Barbara Becker Holstein's Blog

Let’s look at the end of the poem from page 169, from my first book, The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy: “Come my friend, my nurturer, my shadow, my knowledge of how whole I can be.” Who is that friend? Who is that nurturer? Who is that shadow? Many years of practicing as a psychologist, have convinced me that, that nurturer, that shadow is our earlier selves. Often it is that self which existed inside ourselves between the ages of 8 and 12. We know that for many girls, 8-12 is a period of soaring, when girls feel competent and so sure of themselves.
If you know girls that age, you know how talented they are. They can and do everything. They also often have special private times, keeping diaries, or sharing intimate thoughts with best girlfriends. However, the teenage years do not always encourage or keep girls thriving emotionally and intellectually. The social and hormonal pressures of growing up block the earlier talents and potential. Adolescent years can be very hard on girls and many a woman finds herself no longer in touch with her earlier talents, strengths, potential or what makes her happy.
I began to realize that my next psychological assignment was to bring the girl inside of ourselves back to life.
I began to develop a companionship with the 10 year old inside myself. I began to realize that as an adult woman that I was disappointing her. I was not as confident or daring as I had promised myself I would be. Some of my poor decisions had restricted and limited the scope of my potential and opportunities. The girl I had been had known that the world could be her oyster. She wasn’t much afraid of anything and also had a lot of inner wisdom. She was resilient and determined. She had faith in me-the adult she would become someday.
That was just the beginning. Ten years later, two books that were never published and a lot more, we stand on the threshold of July 1, 2014, when Sky Pony Press wil be releasing the newest revised and expanded version of The Truth, now titled: The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween.

It was fascinating to see how many marvelous vacation ideas quickly emerged in a group I ran. One woman wished to go to Mexico and South America to view the ruins and lie on the sun in beautiful beaches.

Another woman wished to go to Greece and see the ancient ruins there and then slowly make her way through Europe. This could take a leisurely period of time, perhaps even a year.

Another also wanted to go to Europe but to do other things, such as take gourmet cooking classes in the South of France and become somewhat fluent in several languages.

Another woman opted for spas and other experiences to bring vitality to her body and ultimately her spirit. One person was in reality making plans to go to several meditative retreats over the next few months.

All the vacation ideas sounded scruptious and none happened to have a romantic partner in the mix. Although, that partner might have been welcome,as certainly, romance is in the mix in my romance novel, Next Year in Jerusalem! Part 1, he wasn’t essential to the plans of these ladies.

What was essential to each plan was the fulfillment of some dream or longing that the woman had been carrying in her mind and heart.

I realized as I listened how much each woman, no matter what her background or problems, yearned for change, adventure, getting to know strangers and other places, no matter how burdened by daily problems of relationships, children, money, etc.

Each vacation was strikingly different from the others, and yet how universal so many of our needs for replenishment are.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to day dream about a wonderful vacation that you can create, at least in your mind. Take the adventure.


•Where would you go?

•Who would go with you?

•What would you like to do?

•How long would you like to be away?

•What would you enjoy seeing … experiencing … discovering? What special new romance book would you back for the trip? Would it be Next Year in Jerusalem? Romance, Mystery & Spiritual Awakenings?

•What would be the highpoint of your trip?

Enjoy your fantasy vacations. If you wish, go further and get some information on these places.

•Would you like at least one to come true?

•What steps would be necessary?

I leave the rest up to you — whether you simply daydream or bring about a new reality I wish you refreshing, fun thoughts.

The women returned to the table and the men suggested they browse in the nearby art galleries. As they walked in and out of several galleries, Raji eagerly asked Maggie if she’d like to see a gallery specializing in artists from India. Jack, determined to check out a gallery that specialized in jewelry made from silver, gold, Roman glass, and other precious stones, requested that the couples split up and meet thirty minutes later.

Amazed at the quality of the jewelry Jack showed her, Natalie noted how tasteful and beautifully presented the artistic treatment of ancient glass, precious stones, gold, and silver was. She fell in love with a dainty sterling silver bracelet with intriguing tiny pieces of ancient glass embedded in a silver rectangle in the center. It was simple but exquisite.

Before she could stop him, Jack pulled out his wallet and paid for the bracelet.

“I can’t accept this,” she protested. “Take it home to your wife. It’s beautiful, she’ll love it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is for you. Give me your hand. I want to put it on you.”

People were looking. Natalie held up her hand; she’d worry about it later. A public display was not in order.

“Ah, it looks beautiful on you.”

Jack took her hand. Again, to avoid embarrassment, she didn’t pull away as they left the shop.

Before Natalie knew what was happening, Jack gently but firmly led her down the small alleyway next to the shop.

“Natalie, I must talk to you.” His voice was urgent. “Don’t you understand? Don’t you feel what I feel?”

He pulled her toward him, grasped her face in his hands and gently kissed her. Ever so lightly on the lips. Just a touch.

The very lightness set her on fire. It was as if there’d been an explosion on Ben Yehuda Street. Had he started by pushing his way into her mouth, she would have fought back and been put off. But the gentleness of this first kiss made her urges come alive like an active volcano ready to erupt.

The next kiss was firmer and a little longer. Again he retreated. Just enough for the volcano to erupt a little more.

The third kiss had pressure and staying power. And she yielded. Her mouth opened and she gave permission to the only tongue that ever touched the inside of her mouth aside from David’s in the past twenty-five years. She didn’t resist as Jack’s arm caressed her back and moved even lower.

Time came to a halt. The past had moved forward and all her cells were determined to stay in this present moment. She was very, very hungry. Much more hungry than she’d ever realized a woman could be.

Finally Jack spoke. “I’ve never forgotten you,” he whispered.

Natalie pushed herself away, but not completely. That would be too painful. She leaned against his body, and the memory of it, combined with being in his arms, was so delicious she couldn’t let go just yet.

“Jack, you seem to forget that I’m married and so are you.”

“Sometimes things are just meant to be. Anyway, my marriage isn’t good.”

Natalie slowly came back to earth. How many millions of times had women heard a line like that? How many women became the mistress of a man in a “bad” marriage?

“Well, my marriage is good. We have to stop.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. This is crazy.” Jack pulled back, tucked in his shirt and brushed back the hair that had fallen onto his face.

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 Next Year in Jerusalem - Romance, Mystery, and Spiritual Awakenings. A Novel by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

 

Did you ever wonder what your life would be like if an old boyfriend came back into it and really pursued you?

Did you ever wish your life was suddenly exciting and adventurous?

Did you ever wonder how you would handle intrigue and danger if they fell into your lap?

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to fall in love with someone so different from the person who you are with or that you could have ever imagined?

Did you ever wish to start over?

Have you yearned for a spiritual awakening?

Did you ever want to be you, but the you that wouldn't stop so easily at the edge of your envelope?

Did you forget who you were supposed to become?

Does time seem to have left you older than you expected?

Are you ready for a fast, dramatic read that let's you in to the hearts and minds of two women, in many ways similar to yourself?

Are you ready to experience romance, mystery and intrigue?

Are you ready to have your own thoughts and emotions quickened and perhaps changed forever by joining Natalie and Maggie on their adventures?

If you answered 'Yes' to any of these questions then you are ready to read

 

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM