About the Book
Have you ever believed deep in your soul, that you were meant to
do more with your life? That there was some great purpose, if you
could just find it that would make a difference in your life and
others’ lives.
I’m sure most people if they think about it have that thought that
belief. 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
apartment at 1654 W. 18th Place 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 12, 2005 around 2 a.m. – before the “voices.” I had not
read it again until May 14, 2008 when I began this proposal. )
On October 25, 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 three 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
12, 2005.
Have you ever believed deep in your soul, that you were meant to
do more with your life? That there was some great purpose, if you
could just find it that would make a difference in your life and
others’ lives.
I’m sure most people if they think about it have that thought that
belief. 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
apartment at 1654 W. 18th Place 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 12, 2005 around 2 a.m. – before the “voices.” I had not
read it again until May 14, 2008 when I began this proposal. )
On October 25, 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 three 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
12, 2005.
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| Copyright 2006-08. Basia Christ, Women Rising Now. All rights reserved. |
| Rising Phoenix All participants receive this engraved amazing glass art from Arizona Gift Company. Call 888/GIFTS-2-U (888/443-8728) or visit their web site,arizonagift.com. |
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32 Donatello, Suite A, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 office: 949/690-1257 fax: 949/830-8881
Breaking News: On 10/11/08, Women Rising Now Foundation will hold its first fund raiser in partnership with Crime Survivors. On 08/12/08, Basia became a CASA - (Court-appointed Special Advocate) for a foster child. On 08/13/08, Basia was interviewed by Success for Women magazine that will be launched at the Women's Conference in Long Beach, CA on 10/22/08. Click here to read the OC Register article dated 2/16/08 regarding the book! On 2/15/08, David Vigliano Associates, NY, agreed to represent the book. Please visit our store with inspirational products at Café Press! (10% of all profits will be donated to The Women Rising Now Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation.) |
32 Donatello, Suite A, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 office: 949/690-1257 fax: 949/830-8881
Women Rising Now
A Heroine's Journey
Through the Dark Night
A new book by Basia Christ
A Heroine's Journey
Through the Dark Night
A new book by Basia Christ
