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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review By Tatyana Turley

Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My rating 4 out of 5 stars

If you are looking to put a little magic into your life this book will help you. It was lovely and insightful into everyday life and how to improve yourself in all aspects of it. I loved how easy it was to read and understand. With topics such as self-care, healing, and connection to yourself on a deeper level this book is full of mystical insights.

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Shea Gilkerson

Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am notoriously guilty of finding something I’m interested in and then immediately overwhelming myself with so much information that I don’t know where to start. The practice of magic is something that has interested and entertained me for as much of my life as I can remember. Like most other things, any knowledge I gathered seemed overwhelming and I didn’t know where to start and not screw something up.

Maria DeBlassie does a phenomenal job of making the practice of magic be much more achievable in this book, and reading it has made me finally understand how I can do every day things with intent, and use my intentions as a way to bring a little magic into my life and the lives of those I love. There are no magical requirements listed in this book other than learning to accept and love parts of yourself you have been trained to let wither, and use them to strengthen your connection to your sense of self as well as understand your strengths and the kind of magic that is available to you when you do that. She does a wonderful job of sharing her own practices and what led her to them – as well as what parts of her life led her away from them before she started down the path she leads.

I’d label this book as self help more than a “witchy” book, but it is honestly the first book on paganism and a magic lifestyle that I have truly felt I connected to, and helps me provide a wonderful base to now start adding on to. The things I’ve read in the past were much more practice based, involving divinations, in depth knowledge already required, and this book made me feel seen – like someone knew where I needed to start. This book feels like Marie is talking directly to me, leading me to the beginning of the path to start daily practices for better self care, living with intent, and understanding what my goals are. I don’t think I was ever able to really visualize my witchy goals before this book, as it was more of a daydream of what I could do “when I had time”.

I loved this book and am very thankful I found it. I look forward to reading the other Practically Pagan books, as well as more by Marie DeBlassie.

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Angela Hayes

Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

“In the end, isn’t balance and the healthy connection between mind, body, and soul what magic is all about? The irony of committing to self-care is that you rarely have tangible evidence of your growth, only the fullness in your chest that tells you that you’re living well. It is so deeply personal that only your bones and heart whispering their contentment tell me that you am truly listening to your needs. That’s the Goddess speaking. When we tap into this Goddess energy by unifying our bodies, minds, and spirits, we return to our magic. We have more time to take in the wider world around us. We create space to converse with the stars, ask the moon questions, and share our deepest wishes with the Universe—and hear them respond in turn. When we forget to nourish everyday magic through self-care, we forget to live. It can sometimes feel like a long road back to a well-rounded self. But you can’t get there until you first unlearned the toxic beliefs that disconnect you from the Divine Feminine. In order to heal, you must become your very own Persephone, at home in the Underworld and the world above, fluent in the language of the psyche and grounded in the routine of daily life. You must walk through Hell, know your demons and remember that angels walk among us.”

Practically Pagan by Maria DeBlassie is aimed at showing the reader how they can create a ‘little more magic’ in their life. The author does this by giving insights through sharing her own journey into everyday magic. She also provides practical examples, things that don’t require anything more than changing your mindset and in the process embracing more mindfulness, as well as emphasising the importance of selfcare. She shows how having a routine can be in itself quite ritualistic. It was great to be reminded of things that I already know but have let slip a little over the past couple of years.
Well worth the read!

Thank you, Maria DeBlassie!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Bobbi Wagner

Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not my first book by this author but it is my favorite. I have enjoyed her books from the first one I picked up. Her writing skills and attention to details make her stories engaging and a realistic feel. This book is no different. I was pulled in from the beginning. This is a subject that I know much about and felt that this is a great book that would enlighten anyone’s day. This is a book about how you can add magic to your day to day life. It offers a different way of thinking. I loved this book and I highly recommend it. It is worth the pick up for sure.

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Review by @bjwagner

Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Jenni Bishop

Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie is a personal journey for the author. It is interesting, but I thought and incorrectly, it would provide more on magic and paganism based on the title of the book. Instead, it is more about Maria’s personal journey into her discovering what she believes in and what works for her. I did feel that the story could have been told with fewer word. Less is sometimes more but it is Maria’s journey. However, although I didn’t read anything I didn’t already know it was just a reminder to keep on doing what I am doing. Remember to give thanks for things, be grateful for Mother Earth, that the magic you feel is real and to remember what you give out is what you receive in return. All really simple things but sometimes you need to slow down and restock.
Reviewed by @jennadb

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Naomi McDonald

Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“I had disempowered myself when I stopped valuing my happiness and overall wellness.”
“…remember that beauty standards are often racist, gendered, ableist, and shaped
by a ton of other toxic -isms.”
“Saying no is a form of self-care. No is a two-letter spell for happiness.”

