Dear Reader,

I send you wishes of wellness, lasting wellness of deep peace.  Over the decades, I have been fortunate to gain knowledge and skills from generous folks who shared secrets to the “good” life.

If you are a friend reading this blog post … I thank you for your emails, physical mail, text messages, voicemails, well wishes, lovely thoughts and prayers.

So many books have enriched my life … 3 books have been especially healing for me these past months as I continue to learn how to move away from persistent unpleasant sensations (including pain signals) that began last year after an episode of Shingles.

Therefore, as a fellow sojourner during this world pandemic …  I am dreaming of Paris, retraining Beautiful Brain, understanding this neurological disorder, reading and getting inspired by Elisabeth Tova Bailey’s snail, Diane LeBow’s dancing, and Gilles Marin’s Taoist approach to healing.

Book by Gilles Marin

Five Elements, Six Conditions – a Taoist Approach to Emotional Healing, Psychology, and Internal Alchemy

Gilles Marin is the Founder and Director of the Chi Nei Tsang Institute and School of Taoist Healing Energetics, California, USA https://www.chineitsang.com

Co-directeur de  l’institut de Chi Nei Tsang, Nice, FRANCE   chineitsang.marin.free.fr

TaoTouch: The art to help people heal, get rid of pain, and bring back vibrant health by reconciling self, soul and spirit while triggering emotional processing.  This is done through a traditional Taoist monastic healing practice called Chi Nei Tsang, which works with deep and gentle abdominal touch to enhance health and vitality to the internal organs.

Gilles Marin was born in France on Bastille Day, July 14th, and is a Fire Monkey in Chinese Astrology.

Thank you, dear Fire Rooster and Goddess of Happiness Linda A. Harris and dear healer Marie-Christine Cornet https://www.mariechristinecornet.com , for introducing me to the wonderful world of Gilles Marin.

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Book by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

ELISABETH TOVA BAILEY’s natural history/memoir, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, recounts her year-long observations of a wild Maine woodland snail. The true story of her interspecies relationship is reaching a general international audience of both genders and all ages and is finding special homes in the fields of literature, natural history, medical humanities, and education.

https://www.elisabethtovabailey.net  Elisabeth Tova Bailey tells the inspiring and intimate story of her year-long encounter with a Neohelix albolabris—a common forest snail. While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches as the snail takes up residence on her nightstand. Intrigued by its molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making ability, hydraulic locomotion, and mysterious courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer. The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a remarkable journey of survival and resilience, showing us how a small part of the natural world illuminates our own human existence.

Thank you, dear Luisa Adams, author of  the exquisite memoir Woven of Water https://www.rp-author.com/Adams/, for gifting me Ms. Bailey’s book.

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Book by Diane LeBow

Dancing on the Wine-Dark Sea: Memoir of a Trailblazing Woman’s Travels, Adventures, and Romance 

https://dianelebow.com

Diane LeBow is an award-winning writer and photojournalist. She is the recipient of Gold and Silver Solas Awards for “Best Women’s Travel Writing,” and she is President emerita of Bay Area Travel Writers.

DianeLeBow has traveled to more than 90 countries. She has spent time with Afghan women, the Hopi, Amazon people, Tuvans, Mongolians, Corsicans, and Parisians. She has scuba dived with sharks in the Red Sea and trained champion Morgan horses.

A pioneer of college women’s studies programs, Diane LeBow received her Ph.D. in the History of Consciousness from the University of California. She is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Douglass College at Rutgers University. Diane began her teaching career in the Netherlands and was a college professor in Paris, New York City, and California.

Thank you, global traveler / certified tour director / author Sasa Southard  https://sasasouthard.com/ , for introducing me to the wonderful world of Diane LeBow!

Thank you, author / photographer Margie Yee Webb https://www.amazon.com/Books-Margie-Yee-Webb/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AMargie+Yee+Webb , for having invited Ms. LeBow to speak at the June 16, 2021 meeting of Gold Country Writers and broadcasting Ms. LeBow’s memorable stories!

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Thank you for reading my blog post “Paris, Brain, Neurological Disorders, Elisabeth Tova Bailey’s Snail, Diane LeBow’s Dancing, Gilles Marin’s Taoist Approach to Healing”

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

I wish you and your Beautiful Brain – safety, kindness, excellent health.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

photo of Teresa Jade LeYung by Mary E. Knippel, author, speaker, writing coach https://yourwritingmentor.com

Story Consultant and Photo Historian Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Teresa Jade LeYung, American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a manuscript-theme consultant, author of Love Made Of Heart (daughter-mother story – archived at the San Francisco History Center), Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days (workbook), and Talking To My Dead Mom monologues, and, an advocate for public libraries and public schools.

photo of Teresa Jade LeYung by Global Adventurer Sasa Southard https://sasasouthard.com

the workbook – Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

Kindle ebook edition https://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Writers-Platform-Fanbase-ebook/dp/B005J9ZEIA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1634787032&sr=1-1

Print edition  https://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Writers-Platform-Fanbase/dp/0983010005/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1634787032&sr=1-1

Love Made Of Heart ®

“Beautiful Brain” Haiku poems

by Teresa Jade LeYung

November 2020

When Brain makes mistake

with endless loop pain signals

I reply with Sooth

Oh Beautiful Brain

Storing experiences

Of pleasure and pain

Brain changes itself

Through learning or ceasing tasks

Retrainable yes

2021 February 28

When Beautiful Brain

changes, for better, for worse

that’s plasticity

2021 March 2

I am THE expert

of my memories and thoughts

Can choose soothing ones

Because I had entered the Haiku poems written in November 2020 to the Jane Underwood Poetry Prize, I couldn’t published them on my blog at the time.  On February 26, 2021, The Writing Salon’s email says that they had received nearly 350 poems. Congratulations to everyone!

