About the Book
Have you ever believed deep in your soul, you were meant to
do more? That there was some great purpose, if you could just
find it, that would make a difference in your life and others’ lives.
Most people have this thought. It is what has kept me going for
more than three score years. Every day I woke up thinking,
“Today is THAT day! A reason for my living, my purpose, will
miraculously appear.”
And every day, I lived my average life. I watched others make
great contributions, inventing, writing, speaking and changing
the world for the better. So many times, I could feel it–so close
I could taste it–that “something” to claim as mine. Just as I was
about to grab the brass ring, average happened. The ring I hold
in my hand is lead, painted with a thin coat of brass color.
Most of my life has been spent waiting… waiting … and waiting.
Questioning if the opportunity for greatness came into my life,
would I have the potential for greatness … to be more than
average?
I’m now on the other side of life, hoping to “move the sand” to
prove I was here…longing to make a difference.
Shakespeare once said, “There are no small parts; only small
actors.” Is that why we average people are here? To huddle in
the chorus line in the play of life so compared to our
performance, the great ones truly are great. However, it’s
frustrating to be average. It’s hard to watch champions climb
the highest, jump the farthest and be the smartest.
I survived child abuse, nothing spectacular about that. It
happens to millions of kids every day. I married twice and
divorced twice. Part of a national statistic.
As a child, I remember sitting on the cement stairs in front of my
parent's apartment in Chicago, looking up at the stars and asking
God, “What is in store for me?” I wanted to do so much. I did,
but it was average.
I believed moving to California would change my life, but what it
has shown me is my averageness. I’m tired and hurting and don’
t want to do this anymore. Why am I here? What is my purpose?
(This is a partial text of what I wrote in a state of depression on
August 14, 2005 around 2 a.m. – before the “voices.” I had not
read it again until May 14, 2008 when I began the book.)
On October 27, 2005, a “voice” gives me a purpose. I suddenly
become aware what the world needs are real heroines. Not
ones the tabloids revere. Not those who contribute to charities,
either time or money, although both are important. Yes, they
are doing good deeds, but would they give their life for that
cause? Be imprisoned for the good of others? Stand against
tremendous odds? Speak out against injustice? Would they
stand up and make their voice heard even if it is one small voice
without power? Would they, while grieving for a loved one, raise
their fist to the sky and shout no one should ever go through
this?
I have met and interviewed women who have done these
things. I am driven to find out why they are different from many
others who experience the worst of life and quit, give up,
succumb to the pain. These women, ordinary women, did not.
They stand tall in spite of tremendous odds–without bitterness,
regret, but with hope, faith and strength I cannot imagine.
During the four years of working on the book, my spiritual
journey took me through the “heroine’s journey.” The original
book’s concept, conceived after hearing five women at the
Women’s Conference in 2005, was to find and tell the world
about real heroines.
During the interviews and research, the book transformed into
an exploration of the reasons why the women I interviewed
were different from those who wallow in grief after tragedy.
However, as the book’s focus transformed, so did I. Through
the interviews, through my spiritual journey, I found the
strength, hope and courage to confront my own demons, to
rise from a childhood of abuse and give back to other victims.
I, who had never been religious or spiritual, found the meaning
of my life – my highest good, my purpose. I found the answers
to the questions in my tirade of a hopeless “average life” from
August 14, 2005.
The project has evolved into so much more. It has become The
Alchemy of the Phoenix: The Great Journey.
Have you ever believed deep in your soul, you were meant to
do more? That there was some great purpose, if you could just
find it, that would make a difference in your life and others’ lives.
Most people have this thought. It is what has kept me going for
more than three score years. Every day I woke up thinking,
“Today is THAT day! A reason for my living, my purpose, will
miraculously appear.”
And every day, I lived my average life. I watched others make
great contributions, inventing, writing, speaking and changing
the world for the better. So many times, I could feel it–so close
I could taste it–that “something” to claim as mine. Just as I was
about to grab the brass ring, average happened. The ring I hold
in my hand is lead, painted with a thin coat of brass color.
Most of my life has been spent waiting… waiting … and waiting.
Questioning if the opportunity for greatness came into my life,
would I have the potential for greatness … to be more than
average?
I’m now on the other side of life, hoping to “move the sand” to
prove I was here…longing to make a difference.
Shakespeare once said, “There are no small parts; only small
actors.” Is that why we average people are here? To huddle in
the chorus line in the play of life so compared to our
performance, the great ones truly are great. However, it’s
frustrating to be average. It’s hard to watch champions climb
the highest, jump the farthest and be the smartest.
I survived child abuse, nothing spectacular about that. It
happens to millions of kids every day. I married twice and
divorced twice. Part of a national statistic.
As a child, I remember sitting on the cement stairs in front of my
parent's apartment in Chicago, looking up at the stars and asking
God, “What is in store for me?” I wanted to do so much. I did,
but it was average.
I believed moving to California would change my life, but what it
has shown me is my averageness. I’m tired and hurting and don’
t want to do this anymore. Why am I here? What is my purpose?
(This is a partial text of what I wrote in a state of depression on
August 14, 2005 around 2 a.m. – before the “voices.” I had not
read it again until May 14, 2008 when I began the book.)
On October 27, 2005, a “voice” gives me a purpose. I suddenly
become aware what the world needs are real heroines. Not
ones the tabloids revere. Not those who contribute to charities,
either time or money, although both are important. Yes, they
are doing good deeds, but would they give their life for that
cause? Be imprisoned for the good of others? Stand against
tremendous odds? Speak out against injustice? Would they
stand up and make their voice heard even if it is one small voice
without power? Would they, while grieving for a loved one, raise
their fist to the sky and shout no one should ever go through
this?
I have met and interviewed women who have done these
things. I am driven to find out why they are different from many
others who experience the worst of life and quit, give up,
succumb to the pain. These women, ordinary women, did not.
They stand tall in spite of tremendous odds–without bitterness,
regret, but with hope, faith and strength I cannot imagine.
During the four years of working on the book, my spiritual
journey took me through the “heroine’s journey.” The original
book’s concept, conceived after hearing five women at the
Women’s Conference in 2005, was to find and tell the world
about real heroines.
During the interviews and research, the book transformed into
an exploration of the reasons why the women I interviewed
were different from those who wallow in grief after tragedy.
However, as the book’s focus transformed, so did I. Through
the interviews, through my spiritual journey, I found the
strength, hope and courage to confront my own demons, to
rise from a childhood of abuse and give back to other victims.
I, who had never been religious or spiritual, found the meaning
of my life – my highest good, my purpose. I found the answers
to the questions in my tirade of a hopeless “average life” from
August 14, 2005.
The project has evolved into so much more. It has become The
Alchemy of the Phoenix: The Great Journey.
| Copyright 2006-10. Basia Christ, Women Rising Now. All rights reserved. |
32 Donatello, Suite A, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 office: 949/690-1257 fax: 949/830-8881
32 Donatello, Suite A, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 office: 949/690-1257 fax: 949/830-8881
The Alchemy of the Phoenix:
The Great Journey
A new book by Basia Christ
Click here to pre-order
The Great Journey
A new book by Basia Christ
Click here to pre-order
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| Click here to read: The Gift of Life Blog about Christ's experience as she becomes an altruistic kidney donor. _________________________ To book Basia to speak on gender equality, human trafficking, or living organ donation: basia@womenrisingnow.com or call 949-690-1257. Click here to download her presentation from 3/14/09 at Glendale First Methodist Church entitled "It's in Our Backyard" _________________________ Summer 2010 Launch of Women Rising Talk Show Details to come... ______________________ |