Celebration
Matt Schechner
Author Bio
Matt Schechner attended Arizona State University and graduated with a degree in Psychology. He is also the author of five other books including the novel Daring to Dream and two fitness books, Don’t Fear Fifty, and The High Intensity Way. His passion is in the speaking engagements and workshops where he teaches how to apply the methods taught in Celebration. He wants people to live the joy filled life that is possible, and discover the great potential that lies within each one of us and share that with the world. Contact him and find other info and items associated with Celebration at: www.alignwithangela.com.
Description
What our lives can truly be.
Many have given up on trying to attain true inner peace. Many believe it is unattainable, a far off dream from a bygone era, and have resolved themselves to what they believe is the sober truth of life and left the dream behind.
But the dream is attainable. We can have the zeal for life we would all like to have. We can live joyously and free, unencumbered by fear and anxiety that plagues so many people today. It is indeed possible. We all carry this potential inside us to do this, its just waiting to be discovered. Celebration presents this possibility through the life of a very special person who shows the way.
Peace with ourselves and our world around us is not a dream, it is possible, it is attainable. Grab this dream and live to the full expression as you were meant to. Celebration shows how this is possible for all of us with practical teachings throughout the exciting story of an extraordinary life lived in this fullness.
Book excerpt
Angela used to get to school early every morning so she could spend quiet time in her favorite spot on the edge of the school grounds. She would raise her head looking high up into the trees and again listen for her favorite sound, the wind through the tall pine trees. Sometimes she would close her eyes and listen to the sound and feel the breeze run across her, brushing by and her as, feeling it raise her spirit.
The sound of someone approaching and then a sweet voice broke her out of her thought.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Angela looked up to see the face of a girl from her school that she recognized but didn’t know.
“It’s no problem, I’m Angela.”
“I’m Emily. I don’t want to interrupt you.”
“I see you go up here and sit every morning and was wondering what you do?” She said looking a little embarrassed, then laughing nervously. “I mean if that’s okay to ask?”
“Sure,” Angela answered, “I come up here to get aligned to start the day.”
“Aligned?”
“Yeah,” Angela said, “One with the world around me and at peace personally.”
“Wow, cool, sounds great, what do you do to do that?” She hesitated, “If that’s okay?”
“Sure, I become conscious of what’s around me, I look, I listen.”
“How?”
“Here,” Angela said, She gestured with her hand. “Sit down.”
Emily sat down alongside Angela, facing the same way.
“Look around.” Angela said and then sat quietly for minute.
“Take it all in.” Then she added, “Consciously, intentionally.”
She waited. Then Angela added. “Do you notice more than you did before?”
“Yes,” Emily said and smiled.
“Close your eyes.” Angela said.
“What do you hear?”
“A lot,” Emily said smiling, her nervousness gone from her voice.
“I hear the birds. Their song is beautiful.” She paused, turning her head a bit. “There are so many. They sound so busy. And, I hear them flying. I hear the wind. I hear students in the distance. Its sounds like the start of a day.” She laughed happily.
Angela smiled. “That’s great.”
“What else do you do here?” Emily asked curiously.
“I meditate, and, I keep myself aligned.”
“Aligned. I want to know more about what that means.”
“It’s like keeping your center, your balance with you and your world. Being at peace. Alignment is when you are on the path of peace and harmony. We are prone to lose it, have to get it back.”
“Can you teach me to do this?” Emily asked. After a short pause she added, “I would really like to learn.” She looked down then smiled, “I want what you have.”
“What’s that? Angela asked.”
“You’re different. You have a…peace about you. You seem really happy.” Emily seemed to be searching hard for the words, and seemed to feel a little sad saying them. “And, you…seem…happy with who you are.”
Angela smiled a tight, sweet smile at Emily. “Sure, I will, sure.”