Changing the Gift

By Fabienne Gassmann

Every book starts with an idea that transforms into an outline, and only later becomes a story. No one ever writes a book alone. This book was written in such a way that my daily ups and downs were constantly used as my eyes to see inspiration around me, connecting my personal experiences in life to the things my eyes saw.

The purpose of this book is to emphasize the deep spiritual values that one has in oneself. It is a collection of short stories about my daysstories about how I feel or what inspired me on that day. It reflects my vision and dreams, and I hope that as you read this book you, as a reader, will be inspired too.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jun 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781452515618

Fabienne Gassmann

Fabienne Gassmann was born in Bern, Switzerland, and immigrated to Canada in 1984. She began her journey in Toronto Canada, and today she resides in beautiful British Columbia. She is married to a wonderful husband and is a mother of two beautiful daughters and one wonderful son. She spends most of her days with her family and working in health care, in Assisting Living residence for seniors. All through her life, the journey to where she is today has not always been great, but it has given her a new perspective on living, which incorporates helping others. Fabienne leads with her heart which is fi lled with compassion and inspiration for her work and for others.

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Copyright © 2014 Fabienne Gassmann.

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

The art are done by the Author.

ISBN: 978-1-4525-1560-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-1562-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-1561-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014909417

Balboa Press rev. date: 06/04/2014

Contents

Acknowledgments

Why read this book,

‘The Gift’

I Believe In A Dream

A Memory

Light Everywhere

Live With a Gift

Learning To Trust

Give Peace On This Earth

Don’t Lose The Courage

Today I Follow My Heart

Broken Branches

The Wind Is Calling For My Name

Angel Over the Rainbow

There is No Road too far

I Want to Live

We Are the Words

Free Like a Bird

You Are the Light in My Heart

Heart in the Wind

Inspired By the Stars

The Crush in My Life

Inspiration for the New Generation to Come

Stars in My Eyes

The World Around Us

Let the Sun Shine Over the Entire World

Away to a Paradise

Broken Heart

Dreams Last Forever

The Sun on My Face

Children of Love

Circle of Life

A Journey is Life

Healing From Heaven

Angel with Wings

Why Did You Leave Without Goodbye?

Free to Choose

We Can Hold Hands for the World

Light Everywhere

Our Future is waiting

In Search of Silence

The Joy of Remembering

I Hold onto My Dream

The Cost of Fighting

‘A Days lesson’

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

To the unique people in my life, who have given me a new outlook and respect for my life, who have made it again possible to write another book, to those individuals I dedicate this book. I’m very grateful of the authors and musician that have been a big part of the writing process. And to those who shared their ideas with the world so that I could have access to their materials.

This book is a collection of short stories of my days my thought and feelings that have inspired me on a daily basses, by people around me what I see or hear, that reflecting on me. It is my hope that as you read this books you would be inspired by it.

For the support of my beloved husband, and the selfless love of my two dear daughters and my son, I could not have done this without them. They believed in me and with all their patience, showed it to me while I was working on this project. They have given me some ideas to implement in my journey and encouraged me to do the thing I love. You have given me a brighter place to be and I will love you always.

I’m grateful to the dear people in my life, and you know exactly who you are. I thank you for your spoken or written words that have continually flooded my heart with loving support.

This is a small thank you to Dr. Duanita G. Eleniak, who got me started to write on my first book on a daily basses as a journal. I appreciated the things she has done for me; the book she asked me to read that has changed my life. No one has had a more profound impact on me than her. She set the course that has led me to my growth and success. She is my Inspiring mentor, who lifted my spirits with out even realizing it.

My deepest thanks goes out to Tammy Tsang, who has worked with me on this book and editor. I could not have done than that without your help.

My Thanks goes out to my entire outstanding publishing team of Balboa Press for all there hard work the put into this book, I could not have done this with out you all.

Why read this book,

I am living a story that is uniquely my own. I write in order to understand my life’s purpose and direction more clearly. Whether as a gift to family and friends, or with the intent to publish, my work is nothing but a long journey to recovery. Keeping a journal is a powerful way to enhance my creativity and increase my self-awareness. It is the written art of images, and first gained access to my heart and encouraged my inner voice to speak out.

