Official LAUNCH! Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, Summer Devotions.

Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain

SUMMER DEVOTIONS.

Fresh off the Press!

Our sincerest gratitude goes to those who shared their valuable time and thoughtful words of endorsement. To you, THANK YOU.

We hope the words of those who shared so generously will help you, the reader, in your decision to order the book in paperback here, or Kindle here. Those who reviewed it said it best and you can read what they had too say following in this blog, and you can read more about the book here.  If you participate in the daily devotions with the fervor our reviewers offered, then we have met our goal of helping you on your personal journey.  

In healing and hope, Celeste

The book will be distributed through all major online retailers after a 90 day waiting period.

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Book description:

Imagine a dragon breathing its inferno, and then watch it engulf everything in its path. Chronic pain acts like that; it is a raging fire that devours logical thinking. It incinerates comfort, companionship, dreams and goals. When pain dominates, it’s a force that must be challenged.

Celeste Cooper and Jeff Miller have provided an arsenal to fight this dragon that threatens energy, growth, and healing.  By focusing on each summer day, the authors send their readers on a personal journey of mindfulness and self awareness, allowing the reader to create enduring images on how pain is perceived.

Summer Devotions is the second of a four book series, Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain. It is a tribute to everyone committed to living a fearless life despite the road blocks caused by living with chronic pain and illness.

Forward: 

It is rare to find a book that is simultaneously practical, informative, uplifting, comforting and aesthetically pleasing. But the “Summer Devotions,” of Broken Body, Wounded Spirit is all of those things – and more. 

The authors, Celeste Cooper, RN and psychologist Jeff Miller, PhD, bring their ample experience to bear in this book. Organized into a “book of days” each chapter offers a combination of practical coping advice – how to manage the sleep disorder that often comes with chronic pain, dietary considerations, and how to review the effectiveness of treatments – information (what do all those medical acronyms mean?), and guidance through the emotional turmoil of chronic illness. Miller’s approach, as a psychologist, is rooted in cognitive restructuring, which encourages patients to take control of their lives through changing thought processes. In the book, this is accomplished neatly and efficiently by asking questions at the end of each section, such as “What excuse can I retire?” Ms. Cooper and Jeff Miller not only offer practical coping advice, they also address the spiritual dimension of chronic pain. This reflective approach is enhanced by a photograph at the beginning of each day, many of which reflect the calming influence of nature, and the love and joy which surround all things young and growing. The mood of the photo is complemented by an inspirational quote, my favorite of which is: “There is an important difference between giving up and letting go.” (Jessica Hatchigan) 

Drawing on medical expertise, alternative modalities, and ancient traditions of healing, this book offers a unique blend of the philosophical and the practical. The authors provide a combination of daily spiritual advice that settles the heart, and they provide imminently practical ways to deal with the physical hardships imposed by any form of chronic pain. This is a book that will prove invaluable to anyone seeking to re-establish the balance of mind and body in the face of long-term illness. 

~Erica Verrillo, author Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide, 2nd Edition, and the Phoenix Rising Trilogy

Inside the cover endorsements:

“Broken Body – Wounded Spirit is a movable feast of poetry, reflections, coping strategies, educational tidbits, enchanting imagery, and more.  For anyone in persistent pain holding a desire to restore physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, Celeste and Jeff offer help, hope, and a path to self-empowerment.”

~Myra J. Christopher, Kathleen M. Foley Chair in Pain and Palliative Care at the Center for Practical Bioethics and Principal Investigator of the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy (PAINS)

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“The authors provide us with a tidbit a day to not only balance life and chronic illness, but to also maximize the potential of each day. Use the book as designed, allowing the daily entries to take you to unexpected places and knowledge. But keep your marker or your sticky notes handy so that you can easily return to the contributions that particularly inspire you and give you strength to live each day in the positive.”

~ Patricia Geraghty, RNC, MSN, FNP-BC, Sharecare Editorial Advisory Board

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"A unique, useful and highly inspirational book for anyone with chronic pain... or any chronic illness... or any challenging life situation. In short, this is a book that EVERYONE should own a copy of … and pick up and read daily."

~ Kevin White, MD, PhD, Multiple award-winning author of Breaking Thru the Fibro Fog: Scientific Proof Fibromyalgia Is Real

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“Pain doesn’t define Celeste Cooper; instead it is her pledge to ‘rule the pain.’ Celeste gracefully and thoughtfully inspires others to be content and embrace life’s journey with a spiritual, physical and emotional balance. She provides simple instructions to help guide those suffering with chronic pain.  ‘My life is more than a waiting period, it is a journey, and how I perceive it and improve upon it, is solely up to me.”

~ Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA is founder of Healthin30.com, award-winning broadcast journalist, featured writer for The Huffington Post and health educator and member of the editorial advisory board at Sharecare.com.

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“This book is a delight. From the dark world of pain and suffering comes the voice of human courage. For so many people who struggle with chronic pain, and the devoted friends who watch them and hold them, this is the map to guide them on their journey. Each page is a lamp to light the path. Keep this gentle book by your side and read it often with the one who loves you. Thank you Celeste and Jeff for your book, it is a source of strength for the soul.”

~Dr John Whiteside MBBS, BSc, registered medical practitioner, specializing in pain

and was trained by Dr Janet Travell. (Australia)

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Broken Body, Wounded Spirit takes those who suffer from chronic pain and illness on a magical ride to a place where all patients need to go: a place of relaxation, solace, and perspective.  Woven in a rich pattern of interrelated tips, stories, and lovely truisms, we learn that we control our journey, and that being mindful of the realities of dealing with a chronic disease puts us in charge.  I highly recommend this soulful little book.

~Richard Carson, Health advocate and Founder of ProHealth.com

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“Broken Body, Wounded Spirit offers a unique blend of the philosophical and the practical. Structured as a “book of days,” the authors provide a combination of daily spiritual advice that settles the heart, as well as imminently practical ways to deal with the physical hardships imposed by chronic pain. This is a book that will prove invaluable to anyone seeking to re-establish the balance of mind and body in the face of long-term illness.”

~Erica Verrillo, author Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide, 2nd Edition, and

the Phoenix Rising Trilogy

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 “This book reminds me of the Daily Word. What Jeff and Celeste have created is a daily source of inspiration and guidance for people in pain. It can help them find peace, wisdom and wellness.”

~ Pat Anson, Editor, National PainReport.com

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“I loved this book. It is filled with practical tools and simple steps that will provide comfort for anyone who is dealing with chronic pain or illness and infused with inspiring messages that gently uplift your spirit”

~Deirdre Rawlings, PhD, ND. -- Author of Foods that Fight Fibromyalgia, Fairwinds (2012) and more.

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“While the wording is everyday English, I found that the concepts offered extend far beyond reading mere words. A valuable book for anyone who is in the midst of chronic pain, struggling to keep body and spirit together; a handy reference if you have climbed out of the abyss caused by relentless pain; also valuable for others to give insight into possibly how to keep buoyant a family member, friend, neighbor who lives with chronic pain.”

~ Suzanne Newnham - Author, Ethics of a Psychic  Reading

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“This book is designed and inspired to fill the needs of people in chronic pain. From practical ‘how to’ suggestions, to more mind, body and spirit concepts, like contemplating the deeper meaning to life and health, it is exactly what many people have been looking and longing for. I am struck by its wise self-concepts, such as ‘We must learn to dance with the dragon, not fear its fire.”

~Cinda Crawford, Get Well Health, author and healer and host of the HealthMattersShow.com