"Stop Momma, stop. I'm burning up, I'm on Fire". This was to be the title of my first book when I first decided to write it back in 1992. It refers to the episode when my mother had each of my four brothers hold a limb as I lay across her bed, and she proceeded to beat me 'till I urinated and defecated. At that point, she beat me even harder because I had now soiled her bed and linen. I was six or seven years old then.
I said this WAS to have been the title, because, at the onset of writing my first book, I found that title no longer fit. It alluded to a time in my life when pain and torture and constant spirit shaking atrocities were the daily norm for me. It spoke to the past and as I sat to actually begin writing in 2003, I realized I had purged the past. For me the task at hand was not to regurgitate and relive the haunts of my past. I found that a new surge of spirit and energy were flowing from my pen.
Positive, motivational inspirational poetry, prose and song, as I refer to the nature and content of material that make up my two books presently, were the stuff of which I began to share; pen to paper, voice to audience. I found that what I had inside to share with the hearts and minds and spirits of the universe, were the "POSITIVE" outcomes that were due to the bad stuff I had endured.
I realized I was the sum total of all that had occurred the first seventeen years of my life, and the ensuing seven and a half year abusive relationship I found myself in after I left home. I went from the frying pan into the fire. Typical maneuver for someone coming from an abusive family environment.
Writing for positive emotional health was the mainstay for me from the day I put pen to paper. Each word a significant statement on the state of affairs of my life. Even when I wrote about the issues of life; pain and suffering, character, trust, truth, honesty, in the most subtle or overt manner; I found the life of my pen to be that of love and understanding, clarity and hopefulness. It was this influence which led me to begin speaking and sharing my secret for personal "emotional cleansing".
Here is a tip: When next you find yourself lamenting on the negative state of affairs of your life, take pen to paper. Ask yourself what the possible positive outcome would be should you have to suffer whatever it is you are going through? Ask yourself how much stronger will you be for having to "get through" the turmoil or obstacle facing you? Ask yourself how best you would be able to help someone else experiencing the same issues as you and what would be your advice? Write your answers. Find the silver lining, and there always is one, that you can attach to, letting the less than shiny side face outward, keeping the shiny silver side close to you, as a shield against the big bad wolf of life.
Writing your positive responses, yes, they must and should be positive in nature, will help grow you in a different direction; toward peace and serenity. Consider, you are already living the negative aspects, no need to continue to re-write them. Look to the positive outcome that is you. You, alive, you happy with self, you in love with your self, you strong and present. The alternatives could have been much greater; you could no longer exist to have "a bad day".
Grab your pen and paper and write for positive emotional health today. You know you have always wanted to. You now must give yourself permission to do so.
Denise L. Cook is taking the world communities by storm. With over twenty-four years certified teaching experience, and fifty-three years of life experiences ranging from child abuse to rape to physical abuse to motherhood and beyond, Ms. Cook guarantees results. Whatever the
subject, she brings a personal knowledge and understanding to the table which leaves you and your guests feeling as if you’ve been hugged from the inside out.
Denise L. Cook, known as The ORACLE, is a published author, motivational speaker, actor, singer, spoken word artist, poet, choreographer and dancer, and is well known as a healer in the field of massage therapy. Asked what motivated her so to pursue such a wide range of interests and she answers, “My father always said ‘anything worth doing is worth doing well. And anything you put your time and effort into, you may as well get credentialed'.
I believed him, so doing anything less wasn’t an option. With Daddy excellence was the first line of defense against the big bad wolf of life.” Denise holds a B.A. in Dance and M.F.A. from U.C.L.A and M.Ed. from National University. She received her teaching credential from the Graduate School of Education at U.C.L.A.
Literary accomplishments include her newly released book and R&B, Jazz, Spoken Word Fusion music CD, The ORACLE Speaks… just because, ISBN #978-0-615-26196-6 52295,ORACLE Publishing © 2008, her first book, FULL CIRCLE Balance In Life: A collection of poetry and prose chronicling self-love and self-awareness, ISBN #0-9624577-6-0 51495, Back To One Publications/ChinaEyes Productions © 2005, a nomination for poet of the year 2004, 2006, 2008, by the International Society of Poets, Editor’s Choice Award winner, 2004 and 2008, ISP and Hollywood Poets Consortium, contributing Poet for “A Simple Guide To Better Lovemaking: ‘69 ways 2 Please Your Lover, Your Better Sex and Relationship Guide, by Ray Barnes, Romeo Casanova and Juliet Lovelace 2004, W.H.A.M. Agency Publishing and contributing poet for the San Gabriel Valley Poets Society 2004 and 2007 calendars.
Ms. Cook also has works included in the international poetry anthologies titled ‘Poems From the Heart’ 2003, and ‘Favorite Memories’ 2007, and a host of commissioned works which include dignitaries Archbishop Cardinal Christian Tumi, Celes King, Founder Congress of Racial Equality, Congresswoman Diane Watson, legendary international Jazz and Blues entertainer Linda Hopkins, and movie and television producer David Wolper to name a few.
The ORACLE attributes her love of life and firm belief in “I can do anything I put my mind, body and soul into”, with her close association to her sister Bessie Maria Lyles who was born with muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy and lived only a short but full 22 years of life. “Other than my father, Ri Ri, as she was lovingly called, was my best friend for many years. From her I learned compassion, a deep sense for unconditional love, and an awareness of how precious and special life are and how sincerely lucky I am to be where I am today; alive, healthy, happy and in love with G-d, my life and myself.”
What People Are Saying: “Bright, fresh and injected with an understanding of life as it is and as it could be, The Oracle’s words on the page leap at the reader with an embrace as an old friend. In performance she is all the more thought provoking, motivating and relevant. And an experience to be savored and repeated again and again.” Larry Carroll, President, Diversified Entertainment Group, and former Local / National TV News Anchor. And Radio Personality
And Others... “She makes you feel good about yourself.” “When she walks in the room, you know she’s there. It’s as if a bright white light has been turned on.” “The ORACLE made me cry because I saw and felt myself in her words. It was as if I had written them myself. How does she know exactly what to say?” “Ms. Cook made us feel like we mattered. Most teachers don’t seem to care what teenagers think. Ms Cook really cared.”
Go to www.TheOracleSpeaks.info for more on Denise L. Cook, The ORACLE
Or: contact The ORACLE directly at theoracle@theoraclespeaks.info and/or 323-962-1372
The ORACLE has a word for you.