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Author: John Fioravanti

I'm a retired History teacher (35 years), husband, father of three, grandfather of three. My wife, Anne, and I became business partners in December 2013 and launched our own publishing company, Fiora Books (http://fiorabooks.com), to publish my books. We have been married since 1973 and hope our joint business venture will be as successful as our marriage.

Welcome to Day 15 of #RRBC’S ’20 WC&BE SPONSORS BLOG TOUR! @RRBC_Org @enigmaseries #TheEnigmaBeyond #TheEnigmaThreat

The Enigma Beyond

-Amazon.com purchase link- http://bit.ly/The-Enigma-Beyond

The Enigma Threat

-Amazon.com purchase link- https://bit.ly/EnigmaThreat

-Social media links

https://www.facebook.com/TheEnigmaSeries

Thank you for supporting the books and authors along the RRBC ’20 WC&BE SPONSORS BLOG TOUR!  These authors are generous in their support of others so we want to show our support of them in return.  You may follow along each day of the tour by visiting the tour’s home page.  Be sure to leave a comment below to ensure that you have a chance at winning a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

REFLECT UPON THIS: What The World Needs Now… Respect @RRBC_Org @RRBC_RWISA @Tweets4RWISA @JohnJFioravanti @NonnieJules #Quotes

“We need to reject any politics that targets people because of race or religion. This isn’t a matter of political correctness. It’s a matter of understanding what makes us strong. The world respects us not just for our arsenal; it respects us for our diversity and our openness and the way we respect every faith.”

~ Barack Obama

Barak Obama head shot

As a retired secondary school educator, I am a firm believer in lifelong learning, and it need not take place in a formal classroom. Today, the Internet allows anyone who is curious to discover information and analysis about any topic they can imagine. It is in the context of the lifelong learner that I wish to reflect on President Barack Obama’s words quoted above from his final State of the Union Address on January 12, 2016.

In my study of history, I realize that human progress does not occur in a linear pattern and that often we regress on the way to positive growth. In some very tangible ways, we are experiencing a regression in our behaviour towards others today. News headlines from around the globe give testament that division and polarization around extreme ideas and attitudes are fuelling discord and conflict between us.

At the root of this discord is a startling lack of respect for others. What do I mean when I speak about respect? The teacher in me goes directly to the dictionary and in my case, several dictionaries. I was dismayed to find the term defined as having a high or special regard for someone. This definition is far too narrow. What about the man who lives down the street from me? I don’t know his name or anything about his talents, skills, accomplishments, attitudes or beliefs. So what am I to hold in high regard? What about all the people in the world with whom I’ve never been in contact? Do I respect them because their country is powerful or wealthy? Perhaps, but how do I approach a stranger with respect?

I began to understand the essential concept of respect when I came across the phrase, “to consider worthy…” The lights came on, and I knew I had found my elusive key. Every human being must be considered worthy of the same freedoms that I desire, worthy of consideration,  of assistance when needed, and fair treatment. We are all worthy of being free from prejudgment based on physical traits, age, culture, and beliefs; of having the opportunity to live in a healthy environment and to be successful. Most importantly, respect means being considered worthy of equal treatment.

The polarization I spoke about earlier has driven many of us to demonize anyone who disagrees with us. We see this unfolding each day in the United States as Republicans and Democrats have no kind words for each other. Fear brought on by years of terrorist attacks causes us to regard Middle Eastern people with suspicion and distrust. They are the enemy! Protect the country by closing our borders! These things are happening in many places around the globe, not just in America. Yet America, a nation that has held itself up to the world as a beacon of hope for over two hundred years is now projecting rancour, disrespect, and bullying. Fair or not, if something happens in the U.S.A. the whole world knows about it quickly. My country, Canada, is guilty of many of the same things, but the world rarely hears about it because we’re just… Canada – no big deal.

I also understand that societal or global change begins within an individual and spreads from there. Upon introspection, I’m not pleased with what I see in my heart, my words, and my attitudes. Before I can respect other persons, I must accept their humanity and see them as worthy beings. I don’t do that when I demonize and dehumanize people who anger or upset me. I don’t have to agree with them to be respectful, but if I accept another person as a worthy human being, I must find better ways to express my disapproval, disagreement, or dismay with another’s choices or beliefs. As a writer and blogger, I have not done well in this regard. In my own way, I have participated in the politics of division that Obama warns us against.