The announcement from The Writing Salon says:

The final judge, David Hernandez, has selected Kelly Grace Thomas’s “Nothing Roots or Infertility” as the winning poem. Next Wednesday, March 3, 2021 The Writing Salon will publish the poem at our website. The finalists are Tony Barnstone, Twila Newey, Emily Pulfer-Terino, and Lizabeth Yandel.

The Jane Underwood Poetry Prize was established to celebrate and memorialize Jane Underwood, the founder and long-time director of The Writing Salon who passed away in 2016. Jane was a gifted poet who made The Writing Salon a prominent and respected creative writing school in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was well known for her generous spirit and her direct and encouraging teaching style. A posthumous collection of her poems, entitled When My Heart Goes Dark, I Turn the Porch Light On, was published in 2017.

Thank you to all the folks at The Writing Salon for keeping the writing community strong!

Thank you, Frances Kakugawa (beloved author /poet / teacher / speaker) and your Wordsworth, for inspiring me to compose Haiku poems.

https://franceskakugawa.wordpress.com/category/caregiving-haiku/

https://franceskakugawa.wordpress.com/2020/02/16/a-lesson-in-haiku-writing/

https://franceskakugawa.wordpress.com/category/wordsworth-the-poet/

Artist Chandra Garsson's "Jade protected by BIG Angel Wings" To see more Chandra Garsson's works of art - https://www.facebook.com/butterflybonesandhummingbirdsongs

Thank you for reading this blog post – Author and Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Beautiful Brain inspires Haiku poems”

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you look at right side near top of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

I wish everyone and your Beautiful Brains easy access to BLISS via SOOTHING thoughts; images,; senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch); memories,; emotions,; movement; and beliefs.

A thousand thanks to Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Norman Doidge, Dusky Pierce, Dr. Danielle Rosenman, Linda A. Harris, Dr. Amy Grace Lam, Cynthia Tom and her program A PLACE OF HER OWN, Professor Lorimer Moseley, and all the precious people in my life.

Thank you, MT et MYW, for masks; Starry Night mask by Dahlynn & Ken McKowen of WoodstockAndYarn

Love Made Of Heart ®

Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story/theme consultant, author of LOVE MADE OF HEART (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center and used by college professors), BUILD YOUR WRITER’S PLATFORM & FANBASE IN 22 DAYS (a workbook), and TALKING TO MY DEAD MOM Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival), an alumna of artist Cynthia Tom’s A PLACE OF HER OWN, an advocate for public libraries and public schools, creator of http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ , and, admirer of City of Light. Composing Haiku poems is a new love for LeYung.

2021 January 11, 22:55 — January 12, 00:10; January 12, 22:18–23:28;  January 13, 14:14–15:10; 17:44–19:27; 19:56–22:36

California USA

Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Look what happens when persistent (chronic) pain pathways take over the other brain functions – impacting my emotions, problem-solving, memory, creativity, and …”

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All graphics in this blog post are from Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO

**

When Beautiful Brain is not producing pain -

 **

When Beautiful Brain is producing acute pain –

 **

When Beautiful Brain is producing persistent (chronic) pain -

 **

According to Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Danielle Rosenman -

There are 9 areas in the thinking brain (actually a few more, because some are on both sides of the brain) that control our personal experience of pain and discomfort. This is where pain signals are received.  Normally, only 5% of the nerve cells in the brain process pain.  In persistent pain, 15-25% of the cells of the entire brain are involved! The actual map of the brain has changed, with an increased part of the map given to pain.  This is because the pain areas get bigger, stealing nerves and synapses (connections) from the rest of the brain.

The relationship between pain (or discomfort) and mood (includes anxiety and depression):

Remember that the brain has different areas for different functions? It’s actually more complicated than that! Many brain functions are located in the same areas or are very close together, and there are some shared connections. (Review: “Nerves that fire together wire together.”)

Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden say to “flood” the brain map, interrupt pain signals with pleasurable –

- THOUGHTS

- IMAGES

- SENSATIONS

- MEMORIES

- SOOTHING EMOTIONS

- MOVEMENT

- BELIEFS

Dr. Danielle Rosenman adds: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your Brain.”

Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says:

“I refuse to let pain pathways hijack other Brain functions. Some days I win the steering wheel/control panel. Other days Pain/Depression win. The more consistent I give my Beautiful Brain pleasure, the more winning days I shall have.

“Dr. Danielle Rosenman (via ZOOM sessions) has guided and coached me (with techniques from Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden) in creating my unique ‘bag of tricks’ to interrupt pain, depression and other unpleasant signals.”

