Ready or Not

The recent events of teen suicide due to bullying (e.g., cyber-bullying, streaming videos of private encounters) have increased our concern and need to get our second book ready for publication.  I know we’ve probably bothered Ellen DeGeneres too much already, but I want to let her know about the second book we’re working on before she starts ignoring us completely.  

With any luck, she might want to look at this one before our first one.  If we can jump-start the process on our second book, we’d get the message out faster.  If Ellen would rather pass, that’s her choice, but we tried…

Bullying and, in particular, cyber-bullying have become a frequent practice among American youth.  Incidents are reaching such daunting results that state legislatures are rapidly adopting measures to try to control the epidemic.  For instance, Florida Legislature has adopted an anti-bullying law in April 2008.  This Florida law prohibits bullying and harassment of any public K-12 student or employee, and requires public schools to adopt measures to protect students and employees from the physical and psychological effects of bullying and harassment.   Forty-two other states have anti-bullying laws, which are constantly being updated.

Our book, Ready or Not — Life’s Coming at Ya, tackles this subject along with other serious subjects.  Life is not a fairytale; therefore, this book is not colored with fairytale endings.  Because the journey is not an easy one, the book deals with challenging issues head on.  There are no detours, no shortcuts, and no apologies.  Whether this book is read or not, each of us has to plow through the issues — ready or not.  In our opinion, Ready or Not… would give its readers some company and support along the way. 

Within this book’s pages lives a likeable, yet self-conscious, mentor.  Throughout the book, she shares her fears and insecurities, while she manages to deal with her demons — real and unreal.  In this way, we get to see what is hidden in the dark shadows that we all fear.  Our mentor openly exposes her own struggles and acknowledges that she is — and will always be — a work-in-process.  Each day presents another chance to do better.  This simple fact helps us become more accepting of our differences and more comfortable with our continuous journey.

Ready or Not — Life’s Coming at Ya begins with a short little story that tells of a young stallion’s yearnings to be free… but he learns too late that he was not as prepared as he had thought.

Part I concentrates on the transition from dependence to independence.  The book paints a realistic portrait of how one deals with the emotions of shedding the protective wrap of childhood to emerge as an independent individual.

Part 2 focuses on the importance of interdependency.  It’s an interesting paradox that, to assure our own survival and happiness, we need to focus on other people.  It reveals the fact that we need to cultivate social connections and strong social relationships.  If we don’t, we will be lost and devastated when adversity comes our way.  

Part 3 is a very intense section.  It takes on tough subjects such as bullying, rape, child abuse, sexual assault, addictions, etc.  Its mission is to show us how to deal with life’s challenges by putting into practice all that was revealed in the previous two sections. 

Ready or Not — Life’s Coming at Ya is intended to help prepare us for what lies ahead.  By the end of the book, those courageous enough to take on its challenges will be more ready than not…



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