President Barack Obama’s speech contains wisdom and truth. I need to step back and consider his words carefully. We have clear evidence around us that divisiveness and polarization exist between people today, people in our own countries and between people around the globe. This makes us weak and ineffective. We have lost sight of the main reason why humans created civilizations back in antiquity – to work together in peace to survive, build robust economies, and express our humanity, our very soul, through the arts. Our diversity is our strength! Ethnocentrism is the belief that holds one culture or ethnic group superior to all others. That is intellectual arrogance at its worst! I may espouse liberal ideas and policies, but I need to consider the conservative positions of others. When we do battle over these things, we all lose!

If we fail to accept others as worthy beings, then we have failed to respect them and ourselves. If I demonize you for something you said or did, I have disrespected myself. Without respect, there is no building for tomorrow. There will be no working together for the common good. I need to learn to respectfully disagree and criticize, and then put forward my ideas with humility. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom because we have different perspectives – and those perspectives can help us arrive at the best solutions.

I need to do better.

My friends, I was honoured to be named the 2020 RWISA “SUPREME” Book Award Grand Prize Winner for my first collection of REFLECTIONS.  I hope you’ve enjoyed the reflection above from my upcoming second grouping of interpretations in REFLECTIONS II.  Today, my first collection is being hosted over at Watch Nonnie Write!  I hope that you’ll drop by to soak up the reflection, “DON’T TRIP ON YOUR WAY TO GREATNESS!”  
 
Reflections II Book Cover

BOOK BLURB FOR REFLECTIONS II

The word inspiration is derived from the Latin word inspirare which means to breathe into. It occurs when someone is filled with the desire to do something creative. While some cast aspersions on the existence of inspiration, I doubt that there is anyone alive who has not experienced this uplifting phenomenon. I call it uplifting because an inspiration lifts us to new or greater effort to do something – even if that something is to think about a topic in a different way.

I believe that inspiration is real and it is essential to the well-being of the human condition. This book is the product of inspiration. After the original volume Reflections: Inspirational Quotes and Interpretations was published, I was moved by the reaction of many readers to create a second volume. In their own words, these people claimed they were inspired to consider the selected quotes in the light of their own life experiences.

In Reflections II, inspiration has come full circle.

Leave a comment on this post or on Nonnie Jules’ post and your name will be entered to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

 

Welcome to Day 1 of the WATCH “RWISA” WRITE Showcase Tour! #RRBC #RWISA #RWISAWRW

The Journey

 

Dear self,

 

Oh, the journey we have had…

Its ups and downs and sideway twists,

The moments of exhilaration,

The quickened pulse and caught breath,

The scenes that left lingering loops of trauma,

The journey we have had.

 

And the journey we are on…

Getting to know you

With no boundaries or judgment,

With love and kindness,

Living one new moment at a time,

The journey we are on.

 

Ah, the journey before us…

Awareness and acceptance all around,

Gratitude grounding us,

Pausing to make peace with whatever may come,

Living to learn from experience,

Trusting where I am is

Where I need to be,

Embracing curiosity and a zest for life,

Sharing loving- kindness with each path crossing mine,

The journey before us.

 

The journey we have had built our resiliency.

The journey we are on builds our strength.

The journey before us will make us whole.

 

I wish you well, my friend.

 

Yvette M Calleiro

 

 

 

For the 2020 Watch “RWISA” Write Showcase Tour, I decided to write this poem. This year has been difficult for many of us, but it’s especially challenging for those with anxiety and other mental disorders. As a person who lives with an anxiety disorder, I have spent many years finding ways to manage my anxiety. I have found that a combination of neurofeedback, therapy sessions, meditation, and mindfulness have worked well for me.