This book came into my life at the perfect time, as all magical things do. Even though a lot of the material in this book wasn’t new to me, it was a great reminder of things that I haven’t thought about in a while.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of performance pressure, especially when it’s essentially what our society runs off of. We’re steeped in it from birth. I love how this book reminds us that even the most mundane thing can be magic if we tune into it and allow it. That is exactly what I need for myself right now.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from the life you want, this book may be exactly what you need.

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Lorrene Huisman

Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can not express how happy and how much joy I felt as I read this book. I do choose to walk the path of being Pagan, and this book had wonderful excerpts of spells and magical things I could add to my way of life, so that was beautiful to me, and I found there was a lot of good neat things for me!

I find more than ever we need to find that spark or that magic in our daily lives. Before the pandemic I did and am Pagan. A book as this with ideas how to find those moments of magic were very enlightening to me, I am going to have to get a paper book copy of this to high light and mark pages for myself, as there was a lot of beneficial things in this beautiful book with a magical cover!

Besides the ideas and spells which I really wanna try them all out, I loved the author wrote her experiences to her way of life, living magical, and magically in life to the fullest each day. always found it interesting and breathtaking how people choose their path! Besides all that, I also enjoyed how its empathized (as I always try to live with my mind set) to live well within yourself! You matter and the earth and the elements are all around you, but no matter what kind of life you live, keeping yourself as well as your soul well is vital especially in todays world! This was a calming fulfilling book to read for me!

Again I am someone who walks the path of being magical. Sometimes life happens though and my energy is literally brought down, this book gave me wonderful reminders to why I walk my path, and extra and new ideas and such I can do to add to my days to make the magic bright and shiny as well. If your someone curious on magical living, or even like me who walks the path, I suggest you read this book! You may learn new things, and find these things are the sun you never knew you needed!

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie

🔹 ༻•🔹•༺•🔹BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 🔹 •༻•🔹•༺🔹

Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
Genre – New Age, Pagan, Personal Transformation
This guide is full of proverbial spells, daily conjurings, and mystical insights designed to help those in search of a little more magic in their day to day life, no complicated spells, expensive accessories, or experience required.
That’s the thing about everyday magic: it’s always within reach, within the self, and in the world. Only not in the way readers might normally think. It’s a less mumbling ‘double double toil and trouble’ over a cauldron and a more cooking a delicious soup in a beloved cast iron pot. It’s simple. It’s mundane. It’s magic!
This book offers grounded mystical practices, including how to turn routines into healing rituals, to teach readers how to connect to themselves, the Universe, and the magic of everyday life. Journey into the realm of pleasure magic, radical self-care, synchronicity, and the profound joy of living a life beyond the expected with this alternative guide to daily mystic practices.
After all, true magic is in the everyday.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie

     Dr. Maria DeBlassie is a native New Mexican mestiza and award-winning writer and educator living in the Land of Enchantment. She writes about everyday magic, ordinary gothic, and all things witchy. When she is not practicing brujeria, she’s teaching classes about bodice rippers, modern mystics, and things that go bump in the night. She is forever looking for magic in her life and somehow always finding more than she thought was there. Find out more about Maria and conjuring everyday magic at www.mariadeblassie.com.

Author Interview With Maria DeBlassie

WEBSITE ~ TWITTER ~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ YOUTUBE ~ BOOKBUB ~ GOODREADS ~

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK

 

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Lyndsey Fairley

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wish I had this book years ago when our special needs journey started. Its very isolating and all you want is someone in your corner saying you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing and no ones path is exactly the same.
As a mother of a special needs child this hit home and gave a voice to thoughts ive had for 13 years. Reading about her and her daughters journey felt like talking with a friend.
I recommend this to anyone even if you dont have this journey to walk yourself, chances are you know someone or you will and this helps open your eyes to many things we go through and how you can just be there

