DR. MEL'S MESSAGE - From my novels to my other projects, no telling what you will read. This is the only place you will get to read about how I developed a screenplay into a novel and what is the driving force. I will talk about many things from films to books to acting to producing. It really will depend on where my mind takes me. I hope you will join me on this journey.
Today's Book of the Day, "Please Don't Jump" by Deloris E. Jordan, is a series book filled with life lessons and sage advice. Suicide is final; and along with it, those living suffer the consequences. I know because I have lost three people dear to me in my life to suicide. The pangs of regret are neverending and you find yourself asking, "Why didn't I do something?" Survivors can't blame themselves. However, we can become alert and arm ourselves with information. If you are struggling with depression or have suicidal thoughts, reach out to someone, immediately. There is help. This book will also help you. If you know of someone suffering from depression or having suicidal thoughts, please speak with them and offer help and encouragement and give a copy of this book to them. No one should suffer, and there is help. Order your copy today!
Sometimes life hurts—a lot! Overwhelmed by its challenges and painful moments, there are days when just breathing itself seems to require more energy than we have to expend. It is in such times of despair and great exhaustion that we are pushed to the edge with thoughts of throwing in the towel and surrendering to whatever, or whoever can ease the pain or be a distraction. Sometimes giving little or no thought to what the consequences will be. Beckoning us away from that edge of dire distractions with a message of hope, resiliency, and the understanding that God has not allowed us to be confronted with any situations that we cannot overcome, Deloris E. Jordan uses this book which is filled with real-life experiences to encourage us to not give up on living. Turning our attention to our inner strength, she speaks of learning how intentional God was with gifting each of us life while reminding us that no one's life is perfect, but everyone's life has a purpose. Having jumped off the edge several times in pursuit of death when overwhelmed by her life, the author writes earnestly of surviving those dark moments, finding peace, and becoming immensely grateful to still be alive. As with her first book, In My Family Shadows, she grants readers an internal view of her personal struggle for survival with uncompromised transparency.
Deloris E. Jordan shares her name with her mother, who is also an author. With each author writing from their perspective roles as members of Michael Jordan's family, Deloris writes with a profound understanding of the comfort that can be provided to others through soothing words of encouragement. In addition to authoring books, she uses her voice as an inspirational speaker to share sentiments of hope, while paying homage to her Christian faith. The owner of YASTYS.COM, a company that offers a line of "visual" encouraging products, she is also the founder of Let's Start A Conversation, a nonprofit that brings individuals together to engage in encouraging and meaningful conversations. The mother of three and grandmother of five, Deloris resides in Pennsylvania, where she is also a licensed real estate agent.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2021
I can not thank Deloris enough for her “truth-telling”. As I read intently through each page I was deeply encouraged and began to receive peace for my own situations. A real spiritual exchange took place as I read her story and how she accepted God's final say in her life. The courage it takes to tell such a sensitive truth with the intention of encouraging other souls is nothing short of the Spirit of the living God residing within the beautiful vessel, which is Deloris E. Jordan.
As a woman of faith who faces life struggles in many ways myself, I stand on the shoulders of women like Deloris who yield beautifully to the life-changing power of our Heavenly Father. We truly are blessed to have Deloris here with us on planet earth. I’m sure I am one of many who are thankful that God's plans were greater than hers. Do yourself a favor and buy this awe-inspiring book now. It serves as a witness and testimony to a life worth living.
You are in for a real treat with today's author interview with Patrick J. Dailey and his book, "Made For More: Living Out Your God-Given Potential," now available on Amazon. If there is one thing certain that I know is that God gifted each of us talents. Each of us have unique talents and if not used, are wasted. How do you know what your talent is? Do you effectively use yours? If you are confused about your potential, then you must read this book. Take a look and meet the author.
"...you may be a part of the statistics of declining
health in humans, and will not have the energy to pursue the dreams you put off
for your whole life. Was it worth it all chasing the wind? Was it worth
neglecting the things that money can't buy, for things money can buy? Was it
worth working in a job you hated? Was it worth never trying something new,
never knowing the answer? You do not want to look back at your life wondering,
"What if I ___", like so many people do. Our lives are short. We
spend each day putting off the desires of our soul, and focus on being wealthy
even if it brings about misery. Instead, let us use the tools us humans were
graced with by God, and realize the potential you were given. Make something
out of it, whatever it may be. Whatever it is that you know you are meant for
at your core. Make the best of your life!"
Tell
your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where
you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I
grew up in the small town of Pinon Hills, California. This is not only the
place that I grew up, but it is also the place that I currently live. I went to
school at Serrano High School and graduated in the class of 2009. Go
Diamondbacks.
I am married to my wife, Amber, and we have a son, Aaron James. We enjoy
spending time out in nature, traveling, and trying new coffee houses.
We enjoy being active and keeping busy during the week. Even though we do keep
busy, we are more on the quiet side of life.
