THE UNITED NATIONS

BETTYE AT THE UNITED NATIONS ~ November 25, 2008

There are probably people who know more about the UN than I do. I had a marvelous peek at the workings of the UN when I attended the "Global Publish Health and the Eradication of Poverty' co-sponsored and organized by the Women's Federation for World Peace International on November 25, 2008. For me, it most most insightful and I have an enormous respect for all of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that from my perspective are the backbone of the United Nations. The news media focuses mostly on the Security Council, The United Nations is the branch of the United Nations charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers as outlined in the UN Charter include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization for military actions. There is much more to the United Nations.

justify>The NGOs are private organizations who operate and contribute to many vital areas of the world such as the UN World Food Progam, poverty, disease such as HIV/AIDS, UNICEF for the children, education and many more vital challenges in the world. I heard several speakers say that there is no food shortage in the world. True, doughts do create famine and there are organizations who mobilize to send food, however the food is withheld either due to wars or to politics.

December 10 is the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After the Forum, I went on a tour of the portion of the UN that is available to visitors. I was quite taken with a wall with framed rights. These rights cannot be enacted into law by the UN, however they can serve as a reminder to all of us that we do have rights. For more on this, visit:

http://www.knowyourrights2008.org/index.php?nav=declaration&rub=declarationLanguages&list=def&language=eng

With HIV/AIDS being the most prevalent cause of deaths in the world with malaria being the second, each of us would be wise in learning more about these diseases. The rate of HIV/AIDS in Geneva, Switzerland per capita is larger than the per capita to many of the African countries. There are NGOs working to reduce this and to find a cure or a vaccine for these diseases.

From the forum paper handed to those of us attending it states: "Against a backdrop of global action and individual health security, this forum will consider family as one of the most strategic focal points for integrating individual and collections health needs....Family health is societal health at the cellular level. And for those in extreme poverty who have no socially structured safety nets, family is the locus of hope, comfort, health, happiness or despair.:

Before I received the invitation to attend this forum, I created the For Freedom Now project with the intent of sending out thoughts and words of love and gratitude to saturate the world with frequencies to combat much of what is happening now. I admit is is a gamble and a challenge, however I do feel that shifts can be made. I invite those of you reading this now to join me and to go to:

http://forfreedomnow.weebly.com/home.html

Each of us are wonderful beings and each of us can contribute to the uplifting of the world.

With love and gratitude,

Bettye Johnson

CALL ME AUNTIE MAME

Book reviewers are chancey when one submits a book for a review. It is similar to tossing the throw of the dice, or tossing a coin. Heads you win, tails you lose. I have been fortunate in receiving great reviews--for the most part. There were several reviews that were not author friendly and when I read them, I realized that my genre and style of writing was not frequency specific to them. And then, there comes a review that tickles the sense of fun and laughter.

I don't know how many of you saw the movie, Auntie Mame with Rosiland Russell or saw the Broadway musical based on a 1955 novel by Patrick Dennis. Auntie Mame was wild, outrageous and wonderful character. The closest I have been to being described as a possibility of being a teensy-weensy unusual character is the delightful review of my latest book Awakening the Genie Within recently posted on Amazon.com. The reviewer, Monty Rainey of New Braunfels, Texas has written a review that I think I will frame. I love it.

FROM AMAZON.COM

A pleasure to read, October 10, 2008 By Monty Rainey (New Braunfels, TX) - See all my reviews
Bettye Johnson reminds me so much of that wacky, eccentric great aunt that seems to exist in almost every family. You know the one, everyone talks about her like she's a little off her rocker, but yet, deep down, everyone wants to spend a little "alone" time with her because she's just so darn fun to be around! And, if you'll open your mind up a little and listen to what she is saying, some of it makes perfect sense!

Well, dear old aunt Bettye wrote a book and called it AWAKENING THE GENIE WITHIN: A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY. Now I'm the first to admit I'm a die-hard conservative Christian minister, Dallas Theological Seminary and all that, but I'm also the first to tell you I don't question someone else's faith. If Bettye found enlightenment through the Ramtha and his School of Enlightenment, then so be it. I believe there are many avenues to take us to the answers we seek and those roads don't always look the same.

This was an enjoyable read. Some may scoff at some of the conclusions that were reached, but keep an open mind and remember that Ms. Johnson's path may have been a little different than yours. That's okay. It doesn't make her wrong, only different. The point is, she has traveled a long journey and has gained wisdom, which she has chosen to share with the rest of us. Absorb her gift of wisdom in the way it was meant and enjoy the ride.

Here's to Monty Rainey! I enjoyed the style of writing along with the wit and the humor. With this review in mind, I will pull out the rough draft of a memoir, An Innocent in Paris based on my adventures as a young woman fresh out of racial prejudice Texas in the early fifties and thrown into the diplomatic world working for the embassy in Paris.

The Secret Female Pope

THE SECRET FEMALE POPE

When I was researching for my book Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls, I learned about Pope Joan and now a new revelation has come in a book by Eleanor Herman titled, Mistress of the Vatican: The true Story of Olimpia Maidalchinhi: The Secret Female Pope. This is a fascinating non-fiction story of a woman born in 1591 in Italy. At this period of history, females were abhorred by fathers because it usually meant they had to have a dowry. The fathers wanted sons who would marry wealthy girls/women and bring wealth into the family. During this time period there was a wide chasm between rich and poor.

According to Herman, a son was an insurance policy for the father while the daughter was a lodestone. Olimpia's father was a man striving to become part of the rich elite and his second wife was the daughter of a nobleman. Olimpia was a leader from birth and of course it vexed her father. Her skills were not at all what was expected from a female because as Herman wrote, "her mind worked like an abacus in financial matters" in the areas of adding, subtracting, multiplication and calculating percentages. She also had a fantastic memory.

It was the norm that unwanted females would be sent to convents where they lived for the rest of their lives and many times behind walls and family could only visit with them through grilled windows. History has disclosed tales of young men who would visit a female relative and pull out their penis and tantalize the nuns because they thought all women were hyper-sexual. This was the general concensus of the Italian men during this period.

