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Reflections of a Colored Girl: A Journey of Resilience and TriumphDive into the heart and soul of America's racial history with "Reflections of a Colored Girl" by Dr. Martha R. Bireda, a riveting memoir that not only narrates the personal life story of Dr. Bireda but also serves as a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. This book transcends the boundaries of a traditional memoir, offering readers a deep, historical context wrapped around the lived experiences of a woman who has been called by many names-colored, negro, Black, African American, and person of color. Dr. Bireda, with her profound wisdom, brings forth a story that echoes the essence of survival, excellence, and unyielding courage.Highlights of the Book:A Resonant Personal Journey: From her early days in a segregated Florida to her remarkable achievements, Dr. Bireda's life is a testament to overcoming immense societal barriers with grace and unwavering determination.Beyond Memoir: This book offers a compelling look into the dynamic societal shifts of the past century, as seen through the eyes of someone who has lived through significant moments of American history.A Multi-Dimensional Experience: Enhanced by a series of NPR radio essays and an upcoming PBS documentary, Dr. Bireda's story is not just read but experienced, providing a rich tapestry of her life's work and insights.Empowerment and Legacy: A narrative that shines a light on the power of hope, education, and community in forging a life of significance and impact, serving as a source of inspiration for many.A Vibrant Tapestry of Life and Legacy:"Reflections of a Colored Girl" celebrates Dr. Bireda's journey amidst life's tumults, from personal trials to natural disasters, showcasing her extraordinary resilience. It's a narrative enriched by her public engagements, echoing a wisdom that has touched many lives through her NPR features and PBS documentary. This memoir is a profound exploration of life's complexities, a story of overcoming and triumph.An Ode to the Unsung Heroes:This book extends beyond Dr. Bireda's personal story, paying tribute to the countless individuals who have faced and conquered adversity. Inspired by the legacies of cultural giants like Zora Neale Hurston and the strength of community bonds, "Reflections of a Colored Girl" challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions of an era, revealing the genuine narrative of resilience and empowerment.Embark on this mesmerizing journey with Dr. Bireda as she shares her life from the challenges of her birth in a segregated South to the wisdom of her years. This memoir is a dedication to the spirits that have guided her, the communities that have supported her, and the enduring power of hope and self-reliance. "Reflections of a Colored Girl" is not just a book; it's an experience, a history lesson, and a source of inspiration all in one.

When it comes to the topic of recovered memories, the fields of psychiatry and psychology appear as a house divided against itself. Many practitioners have stumbled upon at least one credible patient who spontaneously "recovers' long­ repressed (forgotten) memories of childhood horror and abuse. The remembering of these incidents, along with expressing the accompanying appropriate emotion, seems to afford the patient the capacity to release toxic feelings and begin a journey of healing.But along comes a group, the False Memory Society (FMSF), who make a persuasive claim that memory can be altered, tampered with, or even created by people of influence upon suggestible others. The natural byproduct of such claims, of course, is the notion that psychotherapists, intentionally or not, may be guilty of creating "false memories" for their clients. Perhaps worse still, these false memories contribute to serious allegations against parents and other innocent adults of abuse of all sorts, especially sexual.Granted, some less competent practitioners have encouraged the creation and/or embellishment of accounts of childhood abuse and attracted media attention. The resulting skepticism casts doubt over all recovered memories, genuine or not. Likewise, therapists who have facilitated a client's recovery of legitimately repressed memory have also come under fire.While resolving this issue is beyond the scope of this book, my intention is to illustrate that the mind, for reasons of self-protection, has the capacity to repress traumatic material, create discrete storage compartments (alter personalities), and tuck away memories forever or until stimulated later in life.This book also explores other controversial issues within (and without) the mental health field: the concept of true multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder); the existence of devil-worshipping cults comprised of people of money, power, and influence; the spiritual reality of God, Satan, and demonic forces, and the impact of such upon human beings.My purpose is not to settle controversies but to describe what happened to me and around me--a psychologist--in the course of treating several similarly afflicted patients.This book is not for the faint of heart. Yet woven throughout the material is hope, courage, and inspiration.Although I have changed all names and identifying details of my patients for purposes of confidentiality, the book is based entirely on actual events. I would like to thank these individuals for their permission to share the compelling events of their lives. Here are their stories.

