Prodigal People

By Lauretta H. Halstead PhD

Prodigal People is a book about the journey and wonderment of life. It is an invitation to consider and reconsider the power of perspective as a transformative lens through which the reader is encouraged to understand life as a journey. Using metaphors from The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the amazements of nature, Prodigal People draws attention to the sacred dance between pain and power, limitation and imagination. It unfolds the idea that challenges can teach us to recognize the awe and value of life experiences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Jul 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781489723666

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 Lauretta H. Halstead, PhD.

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ISBN: 978-1-4897-2365-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-2366-6 (e)

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 07/18/2019

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

The Hog pen Experience - Physical

Lack of Health

The Hog pen Experience - Mental/Emotional

Lack of Affirmation

The Hog pen Experience - Spiritual

Lack of Connection

The Purpose of Hog Pen Experiences

Goats in Trees

For Sybil, Karen, Raymond,Jr., Della and Donna

Foreword

There have been millions of biographies, autobiographies, documentaries or other accounts of the lives of people created through books, film or other presentations. There is something very powerful about sharing our stories with others. Despite what our past and current social climate would indicate, I have always felt that we as humans are much more alike than we are different. Hearing the stories of others and learning about their joys and fears removes barriers and unifies us.

Something which is perhaps even more impactful to humanity is the power of words, or more foundationally, letters. Language can be a unifier, divider, conqueror and source of revolution. This relates to my previous thoughts about storytelling, because in its most barren form, it is a combination of letters. This is also true of books.

Prodigal People is much more than just a book…it’s a ride. One that you will feel long after reading it; one that will cause you to contemplate your past, present and future journey. It is difficult to reach our greatest heights without confronting our lowest depths. We all need to do some digging and ask ourselves the deepest questions about who we have been, who we currently are, and who we want to become. This writing is the perfect shovel for that.

Please allow Prodigal People to lead you on this ride. You will be healthier for it.

Julius A. Halstead

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Photo by Lauretta Halstead

Introduction

Have you ever wanted all that was yours and wanted it now, without the benefit of time and experience (which remains the best teacher), only to squander it on an idea, a quest, or something so shiny and sparkly that you just had to have it or had to do it? After getting what you thought you wanted, have you ever found the emptiness of foolish choices on the other side of your decision? Have you ever searched for a power outside of yourself, the single answer to all of your most perplexing questions, the magic pill, or the right green smoothie to make you healthy, wealthy and wise? Have you ever felt like you tried everything to soar above the challenges in your life, only to find yourself deeper into the situation which you were seeking so desperately to escape? When everything was said and done at the end of a bright idea, have you ever stood lost, stuck, angry, ashamed, broke, broken and on the wrong side of that rainbow? If you can relate to or answer yes to any of these questions, then you are one of us, and we are Prodigal People.

It is my hope