Kicking Adversity Aside


Book Description

As Coach Dooley alluded to in writing the foreword to this book, oftentimes the relationship between a coach and athlete is a two-way street. Each can be an inspiration to each other. This was the case when Kim Braswell, an exceptional athlete handed many challenges, became a part of the football program at the University of Georgia. This story is not about Kim’s success as an athlete or coach. The goal of this book is that it will provide inspiration to parents and children with handicaps, whatever their issue. As referenced in these pages, many good people contributed to the successes of Kim in sports, coaching, and life. Inspiration can be given and received. If this writing can transmit a sense of positivity to others with any type of adversity, then the author will have a feeling of accomplishment. This accomplishment will be about motivating and helping others just as so many have done for him.




Get Up!


Book Description

Kick Adversity Aside and Come Back Stronger than Ever! In "Get Up! I Can't. I Will. I Did...Here's How!," author Rodney Flowers delivers a true-life account of his own inspirational recovery from a paralyzing high school football injury in 1993. Through resilience and unwavering strength, Rodney overcame insurmountable barriers to rise up from his wheelchair and walk tall again. "Get Up! I Can't. I Will. I Did...Here's How!," teaches you empowering life principles that will transform your spirit and motivate you to: Bust free from self-imposed shackles that are holding you back Let go of limiting beliefs and allow a "can do" attitude to flow through your life Awaken to the amazing power you have within to overcome any challenge ""Get Up! I Can't. I Will. I Did...Here's How!, is a testimony of strength, courage and faith. Rodney Flowers encourages you to think positive, never give up and keep working hard towards your dreams. His ability to surpass obstacles, overcome adversity, and rise to his level of success is truly amazing. For all he has done and continues to do to help those around him speaks volumes about his heart! Rodney Flowers is truly an inspiration."" Peggy McColl, New York Times bestselling author ""Rodney Flowers is a man who has shown determination, tenacity, and an unwillingness to give up when most of us would have. In spite of the hardship he endured, he did not give up and has not only helped himself but is helping others along his courageous and successful journey. This book is a must read for anybody interested in succeeding in life and rising above near-impossible circumstances."" Judy O'Beirn, creator & co-author of International bestselling book "Unwavering Strength" ""When we know something personal about the author of a book, we read their words through the lens of that perception. Try this one on for size: A fifteen year old boy suddenly paralyzed from the neck down. That changes everything and every word that Rodney Flowers speaks to you in "Get Up." Indeed, knowing the remarkable truth of his story gives deep meaning to every sentence, because he's the epitome of the dif- ference between 'talking the talk' and 'walking the walk'. His heartfelt, motivating message will take up private residence within, and provide an empowerment you can make use of . . . every day. Read on and be blessed. "" Little John Behan, The Ambassador of Gratitude ""I absolutely love this book. It is moving and inspiring in a way that I haven't seen in a long time. The solid and detailed advice is simple and clear to understand (but not easy). This book has my highest recommen- dation. If you want higher success, buy it now!"" Stephen Whiteley, Inspirational Man of the Year and author of the award winning book ""Happiness Works! Get Yours Here!" ""Get Up! . . . is one of the best 'how-to' riveting true stories proving, with authentic principles, the idea that your mind is your greatest asset. Rodney Flowers knows YOU CAN because HE DID! His message is crys- tal clear for anyone needing a 'leg up' to go another inch. With deep cer- tainty and wisdom, he declares "Don't Just Do it for You; Do it for Those that Need to See You Do it." We all know inside that nothing says 'YOU CAN' like someone who did! You will see yourself clearly in the 'will and spirit' of Rodney Flowers. This book is a movie waiting to happen." " Anya Sophia Mann, International Bestselling Author, Visionary Intuitive Consultant"




The Gift of Fire


Book Description

Dan Caro has been proving the world wrong since he was in nappies. When he was two, he was engulfed in flames in an accident that left him with third degree burns so severe that doctors held out little hope he'd survive. Dan was in such excruciating pain that his devastated parents silently prayed for God to end their son's suffering and welcome him into heaven. And it seemed as if God was willing to oblige - Dan technically died on the operating table several times in the hours following the accident. Even though his heart stopped, Dan's spirit wasn't ready to give up . . . Despite the odds, he survived, but life would not be easy. The fire left him badly maimed and disfigured. His hands, most of his skin and nearly all of his face were burned away. He would endure years of painful surgeries and endless months of lonely isolation in burn units, only to suffer the agony of social rejection, shunned and called 'monster' by both children and adults in his Louisiana hometown. With the support of his loving family, Dan did not despair. He kept his heart open to the world and focused on the positive energy around him. Before his sixth birthday, he vowed that his life would not be defined by the way others saw him or the restrictions of his so-called physical handicaps. Dan set himself a series of life goals, starting with tying his shoelaces without fingers. Once he had achieved that, he decided he could do anything . . . so why not learn to play the drums? When Dan was told he'd never be able to do so, he promised himself that one day he'd become one of the most accomplished drummers in New Orleans. Since that day, Dan's music has inspired thousands. Many more have also been inspired by his personal philosophy of focusing on the positive, refusing to accept limits and living life with an open heart. Today, the young man who was once shunned by his neighbours is very much in demand as a public speaker who encourages others to not just overcome life's hardships, but to view adversity as a gift that can drive us toward reaching our full potential.