Punta Gorda has been described as "the little town that unity built". It has been characterized as having a "unique sociology" due to its biracial settlement and development. Built by its founders on the principles of mutual respect and shared prosperity, Punta Gorda's history serves as a model for our country in demonstrating the power of societal unity.Punta Gorda was founded by both black and white pioneers despite Florida's Jim Crow laws. Together they created a society where all members of their community could thrive. This book is the story of the values that sustained Punta Gorda's early African American pioneers.The traditional values held by the African American pioneers that settled Punta Gorda enabled the community to survive and thrive. These values that were passed generation to generation from 1885 to the late 1960's, were learned by one of the authors herself as a girl growing up in Punta Gorda, Florida, and passed down to her son, the co-author of this book.Using old photographs and newspaper articles, the 8 core values learned by the children of Punta Gorda are shared with young readers aged 8 to 13. The values taught in Punta Gorda were typical of those held by the descendants of enslaved people who established communities after the turn of the century. This book provides youth with an opportunity to seek and utilize primary sources to gain a window into the past, while helping them develop their critical thinking and interpersonal skills.

This book integrates the Ifa 16 Major Oracles of 256 Ifa Signs (16 x 16 System) with the 64 I-Ching Hexagrams (8 x 8 System) to allow readers to function with both systems independently. The Ifa Intellectual System was inscribed in 2008 on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Humanity. UNESCO describes the Ifa divination system as follows: "The Ifa divination system, which makes use of an extensive corpus of texts and mathematical formulas, is practiced among Yoruba communities and by the African diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean. The word Ifa refers to the mystical figure Ifa or Orunmila, regarded by the Yoruba as the deity of wisdom and intellectual development. In contrast to other forms of divination in the region that employ spirit mediumship, Ifa divination does not rely on a person having oracular powers but rather on a system of signs that are interpreted by a diviner, the Ifa priest or babalawo, literally "the priest's father". The Ifa divination system is applied whenever an important individual or collective decision has to be made. The Ifa literary corpus, called odu, consists of 256 parts subdivided into verses called ese, whose exact number is unknown as they are constantly increasing (there are around 800 ese per odu). Each of the 256 odu has its specific divination signature, which is determined by the babalawo using sacred palm-nuts and a divination chain. The ese, considered the most important part of Ifa divination, are chanted by the priests in poetic language. The ese reflect Yoruba history, language, beliefs, cosmovision and contemporary social issues. The knowledge of Ifa has been preserved within Yoruba communities and transmitted among Ifa priests." According to Yoruba tradition, Orunmila was the being present at the time of Creation (Big Bang), therefore having knowledge of the blueprint of the universe. The Big Bang is described as the Odu, the Original Mother, the Mother of All Creation, as the Cosmic Womb that give birthto the forces of expansion and contraction that comprise the universe. These forces, which can be understood as binary in nature, assembled into 16 metaphysical patterns. From these 16 emerged another 240 combinations of expansion and contraction. These principles range from pure light (pure expansion) to pure darkness (pure contraction). We are the living embodiments of these metaphysical principles. Through research, it has been found that Ifa was developed over 11,000 years ago in N.E. Africa. The original 8-bit form of Ifa is still practiced today in Nigeria among the Yoruba and Benin (Ifa); in Benin/Dahomey among the Fon (Fa); in Togo and Ghana among the Ewe (Afa); in North Africa among the Arabs (Ilm al Raml) and (Khatt al Raml); in Madagascar among the Malagasy (Sikidy); and among the people of the African Diaspora located through N. America, S. America, & the Caribbean, found in Santeria, Candomble, Macumba, and Vodou. It is noted in the Yoruba tradition that Orunmila visited China. It is postulated that I-ching, a 6-bit binary system, is a subset of Ifa that arrived in China between 5,300 and 6,000 years ago. Readers can utilize any I Ching book with interpretation preferences along with the geomancy tetragrams in this book. Included in this book are the Sixty-four I Ching Hexagrams with unique author interpretations along with one imbedded tetragram corresponding to both Pen-Kua, and Hu-Kua Hexagrams. The Tetragrams explanations are the same sixteen geomancy codes found in the beginning of the book. This book is designed to function with both systems independently, and as explained above enhancing one another.

This book has been compiled based on the author''s experience in coordinating international pandemic planning during the Avian Flu (H5N1), Swine Flu (H1N1), Measles and Dengue Fever outbreaks between 2008 and 2013, and governmental planning for hurricanes and typhoons between 2013 and 2020. This book provides lists of items recommended to be included in emergency survival kits for the home, office, school, car, boat, and pets. Each list is accompanied by a picture of what the contents of fully assembled kit looks like. Also included are lists of supplemental items to include in your survival kits for hurricane/typhoon/tornado, earthquake, pandemic flu, hygiene, child safety, and roadside and severe weather. Also included in this book is a template for creating a Family Emergency Plan.

coordinación de la planificación internacional para pandemias durante losbrotes de gripe aviar (H5N1), gripe porcina (H1N1), sarampión y dengueentre 2008 y 2013, y la planificación gubernamental para huracanes y tifonesentre 2013 y 2020 .Este libro proporciona listas de artículos que se recomienda incluir en equiposde supervivencia de emergencia para el hogar, la oficina, la escuela,el automóvil, el bote y las mascotas. Cada lista va acompañada de una imagende cómo se ve el contenido del equipo completamente ensamblado.También se incluyen listas de artículos complementarios para incluir en susequipos de supervivencia para huracanes / tifones / tornados, terremotos,gripe pandémica, higiene, seguridad infantil y condiciones climáticas severasy en la carretera. Además, hay una plantilla para crear un Plan deemergencia familiar.