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Faith Jackson

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had me with just the title till you tune into what’s being written within the book. Once you learn to take in all the knowledge from the doctor but also apply it to your daily life. The detail-oriented lessons from life and approaching special needs is very helpful and gives the reader a better understanding for the way we treat special needs children or just special needs in general. This book is impressive and incredibly written for readers and parents alike.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars
Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent is a wonderful yet very emotional book that broke my heart . As a care giver or even a parent of a special needs child there are many circumstances you face. This author gives us incredible insight and suggestions on how to handle them. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling very overwhelmed with dealing with situations this book gives helpful information on how to handle them as well. You can feel how much love and pain this author went through with every page of this book. I pretty much used a box of kleenex as my emotions were extremely high. God Bless all parents and care givers along with anyone who is involved in the caring for a child/ adult of a special needs. It’s the hardest yet most rewarding job you will ever face. This author made it easy to understand as she experienced everything she wrote about . So rather you have a special needs child or you know someone who does I highly recommend reading this book.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is an inspiring collection of experiences, thoughts, feelings and emotions centred around life with a special needs child. It is a life of struggle, hardship, ups and downs but overall rewards as you see them flourish despite their many challenges they face. Marcia Nathai-Balkisson talks about all these things and more, as she explores life before and after the birth of her second child Emma in Trinidad and Tobago, where she lives with her husband, Emma and her first born some Brian. She talks about the challenges she has faced and how she has overcome some and is working on overcoming the rest, as each chapter focuses on a different subject, it is a compendium of information, hints, tips, experiences, and advice, with a checklist at the end of the important things to be taken away from that particular chapter, but it is not just for those in the same situation as she is, there are things within this book that anyone can take on board and use in their own lives.

The book starts with the story of Emma’s birth and the defects they found which led to the need for open heart surgery as she grew and the complications which arose because of it, leaving her brain damaged, her mobility and motility reduced, as well as experiencing pain, spasms and a high sensitivity to touch. The book progresses through Emma’s life, explaining her challenges between that age and the age of nine when the book was written. It then moves on to explain how important it is to acknowledge what happened, acknowledge how it made you feel at the time and acknowledge what changes have had to be made and what needs to be done now. The next talks about coping with the situation and the need to take it day by day, task by task and finding what the single most important thing to achieve on that day is, how important self care is to staying healthy in order to be able to support your family and yourself, how to relieve stress and how essential it is to start the day in the right way, it also explains how these things can impact on the child and their stress levels if not done properly. There is also a section on planning for the future, both immediate and in the years ahead, this includes financially, personally and familially, some of which is expanded on further into the book.

One key thing is on how to recognise isolation and loneliness, how to recognise the signs of it and how to reduce it, it talks about relationships with family and friends, how they can grow and diminish, as well and what it takes to maintain them, how to deal with your feelings and how important connections can be, even if they are only on the internet and especially within support groups, as well as the importance of sharing your story with them. It also looks at how to create your vision for the future, how to connect it with your emotions and then the importance of looking back on it and updating it on a yearly basis to see just how far you have come, even if you don’t realise it at the time. The next section focuses on spirituality and how this can support you in your darkest times, as well as the need for research into what interventions can be done at home to improve the development of your child, as well as finding the right medical professionals and therapists who you can fully work with knowing they see things from your perspective, trusting your intuition and being your own advocate when you go to speak with them. Learn all you can about other children with the same medical and developmental issues, but don’t forget about any other children in the family and ensure that you still take time to show them you love them in the way best suited to them, keep looking at their development and help them as much as your special needs child and prepare for their future just as much as the other child too.
Another important thing is to keep your own and your families health at optimum levels and take the same care that you would with your child, look at nutrition, sleep and emotional resilience, as well as financial security and how to keep a balance between work, play, caring duties and your own physical and mental health, make shared decisions and compromise where you need to, do not neglect yourself or your partner and celebrate what you have achieved regularly. Make sure that the little milestones are recorded and acknowledged, celebrate how far you have come, this will help in the future when the challenging times rear their heads, which will happen.

All in all this book is full of useful information and experiences, but it does not replace medical or legal advice.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Jenni Bishop

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is an emotional read. Marcia shares her heart and soul and a life of having a special needs child. She tells of the fear, the unknown, the pain and loss and not having the support and advice and trying to navigate the new situation she found herself in. She has written this book t be able to share her experiences, dreams and hopes that it will help someone else on their journey to a new reality and strange new world.

