Hearts Linked by Courage Author.

I recently had the privilege of celebrating the book release of the second "Hearts Linked by Courage" CMHA York and South Simcoe, the second book in a series. It was published by IC Publishing here in York Region and as far as I know is being distributed by the publishing company and Amazon.ca

here in Canada. My story is the first in the book titled "Created for Joy." In my story, I discuss my journey from crisis to recovery to where I am now. Most of the stories in the book are inspiring and will evoke heart rendering emotions, as you read them and understand the tragedy of mental illness and the miracle of recovery. As I understand it recovery is something that the client must maintain because as everyone knows, there is no cure.

The journey to get my story published was graced by God from the beginning to the end. I was inspired to write my story, after being asked by a peer support worker for the CMHA. When I received the news that my story would be included in the book, it felt like I was getting a new lease on life. In my story I talk about being a born again Christian and how my life's experiences have shaped me into the person I am now. The book is filled with stories of adversity, and how all the authors fought and won their own personal battles of life and death.

What touched me the most while reading the stories of the other authors was their truthfulness in their battles, and their authenticity. I was deeply moved while reading the stories of my fellow authors, and recently got a chance to meet some of them at our official book launch. Part of the joy was signing the book for those who approached me at the book launch. Seeing people face to face put it all in a new perspective. Real people reading my story and the stories of my fellow authors is an inspiring and a humbling process. I don't read who reads my blog, so I want to thank my fellow authors here, and I pray that this book would be used throughout our country (and others, Lord willing) to touch peoples hearts, as the book has and still is touching me.

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