Morag's Saga: EFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIES

By Leonard LaPlaca

EFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIES



Are you looking to live a great life now? In this conversational and actionorientated
book you will choose your PRA (Positive Response Attitude)
through exploring real living lessons that can change your life now.
In Morag’s Saga, you will learn:
• Stories with morals and ethical lessons to change your life now.
• Experiences of other people who have sustained crises, but
have come through the tragedies in the most e_ ective way.
• Human-interest parables that illustrate how you can choose to
learn, grow and change to rise to the challenges of life.
• Practical examples of action plans for success.
Don’t wait! Life is what you believe it can be and what you make it to be by
the responses that you choose. Get started on your plan for success today with
this book.
Leonard LaPlaca, award-winning teacher, personal coach, and motivational
speaker is sharing his fourth published book with this life-changing novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798885400152

Book preview

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Morag's Saga

EFFECTIVE COPING STRATEGIES

Leonard LaPlaca

ISBN 979-8-88540-014-5 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-016-9 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88540-015-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Leonard LaPlaca

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Books can be purchased by calling Leonard LaPlaca at 814-467-6105 or 814-321-1093.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Why Isn't This Book About Me?

My Goals and Promises

Food for Thought

Books: Read 'em and Reap the Benefits

Why Morag's Saga as the Title?

Morag's Saga

Ripe = Rotten, and Green = Growth

Bonus Section

Up Front and Personal

Suggested Reading List

Additional Reading List

About the Author

Endnotes

A very serious effort has been made to locate sources and obtain written permissions to quote when required. Instances of unintentional errors or omissions or the inability to find copyright holders are sincerely regretted. Many stories have no sources cited. I presume they are in the public domain and that the author is unknown. However, if a source can be identified, I would be grateful to acknowledge it in the future.

To JoAnn, since she is not only my beloved wife but also the best friend I have in the entire world

Also to Easton and Roman, my grandchildren, with my wishes for them being lives full of kindness, love, laughter, and that their bookshelves will be full of inspirational books

Acknowledgments

Again, I would like to thank JoAnn, my wife, who has been a positive stabilizing influence on me, and I am grateful for the tremendous sacrifices that our parents have made on our behalf. (As Robin Sharma stated, Adore your parents. You'll miss them when they're gone.)

Also, I would like to thank Jackie, our daughter, for enthusiastically sharing her creativity with me, which enabled me to bring this book to fruition, and for being the great mother that she is to our grandchildren.

In addition, our grandchildren, Easton and Roman, daily enhance our lives with their enthusiastic outlook. (Enthusiasm rightfully is the little recognized secret of success.)

Next, Russert, our loyal and beloved dog, truly is one of our master teachers in disguise. Both Russert and Roxy, our newer dog addition, are teaching us many pertinent lessons as depicted in the following:

Things We Can Learn from Dogs

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close, and nuzzle them gently.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory. Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout—run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.¹

Finally, I thank my friends (especially Dwight, Joe, Jim—deceased but still in my thoughts and guiding me, Jeff, Nick, and Eric) for being an effective support system and teaching me that real life is all about relationships. As we mature (definitely not getting older), one of the really important questions we should be asking ourselves is: Are we collecting treasures—our relationships with people—or trinkets, material possessions?

Special thanks to Jenn Seese and Valerie Furia (a true professional yet amicable—a positive rarity in today's world) and Christian Faith Publishing for constantly going the extra mile to assist in the production of this book.

Being a reverse paranoid, I am very grateful that the universe is operating on my behalf. This novel exemplifies the core of my personal philosophy:

With enthusiasm and a positive mental attitude, I always attempt to give more than I take, have an attitude of gratitude, do everything with the utmost pride (personal responsibility in daily effort) possible, and am grateful for what I have.

Preface

The inspirational story about Morag contains the nuggets of gold from the wealth of information that I have amassed since 1963.

This truly has been a labor of love, and hopefully, I can continue until my dying day. Why? School is never out for the pro! What should you know about me?

I don't have it all together.

I shall never have it all together.

I am struggling like everyone else.

I have made mistakes.

I will continue to make mistakes.

Presently, I am making mistakes.

None of these ideas are mine.

None of these ideas are unique.

If you feel anything foolish or ludicrous is said, it is I.

If you think anything prudent is mentioned, it is simply God channeling His wisdom through me.

Also, when it comes to my faith, I am strictly in the kindergarten stage.

Finally, if I have any gift at all, it is to break concepts down into manageable bite-size chunks so you can taste success—whatever that means to you, since success is as personal as your own toothbrush.

Why Isn't This Book About Me?

The following story depicts that a person wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package.

An elderly gentleman had his six-month checkup with his family doctor, who was elated because all of the patient's test results were in the normal range. Not only all his blood test results but also his chest X-ray and echocardiogram showed no abnormalities.

The