The culture accepted that women were inferior to men and "Pope Innocent III (reigned 1198-1216) confidently declared that menstrual blood was so 'detestable and impure that, from contact therewith, fruits and grains are blighted, bushes dry up, grasses die, trees lose their fruits, and if dogs chance to eat of it, they go mad.' " To further demean the female, the culture quoted Greek philospher Aristole as saying that he believe "that a uterus was a kind of soil--dirt, actually--in which the man planted his seed. A woman merely provided a nine-month lease for a warm rented room." Apparently many of these so-call learned men were also blind-sided when it came to women.

According to Herman's extensive research, she writes, "All pregnancies, it was thought, started off as male, nature attempting to replicate its own perfection. But at some point in about half of pregnancies, something went terribly wrong, an irremediable birth defect, and the fetus became female. A female's reproductive organs proved her defectiveness; they were small and misshapen, most of them tucked away in an evil-smelling cavity inside the body, unlike the robust, full formed private parts of men, which enjoyed the fresh air and dangled proudly."

Herman goes on to write, "According to popular medieval literature, which was still widely read in sixteenth-century Italy, if a woman spread her legs very far, her female organs would fall out and she would become a man." But this isn't all. Thomas Aquinas, in the thirteenth century considered the most influential theologian in the history of the Catholic Church, declared women to be misbegotten men, inferior by nature and therefore incapable of leadership.

It becomes very apparent that it has been a slow up-hill climb for women of all cultures. We think we are emancipated here in the U.S., but are we fully free from prejudices and biases?

Olimpia decided at an early age that she was not going to be sent to a convent. She had received a very basic education from a nearby convent and she set her mind on marrying someone that had money. Of course, she did not tell her father and he was beside himself because he wanted his son to have all the money to improve the son's chances to marry a wealthy woman. In the town of Viterbo, Olimpia's father was climbing the ladder of success.

Olimpia went so far as to go to the Church an invoke a rule of the 1563 Council of Trent, which stated that a daughter did not have to enter a convent against her will. This was granted to her much to her father's anger and dismay. When Olimpia was seventeen, she married Paolo Nini the richest man in town. Paolo had an easy going nature and allowed Olimpia to administer his estates. It must have been a heady elixir for her to have reached this stage of her life.

While Olimpia was enjoying being the wife of a young wealthy man, her younger sisters chose to enter a convent rather than go against their father's wishes. Herman writes about the custom of a young girl marrying the church. "The girls stretched themselves out in front of the altar, their lips touching the cold stone floor. A black cloth was thrown over them, and lighted candles were placed at their heads and feet, the same ritual as in contemporary funeral customs, And indeed, to the world these young nuns were dead." Olympia's determination had saved her from this fate.

A short time after her wedding, Olimpia discovered she was pregnant and gave birth to a girl and soon after realized she was pregnant again. This time it was a boy. Three years after the marriage, at age twenty-three Paolo fell ill and died. This left Olimpia a very wealthy widow at age twenty. Nine months later the baby boy died. Due to the circumstances she found herself with choices. She could either enter a convent or re-marry. Olimpia chose to re-marry. She was fortunate in marrying an older man from a family of nobility. However he was not as wealthy as Olimpia. Thus began Olimpia's path to becoming the secret pope.

Olimpia married Pamphilio Pamphili a Roman nobleman nearing age fifty and poor. His brother Gianbattista Pamphili was a priest trained as a canon lawyer. Olimpia now moved to Rome and into the Pamphili home, which also housed Gianbattista. Olimpia not only ran the household, but she also took care of the estates and the dowry she brought to the marriage. Little is known about Pamphilio the husband, but there is quite a bit about her relationship with Gianbattista, the priest.

Olimpia became his confidant and advisor. There are historical records that indicate that they were lovers because it was evident they loved each other. Very little is said of Pamphilio, the husband. It is reported Olimpia had a bedroom between the two men with doors that could be open to each one.

Not only did Olimpia enhance the financial wealth of the Pamphili family, but she was a very adept lobbyist and over the years saw to it that Gianbattista was promoted and then he became a cardinal because of her endeavors. It is written that if anyone wanted something from Gianbattista that they had to go through her first. In 1644, Gianbattista became Pope Innocent X with Olimpia still his primary adviser. His reign as pope ended in 1655 when he died. Olimpia followed him in death two years later. From all indications she was indeed, the Secret Female Pope.

In 1652, Cavalier Giustiniani wrote the following about Olimpia:

Donna Olimpia Maidalchini is a woman of great spirit, but her sole title to influence is that of a rigid economist. When offices fell vacant at court, nothing was decided without her good pleasure; when church livings were to be distributed, the ministers of the dataria had orders to defer all appointments until, notice having been given to her of the nature of those benefices, she might then select such as best pleased her for her own disposal; if episcopal sees were to be conferred, it was to her that the candidates applied; and that which most effectually revolted every upright mind was to see that those were preferred who were most liberal in giving.

It must have been triumphant for her to reach the stature she did in the midst of an ignorant male mentality of the female gender. She was brilliant and she was shrewd. Olimpia ran the Vatican and its government. Pope Innocent X was only the front man and she was the power behind him.

I highly recommend Eleanor Herman's book Mistress of the Vatican: The True Story of Olimpia Maidalchini: The Secret Female Pope for a broader picture and understanding of Olimpia and the times she lived in. Herman's extensive historical research shows that the Vatican and high society were decadent and immoral with residues of that are seen even today. It has made a mockery of the teachings of Jesus and is indeed a religion founded on falsehoods and immoral attributes. It is a religion of the human male.

REVIEW FROM BOOKPLEASURES.COM

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 7:27 AM
Awakening the Genie Within .: BookPleasures.com
http://www.bookpleasures.com/Lore2/idx/0/3856/article/_Awakening_the_Genie_=
Author: Bettye Johnson
Publisher: Living Free Press
ISBN: 978-0-9650454-4-5

In her preface, Bettye Johnson explains her concept of the fairy-tale Aladdin’s Lamp and the Genie inside it. She informs us of its hidden meaning in that all of us have a genie living in our brain. Aladdin rubbed his lamp to activate the genie but we don’t even need to do that in order to release our genius. The word genie means, spirit within and this is derived from the word genius that means having a guardian spirit or a person of natural intelligence or talent. Bettye then goes on to say she will share her own knowledge and experience along with the tools that have helped her. It is to be a journey of discovery.