Neurofeedback is a therapeutic intervention where a computer program helps retrain the brain to stay within a normal parameter for response to stimuli. Imagine two horizontal bars with a space between them. A “normal” brain would show brainwaves that stay within the high and low bar with few outliers. A brain with certain conditions would show brainwaves that jump higher or lower than the horizontal bars. Neurofeedback retrains the brain to stay within those bars.

 

In my case, my neurofeedback takes place while I watch a movie at my psychologist’s office. The staff connects electrodes to various spots on my head. Those electrodes connect to a computer that monitors my brain waves. That computer is connected to a program that links to whatever movie I am watching. As I watch the movie, it registers my brain waves. So long as my brain waves stay within the normal parameter, I can see and hear the movie. When my waves jump outside the normal parameter, the volume will lower and/or the screen with get smaller or fade out. Once my brain waves return with the normal limits, the picture and volume return. In this manner, my brain learns it is rewarded when it stays within the normal limits.

 

It sounds like crazy sci-fi stuff, and I’ll admit I didn’t really believe it would work. It took me getting to the point where my health was suffering to get me to finally try it. At first, I went every week for a few months. It wasn’t a miracle overnight fix, but one day I realized I was sleeping better and not freaking out as much. My energy was returning to me. My sessions were reduced to every other week, and now, I go once a month just for a tune-up. I am not a fan of man-made medicines, so this has been a wonderful alternative to taking pills to reduce my anxiety.

 

Another thing that has helped me has been therapy sessions. I meet with a psychologist once or twice a month either in person (pre-COVID) or via teleconference. I am a strong believer that every person should meet with a therapist at some point in his/her life. Some days, we just review my days and see what comes up. Other days, I bring something I want to speak about to the “table.” She helps me restructure how I perceive information and process it. It has helped me to understand and accept events in my past and to have more compassion for experiences I have now.

 

I started meditating as a way to silence my mind. I have a very loud inner voice. For many years, that inner voice was absolutely toxic. I had all the love in the world for everyone around me, but my inner voice made it clear there was no love left for me. It took me a long time to realize that this inner voice was not me, and I could silence her toxicity. Meditation helped me to do that.

 

It also showed me how to embrace a loving-kindness mentality toward myself. Those who know me casually will find this information a bit shocking because I always present myself as calm and kind and relaxed, but a cover doesn’t always reveal the inner layers within the book. It took me years to be kind to myself, and it is a journey I am still experiencing.

 

My meditation journey led me to mindfulness. I think of meditation and mindfulness as sisters in the same family. They are similar but distinct. Meditation is a practice where one uses a technique to train himself to become more aware or improve his attention. Mindfulness is the quality of awareness that one attains simply by purposefully paying attention without judgement. This is a great article to better understand them: https://positivepsychology.com/differences-between-mindfulness-meditation/.

Meditation helped me to silence the toxicity of my inner voice. Mindfulness helped me to become more aware of the patterns in my thoughts, see them, accept them, and let them pass through without permanence or judgment. I treasure the layer of peace it has brought me.

When I think back to the person I was six years ago, I can share loving-kindness with her and embrace the trials and tribulations she/I went through. Had I known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have suffered for so many years without seeking help. I now focus on today’s journey, knowing time is fluid and the only moment that exists is this one. I practice focusing on the here and now. It isn’t always easy, but this journey is about practice and awareness. We, as humans, will never reach perfection, and I find a certain beauty in that. We are, and always will be, a living work of heart. 😊

Welcome to the #RRBC “ROCKIN’ 2020 AWAY” BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER Block Party! @JohnJFioravanti #Giveaways

Hi and “WELCOME” to Rave Reviews Book Club’s BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER BLOCK PARTY at Fiora Books!

Here’s What I’m Giving Away Today:

ONE $10 Amazon Gift Card

# of Winners for this stop:  1

Today, I’d like to introduce you to a fun blog I wrote about our intrepid leader, Nonnie Jules. At the end, I will provide you with a link to introduce by books and their trailers.

Encounter at ArcAngel Park

The first in a series of character interviews conducted by Nonnie Jules, President of Rave Reviews Book Club who has been magically transported 700 years into the future to the planet Genesis, accompanied by author, John Fioravanti.