Dr. Norman Doidge and Professor Lorimer Moseley say: “MOVEMENT is critical in retraining the nervous system. Even imagining movement will retrain the system!”

https://www.normandoidge.com/

https://www.neura.edu.au/staff/prof-lorimer-moseley/

How do I create Pleasure for my Brain? How do I communicate with / give feedback to my Brain?

My evolving “Bag of Tricks” (with the 7 modalities) to give my Beautiful Brain pleasure:

“Imagining” any of these modalities when I can’t access the physical form (especially during COVID-19 Stay At Home order) serves me well.

THOUGHTS -

When pain or depression signals (including unpleasant thoughts) pop up, I have to interrupt them with pleasurable thoughts.

Pleasurable Thoughts this month include:  candied wintermelon pastry (thanks to MT’s selecting); sweet persimmons (thanks to EO); Nan’s signature pesto; Linda’s signature pear Clafoutis; Sasa’s signature salads; Pad Thai with fresh ingredients.

IMAGES -

Because our brains store all experiences (including what we see in movies. read about, and hear about…), I have to stay away from all unpleasant images (even some of my favorite movies, details of sensational news) while I am retraining Beautiful Brain

Pleasurable images include looking at – my photos taken in Paris; postcards of paintings by  Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall; photos from MT of her hikes; photos from Marie-Christine (she’s in France);  photos of nature and kids (2-legged and 4-legged ones) from all my friends; art by Chandra Garsson, Cynthia Tom, Cris Matos, Sharon Leong;  photos of Happy Dog (my sister Maria Kawah Leung’s hero in her book Little Heroes Of Bay Street);  seeing Linda’s little Gracie; the montage (of me and “Brain-no-pain”) at the end of this blog post.

SENSATIONS -

Some sensations I liked (before persistent pain began) aren’t pleasurable right now – drinking hot tea fuels pain right now.

While I am happy for neighbors who are modifying their house for “Aging In Place”, the construction noise (hammering, drilling) also fuels pain and depression right now.

Pleasurable sensations include -  cool and cold water on skin; seeing green plants, blue sky, squirrels and hummingbirds in our patio and neighbor’s; laughing at GOMER PYLE USMC episodes (especially Season 3, Episode 6); smiling for myself; listening to “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy; tasting sweet fruit on tongue; smelling roses; firm and soothing touch to the body part that is feeling pain.

MEMORIES -

Because our brains store all memories … when unpleasant memories pop up, I have to interrupt them with pleasant ones.

Pleasurable memories:

- Being with people I care about.

- Eating breads and quiches, buying postcards, and walking and gawking at buildings in Paris

- Living sans clutter

SOOTHING EMOTIONS – this is most difficult for me

When my reaction to someone’s behavior brings on pain and other unpleasant signals, I send my thoughts to what the person means to me.

Remember what the good doctors said about “the relationship between pain (or discomfort) and mood (includes anxiety and depression)?

Please see Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION page 35 through page 75.  And, I hope you’ll find someone like Dr. Danielle Rosenman to coach you.

MOVEMENT -

Walking in the neighborhood (when my Brain is occupied with looking, listening, smelling… I feel no pain); dancing with Ms. Sophia Loren, Ms. Rita Hayworth, and Ms. Cyd Charisse (thanks to Youtube clips) ; imagining flying (ballet) over Paris; and running on dirt tracks and fields of wildflowers!

BELIEFS -

That I hold the power to be pain-free and depression-free; that every task can be accomplished with ease; that wellness is reality

Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung at Place des Vosges, Paris.(photo by Margie Yee Webb et Sasa Southard 2016)

**

Thank you, Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, and Professor Lorimer Moseley!

Thank you, Naomi Schaeffer Draper, M.S. Physical Therapist, for teaching me Feldenkrais techniques! Thank you, mentor Lynn Scott, for the referral!

Thank you, Dr. Danielle Rosenman!

https://www.medicalcounseling.net/   Danielle Rosenman, M.D. uses neuroplasticity, imagery, meditation, psychotherapy, and other techniques in her Medical Counseling practice and in her innovative “Tools for Healing” groups.

Thank you, Dr. Amy Grace Lam !  vibrational energy healer

http://amygracelam.com/

Thank you, all dear hearts who care about me and have helped/are helping me on this journey !!!!!

My next blog post will be about what I continue to learn from: “Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley – Successful Ageing Seminar 2013″  https://youtu.be/5p6sbi_0lLc  41 minutes

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog   If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”. Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to our our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity.

I wish you, dear Reader and your Beautiful Brain, wellness!

Sincerely,

Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung, photo by Emily O. on Nov 8, 2020

Love Made Of Heart ®

To read Part 1 of my trilogy on our Beautiful Brains:

Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ would feel NO pain” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/story-theme-consultant-teresa-jade-leyung-says-scarecrow-in-the-wizard-of-oz-would-feel-no-pain/

To read Part 2 of my trilogy on our Beautiful Brains:

Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Adaptable Brain, Let Quiet Enter.” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/storytheme-consultant-teresa-jade-leyung-says-adaptable-brain-let-quiet-enter/

Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story continuity/theme consultant, author of LOVE MADE OF HEART (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center and used by college professors), BUILD YOUR WRITER’S PLATFORM & FANBASE IN 22 DAYS (a workbook), and TALKING TO MY DEAD MOM Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival), an advocate for public libraries and public schools, creator of http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ , and, admirer of City of Light. Composing Haiku poems is a new love for LeYung.

