With summer just around the corner I thought I would share two books you might want to add to your summer reading list:

To Heaven & Back by Mary C. Neal, MD

In 1999 Dr. Neal died when her kayak became pinned at the bottom of a waterfall.  This book is Dr. Neal's incredible story of the journey she took from life, to death, and back again....and the impact her journey has had in affirming the preciousness of life, as well as the spiritual oasis that awaits when we pass. 

"I know that every day really does matter. Not everyone has a profound spiritual expereience such as a near-death experience, but taking time to really look at the patterns of your every day life and noting how events seem to unfold in a manner that is unlikely the result of chance, allow any person to begin to see God working in his own life. I think it is only when a person truly sees God working in his own life that this faith can be transformed into a complete trust that God's promises are true.  Complete trust that God has a beautiful plan and that it is one with a hope and a future allows me, and each of us, to face challenges with confidence and courage, even when the plan and its beauty seem hidden."

The Positive Dog "A Story About the Power of Positivity"
by Jon Gordon

While the story itself is a bit simplistic, the message is one we all could use a reminder of.  This is a sweet tale of two dogs living in a shelter and how the benefits of being positive shared by one to the other changes everything.

In addition to the story, Gordon shares statistics about the health benefits of positivity, along with an action plan of strategies to create a positive life.  Makes a great gift!

"It really does pay to be positive."

~ Andrea Chervenak 6/16/12