I currently serve at a church known as Impact Christian Church in Victorville,
where I serve as a Worship and Youth Director.
What
inspired you to author this book?
In
2017, I was working in corporate America. I was not happy or fulfilled with my
current state. I was newly married and was happy in this marriage. There was a
series of events that happened in the job that I had and the church that my
wife and I served in. These changes were pretty drastic, and honestly, I wanted
to change.
I began reading books, listening to audiobooks, and taking online courses to
improve my life. Over time, I did start to see changes occur in my life. As
this was happening, I had more and more of a desire to share in the knowledge,
information, and wisdom that I was learning.
This is where the book comes in. I am a firm believer in the idea that as you
learn, you should teach. Even though I started this journey to change my life,
I have found fulfillment in serving others. I have found such joy in helping
people reach their God-given potential.
To help people, even just a little bit is a dream of mine and I hope to
accomplish this in this book.
Where
did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
About
a year ago, I helped with the church launch of Impact Christian Church. I
worked on the design of print materials, digital marketing, and worked closely
with Pastor Dane Davis. I did this as a way to help serve to make this church
launch work out as smoothly as possible.
I remember when Dane and I were working on a bulletin, and there was this image
suggestion of raising hands in the air looking out in the distance. I loved
this image, even though the picture did not make the cut, this image, to me,
was inspirational. The image was similar to the book cover, but the idea is the
same.
I felt that this image, the book cover, is a great representation of the
realization that you are made for more. You were given potential, and you
should live it out.
Who
has been the most significant influence on you personally and as a writer
My
dear friend, David Mendoza, has had a very good influence on me personally and
me as a writer.
I work with David, and getting to know him, he just goes out and does. He keeps
quiet about what he does. I imagine he does this to eliminate naysayers and
negativity.
He writes horror stories; he would publish audio on YouTube and get voiceovers
to make his vision a reality. The fact that he just went out and did it,
inspired me.
I would talk and talk about writing, but never really did it. Then I met David,
someone who said and did. He encouraged me to write, and because of his
influence, he helped me make this book.
What
were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
One
of the biggest struggles that I have had in my life is the unhealthy mindset
that my work is not "good enough".
There have been people in my life, friends, and family who have a perfectionistic
mindset and attitude in life. These kinds of people you can never please them.
Sadly, I listened to people who were unhappy in their lives, and I internalized
that unhealthy mindset.
I had to realize that no matter how good or bad my work is, no matter how
excellent I perform, there will always be people who support you and people who
do not. You simply cannot please everyone. You must move forward regardless of
who or what is against you. If you are that serious about doing it, do it.
So, my struggle was with the "not good enough" mindset. Good enough
for whom? Good enough for what standard? What specifically qualifies as good
enough?
To me, we will never attain perfection. We can attain excellence in all that we
do.
Tell
your readers about your book.
So
many people live life without meaning. There are so many people who do not find
fulfillment in what they do.
You are made for more.
You are given life, time, abilities, and talents, and opportunities every
single day to become who you are meant to be.
With all that we are given, we should take ownership and responsibility of our
lives and live life to the fullest. We should be mindful of what we think, and
the things that we put into. Change your input; you will change your output. Do
everything in excellence. Respond with ability. Never give up. Keep moving
forwards in everything, love. Decide to find meaning in your life. Become. In
becoming, be a light in this dark and broken world. Be empowered by your
God-given potential to be who you are meant to be.
You are made for more.
Who
is your target audience, and why?
I
write this book to young people. This book was written as an authentic piece.
When you are young, you are taught by friends, family, and culture to follow a specific
mold. You are taught that you should go to school, get good grades, graduate,
and then work in a 9-5 job. From there, you put in your time, get married, have
kids, and eventually retire.
Some people are happy with this mold. Others are not. I wrote this book as a
potential beacon of hope for young people. May they realize that you have a
choice. You are in control of your life, and you should seek happiness and
fulfillment in your life. Life is fleeting, so live it.
I wish I had people in my life, letting me know that the emptiness inside of me
had to do with a lack of vision. To pursue an unfulfilling life is foolish.
Young people should see to it that they find their meaning and go for that.
Life is too short of seeking things that are unfulfilling and meaningless.
What
do you consider your greatest success in life?
The
greatest success in life is when you find meaning in your life. I found meaning
when I found God. When I found meaning, I found a reason to live. I found a
reason to exist. I found happiness and fulfillment in my life.
It is the realization that money, material possessions, pleasure, that there is
much more to this life. That is the greatest success in life.
What
one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
What
sets me apart is that I pursue simplicity in all that I learn, and all that I
teach.
Many people make life complicated with words and actions that are hard to
understand. This should not be so.
I desire to be a writer that makes things easy to understand, so that many may
understand.
When you combine this simplicity with positivity, you get a person who is
positively simple. That is what makes me different. I am positive in my mindset
and simple in my living.
