If you were an omnipotent being responsible for creating organisms smart enough to sustain themselves, what is the best method to ensure that they remain at ease, despite knowing that the bad will happen and occur at any point? Leaving opportunities for suffering. As harsh and unfortunate as that sounds, we humans learn by suffering. Waiting in line only to find that had you hurried, you would've gotten involved in the three-car accident that occurred a block away; You get let go from your job despite the changes your employer told you about, only to find that your hobby has earned you supplemental income. Things in Life happen for a reason, however many people fail to see the underlying reason(s) why. Author Maria Rice has provided a great title sharing her stories and all the ups and downs she went through, had to endure in order to save her children and even herself. Because of these rough happenings, this often leads us to living with an abundance of fear.

Author Rice introduces the concept of Fear and why we have it. While, yes, there are some benefits to it acting as an early warning or protection, Fear is often an unhealthy trait. It's understandable that people have a fear of flying after the national tragedy that took place September 11, 2001, and has rightfully shown why. However, in order to be strong, you must overcome such fear especially if you're the type to enjoy traveling. You won't know if you'll get that prestigious job you've been wanting unless you apply; You won't know if that person has the same feelings for you unless you tell them. The common misconception when having to do something to overcome fear is overthinking the possible outcome, to which they believe won't work in their favor. Reminder: Trying IS NOT doing. You don't know unless you try, and that is also likely why many people are afraid to take some sort of initiative.

Near the middle of the book reads like a travel guide, as Rice stated how much she enjoyed her time in India. She learned everything from the spiritual aspects of ourselves to yoga, to life philosophies about our human purpose and being able to have the aura and abilities to cure without any kind of medicine, medications, etc. It may seem like the author has veered off topic but it serves as ground to her synopses from the downfalls she underwent most of her life.

Author Rice held nothing back as she shared her stories about her rough marriage, money troubles, family feuds, and even all the stress she dealt with keeping her kids normal, health-wise. Throughout her story telling, she often questions all that she has gone through, as many of us likely would've given up or lay such burden on others to have them figure it out. On the other hand, she shares the people whom she crossed paths with along with the impact they made on her. Whether they were good or bad people, Rice learns of their actions and behaviors that affected her mind and way of living, some of whom many will suggest some sort of retaliatory plan against them. However, Rice realizes after learning about her own karma from past lives are the main reasons for these occurrences. Money trouble? Poor friendships? Abusive parents/guardians? Rocky relationships? It's likely what happened from a past life, and being how deep and personal it seems, it's something that the reader themselves will have to interpret and figure out with their own lives, as everyone's experiences and lessons are different. Reading this ought to trigger some self-reflections reminding us that others may have had worse than us, but also to take things as life lessons.

Toward the end of book, the author unselfishly shares her tips and suggestions to uplift your spirits, i.e. raising your Kundalini energy. She did share more of the rough patches she had and learned along the way, such as marriage with her second husband and the relationship she had with her father. All these rooted in uncertainty and fear, until she found solace in all that she learned in her trips to India, plus being in touch with her quantum psychologist.

While the book provides some self-help ideas and tips, it reads like a memoir that ought to have a documentary shown to the masses reminding them to be thankful for what they have and where they are. As mentioned earlier, those walking in Rice's shoes would have likely given up but she herself didn't. She found peace beginning with herself--something many people may not have the patience, mindset nor the willingness to take with an open mind. On the other hand, her learning about the happenings from her past lives ought to teach us why the downfalls and unfair breaks we encounter in our own lives should serve as lessons and not an opportunity to curse the world and/or blame others for our problems. With this great approach suggested by Rice, we can take in this confidence to face our fears and maximize our opportunities, which in reality we're sure many of us have missed out on. Nevertheless, it shouldn't deter one to try and take a chance anyway, in addition to learning about all that's happened to you up to this day.

Chock full of story-telling and information, the reader will have their perception of life changed permanently, and for good reason after reading this book. To start off, one we can share from this book is never leaving things in limbo, and to attend to it immediately. Finish what you started. Doing this will present more time allowing more opportunities to flow. Any obstacle(s) coming your way is a challenge/lesson so don't fear! Handle it as soon as possible and remind yourselves that it's telling you something, but know that no matter what, you will be okay.