The Celestine Prophecy

http://www.celestinevision.com/

Global Prayer ProjectPrayer, Meditation & Discussion with James & Salle Redfield

http://www.celestinevision.com/telegatherings/conf092308.mp3

The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure

by James Redfield

In the rain forests of Peru, an ancient manuscript has been discovered. Within its pages are 9 key insights into life itself -- insights each human being is predicted to grasp sequentially, one insight then another, as we move toward a completely spiritual culture on Earth.
THE CELESTINE PROPHECY tells a gripping story of adventure and discovery, but is also a guidebook that has the power to crystallize your perceptions of why you are where you are in life--and to direct your steps with a new energy and optimism as you head into tomorrow.
This adventure parable is one of modern publishing's greatest success stories. THE CELESTINE PROPHECY spent over 3 years on the New York Times best sellers list and appeared on lists around the world. It was the #1 international bestseller of 1996 (#2 in 1995); in 1995 and 1996, it was the #1 American book in the world.

When author and therapist James Redfield self-published his first novel in 1993, the immediate ground swell of enthusiasm from booksellers and readers made The Celestine Prophecy one of the most successful self-published books of all time.
Since 1994, when Warner Books published The Celestine Prophecy in hard cover, this adventure parable about a spiritual journey to Peru became one of modern publishing's greatest success stories. According to Publishing Trends, The Celestine Prophecy was the #1 international bestseller of 1996 (#2 in 1995).
In 1995 and 1996, it was the #1 American book in the world. This phenomenal novel spent over 3 years on the New York Times bestsellers list and appeared on lists around the world. In 1996, an eagerly awaited sequel, The Tenth Insight: Holding The Vision, which also became an instant bestseller, joined The Celestine Prophecy. The two books spent a combined 74 weeks on the New York Times list, making James Redfield the best-selling hard cover author in the world in 1996, as cited in BP Report (January 1997).