I immediately thought, oh dear, another of those self- enlightenment books and wondered if this would be any different to the others. In my experience, and I’ve read quite a few, they all tend to use similar jargon and theories. It would be gratifying to discover someone who has a fresh outlook with original ideas. So I read on in hope. Then I read Bettye’s poem, The Awakening and I loved it and really identified with it- Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? I await a reply. These are some lines taken from the poem.

The author’s quest for a meaning in her life began with a “prickle” in her forties and her superficial relationship with her husband ended when he asked her for a divorce. She didn’t look back. She informs us how we play many roles in our lives and that we all have choices. She discusses perseverance and how she chooses not to give into fear. She changes her mind all the time, moment –by- moment, letting go of the power of fear gives us inner freedom and has to be achieved. I was enjoying this but then I read the chapter where Bettye tells of writing letters to God or whatever else you want to call it, I was turned off somewhat. As she herself says, “what is reality? What is illusion?”

I continued reading and discovered that we use less than ten percent of our brain. I was a bit disturbed to read about the experiment of a lie detector being attached to a plant which showed that when the leaf was burnt the detector showed human reactions!
Bettye quotes extensively from Ramtha which she has studied for years and follows its teachings, many of which she discusses in this book. I also gathered if we change our beliefs and open our minds we are activating our own genie within.

In this quantum world I learned that all things are possible, e.g. quelling a storm. I haven’t tried this yet but feel inspired to try. Read and be amazed.

There is a very interesting chapter on the true meaning of words. Did you know that nice means foolish, stupid, senseless? This is fascinating stuff.

I was startled when I read about the out of body experience where the hospital for damaged souls in the after-life is called Infrared. Come on now, Infrared, I really do wonder!
However, Bettye has compiled an impressive book of her experiences and thoughts that I’m sure will certainly enhance our own lives if we put them into action.

Thought provoking, not the usual hype and I did find some of her ideas fresh and original. Read it for yourself especially if you are looking to change your life.

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts: Jessica is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire (UK) and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books.

Awakening the Genie Within Amazon.com Review

AMAZON.COM REVIEW
Has some good tips, September 17, 2008 By drebbles (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Bettye Johnson has led an interesting life. Born in Dallas, Texas in 1929, she grew up during the Great Depression. Throughout her life she has held a wide variety of jobs including picking cotton as a child, working in Paris and Tokyo for the U.S. State Department, a Federal Women's Program Coordinator, a holistic health center program director, and a non-denominational minister. She was the wife of a career military man and is the mother of three sons. In 2001 she became an author. "Awakening the Genie Within" is the story of how she was able to accomplish so many life changes.

"Awakening the Genie Within" is part autobiography and part inspirational thinking. Johnson's life has indeed been fascinating and I hope she eventually writes a full-fledged autobiography (I'd love to hear more about her second husband). Johnson is a student of Ramtha and his School of Enlightenment, which guides the inspirational part of the book. Whether or not you are open to Ramtha, there are several useful ideas in the book. Johnson advises that people open up the unused parts of their brains and gives several examples as to how to do it. She has several useful tips such as the seven P's (stages) of questing; how to inventory yourself; how to break out of mental cages ("I can't", "it isn't possible", etc.); keys to change; the power of imagination; self-healing; rules for living joyfully; and much more. While those were all useful tips, the one thing I really took from the book is the need to get rid of "stinking thinking" - something I have to work really hard to do.

"Awakening the Genie Within" is an inspirational book from a remarkable woman.

THE HOLY GRAIL

The Holy Grail—what is it? I invite you to come with me as I pull the threads of mystery, myth, false clues and finally what the Grail is, and what its purpose is. For centuries, people have written about the Holy Grail. Many assume it represents the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. Others allege Joseph of Arimathea used the Grail cup to catch Jesus' blood when he was placed in the tomb. Now if we were to reason this, the crucifixion occurred over two thousand years ago and at that time Jesus had not been declared a Christ, because it was Paul who gave him the title of Christ and the books of the New Testament were not written until some years after the crucifixion. Somehow, I find it a challenge to think that someone would save his cup, chalice, the lance that pierced his side, a portion of the cross or any other artifact. I do not think that anyone at that time would give importance to those. There are stories that Helene, the mother of Emperor Constantine I reportedly brought back the first relics from Jerusalem and this was the beginning of placing relics of Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene and other saints in churches to be venerated. Why? To keep the populace's attention focused on someone or some being outside of them to worship.

I question these, because the birth year of Constantine I is questionable. Some allege it was in 272 A.D. while others say 271 or 273 A.D. If his birth year is a big hazy event, then why accept that these stories of the Grail and other relics are factual? Having done extensive research, I am always open to new information. In either 323 or 325 A.D., Constantine convened the Council of Nicea and thus was born the Catholic Church although it may not have been given that name at the time.

To place events into a perspective, the first four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of the New Testament were written between 65-95 A.D. Actually it is alleged that the Book of John was written in 100 A.D. at Ephesus. It is alleged that Jesus was crucified in 30 A.D. and this date perhaps is not the actual date. The next 15 books after John are attributed to Paul with the first written in 50 A.D. and continuing through 67 A.D. The Book of Acts is purported to be the biography of Paul's life. The research of Ralph Ellis, Jesus Last of the Pharaohs, indicates that the life of Paul and Josephus, an often-quoted ancient Jewish-Roman historian are almost identical according to the autobiography of Josephus. There are 20 points that indicate the possibility that Paul and Josephus were the same person Could it be that Paul was a character Josephus created and never existed? It is something to consider.

During the Roman-Jewish War of 70 A.D., the Romans totally destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. It is doubtful that any artifacts pertaining to Jesus or Mary Magdalene survived. Perhaps some of the scrolls and writings survived and were taken to the Great Library of Alexandria. Even though a major portion of the Library had been burned by Caesar in 42 B.C., some of the documents were housed in the Serapeum. In 391 A.D., the Christian Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria destroyed almost all of the Serapeum and anything remaining was destroyed by the Muslims in 642 A.D. Therefore, must of ancient history was destroyed and numerous myths have been created.

What does this have to do with the Holy Grail? It is background information leading up to another belief that Mary Magdalene was the Holy Grail, having given birth to the children of Jesus and thus was born the bloodline. The Knights Templar enter the picture with it being created after the First Crusade around 1119 A.D. by Hugues de Payens of France with eight of his knight relatives.