Thank you, Marie-Christine Cornet, for sending this lovely image from France!

Meilleurs voeux 2021!

 Story/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Adaptable Brain, Let Quiet Enter.”

IS part 2 of my trilogy to honor our Beautiful Brains.

Finding URLs (of videos posted on Youtube) for mentors has given me an opportunity to learn (again) what I can do to help myself transform persistent pain signals (when there isn’t new damage to body tissue) and depression signals… into a refreshed Brain so that I can do what I love doing during my waking hours.  I am most grateful to the precious people in my life who care about my well-being.

 May these sites help you, dear Reader, and your loved ones too . . .

 Norman Doidge, M.D.

https://www.normandoidge.com/

“Dr. Norman Doidge | The Power of Thought” on YouTube  https://youtu.be/2c5aTlq3nYI

Dr. Doidge’s first book – The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (translated into 26 languages)

Dr. Doidge’s second book – The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (translated into 19 languages so far)

Professor Lorimer Moseley

Dr. Danielle Rosenman

Teresa Jade LeYung’s Haiku poem 2020 December 28 Monday 03:55

Sweet raindrop music

May we all be safe and warm

Today and always

(Although the 5-7-5 structure was added on December 28, 2020 to honor the Haiku form,  the composition has been my fervent prayer for decades, long before the word “pandemic” was in my daily vocabulary.  Because Haiku poems aren’t titled, please accept the publishing date as identifier for this piece.)

Teresa Jade LeYung’s Haiku poem  2021 January 3 Sunday 20:40

Quiet please enter

Let Brain imagine Paris

Depression Pain leave

To read Part 1 of my trilogy on our Beautiful Brains:

Story/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ would feel NO pain” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/story-theme-consultant-teresa-jade-leyung-says-scarecrow-in-the-wizard-of-oz-would-feel-no-pain/

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog   If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”. Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to our our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity.

Sincerely,

author Teresa Jade LeYung, mask by Emily O

Love Made Of Heart ®

Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story/theme consultant, author of LOVE MADE OF HEART (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center and used by college professors), BUILD YOUR WRITER’S PLATFORM & FANBASE IN 22 DAYS (a workbook), and TALKING TO MY DEAD MOM Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival), an advocate for public libraries and public schools, creator of http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ , and, admirer of City of Light. Composing Haiku poems is a new love for LeYung.

NARRATIVE PATHS JOURNAL Guest Column:

Wake-Up America! Part I

June 15, 2020

by Kim McMillon Ph.D.

Kim McMillon, Ph.D.

https://www.narrativepathsjournal.com/guest-column-wake-up-america-part-i-by-kim-mcmillon/

1.  Why do you believe the issue of racism is important?

2. Do you believe the individual can make a difference in a racist society?

3.  Have you ever been confronted with racism and how did you handle it?

4.  What do you tell your children about racism in the United States today?

5.  Do you believe it is possible to understand racial oppression if you are not a person of color?

6.  The title of the Poetathon is “Wake-Up America.”  What do you see America needing to Wake-Up from?

Have you ever been confronted with racism and how did you handle it?

Author Teresa Jade LeYung says:

“I am a sixty-something-year-old female American naturalized citizen, of Chinese ancestry, who has been sleeping a lot since March 16, 2020 (hours before our county was to adhere to COVID-19 ‘Shelter-In-Place’ order) when I experienced racial harassment at the local supermarket.  What happened? A fifty-something-year-old Caucasian man pushed his shopping cart into the right side of my body, and then walked away with his head held high.  When I told friends, they gave support through resources… including www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/stop-aapi-hate/  to report the incident, and, www.ihollaback.org  to sign-up for Bystander Intervention Training to STOP anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment.  I kept sleeping. Until I followed through with both resources. Gaining knowledge and skills woke up my brain.

“I didn’t know that I had to stay awake. While heroes from all walks of life were helping communities cope with daily needs during this pandemic, others continued to commit racial injustices. Details of the murders of three Americans – Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd – woke up people from all parts of the world.

In Part II  of Guest Column: Wake-Up America!  by Kim McMillon,  we shall answer:

7.       How do you become an ally to those experiencing racial oppression?

8.       The public has not protested the atrocities that have been taking place in our country, but yet during a pandemic, people are taking to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd, why?

9.       How do you believe we can change the world for the better?

10.   As a poet, how would you like to be remembered?

11.   What line or stanza of poetry best describes you?

“Thank you, Dr. Kim McMillon, for giving us this forum to wake up in unity.”

author Teresa Jade LeYung, mask by Emily O., June 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

Bio:  Teresa Jade LeYung, American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a manuscript-theme consultant, author of Love Made Of Heart (archived at the San Francisco History Center), Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, and Talking To My Dead Mom monologues, and, an advocate for public libraries and public schools. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

Teresa Jade LeYung

How Dr. Norman Doidge’s Books Help Me and My Chinese Papa Who Has Parkinson’s

I am not fluent in Cantonese.