James Redfield was 43 when he published The Celestine Prophecy, which chronicles Nine Insights into a greater spirituality. He has been keenly interested in human spirituality all of his life. Born on March 19, 1950, he grew up in a rural area near Birmingham, Alabama. From an early age, he was motivated by a need for clarity about spiritual matters. Brought up in a Methodist Church that was loving and community-oriented, he was nevertheless frustrated by a lack of answers to his questions about the true nature of spiritual experience. As a young man, he studied Eastern philosophies, including Taoism and Zen, while majoring in sociology at Auburn University. He later received a Master's degree in counseling and spent more than 15 years as a therapist to abused adolescents. During this time, he was drawn into the human potential movement and turned to it for theories about intuitions and psychic phenomena that would help his troubled clients. All along, Redfield was forming ideas that would eventually find their way into The Celestine Prophecy. In 1989, he quit his job as a therapist to write full-time, synthesizing his interest in interactive psychology, Eastern and Western philosophies, science, futurism, ecology, history, and mysticism.
Using an adventure parable approach that has been called "part Indiana Jones, part Scott Peck," The Celestine Prophecy created a model for spiritual perception and actualization that resonated with millions of people and focused on the mysterious coincidences that occur in each of our lives. Disdaining the spotlight himself, Redfield proclaimed in The Celestine Prophecy that each of us must intuit his own spiritual destiny.
As he writes in The Celestine Vision, his non-fiction title published in 1997, "The actual writing of The Celestine Prophecy occurred from January 1989 through April 1991 and was characterized by a sort of trial-and-error process. Quite amazingly, as I remembered earlier experiences and wrote about them, lacing them into an adventure tale, striking coincidences would occur to emphasize the particular points I wanted to make. Books would show up mysteriously, or I would have timely encounters with the exact sort of individuals I was attempting to describe. Sometimes strangers would open up to me for no apparent reason and tell me about their spiritual experiences." Feeling "kind of stuck" at one point, Redfield went to the high-energy vortexes of Sedona, Arizona-an area that he and many others regard as a sacred place. As he recounts in an interview in Body, Mind, Spirit magazine: "I was sitting on a ridge near the Chapel Vortex and trying to work with the notes for the book. It was not coming easily. All of a sudden, a crow flew out of the canyon and right over my head and then flew back into the canyon. I continued to make notes. I was having some trouble getting the story to flow out. The crow came out of the canyon again and flew over me, then back into the canyon, so I went into the canyon, and when I sat down the book just came pouring out." The flow halted, however, when Redfield began sending The Celestine Prophecy to publishers in 1992. He did receive a few offers, but they did not seem right. "The companies all wanted to take between a year and 18 months to get the book out. I felt the book was timely and that we should get it out right away.
"All the coincidences stopped, and I felt dead in the water. I was interpreting the complete lack of publishing opportunity as a failure, a negative event, and that was the interpretation that had stopped the coincidences that I felt had been leading me forward. When I realized what was happening, I snapped to attention and made more revisions to the book, emphasizing this point."
Within days, Redfield heard about a publishing consultant from New York who had just moved into the area. Driven by intuition to seek him out, the two met, and the coincidences began again. Redfield quickly decided to self-publish the book. Just as he went to print, he met Salle Merrill, who brought with her a timely emphasis on the importance of giving. Now husband and wife, James and Salle filled the trunk of their car with copies of The Celestine Prophecy and drove to bookstores, meeting readers and talking about the book. "Of the first 3,000 copies we printed, we mailed or personally gave away 1,500 to small book shops and individuals in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia." James recalls in The Celestine Vision, "Word of mouth recommendations took care of everything else." In six months, the book had over 100,000 copies in print, was in all 50 states, and was appearing in countries around the world. "It sold not because of any publicity I did, but because others began to give it to their friends everywhere."
After the self-published book was brought to the attention of Warner Books through a perceptive sales rep, Warner Books bought the rights and published the hard cover edition in March 1994. The book quickly climbed to the #1 position on the New York Times bestsellers list. It remained on that list for more than three years, joined by The Tenth Insight, which built upon the Nine Insights revealed in the first novel.
In October 1997, James Redfield was awarded the highly prestigious Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Senate at the XXIII Pio Manzu International Conference in Rimini, Italy. Pio Manzu is a nongovernmental arm of the United Nations headed up by Mikhail Gorbachev.
James has been widely involved in saving America's last wilderness areas. He has lobbied officially and met socially with Senators and Representatives to promote the Act to Save America's Forests, legislation written by the Washington-based environmental group, Save America's Forests. In early 1999, James Redfield became involved with the Global Renaissance Alliance (GRA), an organization founded by Marianne Williamson and Neale Donald Walsch. GRA's mission is to reawaken people more to the principles of non-violence and the need to infuse spiritual values into the political system.
In the spring of 2000, James joined Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat For Humanity, as the only two recipients of Humanitarian of the Year honors from their alma mater, Auburn University. Two months later, he was honored by the International New Thought Alliance with another Humanitarian of the Year award.
The Celestine series of adventure parables continued in 1999 with the publication of The Secret of Shambhala: In Search of the Eleventh Insight (Warner Books). Set in modern day Tibet, Redfield continued the inspiring journey of The Celestine Prophecy and The Tenth Insight -- carrying readers to a new adventure in a sacred place where truths that can affect all of humanity await. In 2002, James joined author Michael Murphy and filmmaker Sylvia Timbers in a collaborative work entitled God and the Evolving Universe (J.P. Tarcher).
In March 2004, James Redfield was honored by the Wisdom Media Group with the World View Award for engaging the discussion on the nature of human existence and for his ongoing efforts and contributions to the bettering of humanity

THE GOALKEEPER OF THE BROTHEL BY J. BUCAY

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.sht.com.ar/archivo/pensar/portero.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DEl%2Bportero%2Bdel%2Bprost%25C3%25ADbulo%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7PCTA


To think

El portero del prostibulo/ The goalkeeper of the brothel

No había en el pueblo peor oficio que el de portero del prostíbulo.

There were no people in the worst motion that the goalkeeper of the brothel.

Pero ¿qué otra cosa podría hacer aquel hombre?

But what else could one man do?

De hecho, nunca había aprendido a leer ni a escribir, no tenía ninguna otra actividad ni oficio.

