If you need a reminder about what is truly important
in life, run out and get the provocative and heartwarming new book, Footprints
in the Sand: A Disabled Woman's Inspiring Journey to Happiness.
Josie Varga's true story of unyielding determination will challenge readers
to concentrate on the positive no matter what life may bring.
Based on the autho's life and the many challenges
she encountered due to having cerebral palsy, severe bilateral hearing
loss and skin cancer, the book details how she refused to give up and later
finds success, love and happiness.
Once the reader begins, the book is very difficult
to put down. Each and every page is jam-packed with strong emotion
as the author hooks her readers from one chapter in her life to the next.
"Despite my relentless efforts to gain the acceptance
of others, I was often ridiculed and picked on," she writes. "There
were many people who did not accept me and probably still don't today.
The difference is back then I thought I had to make everyone like me.
But today, I know that it is impossible to satisfy everyone. And
I'm O.K. with that because the only person I need to satisfy is me."
Although this story is autobiographical, Varga writes
with a compelling style that grips the reader like a suspense novel.
Readers feel as though the author is actually talking to them because of
the book's very conversational manner which makes it flow easily from start
to finish.
Throughout the book, Varga talks openly about many
events in her life which teach readers lessons about life in general.
Here are a few inspirational examples:
*"It's all up to you. You can't blame every
little misfortune in your life on someone or something."
*"You and only you control your destiny."
*"It's not what happens to you in life that matters,
but how you choose to respond."
*"You can't go back to yesterday and you don't even
know if you will have tomorrow. The one thing that is for sure
is today."
*"It is only in giving that we truly receive."
Referring to her disability as her strength,
Varga notes that she would not change the fact that she was born with cerebral
palsy. "In many ways, my disability has made me rich. No, I don't
mean by way of money, but rather that I am a better person," she writes.
"I've learned to appreciate the simple things in life. I am surrounded
by friends and family who love me. I have a wonderful husband and
two beautiful girls. Love is what makes you rich, not money."
Sue Hershkowitz-Coore, a well-known speaker
and author, calls Varga both a blessing and an inspiration! "Josie,
you wrote an amazing, awesome, incredible book. It is & you are
such an inspiration. Your story is so interesting, youíve
dealt with so much, and you are a blessing to so many. Your story,
your grace and graciousness will help people with any type of disability
whether it's physical or less obvious. I am just in awe!"
The last chapter is followed by an inspiring epilogue
by Rich Lee, a friend who died in the World Trade Center attacks on September
11, 2001. Two years prior to his death, Lee had written about the
death of his father in which he talks about the importance of life.
His message is so powerful the reader can almost feel his voice.
This is a book that will stir every possible human
emotion in its readers. They will laugh and cry and even feel angry
at times. And when they finally come to the end, readers will discover
a priceless lesson or two about life. This is a book that should
be read by all.
Editor's Note: Footprints in the Sand: A Disabled Woman's Inspiring Journey to Happiness (ISBN: 1-4137-0696-7) is available anywhere online, or can be ordered from any bookstore. For more information or to contact the author, please visit her website at: http://www.josievarga.com
Author Bio
Josie Varga does not consider herself disabled and
never will. Her handicap, she believes, is her strength not her weakness.
Despite having both cerebral palsy and severe bilateral
hearing loss, her relentless determination brings her success and happiness
as she lives a dream come true preferring to focus on the positive not
the negative.
Discovering her passion for writing as a little girl
growing up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, she went on to earn a degree in journalism
and, after many setbacks, worked her way up to director of communications
and editor of a well-known association where she met such sports personalities
as Fran Tarkenton (former Minnesota Vikings Quarterback) and the late Walter
Payton (former Chicago Bears Wide Receiver).. She also interviewed country
music signer and Grammy Award Winner Lee Greenwood, among others.
Josephine later became a successful communications
consultant while at the same time authoring her first book, Footprints
in the Sand: A Disabled Woman's Inspiring Journey to Happiness.
In her book, she discusses what itís like living
with a disability in a society that has little patience for imperfection.
She introduces her readers to the positive lessons she learned along the
way and encourages them to strive to overcome.
Josephine lives in Westfield, New Jersey with her
husband and two children.
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