Nine knights spent nine years in Jerusalem supposedly digging for Solomon's Temple and when they left, they became known as Knights Templar. They became wealthy and also responsible for the architecture of the beautiful Gothic cathedrals in France, including Chartres. Chartres is filled with symbology for those who have the eyes to see. They also were responsible for venerating Mary Magdalene. Some have written that it was due to her being the mother of Jesus' children and therefore the bloodline. What if there was another reason?

I am going to backtrack a bit to the Library at Alexandria. When the Serapeum was destroyed by the Patriarch of Alexandria, the great teachers of the mystery schools began dispersing to other places with one being Constantinople and another Baghdad. The mystery schools of great knowledge went underground. It was from these teachers that the Arabs learned mathematics and science, while in Europe the Church suppressed knowledge. What if, the nine knights traveled to either Constantinople or Baghdad and studied under the great teachers? Where else would the knowledge of geometry and the truth about Mary Magdalene come from? It is my assertion that these nine knights spawned their own secret order to carry forward the knowledge they had gained from the great mystery schoolteachers who perhaps were called Magi.

I do not subscribe to the theory that the Knights Templar were perpetuating and protecting the bloodline handed down through royal bloodlines. It does not make sense if one truly reads history. I have already written about the Merovingians and why I do not think they were a main conduit to carry the bloodline. Bishop Gregory of Tours gave the Frankish Merovingian chieftain Clodion the title of king. Before that they were a warring tribe with brother killing brother and the brothers having different mothers. An excellent book to read on the Merovingians is The Birth of France by Katherine Scherman.

There is also the theory that the Grail bloodline was taken to Scotland to the Sinclair's. Rosslyn Chapel is filled with esoteric clues. Several books have been written about Henry Sinclair sailing to Nova Scotia and on down to Massachusetts where there is evidence of the Knights Templar presence. William E. Mann's book The Knights Templar in the New World gives the possibility that the mysterious code left at Rennes le Chateau points to Acadia, Canada, which includes Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. There is evidence according to Mann that Sinclair left clues that have yet to be fully deciphered.

Mann uses in his book the tarot cards as a heading for each chapter with the first chapter being The Fool. By looking at the symbols on the cards, I have realized that these are cards for an initiate of the Great Work. The Fool is the initiate and each succeeding cards indicate various stages of the Journey into full self-realization. I will get back to this, however I want to address what I surmise is the great Secret that the Church did not want revealed and has covertly promoted the myth of the bloodline. Jesus left clues and one is his saying that we can do greater things than he did. He also said, Don't you know your scriptures that you are gods? (Psalms 82:6 and John 10:34.)

What if each of us is a part of the bloodline? What if Henry Sinclair sailed to Acadia to make known an unknown, and he with his other knights did that, and left clues that they had been there? What if Mary Magdalene was a greater teacher than Jesus and, the Knights Templar knew that? What if knowledge of her great works has been eradicated because she was a woman? What if this is all about the individual journeys that each of us must make at one point in time or in another lifetime to realize that we are gods connected to the Source? Religions are the prisons that bind us to beliefs that God is outside of us and that a mortal man can only interpret what the man or men want us to do with do's and don'ts.

What is the Journey? What is the Great Work? It is the discovery that God resides within every human being and each of us is a part of the tapestry of the Source. We have given our power away over eons with one reincarnation after another. Isn't it time we began looking inward and allowing our own Holy Spirit to come forth? How does one begin? There is a saying, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Ask for the teacher. This is what life is all about. Welcome to the Journey.

THE ROSE - MEANING AND SYMBOLOBY

Down through the ages the rose has been revered and treasured not only for its beauty, but also for its symbolism. I have been asked why I chose the red rose for the book cover of Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls. I chose it is because to me it represents what Mary Magdalene, her life and her legacy symbolize.

As the result of my research, the red rose was chosen because the color of a red rose indicates giving of one’s self for the purpose of greater evolvement. Red also indicates the material plane and we are now living on this plane.

Not only is the rose an ancient symbol, it is also an ancient plant. The rose originally came from Persia, however rose fossils that have been found in Colorado and Oregon that have been determined to be 32,000,000 years old. Yes, that is 32 million! It isn’t only in the United States where fossilized roses have been found. There is fossil evidence of roses, which grew in Mesopotamia many millions of years ago.

The rose is mentioned all throughout ancient history. There is evidence that the Romans imported masses of roses from Egypt. There are also stories of Cleopatra having the floor of the banquet hall carpeted with roses 2 feet deep for Mark Anthony.

In the Song of Solomon in the Bible, it is written, I am the rose of Sharon…along with in Isaiah, I rejoice and blossom as the rose… According to these words, the ancients knew something important to leave a message that I am the rose and I…blossom as the rose. These are early clues that the rose has always been a sacred symbol.

In researching the symbolism of the rose, I have found many interpretations. The rose carries the meaning of purity or heavenly, passion, transmutation, completion, of consummate achievement and perfection in addition to being an ancient symbol of joy. The Persian poet Sa’adi of Shiraz wrote of the rose garden as a garden of contemplation. Today most people think of the rose as a symbol for love. It is all of these meanings.

The rose has been used as a sign of silence in addition to secrecy. This is where the words sub rosa came into usage and is defined as under the rose. When secret societies and gatherings met in medieval times, a rose was hung from the ceiling at a meeting indicating a demand for discretion.

In Roman times the rose was sacred to Venus. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the symbolism changed with the rise of Christianity and the ancient meanings were changed when the Catholic Church began incorporating them into their beliefs. Instead of belonging to Venus, the rose became the flower of the Virgin Mary and she was deemed to be the Rosa mystica. The Roman Jupiter Capitolinus became St. Peter’s and the Temple of Juno Lucina became the Church of Ste. Maria Maggiore.

The Catholic rosary is said to have first started with rolled up dried roses made into beads and used for counting, which evolved into the name rosary. In researching the meaning of the rose, I came across one statement, which said that to the Arabs, the rose was a masculine flower. Further research indicates it may have meant the masculine to them, however my research indicates it is definitely a feminine symbol.