Nonnie Jules is the founder and President of RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB, as well as interviewer of RRBC authors in the famed, “Who’s On The Shelf With Nonnie?” interviews. Her interviewing skills are legendary and she decided to accompany Author, John Fioravanti, through space and time to another galaxy 700 years into the future. Nonnie’s goal is to meet the key personalities on planet Genesis featured in Fioravanti’s series, The Genesis Saga, and utilize her formidable skills to find out something more about these characters. This scene is the first of many, which will follow.

Setting: Nonnie and John are seated comfortably in her office at RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB.

John:     “Thank you, Nonnie for inviting me to join you here today!”

Nonnie:     “You’re welcome!” (Thinking: where are these people I’m supposed to interview?) “I’d like to know how this is going to work… I don’t see anybody else around here to talk to…” (John smiles politely, Nonnie shakes her head) “… alright, I’ll start with you, John! Why did the people of Genesis have to make big changes in their society?”

John:     “After more than 700 years of acrimony between the ruling Churcher class and the Naval class, big  changes were needed to stave off violence and the ultimate destruction of human civilization on Genesis.”

Nonnie:     “Sounds grim… what changes do they want to make… and WHO’s directing traffic?”

John:     “For now, High Chancellor Harvey Bingham is, umm… ‘directing traffic’. During the war of the last four years, he brought in measures to begin the desegregation of the urban centers…” 

Nonnie:     (interrupting and glaring at John)  “They segregate the races there?”

John:     “Actually… no. The discrimination is based on religious differences. Right now, the High Chancellor is  running the planet’s first democratic election!”

Nonnie:     (incredulously) “Democracy!! A religious dictator is setting up a democracy? John, this is unbelievable – I wish I could talk to this man!”

John:     (Nods gravely, reaches out and places his left hand upon her arm, closes his eyes in concentration… and the two find themselves sitting on a bench in a beautiful park.) “Your wish is my command!” (He gestures to the beautiful shrubbery that surrounds them.)

Nonnie:     (Nonnie stands up and takes a step away, then spins around and glares accusingly at her guest)  “John, where are we?”

John:     “Calm yourself, dear lady. We’re in ArcAngel Park in Genesis City, and the year is 2796. You said you wanted to talk to High Chancellor Bingham.” (Nonnie’s jaw drops, but she’s speechless.) “Look to your right, here he comes now.” (Nonnie spins around and sees a balding, middle-aged man dressed in a crimson suit approaching along the stone walk. John stands and takes her arm to steady her. Bingham reaches them and holds out his hand to John who takes it in a warm handshake.) “Good day, High Chancellor! Allow me to present a good friend, Nonnie Jules.”

Bingham:     (Bows respectfully to Nonnie) “Welcome to my favourite refuge, ArcAngel Park! You know, it was built so the faithful could enjoy the natural gifts of the Gods in peaceful splendour.”

Nonnie:     (Nonnie is beginning to calm down, and looks from one man to the other, then addresses the cleric.) “Excuse me, Reverend, how do you know my friend John?”

Bingham:     (Bingham smiles at John, then addresses Nonnie, kindly.) “Madam, this man beside you is known to us here as Doctor John – an expert in human history from twenty-first century Earth. Is that where you’re from as well?” (Smiles kindly at John) “He’s either delusional, or in possession of great technology. Either way, he is a good soul, so we welcome him.”

Nonnie:      “I need to sit down!” (She resumes her seat on the bench and both men sit on either side of her. She looks at John sternly) “We’ll talk later!” (She turns to Bingham) “Doctor John tells me you’re having an election here. Why? You have absolute control of the government now – you can do anything you want! Why mess with that?”

Bingham:     (Bingham smiles at her brash speech.) “Madam, I find you delightfully refreshing! Simply put, I believe it is the will of the Gods as revealed to me through the Earthers.”

Nonnie:     (Pauses, glances at John, and then locks eyes with Bingham) “Alright, I won’t question your beliefs, but tell me, why do you think this democracy will work to save your society from mayhem?”

Bingham:     “Mayhem…” (pauses and frowns thoughtfully) “that’s an apt word to use. First, I tire of governing alone and dealing with the opponents of reform. I need a strong leader, chosen by the people and blessed by the Gods, to help me finish the job.”

