Celebrating Love, Miracles, and Valentines Day…

My dear Friends and Family,

I am delighted to announce that the debut title for my publishing company, Hearn House, has been launched. (Hearn is the acronym derived from my first book, Happily Ever After Right Now.) 

The purpose for Self Belonging: Embrace the Wisdom of Soul and Science to Live Your Best Life is to support you in discovering how to combine/refine your true gifts, strengths, and talents in a package that is destined to benefit the world and everyone you serve. As you continue to share what you are truly meant to offer, you are guaranteed in discovering your most optimal destiny for happiness and well-being, while repeatedly noting that “everything is a miracle.” 

Three quarters of the way toward the first printing of Self Belonging, which at the time was being published with another company, I happened to listen to a podcast given by the late Louise Hay. Hay is the extraordinarily successful founder of Hay House (the inspiration for Hearn House), who because of her personal life experiences—together with some frustration with “the big boys”(and girls) in the traditional publishing world, decided to create her own enterprise in 1984. Her goal was to support herself and other authors in publishing transformational mind-body-spirit material without the interference of publishing houses whose agendas might not have been in alignment with hers. Her remark, “When life calls, you have to answer,” absolutely touched me to the core. Amen, sister! And of course, sometimes when you get an important memo, it may not always be convenient to pay attention. Nonetheless, if you don’t listen, the consequences could be less than desirable (which I know by heart).

Subsequent to hearing Hay’s testimony, I had an epiphany: the material in Self Belonging was born from my heart and soul. I needed to claim it. That’s not to say I didn’t need others input. Karen Connington’s editorial eyes and expertise were invaluable, not to mention Peggy Burke, and Melanie Votow’s contributions. Both added significantly to the finishing touches on the book.

My faithful colleague, Brandi Flittner must be credited entirely for putting this latest version of Self Belonging together in a format that could make its way to you. She also created a brand new cover design, which we are so proud of. Without her patience, fortitude, and wisdom, I could never have pulled this project off. Furthermore, I cannot fully convey my true gratitude for the unwavering support of my brother, Steve, my sons Nes and Stephen, who have each contributed resources, love, and strength in immeasurable ways, and my beloved granddaughter, Vivien (to whom the book is dedicated), for being my inspiration every step of the way. Lastly, I would be remiss in not thanking Teri Rider, of Top Reads Publishing, for her enthusiasm in being the first to launch the material.

Now then. Those of you who are following your heart and your passions, as you throw your knapsack over your shoulder and strike out on your own in pursuit of freedom, are certain to realize that you can’t be fully liberated unless/until you are willing to take full responsibility for everything that unfolds from the moment you hit the launchpad. Good news: You most certainly get to celebrate your victories along the way, together with those who’ve cheered you on in various ways. Axiomatic to this pleasure is also the necessity to accept the consequences of your challenges and defeats—no one else to credit or blame here. Nonetheless, I am certain you would agree that this gift of freedom is most definitely worth the effort, as evidenced by some incredibly brave souls, who have preceded us.

If you have not seen the movie Selma, do check out the trailer. The film shows the steps leading up to a peaceful march orchestrated in the 60’s by Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. for the purpose of taking a stand for racial injustice. And speaking of King, it is a well-known fact that he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, who followed Henry David Thoreau’s famous essay on “Civil Disobedience to an Unjust State.” Thoreau was known for being an abolitionist, who also resisted taxes.

If you could speak to any one of these three now, I am certain they would all agree that their sacrifices, including life itself, were well worth the trouble. Gandhi was assassinated after helping to free a fifth of the world’s population from British Colonialism. King was also assassinated but not before he contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement and winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. When Thoreau lay dying of tuberculosis, struggling to draw breath at the age of 44 in 1862, it was said that while peering out his window at the natural world he so cherished, he commented, “I love my lot to the very core and rind.” Must have been so liberating to have no regrets…shall we give it a try?

Robert Kennedy, human rights advocate, is carrying the torch for Marion Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. Among other efforts, this organization supports medical freedom, both for children and the rest of us. Kennedy definitely echoes Thoreau, Gandhi, and King’s sentiments when he recently said, “I’ll go down with my boots on, marching for ‘civil disobedience to an unjust state.’ ” By the way, speaking of “unjust state,” you might recall that one of Martin Luther King’s most famous remarks was this: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Amen, Brother. (Noting the character of King himself, it would be unlikely that he was excluding white, red, yellow, or otherwise from the skin color he references here. Just sayin’.) 

Self Belonging is all about freedom—and literally how to live your very best life while enjoying the unparalleled benefits of liberty—no matter what is going on in your external orbit. It is about having the fortitude to listen to your inner messages, while claiming your worth—even when it’s not convenient. It is about letting go of patterns that no longer serve you, providing scientific evidence to show how doing so can literally re-wire your noggin to go north, instead of south. It is about “going forward confidently in the direction of your dreams (per Thoreau),” proceeding no matter what—even if doing so scares the living hell out of you. “Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is proceeding anyway regardless of that fear.”—another zinger from Thoreau. It is about discovering what you are for, throwing that knapsack over your shoulder, and going for it—full steam ahead.

This book and its message not only documents my experiences in being liberated from old patterns and how I got there, but also contains wisdom from a plethora of sages and scientists, many of whom have literally been my life line and inspiration, while supporting me to “go forward confidently.” I cannot tell you how grateful I am as I humbly report that my fortitude to do so (despite a few backslides and side-steps) has paid off.

We all want to be free—really do. As I write these words there are many brave souls who have “put their boots on,” and can serve as an inspiration for others who want to be liberated—doctors, nurses, scientists, professors, truckers, shop-owners, parents advocating for education, and more. These courageous souls are sacrificing their security and taking great risks to obtain that freedom and to help others along the way. Together they serve as a mighty force as they advocate for “liberty and justice for all.” God love them.

My fellow travelers, thank you for joining me on the journey, for checking out Self Belonging to see if its message serves you, and if so, spreading the word to others whom you believe might be supported by its content. Also, if you like the book, I would be so grateful if you could take the time to write a review.

Next out will be the third printing of my first title, Happily Ever After…Right Now, followed by a handbook designed to support both books with some additional material. In between I’ll be doing some podcasts, so please stay tuned.

In the meantime, enjoy the quote below from Eben Alexander’s book, Proof of Heaven (documenting his near-death-experience) which, in my view, sums up the whole love thing quite elegantly:

“None of us are ever unloved. Each and every one of us is deeply known and cared for by a Creator who cherishes us beyond any ability we have to comprehend.”

“I tell you the truth. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move from here to there. Nothing will be impossible to you.”—Matthew: 17:20

Shall we move some mountains? Ya, that’s what I’m talkin’ about.

Believing in you, with so much love!

Luann
Valentines Day 2022.