When I was a new immigrant from Hong Kong in the 1960s, San Francisco public schools did not have ESL (English as a Second Language) classes.  Classmate’s snickering compelled me to learn my new language with urgency. By fourth grade, you couldn’t shut me up.  Then our parents (actually, probably just our father) insisted that my siblings and I go to Chinese School (classes in Chinatown everyday after regular school was let out).  One year of misery. Thank goodness our mother spoke up to our father (in Cantonese) – “Let our children succeed in English school first.”

Fast forward to 2017. Parkinson’s Disease has caused what Papa would say with his Cantonese accent “a lot of problem.”

[ According to http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/ Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people … a person’s brain slowly stops producing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. With less and less dopamine, a person has less and less ability to regulate their movements, body and emotions.]

Papa and Teresa chuckle at the last part of speech exercises taught by Terri Snyder from Self Help for the Elderly - photo by Wen Hsu, translator extraordinaire

While I lack the vocabulary to tell my father that I sympathize, I do know how to encourage and praise with sincerity.  When he frowns at my prompting to do the exercises (taught by the dear professionals from Self Help for the Elderly) or Sit and Be Fit™  (recommended by NP Heloise Lim), or to pick up his feet when those darn rubber mats at grocery stores and restaurants seem to ambush him and his walker… I say to him: “You win! Do NOT let Parkinson’s win. You win!”

**********************************************

Through the engaging stories in this book – The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity by Norman Doidge, M.D. – I have learned that our wonderful brains are forever changing, growing and healing. That knowledge gives me the vocabulary to ask the right questions as an advocate for my father. Dear friend Wen Hsu ordered the traditional Chinese edition of Dr. Doidge’s book through a bookseller in Taiwan. Papa has the book near his dining table; next to the Chinese edition is the English edition; both books are there for Papa’s helpers and friends to read.

As for my being an advocate/daughter who is not fluent in her parent’s native tongue, I know how to find people who excel in their work. In the past three weeks, Wen Hsu (translator extraordinaire) has translated my multiple letters (written in English) into Chinese for Papa’s Caregivers/Helpers.

I salute Papa’s caregivers/helpers, his caring friends, my caring friends, wise mentors, supportive spouse, dear sister, MaMah, Papa’s spunk, the doctors, nurses, administration staffs, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, interpreters, dear folks at Self Help for the Elderly, South Market Senior Health Clinic, UCSF Movement Disorder and Neuromodulation Center, E.R. staffs, staffs at U.C. Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital, SFGH Orthotics and Prosthetic Center, the dear staff members at the building where my papa lives, and Dr. Norman Doidge for writing his book The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity.

Mr. Leung with traditional Chinese edition, Teresa LeYung-Ryan with English edition of the book THE BRAIN'S WAY OF HEALING: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity by Norman Doidge, M.D. - photo by Wen Hsu, translator extraordinaire

Special thanks to the dear folks at Self Help for the Elderly – Nurse Valerie Chan, Nurse Chiu Li, Physical Therapist Jenny Chiu, Occupational Therapist Tom Wong, Speech Therapist Terri Snyder, Translator Albie Wong, and of course the administrative staff, and all the nurses and therapists who have helped my father in the past and shall in the future.

Knowledge that leads to health and wellness – this is my wish for everyone.

Sincerely,

Teresa, advocate/daughter to my Chinese papa

P.S.  I am rereading Dr. Norman Doidge’s books

Teresa LeYung-Ryan, photo by Britt

Teresa LeYung-Ryan is

author of:

• Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (workbook);
• Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness (novel used in college classes, recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association, and archived at the San Francisco History Center);
• “Talking to My Dead Mom” Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood 10-Minute Play Contest and was staged at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA);
• Coach Teresa’s Blog  http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog (which attracts thousands of writers) helps writers build their platforms before and after publication
• “For Themes’ Sake” and “Heroes, Tricksters and Villains” and “Where Are You On Your Writer’s Journey?” and other workshop material

creator of “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest” and

owner of trademark

 and proponent of public libraries, public schools, and excellent public healthcare for ALL!

The link to this blog post #3 of 3 in this series:

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/teresa-leyung-ryans-blog-post-3-of-3-how-dr-norman-doidges-books-help-me-and-my-chinese-papa-who-has-parkinsons/

Blog post #2 of 3 in this series:

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/teresa-leyung-ryans-blog-post-2-of-3-how-dr-norman-doidges-books-help-me-help-my-papa/

Blog post #1 of 3 in this series:

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/theme-consultant-teresa-leyung-ryans-blog-post-1-of-3-what-i-learned-about-the-brain-from-dr-norman-doidges-2-books/

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.

“What I Learned About the Brain from Dr. Norman Doidge’s 2 Books”

I thank Norman Doidge, M.D. and everyone who contributed to his two books.  http://www.normandoidge.com/

• * The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science  (March 2007 hardcover; December 2007 paperback)

• * The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (January 2015 hardcover; January 2016 paperback)

On October 21, 2015, I had published my blog post entitled “The Brain’s Way of Healing – Chapter Titles and Index in Book Spark Hope and Motivation to Ask Physicians the Right Questions  As my family members and friends know, what I had learned from Dr. Doidge’s books helped me help my papa.