There is a legend that there has been and could possibly be in existence today the Sisterhood of the Rose. The sisterhood is said to be composed of twelve women who work for the betterment of mankind. In some circles it is considered a myth of Mary Magdalene creating twelve groups and each group composed of twelve women who were taught to be wisdom keepers of the sacred knowledge. Perhaps this sisterhood is the ongoing work of Mary Magdalene. History is fluid as I have written before.

The Knights Templar was instrumental in the building of magnificent Gothic cathedrals in France and other parts of Europe. In the Cathedral at Chartres there is a glorious Rose Window and perhaps the most famous. Actually there are other Rose Windows in the cathedral with the window over the main entrance considered the most beautiful. The Rose Windows began appearing in cathedrals around 1200 in France and spread to England, Italy, Spain and Germany.

The origin of the round Rose Window came from the Roman oculus, a Latin word for eye, embodying the concept of completeness and balance. Originally the Romans used the concept in building a round opening in the top of a dome and this eventually grew into a round stain glass window in churches.

The Rose Window operates on many levels. The symbolic meaning may be different for each person and touch her or him spiritually, meditatively and emotionally. There is another aspect of the Rose Windows in that geometry is utilized on three levels such as manifestation, hidden and symbolic. The rose, with a characteristic five-petal shape imitates the pentagram – a five-sided star also a sacred symbol.

Symbols were created to leave a path for those who open their minds to seeking a higher level of knowledge and the meaning of life.

AWAKENING THE GENIE WITHIN

AWAKENING THE GENIE WITHIN NOW AVAILABLE:

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.amazon.com

http://www.magdalenescrolls.com

Your comments are most appreciative and please leave a review

if you perchase from BarnesandNoble or Amazon.

Thank you,

Bettye Johnson

Awakening the Genie Within

The book, she is here! The Journey - a partial memoir and self-help for those who read it. In my book I share my awakening to the grander mind of me and anyone can access their grander mind. That is what the Journey of Life is all about.

We are suppose to explore life and create new avenues of expression. I have seen so many people glued to the past. It's almost as if they are in a moving vehicle with their face stuck to the rear window. Life is for living. It is not about dying. Life is not about going to a nursing home.

I like the cartoon of the woman sliding with a bottle of wine in one hand and chocolate in the other. We - as a collective - have been programmed into believing that this is good for you and this is bad for your. If one understands the quantum field, then it becomes obvious that it is only done unto you as your believe.

As I write this, the book is not posted to BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com. It takes approximately 8 weeks for it to make its way on-line. In the meantime, you are welcome to purchase it from my website: www.magdalenescrolls.com.

Enjoy and leave your comments. Bettye

NEW BOOK ~ AWAKENING THE GENIE WITHIN

What happens when a forty year old woman awakens to a genie lurking within her? Two time award-winning author Bettye Johnson answers this question in her soon-to-be released first work of non-fiction Awakening the Genie Within, A Journey of Discovery, a semi-memoir of Johnson's journey into a world of manifested words and thoughts. Johnson's book Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls is an Independent Publishers Book Award Winner 2006 and its sequel Mary Magdalene, Her Legacy an Independent Publishers Book Award Winner 2008.

Suzanne Fairbrother, Ph.D., author of the best-selling book The Goddess Within, says "Awakening the Genie Within is a delightful presentation of the accumulated wisdom of a life well lived. Bettye Johnson's book shows us how to live our lives more powerfully." Johnson's book covers a span of her next 39 years of developing the genie within and shares her experiences, the tools she used and the wisdom gained during a fascinating journey of discovery.

Two Wins. How Sweet It Is!

Indeed! It is sweet to receive my second Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY Award) for Mary Magdalene, Her Legacy and especially since there were 3,175 entries from 49 U.S. States, 9 Canadian provinces, and 16 foreign countries.

The Independent Publisher Book Awards, also named the IPPY Awards were created in 1996 as a broad-based, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry. The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles produced each year, and reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing. I am truly honored.

Since I published my first book in 2005, I have seen a change in the publishing industry and it has been beneficial to those of us who choose to self-publish. Internet and Amazon have been a boon to those of us who choose to self-publish. When I first made a decision to publish Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls,

I research my publishing options. What I learned was that one must find a literary agent and after some rejections, it seemed that to self-publish might be the way to go. I even attended some workshops and learned further that print-on-demand publishing that furnished the ISBN numbers was almost the kiss-of-death to self-publishing by bookstores and most wholesalers.

Fortunately, I had already purchased a block of 10 ISBNs, so that was no problem. I was gifted with some funds, and I had my book printed. I also learned some hard lessons such as the cost of freight and having a place to store the books. Whereas, print-on-demand allows the author to purchase as few or as many as one wants and that elminates the storage space. I also secured 3 wholesalers including Baker&Taylor. At that time, the biggie Ingram did not take self-publishers. It has been a grand journey of discovery. I am so delighted to be a two-time award winner and what is my next step? To promote, promote and also to get my next book, Awakening the Genie Within published. Yes, it will be self-published and is my first non-fiction book.

BORDERS OF THE MIND

Memorial Day in the U.S. was one where many paid homage to the men and women who died while in service to their country. Perhaps across the world there were other countries who are also mourning their fallen military, and I have often wondered why we have war. I recently re-read William Bramley's book, The Gods of Eden. I had the privilege of hearing the author speak in the early 1990's.

Bramley at that time was a research lawyer and he shared that as a boy around eight he played war with his playmates. It was exciting and fun. One day he saw a photo of the prisoners of Dachau who had been released at the end of WWII. He was shocked by their skeleton look. This was the beginning to find out why there is war in the world and it led him to other discoveries.
During his talk, Bramley told the audience that he had found his knowledge in public libraries and it was there for everyone to read. This surprised me and this could have been a seed of the beginning of my love for research and history. What I found from my research reinforces Bramley's research. I recommend his book for those who are interested.

In this article, I am taking a different approach to the same subject: why war. It seems to me incongruous that with the information and technology, we have today that few people realize that what occupies our bodies comes from the same source—meaning each spirit that inhabits the body is from only one source and the source is neither male nor female. The source of all life can be found in quantum physics and has nothing to do with religion.