I learned how to write freely and to allow my unique writing voice to emerge. I was seeking creative inspiration and stimulation with which to write and which would work in my book. Creative inspiration and stimulation are what I looked for while writing and compiling my book. This was gained through both external influences and internal prodding.

This is a about a soul’s journey over many years. This work reminds me of the importance of dreams and imagination in my life. When I explore how my dream images carry my essential life energy and potential, I examine layers of memories, dreams, and fantasies to find the unique personal symbols and patterns that exist in my heart. At the end of my writing, I have a deep appreciation of the symbols living in my heart, and an understanding of my own personal myth.

By Fabienne Gassmann

‘The Gift’

I want to create a life that feels wonderful, no matter what’s happening around me. How do I feel about my life right now? These days, no matter what’s going on, I’ve learned to look for the gift in me. It was always there I just never saw it. I wasn’t always this positive. If you’d asked me to describe my life, I would have told you that it was something that I had to get through, it wasn’t supposed to be fun, that I had to work hard, do to my best, and just roll with the punches. At the time I was working with seniors, and was hitting the bottom of a depression, which I had probably had since I was a child. When I was in that place in my life, everything felt as if it was unfair. Many times I wondered why I was wired this way, and why was I having such a tough time with my life, when everyone else seemed to be doing just fine? I never imagined that my depression would turn out to be one of the greatest gifts of my life. Indeed by bringing me to my knees it would lead me to the most important moment of my life. When things get desperate, as happens to many of us, terrifying even, this will often open the door to life-changing creativity, and miracles. If it weren’t for that unwelcome, terrible situation, that door would never have opened for me. Just before that door opens, things can seem very dark. There were times I couldn’t go to work, and my pain became visible to those around me. Seeing my suffering a senior said to me, I want you to think about what you really want to do with your life. I had never considered that- I just did what others said was best for me, or what other people around me were doing. At that moment, everything in my life- present, past and future stood still. It was if heaven cracked open and filled my life with hope, something I hadn’t felt for a very long time. On the first night that I met this person tears sprang from in my eyes. I experienced a glimmer of hope. I remembered all the joy; passion and creativity that are part of life, every day, and resolved to bring them back. Now, when I tell the story of what happened after my first lesson with this wonderful person, I sometimes feel like I’m talking about some other person than me. I think to myself, How can it be, that that first lesson with this person could have had such a remarkable impact on me.

I made a new start. The turn took me into lessons I learned from a life coach, a wellness expert, and an inspirational speaker. I often joke that I’m actually not even that great at what I’m doing. I just do it with all the unexpressed passion of that little girl that covered up her feelings for so long. I think it’s that which explains why so many doors opened for me, in this totally unexpected work, and why I have been able to connect with so many people. I never in a million years imagined that one day I would write a book. It’s true when they say, Do what you love, and the miracles will follow. Whenever people ask me what my best advice for them is, I encourage them to think of something that they always wanted to do, or used to love to do, or is missing from their life, and just start again.

You won’t believe the places that those small steps may take you to. Just follow your heart where it wants to go, and you’ll step into the life that’s been waiting for you, all along.

The journey hasn’t always been easy for me, and I learned my optimism along the way. Living the way I did as a little girl, had a huge impact on me. Now life is a very spiritual, hopeful place, despite the hardships I faced for so many years. Life now has now more value to me with my family, love, spiritual faith, and enjoying the gift that each day brings to me. I have learned that everything happens for a reason. Good or bad, it’s all good. To see all lives events as exquisitely designed, no matter how difficult or painful they may appear on the surface. Now I make it a daily goal not to let negative news or circumstances disrupt me from what matters most. That way, when things eventually turn out just fine, I no longer look back and regret having wasted so much time crying, worrying or complaining. Living a positive, miracle- filled life isn’t something that just happens to certain lucky people. A positive life and all its benefits are