The Incomplete Sorcerer is an adventure set in the ancient past, when the magical arts were still used. The adventures of Alar, a young, untrained magician, desperately trying to save his love and the realm by defeating an incredibly evil master sorcerer, all while using a spell book missing the most important parts of each spell. The chaotic misfiring of the spells make the man's adventures both heart pounding and humorous.

Obi: Seminole Maroon is a fictionalized account of the daring escape of a 15 year old enslaved young man and his friends from a cotton plantation in South Carolina who find refuge among the Seminoles of Florida. The story follows Obi's meeting with the mysterious Quashee, his transformation from slave to freedom seeker and his escape to Florida. Through the "learnings" provided by Quashee, Obi develops the traits essential for his becoming a Maroon leader, establishing a Maroon village, his fighting in the Gullah Wars of Independence, going to Indian Territory out West, and his subsequent escape to Mexico. Obi: Seminole Maroon Freedom Fighter has been reviewed and recommended by a team of educators. One member of the team, a middle school principal has suggested that "The story of Obi is an action adventure that middle school students will love". Martha R. Bireda, Ph.D., is the Founder and Executive Director of the Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County (FL). She is Director of the Museum's Maroon Study Center, and the New Image Project, a project dedicated to positive identity development of youth of color. Dr. Bireda is the author of six books including The Trabue Woods Book of Values, a book for youth designed to teach lessons in values and character. She has previously designed youth curricula including Developing into Womanhood: Tasks and Skills, a curriculum for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Female Initiative Program, administered by the African American Leadership Council; and the Trust for the Development of African American Youth Curriculum and Training Manual for the Greater Tampa Urban League, Tampa, Florida.

Before an individual becomes a godchild, they should be attended to for the soul purpose of getting their life in order. This does not imply giving them entities or initiations right away, especially without them knowing what they are getting into. Individuals need a series of strong ritual work to get rid of the negative karma that they have been exposed to since birth. This is accomplished through consistent readings and ritual work for a period-of-time, along with support in understanding how spirituality works and connecting to it effectively. Hence, this is not an overnight or simple process. This guide is written for both those interesting in exploring cultivating their spirituality in the Ifa-Orisha tradition, as well as Olorishas and Babalawos who are guiding potential godchildren through their development on this path.

Two people go to see a doctor. They both have the same illness. He gives the same treatment to both people. One person heals yet the other does not-why? Is it the doctor? The doctors gave the exact same treatment to both people! This is where it now falls on you the individual. One person took responsibility for their healing and they healed. The other did not and they didn’t heal. Life can and does teach us through sickness. Once you learn the lesson that the sickness is trying to teach you; the sickness goes away! I repeat once you learn the lesson that the sickness is trying to teach you; the sickness goes away!A person can catch a cold or the flu during the winter months. But a person does not catch Cancer or Hepatitis or Lupus. These diseases and most major diseases manifest over various periods of time - not over night! If you are suffering from a major disease, your body has been crying out to you but you didn’t understand what it needed from you to be healthy. You do not yet understand the language in which your body was speaking to you. Now, you are about to embark on your inner journey of self-healing. You will discover how to become your body’s best friend and it will reward you with good health. As you begin to understand what your physical hygiene is, you will grow to understand your Mental and Emotional Hygiene and how important they are to maintain good health as well. All human beings have the power to heal themselves! If a child falls and hurts his/her knee they will immediately put their hand on the knee. If the child has a stomachache they will put their hand on the stomach. Instinctively, the child is placing his or her hand over the area where there is pain. By doing this the child is sending healing energy into their body albeit unconsciously. No one has to teach them to this, children do it naturally!James was stricken with the virus of Hepatitis, first the A virus and then the B virus. James was then afflicted with the Hepatitis C virus which is a deadly killer! The doctors placed him on “Interferon” but all treatments failed. At that point, the doctors said he couldn’t be cured thus he needed to prepare his will and put his house in order. In other words, the doctors told him he was going to die. Yet today James is “Hepatitis Free”. The virus is not dormant. It is not in remission-it is gone! Today James has completely overcome the virus and is Hepatitis Free. Common Sense Healing is the methodology that gives the “Healing Mindset” that he discovered and is critical for the success of those people that doctor say have no hope.James received a medical discharge from the core of U.S. Army doctors at Walson Army Hospital. He became interested in alternative healing methods because he had no other hope. James became a healer by practicing on himself out of necessity. He is a 5th degree Buddhist Healing Master and he has studied “7 Rays”, “Crystal Therapy” and “Sound Therapy”, “Laying on The Hands Light Technique” and has been deeply involved in Meditation over 38 years.