Nonnie:     “I don’t suppose you have anyone in mind for that job…”

Bingham:     “But of course, Madam! ArcGeneral Liz Hastings is the only person for this sacred task!”

Nonnie:     “A woman! Really?” (Nonnie glances at John with an astonished look before turning back to Harvey Bingham)  “I was told that your church doesn’t approve of women in leadership roles.”

Bingham:     “Elizabeth Hastings is no ordinary woman… she is my candidate for President!”

Nonnie:     (Looks at the cleric with approval in her eyes) “Well, I just have to meet this woman. John, do you…

John:     (Lays his left hand on Nonnie’s arm) “As you wish…”

I wrote this piece of fiction with Nonnie’s permission and she enjoyed the finished product. I went on to pen twenty more of these interviews on planet Genesis. I hope you enjoyed it too!

Thank you for visiting us at Fiora Books today! Before you leave (and don’t forget to leave a comment that will give you a chance at the $10 Amazon gift card up for grabs), please check out my books and their trailers at:  https://fiorabooksbyjohnfioravanti.home.blog/reflections-inspirational-quotes-and-interpretations/

If You Turn Away From This, What Does It Say About You? #RRBC #RWISA @nonniejules @BravoTV

An excellent post by Nonnie Jules that eloquently states why none of us should be sitting on our hands watching the Black Lives Matter movement unfold.

Watch Nonnie Write!

A MUST SEE!

Friends, we are living through some very difficult times.  To me, it almost feels as if we’re all in this boiling pot and at any given moment, we’re all going to just boil right over.  Systemic racism is a real thing and it’s clear by the marches and peaceful protests that are taking place right now all over the world, that it isn’t just the black community who is angry – everyone with a conscience is pissed at what is going on right before our eyes.  And, because these protests and marches house more than just those from the black community, maybe now, change is really going to take place … positive change, that is.

I was excited when I learned that the network, BRAVO, had gathered and produced a show with cast members from various shows of their network, to discuss this racial climate we’re living…

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#RRBC #Writers’ #Conference & #Book #Expo – #WCBE20! @RRBC_Org

Jan Sikes has done a great job introducing our Fifth Annual Rave Reviews Book Club Writers’ Conference and Book Expo. Please check it out!

Writing and Music

Wow! It’s almost time for this fabulous Writers’ Conference to kickoff and it promises to be one for the books! Literally!

What better way to enhance your writing skills, interact with other authors, find new books to read, play games, win prizes and all from the comfort of your home!!

Five years ago, when Nonnie Jules, created this conference. there were few, if any, virtual conferences taking place. We were all still enjoying getting out and attending physical events. But now, in the midst of this pandemic, virtual conferences are the new normal. I say this just to demonstrate the innovative thinking of our fearless leader!

The RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB is an international book club dedicated to reading and giving honest reviews. But it is SO much more. It is a community of writers who develop friendships, encourage each other, uplift each other, and support each other in so…

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Shining The Spotlight on Nonnie Jules!

#RWISA Author Nonnie Jules

Banner: Shining The Spotlight on Nonnie Jules

Nonnie (aka Wonder Woman) has been super busy organizing the 5th Annual #RRBC Writers’ Conference & Book Expo (a super-duper virtual literary event!!!!), so a group of us decided we would shine the spotlight on her.

Please support an author who gives tirelessly and selflessly (on steroids!) to other authors every day of the year. So, as well as sharing our posts & tweets, please buy her books, and post your honest reviews.

#RRBC and #RWISA – Let’s make some NONNIE NOISE!!!!

 

Nonnie Jules – President & Founder of:

RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB {RRBC} and RAVE WRITERS – INT’L SOCIETY OF AUTHORS {RWISA}.

“As a writer who values the (polished) written word, it is my mission to help my fellow authors understand that their reputation as a writer should be treated as a rare treasure and that the only way to be taken seriously in this business, is to ensure that your writing (no matter the forum) is impeccably written and well-edited.”

