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 I wrote "PEACE, LOVE AND
LEMONADE - A RECIPE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER" because I knew my
personal stories and growth strategies, techniques and wisdom could
help people live better lives and get happy no matter what tough
circumstances (lemons) they were given. It is also intended to
compliment my training seminars and keynote presentations.
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- My personal recipe for a
happy life requires an open mind. An open mind that explores
different people, activities, perspectives, information and
opportunities; moreover, an open mind that explores an authentic
life filled with passion, accountability, love and compassion.
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Nancy Stampahar
Nancy Stampahar is an
organizational development consultant,
trainer and keynote speaker who earned her degree in
human resource management and created her own business,
Silver Lining Solutions®, after she decided to make
lemonade. Nancy is donating a portion of the book’s
proceeds to “The Over 21 Disabilities Project” she
created in memory of her brother. Visit Nancy online at
http://www.peaceloveandlemonade.com
"Even with
insurmountable odds at all sides, it doesn't mean
one can't overcome the odds to improve one's life.
"Peace, Love, and Lemonade: A Recipe to Make Your
Life Sweeter" is a collection of Nancy Stampahar's
reflections and anecdotes about her family and how
in spite of anything holding them back, they moved
forward and greatly improved their lives. Her mother
overcame single parenthood for her degree, and Nancy
herself overcoming the lack of a diploma, "Peace,
Love, and Lemonade" is a great story that will
inspire readers to overcome what life lays in front
of them." Jim Cox, Book Review – Midwest Book Review
Small Press Bookwatch
“As I read the book, I was inspired, once again, by
the wonderful lemonade you have made from a life
that was indeed filled with lemons. Good for you,
Nancy! You make us believe that we can achieve our
goals, despite all odds.” Natalie Lustig, Business
Program Coordinator Carnegie Library
Books-And-Authors.net: Where did you grow up and was reading and
writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and
why?
Nancy Stampahar: I grew up with the greatest influences of my life
in Pittsburgh, PA. I open my book with the sentence, “I was born
into inspiration.” I say this because my single-parent mother and
mentally-challenged brother showed me early on how to make lemonade
out of our lemons. Honestly, I was not an avid reader or writer when
I was young. As I was evolving over the years, I learned how to be
an honest, reflective writer out of necessity to deal with the
emotions my tough circumstances stirred within me.
Books-And-Authors.net: Why did you write "PEACE, LOVE AND LEMONADE -
A RECIPE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER"?
Nancy Stampahar: I wrote "PEACE, LOVE AND LEMONADE - A RECIPE TO
MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER" because I knew my personal stories and
growth strategies, techniques and wisdom could help people live
better lives and get happy no matter what tough circumstances
(lemons) they were given. It is also intended to compliment my
training seminars and keynote presentations.
Books-And-Authors.net: In "PEACE, LOVE AND LEMONADE - A RECIPE TO
MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER", you discuss how lemon seeds and skin
influence us more than the lemon itself - Explain.
Nancy Stampahar: I named the lemon seeds anger, fear, guilt and
shame based on some of the emotions that we can feel going through
life and especially during tough times. Our emotions can be very
overwhelming and powerful at times, which can keep us stuck unless
we deal with them. When we deal with our emotions in healthy,
positive ways, we are on our way to making some refreshing lemonade.
And when we grate the skin (lighthearted zest) off our lemons, we
will lighten up, become playful and have some fun!
Books-And-Authors.net: How important is it for us to step away from
our comfort zones? Explain. How about people who are shut in and in
a rut helping an elderly family - How can a person like this get out
of their rut? Get out of their comfort zone?
Nancy Stampahar: Most people like things nice-n-easy. It takes time
and energy to think, say and do things differently, and it’s not
easy. But, but if we want something to be different, we must do
something different; or it will never be different. It has become
very common in America for adult children to take care of their
aging family. Anyone who is in a caregiver role can expect extra
stress during this life experience. So, it is critical for
caregivers to seek outside support if possible and to absolutely
take care of themselves too. Caregivers can take care of themselves
by getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising,
taking breaks and talking about their stress and heartache with
someone. A person can start getting out of their rut/comfort zone by
making a choice to begin taking care of themself too.
