Ph.D. Dawna MarkovaSpot of Grace: Remarkable Stories of How You DO Make a Difference

In Spot of Grace, Dawna Markova has put together a collage of moving and beautiful stories about our human spirits and those soul-gratifying astonished moments when we are told the truth about our vast influence and unique value. These stories are engaging and beautifully written to express how it feels to live these lives, the things that happen to us and choices we make, the paths we walk, the conclusions we draw about ourselves, and the surprising gifts others receive from our simply being. The writing styles are predominantly enjoyable - well expressed, tight yet eloquent. The stories are engaging in that "see no people, hear no people" kind of way, the kind of absorption in which you wouldn't notice the building caving in. Many of the stories moved this highly empathetic woman to tears - the good kind that happen when you're in touch with something important.I'm so glad I gave Spot of Grace a chance - I almost didn't buy it because I thought it might belong in what I call the "Chicken Soup genre" (Chicken Soup For The Soul, Chicken Soup For Women, Chicken Soup For Chickens, Chicken Soup For Arthritic Chickens, Chicken Soup for Grasshoppers Eaten By Chickens, Chicken Soup for Leaves Eaten by Grasshoppers Eaten by Arthritic Chickens.... Chocolate for A Woman's Soul, Chocolate for A Bulging Butt, Chocolate for A Diabetic Demise, Chocolate for Not Assaulting Your Husband When You Discover He Is Yet Again Not Actually Listening To A Single Word You Say...). I feared Spot of Grace might be a collection of tedious, poorly written, sentimental stories which meander to an ending that neither surprises nor inspires. Be assured, dear reader, Spot of Grace instead belongs solidly in the category I call "Literature Worth Reading."I know quantum physics is revealing what religions have long posited: we are all one, and any action, any thought, any feeling of any one of us literally reaches and affects all of us. The idea that we're actually all aspects of one huge Self is so huge a shift mentally, it's a lot to take in. Until we truly grok this fundamentally different foundation of thought and alter everything we thought we knew about reality, these wonderful stories and others like them will be tremendously helpful as we continue to cope with the pain and fear that arise from our imaginary separation.And as always when one speaks one's truth, allow me to add this caveat: Your mileage may vary. Always.

This is a departure from my usual genre of materials I read, but I'm glad I did read it. Each story as I read it made me smile and reminded me of more and more great moments in my own life. The moments that you've put off in the back of your mind and that make you realize that you've really met some amazing people, had amazing things happen to you - not really grand things, but amazing nevertheless, you just didn't know or realize it when it happened.What makes this book good is NOT that its got amazing stories of incredible things happening to people, but it recognizes what makes each of us "special" in the everyday-ness of just going about our life, jobs, children, pets, work.

I have nearly finished this wonderful book of stories. They are stories written by many people from all over the world. Each one is a tale of how the life of the writer was touched by a spot of grace from another human being or life experience. My favorites so far have been those that remind us how every small act can have a major impact on someone else and therefore ourselves. Small acts like generosity with time and talent that reach across time. Observations of the shared humanity of us all. Signs from animals and nature that show us we are not alone. Reading each story is like a warm meditation on human frailty and courage.

Excellent read, has heart and soul

Book spoke directly to me.

This was a very meaningful book whose short essays have stayed with me over many years.

Great book and quick service!!

First, I don't know about you - but the skeptical side of my 30-plus years in journalism begins to rise when I pick up a new book and find that the author identifies herself on both the front and back covers as "cocreator of `Random Acts of Kindness'." Now, on one level, Dawna Markova's work as a consultant and as the author of an earlier book called, "Random Acts of Kindness," has promoted this idea in many quarters.However, the idea itself is timeless spiritual wisdom, especially in Eastern traditions, and was not created by anyone alive today. And, the phrase that crystallized the idea is credited to writer Anne Herbert, who wrote: "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty." Inside her book, Markova does credit Herbert with the phrase.But, let's set aside the specific way this book is promoted - because the heart of the book is as beautifully timeless as the idea behind "acts of kindness." This new book is a collection of very short, personal stories from more than 100 people talking about moments of realization, when these men and women glimpsed - sometimes just for a moment - that their lives have real meaning.What I'm trying to say is this: Whether you've heard of Dawna Markova or not, whether you particularly care about her story (which she shares in the various sections of the book) or not - is really almost irrelevant in this instance. That's because the stars that shine brightly from this book are the 100-plus people who contributed brilliant sparks from their lives.If you're among the majority of Americans, who tell researchers that you've got a fairly traditional religious affiliation - then, perhaps you already pick up day-by-day devotional literature in your parish or you get it from some other mainline source. For millions of regular devotional readers nationwide, that discipline often involves scripture verses and short meditations on the lessons from scripture.If that describes your religious experience, then you may want to reach out and try this book for several months. For many Americans, you'll find that this is a nontraditional approach to exploring deep inspiration in your life. There are, indeed, traditionally religious people in this book. But the overall approach is broader than traditional devotional books - and it's refreshing, even liberating, to spend a season of the year exploring timeless truths we can discover in the lives of our neighbors.This book is designed to fit comfortably in briefcases, purses or backpacks. My copy already has dozens of corners turned down on stories I want to read again. It's a sturdy little book designed for spiritually active people. So, grab a copy - and these folks will travel very well with you.

This is a selection of personal stories told as everyday happenings with the realization of how of acts of caring can change thelives of both giver and receiver. The stories are short and can be read over and over for inspiration with the awareness of howeach of us have gifts to share and that everyone matters.

Gentle and inspiring stories of love and life. It shows if one goes about mindfully opportunities do crop up where we can make a difference.

Beautiful book x