfort outside the confines of organized religion. In Sermons on the Couch, Cindy Gentry offers weekly sermons that meet people where they are—whether religious or spiritual, agnostic or atheist. Instead of references to deities, her lessons are placed in the context of a force in the Universe. Instead of Biblical quotes, she uses the wise words of celebrities, scientists, poets, and thinkers. Rather than traditional hymns, she closes each sermon with suggested popular songs from across genres. At the end of each Sermon, she offers journal questions to guide further contemplation of the weekly topic. For example, the book’s opening sermon is titled “Resolutions.” To avoid the self-criticism that comes from not following through on resolutions, Cindy suggests reframing them into more general goals such as becoming a happier, healthier person, improving relationships, and making the world a better place. Journal questions prompt reflection on past experiences with resolutions and what the reader might do differently this year, and the hymn selection for this sermon is New Beginning, by Tracy Chapman. Writes Cindy, “So, that is my mission. To enjoy a laugh and a song, but most of all, to remind people each week, despite the crazy ups and downs of life, that they are perfect in their imperfections, the Universe loves them unconditionally, and that we can hold on to each other.”




Life Lived Wild


Book Description

At the beginning of his memoir Life Lived Wild, Adventures at the Edge of the Map, Rick Ridgeway tells us that if you add up all his many expeditions, he’s spent over five years of his life sleeping in tents: “And most of that in small tents pitched in the world’s most remote regions.” It’s not a boast so much as an explanation. Whether at elevation or raising a family back at sea level, those years taught him, he writes, “to distinguish matters of consequence from matters of inconsequence.” He leaves it to his readers, though, to do the final sort of which is which."--Amazon.




Picking Up the Crumbs


Book Description

He survived his father’s suicide, brother’s murder, two divorces, alcoholism and upheavals in employment. He took communion with Bill and Hillary Clinton, shook hands with Muhammad Ali, met and married his life’s love and best friend, and has three beautiful children. He went snorkeling in the Caribbean, Barbados, the Bahamas and freshwater springs of Florida, cruised throughout the Virgin Islands and attended 30 major rock concerts. He details stories of modern swashbuckling adventures which have moments that will leave you in shock and awe. But there is so much more in Picking Up the Crumbs, a book bursting with tales of love and heartbreak, success and disappointment, tragedy and wonder, evil and beauty all told vividly with humor, emotion and insight. The author states simply, “I’ve done many things in my life. This is my story.” About the Author Hugh Walters is a retired and unrenowned philosopher, poet, and historian with a BS in Philosophy from Frostburg State. A wanderer, an adventurer. A husband and father. A former track star and certified optimist. A consistent loser of speed-thinking games. His current hobbies include cooking, gardening, reading, and spending time with his family watching movies. He attends the United Methodist Church, makes a mean chocolate cake, walks daily and is re-engaging in bike riding. All things interest him as you’ll find out in his book.




Candid


Book Description

“From doubting your existence to conquering your dreams, and everything in between.” Life is a chaotic voyage. From experiencing growth spurts and emotional rollercoaster rides, to fronting the multidimensional resources and the internet, teens have a lot to balance. During this journey, parents and peers play a crucial role. It is the need of the hour, not only for teenagers themselves, but also for adults to understand the mind of a teenager. This book gives an insight into the life of a teenager today- from the events that affect them the most to the kaleidoscope of feelings they must endure, and everything in between. Things that we have all gone through, or are going through, but that no one talks about. Candid is a rare version of a teen’s life that encapsulates the untold experiences that are all part and parcel of teenage years. CANDID will help you to: • Question yourself about life and its challenges • Discover what makes an individual different • Explore the importance of a social image • Interpret why teens tend to lean towards their peers • Understand society’s notion of success and the importance of constant companions: HABITS • Heal from breakdowns and stress • Learn the value of self-care and self-love Let’s begin a new journey. A journey to know yourself better!




How to Live a Life of Adventure


Book Description

Praise forHow to Live a Life of Adventure After reading the first 20 chapters, I was ready to tackle a grizzly bear, wrestle a sea lion and climb Mount Everest. Not only does Wooldridge inspire you to live a maximum life, he shows you how to do it. I loved the adventures between every instructional chapter. I appreciated how thorough he was with references, key points and guides. Roger Hamilton, teacher I am a tomboy. I travel and play sports. Im also bold and sassy. This book addresses women who love to try everything once, twice and more. Wooldridge covers everything women need to know about traveling, mountain climbing, rafting, horseback riding, backpacking and much more. Sarah Gingrich, rodeo cowgirl Emile Zola said, "I'm here to live out loud!" Those words reflect the spirited life and writings of Frosty Wooldridge. His book reminds us that whether we trek high into the mountains or bike up hills closer to home, adventure awaits around the bend. I recommend this book for aspiring travelers as well as armchair explorers. He shows you how to make your dreams come true. Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior Hands down! This is the best adventure book I have ever read with stories from all over the world. But wait! Wooldridge shows you how to go adventuring to make your own stories and fill your own scrapbook with memories. Its excellent in every way! Paul Margeletta, father, weekend warrior This book is extraordinary. The information is so valuable that it should be read daily for inspiration and guidance. I had to stop myself from underlining every sentence in the book. I want to buy this life-changing book as a gift for everyone I know, especially my kids. Susan Scollozi, housewife, traveler Half way through the concepts and practices in this profound book, I realized that the author may have meant to show readers how to live a life of adventure, but it occurred to me that this book shows anyone how to lead a very happy and successful life on a day to day basis. His concepts support mental, emotional, educational and spiritual health. Every adult and kid in America needs to read this book. Its that good. Arthur Daniels, teacher How the book will benefit you! You will discover your strengths, self-confidence and passions You may engage methodical steps for moving into your own fulfilling adventure-filled life You will build steadfast convictions and personal empowerment You will find others to share your adventures You will discover which kinds of adventures excite you Check lists for men and women for every kind of adventure You will never look back with regrets