The gift Marcia has given to share her heartbreaking story is immeasurable.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Shelly Kittell

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an amazing book. It takes a lot to share a story this personal. The author has my respect for sharing such a personal story about her daughter, Em, and her experiences with her and raising her family. Being the mother of a son with special needs and now raising a grandson with special needs, this book will hold a special place in my heart. Every thing she writes of is true. The praise and the judgement of others. The looks, the condemnation because others don’t believe in what you are doing for you child. She gives tips that every parent of a child with special needs should know and remember: coping with the situation after diagnosis; you are not alone – getting support; create your vision – what do you want for your child; getting interventions together; don’t forget the rest of your family; and other topics. My biggest take-away from this book is do not forget self-care. It is so easy to forget when you are tied up taking care of your child. You need to take care of yourself or you will end up run down and sick. You can’t take care of anyone if you don’t take care of yourself first. The fact that she did a lot of this in Trinidad and Tobago, where there was not a lot of medical care available shows how strong “special” parents are. We will do anything for our children. Thank you for sharing your story, Ms. Balkissoon.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Melissa Pongracz

Lighting the Path is a beautifully honest account of what it is truly like to walk in the shoes of a special needs parent, caring for a child with significant challenges. Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon gives a glimpse of what life is like while caring for a child affected by a severe brain injury. This book provides guidance to parents facing similar challenges in their families, from someone who has walked this path. Despite all the challenges, Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon finds joy in the simple moments, and through this, provides hope to others. This book is a must read for parents on a similar journey, raising a child with unique challenges.

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Heather Lovelace

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When is say that this book rings true, boy does it ever. My heart needed this book than I even realized. As a parent of a child with special needs I truly appreciated the perspective the author shared. To be reminder that you aren’t alone truly has so much value. This book is one that everyone should read. For perspective. For validation. Just truly wonderful.

Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Erica Fish

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lighting the Path by Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a book that I will never forget reading. She took me on a journey of life with a special needs child, She is a parent of a special needs child. She gives great ideas of who, what, where, and how to deal with a journey with a special needs child. I took this story to be a great guide to assist anyone who has a special needs child(ren) in their life. Her journey with Emma and her ups and downs. She gives great resource information so that you do not feel alone in the journey. There are a lot of emotions not only the caregiver go through but the other members of the family. I finished this book in one sitting and had to have kleenex next to me. I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who wants to understand what the family unit endures. Thank you Dr. Marcia for your wonderful story.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I felt so many different emotions with this book including those on a very personal level. Being the mother of a child with disabilities, tears were shed. The authors emotions were extremely present in this book. I felt as if I were truly in the story and it hit so many places close to my heart. I felt as if I were in a heart to heart therapy session with a dear friend and she was telling me everything that I needed to hear. This is a book that every mother should read especially mothers who can relate with all the same struggles and victories. This book came to life for me and it is a book that I will refer back to for not only help but for inspiration.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Kerry Carr

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing and touched my heart completely. As a mother with a healthy child I can only imagine the pain and heartache that accompanies a child with special needs. Marcia is incredibly brave opening herself wide open in this book, describing not only all her pain and feelings about the things her and her family have gone through but also providing practical steps and guidance for any parent going through the same thing.

This book is heartbreaking to read about Emma’s condition but also inspiring and full of hope at her parents strength and determination to give her the best life possible. This book is a must read for any parent who has a special needs child or for anyone who has connections to a special needs child because this helps explain a lot of things. The story of Emma and her family has touched my heart and is one I will never forget.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Piper Foster

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This made me cry straight away as a mother I feel for the parents my heart in my mouth. I cannot applaud these parents enough for how they went through every hurdle and hoop with Emma. I feel so emotional reading this it hard to put it into words.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Charlene Yates

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book really hit home for me. I am a special needs parent; I have special needs myself and I was raised in a special need’s environment before and after my adoption. It takes a lot of love, and strength to not only watch your child go through their trials and tribulations, but to feel it and go through it with them, with your own guilts and fears hand in hand. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon embodied this throughout her entire book, giving her readers a look not just into her life, but into her soul. I applaud the author for her willingness to share her story and empower others in life who are struggling, whether it is in silence or not. There are many take away from this book that I choose to live with in my life now, thanks to Marcia, you can choose one or you can choose many, and one of them for me is to always remember not to give up and to have hope. Does this mean that this book needs to be read by only special needs parents or people with special needs? No, it does not.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Carly Vogler

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lighting the Path, by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a book I would recommend for everyone.
That’s right, not just someone who takes care of a special needs child, but EVERYONE.
I do not have a special needs child, am not a caretaker of one, and do not want to be a
teacher. However, having a special needs child is my biggest fear. I’m afraid I won’t
know what to do and will basically be a terrible parent.

