I am filled with gratitude today

Studies Show Living Life with Appreciation Leads to Greater Happiness November 2011 Since its publication Living Life As A Thank You has been a touchstone for so many people. Authors Lesowitz and Sammons received hundreds of thank you notes from readers whose lives this book has touched and helped. We at Viva Editions remember that this important book generated the sparks that led to two important Viva titles that have also gone on to provide succor and comfort to many, many people. The feedback from Living Life As A Thank You made it clear that readers were hungry for practices and encouraging advice for self-transformation and personal growth. Sammons and Lesowitz then created The Gratitude Power Workbook, providing tried and true thank you exercises and practices along with tools to help you create your own rituals and techniques to cultivate gratitude. When Nina and Mary Beth were writing Living Life As A Thank You, they knew Alan had a powerful recovery story that hinged on his daily expressions of gratitude and his ongoing commitment to service, helping others. He contributed a short essay to the book—leading to repeated requests for Alan to tell his whole story. This month we're very proud to publish Drunken Angel, Alan Kaufman's searing memoir of the harrowing journey he took from homeless drunk to award-winning poet, author, editor and writing teacher, one of the more acclaimed of his day. These three books remind us all to take time to savor the relationships, people and events that feed our souls. Happy Thanksgiving and thank you thank you for your support. More · Buy Living Life as a Thank You The Transformative Power of Daily Gratitude by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons Discover the positive power of gratitude. Living as if each day is a thank you can help transform fear into courage, anger into forgiveness, and isolation into belonging. Authors Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons present a simple yet comprehensive approach for incorporating gratitude into one's life and reaping its many benefits. The book is divided into ten chapters, including "Ways to Stay Thankful in Difficult Times," "Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice," and "Putting Gratitude into Action." Each chapter includes stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by thankfulness, motivational quotes and blessings, and suggested gratitude practices. Whatever is given—even a challenging moment—is a gift. With this book, you will be able to feel more connected to the flow of life and less alone in your struggles and fears. _________________________________________________________________ Living Life As A Thank You was recently featured by The Canadian Jewish News, and The Gratitude Power Workbook joined it in an article called, " Your Positive Outlook Determines Where Your Life is Heading." You can meet Alan Kaufman and hear him read from Drunken Angel: Tonight at 7:00 Book Soup in Los Angeles December 1 The Beat Museum in San Francisco December 2 The Make Out Room in San Francisco January 17 St. Mark's Bookshop in New York City __________________________________________________________________ More · Buy The Gratitude Power Workbook Transform Fear into Courage, Anger into Forgiveness, Isolation into Belonging by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons An interactive guide to having a fuller life through active gratitude No matter where you are on your life's journey, you can open The Gratitude Power Workbook to find inspiration for change. By taking just five minutes a day with the stories, practices, meditations, exercises, and questions offered here, you'll find yourself moving towards a happier and more fulfilling life. Like building a spiritual muscle, exercising gratitude each day will strengthen your spirit, quiet your mind, and open your heart. The Gratitude Power Workbook can be your soul's daily companion—and one of the most important books you'll ever own. More · Buy Drunken Angel by Alan Kaufman A Heartbreakingly Honest Story of Triumph Over Addiction Son of a French Holocaust survivor, Alan Kaufman drank to fill the huge hole in his heart, wrecking himself and everyone in his path. InDrunken Angel, the poet and critically acclaimed writer recounts with unvarnished honesty the story of the alcoholism that took him to the brink of death, the PTSD that drove him to the edge of madness, and the love that brought him back. With his estranged daughter as inspiration and two unforgettable mentors for support, Kaufman got into recovery at age 37, taking full responsibility for nearly destroying himself, his work and so many loved ones along the way. Kaufman minces no words as he looks back on a life pickled in self-pity, self-loathing and guilt, delivering a lacerating, cautionary tale of a life wasted and reclaimed.