The Treasure Box Series, Volume I

About the Book

About the Author

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Preface
A September Psalm
Embrace Today
Universal Truths

Section I Components for Being at Peace

Introduction

A Letter to the Youth

Understanding Peace and Chaos

Harmony Within the Human System

The Soul Is Like a Special Garden

The Spiritual Aspects of Peace

God May Not Come to Your Rescue

Section II Protecting Peace and Happiness

Being Prepared Provides Peace of Mind

Preserving Peace of Mind

Forgiveness Provides Peace of Mind

Attributes That Preserve the Peace

Section III Overcoming Adversity and Character Deficiencies

Triumph Over Adversity

Set Clear Parameters

Gain Control of Self-will

Being in Alignment

Being Self-Reliant

Peace in the Home

Section IV Living a Life That Has Meaning and Purpose

Create a Life With Purpose

Take Charge of Your Life

Protect Democracy

We Can Do It Together

Important Lessons I Have Learned

More Information About the Author

Readers Questions and Comments

Index

THE MAIN MESSAGE

The purpose of this book is to convey a message of hope for those who find themselves bogged down by all the chaos around them and crave rest from the turmoil in their lives. It is also for those in desperate need of peace to warm their souls when life seems to be coming apart at the seams.

Regardless of your circumstances, it is within your ability to find peace during these trying times if you know how to do so and if you are ready to make that commitment. The purpose of this book is to help you achieve this goal.

WHY IS THIS MESSAGE IMPORTANT TO YOU?

While in pursuit of peace and happiness, you must keep your mind focused squarely on obtaining only those things in life that hold the most meaning. These are the types of gems you should be putting in your Life's Treasure Box.

What you choose to put in your Life's Treasure Box becomes your greatest asset for achieving peace in difficult situations.

Being at peace requires your full commitment, discipline, resolve, and a willingness to change the way you respond to stressful situations.

This likely means you need to learn new skills that help you avoid inappropriate responses that, until now, may have been destroying your ability to feel peace, joy, and happiness in your heart, mind, and soul. At the very least, the way you are currently responding is not giving you the results you want.

A stuffed treasure box and a full account in the Love Bank™ (trademark by Terrance Norton) become assets in helping you survive these challenging times.

You probably already realize that something is not exactly right in your life. This book helps you understand why you feel that way. Perhaps it will also help you make the most precious desires of your heart come to fruition.

Peace is not achieved by accident; you must create an environment for peace to exist. The principles that are useful in helping you do that are detailed in this book.

Special Notation from the Author

You will notice that I frequently refer to God in my writing. He is my power source and a constant influence in my life. I trust you understand that this is how I find comfort and guidance as I try to understand things and forge my way through the chaos in this life.

Although this book is somewhat spiritual in nature, I hope you will not mistakenly label it a "religious book" and set it aside without reading it - just because the word God happens to be mentioned or that it is mentioned more than once. You can rest assured that this book is not about a religion but it is about exercising faith in what you understand as God, or whatever it is that stirs your soul.

The word "God" is used generically to express spiritual beliefs because that is what I understand and relate to best to explain the concepts in this book. Thus, you should refer to whatever you relate to best, and use it to help you understand the concepts being presented in this book. That way, you will gain something of value from it.

Protecting peace in times fraught with anguish and difficulty is something I learned first-hand. It is for this reason that I developed a much better understanding of the fact that life's harsh lessons may seem unbearable at times and can deeply stir up the soul. It might even plunge our lives into despair and chaos. Yet I also learned that, although it may not seem like it at the time, these lessons are useful when they are cultivated in a better understanding of life.

Rest assured, what you are told in this book is not untested theory. I was put through the wringer of life and my soul strenuously tested for strength and character. It is with humility and confidence in myself and God, that I eventually overcame these trials. I am grateful for this blessing. I believe the concepts suggested in this book will help you as well.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO GAIN FROM THIS BOOK?

• PEACE OF MIND…by collecting only the treasures that are good for your mind, body, spirit, and soul, you prevent the enemy to peace from taking control of your soul and imprisoning your spirit.
• JOY…by learning to secure more of what you want out of life, you enjoy a sense of peace and contentment.
• HAPPINESS…by learning to achieve more satisfying results in situations, your life feels more fulfilling.
• CONFIDENCE …by learning to respond more appropriately, you gain a better understanding of your purpose in life.
• ENDURANCE…by learning to weather the storms of daily life, you develop new skills that help you change your inappropriate responses for a lifetime.
• PEACE AROUND YOU…by learning to respond appropriately, you prevent the slightest disturbance from becoming a tempest.
• HARMONY…by learning to be in balance and in alignment with God and Universal Laws, you create a more peaceful environment.
• UNDERSTANDING…by responding appropriately, you can prevent the slightest disturbance from becoming a tempest.
• STRENGTHENED PERSONAL VALUES…by learning to embrace values such as virtue, honesty, integrity, you develop self-worth.

FROM THE DESK OF JUDITH SHERMAN

My heart is pained because of your hardships and suffering. Since I learned how to protect the peace around me, I want nothing more than to see you experiencing the same peace that I am able to enjoy. My heart swells with joy when I learn that I helped someone receive these same blessings. As a result, this book is a compilation of life's treasures that I collected and stored in volumes so you might benefit from some of the lessons life is generously teaching me.

Inside these pages you find common-sense techniques that are developed and proven through personal experience. I used these techniques to enhance my own understanding of peace and to help me deal with the chaos of living in the world today. Because these techniques were so helpful, I learned to respond more appropriately to my challenges. This information has