After reading this book, I feel so much better. I think this opens the eyes of strangers to
really see what a parent goes through when they have a child with a disability. Dr. Marcia
is really making a difference with this book, and I am so thankful for her.

Review by Carly Vogler

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Lighting The Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Cindy Mayberry

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lighting The Path
Leaning into a Hopeful
Future as a Special Needs Parent
By Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
☆☆☆☆☆
This may be one of books that help a parent with special needs children, not feel so lost and even answer some unasked questions. Full length and loaded with information for parents as well as siblings. I found this book to be very informative and only wish this came out when my sister was born. I hear quite a few children are lost in the process of parents who struggle with everyday challenges. But when you add injury or illnesses to the mix. All they knew goes right out the window. This is a Must Read!

 

Thank you Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon. You have put some great information out there for all to read. As a sibling to a special needs sister, I’d say this book is spot on. It thrills me to see such a great book. This story is well written and a fast paced book. One I will be sure to have all my friends take time to read this jewel. Well Done Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon! WELL DONE.

Review@Cinful

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Kaitlynn Taylor

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent
By Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon

4-stars

This is a wonderful resource for parents of a special needs child, as well as, a good resource for any parent in any given situation! This author had me in absolute tears while reading her personal story, though her story is heart wrenching it also had me feeling so inspired and hopeful. The love that this mom has for her daughter can be felt through the beautiful words she wrote and I loved that.

My children are not special needs; however, I still feel like I was able to take away so many lessons from this book. It really puts things into perspective and I love her checklists, because they can be applied to any parenting situation.

I would highly recommend this book to any parent looking for any sort of guidance. It’s a wonderful read full of valuable information.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Kerry Baker

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a brilliant book that is not only emotional but also insightful. The author is a special needs parent and has used her experience to try and help others navigate the tough situation they face. I have never been in the position of those this book is aimed at and yet I still found myself drawn in by the author and her own journey.
I thought the book did a great job explaining everything in simple, easy to understand terms which I can imagine is something needed in the circumstance. As the author had been through this herself everything she was writing had a greater depth behind it. This is a brilliant book that I think is a really helpful tool and is definitely worth the reading time.

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Bobbi Wagner

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. This is a book that I can relate to being a special needs parent myself. The author talks about having to face different circumstances and how to face them head on. This is a helpful book to those who are feeling overwhelmed by their child or the feeling of hopelessness. This author does a great job in descriptions that are understandable and easily done by another. I enjoyed how this book is written with heart and hope for a parent who feels stuck. It is worth the pick up for sure. I highly recommend this book.

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Review by @bjwagner

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon – Review by Angela Hayes

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs ParentLighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

4.5 Stars

 

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a helpful guide for parents/caregivers of special needs children. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon has travelled the hard road, with a special needs daughter, and having experienced the fear, emotional upheaval, not knowing where to turn, or how to cope- this book is easy to read and understand, and is full of advice, guidance, tips, and other very useful information to help you not feel so ‘alone’ in your journey.
“My wish is that this book gives you the comfort of knowing you are not alone. Others, including us, have walked the path too, and I want to share some of our experiences and takeaways and hope with you. I’ll share some of the emotional journeys we have traversed, recount how we dealt with them, and recommend some exercises that could be of use to you and your family. Dealing with feelings of being judged by others, blaming ourselves, feeling abandoned and isolated, feeling angry and overwhelmed and hopeless are just some of the negative emotions explored in the chapters ahead.”
The book is quite comprehensive, covering many concerns that may arise. The topics discussed are:
Acknowledging What Happened
Coping with the Situation Today
Managing Aloneness and Isolation
Clarifying Your Powerful Vision
Exploring Spiritual Elements of This Journey
Exploring Spiritual Elements of This Journey
Shaping At-Home Interventions
Supporting Your Other Children
Bolstering Your Love Relationship
Boosting Your Health
Improving Your Financial Situation
Celebrating Your Resilience

Helpful must read for special needs parents and caregivers.

Thank you, Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon

~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~

Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent by Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon

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Genre – Self help, Parenting, Special Needs

Page Count – 200 pages

Cover Designer – Miblart

GOODREADS – http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/132182750-marcia-nathai-balkissoon

Whether your child was born with special needs or developed them following illness or injury, you walk a hard road as a special needs parent.