Martha Graham said that dance was the secret language of the soul... NAKED is the literary expression of that dance. “These pages have no organization of thought as I have made a firm attempt to keep my flow as organic and raw as possible. Most of the words tell an experiential tale while others have been inspired by the many elements in life. Each and every expression reveals both love and fear taking form in written word. Some may personally resonate with you while others may not... and such is life through different lenses.”

Tired of unhappy relationships? Do you feel you always choose the wrong person? Do you feel disrespected in the relationship? Are you unable to leave the relationship even though you are unhappy? Then Love Addiction: A Guide to Emotional Independence is the book for you. Love Addiction provides an insightful, step by step guide to help you develop healthy relationship beliefs and behaviors.Learn how to:• Assess your addictive thoughts and behaviors• Change additive thought patterns• Validate and focus on loving yourself• Change unhealthy expectations about relationships• Change your responses in the relationshipLove Addiction is not only a good book for those wanting to change an unhealthy to a healthy relationship but for one who wants to avoid the pitfalls of addictive relationships.

This book was created to provide a fully-illustrated (photographs) reference essential to those who desire a compendium of plants, herbs, and trees utilized in the practice of Ifá-Orisha. This book was created to provide a useful guide for one's reference library. The book is useful for researchers and students of Ifá, Orisha'Ifa, Santería, Afa, Vodou, Candomble, Palo, Kumina, Obeah, Quimbanda, Trinidad Orisha, Spiritual Baptist, Umbanda, Abakuá, 21 Divisiones, Winti, and Nkisi; as well as other nature-based and esoteric traditions. This reference focuses on plants used in Ifá-Orisha spiritual practices in the Americas, but many of these plants can also be found in Africa, tropical and temperate Asia, and Oceania.Each herb is presented in full color along with its Scientific Name, Spanish Name, and Lukumi/Yoruba name. There is also a Spanish - Scientific Name Glossary; and a Yoruba/Lukumi - Scientific Name Glossary.Ewé Osanyin is printed in full color on high-quality paper. It was designed to showcase the beauty of the plant world, making it a stunning coffee table book.The author is an Ivy-League educated expert in cultural studies and traditional African thought systems. He began his formal studies in Yoruba Language and Culture with Dr. Babatunde Lawal. In addition, he has studied with traditionalists in Cuba and West Africa.   He is the director of a research organization in Japan that studies the utilization of indigenous African spiritual-intellectual thought systems as a means of restoring balance and sustainability to families, communities, organizations, and nations. He is a Delegate to the G7/8 Religious Leaders Summit.He is the author of Essential Ifa Reference; How to Rule the World: Lessons of Conquest for the Modern Prince; and co-author of Omowali: The Child Return Home – Reconnecting Our Children with Their True Culture.  

Pathway To Change; A Guide to Personal Transformation provides a "path" or blueprint to free the reader from the societal limitations, personal myths, and erroneous beliefs that prevent the full experience and expression of one's personal power.Pathway to Change -· Addresses the four crucial issues that contribute to one's being "stuck" in patterns that are non-productive and self-destructive; a sense of victimization; a sense of powerlessness; the experience of a crisis in values; and spiritual emptiness.· Helps reader to overcome "being a victim".· Helps the reader to understand "the dynamics of power".· Offers an alternative to the value system based on consumerism and materialism.· Provides a way for the reader to re-connect to a sense of purpose.· Creates an awareness of the root causes of the feelings, choices, and behaviors that keep one disempowered.· Provides a system for modifying negative and self-destructive beliefs and values.· Includes exercises for helping one to develop skills in managing emotions, problems solving, decision-making, and life planning.· Provides strategies for applying the cognitive restructuring concepts discussed in the book to one's major life arenas, e.g. personal relationships, employment, etc.· A reader-friendly way to understand how to change one's life from disempowerment to empowerment.In the over 25 years of her professional career, Dr. Bireda has been committed to the empowerment of individuals and groups. From co-dependency counselor to equity consultant, she has facilitated groups, developed curricula, and written about issues of empowerment. Dr. Bireda's previous work and experience with socio/cultural issues, enabled her to develop Pathway to Change, a program that has been remarkable in its ability to transform the lives of the individuals who used it.