In fact, he had never learned to read or write, had no other activity or motion.
Un día, se hizo cargo del prostíbulo un joven con inquietudes, creativo y emprendedor, que decidió modernizar el negocio.

One day, took over the brothel concerns with a young, creative and enterprising, who decided to modernize the business.

Hizo cambios y citó al personal para darle nuevas instrucciones. He cited changes and staff to give new instructions.
Al portero, le dijo:

At goalkeeper, told him:
– A partir de hoy usted, además de estar en la puerta, va a preparar un reporte semanal donde registrará la cantidad de personas que entran y sus comentarios y recomendaciones sobre el servicio.

-- Starting today you, besides being at the door, will prepare a weekly report which recorded the number of people entering and its comments and recommendations on the service.
– Me encantaría satisfacerlo, señor –balbuceó– pero yo no sé leer ni escribir.

-- I would love to meet, Mr-babble-but I do not know to read or write.
– ¡Ah! -- Ah! ¡Cuánto lo siento!

How I'm sorry!
– Pero señor, usted no me puede despedir, yo trabajé en esto toda mi vida.

-- But sir, you can not dismiss me, I worked here all my life.
– Mire, yo comprendo, pero no puedo hacer nada por usted.

-- Look, I understand, but I can not do anything for you.

Le vamos a dar una indemnización hasta que encuentre otra cosa.

We are going to give compensation until you find something else. Lo siento, y que tenga suerte. Sorry, and get lucky.
Sin más, se dio vuelta y se fue.

Without more, turned around and left.

El portero sintió que el mundo se derrumbaba.

The goalkeeper felt that the world collapsed.

¿Qué hacer? What to do? Recordó que en el prostíbulo, cuando se rompía una silla o se arruinaba una mesa, él lograba hacer un arreglo sencillo y provisorio.

He recalled that in the brothel, when it broke a chair or a table was ruined, he managed to make a simple and temporary basis.

Pensó que ésta podría ser una ocupación transitoria hasta conseguir un empleo.

She thought it might be a temporary occupation until getting a job.

Pero sólo contaba con unos clavos oxidados y una tenaza derruida.

But only had a few rusty nails and a tenaza demolished.

Usaría parte del dinero de la indemnización para comprar una caja de herramientas completa. HE WILL USE part of the compensation money to buy a toolbox full.
Como en el pueblo no había una ferretería, debía viajar dos días en mula para ir al pueblo más cercano a realizar la compra.

As in the village there was no hardware, should travel two days by mule to go to the nearest village to make a purchase.

Y emprendió la marcha.

And the march began.

A su regreso, su vecino llamó a su puerta:

Upon his return, his neighbor called his door:
– Vengo a preguntarle si tiene un martillo para prestarme.

-- I come to ask if you have a hammer to borrow.
– Sí, lo acabo de comprar pero lo necesito para trabajar...

-- Yes, but what I just buy what I need to work ...

como me quedé sin empleo...

I stayed as unemployed ...
– Bueno, pero yo se lo devolvería mañana bien temprano.

-- Well, but I know what good would return early morning.
– Está bien.

-- Okay.
A la mañana siguiente, como había prometido, el vecino tocó la puerta.

The next morning, as promised, knocked the door neighbour.
– Mire, yo todavía necesito el martillo.

-- Look, I still need the hammer.

¿Por qué no me lo vende?

Why not sell it to me?
– No, yo lo necesito para trabajar y además, la ferretería está a dos días de mula.

-- No, I need to work and also the hardware is a two-day mule.
– Hagamos un trato –dijo el vecino.

-- Let's make a deal, "said the neighbor.

Yo le pagaré los días de ida y vuelta más el precio del martillo, total usted está sin trabajar.

I pay day round trip plus the hammer price, the total you're not at work.

¿Qué le parece?

What do you think?
Realmente, esto le daba trabajo por cuatro días...

Actually, this gave him work for four days ...

Aceptó.

He accepted.

Volvió a montar su mula.

He returned to riding his mule.

A su regreso, otro vecino lo esperaba en la puerta de su casa.