 

With a child born with heart challenges and then severely brain injured at eight months old, Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon weaves her powerful story and experiences with observations and strategies that support a hopeful future in Lighting the Path.

 

Leaving no stone unturned, Marcia reduces the anxiety felt by many special needs parents by helping them through the most commonly faced circumstances—processing their new reality, skill development, career balance, financial planning, medical practitioners, appointments, therapies, caregivers, health, maintaining care for all family members, self-care, the rapid firing of emotions from isolation to judgement, and more—all with the goal to provide hope and support so you don’t have to walk this path alone.

If you’re facing many unknowns in your special needs journey, Lighting the Path combines compassion with a wealth of ideas and actions to help you build a better future for yourself and your entire family.

~ AMAZON ~

You can find this video on our YouTube Channel

Visit us at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCttf3qLZIeWgu0ZWDHc-hLg

Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a storyteller and educator who believes that we each have a powerful purpose that should guide our lives. As one of her children is brain-injured and bedridden, Marcia and her family have traversed significant challenges. She is passionate about helping special needs families to feel more connected, gain visibility, access and support, and tap into their resilience.

Beyond the special needs context, Marcia helps people connect deeply with their purpose so they can experience more joy and fulfilment. Through intuitive and logical interventions, her work seeks to shift mindsets, build habits, foster creativity and curiosity, and enable people to live their best lives each day, trusting they are enough.

Currently a tenured lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Marcia is most drawn to the fields of health, safety and wellness, business and personal strategy, and teaching and learning. She is a certified Parent Skills Master Trainer and enjoys working with her husband to adapt interventions for their daughter and helping other parents to do the same for their children.

Author Interview With Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon

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I Once Was Lost, But Now I’m Found: Daisy and the Olympic Animal Sanctuary Rescue by Laura Koerber – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur

I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found: Daisy and the Olympic Animal Sanctuary RescueI Once Was Lost, But Now I’m Found: Daisy and the Olympic Animal Sanctuary Rescue by Laura Koerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Olympic Animal Sanctuary (OAS) was a rescue for dogs who couldn’t be looked after where they were because of being labelled as unadoptable, it was in a small town in the middle of Washington State, it looked like an old dilapidated warehouse, but what lay inside was beyond anyone’s imagination, the conditions were cramped and deplorable, but it still functioned and people believed the owner was doing his best. This book focuses on one of the dogs there, Daisy and her story, but the stories of the other animals are interwoven into the narrative too, it is a story of hardship and hard work, blockades and is not the only story of its kind, there are still many places out there which are the same as the OAS was, but on a smaller scale and this book highlights what happens to the animals involved and what needs changing to help them all.

Daisy is a short, stocky balck dog who is hesitant and nervous in nature, she looks like most rescue dogs you would find in shelters around the world, but Daisy was not the first dog seen from the OAS, the main picture associated with it is a dog called Max who is desperately trying to get out of his cage. The story of Daisy and the OAS started with a volunteer whistleblowing and noting down her experience at the sanctuary in the hopes that someone would come to the rescue of the dogs within, thus creating a Facebook page and sharing the information with the police, however, the laws around animal protection and welfare are not as strong as you would hope them to be and that is why it was so difficult for local government to help when lawyers and the law get involved as well.

To get back to Daisy, she was originally brought to another rescue from a reservation where she had been removed because people were sick of seeing her being beaten and abused everyday, she had an embedded collar and after this was removed and she started to heal on the outside, but the emotional and psychological scars would take a lot longer to heal. The rescue decided that she needed some extra help and so asked a couple to foster her, to which they agreed and this started Daisy on her road to recovery and it went well and she was put up as available for adoption. This first adoption was unsuccessful and she returned to her foster home, until she was left with another dog unsupervised and unfortunately attacked it, this led to her reverting when she went back to the rescue and being labelled as a “potentially dangerous dog” and the rule was to euthanize dogs with this label, however, another option was found which was the OAS and this is how Daisy ended up there.

As Daisy’s story continues, this is where the descriptions of the OAS and life within it start, this is the true story of Daisy, the Olympic Animal Sanctuary and the other 124 dogs and one snake who ended up there, their experiences while there, as well as how they left, the book is as full of heartbreak as it is full of love, so prepare some tissues because this is a hard going emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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