In the beginning, the physical body was created to house a spirit, which would have an opportunity to explore and evolve in the physical world; borders were placed in the brain with limited thinking. It is up to each spirit occupying a body to break though the borders of the mind. The first border to break through is that of religion. Religion sets apart those who believe in a particular form of religion from another. By studying history, one can see that most of the wars have been religious wars.

Others wars have been for power and expansion of territories. It is there in the history books. War is promoted by sports. In sports, there are the two teams who 'battle' to see who is the winner. Sports rev up the adrenalin in those viewing and there is cheering for whatever team one is for. This is reminiscent of the gladiators fighting in the Roman forums. When the Christians were thrown to the lions, the Romans became bloodthirsty and roared with approval.
Humanity has been fed to the lions of power. The approval of war has been passed down through generations and now it is genetically accepted by most of the world's population. This is a border of the mind that must be passed through in order to evolve the spirit within.

Borders of the mind that must be dissolved are prejudices, which pit one nationality against another—one skin color against another. Another border to be dissolved goes hand-in-hand with prejudice and that is discrimination. The U.S. is still subtly holding on to racial discrimination even though the black population legally is freed from segregation and discrimination. This also goes for those from Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico. It is ludicrous that a border wall is being built between the U.S. and Mexico. Is this to keep us in, or to keep others out? This is a form of war fed by propaganda and fear.

War breeds fear. War also keeps women in submission because the history of war shows that one of the spoils of war is for the conquering army to rape women and in ancient times to carry them off to be slaves. Women and children are the victims of war and have no voice.
In breaking through the borders of the mind, one can see all of humanity as a brilliant quilt made up of the many facets of the Source. It is up to each individual to choose whether to participate in war or not. There are those who will not because the most challenging borders to break through are the borders of fear and doubt.

Fear and doubt are partners and keep people from breaking through the borders of the mind. They are lost in conformity, ridicule, being different, becoming an outcaste in the tribe and other attributes; therefore suppressing their desire for change.

One only has to view the wars going on across the world objectively and observe the motives for war. This means to break through the borders of propaganda and see each war for what it really is—power with its offshoots of religion, greed and control. One only has to go to VA hospitals and visit the wounded, or read about the walking wounded and the suicides that are escalating. We only have to ask ourselves, is war worth this? It is time for each of us to break through the borders of our mind and create a new future.

Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls Meets The Bloodline

Yes, the author of Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls did meet the producer, Rene Barnett and director Bruce Burgess of the newly released documentary Bloodline on Bettye's show Knowledge Is Power, www.blogtalkradio.com/bettye. Barnett and Burgess' film is as exciting as a thriller--only this one is true and you can view it instead of reading it.

Barnett and Burgess discuss the repercussions and the background of a major discovery of a hidden tomb found in the Languedoc region of southwest France. According to the Documentary Bloodline, this discovery may help substantiate the existence of a Mary Magdalene and Jesus bloodline. The Chamber contains a mummified corpse on a rose-colored plinth under a shroud bearing the distinctive red cross of the Knights Templar. This figure is surrounded by wooden chests revealing a cache of gold chalices and coins.

The discovery has been reported to the French Government agency, Direction Regionale des Affaires Culturells Languedoc-Roussillon, and plans are underway for a full scale survey. There are reportedly scrolls, documents and artifacts that will have a startling effect on current attitudes held by theologians and the Church.

According to Burgess, the subterranean chamber was discovered by an English advednturer, Ben Hammott and by using a hidden code in the decor of the church at Rennes-loe Chateau, left behind by the 19th century priest Berenger Sauniere. The film team was able to gain access into the tomb by using a remote camera inserted through a small air shaft at the top of the chamber.

The revelations of the tomb has the potential of changing the world view of Mary Magdalene, Jesus and the involvement of the Knights Templar. Their website is http://www.bloodlinethemovie.com/.

The archive of my talk with Burgess and Barnett is not as clear as it was broadcasted, but if one hangs in there, Burgess and Barnett come across loud and clear for the listener. Please go to
www.blogspotradio.com/bettye.

Water Into Wine

I think most of us have heard the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine, but few fully understand the true intent of this story. The meaning of turning water into wine precedes religions and Christianity. It is ancient knowledge that has been convoluted over the ages until it has been attributed only to Jesus. Let's first begin with water.

Scientists are at last finding that water hold memory. Dr. Masaru Emoto has demonstrated the attributes of water with his experiments with polluted water. He has proven that polluted water can be changed to clean water by sending messages of love to the water. He has done this not only with a polluted lake, but by placing words of love on beakers of polluted water and the water responded and became clean. What happened? The water changed its memory.

Most of us have heard of the Ganges River in India. The people bath in its waters, wash their clothes, swim in the river, dispose bodies in the river after death, and possibly urinate in the water. To the people of India, the river is holy and they know it is blessed--thus, they are able to use this water also for drinking and cooking. Most Westerners think it is abhorrent, but is it really? Over the years of accepting it as being holy and blessed, haven't they turned the water into something clean and wonderful?

Over the eons, the blessing of water became used in the form of baptism and it also was taught to bless the food one eats with an intent of giving thanks by religion. Therefore, blessing became associated with religion even though the meaning was ancient. I have learned that by being sincere, we can change our water and our food impurities to something wonderful for our bodies. The degree of success comes from the degree of our acceptance and intent. There are several well-known quotes that actually come from ancient Egyptian teachings and one is as a man/woman thinketh, so it is and the other is it is done to you as you believe. There is also another statement, practice makes perfect.

Therefore, by blessing our water, our food, and everything and every person in our life, we can change water into the wine of life. Perhaps the simple act of blessing is the Holy Grail. It is something to think about.

HOPE ~ AN OFTEN CONVOLUTED WORD

I have often heard the phrase, I hope so spoken with a voice inflection that indicates that the person speaking would love to have a wish or something come true, but doesn't think it will really happen. In other words, it is a maybe, or perhaps. It appears that the word hope has become a word with an ambigious meaning.

I looked up the meaning of the word hope, which is to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment. The archaic meaning is to have confidence, trust. Hope is a beautiful word that has gradually lost its luster. It's time we polished it up and now share messages of hope.

Recently I was sent an email giving a website for the Hope Revolution. A beautiful woman began placing messages of hope around New York City and now there is a website: http://www.hoperevo.com/.