Upon his return, another neighbor was waiting for him at the door of his house.
– Hola, vecino.

-- Hello, neighbor.

¿Usted le vendió un martillo a nuestro amigo...

Have you sold a hammer to our friend ...

Yo necesito unas herramientas, estoy dispuesto a pagarle sus cuatro días de viaje, más una pequeña ganancia; no dispongo de tiempo para el viaje.

I need some tools, I am willing to pay his four-day trip, plus a small profit; not have time for the trip.
El ex-portero abrió su caja de herramientas y su vecino eligió una pinza, un destornillador, un martillo y un cincel.

The former goalkeeper opened his toolbox and its neighbour chose a clip, a screwdriver, a hammer and a chisel.

Le pagó y se fue.

We paid and left.
Recordaba las palabras escuchadas: "No dispongo de cuatro días para compras".

He recalled the words heard:

"I do not have four days to buy."

Si esto era cierto, mucha gente podría necesitar que él viajara para traer herramientas.

If this was true, many people travel that he might need to bring tools.

En el viaje siguiente arriesgó un poco más de dinero trayendo más herramientas que las que había vendido.

The trip follows risked a little more money by bringing more tools than those who had sold.

De paso, podría ahorrar algún tiempo en viajes.

By the way, could save some time for travel.
La voz empezó a correrse por el barrio y muchos quisieron evitarse el viaje.

The voice began to run in the neighborhood and many wanted to avoid the trip.

Una vez por semana, el ahora corredor de herramientas viajaba y compraba lo que necesitaban sus clientes.

Once a week, now traveled corridor tools and bought what they needed their clients. Alquiló un galpón para almacenar las herramientas y algunas semanas después, con una vidriera, el galpón se transformó en la primera ferretería del pueblo.

Rent a warehouse to store tools and a few weeks later, with a showcase, the barn became the first hardware store in the village.

Todos estaban contentos y compraban en su negocio.

All were happy and bought into his business.

Ya no viajaba, los fabricantes le enviaban sus pedidos.

We no longer traveled, manufacturers will send their orders.

Él era un buen cliente. He was a good customer.

Con el tiempo, las comunidades cercanas preferían comprar en su ferretería y ganar dos días de marcha.

Over time, nearby communities prefer to buy their hardware and win in two days running.
Un día se le ocurrió que su amigo, el tornero, podría fabricarle las cabezas de los martillos.

One day he came to his friend, turner, could manufacture the heads of the hammers.

Y luego, ¿por qué no?, las tenazas...

And then, why not?, Pliers ... y las pinzas... and claws ...

y los cinceles.

and chisels.

Y luego fueron los clavos y los tornillos...

And then there were nails and screws ...

En diez años, aquel hombre se transformó, con su trabajo, en un millonario fabricante de herramientas.

In ten years, the man became, with his work, a millionaire manufacturer of tools.
Un día decidió donar una escuela a su pueblo.

One day a school decided to donate his people.

En ella, además de a leer y escribir, se enseñarían las artes y oficios más prácticos de la época.

In it, in addition to read and write, are taught the more practical arts and crafts of the era.

En el acto de inauguración de la escuela, el alcalde le entregó las llaves de la ciudad, lo abrazó y le dijo:

At the opening ceremony of the school, the mayor handed him the keys of the city, hugged him and said:
– Es con gran orgullo y gratitud que le pedimos nos conceda el honor de poner su firma en la primera hoja del libro de actas de esta nueva escuela.

-- It is with great pride and gratitude that we ask grant us the honour of putting his signature on the first page of the book of records of this new school.
– El honor sería para mí –dijo el hombre–.

-- The honor would be for me, "said the man. Nada me gustaría más que firmar allí, pero yo no sé leer ni escribir; soy analfabeto.

Nothing more I want to sign there, but I do not know to read or write, I am illiterate.
– ¿Usted?

-- Are You?

–dijo el Alcalde, que no alcanzaba a creer–. -

Mayor said that was not enough to believe.

Usted construyó un imperio industrial sin saber leer ni escribir?

You built an industrial empire without knowing how to read or write?

Estoy asombrado.

