Tell us the story of this book.  How did you decide to write this book?

I believe each of us has a message to share.  We share this individual and unique message daily by our words and actions, which are a reflection of our thoughts.  Thoughts are the seeds of who we think we are. We have a choice to feed these seeds to grow into words and actions.  We can choose to get rid of the seeds and get new ones, but generally there is one core seed that we cannot easily get rid of and it resides in our heart.  It is the good seed.  We can choose to bury this good seed and not express it, or we can allow our inner loving warmth nourish it and let it grow.

Since I am a counselor of trauma, grief and addictions, I know for a fact that all of us review our interactions with the people we have encountered on our path of life from time to time but especially after they die. After I lost my only child, Michael, it was evident to me that Michael had touched my life and the lives of many in a very special way.  My memories of the life I had spent with my child, Michael came to me in the happenings or encounters we had together.  Each happening had a powerful message that would give me the chance to observe and or sometimes participate and learn the biggest of life’s lessons.

Can you tell us a bit about your son?

At the moment Michael was born, I held him in my arms, looked into his eyes and I felt a wonderful loving expression of a mutual inner knowing that we would be there for one another always.  You may want to call it the heart connection of love.  But, this love was not for me only.  Michael expressed this love on a continual basis to people of all ages of all walks of life.  Michael was an extraordinarily wise child, who faced many challenges in a temporal and spiritual way.  He was a mentor, a model, a spiritual  leader, who encouraged many to embark on a love-filled, positive journey of personal discovery and self-reliance.   He always said: “Listen to your heart!”  Meaning:  -- Be true to yourself.  Be in the moment.  Allow yourself to listen, listen to “your true seed self “in the heart.

Michael, was clearly a young man with vision, constantly giving wise messages.   As a mother and an individual, I discovered the wonderful message!  I discovered that my son had given me a blessed gift – that of learning to “LET GO TO LIFE”.  I felt I found that in listening to my child, and ultimately all children, they are far wiser than often given credit. I realized that once you grasp and take hold of the lessons of innocence and non-judgment as seen through the eyes of a child, you will learn the benefits of an entirely new way of thinking. 

You told us that we re-examine our relationships with people after they die, but did you realize while Michael was alive how wise your son was?

At a very tender age, Michael had a large vocabulary and expressed himself as a philosophical person, adamant about justice and fairness.  Many of the memorable encounters that I tended to remember after Michael died had phenomenal messages of his firm beliefs in love, kindness, fairness and justice.  He saw no difference in sex or colour, language or physical skills.  All was good. Many of these messages were so simply put in a profound way.  I felt it was important to begin to share the wise message that Michael lived. 

Why did you choose this particular story you have in the book?

I wanted to start with his  true story: “Everything Is Food!”,  which occurred when he was a delightful three year old.  In this story Michael, offers a simple solution to understanding how to “Let go to LIFE” acquiring inner peace and love for oneself.   Yes, this is a message for everyone. If we are willing to observe LIFE from the perspective of seeing it through the discovering eyes, loving heart and wisdom of a little child, the world would be a happier and better place for all.  I invite and encourage you to please search inside yourself for the loving child, and discover the world again – for the first time!  Remember:  Everything Is Food…. EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

I see by your credentials that you are a Doctor of Natural Medicine and a Counselor.   Has your profession had an influence on you to write this book?

As a professional, I constantly listen and assist others with the challenges of the body, mind and spirit.  I help many with trauma of all types such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Grief, Sexual Abuse, Self Esteem and Relationship issues. I use many holistic modalities to help people on their path of self discovery.  Michael was a great influence in my life.  The path we shared, was a catalyst for both of us to heal from many challenges that our individual and shared lives had encountered.  Michael was an excellent listener and he modeled that for me. It was the greatest lesson for me to learn and fully grow.  It is one that I practice in my every day life. I try to model this for my patients, so that they will get the message and use it in their life.  

The book “Everything Is Food!    Words of Wisdom From A Small Child” has the profound message of listening.  Yes, listening to the spiritual message of  your heart, to be in the moment.  I believe it is an important book for all ages. Because, once this spiritual concept is understood, the message/solution can be shared with everyone. Thus, this is truly “The Book that’s changing Humankind!”

Connie why do you say that this is: “The book that’s changing Humankind!”?

I believe that this book will have an influence on society, thus changing humankind.  The key here is that one must Stop, Look and Listen.  The message is quite obvious for the people who do take the time to reflect on the story and the powerful message it gives.  When one looks at life with the perspective that “EVERYTHING IS FOOD!”, we can be less critical of ourselves, of others, and of things in general.  Once we let go of this negative way of looking at life to “JUST BE”, we can appreciate life for what it is and enjoy life.  When we are IN JOY we extend that to others without any forced effort.  It is a natural BE –ING. The be –ing that flows to all the universe. 

So, you are saying that there is a natural being that flows throughout the universe?

Have you had a good response to your book and its message?

 Yes, the book is selling very well.  It can be purchased in London, On  at Chapters,   In Windsor, at Indigos.  In Essex at the Essex Train Station,  in Leamington at Angelic Voices and the Leamington Art Gallery,  In Chatham at Clem’s Book Exchange, and The Book Brothers.  And on my website : www.artoflivingresourcecentre.com

Many people have commented on the message of the book. Many like the illustrations and how the message is portrayed in a symbolic way.  If some people have a difficult time with letting go, if they have not addressed some of the troubles in life in a non-judgmental way of self or others, they can shift their perception they have about life by taking the time to reflect on the real message of this story which so wisely and simply stated by a three year old

Have you written other books?

 Yes, I have written other books, meditation tapes, poems and stories.   I was formerly a specialist in the Computer world.  I owned a company:  “Rencor Consultants Ltd.”.  We trained many people on main frame and micro computer connectivity and use of many software applications.  I designed and wrote instructional manuals for many clients and their software.    Some of Rencor’s clients were Ford Motor, Chrysler, Shell Oil, IBM  in London.  I also taught at St. Clair College.

I changed my career in the early 90’s to focus primarily on a holistic practice.  That is when I went into counseling using natural and holistic remedies for the body, mind and spirit.   In order to assist my patients, I developed guided imagery tapes, poems, affirmations, and self help books to assist in the elimination of their woes of pain on their life’s journey.

What are your plans now?

 I am  a Theraplay®,  Play and Art therapist.  I have been encouraged by my colleagues and many people who have read “EVERYTHING IS FOOD!” to address the topic in a more descriptive and therapeutic manner.   In my private practice I utilize, art, play and music therapy on a regular basis.  These are wonderful non-invasive techniques that I have been utilizing for almost 20 years.  One of my play treatments has recently been published by another Local Author and Play Therapist,  Liana Lowenstein, in her : “Assessment and Treatment Activities for Children, Adolescents, and Families: Practitioners Share Their Most Effective Techniques.”  Which features over 30 therapist and their works.

I am currently creating an Art and Play Therapy workbook for “Everything Is Food! “ –Called:   “Everything is Food!   Art and Play Therapy Exercises of Wisdom and Peace”© to be released this Spring 2009.  The book workbook will have thorough instructions for art and play therapy exercises to better understand and put in to practice the  message of  “LETTING GO  TO  LIFE!”  in a simple and practical way.    It is designed for Social Workers, Teachers, Play Therapist, Art Therapist and parents.