When we change our attitudes such as prejudice, bigotry, judgment and harboring anger and resentment, we change our lives. When we watch the words we use and the thoughts we have and change them into something affirmative, we change our lives. When we change our lives, we affect the people around us. It is something like throwing a pebble into a pond and watching the ripples flow out. This is what we can do.

There is never a problem or a challenge that cannot be resolved. We can create what we want by using affirmative words and thinking affirmative thoughts. I use the word affirmative because it is a statement. Thinking positive will only attract its opposite of negative.

Pass the word and use the affirmative word hope and we can change our world.

Bettye Johnson

Why Presidents' Day?

February 18 has been declared a national holiday in honor of our past Presidents' birthdays. I understand some people look upon this day only as having a day off from work.

In reflecting on this holiday, I realize that few people truly know what some of these great men accomplished or what they based their presidency on. The Founding Fathers of this great country and the creators of the U.S. Constitution were great men. President James Madison, considered to be the Father of the U.S. Constitution, along with Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Freedom and the following portion is part of the State of Virginia's Constitution. In Section 1, Jefferson argues that the concept of compulsory religion is wrong for the following reasons:

-The imposition of anything on a human mind, which God made to be free, is hypocritical and wrong.
-Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free, God never coerced anyone to follow him, and the imposition of a religion by government officials is impious.
-The coercion of a person to make contributions—especially monetary—to a religion he doesn't support is tyrannical and crates favoritism among ministers..
-Civil rights do not depend on religious beliefs, and what a person thinks is no business of the government.

There is also a strong possibility that the Iroquois Confederacy influenced the writers of our Constitution. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin are known to have a strong connection with the Iroquois and used parts of the Iroquois Confederacy constitution as a role model for the U.S. Constitution. I find this most interesting because most of our population have looked up the Indians as being savages and pagan. It is time to change that image and to realize their contributions.

The Confederacy consisted of five Indian tribes and recent estimates date the confederacy and its constitution between 1090 and 1150 CE. The initiator of the Iroquois constitution is reportedly the Great Peacemaker Deganawida. Legend has it that his was a virgin birth. He stuttered, was ridiculed and he became an enlightened man through his handicap. He traveled through the various tribes to teach them the way of peace and along the way met Hiawatha, a ferocious warrior. Hiawatha listened to Deganawida and became his disciple as Deganawida's orator.
Deganawida became known as a prophet as he traveled among the tribes counseling peace while unifying them into the League of the Iroquois. He created an advanced political system—primarily democratic and it allowed women a major role.

In celebration of this Presidents ' Day, it should be noted that this country was not founded on religious beliefs, but the wisdom of the Founding Fathers. President John Adams wrote in the Treaty with Tripoli, "As the government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." President Harry S. Truman is quoted as saying, "We believe that all men are created equal because they are created in the image of God."

Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, "Truth is certainly a branch of morality and a very important one to society." President John F. Kennedy said, "Let us resolve to be masters, not victims of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions."

We have a brilliant Constitution and a legacy of wisdom from our Founding Fathers, whom we should honor and insist on the restoration of the Constitution.

Interesting People

Today the thought came to me regardng the difference between interesting people and fascinating people. I checked my trusty dictionary and learned that primarily mean the same though there are slight differences. The word interesting is defined as holding attention, while fascinating is defined as holding attention, plus possessing the power to charm or allure. Hmmm. Almost the same, but not quite the same.

An interesting person is one who is not a whiner, blamer or a victim. There is nothing of interest there. A truly interesting person is a doer--always seeking and this could mean a variety of things. An interesting person is one who when they talk has something worth listening to. My interest is held by what is being spoken to me.

I meet a lot of interesting people. There are many interesting people all over the world. All we have to do is shut up and listen. If their conversation is mundane, then I tune them out. There is nothing to exchange here. To me it means they are just treading life. Sometimes it seems to me as if there is no one home behind those eyes. An interesting person's eyes is alive and they enjoy new experiences and perhaps new adventures.

There are many interesting people who are the quiet ones and perhaps these are the ones who have the most interesting things to say. There are many people who quietly live interesting lives and if you want to find these people, it is well worth your effort to ask a few interesting questions of your own. Who knows, you might find them fascinating.

THE BULL AND THE BEAR

Once upon a time there lived a bear in a cave deep in the woods. Nearby
was a meadow in which a farmer kept his cattle -- and one large,
ferocious-looking bull. Each day the bear hid at the edge of the woods,
watching the bull. The bear was known as the strongest, most fierce
creature for miles around. No other beast in the forest dared to tangle
with him. As the bear watched the bull peacefully gazing, he wondered
which one of them would win a test of strength. He thought about this for
many days. Then one morning he decided to challenge the bull to a fight
to the finish.

The bull had just chomped down on a fresh clump of clover when he looked
up and saw the bear barreling across the meadow toward him. He stopped
chewing. The red flag of danger popped up in his head. The bear skidded
to a halt in front of him. The bull lowered his head menacingly, his
sharp horns aimed right for the bear's throat. For long moments they
stood in place -- eyeball to eyeball -- neither one of them moving.
Finally the bull grew tired of the stare-down and asked, "What do you
want, Bear?"

"I want to fight you," growled the bear.

"Why?" asked the bull.

"Because, I want to prove that I am a stronger and better fighter than
you are."

The bull laughed. "I thought you really wanted something. You can't
possibly win against me. I have sharp horns that can cause terrible
injuries."

"And my claws are sharp and quick," the bear shot back. "I have defeated
many an enemy -- anyone who would harm my cubs or take away my mate. I am
the king of the forest!"

"Then go back to the forest," the bull bluntly advised. "This is the
meadow."

The bear blinked in surprise. "I beg your pardon..."

"I mean, what's the point of me fighting with you?" the bull asked. "What
would that prove? We are not enemies. I have not harmed your cubs or
taken your mate."

"It would prove that I am the strongest."

"Okay," said the bull, smiling. "I'll buy that. You are strongest. Now
leave and let me graze in peace."

"Just one cotton-pickin' minute. What do you mean by that?" The bear
raised a club-like paw. "I will tear you to shreds. Defend yourself."

"What you do is up to you," the bull answered calmly. "But if you do,
what will all your friends -- the ones who are watching us right now --
think about you?"

"They will think that I am the strongest," yelled the frustrated bear.