I am amazed. Me pregunto, ¿qué hubiera sido de usted si hubiera sabido leer y escribir?

I wonder what would have been if you had known literate?
– Yo se lo puedo contestar –respondió el hombre con calma–.

-- I know I can answer-man replied calmly.

Si yo hubiera sabido leer y escribir...

If I had known read and write ...

sería el portero del prostíbulo!

would be the goalkeeper of brothel!

Generalmente los cambios son vistos como adversidades.

Usually the changes are seen as adversity.

Las adversidades encierran bendiciones.

The adversities hold blessings.

Las crisis están llenas de oportunidades.

Crises are full of opportunities.

Cambiar puede ser tu mejor opción.

Change can be your best choice.

JORGE BUCAY

I LOVE HIM

JORGE BUCAY - A MUST TO BE READ !

World-renowned therapist Dr. Jorge Bucay's wisdom is finally available in America, helping to change lives in the same powerful manner he has done for countless people throughout the world. In an easy-to-read format, with engaging stories and thoughtful anecdotes drawn from folktales, the Bible, Eastern philosophy, and the Talmud, The Power of Self-Dependence teaches us the importance of moving beyond our concepts of independence and co-dependence to a place where, with the help of others, we can ultimately rely on ourselves. With his unique blend of spirituality and practical wisdom, Dr. Jorge Bucay shows us how to achieve this delicate balance between trusting ourselves and trusting those we love and depend on. Once we understand this simple yet revolutionary concept, we will have the tools to transform ourselves into healthy, enlightened individuals, empowered to build our own personal happiness.

TO READ THE BOOK ON LINE GO TO :

http://books.google.com/books?id=_lyeTq5YT9AC&dq=Jorge+Bucay&pg=PP1&ots=YYgmUJtjXQ&sig=BdaQl_KinLqznyZ8vqFN5VyeYbY&oi=book_result&ct=result&hl=en#PPP1,M1

MY LIFE MENTOR AND ARGENTINIAN THERAPIST

Dr. Jorge Bucay is an international bestselling author with almost two million books in print. This is his first book to appear in the English language. He lives in Argentina.



Jorge Bucay (born 1949) is a gestalt psychotherapist, psychodramatist, and writer from Argentina. His books have sold more than 2 million copies around the world, and have been translated into more than seventeen languages.
He was born in the Floresta neighborhood of Buenos Aires in 1949 to a modest family.
He started working at the age of thirteen. In the course of his life, he has worked as a socks, books and sports clothing traveling salesman, insurance agent, cabdriver, clown, warehouseman, educator, actor, doctor on duty, host of children's parties, psychiatrist, group coordinator, radio collaborator, and television host.
In 1973, he graduated as a doctor from the University of Buenos Aires, and specialized in mental illnesses at the Buenos Aires Pirovano Hospital and at the Santa Mónica clinic.
He currently defines his job as professional helper. He divides his attention among conferences of therapeutic teaching, which have taken him around the world, and the writing of his books, which he says are therapeutic tools.


His published works include:


"Cartas para Claudia" (Letters for Claudia) (1986, 2nd ed. 2007)
"Recuentos para Demián" (Stories for Demián) (1994)
"Cuentos para pensar" (Stories for Thought) (1997)
"De la autoestima al egoísmo" (From Self-Esteem to Egotism) (1999)
"Amarse con los ojos abiertos" (Loving Oneself With Open Eyes) (with Silvia Salinas) (2000)
"Déjame que te cuente" (Let Me Tell You) (2002)
"Todo (No) Terminó" (It's (Not) All Over) (with Silvia Salinas) (2004)
"El Juego de los Cuentos" (The Game of Stories) (2004)
"Cuenta Conmigo" (Count on Me) (2005)
"El Mito de le Diosa Fortuna" (The Myth of the Goddess of Fortune) (2006)
"20 pasos hacia adelante" (Twenty Steps Forward) (2007)
"El candidato" (The Candidate).
Four books constitute his series, "Hojas de Ruta" (Leaves of the Road):
"El camino de la auto-dependencia" (The Road of Self-Dependence)
"El camino del encuentro" (The Road of Encounter)
"El camino de las lágrimas" (The Road of Tears)
"El camino de la felicidad" (The Road of Happiness)

His works have become bestsellers in Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Spain.

