In the book's 20 chapters, readers discover how Arline and others surmount often life-draining challenges to enhance their own lives and the lives of strangers as well as loved ones.

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Contents

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1  Buffaloed By Fear  

    (A harrowing encounter with a water buffalo in India and the result)

 

2.  A Mother's Worst Nightmare

    (Rob Polgar's experience as a "Come From Away" in Newfoundland on 9/11)

 

3   (Sowing Apple Seeds & Love

    (Johnny Appleseed - the myth and the man)

 

4.  Discovering the Truth

    (Don Weaver's midlife discovery of his adoption and meeting his birth family at age 65)

 

5  Restoring Lost Love - Music

    (Music's blessings for Arline)

 

6  Passing the Torch

    (Inventor/philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller's life, achievements and final in-person messages)

 

7  A Person of Value

    (Anecdotes conveying the importance of valuing others regardless of circumstances)

 

8  Deciphering Coincidences

    (Mini-stories about events: were they coincidences or kissed-by-the-universe experiences)

 

9  Taking a Leap…of Faith

    (How Arline's rappelling adventure translated into life lessons)

 

10 Our Life's Path

    (Jim Gordon's work with the Beatles, Joni Mitchell and others; his disenchantment; and his reconnection with music)

 

11 From Secret to Solace

    (Arline's challenges with trichotillomania [hair-pulling disorder] and her lessons)

 

12 Kindness of Strangers

    (Examples of how small acts of kindness uplift others)

 

13 Coming Into My Own

    (Arline's circuitous path to self-discovery)

 

14 Life Instructions About Death

    (Learning about death, forms of grief and celebrating one's life)

 

15 Something About Karel

    (Karel Spak: a role model of how to live life fully for 100+ years) 

 

16 Elephant Encounters

    (Arline's love for elephants from her first ride in India to her mounting concern for their fate)

 

17 Sanctuary

    (The restorative power of spending time in nature)

 

18 Happy Wanderer

    (Life-broadening, thought-provoking benefits of travel)

 

19 Unearthing Our Gold

    (An analogy—the unearthing of Thailand's Golden Buddha and its parallels for our lives)

 

20 Perceiving the Whole

    (Accounts of Arline's spiritual explorations and her awe of creation)

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Details:

    Paperback publication date - July 22, 2022

    Dimensions: 6 x 0.38 x 9 inches

    Page Count: 165

    Language: English

 

Where To Buy Changed for the Better:

    For a paperback or Kindle version, go to Amazon Prime here.

    For an author's autographed copy click the PayPal link above.

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Reviews:

     In this rather difficult time of post-pandemic, refugees, war and seemingly endless American political polarization, it is such a joy and a ray of light to read Arline Kaplan’s life-affirming new book.  Even the title, "Changed for the Better," provides a kind hint of what’s to come…an anticipation of being lifted up and empowered to a more positive place.  ( Thank you Arline for that…)  Readers of this special book are awarded the opportunity to gaze into Ms. Kaplan’s delightful life and join her in a personal quest of understanding of  the people and situations that bring  her grace, love  and compassion in  this often perilous human condition.  As an educator, world traveler and woman of peace and deep faith, Ms Kaplan invites the reader to join her in separate stories and events that often profoundly changed human beings lives and perhaps never to return to who they once were.  And how blessed we are as the reader, through her insights, to discover that maybe we have changed for the better as well.

     I was taken by the story of her son, stranded in Newfoundland immediately after 9/11 and how the local people lent a hand and a heart to almost 6,000 passengers for a rather long period of time until they were allowed to return to the US. Further, I am taken by Ms. Kaplan’s ability to look at herself, her flaws, her emotions, her inconsistencies, and rise up, acknowledge and shine on for us all.  Ms. Kaplan has strolled many paths, but they all seem to lead to peace, a desire to understand human beings and a commitment to share that knowledge and wisdom and to empower that with the rest of us,.Considering the obstacles that are  in place to  hinder creating a more peaceful world, this little treasure book is a bright shining  light of hope for a better world for us all.  Let's walk that path to peace together, arm in arm… Ms. Kaplan will be holding the light.  (Paz, Richard Madeira)

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    I just finished reading your heart-warming, incredible book on your life experiences and your deeper explorations of spiritual awakenings.  I was especially moved that our mutual India journey featured prominently in your insightful musings about your unfolding life lessons in your personal growth.  Your attention to detail in describing your elephant encounters and observations of nature around you brought so many scenes alive for me. (Anthony Elite)

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    Loved the book.  "Changed for the Better," by Arline Kaplan is quite inspirational. From a shy little girl to a gifted writer, traveler, and spiritual learner she not only changed her life for the better but she includes the lives of several people who, through determination and acceptance of the possibilities life offers, were able to work through challenges and change not only their own lives but the lives of others. She reminds us that what matters most in life is following the Golden Rule, to practice loving-kindness. 5 out of 5 stars. (Sue Snyder)

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    I purchased this book because the author is a high school classmate. WHAT AN INTERESTING BOOK. There's few things more interesting that one's personal story fragments, and this one tops them all. 5 out of 5 stars.  (Don Shaw)