Page 20 - Boca Club News - December '21

Page 20, Boca Club News

The Arts

Book Review: “Small Steps...Big Changes:

The Personal Stories of a Life Coach”

By Nils A. Shapiro are covered in the pages of After reading “Small Steps...Big Changes,” I purchased
The readers of this review need this book. five more copies from Amazon and had them shipped to my
no introduction to Dale Brown, the You are certain to five grown grandchildren, four of whom are married. It was
author of this month’s book selection. recognize yourself, or my way of introducing my family to a wise woman I had first
Dale’s own health and wellness someone you care about, in met more than a dozen years ago—and whom I know will
column, Reality Check, has been one a number of the life situations become a valuable friend-and-advisor-in-print to them in the
of the most popular and widely read described in these pages. coming years through the pages of this wonderful, important
columns in Boca Club News almost It is only natural that, new book.
since we started publishing about when any of us is in one In addition to being a Certified Life Coach, motivational
15 years ago. Her professional training as a Certified Life of these difficult personal speaker, writer and trainer, Dale Brown has a Master’s
Coach and motivational speaker—in addition to other skills, situations, complex emotions Degree in Physical Education and 20 years’ experience
which will be touched upon later here—have provided Dale and other factors block us training elite level athletes and traveling throughout the
with a wealth of experience in helping clients to confront, from thinking clearly enough world with U.S. Olympic gymnastic teams and officiating
understand and successfully resolve the many different kinds to deal with the problem high level athletic events. I believe that she brings a “whole
of issues that all of us must come to terms with at various ourselves. That’s why Dale person” approach to her understanding of human nature and
times in our daily lives. Brown—who combines training as a Certified Life Coach the issues we all face.
What’s more, Dale’s writing style is warm, friendly and with her own natural wisdom and caring nature—has drawn Long retired now, I devoted most of my own career to the
very personal; you soon have the feeling that you are hearing on all of her many years of experience and success with publishing industry, including 15 years with a major book
from a very dear and caring friend. clients to provide here, as in personal private counseling company. I have brought publishers and authors together
The problems discussed here range so widely that they sessions, the sensible, small, easy-to-take steps that are so for books that have sold millions of copies, and in recent
are certain to cover virtually everyone’s personal situation, often all that is needed to resolve the problem and set one years have edited the authors’ manuscripts of 16 books. (I
whether they relate to your own issues or those of family back on the path to a happy, more relaxed and fulfilled life. claim no credit for Dale Brown’s book; she accomplished
members or friends that you wish could be changed: an Importantly, this is a book you can benefit from reading that on her own.) Yet I can honestly say that I have not
annoying attitude; whining and complaining; constant front page to last...or by turning to any “session” whenever read any that will provide wiser, more helpful advice and
blaming; denial of a problem; being too judgmental; a you feel the need for advice about a specific problem. information than “Small Steps...Big Changes.”
negative outlook on life; poor communication skills; inability As an interesting and helpful bonus, Dale has added at the I highly recommend it—for interesting reading, and for
to cope with crises; the need to “lighten up”; getting rid of end of each chapter a list of “Take-Aways”—brief thoughts the comfort of knowing it will be there for you should you
bad habits; aging gracefully; setting goals for yourself...these to keep in mind from the previous section that will help you ever need its guidance.
topics just scratch the surface of the book’s 62 sections that to stay on the right path.
Film Review:

“The Electrical Life of Louis Wain”

By Nils A. Shapiro both hands at once, starting at the outer edges of the page and Soon after, when one of Wain’s sisters fired the family’s
There are several very good reasons to view this film, but meeting in the center for the finishing touches. governess, Emily Stephenson (played by Claire Foy), the gentle
its title is definitely not one of them. Indeed, having watched Wain lived with his mother and five sisters, yet he was naïve and compassionate Wain at first sought to comfort her. As
the film last night and been impressed and emotionally moved and awkward around other women. As was customary in that they began to spend more time together, their mutual feelings
by it, I am frankly confused by what prompted such a title. era—the second half of the 19th Century and the early part deepened into love and, eventually, marriage.
Except for the fact that we are informed at the opening by of the 20th—he as the man of the household was expected to It was the happiest, though relatively short-lived, time of
an unseen narrator, Academy Award-winning actress Olivia support them all. He applied to the Illustrated London News for Louis Wain’s life. It was also during this time that Louis and
Colman, that the story is based on the life of a true historical a job as an illustrator, but the editor, Toby Jones, was uncertain Emily discovered, one day on their sprawling lawn, a tiny
figure—Victorian era artist Louis Wain, who was apparently whether or not to hire Wain for the newspaper until, during the black-and-white kitten clearly lost and frightened. They took
intrigued by the recent discovery of electricity and the positive interview, in a matter of seconds Wain with a pencil in each it in, gave it a home, and Louis named him Peter.
influence it would have on people’s lives—electricity plays hand produced a strong likeness of Jones and handed it to the
no further part in the film! The rest is devoted to the impact amazed editor. Film Review... on page 21
he himself made on millions of his fellow Britons through his
extraordinary artistic talent and the whimsical uniqueness of
his work.
For me at least—having had a career that spanned more than
half a century in publishing (including the book industry) and
with my deep love of all things related to animals—to realize
that I had never before heard the name Louis Wain was nothing
less than shocking.
As portrayed here superbly by Benedict Cumberbatch, in
what may well be an Oscar-nominated performance, Louis Stylish Modern Atmosphere Make Reservations happy hour
Wain was a rather shy man, almost compulsively focused every Day 3 - 6 pm
on his illustrations, which he executed rapidly drawing with
and Mon. - Thurs.
all Day at Bar Only

Lunch SpeciaLS

every Day
starting at 9
$