In 2005, he was accused of copying the fifth part of his book, Shimriti, from a text by Mónica Cavallé,though he later declared that it was "an absolutely involuntary error" while citing sources.

IN MY OPINION HE IS AN EXCELLENT PERSON AND PROFESSIONAL, IN MOST OF HIS BOOKS HE ALWAYS TELL HISTORIES BELONIG TO SOME OTHER AUTHORS BUT HE ALWAYS QUOTED AND LET THE READERS KNOW WHO SAID IT.
HE HAS AN AMAZING POWER OF EXPLAIN ,HELP , AND REACH PEOPLE ...
I DONT CARE WHAT SOME PEOPLE IS ACUSING HIM, HE ALWAYS GOING TO BE MY LIFE MENTOR,I AM WHO I AM BECAUSE HE HELPED ME AND SHOWED ME THE ROAD.

sometimes people cant not accept how come some body can have so much susccess and they can not take it so the ruin a life whitout care about the collateral damage , so they become famous no taking care about how are the crawling to the top,very sad for silvina friera and the rest...
I PERSONALY KNOW AND FOLLED HIM IN MANY OF HIS SEMINARS,BOOKS ,ETC;
FOR A LEAST 9 YEARS AND ALL THIS TIME I HAS BEEN PREACHING ABOUT WHAT HE TAUGHT ME AND I ALWAYS EXPLAINED WHO HE IS AND WHERE THAT PREACHING CAME FROM.
THAT PREACHING IT DOESNT CAME FROM ME ,IT COMES FROM HIM.
AND IT WILL BE RIDICULOUS THAT SOMEBODY CLAIM THAT I AM COPING HIM OR IMPERSONATE HIM

I AM GRAFEFULL TO HAVE HIM IN MY LIFE : )

comments by ibana villasenor

NEWS ABOUT WHY WOMEN LIKE BAD BOYS BY VICTORIA HOWARD

The radio show is from 6-7 on 1230 AM. You can have people listen and call in.

USUALLY MONDAY
Also-- we are having a 'Kick Him To The Curb' meeting that Thursday, March 13. It is from 7-8 at Gizzi's. Bring friends

WHY WOMEN LOVE BAD BOYS is a fun, light-hearted book that explains why so many women are attracted to the type of man their mothers always warned them about. Whether he is a Commitment Phobic, a Narcissist, or a Misogynist, Ms. Howard explains why these women would rather be with a man who is like James Dean, than one who is like John Boy Walton.
This self-help guide shares real-life experiences and interviews from women who were involved with a BAD BOY. They want the answers to the questions:
* What does a man want in a woman?
* Where to find ‘Mr. Right’.
* Where to meet a nice guy
* How to break away from the
'Bad Boy Syndrome’.
Whether you are single or married, WHY WOMEN LOVE BAD BOYS is the ultimate handbook that will show you how to break away from the BAD BOY, and where to find ‘MR. RIGHT’.
About the Author
Victoria Howard's life has revolved around beauty pageants, entertainment and business ventures. Ms. Howard has been an international model and beauty pageant winner, holding titles of “Miss Pittsburgh”, “Miss Girl Watcher”, and “Mrs. West Virginia – U.S.A.”
Her business ventures include real estate development, co-owner of several automobile dealerships and the training and breeding of race horses; once owning the “Two Year Old Filly Of The Year”.
She has written several published articles and was a guest speaker at the Wholelife Seminar.
Ms. Howard resides in Boca Raton, Florida.

Kick Those Bad Boys to the Curb
Boca Raton resident starts club, writes book to empower women to kick bad boys to the curb.

