I am interested in overcoming adversity. Also overcoming sloth, gluttony, laziness, and pride. I think those are four of the seven deadly sins, no? (Does anybody actually remember what the seven deadly sins are?) I struggle with overcoming all of these bad traits on a daily basis. Or at least weekly. 
So when Nikki Leigh offered me the chance to be a blog stop on the Overcomers book tour, I said, hell yeah. I can get on board the Overcomers wagon, despite the vaguely sexual ring to the title, and write a post about it that will totally inspire people. To begin with, let's define overcome. Here are some of the words that I found on my Mac thesaurus (which is way better than the Microsoft thesaurus by the way. Waaaaaay better. Just sayin'.):
beat, conquer, trounce, thrash, rout, vanquish, overwhelm, overpower, get the better of, triumph over, prevail over, win over/against, outdo, outclass, worst, crush; informal drub, slaughter, clobber, hammer, lick, best, crucify, demolish, wipe the floor with, make mincemeat of, blow out of the water, take to the cleaners, shellac, skunk.
Um, those are awesome words, verbs all, and I welcome you to use steal them and use them whenever you want. I especially like the verbs trounce, thrash and vanquish. I have learned to vanquish fears about getting my novel published. Nice sentence, the verb really pumps it up. But we are not here to discuss verbs today, we are here to discuss this new book. Here's the deal: when you order the book you get over 85 free gifts.
Just in case you don't have a clue what the book might be about after reading the post (and I can't say I blame you), I've compiled some interviews and excerpts for you. We begin with some information from the book's introduction, written by publisher Lynne Kippel: 
At one point in my life it seemed like
everywhere I looked, I saw tragedy. My brother,
both of my parents, and a dear friend were all
battling cancer at the same time. Other friends
were losing jobs and fearful about the prospects
of finding new work. The evening news was full
of financial scandals, plant closings,
kidnappings, and war.
As I sat in the sun on my front porch in March
2009, I wished I had a book to send to my
brother to read during his chemotherapy
treatments – something to remind him that he was
not alone and to encourage him to fight for his
life. I wanted a book that could give him hope,
inspiration, and encouragement on every page.
Due to a series of miracles, the book you are
now reading is my wish come true. In a very
short time a team of wonderful people came
together to create this book with just one
purpose: to encourage you, the reader, to
overcome whatever obstacles are lying in your
path to happiness.
As you read the stories in this book, you will
find real life tales of remarkable courage,
strength, and perseverance. You will be
inspired, entertained, and uplifted. Some of the
stories will make you laugh. Some of them will
make you cry. All of them will make you proud of
the power of the human spirit.
You will find this a book of diversity. There
are many authors, from many walks of life.
However, they all share a common bond. They
triumphed over tragedy and gleaned wisdom in
this process. While this is not a religious
book, there are stories full of faith, of many
kinds and flavors. It is funny how in your
darkest times, faith often becomes your
brightest light.
All of the contributors to this book want to
encourage you to hold tight to your belief that
a better day will come. It is their sincere
desire to pass along what they’ve learned
through their own trials, to make your journey
easier.
I hope that you wear this book out by
highlighting meaningful passages and bending
down the corners of the pages you want to read
over and over again. There is true wisdom in
these pages that can help you feel strong,
brave, and hopeful.
May you be blessed by this book and inspired to
overcome!
Lynne Klippel
St. Peters, Missouri
September, 2009
And just to whet your appetite, here is another excerpt from the book. This one is from Charlon Bobo. I'll be honest here, I chose the excerpt because first of all I like Charlon's name and second I like her photo. I think Charlon and I could totally be buds:
One Woman’s Empowering Journey From Fragmented
Child To Conscious Entrepreneur
Charlon Bobo
As strange as it even seems to me at times, the
lessons of my childhood journey are applicable
to every aspect of my life, including the
everyday operations of my soulful business. As a
conscious entrepreneur, I pull from this
experience often to guide me. I’d like to share
with you the five key lessons of my pilgrimage.
1.
Protective mechanisms are in place whether or
not I realize or acknowledge them.
I don’t always understand why a project fails to
materialize or a serious prospect seems to
change her mind. I do know there exists an
over-arching structure and order that conspires
on my behalf to bring about my highest personal
and professional growth. Whatever that wisdom, I
can trust it absolutely.
2.
My ”story” doesn’t define who I am.
I am a vibrant business owner who grows every
day, and occasionally stumbles and falls on my
bum! Because I constantly create myself anew,
nothing from my past can effectively define or
imprison me. I consciously choose to “bring my
best game” to every day and know that’s enough.
3.
Innate wisdom effortlessly guides me to the most
opportune time to take action.
When in doubt, I do nothing until ultimate
clarity presents itself. Although daily action
is a crucial component in accomplishing my
goals, I can also watch nature and use Her
guidance to positively influence my actions.
Nature provides a silent, fallow season – winter
– to turn inward to rest and restore. Using this
model, I reap the most benefit from my efforts.
Smart living requires me to balance action with
equal inaction.
4.
My history doesn’t determine my level of
success.
I can accomplish any lofty goal I imagine
regardless of any perceived limitations. The
past doesn’t dictate my future. I gift myself
the pleasure and freedom to envision a life of
my design. Family-of-origin, childhood
circumstances, real or perceived impediments,
lack of skills, none of these compare to the
capacity of the human spirit to realize dreams.
5.
I choose victimhood or empowerment every day
with my words, thoughts, and actions.
We do not control the actions of others and yet
we may be drawn into their drama. Like cast
members of a play, energetically we agreed to
these roles to teach AND learn. No matter my
external circumstances, my responses can only
come from one of two places: damage or
abundance. I choose abundance.
May you be profoundly blessed by reading my
story and take from it any value that forever
nourishes your soul.
From Overcomers, Inc.; True Stories
of Hope, Courage and Inspiration. To get your
own copy and receive dozens of bonus gifts go to
http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch
Wise words, and there are more in the book itself. So check it out.
