Suzee: How did the two of you meet?
Maura: Ann and I met at the very first Holistic Center I opened
back in 2012. We became fast friends and discovered shared beliefs with our
Spirituality, as well as both coming from a corporate background first. We
bonded over how those important paths could both blend together as a
lived-experience. And even how we could recover from them.
Ann: When I met Maura at the
holistic center she was walking in the door as I was walking out after
attending an event. I remember either saying it to her or saying it to
myself..."There's a lot of people following her around". Meaning she
wasn't alone, but it wasn't till we really connected that I realized they were
the Angels. I could just feel them around her :)
Suzee: When did you decide to write the book together?
Maura: Since we are both teachers of multiple topics, we decided to teach some Classes together. Those went so well, and almost formatted into what the book has became today. We were teaching the exact material and it just formed into becoming a workbook of sorts, and then progressed from there, almost as taking on a life of its own, as we say.
Ann: Maura had started writing a different book and she talked about the writing group she belonged to. I was interested in publishing a book that I had already been writing and we got to talking because of our shared topics. The rest is what Maura said above.
Suzee: What were some of the most important takeaways/messages that you wanted for the reader?
Maura: One the most important messages I want for the reader is realizing that through curiosity and small steps you can be embracing a new life today. By learning about and expressing your emotions, choosing what your beliefs are now, without anyone else's influence, can give you the permission you need to finally be free. It may start with vulnerability but it can end with empowerment.
Ann: I want people to use their curiosity and awareness ALWAYS. My passion in life is for all people to understand that the answers are already inside our amazing, divine, intelligence and not outside somewhere for someone else to 'fix'. We have all we need inside, but we need new tools and support to ignite that inner knowing. We are here to be connected in community and to support one another.
Suzee: What was the writing process like? I have a lot of busy females as readers, and we are always trying to make time for creativity. When did you find time? How long did it take?
Maura: The writing process was a little ... excruciating, to be honest. We had to make the time by clearing our schedules. It was not so much getting the ideas and stories down. It was blending both our voices, putting those stories and material together, getting them to flow in a way that honored the work.
We decided to lock ourselves in a few hotel rooms for like . .3 day intervals at a time. We did that a few times. We commandeered a library for 9 hours one day. We worked solo for hours on end. Then getting it all to the publisher and going through the editing journey. WELL. Let's just say it was not a pretty process for us ;-) !! From start to finish, with covid in between, it took a few years actually.
Suzee: Was it hard to put in print the struggles that you have had?
Maura: I have been sharing about my personal struggles and challenges for many years in Women's Circles, my classes, etc . . . putting it into print was not that difficult for me. I was open to this next step of sharing.
Ann: Like Maura said above I too share my story with others, but putting it in print for me was a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of people that didn't know my story when I was younger and I was concerned about them putting the pieces together on my abuser. It was the vulnerability, but now that it's out there I'm good with it. I know it helps others not to feel alone.
Suzee: Do you wish you had written this book earlier, or, as many of us believe, there is a time for everything?
Maura: We tried to birth this book at other times. More than once even. I fully believe the Universe had the upper hand in when this was going to come out. So I have to agree that there really IS a set time for some things to manifest.
Suzee: Now something about each of you
individually:
Three of your favorite fiction books:
Maura:
Every Book Sidney Sheldon has ever written!
Charlottes Webb - by E.B.White
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy
Maura:
Louise Hay ~ You Can heal Your Life
Sonia Coquette ~ Trust Your Vibes
Melody Beattie ~ Codependent No More
Ann:
Hagitude, by Sharon Blackie - I think it qualifies as self-help
The Practice is the Path, by Tias Little
Wild Mercy by Mirabai Starr
Some women you admire:
Louise Hay ~ You Can heal Your Life
Sonia Coquette ~ Trust Your Vibes
Melody Beattie ~ Codependent No More
Hagitude, by Sharon Blackie - I think it qualifies as self-help
The Practice is the Path, by Tias Little
Wild Mercy by Mirabai Starr
Some women you admire:
Maura:
My own Mom, Patricia Bertotti. My Mom created so many changes where we grew up, being involved in multiple meaningful movements, mostly through the church. She supported the home for unwed mothers, the first food pantry, the first aids foundation in our town. She fed and administered to the homeless, she ran charity events monthly. She was literally a friend to all she met.
She raised four children and influenced and touched the lives of so many people. To what extent, I only found out through the stories shared in the days the Community mourned her. Story after story about how many lives were changed and altered by something my Mom did to help someone. It is who she was at her core.
Mary McLeod Bethune, born in 1875. Maura gave me a book about this woman, written by Noliwe Rooks. I was just fascinated by her story, courage and bravery!!
Saint Teresa of Avila, born in 1515. She was an amazing mystic for her time and she did a lot for women through her work.
My female ancestors for all the lived experiences that they had that brought me here into this lifetime. They were all pretty amazing women, living in difficult times.
Advice to your younger self (any age, you pick!)
Maura: Ohhh. The advice I would give to my younger self is, Please learn all about healthy self-esteem. Learn how to view yourself in a positive light, how to truly value and to respect who you are, in all ways. This is foundation to build on that can save you a lot of missteps in life.
Ann: My 35 year old self: Save yourself the headache and don't worry about what other people will think, they don't think about you that much anyway. Just walk away when enough is enough.
Best thing about being the age you are now:
Maura: As I age, I see things through a kaleidoscope. Our lives made up of the multiple colored shards we have lived through. The best thing about this age is seeing those shards as a tapestry and not a littered war zone we left behind. We (I) can appreciate the beauty more.
Ann: I love being my age. There's less pressure about so many things. My wisdom energy is high, my tolerance for bullshit is low. My boundaries are pretty clear and I'm enjoying the nowness of life.
A movie you think that has a powerful message for people who need to recover from something
Maura:
Jaws.
Don't go in the water if there is a shark around.
What Dreams May
Come. This lesser known Robin Williams
movie is very heavy and difficult. However it is the best depiction in a movie
I have ever seen regarding
depression. It is an eye opener. It addresses the reality of how the longer we
stay in the darker energies, the more difficult it is to get out. And what is
needed to make that change. I can't do it justice with words. But
*** This movie should come with a trigger warning.
Ann:
Inside Out is a great movie for everyone. It's geared towards younger people, but it has a deep message for every age.
Inside Out is a great movie for everyone. It's geared towards younger people, but it has a deep message for every age.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ann Merli / Cardinal Way Wellness
Maura Bertotti