Books-And-Authors.net: In "PEACE, LOVE AND LEMONADE - A RECIPE TO
MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER", you write that 'Guilt can keep us from a
happy life' - Please Explain. How does one let go of guilt?
Nancy Stampahar: Guilt can rob us of taking care of ourselves first
because we are more focused on pleasing others to seek their
approval and to not be rejected. It’s hard to get happy if we are
consistently putting the needs of others before our own. When our
needs don’t get filled, we build up negative energy (resentments)
and become unhappy. The first step to letting go of guilt is to
truly believe that you are deserving of being happy too. Happiness
is not just for everyone else. Then, you must realize that setting
boundaries and learning to say “no” sometimes is okay to do; it’s a
necessity. Once you learn effective dialogue to use, the final step
must take place – you must speak up for yourself.
Books-And-Authors.net: In "PEACE, LOVE AND LEMONADE - A RECIPE TO
MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER", there is a GREAT quote , "It's never too
late to be what you could have been." What does that quote
personally mean to you?
Nancy Stampahar: Being a “late bloomer” myself by graduating from
college in my mid-thirties, I believe people can finally make
choices later in life that they wished they would have done years
ago. Also later in life, people can finally discover and pursue
their true interests and passions. Many people wake up one day,
later in life, and say to their selves, “I’m really not happy with
my life. Who am I? What do I want be when I grow up? What do I want
to do for the rest of my life? What really matters most to me?.”
Then, the exploration and action begin to finally be what you could
have been.
Books-And-Authors.net: What is your personal recipe for a happy
life?
Nancy Stampahar: My personal recipe for a happy life requires an
open mind. An open mind that explores different people, activities,
perspectives, information and opportunities; moreover, an open mind
that explores an authentic life filled with passion, accountability,
love and compassion.
Books-And-Authors.net: What did you learn from writing "PEACE, LOVE
AND LEMONADE - A RECIPE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER"?
Nancy Stampahar: Besides learning that there is so much more
involved with writing and publishing a book than meets the eye, I
learned anything is possible if we keep trying, learning and
following through.
Books-And-Authors.net: What do you hope to achieve with "PEACE, LOVE
AND LEMONADE - A RECIPE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER"?
Nancy Stampahar: It is my hope that "PEACE, LOVE AND LEMONADE - A
RECIPE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEETER" will help people get unstuck and
overcome their tough circumstances. There is nothing more gratifying
than seeing someone make lemonade out of their lemons. This means,
that I also hope its readers will help other people make lemonade by
sharing my story, as well as their own.
Books-And-Authors.net: What's next?
Nancy Stampahar: I have Peace, Love and Lemonade® trademarked and
intend on writing a series of books. I am uncertain how many books
will be in the series or the content of the second book. But I do
know it will be titled, “Peace, Love and Lemonade: A Recipe to(…)”.
Have any ideas for me?
Books-And-Authors.net: What was the last book you read?
Nancy Stampahar: I love to learn and find myself mostly enjoying a
variety of quick read articles in magazines and on-line related to
personal growth, organizational behavior, and of course both the
publishing and speaking businesses. The last publication I read was
“Leadership Excellence” I have many books on my shelves in these
same arenas and find myself reading them as my interest reference
needs require. The last book I referenced was, “Happiness and the
Human Spirit” by Abraham J. Twerski, MD.
Books-And-Authors.net: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How
do they enhance your writing?
Nancy Stampahar: I love being outdoors. When I am enjoying the
sunshine and fresh air, I feel rejuvenated, which helps me clear my
mind to make room for creative brainstorming. I enjoy invigorating
activities like rollerblading, water skiing, snow skiing, even yard
work and shoveling snow. They are a blast!
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