 

Nonnie’s RRBC Author Page

https://ravereviewsbookclub.wordpress.com/about-nonnie-jules-nonniejules-rrbc-rwisa/

 

 

You can find Nonnie’s books listed under the following categories in the RRBC Catalog:

–Non-Fiction

–Novels

–Parenting & Relationships

–Poetry

–Short Story

 

Her Latest Release: No Pedigree

Book Cover: No Pedigree

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083SB1RMN

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Baylee never quite fit in…anywhere. She was taunted and teased because her clothes had no designer labels, and spit upon because her only pair of shoes had holes in the bottom. The butt of many jokes, she was excluded from all social activities, sneered at by the parents of her peers after school as she waited for the bus, watching them drive away in their fancy cars; assaulted in the most unthinkable fashion.

Having been born to a white father and a black native American mother didn’t make things any easier. In fact, that circumstance made her life ten times harder – until the day she made them all stand up, take notice, and regret every ugly word and deed they had inflicted upon her.

No Pedigree Book Trailer:

Nonnie Jules Revolution Banner

Nonnie’s RWISA Author Page:

https://ravewriters.wordpress.com/meet-the-authors/author-nonnie-jules/

Watch out for Wonder-Jules truth lasso!

Wonder Woman with lasso

 

Social Media Links

Contact via:

Email:  nonniejules@gmail.com

Twitter:  @nonniejules & @AskTheGoodMommy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByNonnie/

 

Blog/Websites:

Books By Nonnie

Watch Nonnie Write!

Ask The Good Mommy

4WillsPublishing

 

#RRBC #RWISA Thanks for supporting Author, Nonnie Jules!

Good People Doing Good Things – Teens

Jill Dennison presents three stories about teenagers who can teach us all a lot about honesty and other important virtues!

Filosofa's Word

Teenagers mostly get a bad rap … it has always been so.  Granted, sometimes it is deserved, for they are at that awkward age where they’re no longer a child, yet not an adult, either.  And then there are the hormones, but we’ll leave that alone.  Anyway, every now and then a number of teens who have been doing good things for others come onto my radar and I like to shine a spotlight on them.  This week is one of those times …

Two high school sophomores in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Kylee Kruse and Aidan Martin were shopping for groceries at Harps when they stumbled across six hundred dollars folded in half on the floor.

Instead of pocketing the cash, they decided to turn it over to a store employee.

“Obviously it wasn’t like an easy, simple, ‘okay let’s just turn it in’, but we knew we had to…

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Good People Doing Good Things

Jill Dennison presents some true heroes today who put others in need before themselves. Hats off to these heroes and to Jill who researched them and presented their stories.

Filosofa's Word

If it’s Wednesday, then it must be time for us to go in search of some good people, yes?  Oh wait … I think I see one over there …

His name is Kent Chambers and he is a teacher at Bob Jones High School in Madison, Alabama.  Since Mr. Chambers is still working, although teaching his math classes online, he and his wife did not have a pressing need for their stimulus check last month.  So, he and his wife anonymously donated $1,200 of their check pay the utility bills for some of the student’s families who he knew were struggling.  They also donated $600 to the burn care center at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio, because the hospital has taken good care of his niece since she was hurt in a house fire.Kent-ChambersSays Mr. Chambers …

“I’m actually in better shape because I’m not having…

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Universal Basic Income-Let’s Have a Conversation-Part two

This is an excellent post outlining the pros and cons of a Universal Basic Income program. Perhaps after fighting this pandemic, we are ready to put a well-crafted policy in place!

On The Fence Voters

It was nice to see House Speaker Nancy Pelosi admit in an interview yesterday that it might be time to start looking into a minimum basic salary for the American people. Her weighing in at this time tells us we might be ready for a real debate.

I began a discussion last week into what Universal Basic Income (UBI) is and what it could look like in the United States. Again, while there are many variations of such a plan, for the sake of our discussion here, I’d like to stick with the Andrew Yang version, which purports to give every American citizen a $1,000 per month stipend beginning at age 18, regardless of income.

Would such a plan work in America? It depends. UBI would represent a fundamental reshaping of how we deal with income inequality and the social welfare state. It would be a radical shift, and the…

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