While loved ones who are ill or have diseases and do not have the energy to read and process the valuable information, WE do, and WE can help them and ourselves.

Knowledge that leads to health and wellness – this is my wish for everyone.

Dr. Doidge’s books are most engaging- I learned from the stories – I did NOT have to look up medical terms; the footnotes were equally engaging.

You have friends who have had . . . Strokes?  Chronic pain?  Suffering from symptoms of MS?  Cerebral Palsy?  Muscular Dystrophy?  Alzheimer’s?  Parkinson’s?  Head injury? Balance problems? Vision problems? Depression?

Dear friend and colleague Elisa Sasa Southard was the one who taught me about hooking attention with no more than 3 talking points in a speech.  Here are mine for this post. I (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) learned that the awesome brain refreshes itself which leads to healing… with a little help from us:

* LIGHT – sit in direct natural light (approximately 20 minutes a day).  Florence Nightingale who established the first professional training school for nurses, Sister J. Ward  who was in charge of preemies in a hospital in Essex, England, Soranus of Ephesus (physician in imperial Rome) – they knew about the healing power of natural light. The Romans had a law “right to light” which guaranteed people’s access to the sun in their homes.

* SELF IMAGE – look at a photograph of yourself (a photo reminiscent of a time when you felt vital) OR create that picture in your mind’s eyes – athletes and musicians know the benefits of visualization as a way of training

* SOUND – sing the songs from your past (a time when you felt vital)  Sara Davidson’s April 23, 2009 article “The Songs They Can’t Forget” for The New York Times – The New Old Age – Caring and Coping Blog inspired me to publish my blog post of July 2 (with a P.S. on July 18), 2017  Dementia. Alzheimer’s. Losing Memory. Losing Joy. Songs from the Past. Experience Joy Again.

Our amazing brains! Help our brains “rewire” (I say “refresh”) to enjoy life. Help the people we care about.

I am Theme Consultant/Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who teaches my clients (writers and artists) how to reach out, not stress out, before and after publication –

* identify themes in your manuscripts so that you can rewrite with ease;

* identify themes in your intellectual properties and create scripts for your websites/blogs, pitches, query letters, press releases, talking-points, one-minute videos, photo slideshows, and the all-mighty blog posts.

Please visit http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog and http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  for resources.

Coach Teresa’s motto:  “Reach out, not stress out. Help your fans find you BEFORE & AFTER publication”

Teresa’s workbook:
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW – print edition available at http://www.laurelbookstore.com in Oakland, CA  and on Amazon – print edition and Kindle edition!

Teresa’s novel:

Love Made of Heart: a daughter–mother love story (used in colleges; recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association)

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.

presented by California Writers Club members http://cwc-peninsula.org/

and the San Mateo County Fair Literary Stage https://sanmateocountyfair.com/literary-arts

Programs on the Literary Stage are FREE. Cheers to Bardi Rosman Koodrin & Super Team!

Admission prices to the fair https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/visit/admission/admission-pricing  Special promotions https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/visit/admission/special-promotions

Parking prices https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/about-us/faq-s

Map of San Mateo County Fair Grounds:   https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/visit/fair-info/grounds-map

2017 SAN MATEO COUNTY FAIR (SMCF)

Look for LITERARY STAGE in FINE ARTS GALLERIA, EXPO HALL

https://sanmateocountyfair.com/literary-arts

Saturday, June 10, 2017, 12:00-7:00pm 

First day of events for writers and readers at San Mateo County Fair’s Literary Stage in Fine Arts Galleria, Expo Hall.
Programs on the Literary Stage are FREE. Cheers to Bardi Rosman Koodrin & Super Team!

Celebrate Bardi Rosman Koodrin’s book launch of NOVELMANIA 4:30-5:30pm!

Bardi Rosman Koodrin welcomes audience to Literary Arts stage at San Mateo County Fair

Sunday, June 11, 2017 Mini Writers’ Conference

SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2017 SMCF LITERARY CONTESTANTS

12:30-1:00 pm  Contest Entrants read. Participants to be Announced.

SPOTLIGHT ON MENTORING

1:00-2:00 pm  “Use Core Themes to Rewrite Your Manuscript and Pitches” with

Theme Consultant and Writers’ Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Coach Teresa’s workbook will be available – Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

***

2:00-3:00 pm WANT TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S BOOK? And Get It Published? Award-winning authors Jill Diamond, Eric Lindstrom, JoAnne Stewart Wetzel and Caryn Yacowitz talk about picture books, middle grade novels & YA novels they have written and give tips on writing your own. Their publishers include Scholastic, Alfred A. Knopf, Little, Brown, plus Farrar Straus and Giroux. The authors’ books will be available.

3:00-4:00 pm Nora Profit, Founder of      Everything You Learned About Writing is a Lie: Here’s the Truth.