By Nicol JenkinsStaff Writer
About 10 women sat side-by-side hanging on Victoria Howard’s every word.The women were from different backgrounds, social classes, and varying personalities. But all had one common bond: an addiction to bad boys.
Howard, a Boca Raton resident and author of Why Women Love Bad Boys, recently spoke about her book and empowered women to kick bad boys to the curb at one of her club meetings. Her club, Kick Him To The Curb, allows women of all ages to meet monthly and discuss different types of bad boys and red lights to look out for.
“After reading the book, many women were calling me up and asking me why they keep choosing the bad boys and many felt they were all alone. All these women were abused in one way or another and I wanted to reach out to them so I started the group,” said Howard, who has been named the new relationship guru and the new Dear Abby.
Club members, ranging from 20 to 70-year-old women who are single, divorced, married and widowed, meet monthly at various locations to trade bad boy tales and connect with others burned by love. About 10 women recently gathered at Christopher’s in Fort Lauderdale to hear excerpts from Howard’s book where she focused on the chapter on the commitment phobic.
Bad Boy Tales
During the discussion, local women shared stories of bad boys who could not commit or in some cases bad boys that they tamed.
“I’m happily married just he was a bad boy when I met him and now he’s a good boy,” said Ibana, who joined the club to understand her “fatal attraction to bad boys.” “I think it’s the chase and the adrenaline of wondering what he is doing.”
Laura, 26, on the other hand, divorced a bad boy and now dates a good boy. Laura bought the book and joined the group to connect with other women. “Being married to a bad boy was emotionally draining because you constantly have to have your eyes open. But for some reason the ones that make you suffer are the ones you’re after,” she said. Laura added that she can relate to the book, “It’s funny to read a book that’s half of your life’s experiences. I can relate to the cheater, the liar and all of them,” she said.
Susana of Boca Raton also recently separated from her bad boy husband of 32 years. She said her ex resembles the chapter on the liar. “To me, he was my hero because I’m very shy and he was superman. This is the problem with bad guys with good girls. I tried to be bad but I’m naturally too good.”
The chapter on the bad boy with the wandering eye was all too familiar for Arlene Hollis of Delray Beach. “He was always looking at someone else and he was very handsome so he always had someone looking back,” said Hollis, who was married to a bad boy for nine years. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I was never good enough or well dressed enough. He wanted perfection. He was an ego-maniac.”
From reading Howard’s novel and joining the club, Hollis said she found comfort in knowing she was not alone. “I learned that every woman not in a successful relationship takes it personally and feels like they are alone. But we’re not, there are millions out there. And I learned that there are many men out there that will take you for who you are.”
Also divorced to a bad boy, Margarita Lotz of Boca Raton learned a similar lesson. “We keep thinking that they will change but they won’t. The book and club helps me to know that I’m not the only one. There are a lot of us and we’ve got to help each other.”
Howard’s Quest Howard has heard these stories all too often. As a former beauty queen, Howard has also experienced the emotional rollercoaster of being married to two bad boys. Because of this, she hopes her book and club will empower other women to seek a better life without heartbreak.
“This is my purpose in life. I’ve been mentally abused and I walked away from it,” said Howard. “Life is too short.”
It took the local four years to complete the self-help book that focuses on 11 different types of bad boys including: the narcissist, misogynist, commitment phobic, cheater, emotional abuser, liar, wandering eyes, married man, sexual abuser, bad boys behind bars, and physical abuser. In fact, each chapter tells a true story from a woman who has dated this type of bad boy. Also, each chapter gives warning signs, tips to leave a bad boy and a quiz to know if you’re dating one. Howard said she did much research and interviewed hundreds of women and men.
After reading the book, many women asked Howard for advice. That’s when her club formed and has grown by leaps and bounds. She stresses that the club is not a man hater’s group. In fact, it’s the opposite, Howard says, the women love men but just need some guidance as to what to look for when dating. “When you first meet someone and feel a pattern of the same type of guy, stop, count to three and before you jump into anything get to know the guy,” she said, adding, “And know that you cannot change that bad boy unless he wants to change.”
Ultimately, Howard hopes the club will provide women with a support system to get over the bad boy and move on.
“We all lean on each other. We confide in each other and share experiences,” she said. “We don’t tell them that they are bad, old or stupid. We tell them how to get through it and we do.”
To join the club or for more information on the book, contact Victoria Howard at

www.khttc@yahoo.com.