Winner of Book Give-Away

So, how has the first week of 2012 gone for all of you?  I feel the cogs of change turning faster, moving towards fruition for the hopes and goals I put into motion in 2011. I am really excited about 2012 - my book, "Say Cheese: Vegan Alternatives to Make You Smile," which will be out on the shelves in early summer (we're doing the photo shoot for it in a couple of weeks), and Vegan Mash-Up, the new public television show produced by Delicious TV, which will begin to air around September.  I'm about to embark on another book as well, and am trying to decide between two concepts to pitch.

But one of my goals for 2012 -- and actually, the rest of my life -- is something that has nothing to do with career or veganism. A few weeks ago, my husband, youngest daughter (almost 16) and I saw a documentary called My Reincarnation about a Tibetan Buddhist master and his son. His son has been declared the reincarnation of a spiritual master, but just wants to live a normal life as an Italian (they immigrated to Italy after leaving Tibet).  There are many nuggets of wisdom tossed out to the audience during the film, but one stuck with me: the importance of being present in time. Growing up in the 70's, the notion of being in the "here and now" was like a stuck needle and I simply tuned it out. But over the years, I've learned how much I am not "here." It seems that whatever I am doing, I am always somewhere else, thinking about the other things I should be doing, the conversations I should be having, the event I have to prepare for. Whatever the task at hand is, whomever I may be speaking to, I have not always been fully present. True, with three children -- two of them still in high school -- work and multiple activities, I have, like many busy people, felt the need to be omnipresent in space and time. This is stressful in the least, and in the worst, means we miss the boat on what is really going on.

Somehow, after decades of being aware of this notion in the back of my mind, it suddenly clicked with me. Somehow, instantaneously, it made sense. And most amazingly, I found myself falling into it. My breathing slowed, my focus sharpened, and I began to enjoy each moment more. A silly, simple serenity has begun to infuse my days as I truly listen to the people I talk to, not thinking of the project I need to finish, and give each moment of the day its due attention.

I loved every one of the comments posted in response to my book give-away, and I truly wish I could give a copy to everyone. But for the reasons above, Barbara's comments about serenity, patience and openness resounded with me, and therefore she is the lucky winner! Congratulations, Barbara, and please send me your contact information so I can send you a book. You can email me at miyoko@miyoko.com.

To the rest of  you, thanks for  your comments - I truly found each of them precious. I'll be giving away a copy of my cheese book in a few months, so keep tuned!

Happy 2012!