4:00-5:00 pm Ask the Editors: Nora Profit, Lisa Meltzer Penn, Laurel Anne Hill, Tory Hartmann and Audrey Kalman.

5:00-6:00 pm Private  Writing Consultations: Nora Profit, Lisa Meltzer Penn, Laurel Anne Hill, Tory Hartmann, Audrey Kalman, & Teresa LeYung-Ryan.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2017 SMCF LITERARY CONTESTANTS

6:00-7:00 pm  Panel of Contest Entrants. Participants to be Announced.

Well-known author and speaker Margie Yee Webb will serve as this panel’s moderator.  https://www.facebook.com/MargieYeeWebb

7:00-7:30 pm   Contest Entrants read. Participants to be Announced.

SEE YOU THERE!

I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who teaches my clients (writers, artists) how to reach out, not stress out, before and after publication — identify themes in their intellectual properties and create scripts for pitches, query letters, press releases, talking-points, one-minute videos, photo slideshows, and the all-mighty blog. Please visit http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  and http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog for resources.

The workbook:
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW – print edition available at Laurel Book Store http://www.laurelbookstore.com in Oakland, CA and on Amazon – print edition and Kindle edition!

What is platform-building and fanbase-building and how you can make yours prosperous. I, Theme Consultant and Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, thank Catharine Bramkamp for interviewing me as  Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter  Featured Member this month. Thank you, Simona Carini, for publishing and for your kindness. Thank you to all Women’s National Book Association colleagues!

Teresa LeYung-Ryan has been helping authors with their platforms for years: Her own platform – reach out, not stress out – speaks to her focus on authors and how to make their promotion, their sales and even their conversations more productive and natural.

Writers’ Platform and Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:

“When I was an aspiring writer, playwright Kim McMillon would invite me to literary parties. ‘Make connections,’ Kim said to me. ‘Have fun.’ I was too stressed out to have fun. I’d introduce myself by my first name only, and, I didn’t know how to articulate what I was writing about. Then, I would go home, dreading the next networking event. Kim did not give up on me. She even put me in the line-up at her open mic events. True friends are your biggest fans.

“Through watching Kim’s plays, I discovered what makes a performance/story memorable. Those recurring themes! What is theme? The subject matter/topic/issue discussed repeatedly in a piece of writing. Theme answers the question ‘What’s your point?’ Whether you are writing fiction (as in novels), narrative nonfiction (as in memoirs) or prescriptive nonfiction (as in workbooks/how-to books), theme is the thread with which you weave your chapters. For example:

• In E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web (fiction/classic children’s book), the core themes are: true friendship; cycles of life; believing in one’s self.
• In Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior (narrative nonfiction), the core themes are: Chinese myths; being a Chinese-American youth in California; losing and gaining one’s own voice.
• In Angie Choi’s My Dreams: A Simple Guide to Dream Interpretation (prescriptive nonfiction), the core themes are: understanding personal dream symbols; solving problems; transformation

“So, the platform statements I would create for these brilliant authors would be:

• Through his children’s books, E.B. White teaches young readers how to be a real friend.
• Through her memoirs and novels, Maxine Hong Kingston inspires us to reclaim our voices.
• Through her book My Dreams, Angie Choi shows us how to interpret personal dream symbols and transform our waking worlds.

“Side note: The Woman Warrior was the book that inspired me to write my first book Love Made of Heart. Thank you, Maxine Hong Kingston!

“To writers, I say: ‘Make your name stand for something—to attract target consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.’

• The something = themes you write about
• Target consumers = readers who read about the themes you write about
• What you have to sell = your intellectual properties

“Your platform statements will attract attention before and after publication, whether you’re going to self-publish or sell rights to a publisher.

“When I teach ‘For Theme’s Sake: Edit Your Own Manuscript Before Pitching to Agents OR Self-Publishing’ the first assignment I give is: Reread one of your favorite books (especially a classic children’s book). What is the author’s point? What are the topics /subject matters/issues running through the entire story? Then, tackle your own story! Knowing how to weave core themes makes rewriting enjoyable.

“Authors of fiction need to work doubly hard building their platforms. With more than 3 million titles in the Literature/Fiction category for readers to choose from, how will they find you if you aren’t already an award-winning author, bestselling author or celebrity? My first book Love Made of Heart is a novel. I was a newbie. My agent believed in me. However, I had to demonstrate to Kensington Publishing in New York my platform statements:

• Teresa LeYung-Ryan encourages adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas.
• Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps survivors of family violence find their own voices.

“It is challenging to enter the fiercely competitive bookselling arena. The other players include authors with proven track records / established platforms / big fanbases / celebrity status and authors who are also seasoned publishers or promoters. That said, ‘Don’t worry, be happy’. Yes, you can transform challenges into opportunities that feel right for you. And turn off the noise in the brain. I recommend Elisa Sasa Southard’s book Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message. Elisa has taught me well.

“The Internet helps your fans find you. They find you when you broadcast your platform statement on cyberspace. After all, where do we go when we need to find something or someone? My workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW shows you how to create and broadcast your platform statement / how to reach out, not stress out. Some best practices from this workbook:

• Who are you? Not a year ago. Who are you today? If you want others to notice you, you need to notice yourself.
• What are tags? Tags are keywords and phrases. Understand the function of tags on cyberspace (especially in your blog/website) and you will rejoice over your name and platform statements.
• Celebrities reach out. Organizations reach out. You reach out.

