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Book Summary
In today's world, many people face challenges that seem insurmountable. Many
times people feel that they have no one to listen to them and no where to turn.
Gumbo for the Heart is an inspirational book designed to give hope to those who
feel like they have none left. This book is meant to help people realize that
they are not alone, to see that their burdens may not be as heavy as their
neighbors and to inspire people to get up and get things done in their own
lives to reach their goals.
The book features stories about a variety of people from all walks of life who
have shown tremendous strength in the face of personal tragedy, illness,
disaster, financial ruin or who have simply lived their lives to help others.
In Gumbo for the Heart, each story is assigned a category, such as "Love,"
"Purpose," "Resilience," "Happiness," "Peace," "Focus," "Change," "Discipline,"
"Healing," "Fear," "Faith," "Attitude," "Giving," "Character," "Being The Best"
and "Success." Each person depicted reflects the best aspects of the category
in which he/she is featured.
For example," under the category "Character," the author, Dianne Andrews,
paints a portrait of Houston Mayor Bill White, whose character shined when he
invited the refugees from Hurricane Katrina to come to his city. He welcomed
them with open arms and worked tirelessly to ensure that each person received
all the help that was needed.
Jairo Álvarez, a multimillionaire builder from Colombia, is featured by
contributing writer Susan D. Mustafa in the "Purpose" category because of his
incredible dedication to helping others. This 70-year-old Olympic gold medalist
builds the St. Jude Dream Home each year and helps hundreds of underprivileged
children around the world.
Jeffrey Adams, an Iraqi war veteran who lost his leg when a roadside bomb
ignited, is a wonderful example of "Healing," the category in which he is
featured. This young man was in Iraq for only eight days when his life was
turned upside down, but he uses his disability to help other amputees learn how
to ski.
International inspirational speaker and acclaimed author Keith Harrell's story
shows how having a positive "Attitude" helped him to overcome the feelings of
failure after losing his dream of playing professional basketball. His story
can help anyone be the best they can be. Judy Weathersby's heart wrenching
story depicts "Resilience" as this woman, who is under 45, has battled the
physical aspects of breast cancer as well as the emotional side of the disease
for more than six years. The story of Brandon Bennett, a young man who had
gastric bypass surgery to lose more than 200 pounds that had plagued him
throughout his childhood, reveals how "Discipline" is needed to achieve any
goal.
"Faith" can come in many forms, and for Brian Arnold, faith is what led this
amazing concert pianist and evangelist to overcome the loss of an arm and a leg
to become a man who inspires others and gives hope to all who meet him.
"Happiness" seems almost mystical to us sometimes but Jennifer Read Hawthorne,
author of Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, takes us on a journey that will
help us all look at things differently and find our true happiness within. Mike
Kinamon, senior partner of a record label in Nashville, reveals the resilience
necessary to bounce back from financial ruin to achieve incredible dreams and
find his true "Happiness.
"Love," perhaps the most powerful of emotions, can be revealed in many ways,
and in this chapter, Dianne Andrews tells her own story of the love she and her
mother shared through all the medical and emotional challenges that resulted
from her mother being struck by a car more than 30 years ago. Dianne cared for
her mother until her death in 2007.
Pam Bolke exemplifies "Love" through the story of a woman who adopted five
abused siblings with special needs, raising them as her own. Love is also
depicted in the story of two partners whose love has spanned over a decade
through many trials and hardships.
Mark Twain Spradley, a homeless man who overcame his own "Fear" to help
authorities capture a fugitive who had killed a police officer, shows that
being a "Good Samaritan" always pays off in the end.
Dr. Robert Muhumuza, a Ugandan born physician with an MBA, had the "Vision" at
the age of 16, to set goals to help eradiate HIV Aids from his country and the
world. Growing up in a country ruled by the monster Idi Amin gave him more of a
reason to have a giving spirit. Dr. Bill Cassidy has dedicated his life to
helping others through his work in medicine and public office. He co-founded
clinics for the working poor to have access to free health care. While running
a private practice he also held state offices. "Giving" seems to come naturally
to this newly elected U.S. Representative.
Warrick Dunn's life is the epitome of "Change." Growing up without a father,
when he was 18, his mother was gunned down in the line of duty as a police
officer leaving him to raise his seven siblings. After attending college and
playing professional football in the National Football League, he still returns
home to offer financial assistance to people in impoverished neighborhoods.
An Indian-born bipolar medical doctor, V.D. Reddy had to use many techniques to
"Focus" on his rigorous curriculum in his quest to become an internist. He is
currently studying psychiatry to help others with mental disorders.
Lights, camera, action are the words that this 31-year-old Tony award nominee
lives her life hearing. De'Adre Aziza was the only black actress nominated in
2008 for her debut on Broadway and is featured in the category on "Being the
Best."
In 2003, 22 year old Aaron Jackson created the "Planting Peace" project.
Aaron's burning desire to help de-worm and shelter the Haitian children took
precedence over his own life, becoming homeless while sending money to Haiti.
Five years later, Aaron a 2007 CNN Hero has saved over ten million children
from the intestinal parasites in several third world countries, including Sudan
and Nicaragua. He has expanded his mission to engage in HIV/AIDS, Clean World
Project and the Rain Forest.
The word "Peace" seemed unattainable for millions of South Africans until
Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate -Bishop Desmond Tutu along with the
United States Ambassador James Joseph (serving under President Clinton) joined
forces. Working to right wrongs and bring consciousness has been the
Ambassadors life's work.
This book helps us all realize that hope, faith and discipline can lead to
positive change and a life of fulfillment and purpose. And that is true
"Success."
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