Under Gemini


Book Description

Long before the loss of her twin sister Grace, Isabel Bolton's parents both died of cholera and their five children were raised by relatives. Bolton's prose captures the chaotic and unstructured life she and her siblings led, finding comfort in each other among the violet-scented meadows of their uncle's estate in New London -- until Grace's untimely death. First published in 1966, this extraordinary memoir is a classic evocation of childhood at the turn of the century.




Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side


Book Description

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . . Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life" plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth--and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction




A Leadership Kick in the Ass


Book Description

“This is one of the most unique and valuable books you will read all year, and I highly recommend it.” —Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the bestselling and award-winning The Leadership Challenge and Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University Even the best leaders—in fact, most of the best leaders—start out as decidedly bad ones. And sooner or later they reach a moment of reckoning that leadership expert Bill Treasurer calls the leadership kick in the ass. When it happens, it feels like it's all over. But Treasurer says that with the right attitude, that kick can be a new beginning. Based on his work with thousands of leaders, this book reveals how to turn those ego-bruising events into the kind of transformative experiences that mark the paths of great leaders. As Steve Jobs famously said, “Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me.” This book is a survival guide, coach, and morale booster to help you use that kick to move forward instead of fall down. If you succeed, the next place you get kicked might be upstairs.




Bright Side


Book Description

Secrets.Everyone has one.Some are bigger than others.And when secrets are revealed,Some will heal you ...And some will end you.Kate Sedgwick's life has been anything but typical. She's endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there's a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She's also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.They both feel it.But they each have a reason to fight it.They each have a secret.And when secrets are revealed,Some will heal you ...And some will end you.




The Gift of Adversity


Book Description

The Gift of Adversity is a collection of stories and strategies from a life lived through challenge. It began as a means of healing after the workplace accident that claimed Lisa Standeven’s dominant hand, making her an amputee. Confronting physical and emotional damage was only the beginning of Lisa’s journey. The more she healed, the more she grew, setting new goals and reaching new heights. This is an account of her journey. Although the stories are unique to Lisa, the emotions and challenges are common to every human experience. The recalling and recounting of life’s failures and setbacks brings to light many valuable lessons. This is a book of hope, and includes tangible tool —proven to turn trials into triumphs—that you can use every day. The message is this: you have everything you need to succeed. Have the courage to embrace your true self and shine your unique light in the world. Every challenge and adversity brings gifts of learning, humility, and inspiration. No one does it alone; build a winning team with people who lift you up and support your goals and dreams. And remember, no summit marks the end of your growth. The journey continues. Enjoy each moment. Have faith.




The Obstacle Is the Way


Book Description

#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller The Obstacle is the Way has become a cult classic, beloved by men and women around the world who apply its wisdom to become more successful at whatever they do. Its many fans include a former governor and movie star (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a hip hop icon (LL Cool J), an Irish tennis pro (James McGee), an NBC sportscaster (Michele Tafoya), and the coaches and players of winning teams like the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Cubs, and University of Texas men’s basketball team. The book draws its inspiration from stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience. Stoics focus on the things they can control, let go of everything else, and turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger, tougher. As Marcus Aurelius put it nearly 2000 years ago: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history—from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs—have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations. Their embrace of these principles ultimately mattered more than their natural intelligence, talents, or luck. If you’re feeling frustrated, demoralized, or stuck in a rut, this book can help you turn your problems into your biggest advantages. And along the way it will inspire you with dozens of true stories of the greats from every age and era.




When Pride Still Mattered


Book Description

By the time he died of cancer in 1970, after one season in Washington during which he transformed the Redskins into winners, Lombardi had become a mythic character who transcended sport, and his legend has only grown in the decades since. Many now turn to Lombardi in search of characteristics that they fear have been irretrievably lost, the oldfashioned virtues of discipline, obedience, loyalty, character, and teamwork. To others he symbolizes something less romantic: modern society's obsession with winning and superficial success. In When Pride Still Mattered, Maraniss renders Lombardi as flawed and driven yet ultimately misunderstood, a heroic figure who was more complex and authentic than the stereotypical images of him propounded by admirers and critics.