BOOKS
To Be.... and To Be With...
The Yin and Yang of Emotional Prosperity
The power of healing words from my journey was the backbone of my next book, "The Psychology of Healing, The Subconscious Connection," which is based on my years in practice and the journaling discussed in my book, A Promise Made.... It has been a work in progress since 2013, with multiple rewrites and research into the correlation and importance of negative emotions to the nervous system, body, and emotional balance. This manuscript has been placed in deep storage for later release.
I shifted the focus of my next book to explore my exposure to the principles of Chinese Philosophy regarding Yin and Yang and the importance of opposites in achieving emotional balance and harmony. The title of this work is "To Be...To Be With... The Yin and Yang of Emotional Prosperity." Prosperity is not just about money. It encompasses what I consider the four most important components of life. They are Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Material pillars; the foundation that supports the temple of a person's Emotional well-being. The yin and yang elements are woven through these pillars, providing harmony across all aspects of a person's journey. To Be...To Be With... is due for release in 2026 on Amazon and at other retail book outlets.
This is my wife's and my journey through her diagnosis of breast cancer and, four years later her passing. The promise was part of her wishes. It took me three years to complete a sail to Bermuda, raising funds for breast cancer awareness, only one of many of her wishes. My emotional decline from survivor's grief and how I moved forward can help other husbands beset with grief and loss find acceptance and forgiveness in their journey.
Review of A Promise Made, A Promise Kept
Post by Bibliophile Reviewer » 22 Nov 2022, 01:33
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Promise Made, A Promise Kept" by Frank J. DiMaio DC, MS.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Promise Made, A Promise Kept by Frank J. DiMaio DC, MS is a non-fiction book narrating the author's struggles over the loss of his wife, Judith, to breast cancer.
The tale covers the first day he met Judith, their experiences together, the wedding, the early stages of her illness, and the pre and post-surgery circumstances. The author teaches other husbands who are currently experiencing what he went through (and is still going through) how to survive the damage of losing a wife.
The author also reveals his wife's final wish and his promise to keep to it. Eventually, the author encounters many 'monkeys in his wrench' on his quest to fulfill the promise. Does he let these stop him from honoring his words? Or does he come through in the end?
Frank J. DiMaio's writing technique is unique. His distinct description allows the reader to feel every emotion he tries to express. The reader can feel everything, from the love between him and Judith to the sorrow and pain of losing her. This writing style leaves the reader in a puddle of emotions, as it is a lot to feel and contain. At the same time, it is beautiful to feel. These emotions are relatable to anyone who has lost a loved one. To those who haven't lost a loved one yet (which is probably unlikely), it will be a fresh experience.
A Promise Made, A Promise Kept was summarized into different events, mainly the important ones that'd help the reader learn the necessary lessons. Much more than what the author shared must have transpired during Judith's illness. However, the writer's ability to identify the crucial scenarios that drove home his point was admirable. Otherwise, there would have been plenty of events and possibly the sharing of unnecessary details.
The author's talk of journaling as part of what helped him through was fantastic. In explaining it, he highlighted the general benefits of journaling and how the words we express can become the voice of our emotions. This would encourage anyone reading this book to try out journaling.
A Promise Made, A Promise Kept is an amazing read. I recommend it to husbands with wives suffering from terminal diseases; they will learn how to deal with the challenges. Wives with husbands who have cancer can also try out this book. It will also be a good read for anyone who has lost a loved one, helping them learn to cope with loss. There are no grammatical errors and nothing to dislike. Therefore, I rate it five out of five stars.