"I don't think so. I do not choose to fight you just because you choose
to fight with me. I would only fight to defend one of the cows in my
care. If you attack one of them, then I'd be obliged to give you a good
lashing."

"I can't attack them," protested the bear. "They can't fight back. There
would be no victory to it."

"Exactly," answered the bull. "But what if you did? And what if I should
try to defend them? What if something should happen to me? Who would
protect them then? You? Would you trust me to protect your cubs if
something happened to you? What would happen to your family if you lose
the fight?"

"I never thought of that," said the bear.

"Go back into the woods, Bear," said the bull as he turned to walk away.
"Live in peace. And I will stay in the meadow and do the same."

The bear turned toward the woods. He had come spoiling for a fight -- to
prove which one was the strongest.

But he had learned an important lesson from a very wise bull. In peace,
there are no losers.
-- author unknown

A FOCUSED MIND

Perhaps you have a focused mind--meaning that whatever you place your attention on, you can manifest. For too many, the brain has a short attention span and we wonder
why we become so scattered. I know because I have been training my mind for 25 years and yes, I have made progressed. However, there are some to where it becomes a passion. I will give you an example.

About six years ago I was introduced to the Henry Sugar story written by Roald Dahl. It was a most interesting story about a man who secured a small booklet telling of a man from India who by looking steadily into the flame of a candle learned to ride a bicycle in heavy traffic blindfolded. He could see through things.

Being a student in the Ramtha School of Enlightenment, this intrigued me but I wasn't committed at that time to pursue this avenue. There was a man--a carpenter and the single parent of a son who was feeling depressed because he felt he had
not progressed in the school. He read the Henry Sugar story and one day he was sitting and looking out his sliding glass door when he 'saw' a playing card and perhaps it was the 3 of clubs. He was pulled to pick up a deck of cards near by and he stared at the back of the deck. Then, as I recall him telling the story, he turned the card over and it was the 3 of clubs. This excited him and he began spending long hours staring at the backs of cards and gradually over a year, he began to be adept at it.

It was at this point, he shared with others what he could do. He was then asked to show the RSE students what he had learned to do. I was in the audience in the Great Hall, when Kenny Thompson began focusing on the backs of cards--after someone had shuffled the deck thoroughly, and he called most of them correctly. He went on to
become more adept and about a year ago he and another student were tested by scientists in California and they came through with flying colors.

What did it take? Focus and a passion to do it. He has now gone on to roulette and is quite good at it. Kenny now has a website and I urge you to go to it. http://www.spin-geek.com. Be sure to click on the sample e-book.

A simple man who developed a passion trained his mind. I know I am inspired and I hope you are too.

THE REFLECTION OF YOU

For many years I have been urged to study nature and it will tell you its secrets. It was only yesterday that I FINALLY got the message. Some people are faster than others. The main thing is that I finally understood it in a broader sense. I already knew about the caterpiller turning into a butterfly and I understood about the ants storing up for the winter and how it can apply to we humans. It wasn't until I heard my teacher Ramtha describe nature using a potted hyacinth plant as the teaching example that it came to me.

The soil of the Earth is the mind of the Earth. This beautiful soil has many different colors. In some areas it is red and in others it is black, shades of brown, yellow, and almost white. When I thought of this, I realized the connection with the various races on this Earth. We have people with what is called red skin, others with yellow skin, black skin, brown skin and the lighter skin that is called white. The Earth is our reflection. Therefore, why should we harbor prejudice against people because of the color of their skin? Why should one religion hate and discriminate against another religion?

The Earth was made from the Mind of God and that same mind is in each one of us. I think the Bible has a verse that tells us we were made from the clay of the earth. We are each aspects of the One Mind and we each have our very own individual place in the scheme of things. A dandelion can never be a rose--nor can a rose be a lily. Each of us with our uniqueness adds to the fabric of life that makes up the Mind of God.

Therefore when we think we do not measure up or that we have no worth, we should look at nature and realize that everything has its own place in the sun. When we finally realize that we are all connected, we can begin to appreciate who we are and think of the soils of the Earth as reflections of us.

The Birth and Arrival of A Book

Ah...the waiting is almost over. The birthing of a book is different with each one. Mary Magdalene, Her Legacy is my third published book and now as I wait for UPS to deliver my ordered copies from the printer, I am poised to begin my marketing strategies which I have developed after careful research and based on past experiences.

However, during this wait there are the dishes to washed, laundry that calls out to be washed and thank god I managed to get it washed and into the dryer before my handy fix-it son cut off the water in order to install a new filter for the washing machine. Of course, Mom has to be the hand-me this until he realizes that he is missing a part. So off to town he goes. (We live in the country.) I decided to let off some energy and write a piece for my blog. Am I antsy? Perhaps a wee bit. So I play it down some.

I sit a moment and contemplate the readers of Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls. My overall feedback has been on the positive side. Somehow, I sense that this second book will excite the readers as much as the the first one did. Again, in this sequel, I never knew where the story was going to take me. As idea after idea came, I wrote.

As most authors will say, the writing is the easiest part. Then comes the editing and proof-reading. I have found that this second part takes as long - if not longer, than it did to write the book. Am I satisfied with the results? Yes! I will say it is all worth it.

I have been asked why I havn't pushed my second book, A Christmas Awakening and I really don't have the answer. It is a novelette that I cherish and perhaps I
have a subliminal desire for everyone to discover this jewel on their own. It is based on a teaching I heard in 1994 and I made a few photocopies of it along with
my own drawings. JZ Knight liked it so much that she gave it as a Christmas gift to
over 1500 students that year. Perhaps for this coming Christmas season I will promote it.

Why have I self-published? I have the satisfaction of knowing that I own my book and I am the one who has all the responsibility. I can also take full credit for my work.It is my creation. I also realize that the publishing industry has changed drastically in the past five years and more and more writers are turning to self-publishing. If you are willing to risk the responsibilty--go for it. If you are one of the faint-at-heart people, then look for a literary agent and hope you have good rapport and that the agent will sell your book to a publisher.

I have learned that every published author--whether self-published or agent published must at some point market the book. It would be nice if we were all a DaVinci Code best-seller. For the time being, I will continue to write, publish and market and enjoy the ride. Life is for living one's dream. Enjoy yours.