“Here are a few excellent platform statements because each one fulfills the definition from my workbook – Make your name stand for something—to attract target consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.

• Writing Coach & Chief Storytelling Officer Catharine Bramkamp helps small business owners tell their stories on social media platforms to attract more clients/customers.
• *
• Through her books, Margie Yee Webb promotes pet awareness and encourages people to make a difference in the lives of cats and other companion animals.
• *
• Linda Lee of Askmepc-Webdesign says: Whether you are a novice or veteran Internet user, I can help you optimize and monetize your website.
• *
• Mary E. Knippel (Your Writing Mentor and founder of The Unleashed Homemaker) is fiercely committed to guiding women—who have been silent too long—to polish their words so that they sparkle and shine.
• *
• Travel writer and professional Tour Director Elisa Sasa Southard turns student travelers into explorers.
• *
• Author and art teacher Connie Smith Siegel says: ‘You do not have to be an artist to reclaim your unique creative language. Drawing and the use of color is for everyone.’
• *
• Author Jo Chandler uses her novel This Side of Forever to shed light on a teenager’s alcohol addiction and what she discovers on her surprising journey.
  

“Enjoy the benefits of being a WNBA member. I have had the privilege of working on the board and committees, co-presenting, and connecting with members of the San Francisco Chapter (by the way, many members are also colleagues through California Writers Club and San Francisco Writers Conference). I have served WNBA by doing what was enjoyable for me – using my organization skills, knack for taking pictures, and platform/fanbase-building expertise. Get to know other WNBA members by attending mixers and other WNBA events, and subscribing to the weekly blog posts.”

WNBA-SF Member Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan teaches her clients (writers, artists) how to reach out, not stress out, before and after publication — identify themes in their intellectual properties and create scripts for pitches, query letters, press releases, talking-points, one-minute videos, photo slideshows, and the all-mighty blog. Visit http://WritingCoachTeresa.com and http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ for more resources. Teresa’s upcoming speaking events are listed on this page.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Sunday, June 11, 2017, 1:00pm-7:00pm

Annual Writers Mini Conference at San Mateo County Fair Literary Stage, San Mateo, CA https://sanmateocountyfair.com/pdf/2017/literary_17.pdf

1:00-2:00pm  “Use Core Themes to Rewrite Your Story and Query Letters” with Theme Consultant and Writers’ Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Monday, July 10, 2017, 7:00pm—9:00pm

for Sacramento Suburban Writers Club  http://www.sactowriters.org/

at Crossroads Fellowship Christian Church, 5501 Dewey Drive, Fair Oaks, CA

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.

The one-day writers’ conference to help authors before and after publication. Learn from experts in the industry.

http://cwcmarin.com/writerslife/

Conference Chair – Dr. Joan Steidinger

Keynote Speaker

CONSTANCE HALE “The Seven Stages of Manuscript Grief”

Presenters

LINDA WATANABE MCFERRIN “Writing about Places Real and Imagined”

ROBERT PIMM – literary and trademark attorney

MARY RAKOW, Ph.D. – freelance editor

TANYA EGAN GIBSON - freelance editor

DAVID COLIN CARR - freelance editor

TERESA LEYUNG-RYAN  “Where Are YOU and Your THEMES on Your Writer’s Platform-Building Journey?”

JENNIFER MARCH SOLOWAY is an associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

ANDY ROSS started his literary agency in February, 2008. Prior to becoming an agent, Andy was the owner of Cody’s Books in Berkeley, California for 30 years.

The Writer’s Life Conference sponsored by California Writers Club–Marin Branch  at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera, CA

If you miss this writers’ conference, here are other opportunities to attend my presentation “Where Are YOU & Your THEMES on Your Writer’s Platform-Building Journey?” and meet the members of these writers’ organizations:

• June 11, 2017, 1:00-6:00pm Writers Mini Conference at San Mateo County Fair Literary Stage https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/pdf/2017/literary_17.pdf
  
• 
  

• July 10, 2017 Sacramento Suburban Writers Club, Fair Oaks, CA) http://www.sactowriters.org/

Cheering for all writers and readers!

Reach out, not stress out.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan who teaches my clients (writers, artists) how to reach out, not stress out, before and after publication — identify themes in their intellectual properties and create scripts for pitches, query letters, press releases, talking-points, one-minute videos, photo slideshows, and the all-mighty blog. Please visit http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  and http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog for resources.

The workbook:
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW – available at http://www.laurelbookstore.com in Oakland, CA and http://www.bookpassage.com in Corte Madera, CA and on Amazon – print edition and Kindle edition!

If you’d like to email me . . .   WritingCoachTeresa  then @, then Gmail.com

• What email subject line will attract my attention?  Tell me where you’ve met me (which conference? which workshop? which community event?) or tell me who referred you.

•  In the body of your email, please include your full name and your URL (website or blog address) so that I can see what you’re already doing to build your writer’s platform and fanbase. I like concise and gracious emails. Thank you so much.