Interview for the Newark Advocate
Friday, September 2nd, 2005The following article about me appeared in the Newark (Ohio) Advocate on August 31.
Author’s insight on inner peace may help us search our souls
The most thought-provoking people in Central Ohio belong to writers’ groups. Jerry Lopper and I met through the 55-Plus Writers who meet in Whitehall on East Main Street. We learn much from one another and there is always a generous amount of encouragement available. Upon meeting Jerry, I immediately realized that he is a unique person. His presence is calming; his personality joyous.
Jerry, the author of, “Jump for Joy; Clearing the Hurdles to an Easy Life,” was gracious enough to answer my questions about his book on inner peace.
I first asked Jerry for his definition of inner peace. He responded, “To me, inner peace is calmness, tranquility, and harmony with all around me. Another way to define inner peace is unconditional love for myself and all beings. Without inner peace, we cannot have peace in our surroundings. When our culture cultivates and nourishes inner peace and we reach a critical mass of peaceful beings, wars and widespread violence will simply cease to be alternatives.”
Jerry shared with me the way in which he would describe himself: “I have a hunger and drive to continue to grow, to learn, and to contribute as the best husband, father and coach I can be. I have an appetite to understand myself and others, and to use this knowledge to better my life and the lives of those with similar interests.”
The Web site http://www.yourcoachtosuccess.com/ invites you to learn much more about his understanding of inner peace and how to achieve it. His book is also available at this web site. Achieving this state of mind may be a worthwhile challenge for us. Be prepared to consider some soul-searching questions about yourself.
One compelling passage in the book addresses, “The Hurdle of Judgment” and goes on to explain that “judging the action and behaviors of others robs us of time, creative energy and joy.” There is no joy in pronouncing, justifying and sustaining our judgments.”
How true this is. We spend far too much energy criticizing the behavior of others who inhabit our world, our neighborhood, our work place or our personal space. Can you remember the last time you were judgmental or critical of someone?
His insightful book is the result of his own effort to understand why his life seemed such a constant struggle. I recommend the book to you.
Jerry has accepted an invitation to speak at the annual Universal Light Expo, Vets Memorial, West Broad Street, Columbus, at 11 a.m. Oct. 9. His presentation is titled, “One Step to the Right” in which he describes his growth to spirituality. This will be an exceptional opportunity to share his concepts and to understand your own pathway to inner peace.
For information on the 55-Plus Writers in Whitehall or the Crooksville Art Council Pen & Quill writers in Crooksville, Ohio, contact Ann Monske at eastofheath@earthlink.net. Monske is a freelance writer who lives in Newark.
